another n00b going sony

I'd recommend some PS1 games if you're going that route.

Final Fantasy Tactics - The best of the series.
Chrono Cross - An excellent game, far different than Chrono Trigger, but far better, and pretty much the best music in a game to date.
Street Fighter Alpha 3 - For classic beat-em-up action
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - THE Castlevania game to get. It destroys all others.
Valkyerie Profile - I don't think it's the best, as russ believes, but it is a damn fine game, and if you're lucky enough to find one, go for it.
Suikoden 1 - Great game, and fun too.

For PS2 games
Disgaea - a strategy RPG with great humour.
Armored Core 2 and up - if you like fast paced action shooters, this series is great, with tons of customizability.
Devil May Cry 1 and 3 - Great games, fast paced action and superb from start to finish.
God of War - the best action game made yet.
X-Men Legends 1 and 2 - Diablo-style RPG with the X-Men and guests!
Dragon Warrior 8 - the best classic console style RPG made yet.
Soul Calibur 3 - You can make your own character to fight with, plus it has nearly every character in all of the games. (I'm still bitter that they created Olcadon instead of bringing back Edgemaster though...)
Guitar Hero - If you've ever dreamed of playing a guitar, but are too lazy to learn, or if you just want to listen to some classic rock while looking cool doing it, I cannot recommend this game enough. If you are neither then I would think you are kinda "funny", and not funny "ha ha"...

and by the way, stay away from Final Fantasy X unless you want to be turned off from Square forever.

That should do you for now.

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