Game boxes can tell us so much… or so little. In this week’s “Judged by the Cover,” we attempt to see what games are worth our time based only on their box art:

“Mario Super Sluggers” (Wii)
What the Box Tells Us: It’s Mario baseball. The box shows a scene from the game, where Bowser super-slugs one of Peach’s pitches. But of course, the portly plumber leaps into the air and catches it for an out. Nice.
Pros: Interesting visuals. While the center of attention is on Mario, it subtly shows the variety of characters that will be in the game by putting them in the background (Yoshi, Birdo, Lakitu, etc.)
Cons: Is there ever a Mario game where Peach doesn’t look bewildered and about to be kidnapped?
Love It or Leave It: Love it.

“From the Abyss” (DS)
What the Box Tells Us: In this game, pants aren’t important. Neither are shirts or proper clothing or armor.
Pros: Like most gamers, I’m all for badass, scantily-clad female warriors.
Cons: But I don’t care who you are — two belts don’t equal pants.
Love It or Leave It: Leave it.

“Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2009″ (Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP)
What the Box Tells Us: The EA sports titles and their “All-Play” counterparts are kind of like mullets… Business on the hardcore platforms (serious look of concentration), and then party on the Wii (smiling and/or laughing).
Pros: On the “All-Play” version, Tiger does look like he’s having fun and just won another sack of money. In fact, it’s the only Tiger Woods PGA Tour cover to feature him smiling.
Cons: The other versions look indistinguishable to those of years’ past.
Love It or Leave It: Love the Wii version; leave the others.

“The Sims 2 Apartment Pets” (DS)
What the Box Tells Us: Players will juggle taking care of a variety of pets, not in their houses, but in their tiny apartments. Also, hamsters can talk to dogs, and you can wear your pet snake as a necklace.
Pros: There are a lot of animals on the cover, conveying the message that yes, there are plenty of pets.
Cons: Pet games have never had animals that looked this creepy or stiff. (What’s up with the sinister-looking bunny?)
Love It or Leave It: Leave it.

“James Pond: Codename Robocod” (DS)
What the Box Tells Us: Nothing that makes sense: A smiling fish in robot armor is holding a gun while chattering teeth, a cheeseburger and a flaming punchbuggy litter the scene.
Pros: I mean, it has a fish holding a gun. And penguins. It also somehow combines James Bond and Robocop in one game.
Cons: I have absolutely no idea what is going on.
Love It or Leave It: Love it.