Road to financial ruin... the next few weeks of releases.

Here's what I've got on pre-order over the next few weeks and my thoughts about each title:

• Mario Galaxy (November 12, Wii): IGN gave it a 9.7. I've played it at GameStop. It's a no-brainer. It's spectacular.
• Blacksite: Area 51 (November 12, Xbox 360): the demo was one of the coolest things I've seen and played in a long time. I can't imagine this being bad. Aliens battling army guys? Cool!
• Assassin's Creed (November 13, Xbox 360, also on PS3): I don't know why I pre-ordered this game. Why is it that everyone on Earth tells me it's going be amazing (friends, acquaintances, strangers), while the initial press impressions have been less than stellar. I'll read some reviews before I commit.
• Need for Speed: Pro Street (November 13, Xbox 360, also on most other platforms): I loved the speed challenge on the 360 demo... the circuit race was "ok." I'm getting this no matter what. One of my favorite series.
• Rock Band (November 20, Xbox 360, also on most other platforms): Played it. Loved it. It's the biggest game (literally) this year.
• Mass Effect (November 20, Xbox 360): Was Game-Stop-OK-here's-my-five-bucks-if- you-will-shut-up-suckered into pre-ordering this. I hate PRG's. I don't care how action-y it is, it looks too complicated. The jury is still out on this one.
• NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (December 18, Wii): It's 'NiGHTS.' Nuf said. Been waiting forever for this.

Not on my pre-order list, but keeping an eye out:

• Kane & Lynch: Dead Men (November 13, Xbox 360, also PS3): I'm so iffy on this one. It looks kinda cool. Waiting on a review.
• Soldier of Fortune: Pay Back (November 13, Xbox 360, also PS3): I'm about to pre-order this. The insane violence and gore has almost won me over.
• Geometry Wars: Galaxies (November 13, Wii): Love the original... scared to pay more than $10 for this.
• Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles (November 13, Wii): I want to see this in person before I buy it. An RE shooter? It may be a rental. Agh, did I just say that?
• Link's Crossbow Training (November 19, Wii): It may be a sleeper hit... a piece of plastic with demo-y game... all for $25!
• Time Crisis 4 (November 20, PS3): I love the first three. I love the Gun-Con. I can't afford a $90 game the same day that 'RockBand' comes out.
• Haze (December 4, PS3): Need to do some more research, but it looks cool.

Sad to see moving into 2008:

• Burnout: Paradise
• Super Smash Brothers Brawl
• Army of Two
• Resident Evil 5
• Gran Turismo 5 (or whatever it's called)
• Grand Theft Auto 4