DylanGW

@miko1222:

Step 1: Shorten the List

One way to do this is to get rid of games that are less essential or of lesser quality. This is a subjective process; but here's the list I came up with. I got rid of the first two Splinter Cell games and Blacklist because Chaos Theory is the best in the series. I got rid of Metal Gear Solid VR missions because that's extra content. I left only Sly 2 because it is the best of the three. I got rid of the 007 games and Risen 2 because those aren't great games. I got rid of Morrowind because...why do you want to play Morrowind 2014? Also Morrowind will take you all year. I shortened the number of Call of Duty games to four essentials; and Assassin's Creed to three essentials.

Cut Games

[Metal Gear Solid VR Missions], [Splinter Cell Blacklist], [Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, [Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow], [Sly Cooper], [Sly Cooper 3], [007 Reloaded, [007 Bloodstone], [Risen 2]. [Morrowind (PC)]

New List

Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, Splinter Cell Chaos Theory, Saints Row IV, Sly 2, Just Cause 2, Mass Effect 3, LittleBigPlanet 2, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Dishonored

Step 2: Start with shorter games first.

This website will help: http://www.howlongtobeat.com/

Step 3: when you start a game; finish it to the end.

Step 4: don't buy new games until you've finished the ones you still want to play.

The Wirecutter has a pretty good guide for your price range: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-150-over-ear-headphones/

unless you're looking for "gaming headphones" specifically.

@markini6: Instead of reselling or trading in my games I keep them all as part of my collection. Having them there on the shelf to pull out and look at is enough for me to remember. If I want to re-experience something I'll pop in the console. I play Super Mario 64 at least once a year because it's a game that had a big impact on me when I was young. A friend of mine also has a collection; when we go over to each other's houses we spend a lot of time pulling them out as points of discussion.

@walkertr77: I've been watching the X Files for the first time recently. I'm almost finished season 5 right now; from what I've heard the show falls apart in the next season and there's no resolution to the main narrative. That's a shame because the main story-arch is what I find most compelling. I still have no clue what is really going on.

@ntm: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-small-tv/

@jjor64: even if he has a 3DS I'd still recommend Partner's in Time [or] Browsers Inside Story over Dream Team. I don't even like the way Dream Team looks.

@darji: don't you think after playing Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy X he'll be ready for it? DQ8 was my first jrpg, and although it was difficult, it was an unforgettable experience. I agree that he should at least play Chrono Trigger before DQ8; I can't think of a better introduction to the genre.

@pontron: Turok was rebooted. It wasn't very good.

http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/turok

@fuzzy_dunlop said:

When you get around to playing a Dragon Quest game I strongly recommend Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King [PS2]. It was my first jrpg; like you I had missed out on the genre until later in life. It is a difficult game; but it wasn't impossible for me on my first go. For what it's worth, Persona 3 is more challenging. You will be more than ready to play it after Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy X. What is so great about Dragon Quest VIII is that it sticks tightly to the conventions of the genre in terms of mechanics and story; but pulls it off with awe-inspring production and polish. It was my first jrpg and will likely remain my favourite for some time. Much like Legend of Zelda: the Windwaker; the visuals of Dragon Quest VIII are beautiful to this day.

I'm assuming you are going to play Chrono Trigger on the Nintendo DS. There are numerous other jrpg remakes for that system in the Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy series. The best however, are Final Fantasy IV and Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies. The DS is a great system for classic jrpg remakes and new editions. One game no one has mentioned is the World Ends With You; probably because it has unconventional mechanics and is very difficult; but I thought you might want to be aware of it. Aside from the two excellent Mario & Luigi games it's the best new jrpg for the DS (imo).