Mr. Driller DS is the archetypal GBA game pretending to be something more than it is. While it doesn’t much take advantage of the platform’s features, this doesn’t diminish the addictive action-puzzle gameplay.

I just wanted you to know that I’ve been a very good game reviewer this year and that I’ve done my best to see the good in everyone (even Xenosaga II). I’ve been fair and measured when I wanted to rant and whine, and I’ve even stopped swearing while I play Contra.

I think some compensation is in order.

Look, I know that “peace on earth and goodwill toward men” is a bit of a tall order, so screw it. I want something simpler that’ll still make the world a better place. All I want from you is a little subliminal messaging. When you’re delivering toys to the children of game designers, just sneak up to the designer’s bedroom and whisper these words into his or her ears:

Sick? Tis the season. We’ve all been there–too sick to get out of bed, not quite sick enough to pass out, and boredom stretches the passing minutes until they’re so taught they could snap. You’re not in the mood to read, and if you see those same DVDs again, you may just throw up on principle (don’t even think about daytime TV). Besides, sick time is just about the only free time you get any more, so this is the perfect opportunity to catch up on your gaming.

What to play, though? Your reflexes are slowed, your brain is foggy and anything that makes your heart race is right out. In your condition, a Treasure shooter is more likely to be an exercise in exhausting frustration than an exhilarating blast-fest. You need something fun and engrossing to while away the hours, but it can’t be too demanding. It shouldn’t matter if you pass out midway through a play session, and you shouldn’t be harshly penalized for an unplanned rush to porcelain succor.

So here’s a brief list of the ways to game while you’re ill and a good game for each to nurse you back to health. This is by no means a complete list, but hopefully there should be enough here to keep you happy until your immune system wakes up and actually pulls its weight.

As of patch 2.3, Burning Crusade has thrown enough paint on the World of Warcraft gameplay to make it look new again. However, no amount of superficial tweaks to the same underlying gameplay can change the fact that this game is best recommended to disinterested casual players and deeply invested hardcore. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing; how wrong can nine million people be?

Xenosaga 2 is an unadulterated Japanese role playing game wrapped in an excessive quantity of cut scenes. The gameplay is uninspired when it isn’t frustrating, but the cut scenes are fairly entertaining and fans of the series can enjoy some story revelations. If you do play it: don’t play for the game, play it for the parts that aren’t interactive.