Mass Effect - concerned about the action sequences since Bioware hasn't proven themselves with combat yet (ex. Jade Empire). Plus it's complexity might require several bug patches after it's released.

GTA IV - I'm mainly concerned for the graphics since that isn't Rockstar's forte. I'm afraid there'll be framerate and pop up issues at HD resolutions.

Assassin's Creed I'm not really worrying about because it's always looked like a Splinter Cell/PoP/Hitman clone to me -- only with more NPC's walking around. So to me it's not that revolutionary a concept to begin with. I think it'll be decent though.

Einhander (PS) and Life Force (NES) have crazy boss designs....such as a big robot gorilla and a brain with arms.

I've got a 360, a Wii, and a PC. If I bought all the upcoming titles that interest me, I'd be spending over $500 bucks. I wouldn't even have time to play them all!

I can't remember the last time the holiday season was this crowded with exclusive games. So far, I'm limiting my "must haves" this season to Super Mario Galaxy, Mass Effect, and Guitar Hero 3.......and wait for the others to become bargain priced or rent them.

I think a game's pacing is an important factor. It has to have a steady progression and strong momentum to push you towards a final goal, and it should keep adding new gameplay elements to hold your attention throughout. I think Halflife 2 is the best paced game I've ever played. Games like that I could play straight through until my eyes hurt.

The ones that take longer for me to finish usually become repetitive because of bad pacing. So I can understand why people can't finish something like Wind Waker because of that sailing fetch quest that totally interrupts the flow of the game.

Also, whenever there's a big spike in difficulty or respawning enemies (ex: when you first encounter the centaurs in God of War 1, the middle levels of Ninja Gaiden) the game feels more annoying than fun.

And some games, even if they're great, are just waaay too long and sorta outstay their welcome because it seems like it's never gonna end so you dont feel like you're making any progress. For me, this type of game is Vice City and Okami.

Contra (NES), using the 30 lives cheat code. I remember wondering why there were only Japanese names in the credits.

Without cheating, either The Legend of Zelda or Punchout.