My New Gamer Dad. Suggestions?

My father recently purchased a new giant HDTV. He called me and asked me if I could give him suggestions for a Bluray player and one of the things I listed off for him was the PS3. He opted for that. He then called and asked me for suggestions for games.
 
My father has never really played games. He's pushing 60, and he's blind in one eye due to a chemistry set explosion as a kid. The first game that came to mind for him was Heavy Rain. He also was a big fan of arcade style racing games, most notable the old Outrun arcade game, so naturally he brought up the possibility of racing games. I don't play them and know nothing about them.
 
Can anyone make any racing game suggestions or even more general than that, any PS3 game suggestions? I was probably going to get him a gamefly gift card or a PSN card or something.

Forza Mot-  Oh, its 360 only.  Thats a shame.  Burnout is always a a solid arcade racing choice.

Tiger Woods. If he likes Golf at all. I got my Dad hooked on that shit.
The thing you have to mainly remember is, your Dad has no concept of amazing graphics.  Burnout Paradise might be easy enough for him, especially since he doesn't actually have to race.

Burnout Paradise(for the single player), Burnout Revenge(for the multiplayer) and WipEout HD(for both).

Not sure if he's into war games like my father, but I got my dad a 360 and Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway and he's still playing it. Also played a lot of Call of Duty: World at War.
 
As far as racing games go, Dirt 2 was really good. Need for Speed: SHIFT was pretty fun as well.

" Burnout Paradise(for the single player), Burnout Revenge(for the multiplayer) and WipEout HD(for both). "

if you're in the uk i think they actually have outrun on the psn. like an updated one.

In addition to the stuff already mentioned, maybe the GRID and DIRT games?

A good RTS (not sure if there are any on the ps3). In my experiance, Dads love RTS games.
 
Heavy Rain for sure
 
Bioshock 1 + 2
 
Both Uncharteds.
 
Maybe the Sonic Megadrive Collection?

Motorstorm was cool.

Sonic's Genesis Collection sounds like a safe bet.

if he likes sports then like NHL 10, Madden 10 etc.

My Dad plays a mean Nazi Zombie's it's the worst thing ever.

Dirt 2, GT5: Prologue, and - if he's anything like my dad - some military-themed games. BC2 just came out.

" My father recently purchased a new giant HDTV. He called me and asked me if I could give him suggestions for a Bluray player and one of the things I listed off for him was the PS3. He opted for that. He then called and asked me for suggestions for games.  My father has never really played games. He's pushing 60, and he's blind in one eye due to a chemistry set explosion as a kid. The first game that came to mind for him was Heavy Rain. He also was a big fan of arcade style racing games, most notable the old Outrun arcade game, so naturally he brought up the possibility of racing games. I don't play them and know nothing about them.  Can anyone make any racing game suggestions or even more general than that, any PS3 game suggestions? I was probably going to get him a gamefly gift card or a PSN card or something. "

I actually think Heavy Rain is a bad idea if he's new to gaming. Bare in mind that Heavy Rain has QTE and that he probably isn't familiar with the Dualshock controller, and doesn't have every buttom maped out in his head like we gamers do. Which could prove problematic in Heavy Rain. Maybe he should get it later when he's more familiar with the controller. Of course this might not apply to your dad but it sure as hell does to my sister.

You might want to look into a few fighters.  I think Soul Calibur 4 is a good start since it can be very "button-mashy" on normal level.  This is a good thing as far as gamers who don't know precisely what they are doing.  Just pounding on buttons and cool things happen is a plus in this situation.  God of War (collection & later III) also might be good buys since they are also all about ease of coolness.   I think getting someone used to twin stick gaming, especially as far as FPS games go, might be the hardest obstacle to overcome.   PSN's Super Stardust HD might be a good start, though.  And, if he wants something a bit more cerebral but also more complicated, have him take a look at Civilization: Revolutions.  And, don't forget, the Sony ARC controller will probably be out by year's end, so if he completely blows it with the dual shock 3, there is that option for the future.

i believe The Orange Box came out for the PS3, if im not mistakin.

I don't really know what to suggest as the closest my dad has gotten to gaming is playing flight simulator. I used to take great pleasure in crashing his carefully plotted 4 hour flight into the sea when he got up to go to the bathroom.

i guess stuff like burnout or wipeout could be a bit too fast and "actiony" for a 60 year old man who's blind on one eye 
 
 
it's not out yet but i guess R.U.S.E. might be something... from what i've seen in the trailers so far it seems to be rather slow paced and more about tactics and strategy than fiddly, hectic micro management

a motorstorm game would be good

Burnout Paradise has a bundle on PSN which includes all the dlc for just over £20. Uncharted 1 and 2 just play on easy, medium. Lots of stuff on PSN like Braid, Flower, Trine and Pixel Junk titles to name a few.

Burnout Paradise its cheap and has an arcade feel to it. 

" Star Trek Online might be very Dad-oriented, especially if he likes Star Trek "