Buying games for young teenagers

[nallkun]

My niece has become quite the gamer and is obsessed with Legend of Zelda. I'm looking to get her into different types of games. She owns a PS3, Gamecube, Xbox 360, DSI and 3DS. She plays the hell out of Ratchet and Clank and Guitar Hero. Any help would be appreciated especially since I am buying her some games for Christmas.

Thanks!

Hope this is allowed. If not, I'll delete.

Comments

[sugar_cookie]

Anything about games (or really anything) is allowed here! The two mods are dead journals from years ago hehe.

[masu_trout]

Hmm, let's see...

I would recommend things like Cave Story 3D for the 3DS (a fun combination platforming and shooting game), Elite Beats Agents for the DS (a comical, enjoyable rhythm game with a great sense of humor), Paper Mario and the Thousand Year Door for Gamecube (an older game, but still really good), Final Fantasy IV or Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates, both for the DS, (IV is probably technically the better game, but it has a higher learning curve and if she likes Zelda-style gamplay she might prefer ring of fates anyway), Dragon Quest IX for the DS (awesome turn-based RPG) Pikmin of Pikmin 2 for Gamecube (IMO, hands-down the best games on the system) Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime for the DS (tons of fun, varied gameplay, cute and funny- a seriously under-appreciated game), Ghost Trick for the DS (murder mystery game with fantastic gameplay and some of the best characters I've ever seen in a game) The World Ends With You for the DS (one of the most unique games on the system, and in a good way) Portal 2 for the Xbox 360 (great platformer/puzzle game with a hilarious, dark sense of humor, and you don't need to have played the first to understand the second) or Mirror's Edge for the Xbox 360 (really unique gameplay, awesome characters and plot).

Sorry if that list's a bit TL;DR! I really like talking about my favorite games, in case you couldn't tell, haha. So if you want more info on any of these, I'd be totally happy to talk about them. :)

[nallkun]

I tried getting her to FFIV but she just wasn't into it despite me pleading on how great the story is. I prefer FF6 but the only remake is for GBA and PS.

I never thought about Ghost Trick though. I might have to look into it. What about the Phoenix Wright series?

And, she loves platforms but I'm trying to get her into different things.

But, thank you for your advice. :)

[fujicori]

Let's see; what can I think of...?

Two good, under-loved RPGs for the GC are Baten Kaitos and Baten Kaitos Origins, if she likes story-based games. However, the original BK has terrible voice acting. (The voice acting in Origins is quite good, by contrast, some of the best I've heard in a video game, and it really polished up the stuff I found rough around the edges in the original.) Origins is a prequel; I'd say it has the better character writing and the original game (Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean) has the more interesting plot moments. They have real-time card-based battle systems that are much better than they sound, and really cool worldbuilding. Both rated T, iirc.

Seconding Elite Beat Agents for the DS! Does she like Pokemon? B/W (G5) were pretty good. So were the various Ace Attorney games.

If I'm only going to rec one "Tales of" game (my pet series), it'd be Tales of Vesperia for the 360. (Tales of Graces for the PS3 has a better battle system and will be easier to find because it's so recent, but it has much worse writing, imo.) Cool things about ToV: fun battle system, male & female main characters can be interpreted as close friends/chosen family OR love interests, four years old but has aged pretty darned well compared to others in the series. Again, rated T.

That's about all I can remember off the top of my head. If I think of anything else, I'll add it.

[nallkun]

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm trying to get her into rpgs badly but just stuck on what she will play. I'll look into these though.