My games wishlist currently has six games on it.

This is probably the lowest that it has ever been.

My tracked games list is more than five times longer, and I may end up buying some of those, but my interest in the majority of my tracked games is slightly more than indifferent.

I am not losing interest in video games. I am becoming increasingly discriminating in which ones I buy.

I am getting older. I do not have as much free time as I used to. I do not want to spend that free time playing video games that are good but about the same as ones that I have already played, are good but nothing special or would be good if not for frustrating flaws.

Today, when I play a video game, I want an original experience, with few frustrations. Every time.

(As you can imagine, I have become cynical about video game sequels.)

Just a few years ago, games like Soul Calibur IV, Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty, Rock Band 2, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, Wii Sports Resort, Dead Space and at least 20 more upcoming games that I will not list because reading a list is boring would have been"must own" for me simply because they are part of existing series or otherwise similar to games that I have already played.

And while familiarity and nostalgia have their appeals, when they wear off, all that is left is been there, done that.

I would probably initially enjoy all of the games that I listed, but after a few hours I would get the feeling that I had essentially already played these games before and then never touch them again. That's a waste of money.

This is why I am overly excited about Mirror's Edge. Yes, the game appears to be little more than Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time only in the first person and taking place in contemporary Singapore instead of ancient Persia, but Mirror's Edge's appearance makes it "feel" original.

I am getting tired of playing video games that take place in dark 'n' gritty urban environments or organic fantasy worlds. Even when it doesn't feel forced, it feels common. Mirror's Edge; by taking place in a bright, colorful, modern, clean city instead; is a breath of fresh air.

Oh, and there is also that thing about being a financially responsible adult.

As you get older, you realize that there is more to fiscal responsibility than staying out of debt. It is also important to build up savings in case of an emergency and so that you do not have to work until you die.

A few months back, I was seriously considering buying a number of DS and Wii games. Before I could purchase any of them, I broke down and bought the watch that I had been lusting after forever. I could afford both the watch and the games, but I did not want to be forced to work a few extra years because I chose to buy both.

When the financial hit of the watch passed, I decided that the games were no longer worth it. Too much time had gone by. It was better to wait for the next "big" games.

If you are wondering why I have Final Fantasy IV for the Nintendo DS on my wishlist despite listing Final Fantasy Chronicles (which includes Final Fantasy IV) and Final Fantasy IV Advance in my game collection, and demanding original experiences, it's because it is Final Fantasy IV. I will never get enough of Final Fantasy IV.