Nintendo DS It is impossible to overlook the success of the Nintendo DS. Over the course of its three years in existence, it has become the fastest selling console in history, and is en route to becoming the best selling ever - and for a good reason. The DS has opened up opportunities for new developers to get their ideas out, allowed many nearly dead genres a renaissance, and has seen the creation of genres of its own. This year has definitely strengthened the DS’s diverse library; old-school action games, revamped puzzle games and new twists on old favorites top our choices for the DS Game of the Year. No matter what kind of gamer you are, this list has something for you. Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
  It seems that, despite its name, the Final Fantasy franchise is never going to end, which is just the way we want it. Square Enix’s latest effort, a follow-up to last year’s Final Fantasy XII on the PS2, gives fans a chance to revisit Ivalice again. The game is a remarkably deep RTS experience that - despite coming from the Land of the Rising Sun - can stand up to many of its PC and Console brethren. Resources Contra 4
  If you are looking for the DS' definitive old-school experience, look no further than Contra 4. The folks at WayForward Technologies have done their homework, and it shows; Contra 4 is a wonderful throwback to what once was one of the best action franchises around. The action, which now spans two screens, makes an already hard game that much more difficult - and that much more rewarding. Unless you can’t stand up to the intense challenge, Contra 4 is well worth the purchase. Resources Planet Puzzle League
  The eleven-year-old Tetris franchise has seen numerous incarnations in the last few years, but none as engrossing as the DS' Planet Puzzle League. The new touch-screen controls are a perfect fit - there’s pretty much no going back to standard buttons after you have experienced the game this way. The Wi-Fi play and full voice chat makes it dangerously addicting and competitive for any puzzle fiend. Resources Pokemon Diamond / Pearl
  Game Freak didn’t take a lot of chances bringing the Pokemon franchise to the DS, and that’s a good thing; once again, we have a highly accessible but fairly deep RPG experience suitable for all ages. However, the new features - including Wi-Fi play, updated 2.5D visuals, and 100+ new critters to collect - make this possibly the best Pokemon game since the original. If you can get past the kiddy presentation, you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck. Resources The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
  Of all the games that hit the DS this year, none had nearly as much impact as Link’s latest romp. Stylus control naysayers need not worry; the entire gameplay experience feels natural, intuitive and (most importantly) fun. The game does a wonderful job of capturing the true essence of The Wind Waker, and the majestic in-game cinemas push the DS almost to the PSP’s graphical standards. To longtime fans, it may feel less grand than its console counterparts, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a better action adventure game released this year. Resources |