Ok, I never played any fallout game (shame on me) and I plan on buying one of the two (or tactics). I'd like to know which one is your favorite and why so I can make a choice between the two/three.
Thanks

FO1 had a better story IMO..FO2 had better gameplay..but thats just me.

I agree with Tankrush... Fallout 2 has wider options, more balanced gameplay, but F1 is my favourite, since it has much better atmosphere

Fallout 2 kind of spoils Fallout 1's great ending, so you might want to play FO1 first. And as those before me said: Fallout 2 is bigger, better (also buggier, unfortunately), but Fallout 1 has superior atmosphere.

I'm pretty much agreeing with the people above, but my fav. is FO2 due to the better handling of NPC:s, the ability to move people (you'll know what I mean the first time you get stuck behind one in FO :)) and the size.
Whichever you choose you can always be certain that you got a great RPG though. (IMNSHO the best *RPG*, I am yet to find a game which has the same consequences to your actions, freedom in how to solve things and playing the way you want to play, no forced "save the princess" in the PA world of Fallout)

I would say fallout 2 is the better game alround. That said, you really will enjoy it even more if you play through 1. My advice would be to get 1 and play through that. If you like it, definitley get 2, which is bigger, longer and better!

If you were lucky, like I was.. I got Fallout 2 for free, after buying fallout 1.
Gotta love that promotion..
I figure it's in place because we apparently can't get just a free game for beta testing the service.

In the interest of avoiding spoilers and having a better picture of the overall storyline, I would recommend starting with Fallout 1. While some people prefer Fallout 2 over Fallout 1, that's not to say that you'll be sorry you started with Fallout 1; it's a great game. If you enjoy it, use the free game promotion to also grab Fallout 2. Personally, I'm not a big fan of Fallout Tactics, as it's heavy on combat but light on story; it feels like a shell of its predecessors.

the fighting system in fall out 2 is very similar to 1 (from what I can tell, after only firing it up once) so I also think starting with 1 is a good idea, because then you're all practiced up and ready to go for 2.

Fallout 1 > Fallout 2
Fallout 1 has more ambience, the better story, the better locations, the better people, and so on. ;)

Clearly the best option is to buy and play both

Well it's an older game, by nature the graphics aren't going to be amazing, I think they work fine for the game... besides the highlight of the fallout series is it's clever writing/story mixed with solid gameplay. You won't be disappointed in either.

Tactics... Just kidding, Fallout 2.

Like all great sequels you appreciate them more if you've had a part of the original. The fallout series has it's following because of the gameplay, the interaction, enviornment and depth. You can't say one is better than the other. To get the full enjoyment of any of the sequels including the long awaited Fallout 3, it's best to understand the evolution of the fallout universe starting from Fallout 1. GOG has made it possible to experience that evolution with the beta perks and rediculous low prices. So why cheat yourself from the whole experience get them all and play them in order.