It has been said that the holidays are a time for remembrance and reflection, so the paucity of new releases at retailers over the last two weeks of the year are particularly fitting. Now gamers can finally take some quality time to savor the wealth of notable releases over the last three months, crack into those second- and third-tier impulse buys that currently sit unopened beneath the season's must-have AAA titles, or perhaps even leave the controllers alone and enjoy the company of family and friends.

　　Whatever gamers decide to do during the waning days of 2006, it likely won't involve camping out for new releases. For one thing, most of the games coming out over the next two weeks are available only as downloads. Wii owners can download the retro games Space Harrier II, Military Madness, and Tennis on the Virtual Console this week, followed by ToeJam & Earl on Christmas day. Over on the Xbox 360, Microsoft is offering Novadrome as this week's Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays game.

　　There may be more downloadable games on the way by the end of the year since Microsoft hasn't revealed next week's Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays item, and Sega is the only company to detail its Virtual Console releases for the week. Sony Online Entertainment also plans to digitally distribute a PlayStation 3 version of its PlayStation Portable racer GripShift, although the company has narrowed down its release window only as late 2006 or early 2007.

　　In terms of actual boxed games arriving in stores, the pickings are slim indeed. Codemasters will ship Bubble Bobble Evolution for the PSP this week, while Southpeak Interactive next week should release Brave: The Search for Spirit Dancer, an adventure game with a Native American protagonist.

　　The rest of the year's new releases are listed below (list taken from retailer information--actual dates may vary).

　　DECEMBER 18, 2006

　　Space Harrier II (Wii)

　　Military Madness (Wii)

　　Tennis (Wii)

　　DECEMBER 20, 2006

　　Novadrome (Xbox 360)

　　Paws & Claws Pet School (PC)

　　DECEMBER 21, 2006

　　Bubble Bobble Evolution (PSP)

　　DECEMBER 25, 2006

　　ToeJam & Earl (Wii)

　　Luxor 2 (PC)

　　DECEMBER 26, 2006

　　Brave: The Search for Spirit Dancer (PS2)