Split screen games for 2 first-time gamers?

You have been out of gaming for a while if your last console was the NES. So now you have Xbox 360 S. How about trying Eragon, a 2 player co-op game. It is only $5.00. or before your try something like Demon's forge Which is $39.99. Naturally Xbox 360 has Halo 3 and Halo Reach for co-op. Maybe even Kane and lynch 1&2, Plus Gears 1, & 2.

But maybe a good co-op of Monster Madness battle for Suberia and Monster madness grave Danger, or Marvel Ulimate alliance 1 and 2, or Rainbow 6 vegas 1 and 2.

First time gamers to Xbox 360, your just going to have to put some co-op time in and practice. There are lots of co-op games. Start with Resident Evil 5 maybe?

Me and my mate have been playing borderlands for a whilst on split screen co-op, should be pretty cheap now aswell, thats a good one, we've just started splinter cell conviction, thats very good on co-op, very strategic, and gears of war 2 is pretty cool :)

Portal (in the Orange box)

Portal 2 - both are great especially with the wife/girlfrann

Gears 1,2, & 3

Once my mate and I got used to the lighting and controls Hunted was actually a lot of fun to play together.

''Alien Homonid'' is female friendly, and just fun all the way..

Its a third person side scrolling shooter, great co op, great mini games (including 105 extreeeeemely addictive ''P.D.A'' games) plus it'sVERY funny too.. check out the review!

I might be a good idea to start off small with downloadable games off of Xbox Live Arcade. Some good simple co-op games include: Plants Vs. Zombies (a personal favorite of mine), Bomberman Live, Age of Booty, and Castle Crashers. If your wife is still interested in Doom, Doom II is also available on Xbox Live Arcade with full split screen support for both the campaign and deathmatch.

For full retail games you have a wide variety of shooters to choose from.

-The Call of Duty games are great fun and are easy to pick up and play.

-Gears Of War 2 is also a great split screen shooter.

-Portal 2, while not a "shooter" per se, is a puzzle game played in the first person with a "portal gun." The witty writing and ligh hearted nature of the game can be enjoyed by just about anyone.

For racing I would definitely chekc out Forza Motorsports 3. It offers a wide variety of assits and options for beginners and can be as casual or as hardcore as you want it to be.

Every game I listed offers some sort of split-screem or local play. Hope that helps :)