Which should I get FO1 or FO2? Which is better? Why?

Both really great. I usually recommend Fallout 1 first as its gear toward the beginner MUCH easier then Fallout 2.

If ya get two, great! But I recommend trying out the First one first.

The problem being:

FO1 = $80
FO2 = $20

Where did you get those prices

dude just get the pack that has both on amazon its like ten bucks and has 1,2,and tactics

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/fallout cost about 6 Dollars for the First one.

Apologies for not making it clear. I am on a Mac and am looking to purchase a physical copy of both eventually but one for now.

In all likelihood... You could get Fallout for PC (Windows or DOS) running on a modern Mac (via emulator), for far less than 80 dollars. Fallout runs on a Pentium 90MHz CPU and needs sixteen MB ram. I would buy both GOG versions just to have them for later.

*You could also buy ANY [IE. the cheapest] PC from a thrift shop to run the game. Fallout needs no 3d card, and will run on any integrated video & sound.

**I've found PC's that would run Oblivion for less than $30...
(though I'm just lucky that way B)).

I'd say start with FO2 considering the price difference. You may not enjoy playing them. The gameplay is so very, very different from FO3. If you do like it then you can make the decision about the original. I played them over the summer but it was on the PC so it was an inexpensive experiment for me.

Get FO1. It's pretty short & easy and doesn't mess up the setting with silly stuff like talking Deathclaws and constant pop references.

I'd just get the GOG versions for now, you may end up deciding you hate the gameplay of the original games, it is *completely* different from Fallout 3. Still I recommend trying them, I found Fallout 2 to be the most entertaining of the two but Fallout 1 is essential for grounding yourself in the history of the series, personally I loved them but the turn based combat can be a put off.

Oh, make sure you use the unofficial patches and tweaks, they fix bugs, allow high resolutions and let you use the mouse wheel for inventory scrolling (big help) :fallout:

(edit) Ahh I just noticed you're on a mac, still you could always use vmware and install XP on a virtual PC to give the games a try.

get both. It's not like they're expensive. The Fallout Trilogy is being sold for $20. It has Fallout 1, 2 and Tactics. I found it at Wal-Mart.

you could read the posts first next time too.

I just started playing Fallout 2 again... man the original Fallouts are so awesome.

Next I will reinstall Fallout Tactics... I think it's a great game but most people will probably rebuke this.....
I like FOT, I don't understand why so many people say it's a horrible game, it's very engaging to me.

Get the Windows versions and run them using http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine_(software).

Yeah, while modern games really require bootcamp and a seperate Windows install I think the Windows emulator useable within the Mac OS would be sufficient.

Yes, Fallout 1 and 2 run pretty well under Wine.

Crossover games also run Fallout 1 and 2 on a mac. It's more or less like wine.

In conclusion, you don't need to buy the expensive Mac versions.

I forgot to add; You can download a free trial of Crossover Games http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxgames/ The full version isn't too expensive if it works for you.

If you are going to play FO1, don't play FO2 first. The interface is much more refined in FO2, it makes the transition backwards awkward.

Do i see a Todd Howard dragon? O.o

P.S. Get both or Fallout 1.