Summary
- Grand Theft Auto, Spyro, Mario Kart, The Sims, Pokemon, and Animal Crossing are all great video game franchises to introduce new players to gaming.
- These franchises offer a variety of experiences, from open-world action to easy platforming challenges, making them accessible to players of all ages and interests.
- Whether it's the freedom and variety of GTA, the colorful worlds of Spyro, the simple racing mechanics of Mario Kart, the immersive life simulation of The Sims, the unique puzzle-platforming of Thomas Was Alone, the iconic RPG gameplay of Pokemon, or the relaxing town management of Animal Crossing, there's a game out there for everyone.
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.
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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 some great gateway video game franchises and games out there that those curious can start with.
7 Grand Theft Auto
A Perfect Franchise For Older Gamers
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar North
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
The Grand Theft Auto series is renowned for being a controversial franchise, and that is largely due to its mature rating. As such, no child should ever use GTA as 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.
In GTA 5, players can drive cars, enter a shooting range, play tennis, perform yoga, or just cause 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.
6 Spyro
A Franchise Full Of Easy And Colorful Worlds To Explore
Spyro Reignited Trilogy
- Released
- November 13, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Toys for Bob
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Spyro the Dragon has been a mascot for gamers since the late 90s. This purple protagonist has been the lead character in many games over the years, and these titles normally involve small platform challenges and collectathons. The levels in each Spyro game are normally vibrant and creative, which makes exploring them a joy, and the first three games are relatively easy.
Therefore, the Spyro franchise 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 the Spyro Reignited Trilogy.
5 Mario Kart
A Simple Racing Franchise
Mario Kart 8
- Released
- May 30, 2014
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EAD
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Wii U
- Genre(s)
- Racing
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 the Mario Kart series.
Players do not need to know much about cars, racing, or the Mario universe 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 8 even offers the option to play online with others if this is something a new gamer wants to try.
4 The Sims
A Deeply Immersive Life Simulation Series
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 Sims has been a staple series for PC gamers for decades now, even though the more recent games are also available on consoles.
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This life simulation game lets players flex their creative muscles to build and play their own home and family in a world full of things to do and interact with. There is very little that can go wrong in The 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.
3 Thomas Was Alone
A Uniquely Easy Game To Master
Thomas Was Alone
Thomas Was Alone is 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 Alone is 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 in Thomas 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.
2 Pokemon
A Successful Franchise With A New Jumping On Point
Pokemon Let's Go
- Released
- November 16, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Platform(s)
- Switch
- Genre(s)
- RPG
The Pokemon franchise is one of the biggest multimedia empires in the world. Most people can recognize a Pokemon from one of the 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 the Let's Go games were released for the Nintendo Switch.
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Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu! And Let's Go, Eevee! Are two simplified versions of the first-generation Pokemon games. They combine gameplay aspects from the main series of games and the Pokemon Go app to create an experience that shows new players exactly what the Pokemon franchise 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.
1 Animal Crossing
A Series Designed To Be Relaxing
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Released
- March 20, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
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 Crossing is 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 out Animal Crossing at their own pace, which is why it is the best video game to introduce to those considering getting into gaming.
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