Lianne

The Advance Wars series is totally awesome, but it definitely has room here and there for a little improvement...so some changes might be a really good thing. Here's hoping.

The new style looks kinda awesome, actually. I just hope it doesn't get too bogged-down with a melodramatic, uninteresting story or anything. Fire Emblem is great for an epic story released in pieces between fun fights, but Advance Wars is great for the "less talkie more fightie." I kinda hope things stay that way, because the Advance Wars universe doesn't lend itself well to complicated character stories.

I've always found the Homies toy franchise disturbing. "Put a quarter in this machine and a minority stereotype pops out!"

That said, if this turns out to be a great racer, I will laugh extremely hard.

This is a slighty risque "otome" game (aka a game for girl gamers), proven by the fact that it was advertised on the website for the "Hana to Yume" manga magazine (where "Fruits Basket" ran) and has character designs by Hisaya Nakajo, creator of girliest-comic-ever Hana Kimi.

If you think Duel Love is homoerotic, go here: http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/kohitsujihokakukeakakusweetboyslife/index.html

A PS2 game for girls, about boys loving other boys. And it's a lot tamer than similar games they've made for the PC.

The world of games for girls in Japan is deeper than you think. As long as you're strong enough in your masculinity to not let a shirtless boy make you uncomfortable, they're absolutely hilarious--and completely cathartic for lady gamers who have spent their lives surrounded by pixelated breasts.