The traditional dinner and movie date is a safe if not boring attempt at romance.  I suggest an alternative, the Video Game Date.  Gamers love discovering games their girlfriends are willing to play with them (enter the Wii), but why wait until you’re in committed relationship.  Here you have a unique trait you can share and, let’s be honest, even the biggest Luddites end up enjoying most video games even if they suck at them.  And the biggest benefit is you easily get your date into your apartment (and maybe even the bedroom).  So here are the ways to make the Video Game Date the most enjoyable (I can only get you so far).

Make it a safe place

This is not for a first date.  For your third or fourth date, invite your girl and guy to your place for pizza and video games.  Make sure your place is clean, your controllers are charged, and you have an assortment of munchies.  Keep things casual especially if your special friend has never played games before.

Offer a wide selection

Having the cliched Wii games is a plus, but provide real choice will be the key to success.  Try to gauge your dates interests - do they like cartoons, movies, sports?  Don’t be afraid of competitive games, only don’t get excited when you win (you have more experience) but feel free to joke about your anger that you were beaten (it’s beginner’s luck).  Have some cooperatives games around as well like some simple beat ‘em ups.  Super Smash Brothers games are great especially when you play on the same team.  Hack ‘n slash games like Marvel: Ultimate Alliance or Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance can work for edgier dates.  The key is to be open to your dates interest and offer the least stressful experience.

Have a back-up plan

It’s possible none of your video games will engage your date, so you’d better have a back up plan - and making out isn’t going to happen if the first half of your date was a bust.  Have a selection of movies prepared - have some already downloaded on your 360 or PS3 to really impress.  Cooking dinner also works, but if you already ordered pizza, that won’t work.