Five Games for the Non-Committed Lazy Man

There has never been a better time to be a gamer than now. With high-definition TVs, 3-D-enabled titles and gaming hardware that takes advantage of all that goodness, being a gamer today is like being a fat kid at a buffet — everything looks good.

As a gamer, I often want nothing more than to come home and jump into a fierce game of "Call of Duty," blow stuff up playing "Killzone 3" or even bounce around the landscape in "Dragon Age." But there are days when playing those titles is too much of a time suck. The games on this list are for those plodding days. They offer the perfect combination of fun and a lack of commitment for all you lazy guys out there.

Bejewled Blitz live

Publisher: PopCap Games
LazyMan Meter: Medium (some thought required)
Platform: XBLA
Price: $10 (800 MS Points)
From the wacky but brilliant minds behind games such as "Peggle," "Zuma" and of course "AstroPop," comes "Bejeweled Blitz Live" for XBLA. "BBL" is the second best way I can think of to spend a minute. It allows players to race to finish a puzzle in the 60-second blitz mode or to take their time in the highly addictive, longer version. Both "BBL" modes require you to match lines of similar jewels and include cool screen effects that add to the fun and the challenge. If you have a minute, check out "Bejeweled Blitz Live." Same goes if you have more than a minute and want to see shimmering multicolored jewels in your sleep.

The Maw

Publisher: Microsoft Game
LazyMan Meter: Medium
Platform: XBLA
Price: $10 (800 MS points)
"The Maw" makes this list due to its ingenious concept. The Maw is a fat little blob that stuffs its face like a competitive eater in training. You jump into the game by controlling Frank, a wimpy alien character who meets and befriends the not-so-shy Maw during a strange spacecraft encounter. Frank controls the Maw via electric leash, kind of like a blob pet dog. The two work together to get Frank home safe and sound. The ability to take on some of the characteristics of the items the Maw eats is the best part of the game, which is fun, EASY and full of excellent 3D character animations. Throw back the lever to the lounge chair, download this bad boy and watch the calories start adding up.he Maw

Donkey Kong Country ReturnsPublisher: Nintendo
LazyMan Meter: Medium
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Price: $49.99
Wii Fit isn't for everyone. When I want to run, jump, climb and kick ass without lifting mine off the couch, out comes "DKCR." When the animals of the island fall under control of some evil Tik Tak Tikis and steal the big man's banana stash, it's on like Donkey Kong. With the side scrolling action of more than 70 new levels, "DKCR" has some new twists and turns built in. For the first time ever, there is the ability for two players to play co-op. One can play as Donkey Kong and one as his sidekick Diddy Kong (no relation to the hip-hop mogul). Players can roll through the game separately or Diddy can jump on and off Donkey's back. This cool feature allows the less skilled players to hang with the more advanced without anyone getting pissed off.

Super Street Fighter IV

Publisher: Capcom
Lazyman Meter: high
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3
Price: $39
Have you ever wanted to kick someone's ass, but didn't want to go outside and expose yourself to the sun? Here's your chance. "Super Street fighter IV" from Capcom brings back the old-school arcade classic with some pretty fantastic upgrades.  My favorite feature is that you are able to get all your favorite "SF IV" characters right out of the box. No more waiting to beat down every character one-by-one in order to unlock new characters. I am still a classic gamer, so the traditional 2-D, six–button game play is cool with me. Even better is having the classic car and barrel bonus stages included. I know the title has been out for some time now, but before you go and pick up the 3DS version and get all blurry eyed, pick up "SSF IV" for PS3 and check out a great version of the classic title. Then go kick some butt in 3-D.

Fancy Pants

Publisher: EA
LazyMan meter: High
Platform: XBLA, PSN
Price: TBD
Originally a flash browser-based game with more than 100 million hits, "Fancy Pants" stays true to its roots even in this more complicated version. The game puts you in the role of its stick figure hero, Fancy Pants Man. He is on a mission to rescue his kidnapped sister, Cutie Pants, from pirates in a land called Squiggleville. The game play is simple: Fancy Pants jumps, twirls and runs up and down a 2-D obstacle course while wearing orange pants and a Mohawk. He's a dude I would love to have a drink with at any East Village bar. Can you say wingman?

Maplewood's own Craig Goldstein writes a weekly technology blog for Patch that will be based on consumer electronics and the gaming industry.