It’s that time of year again as a flurry of video games is released before the holidays to take advantage of the gift-buying mania.

Among these games are sequels to fan favorites “Pokemon” and “Kingdom Hearts.” Here’s what we think of these franchises’ new games.

“Pokemon: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Versions”

For many Cal High students, “Pokemon: Ruby Version” and “Pokemon: Sapphire Version” for the Gameboy Advance were their first experience with the “Pokemon” series.

Now, Game Freak is coming out with remakes of the games: “Pokemon: Omega Ruby Version” and “Pokemon: Alpha Sapphire Version.”

The pair of games is released today on the 3DS, and will take full use of the device’s capabilities to bring the games to life.

In previous “Pokemon” games, the character could use the move “Fly” to instantly travel to cities and towns. Now players can “Soar” and watch the world pass below in full 3D.

This feature can also be used to encounter Legendary Pokemon, which are the most powerful Pokemon in the series.

The two teams have also been completely redesigned  as Team Aqua has become a group of rambunctious pirates, and Team Magma is now a highly meticulous team of scientists.

“Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX”

“Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX,”  to be released Dec. 2, features Sora as he fights alongside Disney characters, protects them from enemies, and travels through different worlds in search of his friends.

“Kingdom Hearts Final Mix” and “Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep” were released in Japan in March 2007 and January 2011, respectively.

The second release of “Final Mix” will showcase better graphics and added material,  and the second release of “Birth by Sleep” will feature a new rhythm mixer command style game, as well as sticker album quests with modified rewards.

There also will be several new bosses in the game, including Young Xehanort, Armor of the Master, Monstro, and No Heart.

“Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded” was released in the U.S. in Jan. 2011 but is being remade with better graphics, added storylines, adjustable difficulty settings, multiplayer capabilities, and a secret movie.