Mandrake 10.2 (Mandriva) is a very good distribution for unexperienced linux users, very easy to configure, a lot of drivers and a lot of tool for easy configuration.

Everytime I can, i install Mandrake, you are right, it's rather close to the usual way of windowing, and has a lot of assistants helping you if you are not familiar with Unix.
Sometimes, for professional needs, I have to install RedHat enterprise Linux, it's less easy to use but still at an acceptable level of easyness.

XandrOS (former Corel Linux) is easy to install and easy to use. The new "Open Circulation" version is free via Bittorrent Download, and the professional version features Codeweavers Crossover office which lets you install Windows applications in Linux.
http://www.xandros.com

GreetingZ

If you are a normal windows user and you still want to play games i think you shouldnt bother with an emulator. I havent tried them but i dont see the point when you alread have a non-crimimal (i guess) windows on your computer. Do a dual boot - they arent hard and with a 'easy' distro like mandrake or ubuntu the set up should be a doddle.

I personally have no experience of mandrake and im sure its good (well it is linux ) but i have used ubuntu and it is super easy and super nice.

If you aren't too tech id say use ubuntu - its motto is 'linux for human beings' which is nice

I've used Redhat and I think it's the best for a linux newbie. Actually with Gnome you can have a friendly windows like desktop.
I've ordered ubuntu and I'm yet waiting for the cds to arrive.
About gaming, I don't think there are top level games developed for linux. If you are a gaming addict better stick with windows.

i second SuSE for a desktop.; Its very stable and professional. Ubuntu has alot of happy users and gives out free cds.

If you dont have alot of experience with linux, the best choice would probally be a Live CD so you can test out a bunch of distros without commiting to one..

Well if you are in to gaming so much you are going to need WineX to get your windows programs and games running. If you dont want to play your games under Linux but you just want to learn linux so i suggest you download a live cd. As far as i know Knoppix is a very fine quality liveCD.
And for a distro i use Slackware11 and i definitely recommend it.

If your hardware is compatible SuSE is a really good Linux distro for beginning Linux users.But if you wish to learn linux deeply I will recommend trying and installing Red Hat Fedora Core 6 OR Ubuntu.

Linspire is also a good option for beginers.IMO if you learn the terminal Linux is very easy but it will take time..

Famelix is a chilean distro and his logo says "Linux with face of xp", the default languages spanish and
portuguese, is worked in english language

I would recommend ubuntu. I don't know why somebody said it's hard to use, before installing ubuntu, I've used windows and os x, and I would say that those are harder to use than ubuntu, ubuntu is pretty much straight forward.. well for me at least. I dual booted my computer with Ubuntu and windows xp, when I feel like using windows programs. The newest version of ubuntu is the most easy version to install and dual boot than any of the older versions too.