Weekend Debate: Giving the gift of gaming

It’s a shame so many people have said Journey. I’ll have to rethink my response, because Journey is THE most beautiful game I’ve ever played in so many ways.

If not that, then, I would go for a Nintendo 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. No game has struck me like that, it’s truly a masterpiece. Every NPC you meet without exception has their own life to live and story to tell. That game is my favourite game of all time, and nothing else has ever come as close to affecting me emotionally as the in-depth story telling Nintendo weaved there and the heartbreaking feeling of having to reset the world on the third day and undoing all the good you did for everyone in that doomed world. Termina is like home to me and I will never be done trying to save it in three days.
I couldn’t think of a greater gift for someone I truly love than a game that I feel perfected the art of playing a game and telling a story.

Oooooor, Minecraft, because you can create almost anything you want and there are some truly breathtaking builds/ builders out there. The world is yours to make. You have complete freedom. What more could you possibly want?

The console would have to be a PS3, however for games my choice is split! If they were into movies, loved a good storyline and were old enough, It would have to be inFamous. That game has just been amazing for me, I must have replayed it 10+ times, and you can relate to a buddy like zeke! I would love to give someone that addiction/feeling that the game gave me.

However, if this was for a child, getting into gaming, it would be LittleBigPlanet. That is another game that I have spent countless hours on and has just been an amazing way to express your creativity, or just kill some time exploring the seemingly never-ending list of UGC levels!

Since my story with serious gaming started with PSX – and games that have biggest influence on me were JRPGs – i would pick Playstation2 with Final Fantasy 10. Game has marvelous music- its mechanics is newbee friendly, and it looks good even 10 years after.

The perfect “Gift of Gaming” would be, PS Vita. I just love the cover on the box. It gives me a “welcome to gaming” feeling, the box is so cool. PSV is pretty cheap in price and its worth a buy for what it does. Along with a 8gb memory card and a copy of LBP for the vita is a great way to start gaming! Dress up, build your levels and play with your friends in LBP is the best thing for a newcomer of gaming.

This may seem an odd choice. But I would go with a PSP (Or a PSVita, I don’t know if it runs the game) and Locoroco.

Why? It’s a very simple game. You just need the triggers and the O, the first levels require little effort and gradually gets harder without ever being so hard that frustates. It has secrets so it encourages gameplay and the the music is very catchy. It’s like a party on the screen, it can help put some serious problems away for a while, and it has that little charm of being cute and fun.

It also happens to be a gift that ends up cheaper that other more serious options (at least with PSP).

After twice having a modern gadget refuse to post my comments, I’m going to keep things simple for my newcomer and give them an Atari 2600. No profiles to create, no internet connection to configure, just plug in the game and play. With a mere one button on the control pad there is no danger of the controls being forgotten. And since I’m tight, it won’t cost me much either!

As for the game, Millipede certainly converted my mum into a gamer so it’s tried and tested.

PS3 with the That game Company collection.

I’d possibly throw Portal 2 in as well, these games just open your mind to the possibilities of computer games as a medium.

Ico & Shadow Of The Collossus HD Collection for PS3. They are two of the greatest games ever made with emotional depth, and a powerful storyline that no other game has ever come close to creating, and they are games that a person completely new to a console will never forget, for a long, long time

Ratchet & Clank 2 /3

the 2nd R&C game was the 1st ever game I had and I loved every minute of it

probably best if to give the one you want to give a gaming gift is a PS3
with the R&C collection so he could enjoy all 3 1st games

I would give him/her Philips Videopac G7000 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnavox_Odyssey%C2%B2) and Munchkin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munchkin_(video_game) ) as for the game. Why you ask? Because with those I started my gaming hobby and I can say I grew up quite decent citizen

I must say that if the person in question was someone who would like and continue gaming, or if your asking about someone who may not be interested After a demo. was made more clearer, then this debate may of gone in very different directions, But for arguments sake, and cos it’s easier i will assume we’re talking about starting off a prospective gamer.
I would really like for the person to switch on a PS2, for the first foray into gamings rewards, the disc i would like for them to play is GTA San Andreas, i can imagine the face of said person watching the intro movie, CJ getting his luggage, then a taxi, stopped by police and dumped in hostile territory, then it’s game on, and fittingly your first lesson is ride a bike, which IS hard but not overly so, from that point onward the game, characters and locations go into lightspeed, But as i said ‘fittingly’ you began by riding a bike, which i hear you Never forget how to, so If they’ve gotten past that starting, the rest of the game and other, later PS3 games they will play as a result of, will allways be 2nd nature to them. i really can’t think of a better ‘starting’ console and game for anybody.

@ Fred Dutton

Ideally everyone who gets involved in the weekend debate will try and think of a nice rare answer to give themselves – in theory – a better chance at winning and I admittedly include myself in that but today im going to do the opposite.
My choice of game (no doubt alot of my fellow debaters choice too) would be;

Uncharted 2 on PS3

My reason is because of actual events that have occured. You see after first playing Uncharted 2 and being completely blown AWAY by it I just had to show all my gamer friends it. They were XBOX fanboys to different degrees but i can now happily report that I have brought 6 of the 8 back from the darkside and now all happily own a PS3 and are converted. ALL thanks to showing them the Masterpiece that is Uncharted 2. That is simply just how good it is and why i HAD to put that as my answer.

Btw, I surely deserve a bit of commision right? Finders Fee maybe? Yes? No?…….No? ahhhh well worth a shot! XD

@ Coody-Baroody
Uncharted2 is probably The best gaming experience that happened on PS, but if you were to start someone off on that, or even the PS3, would it be fair. i mean the only direction left to go after that is forwards, If your lucky, as theres currently imo, no upwards from that scenerio. still starting there now i guess may be surpassed soon, i hear next gen is closer than we thought and obviously there is many more class games around, but i still can’t help looking at your post and thinking, opening xmas pressies Before xmas. like while on summer hols sooner. i really haven’t looked at many other comments, though have seen Journey mentioned a few times, Not sure about that one myself. again it’s kind of like, well now what, a open world game where you ‘hurt’ pedestrians in a car, Sleeping Dogs, the times i reloaded save after killing civillians, silly but still. Also is it just me or has anyone else played Borderlands2 noticed the ‘hurt’ Bullymongs, its like aww, i feel sorry i did that now, as it’s limping away and that, Then i think, well if it was real-life i couldn’t leave it defenceless or hurt, Anybody noticed that, or is it just me imagining it.

If I were to pass this beloved curse (just kidding ) to a friend of mine or family member (I’m actually doing this with my 8 year old brother) I would give him a Playstation 1 that I still own, after all these years, because it was the very first console I owned and I remember clearly how amazed I was, when I received it for birthday…
Countless nights playing Spyro, Tekken 3 with friends, Medieval, Crash Bandicot..All of these amazing games have made part of my youth, and despite theire age, I think they are the best introduction to gaming thus far.

Imagine having this little gifts under the tree, with the warmth of a fireplace, and an old CRT TV (how its meant to be played)…Its impossible not to be a lover of games after that, and I only mentioned the beginning !

Well i went the whole hog and actually have found myself in this situation this year.

My sister has 4 Girls (!) all of quite different ages, so choosing is harder than normal as i need to please them all.

I bought them a PS3 for Christmas, but i bought it way back in September (thinking ahead this year), with PS Move and Sorcery Bundle and more importantly a Years Subscription to PS+. So they Got LBP2, Ratchet and Clank All 4 One and all the other great PS+ Titles since Sept, i also bought Modnation Racers in the PS Store Sale as well as Sly Trilogy and Jak and Daxter Trilogy.

A uDraw Tablet (for £6!!) with Pictionary for the younger ones, and Disney Universe, and finally Just Dance 4 oh and 3 Extra DS3′s.

Why? Because I believe the PS3 has something for everyone, of all ages. The games I really wanted to get them into Couch Multi-player so they can play together and share (wishful thinking)…so with LBP, R&C A4O, Modnation and Disney Universe they are all 4 player at once so that should be great.

But then for the Elder kids there are games like Red Dead Redemption which are more engaging and have more depth than the Casual Platforming Adventure types…

…Continued….

I could have taken the safe route and gone with the Wii, they love playing Mario at mine, even i only play on the Wii for Mario and Zelda…but after that i don’t see much personally…there is so much more variety on offer with the PS3….i really think they will love it. They better!! Ha ha.

I know i would enjoy any PS related gifts i am given Uncharted Related or otherwise, ha ha

Merry Christmas Fred, have a good one!

I’d give them a PS3 with Journey to show them that gaming is not all blood and gore, that gaming can be emotional, and an experience. The game is short, but just wonderful and shows what gaming should be. You can explore all you want, play with a stranger (with a chirp being the only way of communication), you develop an attachment to them, you choose to either stay with them till the end or leave them wandering all alone. The character is quiet, so the character is basically the player, because in other games the protagonists do whatever they want, while here, the player is in total control of the character. And when you get all the symbols, you get the White Robe, which means that you’ve completed your ‘Journey’ and should now help other people through theirs’. The game is beautiful, the soundtrack is amazing, the idea is perfectly executed and is perfect for all ages.

When my lil nephew is old enough I’ll consider buying him a PS2. Tis nice and cheap for an amazing piece of equipment and has an unbelievable amount games in its back catalog.

As for the game I’d give, would probably be the original Ratchet & Clank. Fantastic PlayStation franchise and a great introduction to the world of gaming for anyone of any age.

An N64 with a copy of super Mario 64.

If you can’t fall in love with that game then just quit

I’ve already bought a PS3 for each of the kids

Alisha I got a PS3 n rockband to go with her drums
Darcy I got a PS3 to go with her eye pet n Hannah Montana game as my PS3 disk drive is broken.
Owen I got a PS3 n going to get FIFA 13 or/and WWE13.

I love ps3 n hope they do too!!! PS+ is a life saver for me!!! Keep it up Sony!!!

Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you who reads this n those who don’t hope you have one too but you won’t know my wishes lol yep me a fruitloop alright lol!!!

Is there any question? Rayman Origins! All because of the bada-badabadada-tanananana-bada-tanana-badaba.

If you can get basicly anyone humming that tune 15 minutes after you shut off the game then we’re talking succes!

Start the Party on the Move cuz it’s accessible, quick paced, fun and great for the whole family. It seems to invoke a competitive spirit like no other game despite having a cartoony appearance, great game to introduce one to this hobby

My choice would certainly be PS3 with game Metal Gear Solid HD Collection and Metal Gear Solid 4 Why? Because it is a collection of games that can make the people who do not play games to show that games are often just as great as the movies that they like. MGS series is also evidence that games nowadays are more than just games. They are great epic films with a sense of being pulled into the story!

Another option would be to Jorney or Limbo. The game does not have to be with a complicated concept, but must have a deeper meaning and as I like to call … soul!

I hate to say this but I feel the answer has to be a ps3 and sports game. Sports games are really simply and easy to play. Whatever sport they like would do. Or play station move and sports champions.

I’m going to change my answer to that because I actually like the game. Things like Frisbee golf would get them addicted and all of the games are easy enough (Except for frisbee golf). Wait what about tales from space mutant blobs attack and a vita?

I just finished that game how could I forget it? It’s nice and short and easy and fun. Or maybe something like little big planet. That would give them an easy enough game that’s infinitely long.Or maybe an easy enough shooter like some Cod game.

My answer is that there are far too many choices for me to choose.

I would gift anyone who was never interested in gaming before or consoles a ps3 with journey. Its beautiful, personal and importantly, brief. Its the kind of game which makes me understand why I game. The emotions journey carries so beautifully is impossible to depict in many other medium in such a nuanced and subtle, yet heartwarming way. Despite lack of any voices and other things, journey manages to take the player to the entire spectrum of emotions. The sadness of losing a fellow traveler, even though we just met him is heartbreaking, and also replaced by a even greater happiness when we, by chance, meet the fellow traveler again.
It represents the epitome of what games can achieve, hence what else can be a better option to introduce someone to the “joy of gaming” ?

PS3 and Uncharted Trilogy. Coz it’s for all family. And our family this is our life! Than – PS3 & Uncharted: 4life!!!

A PS3 with Journey would definitely be my choice. My gut reaction was The Walking Dead since it’s not super active and mostly relies on simple button presses. It was, in fact, a pretty big part of the last time I visited my parents house and I played through the first two episodes with them. I was originally going to let my dad play, but then I realized why this wouldn’t work. It’s easy for us to call the game simple, and it is. For us. Handing someone who has never played before a controller and telling them to press buttons quickly won’t work because they aren’t used to those controls. My dad likes to play GTA4 but whenever I tell him what to press he has to look down at the controller. Requiring someone new to gaming to instantly know buttons won’t work
The PS3 is a wonderful device that can serve purposes beyond just an introduction to video games, and Journey is not only a simple game in which you can’t really lose and really only uses two buttons, it is also gorgeous, and most of the enjoyment comes from simply walking around the breathtaking environments. I think Journey is the perfect game to give to a new gamer to show how beautiful and moving a video game can be, contrary to the violence they might expect.

I’d get them a PSVita cause it’s one of those consoles that you can just pick up and play whenever you like, it’s nice, small and compact so if they get attatched to it they can take it out with them.

As for the Games I would get them, I’d buy them Uncharted Golden Abyss because it’s great fun and technically outstanding, I’d also buy them Pure Chess for a simpler game as this is easy to just pick up and play and finally I’d get them a pinball game

I would go for a PSone with a copy of the quite superb ‘Bishi Bashi Special’.

The mini games are easy to play and are incredibly entertaining, and theres a ton of them so should offer something for anyone. Lets be honest here, if super pie throw or Afro dance cannot convert a ‘non gamer’ then nothing can.

Winnnnaaaaa, Player ONE.

PSP-3000 is a perfect choice for me, turn it on and play. I doubt anyone would resist LocoRoco and Patapon, I still have my beloved PSP Slim 2000 working, since the day it came out.

PS3 and Little Big Planet 2.

This game is an excellent platformer on itself, but it also provides an excellent opportunity for social interaction, creativity and even trying out different genres through downloadable content.

As for the system, it has so many other funtions that if it turns out that gaming isn’t really his/hers cup of tea, it’s still a great gift.

Im a little split on this decision…on one hand I would like them to start where I started and give them a NES with Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt, classic gaming and if thats where it started for me then it could be a good place for them to start…but on the other hand they might get a bit bored of such an old game and want to see all the new fancy HD graphics and stuff of newer consoles so then I would choose a PS3 with Little Big Planet 2, a nice fun place to start with lots of creativity which could lead them to more games

PS3 and Journey
Perfect title for veteran gamers and for people who never played games before. This means everyone…

No difficult controls, easy gameplay and the game has such a power to it. You can’t communicate through standard chat/speak, you don’t know who you’re playing with, but the bond between you and your partner is so strong.

I’ve been playing games for over 20 years and it doens’t happen often for a game to take me on such an emotional roller coaster.
If I could share one experience with friends/family, this would definitely be it.

I already bought and give psvita wifi/16gb/starter pack/ headset / travel battery pack for christmas in october cos i bought him 1 back than and i didnt saw any reason to not give him that piece of brilliant HW straight away .
He get planty of SW of course aswell
Uncharted ,mgs 1-3, Michael Jackson , Aman , lpb , rayman …. He is living abroad for few years now and unfortunatly we arent seeing each other too much And after i get my birthday/nameday/christmas present from him in february and of course it was 3g vita cos from 1997 im proud member of best gaming family named playstation . Best move in my gaming history btw.
I knew his opinion and also his problem with free time cos he got too much work ( 3d movie atrtist ). But after 1/2 year with stunning vita i made decision he need to try it cos ps3 is out of debate cos he playing on pc ( very often ).
Like i suppose straight after thx m8 was question which i was expecting for 100% . Can u sell it ? For how much ? etc ? Iwasnt happy even i knew this will be first reaction. At least i knew him well .

2.part
I told him i was sure this will folow m8 and of course there isn’t a problem with selling that away but i wish u to have ur first only urs playstation . I want u to join my second family which change mine way of gaming on that best possible lvl and is also awsome like our family . ( 1987 some atari video game console i was 4 years old , than pc til 1997 – Playstation ) . I knew u want use it so often cos ur too busy but i just want to u to give it a try and if u still want to sell it than ok bro . I called him after week if his companion is funny or he’s still sleeping or … ????
He told me that A-man is best which was suprise for me cos i didnt finished even demo but i bought it cos im buying planty of games which im not playing :D:D at a moment around 50-100 games on ps3 which i have i wasnt evenplayed once I knew it shame but unfortunatly i doesnt have so much time like when i was teenager Also he likes rayman. Im not getting why he dont like LPB when his job is 3d cgi artist which he should love that crazy style.

3.part
Hopefully he will like it cos he didnt like lpb,lpb2 but lpbvita is best so far and if i get right info nomore lpb cos there is no doubt about how any1 can improve that game . I was waiting how thay can improve 1st but after i played 2nd i knew thats final cos noway that this can get better . Btw respect guys cos that game is awsome in everyway .
Next weekend his coming home for christmas and im sure he change his mind . If some1 told me back when i bought ps1 back in 1997 that this will be my gaming future in 15 years i would called him for psychiatric help . Just u need to polish FW , applications , cross platform com/support … And it will be limitless

I’d give them a PS3 and Katamari Forever and weird them out instantly. But first I’d pop in my PS demo 1 disc to show them how I started.

4th and last one
BTW my gaming introduction present will be if i want to pick up best gaming experience so far than for sure it will contain : Playstation HW + MGS 1-4 , FF 7 , GT5 ,GTA5 ( that will be next year present ) , LPB and killzone 3 +move+sharpshooter . Those are best games which i played since im 4 years old And if i can pick up just one than go for best1 which is without any question MGS1-4 which must be played together .
At the end i would like to thx SCEJ for playstation cos i cant imagine my life without it nomore I wish u all the best in 2013 and im looking forward for mgs and ps4 . Also all the best for scea and scee which is our bridge from japan cos otherwise i wont be able understand FF and MGS my favourite .
Can u found out if polyphony digital will make remake of OMEGA BOOST cos i cant buy it and i loved it . In OPSM ( PS2 edition ) was interview with creator of GT ( cant remember name kaz….. ) and there was sentence that gt3 getting omega boost in new ps2 graphic engine And its quite time from than . Can u call him i lost his No. or at least is any chance for digital ps1 version on EU stores PLS PLS PLS
HOHOHO

I was pondering what answer i would to this debate, i originally thought why not an NES or another classic console but luckily i came to my senses and thought why would anyone in 2012 want an NES as their first console?

I then began to appraise as to which console would be most suitable for most people, i ended up choosing the PS3. I chose the PS3 because of its multimedia capabilities, i wouldn’t gift someone something, i wouldn’t give myself and because I’m an avid blue-ray watcher, i thought this would be perfect.

The large gaming library on the PS3 was my next problem, even though the person who would receive this could easily buy another game, the choice i made had to be impeccable. I started looking at the major franchises, such as Uncharted, Call of Duty, God of War and more. I then looked into detail of which games would be family friendly while still being enjoyable. That is why i came to my final conclusion, i chose Little Big Planet 2. The fact that this never-ending in terms of content and player’s level creations was enough to sway me.

I would have no regrets giving this game to anyone of any age, on this wonderful holiday season

give* [first sentence]

I would probably pick up an xbox360 and a copy of the Orange Box because the sheer amount of gaming in that plastic box is astounding.

Not only would they be able to be sucked into a world of depression opposed by the resistance of the few in Half Life 2 and experience the sheer brilliance of VALVe and their storytelling (it really is THE BEST FPS game out there…still), but they could also ‘twist their melon’ for a while with the marvelously entertaining Portal and then introduce themselves to the online world of competitive team multiplayer with Team Fortress 2.

A Gaming package in one box, that to this day stands as some of the best value gaming anyone could ever pick up.

im giving a ps3 super slim as a christmas gift + journey + flower to my parents , they never played video games , they just wanted a blu ray player but i got them a ps3 just for fun

i was not sure if i should support sony with buying another ps3 console after the singstar icon disaster but i have faith and hope we will get the option to delete that icon in the near future

Thanks for the code fred. Excited to try this out when i get my vita next week. Have a good christmas and new year as well fred

Good evening Fred,
Just spotted I’ve won a code….. I’ll keep an eye out for PM, and look forward to playing.
Thanks again and Merry Christmas

Hey Fred, thanks very much for the code! Was close to buying FFF last week but ended up with BF3 premium and the Spyro trilogy instead

I also very much agree that it is an under-rated game, perhaps you could pull some strings and get it added to the instant game collection for more people to experience it

Merry Christmas to you and all!