I first fell in love with video games playing Razor Freestyle Scooter on the PlayStation 1 when I was three years old in 2000. The game’s graphics, music, and the way you could interact with its unique world really captured my imagination, and that passion for gaming has only grown stronger and changed over the years as I’ve explored different games.
There’s something deeply personal and lasting about my connection to gaming. I grew up with it, and it became a permanent part of my imagination and memories. Not everyone can say the same, as many people didn’t play games as children and are only discovering the hobby now. A friend once told me she didn’t start playing until her 20s, feeling that games were mostly made for young boys and didn’t include people like her. For a long time, mainstream gaming really focused on teen boys, but that’s changing. Now, there are tons of games that anyone can enjoy, no matter their background, identity, or how experienced they are.
Mario Party
The Mario Party series is made to be fun for everyone, especially when playing with friends – that’s why it’s called a ‘party’ game! This idea shapes everything about the games, from the simple controls that are still enjoyable, to the relaxed pace of the board game format.
Scratch & Peek 
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as possible.
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What makes Mario Party great is that anyone can quickly turn things around. A bad roll of the dice one turn doesn’t mean you’re out of the game, as you could easily get a crucial star the next. While skill does matter, and you might struggle in some minigames but shine in others, it’s similar to the skill level found in classic board games like Monopoly. However, Mario Party is much less likely to cause arguments with family and friends!
The Mario Party games are always a hit with both experienced and casual players, and Mario Party Jamboree is the newest installment – I think it’s one of the best yet!
Before Your Eyes
I’ve lost patience with the argument over whether video games qualify as art. To me, it’s obvious they are – trying to prove it feels as pointless as defending the artistic value of movies. But I understand some people still need convincing, and a game like Before Your Eyes does a far better job of demonstrating that than any article or debate ever could.
In the game Before Your Eyes, you experience a series of moments from the main character’s life as a passive observer. What makes it unique is how you progress: the game uses your blinks to move forward in time – sometimes by days, weeks, or even years. This clever mechanic powerfully illustrates how quickly life passes, making the game both beautiful and emotionally impactful. It’s one thing to be told life is fleeting, but Before Your Eyes lets you experience it firsthand in a carefully crafted story.
It Takes Two
If you prefer fun, lighthearted games like Mario Party over emotionally intense ones like Before Your Eyes, then It Takes Two is definitely worth checking out. It’s less of a free-for-all than Mario Party, telling a clear story instead, but it offers a wider range of things to do. Each level feels fresh and surprising with completely new gameplay ideas and challenges. Plus, it’s a great game for two players, making it perfect if you want to introduce someone to video games.
Many cooperative games rely on one player to lead, but It Takes Two ensures both players are equally crucial. The first level exemplifies this: one character has a powerful nail gun, while the other wields a giant hammer that swings from nails. To progress, they must work together – one aiming and shooting nails, the other swinging across them. This balanced design avoids one player carrying the other, creating a truly rewarding team experience.
Abzu
If you’re looking for a peaceful and beautiful gaming experience, check out Abzu. You play as a diver exploring a fascinating ocean planet, swimming through colorful coral, lively schools of fish, and glowing underwater landscapes. While there are a few puzzles and hidden things to find, the game is primarily about enjoying a calming journey of discovery.
Just because a game is simple doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable. New gamers often have a better experience with games like Abzu than with complicated action or shooting games, because they can explore and play at their own pace. Repeatedly failing while learning can be frustrating, and games like Abzu, Flower, Journey, and Sword of the Sea offer a more relaxed and forgiving alternative.
Balatro
Video games can be visually and aurally impressive with complex storylines, but at their core, they’re enjoyable for the same reasons as traditional games. They challenge players to recognize patterns, plan ahead, react quickly, think critically, and develop long-term strategies. Essentially, if you enjoy games like cards, you’ll likely appreciate many video games, and Balatro is a particularly good match.
Balatro uses the basic rules of five-card draw poker, but adds tons of different elements that create endless possibilities you wouldn’t find in a normal game. For example, you might get a bonus that counts clubs and spades as the same suit, encouraging you to build flushes. It’s incredibly addictive – even if you’re terrible at poker, like me, you can easily lose hours playing. You really don’t need to be a dedicated gamer to get hooked on Balatro, but be warned – it’s hard to stop!
Honorable Mentions
I’ve tried getting a lot of my friends and family into gaming over the years, and it’s always a bit of a gamble. Sometimes they really click with a game, but honestly, more often than not, they don’t – even when I think they will! I was convinced my dad, who loves movies, would be hooked on Red Dead Redemption 2, but he just couldn’t get into it. I think that game, unlike some others, still relies a lot on classic gaming stuff – like shooting from behind cover and wandering around a huge open world – which can be a barrier for people who don’t usually play. But if someone’s willing to give it a shot and is pretty open-minded, here are a few games I’d recommend:
- Assassin’s Creed 2
- Bound
- Dark Souls
- Disco Elysium
- God of War (2018)
- Gorogoa
- Kentucky Route Zero
- Pentiment
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- The Forgotten City
- The Last of Us
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
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2026-05-06 12:05