Mario Kart Wii is the latest in the venerable series of the same name, and it comes by its qualities rightly. While the game can be a bit random and unfair at times, it’s all in the service of keeping the pack tight and the action frenetic. Players looking for a racer that’s light on realism and heavy on vindictive competition should like what Mario Kart has to offer.

Phoenix Wright is a surprisingly engaging adventure game with a flair for the comedic. While the game is marred somewhat by unpredictable event scripting, it makes a genuine effort to be accessible. All told, Phoenix Wright is probably the most fun you can have with five murders.

Hotel Dusk adds a number of fresh and interesting wrinkles to the adventure formula without fixing any of its established problems. It’s a pleasant enough diversion, but it overstays its welcome and commits too many old errors to be a truly great game.

Adventure games aren’t dead, they’re just downloadable.

Pokémon Snap is a pure example of the rare photography sim genre. Players not averse to the Pokémon brand will find the game dated and overly simple, but strangely fresh despite it all. It’s a pleasant change of pace, though the game has little staying power.