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* ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' and ''Franchise/{{Soulcalibur}}'' are notorious for GuestFighters, but they help gamers introduced to their original properties such as ''ComicBook/{{Spawn}}'' (appeared in both franchises), ''Franchise/StarWars'' (three characters in Soulcalibur IV including Darth Vader and Yoda) and ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'' (Kratos appeared in both franchises).
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* ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' and ''Franchise/{{Soulcalibur}}'' ''Franchise/SoulCalibur'' are notorious for GuestFighters, [[GuestFighter guest fighters]], but they help gamers get introduced to their original properties such as ''ComicBook/{{Spawn}}'' (appeared in both franchises), ''Franchise/StarWars'' (three characters in Soulcalibur IV including Darth Vader and Yoda) and ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'' (Kratos appeared in both franchises).
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* ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' and ''Franchise/{{Soulcalibur}}'' are notorious for GuestFighters, but they help gamers introduced to their original properties such as ''ComicBook/{{Spawn}}'' (appeared in both franchises), ''Franchise/StarWars'' (three characters in Soulcalibur IV including Darth Vader and Yoda) and ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'' (Kratos appeared in both franchises).
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* ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'' or ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'' are good start for those interested in the ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' series, seeing how they're generally considered the most accessible of ''SMT'' games (except for ''Persona 3'', whose [=PS2=] versions were very rare for a while, until it was brought to PSN). In fact, the original ''VideoGame/{{Persona}}'' was designed to be an easier SMT in hopes of getting more teenagers interested in the main series.
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* ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'' or ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'' are good start for those interested in the ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' series, seeing how they're generally considered the most accessible of ''SMT'' games (except for ''Persona 3'', whose [=PS2=] versions were very rare for a while, until it was brought to PSN). In fact, the original ''VideoGame/{{Persona}}'' ''VideoGame/{{Persona 1}}'' was designed to be an easier SMT in hopes of getting more teenagers interested in the main series.
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* The battle royale spin-off ''VideoGame/ApexLegends'' introduced many newcomers into the ''VideoGame/{{Titanfall}}'' [[VideoGame/{{Titanfall 2}} franchise]]. Although the previous Titanfall games were well-acclaimed, they were commercially unsuccessful and quickly forgotten. However, ''Apex Legends'' became so popular that this lead to both games getting a bump in player count.
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* The battle royale spin-off ''VideoGame/ApexLegends'' introduced many newcomers into the ''VideoGame/{{Titanfall}}'' [[VideoGame/{{Titanfall 2}} franchise]]. Although the previous Titanfall ''Titanfall'' games were well-acclaimed, they were commercially unsuccessful didn't gain mainstream attraction and quickly forgotten. However, ''Apex Legends'' became so popular when it came out in February 2019 that this lead to both games getting a bump in ''Titanfall 2'' had its concurrent PC player count.count ''tripled'' in the same month.
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* If you're huge into modern HackAndSlash[=/=]BeatEmUp games, chances are you got into the genre through either the ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'' series or the ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries'', the latter especially if you either didn't own a [=PlayStation=] console or weren't allowed to play M-rated games growing up. Older gamers will often cite either the ''Franchise/{{Onimusha}}'' or ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' series as their introduction to the genre, while younger gamers often get into the genre through ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'', especially those who are Nintendo fans thanks to the franchise's exclusivity and the title character's inclusion in the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series.
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* If you're huge into modern HackAndSlash[=/=]BeatEmUp games, chances are you got into the genre through either the ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'' series or the ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries'', the latter especially if you either didn't own a [=PlayStation=] console or weren't allowed to play M-rated games growing up. Older gamers will often cite either the ''Franchise/{{Onimusha}}'' ''VideoGame/{{Onimusha}}'' or ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' series as their introduction to the genre, while younger gamers often get into the genre through ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'', especially those who are Nintendo fans thanks to the franchise's exclusivity and the title character's inclusion in the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series.
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* The ''Franchise/{{GrandTheftAuto}}'' titles introduced people to Open-World Third-Person Shooter games in addition to the Crime Drama and ConspiracyThriller genres. For people who wanted to know more about Asia, ''VideoGame/{{SleepingDogs}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'' did the same (although we've got two GTA Games having Asian leads).
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* The ''Franchise/{{GrandTheftAuto}}'' ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'' titles introduced people to Open-World Third-Person Shooter games in addition to the Crime Drama and ConspiracyThriller genres. For people who wanted to know more about Asia, ''VideoGame/{{SleepingDogs}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'' did the same (although we've got two GTA Games having Asian leads).
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* The ''Franchise/{{GrandTheftAuto}}'' titles introduced people to Open-World Third-Person Shooter games in addition to the Crime Drama and ConspiracyThriller genres. For people who wanted to know more about Asia, ''VideoGame/{{SleepingDogs}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'' did the same (although we've got two GTA Games having Asian leads).
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* If you're huge into modern HackAndSlash[=/=]BeatEmUp games, chances are you got into the genre through either the ''VideoGame/GodOfWarSeries'' or the ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries'', the latter especially if you either didn't own a [=PlayStation=] console or weren't allowed to play M-rated games growing up. Older gamers will often cite either the ''Franchise/{{Onimusha}}'' or ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' series as their introduction to the genre, while younger gamers often get into the genre through ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'', especially those who are Nintendo fans thanks to the franchise's exclusivity and the title character's inclusion in the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series.
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* If you're huge into modern HackAndSlash[=/=]BeatEmUp games, chances are you got into the genre through either the ''VideoGame/GodOfWarSeries'' ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'' series or the ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries'', the latter especially if you either didn't own a [=PlayStation=] console or weren't allowed to play M-rated games growing up. Older gamers will often cite either the ''Franchise/{{Onimusha}}'' or ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' series as their introduction to the genre, while younger gamers often get into the genre through ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'', especially those who are Nintendo fans thanks to the franchise's exclusivity and the title character's inclusion in the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series.
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* ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon'' has gotten a lot of fans interested in gardening and/or farming.
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* ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon'' ''VideoGame/StoryOfSeasons'' has gotten a lot of fans interested in gardening and/or farming.
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** ''VideoGames/{{Powder}}'' and ''VideoGame/ShirenTheWanderer'' are good gateway roguelikes for those discouraged by the complexity (and ASCII-ness) of ''VideoGame/NetHack'' and company.
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** ''VideoGames/{{Powder}}'' ''VideoGame/{{Powder}}'' and ''VideoGame/ShirenTheWanderer'' are good gateway roguelikes for those discouraged by the complexity (and ASCII-ness) of ''VideoGame/NetHack'' and company.
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* ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' got a lot of players into ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' as a franchise-fandom, rather than cherrypicking favourite individual titles. A lot of people bought it so they could play as [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Cloud]] (who was even designed with being an [[CrutchCharacter easy character for fighting game newbies to use]], on the grounds that he'd be [[WolverinePublicity such an attractant]]), and then realised they liked [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyV Bartz]], [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV Cecil]] and [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyII Firion's]] personalities just as much, and had to check out their source material. The fact that the old games were in the process of being rereleased at the time suggests this was partly intentional. ''VideoGame/TheatrythmFinalFantasy'', and the mobile ''Final Fantasy'' games such as ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyBraveExvius'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyRecordKeeper'', are also MassivelyMultiplayerCrossover games; ''VideoGame/WorldOfFinalFantasy'' was designed to be an intro to the series and characters for new players.
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* ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' got a lot of players into ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' as a franchise-fandom, rather than cherrypicking favourite individual titles. A lot of people bought it so they could play as [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Cloud]] (who was even designed with being an [[CrutchCharacter easy character for fighting game newbies to use]], on the grounds that he'd be [[WolverinePublicity such an attractant]]), and then realised they liked [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyV Bartz]], [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV Cecil]] and [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyII Firion's]] personalities just as much, and had to check out their source material. The fact that the old games were in the process of being rereleased at the time suggests this was partly intentional. ''VideoGame/TheatrythmFinalFantasy'', ''VideoGame/TheatrhythmFinalFantasy'', and the mobile ''Final Fantasy'' games such as ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyBraveExvius'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyRecordKeeper'', are also MassivelyMultiplayerCrossover games; ''VideoGame/WorldOfFinalFantasy'' was designed to be an intro to the series and characters for new players.
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* Most people were likely introduced to {{Platform Game}}s thanks to ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' and ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'', though PC gamers during the 1990s may find themselves thanking ''VideoGame/CommanderKeen'' or ''VideoGame/JillOfTheJungle''.
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* Most people were likely introduced to {{Platform Game}}s thanks to ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' and ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'', ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'', though PC gamers during the 1990s may find themselves thanking ''VideoGame/CommanderKeen'' or ''VideoGame/JillOfTheJungle''.
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** Nintendo has the reputation of being the video game company that makes games to introduce people to video games who never played them before, something that the company openly states being their goal. Of course, some people [[AccentuateTheNegative don't say it like that]]. It's hard to fault Nintendo when they so often get results by taking this approach-- games and systems, Nintendo and otherwise, are selling better than they ever have even in the economic recession.
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** Nintendo has the reputation of being the video game company that makes games to introduce people to video games who never played them before, something that the company openly states being their goal. Of course, some people [[AccentuateTheNegative don't say it like that]]. It's hard to fault Nintendo when they so often get results by taking this approach-- approach -- games and systems, Nintendo and otherwise, are selling better than they ever have even in the economic recession.
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** Of course, neither of these games would have been possible if ''VideoGame/ParappaTheRapper'' hadn't opened up the world of rhythm gaming to start.
*** For people who play {{Rhythm Game}}s without the hand for ''Guitar Hero'' or ''Rock Band'', ''Parappa the Rapper'' and ''VideoGame/RhythmHeaven'' are both known to turn people into rhythm fanatics less on the instrument/physical side, and more on the technical/mental side.
*** For people who play {{Rhythm Game}}s without the hand for ''Guitar Hero'' or ''Rock Band'', ''Parappa the Rapper'' and ''VideoGame/RhythmHeaven'' are both known to turn people into rhythm fanatics less on the instrument/physical side, and more on the technical/mental side.
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** Of course, neither of these games would have been possible if ''VideoGame/ParappaTheRapper'' ''VideoGame/PaRappaTheRapper'' hadn't opened up the world of rhythm gaming to start.
*** For people who play {{Rhythm Game}}s without the hand for ''Guitar Hero'' or ''Rock Band'',''Parappa ''[=PaRappa=] the Rapper'' and ''VideoGame/RhythmHeaven'' are both known to turn people into rhythm fanatics less on the instrument/physical side, and more on the technical/mental side.
*** For people who play {{Rhythm Game}}s without the hand for ''Guitar Hero'' or ''Rock Band'',
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* If you're huge into modern HackAndSlash[=/=]BeatEmUp games, chances are you got into the genre through either the ''VideoGame/GodOfWarSeries'' or the ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries'', the latter especially if you either didn't own a [=PlayStation=] console or weren't allowed to play M-rated games growing up. Older gamers will often cite either the ''Franchise/{{Onimusha}}'' or ''Franchise/DevilMayCry'' series as their introduction to the genre, while younger gamers often get into the genre through ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'', especially those who are Nintendo fans thanks to the franchise's exclusivity and the title character's inclusion in the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series.
to:
* If you're huge into modern HackAndSlash[=/=]BeatEmUp games, chances are you got into the genre through either the ''VideoGame/GodOfWarSeries'' or the ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries'', the latter especially if you either didn't own a [=PlayStation=] console or weren't allowed to play M-rated games growing up. Older gamers will often cite either the ''Franchise/{{Onimusha}}'' or ''Franchise/DevilMayCry'' ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' series as their introduction to the genre, while younger gamers often get into the genre through ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'', especially those who are Nintendo fans thanks to the franchise's exclusivity and the title character's inclusion in the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series.
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* The battle royale spin-off ''VideoGame/ApexLegends'' introduced many newcomers into the ''VideoGame/{{Titanfall}}'' [[VideoGame/{{Titanfall 2}} franchise]]. Although the previous Titanfall games were well-acclaimed, they were commercially unsuccessful and quickly forgotten. However, ''Apex Legends'' became so popular that this lead to both games getting a bump in player count
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* The battle royale spin-off ''VideoGame/ApexLegends'' introduced many newcomers into the ''VideoGame/{{Titanfall}}'' [[VideoGame/{{Titanfall 2}} franchise]]. Although the previous Titanfall games were well-acclaimed, they were commercially unsuccessful and quickly forgotten. However, ''Apex Legends'' became so popular that this lead to both games getting a bump in player count
count.
* If you're huge into modern HackAndSlash[=/=]BeatEmUp games, chances are you got into the genre through either the ''VideoGame/GodOfWarSeries'' or the ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries'', the latter especially if you either didn't own a [=PlayStation=] console or weren't allowed to play M-rated games growing up. Older gamers will often cite either the ''Franchise/{{Onimusha}}'' or ''Franchise/DevilMayCry'' series as their introduction to the genre, while younger gamers often get into the genre through ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'', especially those who are Nintendo fans thanks to the franchise's exclusivity and the title character's inclusion in the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series.
* If you're huge into modern HackAndSlash[=/=]BeatEmUp games, chances are you got into the genre through either the ''VideoGame/GodOfWarSeries'' or the ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries'', the latter especially if you either didn't own a [=PlayStation=] console or weren't allowed to play M-rated games growing up. Older gamers will often cite either the ''Franchise/{{Onimusha}}'' or ''Franchise/DevilMayCry'' series as their introduction to the genre, while younger gamers often get into the genre through ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'', especially those who are Nintendo fans thanks to the franchise's exclusivity and the title character's inclusion in the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series.
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* The battle royale spin-off ''VideoGame/ApexLegends'' introduced many newcomers into the ''VideoGame/{{Titanfall}}'' [[VideoGame/{{Titanfall 2}} franchise]]. Although the previous Titanfall games were well-acclaimed, they were commercially unsuccessful and quickly forgotten. However, ''Apex Legends'' became so popular that this lead to both games getting a bump in player count
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** ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeon'' in particular can be seen as a gateway series into {{Roguelike}} genrez for many Pokémon fans, even eclipsing out its source material ''VideoGame/ShirenTheWanderer''.
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** ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeon'' in particular can be seen as a gateway series into {{Roguelike}} genrez genres for many Pokémon fans, even eclipsing out its source material series ''VideoGame/ShirenTheWanderer''.
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** ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeon'' in particular can be seen as a gateway series into {{Roguelike}} genrez for many Pokémon fans, even eclipsing out its source material ''VideoGame/ShirenTheWanderer''.
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** ''VideoGame/PokemonLetsGoPikachuAndLetsGoEevee'' is designed to be an entry-level counterpart to the main series, especially for those who have already taken their first step with ''VideoGame/PokemonGo''. When coupled with ''VideoGame/PokemonQuest'' and the 2019 Switch title, the aim of these games is to cover all areas of the series' MultipleDemographicAppeal and [[http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/06/01/every-type-of-pokemon-fan-should-be-very-happy-right-now provide a Pokémon RPG that anyone can enjoy.]]
to:
** ''VideoGame/PokemonLetsGoPikachuAndLetsGoEevee'' is designed to be an entry-level counterpart to the main series, especially for those who have already taken their first step with ''VideoGame/PokemonGo''. When coupled with ''VideoGame/PokemonQuest'' and the 2019 Switch title, ''VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield'', the aim of these games is to cover all areas of the series' MultipleDemographicAppeal and [[http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/06/01/every-type-of-pokemon-fan-should-be-very-happy-right-now provide a Pokémon RPG that anyone can enjoy.]]
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** The ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration'' GBA series can serve as one for the overall ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' games due to being translated to English, and the premise of original characters-only means that newcomers don't need to watch a good portion of the HumongousMecha anime that made up the game to understand the plot completely.
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** ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' and ''ViddoGame/YokaiWatch'' both act as gateways into [=RPGs=] due to their popularity and accessibility.
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** ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' and ''ViddoGame/YokaiWatch'' ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch'' both act as gateways into [=RPGs=] due to their popularity and accessibility.
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* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' was a gateway {{RPG}} for a lot of players -- to the detriment of the genre, some might argue. And it doubled as a bit of a gateway introduction to anime as well.
** It was also a gateway to [=PlayStation=] games in general.
** It was also a gateway to [=PlayStation=] games in general.
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* RPG Gateways:
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' was a gateway {{RPG}} for a lot of players -- to the detriment of the genre, some might argue. And it doubled as a bit of a gateway introduction to anime aswell.
**well. It was also a gateway to [=PlayStation=] games in general.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' was a gateway {{RPG}} for a lot of players -- to the detriment of the genre, some might argue. And it doubled as a bit of a gateway introduction to anime as
**
** ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' and ''ViddoGame/YokaiWatch'' both act as gateways into [=RPGs=] due to their popularity and accessibility.
** Due to its Disney characters, ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' attracts players who otherwise have never been interested in [=JRPGs=].
** Due to its Disney characters, ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' attracts players who otherwise have never been interested in [=JRPGs=].
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* Not only can ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' count as a gateway to anime, it's also a gateway to the {{Mons}} genre and to some extent to [=RPGs=] and hardcore gaming in general.
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* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
** Not only can ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' count as a gateway to anime, it's also a gateway to the {{Mons}} genre and to some extent to [=RPGs=] and hardcore gaming in general.
** Not only can ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' count as a gateway to anime, it's also a gateway to the {{Mons}} genre and to some extent to [=RPGs=] and hardcore gaming in general.
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* The ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series has a wide variety of Nintendo characters within its character roster, with even more Nintendo history to be found in the various unlockable trophies. As a result, the franchise is a mix of this and ColbertBump, as some players may gravitate to a new franchise after learning about it from the party fighting game, with [[MarthDebutedInSmashBros the appearance of Marth and Roy in Melee]] helping establish the ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' series outside of Japan. Later entries would even have unlockable demos of the titles its' characters originally starred in.
to:
* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'':
** The''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series has a wide variety of Nintendo characters within its character roster, with even more Nintendo history to be found in the various unlockable trophies. As a result, the franchise is a mix of this and ColbertBump, as some players may gravitate to a new franchise after learning about it from the party fighting game, with [[MarthDebutedInSmashBros the appearance of Marth and Roy in Melee]] helping establish the ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' series outside of Japan. Later entries would even have unlockable demos of the titles its' characters originally starred in.
** The
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* ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch'' is a gateway into {{youkai}} and Japanese mythology in general.
* ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'''s quirky design and bright colours make it appealing to people who generally scoff at shooters. It's also family-friendly enough for parents to let their kids play.
* ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon'' has gotten a lot of fans interested in gardening and/or farming.
* ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'''s quirky design and bright colours make it appealing to people who generally scoff at shooters. It's also family-friendly enough for parents to let their kids play.
* ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon'' has gotten a lot of fans interested in gardening and/or farming.
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* The ''Franchise/{{Dishonored}}'' series served as many players' first introduction to the ImmersiveSim genre during its comeback in TheNewTens. Granted, ''VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution'' prepared the soil for said comeback the year before, but ''VideoGame/{{Dishonored}}'' was the first original game in a while to wear its ImmersiveSim legacy on its sleeve, deliberately sparking new interest in the obscure genre.
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** ''VideoGame/PokemonLetsGoPikachuAndLetsGoEevee'' is designed to be an entry-level counterpart to the main series, especially for those who have already taken their first step with ''VideoGame/PokemonGo''. When coupled with ''VideoGame/PokemonQuest'' and the 2019 Switch title, the aim of these games is to cover all areas of the series' MultipleDemographicAppeal and [[http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/06/01/every-type-of-pokemon-fan-should-be-very-happy-right-now provide a Pokémon RPG that anyone can enjoy.]]
-->'''Junichi Masuda:''' It's really my hope that all sorts of people will give these games a try.
-->'''Junichi Masuda:''' It's really my hope that all sorts of people will give these games a try.
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* There's an ''entire category'' of video games known as [[CasualVideoGame Casual Games]] that can serve as this trope, with such titles being able to be gateways games for more "complex" games within their genre (e.g. ''Videogame/DinerDash'' for time management and RealTimeStrategy games).
* After UsefulNotes/TheGreatVideoGameCrashOf1983, people thought gaming was dead. But then enters ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' bundled with the UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem.
** Related to it, practically everyone got into {{Platform Game}}s due to ''Mario'' and ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog''.
** For PC gamers, ''VideoGame/CommanderKeen'' or ''VideoGame/JillOfTheJungle'' is likely to take this role.
* After UsefulNotes/TheGreatVideoGameCrashOf1983, people thought gaming was dead. But then enters ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' bundled with the UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem.
** Related to it, practically everyone got into {{Platform Game}}s due to ''Mario'' and ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog''.
** For PC gamers, ''VideoGame/CommanderKeen'' or ''VideoGame/JillOfTheJungle'' is likely to take this role.
to:
* There's an ''entire category'' of video games known as [[CasualVideoGame Casual Games]] that can serve as this trope, with such titles being able to be potentially serving as gateways games for to more "complex" games within their genre (e.g. ''Videogame/DinerDash'' for time management and RealTimeStrategy games).
*After UsefulNotes/TheGreatVideoGameCrashOf1983, Most people thought gaming was dead. But then enters were likely introduced to {{Platform Game}}s thanks to ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' bundled with and ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'', though PC gamers during the UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem.
** Related to it, practically everyone got into {{Platform Game}}s due to ''Mario'' and ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog''.
** For PC gamers,1990s may find themselves thanking ''VideoGame/CommanderKeen'' or ''VideoGame/JillOfTheJungle'' is likely to take this role.''VideoGame/JillOfTheJungle''.
*
** Related to it, practically everyone got into {{Platform Game}}s due to ''Mario'' and ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog''.
** For PC gamers,
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* The ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series has a wide variety of Nintendo characters, and some players might become more interested in the individual series if they see a character they'd never heard of before. [[MarthDebutedInSmashBros The appearance of Marth and Roy in Melee for example]], led to the introduction of the ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' series to the US.
** ''Brawl'' and ''Wii U'' even have unlockable demos of several of the characters' starring games.
** The Smash series as a whole serves as a gateway for the fighting games, specifically the MascotFighter genre due to its easy controls.
** ''Brawl'' and ''Wii U'' even have unlockable demos of several of the characters' starring games.
** The Smash series as a whole serves as a gateway for the fighting games, specifically the MascotFighter genre due to its easy controls.
to:
* The ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series has a wide variety of Nintendo characters, characters within its character roster, with even more Nintendo history to be found in the various unlockable trophies. As a result, the franchise is a mix of this and ColbertBump, as some players might become more interested in may gravitate to a new franchise after learning about it from the individual series if they see a character they'd never heard of before. party fighting game, with [[MarthDebutedInSmashBros The the appearance of Marth and Roy in Melee for example]], led to the introduction of Melee]] helping establish the ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' series to the US.
** ''Brawl'' and ''Wii U''outside of Japan. Later entries would even have unlockable demos of several of the characters' starring games.
titles its' characters originally starred in.
** TheSmash ''Smash'' series as a whole serves as a gateway for the fighting games, specifically the MascotFighter genre genre, due to its easy controls.
** ''Brawl'' and ''Wii U''
** The
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* There's an ''entire category'' of video games known as [[CasualVideoGame Casual Games]] that can serve as this trope, with such titles being able to be gateways games for more "complex" games within their genre (e.g. ''Videogame/DinerDash'' for time management and RealTimeStrategy games).
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* Many games designed by Creator/{{Nintendo}} for the DS, Wii, and WiiU were intended to be gateway videogames for people who never tried them before -- like ''VideoGame/WiiSports'', ''VideoGame/{{Nintendogs}}'', ''VideoGame/EliteBeatAgents'', ''VideoGame/NintendoLand'', and so on.
** Nintendo has the reputation of being the video game company that makes games to introduce people to video games who never played them before, something that the company openly states being their goal. Of course, some people [[AccentuateTheNegative don't say it like that]]. It's hard to fault Nintendo when they're clearly getting results -- games and systems, Nintendo and otherwise, are selling better than they ever have even in the economic recession.
** In fact, let's just say [[CasualVideoGame Casual Games]] in general, though there can also be Gateway Games for certain ''types'' of Casual Games as well (e.g. ''Videogame/DinerDash'' for time management games).
** Nintendo has the reputation of being the video game company that makes games to introduce people to video games who never played them before, something that the company openly states being their goal. Of course, some people [[AccentuateTheNegative don't say it like that]]. It's hard to fault Nintendo when they're clearly getting results -- games and systems, Nintendo and otherwise, are selling better than they ever have even in the economic recession.
** In fact, let's just say [[CasualVideoGame Casual Games]] in general, though there can also be Gateway Games for certain ''types'' of Casual Games as well (e.g. ''Videogame/DinerDash'' for time management games).
to:
* Many games designed by Creator/{{Nintendo}} for the DS, Wii, UsefulNotes/NintendoDS and WiiU UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} were intended to be gateway videogames games for people who never tried them before -- like ''VideoGame/WiiSports'', ''VideoGame/{{Nintendogs}}'', ''VideoGame/EliteBeatAgents'', ''VideoGame/NintendoLand'', before, with ''VideoGame/{{Nintendogs}}'' and so on.
''VideoGame/WiiSports'' being the biggest examples.
** Nintendo has the reputation of being the video game company that makes games to introduce people to video games who never played them before, something that the company openly states being their goal. Of course, some people [[AccentuateTheNegative don't say it like that]]. It's hard to fault Nintendo whenthey're clearly getting they so often get results -- by taking this approach-- games and systems, Nintendo and otherwise, are selling better than they ever have even in the economic recession.
** In fact, let's just say [[CasualVideoGame Casual Games]] in general, though there can also be Gateway Games for certain ''types'' of Casual Games as well (e.g. ''Videogame/DinerDash'' for time management games).recession.
** Nintendo has the reputation of being the video game company that makes games to introduce people to video games who never played them before, something that the company openly states being their goal. Of course, some people [[AccentuateTheNegative don't say it like that]]. It's hard to fault Nintendo when
** In fact, let's just say [[CasualVideoGame Casual Games]] in general, though there can also be Gateway Games for certain ''types'' of Casual Games as well (e.g. ''Videogame/DinerDash'' for time management games).
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** ''VideoGame/{{Tekken 3}}'' was extremely influential on the popularity of 3D fighting games, and ''VideoGame/SoulCalibur'' was this for weapon-based games.
to:
** ''VideoGame/{{Tekken 3}}'' was extremely influential on the popularity of 3D fighting games, and games; ''VideoGame/SoulCalibur'' was this for weapon-based games.
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* Many games designed by Creator/{{Nintendo}} for the DS, Wii, and [=WiiU=] were intended to be gateway videogames for people who never tried them before -- like ''VideoGame/WiiSports'', ''VideoGame/{{Nintendogs}}'', ''VideoGame/EliteBeatAgents'', ''VideoGame/NintendoLand'', and so on.
to:
* Many games designed by Creator/{{Nintendo}} for the DS, Wii, and [=WiiU=] WiiU were intended to be gateway videogames for people who never tried them before -- like ''VideoGame/WiiSports'', ''VideoGame/{{Nintendogs}}'', ''VideoGame/EliteBeatAgents'', ''VideoGame/NintendoLand'', and so on.
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* After UsefulNotes/TheGreatVideoGameCrashOf1983, people thought gaming was dead... but then enters ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' bundled with the [=NES=]...
to:
* After UsefulNotes/TheGreatVideoGameCrashOf1983, people thought gaming was dead... but dead. But then enters ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' bundled with the [=NES=]...UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem.
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----
* After UsefulNotes/TheGreatVideoGameCrashOf1983, people thought gaming was dead... but then enters ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' bundled with the [=NES=]...
** Related to it, practically everyone got into {{Platform Game}}s due to ''Mario'' and ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog''.
** For PC gamers, ''VideoGame/CommanderKeen'' or ''VideoGame/JillOfTheJungle'' is likely to take this role.
* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' was a gateway {{RPG}} for a lot of players -- to the detriment of the genre, some might argue. And it doubled as a bit of a gateway introduction to anime as well.
** It was also a gateway to [=PlayStation=] games in general.
** The ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' series as a whole can be considered a gateway to [=RPGs=].
** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'' is a a very good introductory RPG too.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyMysticQuest'' was deliberately designed to be a gateway to [=RPGs=], simplifying the gameplay dramatically. Unforunately, not only did it fail to attract the mainstream as expected, but RPG fans derided the game [[ItsEasySoItSucks for being extremely easy]] [[ClicheStorm and formulaic.]]
** Tim Schafer's ''VideoGame/CostumeQuest'' is extremely short and easy because it was meant to introduce very young children to [=RPGs=].
* The ''Franchise/BaldursGate'' series, the ''Franchise/MassEffect'' series, and the ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series frequently serve as gateways to the WesternRPG genre. ''The Elder Scrolls'' likewise doubles as a WideOpenSandbox gateway.
* Not only can ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' count as a gateway to anime, it's also a gateway to the {{Mons}} genre and to some extent to [=RPGs=] and hardcore gaming in general.
* Many games designed by Creator/{{Nintendo}} for the DS, Wii, and [=WiiU=] were intended to be gateway videogames for people who never tried them before -- like ''VideoGame/WiiSports'', ''VideoGame/{{Nintendogs}}'', ''VideoGame/EliteBeatAgents'', ''VideoGame/NintendoLand'', and so on.
** Nintendo has the reputation of being the video game company that makes games to introduce people to video games who never played them before, something that the company openly states being their goal. Of course, some people [[AccentuateTheNegative don't say it like that]]. It's hard to fault Nintendo when they're clearly getting results -- games and systems, Nintendo and otherwise, are selling better than they ever have even in the economic recession.
** In fact, let's just say [[CasualVideoGame Casual Games]] in general, though there can also be Gateway Games for certain ''types'' of Casual Games as well (e.g. ''Videogame/DinerDash'' for time management games).
* The entries of the ''VideoGame/TotalWar'' series are all pretty likely ways that various gamers got interested in specific periods of history ([[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers Or]] ''{{TabletopGame/Warhammer}}'')
* The ''Tony Hawk'' games are a two-way gateway -- they've gotten a lot of skaters into gaming, but it's when they get gamers into skateboarding that HilarityEnsues.
* The ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series has a wide variety of Nintendo characters, and some players might become more interested in the individual series if they see a character they'd never heard of before. [[MarthDebutedInSmashBros The appearance of Marth and Roy in Melee for example]], led to the introduction of the ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' series to the US.
** ''Brawl'' and ''Wii U'' even have unlockable demos of several of the characters' starring games.
** The Smash series as a whole serves as a gateway for the fighting games, specifically the MascotFighter genre due to its easy controls.
* This is the intention behind the ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'' series. The games are easy enough that someone who has never played an {{action|Game}} {{platform|Game}}er before can get through the main game and see the ending, but at the same time offer extra challenges for older gamers seeking HundredPercentCompletion. Many of these fans then go on to play other games in the genre.
* A variation of this trope: a lot of people become regular readers of Website/GameFAQs after getting stuck in GuideDangIt moments.
* New installments of long-time series such as ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' -- espeically ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight'' -- tend to be gateways for modern players into the world of retro gaming, especially those curious about references to characters from previous games.
** If not into the world of retro gaming, then certainly the world of metroidvanias.
* "People who don't like video games like ''VideoGame/{{Myst}}''."
* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' is the most infamously addictive MMORPG out there nowadays, but those who have played it and quit often try to seek out other MMO's afterward.
** Related: For some kids, ''VideoGame/RuneScape'' has acted as a gateway to ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''.
* Each generation seems to have its own gateway into the Multiplayer FirstPersonShooter genre:
** One of the earliest was ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}''.
** From the late [=90s=] came ''VideoGame/HalfLife'' and ''VideoGame/CounterStrike''.
** ''Franchise/{{Halo}}''. In particular, ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'', being a launch title for the Xbox, was the first FPS many gamers ever played. It's argued that ''Halo'' was the killer app that allowed the Xbox to compete in its early days against the wildly successful Playstation 2. So that's gotta count for something.
** Later, both ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty'' and ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' became insanely popular examples.
* ''VideoGame/{{Thief}}'', a stealth simulator, was marketed as a big new twist on the overinflated FirstPersonShooter genre. It got quite a few action gamers interested in stealth games.
* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' served an almost identical function to ''Thief'' on an entirely different system. Also, due to its slow-paced gameplay, its focus on storytelling and the ability of the player to [[TalkingIsAFreeAction pause the action to talk to the other characters about trivial things]], it also makes a great gateway series for people raised on {{JRPG}}s trying to break into {{Action Game}}s.
** Though it's rather complex for someone who has never touched a controller before, ''MGS'' has also been promoted as a counterargument to people who believe in the Video Game Ghetto--IE, that the terms "video game" and "true art" are mutually exclusive.
* If you stick around the ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' community long enough, you may come to try out other {{Rhythm Game}}s -- up until the release of ''VideoGame/GuitarHero'', this would be things like ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}} IIDX'' and ''Dance [=ManiaX=]''.
** Although for a lot of people it now works the other way around, with ''VideoGame/GuitarHero'' or ''VideoGame/RockBand'' being the gateway game that leads them to discover ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution''.
*** This can also work across media -- ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Rock Band'' inspire people to buy and get into music from the games.
*** These two games can also turn people on to real instruments. HilarityEnsues when they realize a real guitar's nothing like the plastic controller.
** Of course, neither of these games would have been possible if ''VideoGame/ParappaTheRapper'' hadn't opened up the world of rhythm gaming to start.
*** For people who play {{Rhythm Game}}s without the hand for ''Guitar Hero'' or ''Rock Band'', ''Parappa the Rapper'' and ''VideoGame/RhythmHeaven'' are both known to turn people into rhythm fanatics less on the instrument/physical side, and more on the technical/mental side.
** As of TheNewTens, ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'' is this for new ''BEMANI'' fans, thanks to its low barrier to entry, wide selection of doujin music (including ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'' arranges and Music/{{Vocaloid}} songs), cool-looking interface, and use of filter effects to give the player the impression of mixing a track in real time.
* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' does this for 2D fighting games. The series is relatively user friendly and easy to pick up and play, leading many in more complicated games like ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear''.
** ''VideoGame/{{Tekken 3}}'' was extremely influential on the popularity of 3D fighting games, and ''VideoGame/SoulCalibur'' was this for weapon-based games.
* Play one addictive puzzle game, and you're bound to wind up hunting for more. ''VideoGame/{{Peggle}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'' are good examples.
* Many gamers' first RealTimeStrategy game was ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}} II'', and for good reason, too. The graphics are nice to look at, the mechanics are fairly simple compared to other RTS games, and most importantly, it's a lot of fun (including against your friends, even if they do kick your butt in 95% of the games you play with them).
** If your first RTS wasn't ''Warcraft II'', then it was probably ''VideoGame/StarCraftI''.
** ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianDawn'' and ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert'' are also common gateways.
** As is ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpiresII''.
* The ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' series can potentially be a good GatewaySeries for many GiantRobot {{Anime}}, considering that the plot for each game basically takes the plot of every series involved in the MassiveMultiplayerCrossover and shoves them all together.
* The Creator/HumongousEntertainment games were designed to be like this.
* Although ''VideoGame/{{Rogue}}'' was, by definition, the first {{Roguelike}}, many fans of the genre get their start with the TropeCodifier, ''VideoGame/NetHack'', leading into more difficult games like ''VideoGame/{{Angband}}'', and a greater acceptance for ASCII games in general.
** ''VideoGames/{{Powder}}'' and ''VideoGame/ShirenTheWanderer'' are good gateway roguelikes for those discouraged by the complexity (and ASCII-ness) of ''VideoGame/NetHack'' and company.
** For people who are newer to the rogue-like genre, ''VideoGame/DungeonsOfDredmor'' and 'VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac'' have eased people into the generally rather NintendoHard genre of rogue-likes, due to the inclusion of full graphics (that is, it's not text- or ASCII-based).
* ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'' has introduced many a gamer to the wonderful world of BulletHell shmups, though learning about their existence is as far as many ''Touhou'' fans go; it's rare to see a fan of ''Touhou'' try out other danmaku games. It's also a gateway into doujin games.
** For some people, ''[[VideoGame/DonPachi DoDonPachi]]'', ''Batsgun'' or ''VideoGame/BattleGaregga'', especially if they play arcade games a lot.
*** Actually, ''Do Don Pachi'' is the TropeCodifier for BulletHell, while ''Batsgun'' is the TropeMaker.
* Although two games predate it (in America, at least), ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' was the GatewaySeries to ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'' for a lot of Western fans. It being one of the better [=RPGs=] on the [=GameCube=] meant that it drew a lot of attention from people who had previously dismissed the previous games in the series. Also, ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'' to an extent, purely because it was for the [=PS2=].
* Quite a few people have been introduced to either the First-Person Shooter genre, PC gaming, or both by way of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2''.
** Thanks to [=TF2=] being Creator/{{Valve|Software}}'s top-selling and most successful product, it has also gotten countless people who hadn't played Valve's other games into those games. ''VideoGame/Left4Dead'' has done the same.
* Sakevisual, the artist of ''VisualNovel/REAlistair'', wants her game [[http://sakevisual.blogspot.com/2010/06/eight-reasons-why-you-should-plug-re.html to become a gateway series]] for fans who don't yet know about [[RomanceGame otome games]].
* InteractiveFiction started the AdventureGame genre, but many felt it to be too inaccessible. The move to graphic adventures was fairly rapid, but despite some awesome games like ''VideoGame/KingsQuest'' and ''VideoGame/ManiacMansion'' they remained a niche genre for several years. Then Creator/LucasArts (at the time still a strict part of Lucasfilm) went and made a game called ''VideoGame/{{Loom}}'', one of the most accessible adventure games ever created. This created a veritable explosion in the PC adventure game market, which ended almost a decade later. And for those who were not yet fully convinced, Lucas Arts followed the left punch with the right soon thereafter, giving us the most famous PC Adventure Game ever created, ''VideoGame/TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland''.
* ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'' or ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'' are good start for those interested in the ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' series, seeing how they're generally considered the most accessible of ''SMT'' games (except for ''Persona 3'', whose [=PS2=] versions were very rare for a while, until it was brought to PSN). In fact, the original ''VideoGame/{{Persona}}'' was designed to be an easier SMT in hopes of getting more teenagers interested in the main series.
* ''VideoGame/TheSims'', with its broad market appeal, was many people's gateway to videogaming in general.
* ''Franchise/{{Kingdom Hearts}}'' got a lot of people who had not yet played ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' into the series, as well as garnering interest in any Disney film the player might not have seen yet.
* ''VideoGame/PokerNightAtTheInventory'' got a lot of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' fans into ''VideoGame/SamAndMaxFreelancePolice'', ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'' and ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner''.
** ''VideoGame/PokerNight2'' seems to be doing the same for ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'' and ''Franchise/EvilDead''.
* ''VideoGame/IWannaBeTheGuy'' was basically a ton of video game worlds mashed together into one giant NintendoHard experience. While the areas and bosses are generally well known (except for the final boss, an original character) some of the music is a little more obscure, like the Castle of the Guy theme being from ''[[VideoGame/MontyMole Monty on the Run]]'' and the theme for the Final Tower of the Guy and the final boss's first form being from ''VideoGame/EVOSearchForEden.'' This game opened games like those up to more players.
* The ''VideoGame/{{Civilization}}'' series is a frequent gateway to the strategy genre, particularly the TurnBasedStrategy and FourX subgenres.
* The ''VideoGame/SegaSuperstars[=/=]All-Stars'' series has helped gain new fans for old Sega franchises.
* ''VideoGame/BrutalLegend'' introduced younger gaming audiences to a plethora of music they might not have known or shown interest in before, leading newcomers to the genre of HeavyMetal.
* ''VideoGame/{{Braid}}'' served as a gateway into independent {{Art Game}}s.
* The ''VideoGame/PurpleMoon'' games were actually designed to be gateway series. Three related series (well, two series with multiple instalments plus one StillbornFranchise) sharing the same characters but different genres, they were produced after extensive market research to attract girls ages 8-12 to games -- and thus to computers -- and keep them from abandoning science and technology.
* Part of the reason ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'' is so hated by many fans of the older ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'' games is that this was an EnforcedTrope for it. Bethesda made little secret of the fact that it wasn't making it for longtime fans, but instead wanted something to bring new people into the world of ''Fallout''.
* ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' is the game that introduced most people into the SurvivalSandbox genre as well as inspiring a lot of {{indie game}}s.
* ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}'' is a gateway series to shooters. Many Nintendo fans are known to be averse to shooters but the simple mechanics, bright colours, kid friendly nature, and general quirkiness of the series has made a lot of gamers more interested in shooters, especially third-person ones.
* Free-to-play licensed mobile games often serve as a tool for curious players whose friends are into the license to check it out and see what all the fuss is about. ''VideoGame/LoveLiveSchoolIdolFestival'' is a popular one, being an addictive RhythmGame in its own right, and for all the enduring popularity of the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' franchise, ''VideoGame/PokemonGo'' became a trend huge enough to eclipse the main series' sales... and then the [[VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon next installment of said main series]] broke preorder records, in large part because of ''Go'' players being brought into the series, either for the first time or after lapsing out after the original games' craze in TheNineties.
* Owing to their minimalist gameplay and lack of challenge, EnvironmentalNarrativeGames like ''VideoGame/GoneHome'' or ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'' often serve as a gateway for new players to AdventureGames and indeed video games in general.
* ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' got a lot of players into ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' as a franchise-fandom, rather than cherrypicking favourite individual titles. A lot of people bought it so they could play as [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Cloud]] (who was even designed with being an [[CrutchCharacter easy character for fighting game newbies to use]], on the grounds that he'd be [[WolverinePublicity such an attractant]]), and then realised they liked [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyV Bartz]], [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV Cecil]] and [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyII Firion's]] personalities just as much, and had to check out their source material. The fact that the old games were in the process of being rereleased at the time suggests this was partly intentional. ''VideoGame/TheatrythmFinalFantasy'', and the mobile ''Final Fantasy'' games such as ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyBraveExvius'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyRecordKeeper'', are also MassivelyMultiplayerCrossover games; ''VideoGame/WorldOfFinalFantasy'' was designed to be an intro to the series and characters for new players.
* ''Puyo Puyo Tetris'' is intentionally one to ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo''. The series is a CashCowFranchise in Japan but has [[NoExportForYou a shoddy]] [[BadExportForYou record elsewhere]]. ''Puyo Puyo Tetris'' combines the games with the extremely popular and well-known ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'' series, which grabs the attention of people who otherwise would ignore ''Puyo Puyo''. It features plenty of tutorials for newcomers as well.
----
* After UsefulNotes/TheGreatVideoGameCrashOf1983, people thought gaming was dead... but then enters ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' bundled with the [=NES=]...
** Related to it, practically everyone got into {{Platform Game}}s due to ''Mario'' and ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog''.
** For PC gamers, ''VideoGame/CommanderKeen'' or ''VideoGame/JillOfTheJungle'' is likely to take this role.
* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' was a gateway {{RPG}} for a lot of players -- to the detriment of the genre, some might argue. And it doubled as a bit of a gateway introduction to anime as well.
** It was also a gateway to [=PlayStation=] games in general.
** The ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' series as a whole can be considered a gateway to [=RPGs=].
** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'' is a a very good introductory RPG too.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyMysticQuest'' was deliberately designed to be a gateway to [=RPGs=], simplifying the gameplay dramatically. Unforunately, not only did it fail to attract the mainstream as expected, but RPG fans derided the game [[ItsEasySoItSucks for being extremely easy]] [[ClicheStorm and formulaic.]]
** Tim Schafer's ''VideoGame/CostumeQuest'' is extremely short and easy because it was meant to introduce very young children to [=RPGs=].
* The ''Franchise/BaldursGate'' series, the ''Franchise/MassEffect'' series, and the ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series frequently serve as gateways to the WesternRPG genre. ''The Elder Scrolls'' likewise doubles as a WideOpenSandbox gateway.
* Not only can ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' count as a gateway to anime, it's also a gateway to the {{Mons}} genre and to some extent to [=RPGs=] and hardcore gaming in general.
* Many games designed by Creator/{{Nintendo}} for the DS, Wii, and [=WiiU=] were intended to be gateway videogames for people who never tried them before -- like ''VideoGame/WiiSports'', ''VideoGame/{{Nintendogs}}'', ''VideoGame/EliteBeatAgents'', ''VideoGame/NintendoLand'', and so on.
** Nintendo has the reputation of being the video game company that makes games to introduce people to video games who never played them before, something that the company openly states being their goal. Of course, some people [[AccentuateTheNegative don't say it like that]]. It's hard to fault Nintendo when they're clearly getting results -- games and systems, Nintendo and otherwise, are selling better than they ever have even in the economic recession.
** In fact, let's just say [[CasualVideoGame Casual Games]] in general, though there can also be Gateway Games for certain ''types'' of Casual Games as well (e.g. ''Videogame/DinerDash'' for time management games).
* The entries of the ''VideoGame/TotalWar'' series are all pretty likely ways that various gamers got interested in specific periods of history ([[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers Or]] ''{{TabletopGame/Warhammer}}'')
* The ''Tony Hawk'' games are a two-way gateway -- they've gotten a lot of skaters into gaming, but it's when they get gamers into skateboarding that HilarityEnsues.
* The ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series has a wide variety of Nintendo characters, and some players might become more interested in the individual series if they see a character they'd never heard of before. [[MarthDebutedInSmashBros The appearance of Marth and Roy in Melee for example]], led to the introduction of the ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' series to the US.
** ''Brawl'' and ''Wii U'' even have unlockable demos of several of the characters' starring games.
** The Smash series as a whole serves as a gateway for the fighting games, specifically the MascotFighter genre due to its easy controls.
* This is the intention behind the ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'' series. The games are easy enough that someone who has never played an {{action|Game}} {{platform|Game}}er before can get through the main game and see the ending, but at the same time offer extra challenges for older gamers seeking HundredPercentCompletion. Many of these fans then go on to play other games in the genre.
* A variation of this trope: a lot of people become regular readers of Website/GameFAQs after getting stuck in GuideDangIt moments.
* New installments of long-time series such as ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' -- espeically ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight'' -- tend to be gateways for modern players into the world of retro gaming, especially those curious about references to characters from previous games.
** If not into the world of retro gaming, then certainly the world of metroidvanias.
* "People who don't like video games like ''VideoGame/{{Myst}}''."
* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' is the most infamously addictive MMORPG out there nowadays, but those who have played it and quit often try to seek out other MMO's afterward.
** Related: For some kids, ''VideoGame/RuneScape'' has acted as a gateway to ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''.
* Each generation seems to have its own gateway into the Multiplayer FirstPersonShooter genre:
** One of the earliest was ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}''.
** From the late [=90s=] came ''VideoGame/HalfLife'' and ''VideoGame/CounterStrike''.
** ''Franchise/{{Halo}}''. In particular, ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'', being a launch title for the Xbox, was the first FPS many gamers ever played. It's argued that ''Halo'' was the killer app that allowed the Xbox to compete in its early days against the wildly successful Playstation 2. So that's gotta count for something.
** Later, both ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty'' and ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' became insanely popular examples.
* ''VideoGame/{{Thief}}'', a stealth simulator, was marketed as a big new twist on the overinflated FirstPersonShooter genre. It got quite a few action gamers interested in stealth games.
* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' served an almost identical function to ''Thief'' on an entirely different system. Also, due to its slow-paced gameplay, its focus on storytelling and the ability of the player to [[TalkingIsAFreeAction pause the action to talk to the other characters about trivial things]], it also makes a great gateway series for people raised on {{JRPG}}s trying to break into {{Action Game}}s.
** Though it's rather complex for someone who has never touched a controller before, ''MGS'' has also been promoted as a counterargument to people who believe in the Video Game Ghetto--IE, that the terms "video game" and "true art" are mutually exclusive.
* If you stick around the ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' community long enough, you may come to try out other {{Rhythm Game}}s -- up until the release of ''VideoGame/GuitarHero'', this would be things like ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}} IIDX'' and ''Dance [=ManiaX=]''.
** Although for a lot of people it now works the other way around, with ''VideoGame/GuitarHero'' or ''VideoGame/RockBand'' being the gateway game that leads them to discover ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution''.
*** This can also work across media -- ''Guitar Hero'' and ''Rock Band'' inspire people to buy and get into music from the games.
*** These two games can also turn people on to real instruments. HilarityEnsues when they realize a real guitar's nothing like the plastic controller.
** Of course, neither of these games would have been possible if ''VideoGame/ParappaTheRapper'' hadn't opened up the world of rhythm gaming to start.
*** For people who play {{Rhythm Game}}s without the hand for ''Guitar Hero'' or ''Rock Band'', ''Parappa the Rapper'' and ''VideoGame/RhythmHeaven'' are both known to turn people into rhythm fanatics less on the instrument/physical side, and more on the technical/mental side.
** As of TheNewTens, ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'' is this for new ''BEMANI'' fans, thanks to its low barrier to entry, wide selection of doujin music (including ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'' arranges and Music/{{Vocaloid}} songs), cool-looking interface, and use of filter effects to give the player the impression of mixing a track in real time.
* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' does this for 2D fighting games. The series is relatively user friendly and easy to pick up and play, leading many in more complicated games like ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear''.
** ''VideoGame/{{Tekken 3}}'' was extremely influential on the popularity of 3D fighting games, and ''VideoGame/SoulCalibur'' was this for weapon-based games.
* Play one addictive puzzle game, and you're bound to wind up hunting for more. ''VideoGame/{{Peggle}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'' are good examples.
* Many gamers' first RealTimeStrategy game was ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}} II'', and for good reason, too. The graphics are nice to look at, the mechanics are fairly simple compared to other RTS games, and most importantly, it's a lot of fun (including against your friends, even if they do kick your butt in 95% of the games you play with them).
** If your first RTS wasn't ''Warcraft II'', then it was probably ''VideoGame/StarCraftI''.
** ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianDawn'' and ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert'' are also common gateways.
** As is ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpiresII''.
* The ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' series can potentially be a good GatewaySeries for many GiantRobot {{Anime}}, considering that the plot for each game basically takes the plot of every series involved in the MassiveMultiplayerCrossover and shoves them all together.
* The Creator/HumongousEntertainment games were designed to be like this.
* Although ''VideoGame/{{Rogue}}'' was, by definition, the first {{Roguelike}}, many fans of the genre get their start with the TropeCodifier, ''VideoGame/NetHack'', leading into more difficult games like ''VideoGame/{{Angband}}'', and a greater acceptance for ASCII games in general.
** ''VideoGames/{{Powder}}'' and ''VideoGame/ShirenTheWanderer'' are good gateway roguelikes for those discouraged by the complexity (and ASCII-ness) of ''VideoGame/NetHack'' and company.
** For people who are newer to the rogue-like genre, ''VideoGame/DungeonsOfDredmor'' and 'VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac'' have eased people into the generally rather NintendoHard genre of rogue-likes, due to the inclusion of full graphics (that is, it's not text- or ASCII-based).
* ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'' has introduced many a gamer to the wonderful world of BulletHell shmups, though learning about their existence is as far as many ''Touhou'' fans go; it's rare to see a fan of ''Touhou'' try out other danmaku games. It's also a gateway into doujin games.
** For some people, ''[[VideoGame/DonPachi DoDonPachi]]'', ''Batsgun'' or ''VideoGame/BattleGaregga'', especially if they play arcade games a lot.
*** Actually, ''Do Don Pachi'' is the TropeCodifier for BulletHell, while ''Batsgun'' is the TropeMaker.
* Although two games predate it (in America, at least), ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' was the GatewaySeries to ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'' for a lot of Western fans. It being one of the better [=RPGs=] on the [=GameCube=] meant that it drew a lot of attention from people who had previously dismissed the previous games in the series. Also, ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'' to an extent, purely because it was for the [=PS2=].
* Quite a few people have been introduced to either the First-Person Shooter genre, PC gaming, or both by way of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2''.
** Thanks to [=TF2=] being Creator/{{Valve|Software}}'s top-selling and most successful product, it has also gotten countless people who hadn't played Valve's other games into those games. ''VideoGame/Left4Dead'' has done the same.
* Sakevisual, the artist of ''VisualNovel/REAlistair'', wants her game [[http://sakevisual.blogspot.com/2010/06/eight-reasons-why-you-should-plug-re.html to become a gateway series]] for fans who don't yet know about [[RomanceGame otome games]].
* InteractiveFiction started the AdventureGame genre, but many felt it to be too inaccessible. The move to graphic adventures was fairly rapid, but despite some awesome games like ''VideoGame/KingsQuest'' and ''VideoGame/ManiacMansion'' they remained a niche genre for several years. Then Creator/LucasArts (at the time still a strict part of Lucasfilm) went and made a game called ''VideoGame/{{Loom}}'', one of the most accessible adventure games ever created. This created a veritable explosion in the PC adventure game market, which ended almost a decade later. And for those who were not yet fully convinced, Lucas Arts followed the left punch with the right soon thereafter, giving us the most famous PC Adventure Game ever created, ''VideoGame/TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland''.
* ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'' or ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'' are good start for those interested in the ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' series, seeing how they're generally considered the most accessible of ''SMT'' games (except for ''Persona 3'', whose [=PS2=] versions were very rare for a while, until it was brought to PSN). In fact, the original ''VideoGame/{{Persona}}'' was designed to be an easier SMT in hopes of getting more teenagers interested in the main series.
* ''VideoGame/TheSims'', with its broad market appeal, was many people's gateway to videogaming in general.
* ''Franchise/{{Kingdom Hearts}}'' got a lot of people who had not yet played ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' into the series, as well as garnering interest in any Disney film the player might not have seen yet.
* ''VideoGame/PokerNightAtTheInventory'' got a lot of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' fans into ''VideoGame/SamAndMaxFreelancePolice'', ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'' and ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner''.
** ''VideoGame/PokerNight2'' seems to be doing the same for ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'' and ''Franchise/EvilDead''.
* ''VideoGame/IWannaBeTheGuy'' was basically a ton of video game worlds mashed together into one giant NintendoHard experience. While the areas and bosses are generally well known (except for the final boss, an original character) some of the music is a little more obscure, like the Castle of the Guy theme being from ''[[VideoGame/MontyMole Monty on the Run]]'' and the theme for the Final Tower of the Guy and the final boss's first form being from ''VideoGame/EVOSearchForEden.'' This game opened games like those up to more players.
* The ''VideoGame/{{Civilization}}'' series is a frequent gateway to the strategy genre, particularly the TurnBasedStrategy and FourX subgenres.
* The ''VideoGame/SegaSuperstars[=/=]All-Stars'' series has helped gain new fans for old Sega franchises.
* ''VideoGame/BrutalLegend'' introduced younger gaming audiences to a plethora of music they might not have known or shown interest in before, leading newcomers to the genre of HeavyMetal.
* ''VideoGame/{{Braid}}'' served as a gateway into independent {{Art Game}}s.
* The ''VideoGame/PurpleMoon'' games were actually designed to be gateway series. Three related series (well, two series with multiple instalments plus one StillbornFranchise) sharing the same characters but different genres, they were produced after extensive market research to attract girls ages 8-12 to games -- and thus to computers -- and keep them from abandoning science and technology.
* Part of the reason ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'' is so hated by many fans of the older ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'' games is that this was an EnforcedTrope for it. Bethesda made little secret of the fact that it wasn't making it for longtime fans, but instead wanted something to bring new people into the world of ''Fallout''.
* ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' is the game that introduced most people into the SurvivalSandbox genre as well as inspiring a lot of {{indie game}}s.
* ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}'' is a gateway series to shooters. Many Nintendo fans are known to be averse to shooters but the simple mechanics, bright colours, kid friendly nature, and general quirkiness of the series has made a lot of gamers more interested in shooters, especially third-person ones.
* Free-to-play licensed mobile games often serve as a tool for curious players whose friends are into the license to check it out and see what all the fuss is about. ''VideoGame/LoveLiveSchoolIdolFestival'' is a popular one, being an addictive RhythmGame in its own right, and for all the enduring popularity of the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' franchise, ''VideoGame/PokemonGo'' became a trend huge enough to eclipse the main series' sales... and then the [[VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon next installment of said main series]] broke preorder records, in large part because of ''Go'' players being brought into the series, either for the first time or after lapsing out after the original games' craze in TheNineties.
* Owing to their minimalist gameplay and lack of challenge, EnvironmentalNarrativeGames like ''VideoGame/GoneHome'' or ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'' often serve as a gateway for new players to AdventureGames and indeed video games in general.
* ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' got a lot of players into ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' as a franchise-fandom, rather than cherrypicking favourite individual titles. A lot of people bought it so they could play as [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Cloud]] (who was even designed with being an [[CrutchCharacter easy character for fighting game newbies to use]], on the grounds that he'd be [[WolverinePublicity such an attractant]]), and then realised they liked [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyV Bartz]], [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV Cecil]] and [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyII Firion's]] personalities just as much, and had to check out their source material. The fact that the old games were in the process of being rereleased at the time suggests this was partly intentional. ''VideoGame/TheatrythmFinalFantasy'', and the mobile ''Final Fantasy'' games such as ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyBraveExvius'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyRecordKeeper'', are also MassivelyMultiplayerCrossover games; ''VideoGame/WorldOfFinalFantasy'' was designed to be an intro to the series and characters for new players.
* ''Puyo Puyo Tetris'' is intentionally one to ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo''. The series is a CashCowFranchise in Japan but has [[NoExportForYou a shoddy]] [[BadExportForYou record elsewhere]]. ''Puyo Puyo Tetris'' combines the games with the extremely popular and well-known ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'' series, which grabs the attention of people who otherwise would ignore ''Puyo Puyo''. It features plenty of tutorials for newcomers as well.
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