"I've had about two weeks to thoroughly delve into Scribblenauts now, and I can honestly say it is the most original game for the Nintendo DS I have ever played, and possibly one of the best console games in the last five years. The reason for that is because it is a radical departure from every single game ever made, in that it doesn't challenge your dexterity or button-pushing skill like FPS and action games, and doesn't rely at all on random number generators or luck, like a lot of strategy games; but instead, challenges your imagination and creativity. This is a great game for any age that enjoys puzzle games, and if I had to recommend just one game for a new DS owner to show off the abilities of their console, this would be it. Having fully "completed" the levels long ago, I am still enjoying it just as much as when I first got it." - P.N.

"Here I am to spoil the party with the very first "meh" review! I was really excited for Scribblenauts; in fact my husband and I even purchased a DS explicitly to play this game. In point of fact I don't dislike this game, it simply doesn't really deliver as promised. And really, how COULD a game deliver when it purports to allow you to write ANYTHING and have those items interact? It's really an insurmountable task. I don't begrudge the developers for an innovative, exciting, groundbreaking effort. I actually feel this game is a must-play for the sheer genius of its goals. Ultimately however I feel that this game falls too short of its lofty ambitions and ends up disappointing." - J.W.

Pokemon Heart Gold is out in Japan and is setting some amazing sales figures! The update to the old Game Boy 'Pokemon Gold' game has all the enhancements you'd expect out of the Pokemon Platinum series games plus some updates to the original story, better graphics, and a unique "Poke Walker" accessory.

The game won't be out in the USA until Spring of 2010, so what's a Poke-fan to do? If you use a memory card to keep multiple (legal) roms in your DS/DSi at once, then you can dump the Japanese ROM and patch it with some English translations available from gbatemp.net. It plays quite good in a mix of Japanese and English and is a lot of fun! Newer fans who never got to play the Johto/Kanto areas will really enjoy this new DS/DSi game title.

• Show Blue Lego Studs: Imperials - Abandoned Outpost. South of the top right island on the southern tip

• Reveal Map: Imperials Sneak Attack. Top-right corner

• Fast Harvesting: Aliens - Captured. Bottom right corner

• Show Enemies: Aliens - Cryolab Down. Easternmost side of the map

• Show Minikits: Aliens - The Final Countdown. Northwest of the enemy base on a sliver of land near an island

• Full Unit Cap (you can build 20 units with 1 farm): Castle - 1000 Tree Woods. North from the escape point is a small gap in the trees

• Regenerating Health: Castle - The Barren Wasteland. Top/right area of the map surrounded by trees

• Fast Building: Castle - Confrontation. In the middle of some trees north of the starting point

• Strong Magic: Pirates - Rebuildin'. West of the top right tribe hut in the trees across the water

• Super Explosions: Pirates - Booty Haul. Near the tip of the second outstretch

• Invincible Hero: Pirates - Save yer Mates. Bottom left corner of the map

• Fast Mining: Space - Retaliation. Southeast of starting point

• Fast Magic: Space - Purple Haze. Go west once through green crystals from the starting point then north

• Show Red Bricks: Space - Head Start. Bottom left area of map above the enemy outpost in that corner

• Long Range Magic: Wizard - The Foundation. Top right corner

• Upgraded Towers: Wizard - Shrouded Garrison. South of the main enemy area

• One Hit Kill (for Heroes) - Wizard - Homecoming. North of Dwarf base

• Double Lego Bricks - Imperials - Sabotage. Right-most island

But what about entry-level gamers? Are there Nintendo DS Lite games for casual folks who just want an easy-to-pick-up title for a few minutes, if not a few hours, of fun and excitement?

Indeed, there are! Here are 5 such Nintendo DS Lite games:

1. Rhythm Heaven. Rhythm Heaven is one of the biggest Nintendo DS Lite games for 2009, and this is saying much for a game built for casual play. Rhythm Heaven is actually a collection of mini-games that use a rhythm and beat mechanic which is easy to pick up and play. Using the stylus, you can tap or flick on the screen to match the music that the game will play. It is highly addictive and is a "must have" game for your collection - regardless of whether you're a casual gamer or a hardcore player.

2. Professor Layton and the Curious Village. Even casual gamers will find Nintendo DS Lite games that present straightforward puzzles boring. Professor Layton and the Curious Village is an exception. The title presents a series of story-driven puzzles. These puzzles are always within the context of the story and are needed to be solved to advance the same. The result is a highly engaging game that is very, very exciting - something which you can rarely say for a puzzler.

3. New York Times Crosswords. Admittedly, this is one of the few Nintendo DS Lite games which are not for everyone. But if you just can't dig saving princesses or shooting at invading aliens, and if you just want a game that presents simple layouts of challenges that you can solve, then the New York Times Crosswords is the perfect title for you. The New York Times is known for 2 things: well written content and highly challenging crossword puzzles. You won't be receiving the content, but you will have access to hundreds of crosswords that will keep you busy for hours.

4. Brain Age 1 and 2. Two games that actually make you smarter. The Brain Age titles are meant to improve your cognitive functions through a series of mental challenges that stimulate and sharpen your faculties. These mini-games can be played anywhere and everywhere, as solving them can be as easy and as quick as a few seconds of your time - unless of course you're stumped because you're applying the wrong logic or you're viewing things the wrong way.

5. Diner Dash. Diner Dash is one of the Nintendo DS Lite games that have created an entirely new genre of video gaming: the time management gaming niche. In Diner Dash, you play the role of Flo, an entrepreneur who just started her own restaurant. Strapped for cash, Flo serves as a waitress for her restaurant, and the player is supposed to balance her various duties so that restaurant patrons won't get impatient. Sounds simple, but the game play is a stroke of pure genius. Without a doubt, Diner Dash is one of the most addictive Nintendo DS Lite games available today.

So, how big of an improvement is this Nintendo DS Light over the original Nintendo DS?

Furthermore, do these improvements justify purchasing the Nintendo DS Light even if you already own the original Nintendo DS?

To answer the question, let's go back in time to the release of the original Nintendo DS. The Nintendo DS was a technological marvel for its time. It was light years ahead of its immediate predecessor, the Gameboy Advance. Surely, the improved graphics and the faster processing (and rendering) power were expected from the newer generation of handheld console, but the Nintendo DS also added some revolutionary features that shocked the world.

Armed with the philosophy of revolutionizing the way people play games - something which Nintendo also applied in conceptualizing and developing its bigger console, the Nintendo Wii - the Nintendo DS implemented a two screen display feature, a touch screen functionality, microphone integration, and a dedication to creating fully interactive games.

The video game industry was never the same after the original Nintendo DS was released.

With titles like Nintendogs, a life simulation game that allowed the player to take care of a beautifully rendered dog, the original Nintendo DS conquered the sales charts and never looked back.

However, despite the praises which the original Nintendo DS garnered were some glaring criticisms that threatened the marketability of the system:

• The unit is too bulky that it's barely portable as it cannot fit in most pockets.
• The unit is too heavy.
• The display is too dark.
• The unit eats up a lot of battery life for a few hours of play.
• The microphone is awkwardly positioned that it's hard to speak to it in the middle of a game.

The Nintendo DS Light, the second incarnation of the handheld system, remedied all of these problems.

As we have mentioned earlier, it is formally called as DS Lite, with "Lite" being a play on the word "Light." The Nintendo DS Light is, well, lighter than the original DS by as much as 50%. The Nintendo DS Light also boasts of a brighter screen. The Nintendo DS Light also allows a longer battery life for the unit, mainly because of the added brightness level which the user can opt to use, depending on the current environmental lighting.

Do these improvements make the Nintendo DS Light a justifiable purchase even for people who already own the original Nintendo DS?

Probably not, but the Nintendo DS Light is the best choice for people who have yet to experience the pleasures provided by Nintendo's newest wonder toy.

The new Nintendo DSi was packaged by the company as a handheld that even old DS owners would want to own.

Guess what?

Nintendo was right.

So, what's new with the new Nintendo DSi? Here are some features that many people believe justifies the purchase of a new Nintendo DSi:

- A sleeker, sexier and lighter design. The new Nintendo DSi is actually 12% thinner than the previous incarnation, the Nintendo DS Lite. With the new Nintendo DSi, the handheld can actually be considered a "hand" held device as it will fit anyone's hand.

- An additional level of brightness. The first Nintendo DS was heavily criticized for its ability to strain the user's eyes with dark lighting. The Nintendo DS Lite made the screen brighter, but also allowed the unit to consume more battery life at the highest brightness setting. The new Nintendo DSi adds yet another level of brightness, but this time, battery life is said to be optimized for such a feature.

- Dual cam. One camera in front, one camera at the back. Both cameras come with 0.3 megapixel resolution, nothing special, but adequate for the purposes that the new Nintendo DSi has planned for them.

- Better audio playback. The new Nintendo DSi can now compete with the best MP3 players in the market.

- Improved WiFi connectivity. Difficulties in connecting online are now things of the past. The new Nintendo DSi can immediately connect to the net whenever a connection is detected, and the player can immediately compete with other DSi users from all over the world. Additionally, because of the improved internet connectivity, digital downloads are now a critical part of the new Nintendo DSi's marketing strategy. The DSi Shop has been improved as well to accommodate the new handheld. Titles from old Nintendo consoles (and other 8bit and 16bit systems as well) can also be purchased and played on the DSi.

- External SD slot. Now you can save all the new files you can take and play with your DSi on an external storage device. You're no longer a slave to the system's limited internal memory.

Are these new features enough to make the new Nintendo DSi a "must buy?" Well, many people in the UK and the US believe it is, as evidenced by the more than 600,000 sales garnered by the system in its first two days of launch.

But despite release dates pegged for games like Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Kingdom Hearts 358/2, Golden Sun DS, and Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Nintendo has yet to address the wishes that fans have been praying for since the release of the new DSi.

Below is a list of 5 games that fans really want to see.

1. A new Super Mario Bros. game! Indeed, we get Mario & Luigi RPGs and even Mario Kart. We even got a direct port of Super Mario 64 for the new DSi. And 3 years ago, gamers were lucky enough to receive a new installment of Super Mario Bros. What we really want is another Super Mario Bros. game, a platformer for the ages. Let's face it, for most of us who are over the age of 25, Super Mario Bros. for the NES was the game that introduced us to gaming. Having a new incarnation of the series for the new DSi would be awesome!

2. A Super Smash Bros. game! Super Smash Bros. - an arena-type series of games that features each and every Nintendo character - has never been released for the handhelds. It's such a shame, really, because with the internet connectivity of the new DSi (which is actually better than the Wii's), Super Smash Bros. would be the perfect party game for the system.

3. Kid Icarus! Come on Nintendo! It's been more than 20 years since the last Kid Icarus game. And for that long a time, fans have been clamoring - nay, fans have been BEGGING - for a new Kid Icarus game. And the new DSi is the perfect gaming system for such a title. Just picture this, Nintendo: Kid Icarus shooting his arrows and the player controlling the same via the stylus. It's a match made in heaven!

4. A third person Zelda game. Sure, Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks are fantastic. And being direct sequels to Wind Walker, the last great game for the Gamecube, makes these new DSi games even more amazing. But top down Zelda games can be quite, dare we say, boring after a time. Give us a third person, over the shoulder Zelda game, Nintendo! The aforementioned Wind Walker employed such a POV. Twilight Princess as well. And let's not forget the 2 installments for the N64, Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. The new DSi has the processing power for the third person Zelda game, and can't wait for the same.

5. Inazuma Eleven English version, please! Whoever decided not to port Level 5's revolutionary sports RPG for the western audience goofed up big time. It's a JRPG, and everyone loves a classic JRPG. And it's about football, which is like the number one spectator's sports in the world. Also, it's created by Level 5 Games, a game development company that can do no wrong. Why not release an English version of the game for the new DSi?

Both portable consoled are technological marvels that revolutionized the way the world views gaming on the go.

Though the Sony PSP holds some technical advantages over the Gameboy DS, this article would promote the latter for the following reasons:

1. The Gameboy DS offers revolutionary game play mechanics via a number of innovative features. Touch screen technology, dual screen display, microphone integration in game play, multiplayer mode by sensing nearby units, multiplayer mode via wifi, and the likes are just some of the fantastic functionalities introduced by the Nintendo DS. The newest model of the product line, the Nintendo DSi, introduces even more revolutionary features that the Sony PSP can only dream of having, like dual cam functions, enhanced audio playback, and improved processing power (though admittedly, the Sony PSP is king with this regard).

2. The Gameboy DS has a deeper library of games. Gameboy DS games outnumber Sony PSP games by a ratio of 3:1. The Gameboy DS is the handheld platform of choice by many game developers, thanks to the primary audience of the portable: children, and the history of Nintendo as a kid-friendly company. Software defines hardware. You will have more choices with a Nintendo DS.

3. The Gameboy DS is home to some outstanding exclusives. Mario, Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Wario, Kirby, Pokemon, Animal Crossing, and Pikmin - these are franchises that will never, ever grace a console that doesn't have the Nintendo brand stamped on its surface. The Sony PSP has its own share of exclusives, by their number falls pale in comparison to the sheer amount of original properties that have made Nintendo the number one gaming company throughout the years.

4. The Gameboy DS offers more functional software applications compared to the Sony PSP. Whether it's a weight loss coach or a yoga/pilates instructor or even a language teacher, the variety of Gameboy DS applications makes the system a more dynamic platform. It's not just all games. The Nintendo DS can also deliver some life enhancing applications.

5. The latest incarnation of the Gameboy DS, the Nintendo DSi, only improves on what is already an amazing list of features. 2010 is poised to become a battleground for the Nintendo DSi and the Playstation Portable's newest incarnation, the Sony PSP Go! Still, the Nintendo DSi is expected to win the war because of the reasons enumerated above and because it still maintains the core philosophy observed by the original Gameboy DS: to revolutionize the way people play games.

Below are 3 such methods that can help you win Nintendo DSi:

1. Join contests. This is, without a doubt, the most popular way to win Nintendo DSi. However, this offers the least chances of actually winning. Never think that you're the only one who'll enter an online or an offline contest to win Nintendo DSi. There will be hundreds, if not thousands, of other avid gamers who want to have the chance to score a Nintendo DSi for themselves. You'll have better chances of winning if the contest is skills-based or talent-based, such as a writing competition or other events that require the exercise of one's creativity and artistic gifts. This way, your fate will be in your hands.

2. Try to request for a review copy. If you own a website, there is one nifty trick that can help you win Nintendo DSi for free. You can send a request to Nintendo for a review copy of their handheld gaming system. The grant of such a request depends on a variety of things. First would be the statistics of your website. It's going to be a "what's in it for me?" deal. Nintendo, or any of its affiliated companies which you may have approached, will want to know what they stand to gain in exchange for the Nintendo DSi they will send your way. They will look at your website and determine if the subject of the same is relevant to their product. They will look at how your web pages are presented, because they will only want to associate themselves with professionals, and the professionalism of your business will be reflected on how well your web pages are conveyed. Then, they will look at the most important detail of them all: the amount of traffic you generate for your website. If you own and operate a small scale website that generates a serviceable amount of visitors, then you'll find it difficult to win Nintendo DSi via this method. But hey, it's worth the try. You have nothing to lose in the first place.

3. Try affiliate marketing. Some electronic entertainment web stores offer affiliate programs. You can opt to enroll under these programs. Thereafter, you will be given an affiliate link. Your goal would be to promote the merchant's products using your affiliate link. Every time you manage to refer a visitor to the web store, and every time such a visitor decides to make a purchase, you will earn a stated reward. Such a reward may be in the form of cash, which will be calculated based on a certain percentage of the selling price of the item sold. Or the reward can be in the form of store credits which you can spend, like real cash, on the products offered by the web store. Either way, you can use your accumulated rewards to sort of win Nintendo DSi unit.

As of this writing, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars has just been released. What other top DS games can people expect in the remainder of the year?

1. Dragon Quest IX: Protectors of the Starry Skies. Not a remake like other DS games. This is the real deal! The ninth - and newest - installment of the highly acclaimed Dragon Quest series is coming to the Nintendo DS. Dragon Quest is the pioneer of Japanese RPGs, so you know that the release of its ninth installment on the Nintendo DS is definitely a big event!

2. Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure. Fresh from the success of Professor Layton and the Case of the Curious Village comes another story-driven puzzle game. Henry Hatsworth promises to be different as it will employ some platforming elements into the mix.

3. Infinite Space. Of all the Nintendo DS games released so far, none is a space simulation title. That's about to be changed with Infinite Space which will place the gamer in the seat of a captain of a battleship cruiser. Space may be infinite and this game may be huge, but don't expect a lot of idle times. Infinite Space promises one Return of the Jedi-like battle after another.

4. Miles Edgeworth: Ace Attorney Investigations. The second spinoff of the widely popular Phoenix Wright DS games is about to be released. This time, game play will be accompanied by some platform and DOS adventure elements.

5. Phantasy Star Zero. Sega's premiere RPG/MMORPG is coming to the Nintendo DS. This installment is a deconstruction of the franchise, given the commercial failure of the most recent entry in the series, Phantasy Star Universe. With Zero, a new generation of characters will be introduced and a more cartoonish game play will be implemented. Will these be enough to win back old fans? It carries the Phantasy Star name, that should be enough for most folks.

6. Scribblenauts. Of all the DS games on this list, Scribblenauts is without a doubt the most unique. Game play involves a mechanic that is a mixture of drawing and Pandora's box. The idea is to reach the star for every stage. To get to the star, you can draw things that will aid you. Draw a flower and small the sweet scent of helplessness. Draw a dragon and its fiery breath may burn you down. It's a matter of finding the right item to draw, making this one of the most innovative and original DS games in history.