The Best Video Games for New Gamers

By: Max Cannon

So you'd like to jump into the world of video gaming? There are a lot of great games out there across the three main consoles, the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. If you're looking for a good place to jump in then you're in the right place. Here is the best game on each console for someone dipping their toe into the water for the first time.

Super Mario Odyssey for the Nintendo Switch

You don't need to actually play games to know who Mario is, he's the world's most recognizable character since Mickey Mouse. So it makes sense that he'd also have one of the greatest games on the Nintendo Switch but what makes Super Mario Odyssey such a great game for newcomers is its accessibility, anyone can pick up and quickly learn how to play. While the ESRB may rate the game with an E for Everyone because of its age-appropriate content, that also extends to the game's level of difficulty too. For those gaming veterans out there, Super Mario Odyssey will reward your impressive jumps and thoughtful exploration but it's likely just as fun to someone that just picked up a Nintendo Switch as their first console. 

Of course, there are some other great Switch games but Super Mario Odyssey is approachable to any caliber of gamer out there. While my heart may belong to Breath of the Wild as my favorite Switch game, there is a pretty high level of challenge when you first start the game up while Odyssey's main story isn't going to be too challenging for any gamer out there and what better character to dive into gaming with than Mario?

Xbox Game Pass for the Xbox One 

This feels like a cheap entry but the affordable price point makes it undeniable. Xbox Game Pass is that long coveted "Netflix for Games" that consumers have always been asking for. At $10 a month, you'll have access to an ever-growing library of stellar Xbox One games to download and play at your leisure. It'd be easy to think that there are nothing but mediocre titles in the lineup but Xbox Game Pass has some quality games to choose from including Halo 5: Guardians, Rocket League, and Forza Horizon 4 -- which we recently reviewed with a perfect score. The team over at Xbox has also made a big commitment to keeping the library awesome and every Xbox exclusive will wind up in Game Pass on the day that it comes out, so you'll be able to immediately play Halo: Infinite or Crackdown 3 right when they release.

Marvel's Spider-Man for PlayStation 4

Similar to how the Marvel movies have stories that anyone can digest, Marvel's Spider-Man does that same exact thing for superhero video gaming. Playing as the ever-relatable Peter Parker in a gorgeous New York City, this game fits that cliched phrase of making you feel like Spider-Man. Swinging through the city and pulling off visually impressive stunts feels surprisingly easy thanks to some awesome controls. When you pick up your brand new PlayStation 4, or the 4K capable PlayStation 4 Pro, you're going to want a beautiful looking game and you couldn't do much better than Spider-Man. Making a strong case for awesome single-player games and the start of Marvel's video game world, Marvel's Spider-Man is a perfect place to start for a gamer just jumping into Sony's ecosystem.

The First 20 Minutes of Marvel's Spider-Man for PlayStation 4

Tell us what you think!

What do you think of our list? If you're a veteran gamer, what are your suggestions to newcomers? Share your thoughts below!