A gaming journey always needs to start somewhere, and while no game is considered the definitive starting point, there have definitely still been a few regarded as great ways to be introduced to the medium. It's easy to forget that getting into the world of gaming these days can be overwhelming, considering how many video games are out there in the wild, which is why it's so difficult for new games to attract the attention of people who aren't directly involved with the hobby.
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In order for them to draw in newcomers, games need to create enough of a cultural impact to be seen as a product that everyone needs to try out. On the other hand, they also need to be accessible; it's no good having a game full of complex mechanics and systems that deter newbies from the experience. With that said, it's time to analyze the video games that are most credited for kicking off people's gaming hobby journeys by taking a deeper look at why they resonated with so many people.
Sonic The Hedgehog
A Fast And Rebellious Platformer That Broke All The Rules
Sonic the Hedgehog
- Released
- June 23, 1991
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
While Mario may have taken the industry by storm back in the early to mid-90s, it wouldn't be long before the plucky plumber was faced with a new rival. While Sonic the Hedgehog may have played like a traditional platformer at its core, what made it so unique was its lightning-fast speed. It's easy to find advertisements from this era where the marketing team at SEGA were seen mocking Mario's sluggish movement to promote this new style of gameplay, but that's not the only reason so many people were drawn to Sonic.
The character's rebellious, too-cool-for-school attitude made him very appealing to kids and teenagers who were still finding their place in the world, which is why so many were eager to pick up Sonic's games as soon as possible. It's very common these days to hear gamers admit that it was Sonic the Hedgehog that got them into the hobby, and considering the franchise is still going strong to this day, it's a testament to just how popular the character has remained for the last few decades.
Pokemon Red & Blue
Pocket Monsters Were All The Rage Back In The '90s
Pokemon Red
- Released
- February 27, 1996
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, JRPG
Pokemon may be more profitable today than it's ever been, but in terms of cultural relevance, the series was pretty much inescapable back in the 1990s. Everything from school bags to pencil cases, all the way to cereal boxes, was plastered with at least a few of these Pocket Monsters, and much of the hype was propelled due to the immensely popular anime. As a result, it really did feel like anyone who wasn't playing Pokemon Red and Blue was missing out on a monumental occasion, which was just one of several reasons why it became the entry point for many people who weren't initially into games.
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Another reason is how utterly unique Pokemon was in its gameplay design. This wasn't just some simple platformer or puzzle game, Pokemon was a light RPG before role-playing games entered the mainstream, and with a staggering number of monsters to battle and collect, it allowed people to immerse themselves in a world that felt entirely different from our own.
Final Fantasy 7
The Release Of Final Fantasy 7 Was Too Big To Miss Out On
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- January 31, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Despite technically being the first Final Fantasy game to hit the West, SquareSoft did an incredible job at marketing Final Fantasy 7 as a game that everyone had to buy on release. With revolutionary 3D graphics and a rich, compelling story full of lovable characters, Final Fantasy 7 was showcased extensively before its release, presenting it as an ambitious title that was incredibly hard to ignore.
Because it was considered such a leap forward, not just for RPGs, but for gaming in general, everyone had to get in on the action, even those who weren't all that interested in gaming at the time. Simply put, the release of Final Fantasy 7 was a cultural moment that nobody wanted to miss out on, and it's why Square Enix is going so far these days to try and recapture the nostalgia many already have with the original game by releasing a trilogy of Final Fantasy 7 remakes.
Wii Sports
What Started Off As A Gimmicky Tie-In Became A Fan-Favorite
Wii Sports
- Released
- November 19, 2006
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Mild Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sports
Nintendo may be less than inclined to release tie-in games with their consoles these days, but back when they released the Nintendo Wii, the console came packaged with a small batch of mini-games as part of Wii Sports. Considering the Wii was largely advertised as a family product, and Wii Sports was the first game most people tried out after buying the console, it meant that a whole new audience of non-gamers could try out these mini-games along with the rest of their family.
Because motion controls were seen as such an innovative idea at the time, many people wanted to experience how they worked in practice, which ultimately intrigued many of them as to how they would work on other games for the Wii. Wii Sports made such a strong first impression that it encouraged many new gamers to continue the hobby and see what other genres were out there to explore.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
An RPG Too Big To Ignore
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
It's hard to convey just how much hype there was surrounding the release of Skyrim. This wasn't just any old RPG; it was the next game in Bethesda's critically acclaimed Elder Scrolls series. With Todd Howard promising very big things, and a few trailers showcasing the massive scale and scope of the world, it was difficult not to admire the amount of effort that had gone into building such an extravagant game.
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Despite being the fifth game in the franchise, Skyrim was also regarded as an excellent entry point for those who were new to the open-world genre, which, at the time, was only beginning to enter the mainstream. Pair this with many people calling it the greatest game ever made, and it's no wonder that so many people outside of gaming were drawn to Skyrim when it was released, kicking off their adventure in the RPG genre and gaming as a whole.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Provided A Social Getaway To The Real World When People Needed It Most
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Released
- March 20, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone / Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
Considering the immense popularity of the Animal Crossing series, it was pretty much a given that the newest entry for the Switch was going to sell well. However, Animal Crossing: New Horizons would become one of the best-selling games of all time, and surprisingly, the best-selling game of all time in Japan. The major reason for this was that the game dropped during the 2020 pandemic, when many people were stuck indoors. By its very nature, Animal Crossing: New Horizons provided a social getaway where players could build their own island and even interact with others without needing to meet up in real life, which is what made it so appealing to both gamers and non-gamers alike.
Another reason so many were drawn to New Horizons was its ease of access. The cute chibi art style and vibrant aesthetic made it clear that this wasn't a game seeking to overwhelm its players. Instead, it was an experience anyone could jump into, regardless of their prior gaming experience. As a result, many people bought Animal Crossing to help keep them going during a tough period, which then inspired them to seek out other games that play similarly.
Baldur's Gate 3
Spurred A Renaissance For CRPGs
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
CRPGs have been around for decades at this point, but the problem is, they've always seemed pretty inaccessible from an outsider's point of view. When Baldur's Gate 3 was first announced, it came across as another smash hit for existing fans of the genre, but ultimately a game that wouldn't end up setting the world on fire. However, it's fair to say that this couldn't have been further from the truth. Baldur's Gate 3 exploded in popularity almost immediately upon its release, and it didn't take long before it broke out of the CRPG bubble to enter the mainstream.
As a game with an almost infinite amount of player freedom and an extremely fun story to follow, Baldur's Gate 3 can be played by anyone, even those who have never touched a gaming controller in their life. By creating an accessible avenue into the CRPG genre, and due to the rapid accumulation of glowing reviews that rolled in after launch, it's not hard to see why so many people decided to choose Baldur's Gate 3 as their very first game.
Minecraft
A Game That Can Be Enjoyed By Anyone, No Matter If They're A Lifelong Gamer Or A Complete Newbie
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
When video games were obsessing over high-fidelity graphics and mature storytelling, Minecraft came along and completely broke the mold. With a blocky sandbox to explore and plenty of items and weapons to craft, Minecraft stood out for its simplicity and accessibility. While lifelong gamers can jump into Minecraft and do their best to build an entire city or a giant mansion, non-gamers can also have a ton of fun experimenting with the plethora of tools that they are free to utilize at their leisure.
That's not the only reason Minecraft was the first game that many people jumped into, as it has also been used in many other departments, including education and music, where people who would otherwise have no interest in the game got to try it for the very first time. On top of that, it's also a kid-friendly game, meaning many adults are more willing to let their kids play Minecraft rather than starting their gaming hobby with Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty.
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