My son likes the games best where you play another person
The consoles can go online now. He and others around the country can routinely kick each other's butts, but he likes it best when local buddies come over and they can all be in the living room with controllers and popcorn.
My personal favorite was the "Myst" series, mostly quiet, contemplative logic puzzle work in a spectacular environment. I still haven't finished the series--last one I beat was Myst III.