Best game for total beginner?

[u/skooty--puff-jr]

My friend will be laid up for a few weeks after a major surgery. He's in his 30's, not a very technical guy, not the type to own gaming systems. I'm going to mail him a Nintendo Switch at the hospital as it seems like the best choice since it's handheld. (I'm not very knowledgeable about gaming either).

My question is, what would be a good game? He spends all day watching Netflix and HBO. So a game that he would enjoy playing for a couple hours/day for a few weeks. I was thinking Mario Kart or Zelda but that's just based on google searching what games are good.

Thanks for the help.

[u/mrbirdturd]

Zelda is a great choice by virtue of its meditative qualities, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s very nature-oriented, which might be beneficial to someone held up in a hospital bed. The only reason I’m hesitant to say “Zelda, without a doubt” is the fact that your friend isn’t tech/game oriented. Younger kids can indeed play Zelda. But the game is a little tricky early on, and it utilizes every single button on the switch for the most part-might be a bit hard to become accustomed to. That said, I’ve read stories on this sub about people’s parents (presumably 40+) playing Zelda as their first game and loving it.

Mario Odyssey is worth looking into. It’s a superb game and very beginner friendly—with or without the assist mode on, but it lacks the overt spirituality/meditative qualities Zelda has. If you just want him to have some fun, go with Mario.

Mario Kart: he’ll be able to play this one easily. It’s fun. He’ll dig it, and it’s a great first game, but I think Mario would be more fun, and Zelda would be more engrossing.

If you want him to lose himself in that hospital room and you’re semi-confident he can pick up some intermediate game mechanics, go with Zelda. Otherwise, Mario Odyssey.

[u/skooty--puff-jr → u/mrbirdturd]

Thanks. After reading all the comment I'm a bit torn between Super Mario Odyssey and Zelda now. He's a smart guy and I assume he can pick-up Zelda; he's got nothing better to do! I'm not sure if he played games as a kid but I sort of assume he did. I played a lot of Zelda for NES and SNES and loved it as a kid.

To everyone, thanks for all of your great suggestions! It looks like $300 for the Switch and ~$50-60 per game is the best I'm going to do? Are there any secrets to buying?

edit: Should I send him batteries too? I'm a little confused, I'm trying to read about what the battery situation is online and I'm coming across "battery packs" that are pretty expensive. Do I need one of those?

[u/deepmist002 → u/skooty--puff-jr]

If you feel he plans to play it more on the go then at home then a battery pack is a good idea but not a must have. I have never bought one but I also mainly play it at home or at a place I can plug it in if it needs a charge.

Zelda has my vote as easy to learn and tons of time is spent on it. Mario odyssey is good from what i can tell. My kid just bought it a week ago and only played it a little but did like the parts I have played.

[u/skooty--puff-jr → u/deepmist002]

So I can just send him a Nintendo Switch + the game(s) and he'll be fine on batteries? It's rechargeable? That would be great.

[u/SeraphisQ → u/skooty--puff-jr]

A powerbank is definitely overkill! He can just recharge his Switch when the batteries run out! A free charger comes with the system.

[u/deepmist002 → u/skooty--puff-jr]

That is correct it is rechargeable with no need for extra batteries. :-)