Games that EVERYONE should play at least once

[PeePantz]

Pong. Pong is at roots of gaming, and is easy enough that anyone can get into.

Pong is unnecessary and boring. If you're going for the roots, everyone should play pacman or donkey kong. Very simple, yet addictive and fun. Both games still hold up and, to me, are just about the true start of gaming.

 

[veloper]

There is not one, because not every genre appeals to everyone.

But if there was, it would have to be a game that runs on any aged old laptop, else not everyone will play it.

That's true that everyone will not appreciate every genre. I know some people who have never read a Harry Potter or bothered to watch Jurassic Park, E.T., or Inception just because it's not their thing. But I mean as a general broad spectrum game, and also lets imagine that getting them the proper tech isn't a hurdle.

\

Just have everyone play some GOTY stuff them.

Batman Arkham Asylum.
It's a good game by most standards and it contains many popular gameplay mechanics.

There's some "goty" turds like GTA4 and fable2, but most of it is above average or a rehash of something great like Mario Galaxy 2.

 

[bluebomber138]

depends on the genre...
i'd say Pokemon or crono trigger (RPG)
Portal (FPS)
Civ... any of them (TBS)
Mario world on the snes (platformer)
Sims (simulator)
erm... Command and Conquer? (RTS)
burnout 3 (driver)
Zelda... any of them (action RPG)
a classic metroid title (adventure, shooter)
And I just realized that the gaming industry has way too many acronyms...

 

[Sixcess]

Doom. If you play first person shooters then you need to play Doom. It didn't invent the genre, but just about every FPS since has been influenced in some way by Doom. Oh, and the gameplay is still awesome to this day.

For non-gamers, it has to be Portal. It's not too long, it's very accessible (like they said in EC once, it's basically 90% tutorial, but you don't notice) and though most of the puzzles aren't that hard it makes you feel like a genius when you solve them. One of the best designed games ever made and everyone should play it.

 

[AndrewF022]

Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)
Contra (NES)
Metal Gear Solid (PS1)
Zelda:OoT (N64)
Half Life (PC)
Halo:CE (Xbox)
Castlevania:SotN (PS1)
TESIV: Oblivion (PC)
Just Cause 2 (PC)
Doom (PC)

There would be a ton more, but those are what I can come up with right at this moment.

 

[Above]

Portal 1 & 2,And oblivion.

 

[Zantos]

I was suprised it took a whole 9 posts before someone mentioned a valve game.

I'd say probably Fable TLC, but those of you who remember anything I've already posted knew that already.

 

[Bon_Clay]

Super Mario Bros or SMB3. Like come on, come on. And Tetris everyone should also give a chance.

Doom, if you've played that you really have the jist of where FPS games are about.

Zelda OoT, I think that was the first game I played that was truly amazing. Games before that were fun, very well done, etc but OoT changed what I thought games could be. It brought together good story, fun gameplay and puzzles, and an interesting world to explore. Probably also one of the first times a game had real immersion for me too.

With those you get a good sample of addicting simple stuff, high action fun, and stuff that's deeper you can really get absorbed into.

 

[franconbean]

X-com.
I know it sounds pretentious, but it really is an amazing game that makes you actually care about the randomly generated soldiers you recruit.
Also, its a great slice of gaming history

 

[Gaiseric]

Freedom Fighters
Killer 7
killswitch
Red Faction

 

[Royta]

Demon's Souls. You have to experience it atleast once.

 

[gibboss28]

Portal 2
Warcraft 2 and 3
Final Fantasy 6
Sam and Max: The Devils Playhouse
Dune 2: Battle for Arrakis
Mario
Mario Kart
Quake
Duke Nukem 1 - 3
uhhh..thats all I can think of

 

[Vrex360]

I'd say Halo but I think that's too obvious an answer coming from me.

So instead I'll say Psychonauts. Because it is a great, great, great f*cking game. Frustrating but at the end of the day, there was so much great and crazy fun stuff and it was a blast to go through it all.
Plus it's a game with a decent length too, so there's that.

 

[Nouw]

Doom.

Once you have played Doom, nearly every FPS will be easier or more understandable. I am talking with the mindset of someone who hasn't played videogames in their life.

Or maybe some of the Lego:StarWars games, damn they're fun.

 

[Player Two]

I think everybody should play at least one text-based game. You don't have to like it or even finish it, just experience it. Same goes for point-and-click adventuring.

Aside from that... Deus Ex. And Minecraft.

 

[Gregg Lonsdale]

Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Play it once and it'll stick with you the rest of your (sane) life.

 

[mcg20k]

Deus Ex
Planescape: Torment
Mario
Doom

Off the top of my head those are some of the big ones

 

[Vibhor]

Shadow of the MOTHERFUCKING colossus
That is all.

 

[Smertnik]

The only thing that comes to my mind is Team ICO's stuff.