Most uneducated people would tell you that video games mainly come out in the summer and winter. We at Nerd Alert, however, are not like most people. Aside from being able to breathe underwater, we are also “in the know” when it comes to video games. With our fingers on the pulse of gaming, we are aware of every upcoming major release.

Countless fans have asked us what games have us most excited. Is it “Gran Turismo 4?” Does “Tekken 5” have us counting the minutes as they pass? No and maybe, respectively.

Instead of constantly repeating ourselves when asked this question, we thought it appropriate to share our picks for the must-play games of the coming months with our legion of faithful fans.

Zach:

“Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory”
Since the release of the original “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell,” this series has been the king of stealth gaming across all consoles. Featuring phenomenal lighting effects and great textures, “Splinter Cell” was a feast for the eyes, featuring stellar action and tense drama throughout your covert operations.

That game’s sequel, “Pandora Tomorrow,” upped the ante with improved graphics and an all-new multiplayer mode. Players could jump online and compete in two-on-two Spy vs. Mercenaries action, with both teams possessing unique abilities in the most accurate recreation of a cat-and-mouse feeling ever put on a console.

With “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory,” it looks like this series is set to revolutionize itself once again. In addition to completely revamped graphics featuring some drool-worthy bump mapping and all new moves, Chaos Theory adds four unique cooperative play missions.

This, as well as the return of the adversarial multiplayer mode with all new maps and updated visuals, is sure to be the end of many gamers’ class attendance. Tread lightly — even the one-level demo provided with Xbox Magazine’s latest issue is highly addicting.

Ryan:

“Fight Night Round 2”
After taking a couple of years off from their floundering “Knockout Kings” series, EA laced up their gloves again with “Fight Night 2004.”

This game, the sequel to last year’s hit, again makes use of the ingenious dual-analog stick controls. Players can throw punches and dodge attacks using only the controllers’ two sticks and shoulder buttons, giving the game a unique feel.

Releasing on all three major consoles simultaneously, the series’ second outing improves where its predecessor failed. Ditching the insanely annoying announcer Big Tigger in favor of a mellower commentator and revamping both the create-a-fighter and career modes are a few of the wise moves EA made for “Round 2.”

Last year’s exclusive online mode for PS2 is now also on the Xbox. While not able to offer online play, the GameCube version does boast a playable version of “Super Punch-Out!!” with Little Mac as an unlockable fighter.

Zach:

“The Legend of Zelda” (GC)
Admit it: you didn’t play “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker” because you thought the graphics were too childish. You couldn’t help but feel as though you were being handed a game that was not the true sequel to the N64 classic “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.”

For players brave enough to fare the toon-like graphics, they found a game that was excellent, but that nagging feeling that something was missing never went away.

Luckily for them, their prayers have been answered. At last year’s E3, Nintendo surprised everyone with video footage that looked as though it had been ripped directly from the dreams of every video game fan on Earth.

Little is known about this game, other than the fact that it will take place chronologically after “Wind Waker.” That, and the fact that it will likely be drop-dead gorgeous.

But when it comes to a Zelda game, what more do you need to know? If this game is not at the top of your list of anticipated titles, put it there.

It may be the only reason to keep your GameCube, but it’s a damn good one.

Ryan:

“Metal Gear Acid”
I’m not going to lie; I’m easily the biggest “Metal Gear” fan-boy I know of. It goes without saying that I was pretty excited to hear that my favorite franchise would be porting over to the PSP in March.

Confirming long-held beliefs that he ingests immense amounts of cocaine or some other narcotic, Hideo Kojima thought it’d be a good idea to turn his popular action franchise into a card-based game. Yes, card-based fighting. I know.

While this seems like the worst concept ever imagined to some, there is one thing to rest assured of whenever Kojima seems like a blithering moron: the man almost never fails to deliver what he promises. Well, except for when he yanked Solid Snake almost completely from “Sons of Liberty.” Or there was the time he said “Snake Eater” would have some sort of game play mechanic that allows gamers to feel Snake’s emotions. Umm, anyway …

This game does, however, feature Solid Snake and it uniquely makes use of card-based battles. It’s uncertain as to how great or horrible this game will be, but it’s easily one of the most anticipated PSP titles on the way.

Ryan Gauthier ([email protected]) and Zach Stern ([email protected]) are hopelessly addicted to all that encompasses video games. Zach is still playing “World of Warcraft” and just reached Tanaris. Ryan took an unfortunate turn and rented “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turles 2: Battle Nexus” thinking it would be fun … he hasn’t been the same since.