Will new Bejeweled rule the holidays?

If the economic slump is affecting consumer spending, the video games business didn't get the memo. Led by big names like Microsoft's sequel Gears of War 2 and Blizzard's World of Warcraft expansion Wrath of the Lich King, games are still selling like hotcakes.

But the biggest seller of them all could come from a much smaller -- and shinier -- source. Bejeweled Twist, the latest in the smash hit puzzle series from casual game powerhouse PopCap Games, was released to retailers and game sites today (you can download it right here at Y! Games), and it's already causing a commotion.

Like past Bejeweled games, the object is to clear game boards by lining up three or more jewels in a row. But Twist's "twist" is that players must now rotate blocks of four jewels clockwise to shift jewels into position, turning what was once a pretty straightforward puzzler into a fresh new experience with a more open-ended path to success.

Admittedly, there was some skepticism that this fundamental change in the way such a beloved game has been played would turn off the millions who made it a hit to begin with. But if you believe the critics, that couldn't be further from the truth.

Mainstream news outlets can't get enough. The Seattle Times considers Twist "a fun, snappy and polished game that has that addictive quality that just makes you want to keep clicking." MSNBC agrees, calling it "a game you'll want to come back to over and over and over again." Even the grumpy dudes at AskMen.com -- clearly not the game target demographic -- give it some props, claiming "Bejeweled Twist is by far one of the most impressive, polished casual games on the market."

More surprisingly, core game sites are on board as well. Old-school publication Gamepro gave the game an Editor's Choice award, calling it "even better than the original," and current casual game taste maker Gamezebo lauded its addictive gameplay by noting that "a funny thing happens the more you play: you can't stop."

Though it's too early to pore over Bejeweled Twist's sales data, PopCap has noted that the game is posting bigger first-month figures than any of their past efforts. Considering those older titles have sold through over 25 million units and been downloaded over 350 million times, that could mean serious business.

Don't believe the hype? Then check it out yourself.

Previous: Virtual fling prompts real-world divorce
Next: Check back tomorrow!

MORE ON YAHOO! GAMES:

A-LIST NAMES IN A-LIST GAMES PLAY PARKING DASH