Freshly Picked: Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland

I know what you're thinking: Gay? Surprisingly, no. Well, I'm not sure what the Japanese think of Tingle, he is undeniably camp, but this game pretty much confirms his heterosexuality. It's the first game to feature Tingle as the main protagonist, and it takes place before his excursions with Link (Majora's Mask, Wind Waker...etc.) And how does it prove he's as straight as a rupee's edge? Well, because he daydreams about bathing with naked ladies!
Seriously, that's about as straight as it gets.

Not like it's wrong for Tingle to be gay, I think it's just unusual to be gay in a Zelda game.

So this DS title is actually really good fun. Like DQ:Rocket Slime, it's pretty damn bizarre, although you could classify it as an adventure title. Adventure, yes, but it's nothing like a Zelda game.
You control Tingle, who starts off as a normal man, wearing normal clothes and acts....normal! In fact, his name isn't even Tingle, it's whatever you chose it to be.
So, whilst reclining at home, he hears an alluring voice, which turns out to be that of the Rupee God. The wizened currency deity mentions that Tingle can reach a place of infinite happiness called Rupeeland if he plops enough money into the magic pool behind he house. He must also don the garb of the Tingle...and thus, he remains cursed forever.

The gameplay is pretty unique - you go around collecting ingredients, mixing potions, and talking with all sorts of odd people. Really odd people! At first, no-one trusts you; then the games signature mechanic comes into play. You have to give them rupees - for pretty much everything - but you never know how much. You just have to guess. And should you guess wrong, that's it - the moneys gone, and you have to guess again. This wouldn't be so terrible, but rupees are Tingle's LIFE.
Literally. In place of heart containers, or hit points, your wallet claims all damage wrought upon you.

It has to be one of the least forgiving games I've played, everyone in it is a total jerk. You need rupees for everything in this game.
It is also a great addition to anyone's library, especially if they're looking for something out of the ordinary. I love how many odd games there are on the DS - it has to house some of the most strange and unique games I've ever played.