Fishing Master – Wii [$29.99]

This came out of nowhere, eventually taking a place as one of the most fun Wii experiences of the year. It’s not going to win any awards, given the lack of memorable characters and the fact that, well, fishing might not be everyone’s idea of an exciting gaming experience. Still, not even The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, to date the most fun a Wii owner could have with a fishing pole, managed to replicate the thrill of a catch quite like Fishing Master does. The general idea is this: You travel from place to place all over Japan, entering fishing tournaments, honing your skills, and trying to catch the rarest fish out there. The thing is, it’s not just exciting when you catch one of these rare treasures, though the payoff of seeing the beautiful thing for the first time is addictive. Even so, it’s almost as exciting just to catch a tin can, which happens quite frequently because, well, they don’t move around quite so much as the fish. Those trapped inside for the winter might appreciate the zen that a good fishing experience brings as well, so go ahead, let your quest for the rarest fish — and, if you’re into it, the largest boot — begin.