perfection - why settle for less?

i've had a real hankering for the excited feeling that comes with a new console. the smell of fresh plastic, the attraction of the 'unwrap', the lustre of shiny new technology resting in your hands. in particular, i've wanted a handheld mario marvellous machine (ie. the 3DS). so much so, in fact, that i've recently sold on all of my other handhelds - a nice shiny white (if somewhate effeminate) DS lite, a deliciously cute GBMicro and a pearly white PSPGo. so i'm now just 'stuck' with my iPhone - well, i would have been if i hadn't been a complete donut and donated it to a taxi driver after a heavy night out (thereby inventing the real 'iTip'). hence, my desire for the 3DS has, if anything, grown over the last few weeks.

imagine my horror then, when the game atop the list of reasons to buy the new handheld (Pilotwings Resort) gets a paltry 6 from the might EDGE. cue scenes of confusion, horror and outrage. my 'go to' game clearly having had its impeccable reputation tarnished. the once flagship of technological ability and paradise of free flight has apparently been sullied with a limited free-flight mode, a curtailed level unlock/progression system and well, just general averageness.

but a 6 is good, right? only the wonderfully defined scoring system, a 6 is above average. i've played some average games in my time, so this suggests the game's flaws aren't all-consuming and there is a slither (albeit small) of above-average enjoyment to be had. so, i should still jump in, feet first, into 3D - yes? well, i don't know. i'd like to think that i could get some short-term enjoyment from a quick dalliance with PW Resort, then move on to the inevitable Zelda and Mario. But that is a slightly riskier proposition than i thought it would be. and with a console costing above £200, that decision isn't as easy as it was to make before i saw the review. I'm grateful for the EDGE note of caution, but i can't help be slightly upset that they've spoiled my fun. i love you EDGE, i really do. but you don't half take the fun out of gaming sometimes.