Something i forgot to add

Blue Dragon = Dragon Quest

Lost Odyssey = Final Fantasy X

I thought Blue Dragon was a pretty good turnbased RPG. Agreed sometimes the characters are very annoying (Damn Marumaro - I hate this bastard :P ), but the fighting system with the dragons is very good and the beautiful art made by Akira Toriyama (Dragonball) makes the game even more lovely.

If you're a fan of turn based RPGs then you can buy LO and BD without a doubt. If you want more diversity, you might buy LO first and either ToV or IU or ES as the second game. (Or you could wait for The Last Remnant)

Good call Wii60 is the way to go. Although I don't buy many games for 360 or really play that much I'd say Mass Effect and Halo 3 are must plays... Halo 3 especially for the online which yes is the best.

JRPG: I would wait for Tales and buy 2 WRPG's, but if you really want 2 JRPG's buy Lost Odyssey as well.

WRPG: I would go with Mass Effect, although if you prefer fun over an epic storyline than I would go with Fable 2. Although the other 2 are also really good.

Other: go with Gears, I think it's the defining new franchise of this generation, plus it's probably cheaper now.

Don't waste your time with Gears 1. The sequel is better in every way imagineable.
If you really want the story you could just watch the first and last cutscenes on Youtube...

If your wanting 4 listed games, go with:

Tales of Vesperia (still $59.99) and either Lost Odyssey or Blue Dragon (LO is $39, BD is $19)

If your playing on a budget, get ME and the non-$60 Oblivion - Both could be had for $70.

And finally, any of the 4 would be good choices....Personally, I wouldn't go with GTAIV, but would get Bioshock or CoD4. Maybe pick up Crackdown or Saints Row if you want a good sandbox game.

Benga, if you do end up getting Mass Effect, I suggest that you keep Tali in your party at all times...

Not necessarily because of any combat advantages, but just because Tali is so damn awesome.

Wrex > Tali, for many other various dialogue sequences! =P

On-topic: I'm going to say like a bunch of people here:

- JRPG: Tales of Vesperia (when it comes out in EU), Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon (Eternal Sonata is going to leave you a bad taste in your mouth);

- WRPG: Mass Effect and Fallout 3 (you can't miss on that last one);

- Other game: Bioshock. Try Too Human too, it isn't THAT bad if you want my opinion.

So far it looks like it will be:

Lost Odyssee/Mass Effect/Bioshock

and Blue Dragon, Fallout or Fable 2.

Maybe get GTA and Gears later.

I'll get Vesperia the day it releases in Europe, seems a great game since almost everyone mentions it.

@Alasted

For combat prowess only, who would you say are the 2 best characters to provide support for Sheperd?