I almost finished side-scrolling real-time-strategy WiiWare game Swords and Soldiers (review coming from me on Kotaku later this week) without playing its multiplayer mode. My wife agreed to try a level of splitscreen with me so I could experience that part of the game for my review.

I’ve been playing PS3 third-person turn-based strategy game Valkyria Chronicles a little bit at a time, and I’ve ignored the “potentials” system in that game, a deep index of personality quirks that affect the performance of the members of the squad you lead into battle. One guy might become a worse fighter if you make him crouch too much. Another fights better if there are women nearby. One woman fights better when she’s standing on dirt. That’s too much depth for me. I’m ignoring it.

And I played The Sims 3 for a few hours without touching the furniture-customization options. I was barely interested in changing the color of the pieces of furniture I bought for my characters. For many Sims fans customization is the main draw of the game. But I’m ignoring it.

When we’re young our parents encourage us to clean our plates. But this weekend, I was struck by how much of my games — even the ones I enjoy — I choose not to consume.

But here are my expanded plans for games to play this weekend: Valkyria Chronicles (PS3, playing more of it) Red Faction Guerilla (Xbox 360, starting it), Swords and Soldiers (WiiWare, reviewing it), The Sims 3 (PC, checking it out). Patapon 2 is likely going to be my commuting game for next week.

Look for a review from me on Kotaku later today of Mario Vs Donkey Kong: Minis arch Again.

Games in rotation are: Valkyria Chronicles in my PS3, Mario Vs Donkey Kong: Minis March Again in my DSi.
Games on deck are: Red Faction: Guerilla for my Xbox 360, Patapon 2 for my PSP.

Help settle a friendly argument I was having last night.

If someone claims to have not played video games since they were a kid — BUT this person has played solitaire on their computer recently — then, are they, in fact, wrong? I say they have played video games lately. The person on the other side of the argument tells me that computer solitaire doesn’t count as a video game.

Which is it?

I was reminded last night that a regrettable purchase through a gaming download service can’t be traded in. If I buy a bad disc-based game, I can trade it in or even give it to a friend who might enjoy it more. But, last night, I downloaded a WiiWare game that I thought I was going to have to review. I hated the game, but I had no way to compensate for my bad purchase.

I was stuck.

You can’t return a digitally downloaded game you don’t like. You can’t re-gift it. You can’t trade it in or pawn it off. Those options, rightly or wrongly, are ones I’ve been accustomed to with disc-based games. For digital games? Buyer beware.

One caveat: if WiiWare offered demos of the games on the service, as Xbox Live Arcade does, I might not have run into this problem.

P.S. I finished my new Favorite Game of 2008 yesterday (guess!). Just a couple more ‘08 games to go before I can say for certain which one I liked best. Valkyria Chronicles is now in rotation in my PS3.

I spent much of my Memorial Day weekend gaming with my five-year-old niece. Her request! Here’s what worked and what didn’t.Games That Worked

“The Piano Game” - Wii Music was a delight for a little girl who wanted to shake her hands to play the piano, ring bells, or best/worst of all be a cheerleader who shouts the percussion part of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Wii Fit’s ski jump was fun but hard to time for one of us.

Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts - Too hard to play on her own, but a delight to direct the creation of a big-wheeled boat that has a frog on its fender. Just be sure to paint it all purple. Also, the game’s witch is funny to talk to.

Flower - The game she was best able to play by herself.

Wii Sports‘ Tennis and Golf . Of course.

Punch-Out!! - Multiplayer was a hit. And she was somehow able to turn into Giga Mac every single fight. And knock me out. (Until I figured out her pattern, naturally.)

DSi Camera - This thing is a gigle-generating machine, once she was into the photo-editing part of it.

Games That Didn’t Work

Super Metroid - Hey, she saw it on my Wii menu and asked to try it. She liked that she could run in the snow (actually, the rain).

Boom Blox Bash Party - The big surprise. The concept was perfect for her. But games that require pointing the Wii remote at the screen don’t work for little, shaky hands.

Rayman Raving Rabbids - See Boom Blox.

I’m appreciating the extra time with the game, but I’m wondering: do gamers prefer reviews to run as early as possible — or closer to the day when a game is out?