Welcome to Backlog Hell aka “What do I play over vacation?”

Ah yes, the dreaded backlog… we meet again. Something about the holiday season and my never-ending list of Games I Want to Play (followed closely by Games I Want to Own and Games I Wouldn’t Mind Owning) always gets me reminiscing on just how many games I actually own but still have yet to play. I always buy my games with the most honorable of intentions (to play them, of course), but somehow they end up getting lost in the always-growing stack of reviews and new games I also Want to Play. 
I’m not going to count each and every game in my backlog because a) the result would undoubtedly be really depressing and b) I don’t think that would be all that productive. What would be productive, however, is to set a clear goal of what I’d like to play over the upcoming holiday. With that in mind, I surveyed my shelf and chose six games I bought/received over the past year that I feel drawn to play for one reason or another. The lucky titles are: Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, Atelier Annie: Alchemists of Sera Island, The Legendary Starfy, Grand Knights History (JP), Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, and Fossil Fighters. 
How could I resist such an adorable chubby star? 
Now, it’s time to set a few goals. I’ve got nearly 3 weeks of vacation over the holiday break and two 20-hour flights to endure. I’m not sure what would be realistic, but I’d like to think I could play at least two games over that period. Since I need to be conscious of what I’m bringing with me from a space/weight standpoint, I’m going to rule out Grand Knights History and Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together because of the UMD Factor, which of course would mean I’d need to bring my PSP along for the ride. 
I don’t even know how I’d transport UMDs… 
From the looks of things, it’s going to be a a very DS-centric trip! I’ll probably cross Atelier Annie off the list due to the RPG Factor, which means it would take considerably more time to beat than non-RPG titles. 
I share my nickname with the protagonist of the game, though… 
So, that leaves me with three games: The Legendary Starfy, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, and Fossil Fighters. Where should I start? Is it reasonable to try and beat these three over the break, or should I whittle the list down to two? Do you have any games in your backlog you want to play through over the holidays? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 
Bonus: Fossil Fighters scores a place on this list solely for the Dinosaur Factor and the Awesome Character Designs Factor. Case in point: 

About Anne

Also known as apricotsushi. Anne can be written with the kanji for apricot (杏), and sushi was the most quintessentially Japanese thing I could think of when I was 13, resulting in my goofy, albeit memorable, nickname.

21 thoughts on “Welcome to Backlog Hell aka “What do I play over vacation?””

  2. Sadly–and kind of hilariously, too–I think I could have written this exact post myself, Anne. Well, except for the part about the 20-hour flights. (Woof!) I buy so many games every year, always with the best intentions (of playing them), but you’d be amazed by how many have yet to be opened 😐

    Anyway, I love your choices, although I have to admit I was a bit sad to read that you’d decided against bringing Atelier Annie with you. That game is on my ‘to buy’ (and ‘to play’) list for next year, so I was curious to hear what you thought of it.

    As it stands, though, I still think you’ve got a good group of games to take with you. Also, if you can swing it, I’d recommend taking all three with you, as you never know–you may find you hate one of them, and then where would you be?

  3. Good luck! Heard great things about Ghost Trick. But don’t forget about your village in Animal Crossing 😛 Been enjoying the weekly write-ups as I continue to wait for a NA release date.

  4. I loooove Ghost Trick! It’s one of my favourite DS-games!
    About Grand Knights History: I’m so mad that the Europe and America release has been canceled! òó I was so happy when I heard about the eu-release… But Dragons Crown will be released soon so I’m looking forward to it 🙂

  5. I’m in the same position as far as backlogs go. For every game I clear off the list, I add about four more 😛

    I haven’t played Ghost Trick, but heard wonderful things about it. I’m curious to know what you think of it 🙂

    Also, the character designs for Fossil Fighters looks oddly familiar. Maybe I’m crazy… was it a cartoon series at some point? O.o

  7. Thank your stars you don’t have to endure any 20 hour flights, Bryan! To be more accurate, I actually have a 9 hour flight from Brisbane to Seoul, and then a 12 hour-ish flight from Seoul to New York. Then we’re staying overnight in New York and will take a 2 hour flight from New York to Vermont the next day. Argh! Not looking forward to that!

    Oh, don’t worry, I’ll still bring Atelier Annie, I just might not make it a priority to *finish* it. I can definitely give it a go for a few hours and write up some impressions, though! This list was mainly so I’d force myself to finish at least one or two games so I can check them off the dreaded backlog. It’s a bit depressing when you realize how many games are coming in compared to how many you’re actually playing any real amount, isn’t it?

    Luckily, since DS cartridges are so small, I’ll be able to take at least 8 with me. I’ve got some great compact carrying cases for just that purpose. Unfortunately the UMDs are just too clunky, though!

  8. Thanks! And don’t worry, I still plan to play Animal Crossing every day! And I’m so glad to hear you like Memos from Mamemura 🙂 I fully intend to continue it! In fact, this week’s post is coming very shortly…

  9. I can’t wait to play Ghost Trick! I’ve heard a lot of great things.
    As for Grand Knights History, it’s really a shame it got canceled. I haven’t heard anything about Dragon’s Crown for a while, either! I hope we get release date information soon.

  10. Sounds about right! ^^;;

    I’ve heard so many good things about Ghost Trick as well! That’s what spurred me to pick it up. I’ll definitely post my impressions after I’ve played a few hours.

    I’m pretty sure Fossil Fighters wasn’t a cartoon series, but maybe I’m wrong? It would be awesome if it was! I think the character designs look eerily like some Pokemon stuff, though, so maybe that’s what you’re thinking of?

  12. BTW: I registered my Pikachu 3DS XL on Club Nintendo and now I got
    the chance to get a full version of one of the following games for free:

    – Super Mario 3D Land
    – New Style Boutique
    – New Art Academy
    – Freakyforms Deluxe
    – Professor Layton und die Maske der Wunder (and the Miracle Mask)

    I think I will take Mario 3D Land or Prof. Layton MM. Which one would you recommend to me?

    I asked Bryan the same question but what would you say? 🙂

  13. Oh, wow, Anne–I honestly can’t imagine having to spend that long on a plane. At least you’ll have some gaming goodness to keep yourself from going crazy, though, right?

    I look forward to hearing what you think of the games you take with you–Atelier Annie, especially, of course 🙂

  15. Oh, that’s such great promotion! Hmm well I definitely think Super Mario 3D Land or Miracle Mask would be good, but I’d also throw my vote to New Style Boutique. I’m not sure if that would be your kind of game, though! I bet you’ll be happy with any one of those! I would have to advise you stay away from Freakyforms Deluxe – I reviewed it, and though it’s a cute concept, it really doesn’t hold up when compared to the other games on that list.

  17. I just checked the regular prices and Mario 3D Land and Prof. Layton are the most expensive ones. That’s one good reason to choose one of these. Also I’m not a fashion-game person. I guess Style Boutique is just not my cup of tea. Freakyforms and Art Academy are already out of the race 🙂

    I think I’ll take Prof. Layton because I want to buy Mario 3D Land anyway and I think I would be really sad if the box and manual would be missing.

  19. Ah-hah! I don’t know where I first heard of Starfy. But who is this Ticken you speak of?!

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