Summary

Video games are one of the most popular forms of entertainment, and the hobby is bigger now than it has ever been. Home consoles are now the norm in most households, and competitive online gaming is enticing more new players as time goes on. Almost everyone remembers the first video game they ever played, but there are still some people out there who have yet to try one for themselves.

The reason why some people have yet to try video games may be because they are only young or because the activity has never appealed to them. Either way, there are somegreat gateway video game franchises and gamesout there that those curious can start with.

GTA 5 Map

TheGrand Theft Autoseries is renowned for being a controversial franchise, and that is largely due to its mature rating. As such, no child should ever useGTAas their first introduction to gaming. However, the series is a great introduction to new gamers of a certain age because of the freedom and variety each title allows its players.

InGTA 5, players can drive cars, enter a shooting range, play tennis, perform yoga, or justcause general mayhem. Therefore, it is likely that anyone who is new to gaming will find something that they enjoy in this video game. That is true even if the individual is not a big fan of the mature content on offer.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy Map

Spyro the Dragon has been a mascot for gamers since the late 90s. This purple protagonist has been the lead character inmany games over the years, and these titles normally involve small platform challenges and collectathons. The levels in eachSpyrogame are normally vibrant and creative, which makes exploring them a joy, and the first three games are relatively easy.

Therefore, theSpyrofranchise is a great way to introduce new gamers, both young and old, to the concept of video games. The original trilogy for the PS1 may be a bit hard to get hold of now, but luckily, these games were all remastered for modern consoles in theSpyro Reignited Trilogy.

Mario Kart 8

There are few characters in video games who are as recognizable as Mario. This Italian plumber started out with a series of platform games by Nintendo, but some of his best games so far have come in the form of theMario Kartseries.

Players do not need to know much about cars, racing, or theMariouniverse to get into this franchise. Every playable character is evenly balanced in terms of ability, and the traps laid about the track make it easy for newer players to engage with, and even succeed in, every race. The tracks and trophies even get progressively harder, and the challenge in itself is half the fun. Plus,Mario Kart 8even offers the option toplay online with othersif this is something a new gamer wants to try.

The Sims 4

Video games aren’t just limited to gaming consoles. Not everyone has access to these types of platforms, so it may be better to introduce new players to video games that can be played on PC instead.The Simshas been a staple series for PC gamers for decades now, even though the more recent games are also available on consoles.

This life simulation game lets players flex their creative muscles to build and play their own home and family ina world full of things to doand interact with. There is very little that can go wrong inThe Sims, which is why it is a great PC game to introduce to new players. The game will alert players to their Sims' needs, making it easy to keep track of things, too. That said, if players prefer otherwise, they can easily cause a great deal of chaos whenever they see fit; the possibilities are almost endless.

Thomas Was Alone

Thomas Was Aloneis a small indie game that features movable quadrilaterals as playable characters. This unique title is only small, so it is unlikely that new players will approach this game with any prior expectations.

As a story-heavy game,Thomas Was Aloneis a title that narrates what the player should be doing with the characters on the screen at all times. This may involve hopping over small gaps or just placing certain shapes in specific parts of the screen. Even if new players do not end up liking the gaming experience, chances are that they will enjoy the story being told inThomas Was Alone. It may not be a franchise, but anyone interested in gaming should still consider giving this title a go, as it can make for a great stepping stone into the world of video games.

Pokemon Let’s Go

ThePokemonfranchise is one of the biggest multimedia empires in the world. Most people can recognize a Pokemon from one ofthe many TV shows, movies, or card games that have been released. However, although the franchise is aimed heavily toward young children, the games are not as easy to pick up and play as they once were. That was until theLet’s Gogames were released for the Nintendo Switch.

Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!andLet’s Go, Eevee!are two simplified versions of the first-generationPokemongames. They combine gameplay aspects from the main series of games and thePokemon Goapp to create an experience that shows new players exactly what thePokemonfranchise is all about. With easy battle and catching mechanics, any new gamer who enjoys this game will instantly want to try one of the many other titles in the franchise.

Animal Crossing New Horizons

Most TV shows and movies depict video games as highly intense or competitive experiences. While there are a lot of gaming franchises out there that can provide that kind of atmosphere,Animal Crossingis not one of them.

This town management franchise is designed to help players relax as they slowly improve fictional towns full of cute creatures. This is done by completing minute tasks for the villagers, which can include gardening, fishing, cooking, or building new structures. There is no time limit or enemies to pursue. Players can relax and figure outAnimal Crossingat their own pace, which is why it is the best video game to introduce to those considering getting into gaming.