starting with C# what software to start creating first game

hi all,

so i have been reading and watching a load of youtube lectures presentations etc and most of them talk about when starting to learn a good language C C++ etc i have gone with C# as i was recommended by my college tutor. now i am making my way through C# but i have been told by some people to have a go at making simple games with things like unity, now i didnt bring my ego with me onto this site so im not asking to create the next grand theft auto for my first game . i know my first game might be something like pong or snake(old game on mobile phones) but what i want to know is am i best to go for something like visual studio and use that kind of software or something like unity? im guessing xna is out of the question until i am completly comfortable with C#? . i know i will run into a lot of problems but i hope as i work my way through C# i will overcome these problems plus give me a little focus on learning new sections in order to get the game working.

so ye what was your first type of game you made?

what did you use to create it?

and any advice would be great thanks