While most of us are keeping uber-busy in the countdown to Super Paper Mario’s release, we’ve still managed to find a little time to kick back and enjoy some games. As you’ll see, there’s quite a bit of Puzzle Quest love goin’ on, Vinnk has gone bonkers over Excite Truck, Benny’s caught the Crackdown bug, and I’ve been hanging out at the fishing hole. Read on to find out more, and don’t forget to let us know what you’ve been playing, too.

Jody:

Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters (GB) — The Gameboy sequel to the amazing NES game. The scrolling is weird in this one, but it seems pretty fun so far. I really just started it.

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (GC) — I have loved the style of the Paper Mario games since the beginning. I loved the N64 game, and am having a hard time waiting for Super Paper Mario because it looks so good. Never played TTYD before now, but as it stands (only about 6 hours in) its already giving the N64 game a run for its money. If you haven’t played it, seek it out!

Vinnk:

Excite Truck! I can’t even believe how great this game is. I normally don’t like racers at all and after the mediocre reviews I was just ignoring this one. But Hiro got a used copy at his shop, and on a whim I bought it. In the week that I have had it, I have logged more than 35 hours into it. It is not a deep game. The graphics are not cutting edge, but it is just plain fun. When your truck is a million feet in the air and you jump over the Great Wall of China and survive the landing, it is pure adrenaline. EXCITE!!! …TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

As for portable gaming, I am determined to finish Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga. I bought it last year, played it for a few hours and then just got too busy to finish it. I decided to start again form the beginning and finish it this time. I love the story and the dialog is so funny. I need to beat this to I can finally start the DS sequel that has been sitting in my room, still shrink-wrapped for about 18 months.

Eric:

Puzzle Quest – I feel vindicated now that this game is finally out, and everyone can see why I was following it so closely. The DS version does have some flaws (cramped bottom screen, loss of special effects animations), but they do little to affect Puzzle Quest’s addictive gameplay. If you’ve ever wanted to see Bejewled or Zookeeper expanded on, then this is the game you want to pick up. Puzzle Quest has me convinced that there is no finer hybrid of genres than RPG Puzzlers.

Edgar:

I’m like Eric this time. Puzzle Quest is the only game I’m playing, and the only game that needs to be played. If you’re still on the edge on getting this game or not, just try the PC demo that’s out right now. You’ll be instantly hooked. And at $29.99 it’s an offer you can’t refuse.

I had time to play some Cooking Mama on the Wii with my girlfriend, and multiplayer is really fun!

Bombs:

Motorstorm (PS3) — This title made was the last thing I needed to cave in and buy a PS3. Sort of a mix of Burnout, Excite truck and those ATV offroad games. It’s pretty awesome when you’re racing it out Motorcycle vs Big Rig a la Terminator 2.

Radiata Stories (PS2) — Great lighthearted RPG from Tri-Ace. This is my 4th RPG in the past month, as I’m trying to catch up on my PS2 RPGs between two contracts at work.

Picross DS (DS) — Still playing this one, ‘cept I’m finally almost done with free mode. I love the little pixel animated clips you get when you finish a puzzle.

Drew:

Nothing. Being a grown up has robbed me of my time. In the queue:

Zelda:TP – What’s there to say about this one? I wish I had more time to play. I’m loving it more and more as I progress.

Custom Robo – Fantastic little game, but hardly had any chance to play it. My impressions so far: super fun battles, everything else is pretty lousy.

Benny:

Oh god, where do I start…

Crackdown (360) — I feel like this game is what would come out if Nintendo ever made Mario “mature.” Crackdown is awesome in its freedom of mobility. I also kind of like the fact that there are no set missions, you can do whatever the heck you want in whatever order you want. It’s also a blast in co-op.

Bully (PS2) — This is an odd one for me, because it follows the GTA formula (on a smaller scale), but I absolutely loved every second of it. Great story and a great world that surrounds the story.

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS) — It’s Castlevania. It’s as good as any other portable Castlevania… that is to say very, very good.

Viva Pinata (360) – This is a great relaxing game. The art style is really endearing and it’s deceptively deep and fun to play. Rare is back(ish).

Sonic and the Secret Rings (Wii) — Yeah, it’s Sonic + Waggle… but it’s good Sonic. I really wish the game was more cohesive. The way its organized now… it’s very choppy. You’re booted out to the crappy menu music WAY to often… surprisingly decent gameplay though.

SSX Blur (Wii) — I’m an SSX junkie, and I’m enjoying this one. “Carving” with the Nunchuck feels really great, and when you’re actually able to nail Ubertricks (which takes a bit of practice), it feels great. I wish there was more original content (it seems like since SSX3, EA has been adding marginally to the SSX mountain) but it’s SSX, and it looks FANTASTIC.

Greg:

Godfather: Blackhand Edition (Wii) — I grabbed this after reading some very positive impressions. I have to give EA credit, this is a fantastic game. The motion controls are what make it worth playing. I also like how huge the city is. This is probably the first game that I would have honestly rated “Adults Only,” once again because of the motion controls. In any case, EA has created the most compelling GTA-esque game ever.

Lost Magic (DS) — Grabbed this one for $5 at Toys R Us. It’s a pretty solid title, but the touch controls are iffy. Not a bad title for RPG/SRPG fans.

Picross DS (DS) — Picross is a serious addiction for me, and I constantly curse Nintendo for not bringing all of their Picross games over here. The DS version is a fantastic addition to the series, but I still prefer the button controls over the stylus ones. I’m digging the downloadable puzzle packs that Nintendo puts on the WFC.

Mitch:

I’m with Drew -– being an adult has slowly leeched me of any and all time to play games these days. Plus, being a poor college student’s robbed me of my money, too. However, in spite of all these challenges, I’ve managed to squeak by a little bit of time with Puzzle Quest DS and Theme Park DS.

Whoever invented the DS, deep in Nintendo’s R&D department, thank you. Without your invention, I could never have played games during school.

Rumas:

Believe it or not, I put over 70 hours into Twilight Princess without once trying lure fishing, so I used some of my free time this week to remedy that. Lots of fun, it turns out, and most relaxing. I can’t seem to catch anything decent, but I’m having a good time with it.

Also on the Wii front, I continue to have a great time with GT Pro Series. And hey, I’m not alone in my love for the much-maligned Wii racer anymore! Ben got the game and he likes it, too. I’m telling you guys, give it a go. It’s fun. Finally

Beyond that, it’s been Kid Icarus on the VC. I’m hopelessly addicted to it, but I just keep dying. Talk about one wicked tough game