Animal Crossing

Some know Animal Crossing as that stupid children's game for babies. Others identify it as a wholesome departure from the deluge of M-rated gorefests, a game centered around sharing, caring and exploration. Others still remember it mostly for Tom Nook and his smooth-talking, debt-inducing ways. Me? I think about the staggering soundtrack, which contains a new song for every hour of the day, every holiday and every special town event. So much good stuff buried in here, folks, and anyone who put the time in knows how soothing the tunes can be.

Three songs inside!

I'm sure you've felt that sense of elitism when you discover an artist or song that nobody else knows about. You might listen to it yourself in headphones and feel smug, or become *that* guy who tells everyone you meet how they have to listen to this amazing new thing. Sound familiar?

What joy then, when your favourite videogame throws up an unexpected audio treat. One's come up recently in Mario Kart 64. Someone must've left the

Pac-Man and Mario owned the 1980s. Sonic, Lara and Snake took over for the 1990s. Their games are considered classics. Their names are timeless and iconic. Their images are burned into the memory of every gamer, even those who were born after the characters themselves.

Now we have another ten years worth of heroes, villains, sidekicks and love interests to occupy our imagination. Which, however, will remain there?

This week marks the beginning of the end for the 2008 holiday season, and by now, you probably either can’t wait for Christmas to get here, or you’re desperate for the whole ridiculous carnival of insane consumerism to be over for another year. Whatever your case, now is as good a time as any to take a deep breath and remember that, yes, there are other holidays out there.

Sept 25, 2007 Microsoft and Sony declare blitzkrieg on your soul; Nintendo gives you a shoulder to cry on. With wetted eye we return to our most emotional Nintendo moments… A matter of life and bemani Ouendan's Over the Distance sequence is a mature ode to the recently deceased. Mullered in a motorcycle crash, young Ishida barters three more hours to make peace with his peeved girlfriend Ryouko - prompted by a mad cacophony of drums and cymbals, natch. If you don't cry to these

While MySims looks adorable, there are many of us here who refuse to get excited about a cutesy town simulator thats not Animal Crossing. We know its coming and we cant wait until we get to send each other more messages and outfit our homes with songs that can only be acquired on Saturday nights. Without further adieu: 1) Outdoor pursuits How about a fitness trail through the woods, or a soccer lawn? So theres actually something to do when your pal suggests going for a walk. 2) Games room Wed