Throughout December, House of Nintendo will be providing you with our recommendations for both the Nintendo Wii and DS. These are our personal favorites from last year, and should provide plenty of incentive to burn through those gift cards you'll be getting in your stockings for Christmas!




Sonic and the Secret Rings (Wii)

Why? Because this is the best Sonic game in years, according to many. Abandoning the 3D platformer style in favor of a game based on pure speed, SEGA finally gets Sonic back to his roots: pure adrenaline!

Selling Points:

Great Graphics. Maybe the first third party game on Wii to really use the system's capabilities.
Interesting and fun level design: The levels are outrageously fun, especially the pirate ship level!
Price: Since this game has been out for awhile, it can be had brand new for $30 in most stores.

Potential Drawbacks:

Music and Sound: Awful voice overs will make you cringe. Music is OK but not great.




Hotel Dusk (DS)

Why? Because this is probably one of the best written games I've played in recent memory. More like an interactive novel, you'll thrill to to the dramatic plot twists, tapping your stylus with anticipation of the next scene.

Selling Points:

Wonderful Writing. Some of the best I've seen in a video game. Characters really come to life and feel "real."
Great Music. Soulful jazz tunes punctuate the film noir vibe.
Clever Puzzles that really use the DS. You'll find yourself doing some funny things with your handheld in order to solve some of the puzzles in the game!

Potential Drawbacks:

Not really for the young'uns. Not because there is a whole lot of objectionable material, but because the game involves heavy reading. Also, gamers that require action in their games are going to be disappointed here (in their own intelligence, in this author's humble opinion!).