As is true with anything awesome, there is a minority of detractors who insist they don’t like video games. In fairness, there are plenty of reasons they could cite: starting costs, microtransactions, required time investments, and steep learning curves are all understandable turn-offs.
That said, it’s possible that these people may actually like games, but they just haven’t found the right one for them yet. What will speak to inexperienced or skeptical players varies, but over the years, there have been some core releases that can change the minds of even the biggest haters.
Wii Sports Is the Most Approachable Video Game Ever
Wii Sports is perhaps the greatest casual video game of all time, to put it simply. Everybody had a Wii in the 2000s, so everybody had Wii Sports, which was included as a pack-in title with the console. Despite its freebie status, though, it offers tons of fun.
Like many Wii games, Wii Sports is extremely approachable to non-gamers thanks to its intuitive motion-based controls and the fact that the subject matter, common sports, is relatable. Most importantly, the game itself is actually fun. Wii Sports was rare in that it was a game that the literal whole family, from young kids to grandparents, could have a fantastic time with.
Tetris Has Been an Undeniable Classic Since the 1980s
If 100 people were surveyed and asked to quickly name a video game, a majority of respondents would probably say Tetris. At this point, it’s a default video game, thanks to its prominence on the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Game Boy in the late 1980s. Like Wii Sports, Tetris came free with Game Boy consoles, so there was no issue with getting it into players’ hands.
Once the game is on, it can be as simple or complicated as players want. It’s possible to just casually fill up the board and clear lines for a few minutes at a time. Or, those with more of a competitive side can use advanced maneuvering to chase high scores. Also, going for Tetris is that it’s available on essentially every electronic device ever made, often for free or cheap, so there is very little barrier to entry.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder Is Evolved but Still Accessible
For many, the original Super Mario Bros. on the NES was the first platformer they ever played. It was a perfect example of the genre: movement is fun and exciting, the objectives are clear, vibrant visuals and music keep it from getting too monotonous, and there’s a satisfying amount of content.
The series has advanced in many ways since the ’80s, with the latest iteration being Super Mario Bros. Wonder. There’s a lot more involved in this game than the original SMB, but what hasn’t changed is how simple the game is to pick up and play. The learning curve isn’t steep at all, and especially in the first few stages, the level variety does a lot to draw players in.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Masters the Racing Series’ Formula
Like the 2D Mario games, the Mario Kart series has continued to produce titles that every owner of a Nintendo console needs to have in their library. Any Mario Kart title would be a wonderful place for a new player to start, because all the installments put a great focus on making racing not too intimidating for new players.
This is especially true in more recent Mario Kart installments, which have features like assisted steering that keep it fun for racers who don’t want the stakes to be too high. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch is the peak version at the moment. There has since been a sequel, Mario Kart World, on the Switch 2, but it’s easier to recommend Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, since the experience is comparably great (some might even say better) compared to its successor.
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket Is a Perfect Simple TCG
There are so many points of entry into the world of Pokémon. In terms of cost and simplicity, though, it doesn’t currently get better than the recent adaptation of the card game. Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is a mobile game, so all anybody even slightly curious has to do is open the app store on the phone they already own.
While there are ways to spend money in the game, it’s free to download, and hours of fun can be had without paying for any DLC. Furthermore, TCG Pocket offers a simplified version of the sometimes-complicated base card game, making it enjoyable and easy to try without having to invest in learning a bunch of deep strategies and advanced mechanics.
The Sims 4 Is Real Life but More Fun
The Sims has been around for decades, and its approach has long been different from that of a lot of games. For one, it often doesn’t feel like a game: It’s not about winning as much as it is about creating and inhabiting a world. It’s not some sort of mystical realm, either, but a realistic everyday space that doesn’t need much of an explanation.
It’s a life simulation game, so players build and upgrade homes, manage relationships, and things like that. Interactions between characters can be emotional or silly, and there’s no real pressure to do anything in a certain way. It’s an open-ended, slow-paced, and casual experience, great for players who aren’t used to racing against the clock or trying to achieve a high score.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Is a Peaceful Escape
The Animal Crossing series dates all the way back to the initial Japan-only game on the Nintendo 64 (which was later enhanced for the GameCube and released in more territories). It reached its apex, though, with New Horizons on the Switch, which dominated the gaming world in 2020, serving as a lighthearted escape from reality during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was a game that brought a lot of non-gamers to the Switch. Like The Sims, it’s a life simulation game, but instead of a realistic world, it takes place on a cute island filled with adorable animal characters. There are tasks to complete, but the pressure is very low, and it’s all open-ended, and the sense of control it offered players was valuable during a time when it felt like they had very little of it.
Balatro Is Only as Complicated as You Want It To Be
While Balatro has relatively novel gameplay, there’s a natural entry point in that the idea is based on poker. There are some new things to learn, but if a new player has an understanding of the basics of the familiar card game that inspired it, they’re already off to a strong start. It’s important not to feel lost in a game, especially for a new player, and the real-world foundation of Balatro makes it not too challenging to get going.
Part of where Balatro‘s power lies is in making the player feel smart. Gameplay can ultimately remain as straightforward as the player chooses to make it, but once they get comfortable, it’s easy to strategize with Jokers, which modify some elements of the gameplay, and gradually take it to the next level. The game can get complex, but the player is also free to reach that point, or not, at their own pace.
Untitled Goose Game Makes Exploration Both Fun and Funny
Describing Untitled Goose Game as a stealth puzzle title makes it sound like some sort of complicated take on Metal Gear Solid. The truth, though, is that not only is it a great game for beginners to jump into without feeling overwhelmed, it’s very silly and fun.
The protagonist is a goose, and the player’s primary object is to cause mischief in specific ways. The lighthearted aesthetic and the joy of ruining people’s day while trying to achieve goals is just good, clean, silly fun. Curiosity is rewarded, the dynamic piano soundtrack adds an aesthetic pleasure to the experience, and in terms of raw entertainment and humor, few modern games are on this level.
Minecraft Is the Biggest Game Ever for a Reason
Some sources say Tetris is the best-selling game ever, while others insist it’s Minecraft. Either way, Minecraft has proven to be immensely popular since its initial release in 2009. Part of the reason for that is that Minecraft is as open and free as games get.
Like in The Sims and Animal Crossing, players can explore and customize the world in their vision. Minecraft, though, takes it a step further by throwing players into a procedurally generated area that they can reshape in any way they can imagine. The play area is virtually infinite, and so are the possibilities, but there are some useful tips for getting started.