"So, what are these videogames I keep on hearing about?"

[Captain Pancake]

probably the sims, it's best to show them something mainstream so as not to confuse them.

I'd suggest and RPG like Knights of the Old Republic.

ooh, that's an even better one...

 

[Wargamer]

LittleBigPlanet. It HAS to be LittleBigPlanet!

That game has caused four fully grown adults to prat about like 13 year olds. DRUNKEN 13 year olds! It is an astounding feat of Gaming Awesome.

 

[Xaryn Mar]

Either something old, such as a Mario or Pacman game (although I haven't got any) or as someone said further up one of the LEGO games.
They are simple to learn how to play but difficult enough to provide a challenge.

 

[Aardvark Soup]

I'd start with Super Mario Bros. for the NES. Very basic and simple but a lot of conventions invented there are still being used in most games today. Then I'd follow with a more recent 3D video game, probably Zelda: Twillight Princess because I'm a huge Zelda fanboy. Finally I'd let that person try out WiiSports, since the entry barrier is extremely low.

If that person is still interested we will slowly move on from still pretty casual games (Peggle, Mario Kart) to eventually complex RPG's, fighters and strategy games.


Of course you could also just show that person I Wanna be the Guy, so that he/she never ever wants to touch a video game again.

 

[Guitarmasterx7]

a Fun pick up and play game that doesn't take any skill to have fun with. Most standard answer here would be mario, I would consider possibly prototype, maybe Halo, it depends on the person really. It definitely would not be 1) any type of RPG. 2) a story driven or puzzle game.

 

[BuckminsterF]

probably something simple like Super Mario Bros. or maybe Scribblenauts so they don't get scared by all shiny buttons and guys trying to shoot you