This is actually a much tougher question than it seems on the surface, since old-school console fans tend to favour arcade-like games, whereas PC games tend to be more cerebral in nature. That said, the GOG catalogue is rich enough that I think it's reasonably possible to start them off with something more to their liking and then slowly lead them to more traditional PC games, all the while showing off a variety of genres.
If I was in the OP's place and had a $60 budget to work with, I would advise them to get the following games (in this order):
Tyrian 2000 (Price: $0): What better way to start off a journey through GOG's library than with a game that you don't have to spend a single dime for? And what better free game to pick for an old-school console gamer than Tyrian 2000? Schmups were a big genre back in the older console/arcade days, so playing this game would simultaneously be both a new experience as well as a blast from the past for them.
Cannon Fodder (Price: $5.99): Now that they've had some schmup goodness at no extra charge, it's time to actually spend money on something. Well, for their first purchase, it's probably best to pick something that doesn't stray much out of familiar territory. How about a game that was also ported to consoles back in the day?
While this game is also a shoot 'em up, it's very different compared to Tyrian 2000. On top of that, Cannon Fodder also involves a bit of tactics, so it's no longer enough to simply keep blasting at anything in front you.
Unreal Tournmanent 2004 ECE (Price: $9.99): With part of our budget already spent, it would be a good idea to start showing off what more traditional PC games have to offer. But since we're big on shooters, how about a game from the most popular PC genre?
FPS games are perfect for old-school console gamers, since they are the closest thing to an arcade-like experience that PC games have to offer....and when it comes to multiplayer-focused FPS games, you will have a hard time finding a game better than UT2004. This is where action and tactics blend seamlessly and where skill involves both being fast and being smart. If there is any game that will show console gamers what they've been missing out on for all these years, this is it.
Balls of Steel (Price: $5.99): At this point, we've finally begun to transition to genres that are more of a norm on the platform. But it's important to take baby steps and we also need to start reducing all that intensity and adrenaline. So as a final farewell to arcade-like games, how about some pinball? Well, Balls of Steel will suit nicely for this purpose; solid pinball action with a nice variety of tables and at a reasonable price.
Nox (Price: $5.99): Ok, now that we are sailing through pure PC gaming waters, what do we want to experience first? Well, RPGs are definitely a classic genre; however, jumping immediately into text-heavy/turn-based RPGs would make for a jarring transition after an action-heavy diet. So let's make it an action RPG instead.
Nox is definitely one of the better (albeit underrated) titles in the genre. It has a lot of action and a solid singleplayer campaign, while also involving some light RPG mechanics such as classes, abilities and character levels. Overall, appropriate for someone who doesn't want to be hit with complexity straight off the bat.
Worms 2 (Price: $5.99): Well, we've had our fair share of action games, but we can't (and definitely shouldn't) avoid turn-based ones. Still, let's start with something simple and light-hearted. And what would fit the bill? Why, the Worms series, of course!
Even though Worms 2 is a tactical game, describing it that way makes it more complicated than it sounds. It's extremely accessible, while also requiring that every action be well thought-out. Also, any console gamer would be happy with the fact that Worms 2 is one of the rare PC games suitable for single screen multiplayer.
The Incredible Machine Mega Pack (Price: $9.99): We've done a good job of easing them in, so now we can start ramping up the complexity.....but not too much, of course. So let's pick something where they can focus on one task at a time....like a puzzle game!
The Incredible Machine is a classic. While it is essentially an obstacle course, these are the games that will really make them use their brain and figure out a solution for all the twisted puzzles that they will throw at them.
Heroes of Might and Magic III Complete (Price: $9.99): Now that our old-school console gamers are feeling incredibly smart, it's time to make them sink their teeth into some really heavy stuff. But since the last thing we want is to completely crush their high spirits with something akin to piloting a jet plane, let's carefully pick a game that is easy to learn, yet hard to master. Aha, I believe HoMM III just caught our eye!
HoMM III is a strategy game that also has tactical combat and RPG elements. While the basics are easy to grasp, the game starts to get more complex as the player has to handle multiple heroes and hometowns. If they thought any of the previous games were time sinks, they haven't seen anything yet....and with the compilation including the core game and two expansions, there is definitely no shortage of content to spend time on.
SimCity 2000 Special Edition (Price: $5.99): Well, we've had a long and fun journey, but our budget has almost entirely dried up. However, we do have enough money for one more game. Now that our old-school console gamers have come so far, we finally let them loose on something that will truly test their multitasking skills. And managing a city certainly requires such skills, doesn't it?
SimCity 2000 is arguably the most accessible title in the series, but with Sim City, one has to use the term "accessible" loosely. With the amount of factors involved, the player will have no shortage of things to do in order to ensure that their city keeps running and growing and that their citizents are happy. Before you know it, you will look outside and see that it's morning.
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Final Price: $59.92
So for the price of one brand new console game, we got to play 9 PC games (more when you consider that the The Incredible Machine Mega Pack has multiple games) from a variety of genres. Not too shabby, especially considering we used regular prices for all of them. Granted, this list skips out on some of the classics that everyone should play, but then again, some of those are arguably best experienced once someone is more familiar with PC gaming.
Post edited June 10, 2013 by Gandos
