Games you must play

[andymol21]

I always maintain this (and I probably sound like a stuck record to some of you) but Zelda Ocarina of Time is a must play. It is one of the most highly scored games of all time, and is one of the reasons I became the massive gamer I am now. It is utterly mindblowing!

[Gamerforlife]

For people who have never played games? Hmmm, I'm so into gaming it's a bit hard to know what non-gamers would be into. This seems like two topics. What we consider must play games and what we think would appeal to non-gamers. So I need to come up with games that fit both criteria. So I'm looking for games that are awesome and yet also accessible in both difficulty level and appeal. I'll give this a shot

ICO-This would be my first choice. THE game that ends the games as art debate. It's a memorable and emotional game that will stay in the mind of a first time gamer for a long time, while also showing them what the medium is truly capable of.
VIVA PINATA-Unique, charming, deep and it's accessible and appealing to gamers of all ages and sexes. Better than the sequel I think. THIS is my kind of sandbox game.
HALO-The original, not the shitty sequels. It hit the mainstream for a reason. Easy to pick up and play, fun and just delivers in every area from graphics, story, gameplay, etc.
TIME CRISIS 2-Anyone can play a light gun game and this is one of the best. Being able to duck and cover makes Time Crisis games more accessible than other light gun games

PETER JACKSON'S KING KONG-This might be a bit hard for a gaming newbie to play, so I'd probably help out. I like this choice because it shows what a good licensed game is like and it also shows what a game can do in terms of immersion and creating characters that actually interact with players.
PRINCE OF PERSIA:SANDS OF TIME-Probably one of the more accessible platformers due to its elegant, intuitive control scheme. Some of the best visuals and music in ANY game and a likable main character. This is just a fantastic game that should be appreciated by everyone.
BEYOND GOOD & EVIL-I don't know where to start. I love this game for so many reasons and I think it's accessible.
OKAMI-Same thoughts as above

CRAZI TAXI-Fun, accessible. This is a game for anyone who just wants to have fun
RESIDENT EVIL 4-It's not exactly accessible gameplaywise, but it's full of awesome moments I would have to show somebody new to games. I would definitely show them the awesome boss fight in the boat, the cabin fight with all the zombies crashing through the windows and the fight against the huge cave troll.
TETRIS-Hell, everybody loves Tetris. I know an old lady who is definitely not a gamer and she likes Tetris
COMIX ZONE-Too hard for a newbie, but another one of those awesome games I would want to show someone new to games. Anyone who likes comic books would appreciate this game, whether they are a gamer or not

SUPER PUNCH OUT-It's a bit tough, but any player could get this game down with some practice. At least to the point where they could beat the first couple of opponents.
THE DARKNESS-Just started playing this, but it's a fantastic title and definitely a game I think would impress someone new to the medium
CASTLE CRASHERS-You and a gaming newbie could play this on co-op or multi-player to ease them in. It's a fantastic, fun game full of accessible humor, an art style anyone with an appreciation for animation would like and it's easy to pick up and play
I can think of plenty others, so I'll stop now.

[RackGaki]

If someone is somehow brand new to video games, then all really need to get started is:

Super Mario All Stars (SNES) - needs no explanation.

Castle Crashers (XBLA) - easy to get into beat 'em up with co-op, humor, and challenge.

Grand Theft Auto 4 (PS3, 360) - being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want is almost universally appealing. Some will run over pedestrians for hours on end, others may be satisfied with completing the variety of game options that don't involve violence. Strangely enough, you can go hours in GTA4 without ever committing so much as a traffic offense, and you will still find entertaining stuff to do.

Wii Bowling - Forget Wii Sports, the bowling mini-game has converted more non-gamers than anything else on there. My father-in-law abandoned video games after Space Invaders - since then, he thinks it's all a waste of time. He watched my nieces play it on his TV, grumbling that he should be watching his programs, but allowed the kids to finish their game first. They let him try it out, and he ended up bowling with them for an hour instead.

For someone who hasn't experienced much/any video games, this is a good start. Adding too much, and the games would be either subpar, too difficult, or have too steep of a learning curve.

[RCBH928]

everyone is recommending ICO,
I haven't played this game, its only on the ps2?
i dont own one

[Elwood]

Unless it got put up on Steam then yes, it's PS2 only.

As far as games that must be played, I'd say anyone with a SNES (or emulator if you're cool with that) needs to get Super Mario All-Stars plus Super Mario World. One of the greatest compilations ever, and one of the things that shaped me as a gamer growing up.

I've pimped it out in one or two other threads, but Cave Story may very well be the greatest freeware game in history, in fact it's better then many games you'd pay money for. It feels like mash-up of many of the classic games of the 8-bit era like Metroid, Mega Man and Blaster Master, with an interesting atmosphere and a lot of depth. It still boggles my mind that this game was made by just one guy.

I've come to believe that puzzle games are a great gateway for someone who doesn't play games. Magical Drop, Puyo Pop/Mean Bean Machine/whatever, Tetris, Tetris Attack, Chu Chu Rocket, take your pick.

It really depends on what sort of things the person in question would enjoy. If they appreciate unique art style and presentation, games like Okami, Shadow of the Collossus, Odin Sphere, etc. would be good. Maybe they enjoy humor, give them Psychonauts or a classic Lucas Arts point and click adventure game. Or maybe they just love a feeling a senseless violence. Take your pick really.