Title: MabinogiPrice: FreeSystem(s): PC with WindowsRelease Date: Open Beta started 3/5/08Publisher (Developer): Nexon (Nexon)ESRB Rating: N/APros: The pay-for part only applies to character creation. Everything else in the game can be done with a free account. You choose how to grow your character. Lots of skills to learn. Lots of part time jobs and quests. Looks and sounds fantastic. Very immersive.Cons: Since it is still in its beta stages, not everything is accessible yetOverall Score: 9.5/10

Mabinogi is so good, I would pay to play it. Normally I frown on pay-for-play MMOs, especially if you have to initially buy the $39.99+ game. I always feel as though the owner is being ripped off, having to pay to play a game they just spent so much on. However Mabinogi‘s quality and experience makes me question my thinking. Thankfully it is a free-to-play MMORPG, and quite possibly the best free MMORPG I have ever seen.

Title: The Sims 2 FreeTimePrice:$29.99System(s): PCRelease Date: 2/26/08Publisher (Developer): Electronic Arts (Maxis)ESRB Rating: “T” for crude humor, sexual themes and violencePros: New hobbies, new items, the genie returns, a new neighborhood, new jobsCons: No new creature sim or sim species, not many new hairstyles or outfits, secret hobby clubs are lacklusterOverall Score: 6/10

Title: Professor Layton & The Curious VillagePrice:$29.99 or $34.99 (depends on the store)System(s): Nintendo DSRelease Date: 2/10/08Publisher (Developer):Nintendo (Level 5)ESRB Rating: “E” for mild violencePros: Beautiful graphics, cute story, challenging, lots to do, a new puzzle each weekCons: Some puzzles can be pretty difficult. Voice acting is annoyingOverall Score: 8/10

When playing Professor Layton, you feel one of two sensations. You will either feel extremely intelligent and ingenious, or you will feel like a total idiot. Each state is also temporary. After solving one puzzle you can feel like you are the most intelligent individual in a three block radius and everyone is blessed to bask in your intelligent aura, and then five minutes later another puzzle can make you wonder if perhaps you should have been held back a grade or two in school. It takes a really powerful game to make someone experience such highs and lows, and Professor Layton and The Curious Village is definitely powerful and profound title.

Mimobots are small, 2 3/8 in. tall USB 2.0 flash thumb drives with pretty plastic covers molded and painted to look like Halo soldiers. I recently received the 1 GB Master Chief version to play with. Released October 2007, Halo Series 1 Mimobots come in 1 GB ($49.95), 2 GB ($69.95) and 4 GB ($109.95) more »