(photo from techdigest.tv)

It’s not surprising if this came true, because the original game did make an appearance on both Gameboy and GBA platforms. Neither Rockstar nor nintendo refuted or confirmed this piece of juicy rumor, but fans like me will be clinging to the edge of our seats while wishing fervently for this to come true. If it did, perhaps we can expect to play it based on a top-down perspective not unlike the original GTA game. Rendering Liberty City in its full undulating 3D glory will be tough, but I think Rockstar will pull a bunny out of their hat and make the game at least interactive, if not more entertaining. Think the Sims in previous DS games, only much meaner.

I for one would love to see improvements in the dating aspects of GTA IV. Probably not full frontal copulative activities just like those displayed in the XBOX 360 and PS3 version because the Nintendo is a more family oriented gaming console. I’ll be on full alert should news of the impending GTA IV DS game release be announced. Now excuse me while I go steal a helicopter!

I was overjoyed to discover the Mario Kart DS game, one of the first few ones that boast of integrated online play over the DS multiplayer network. This amusing game is a must-have for all Mario fans and virtually everyone will enjoy racing against one another while leaving behind unpleasant surprises such as slippery banana peels, mean-looking red shells and devastating thunder bolts for their opponents. While I find the single player mode infused with 32 varying races and 3 different stages that come in 50cc, 100cc and 150cc difficulties, it is the multiplayer game play that satisfies me most.

The game might look simple but it is far from being child’s play. Circuits are easy to navigate around but it is your own kart that demands more control. From speed and acceleration to the choice of characters, everything plays an important role and will determine if you will emerge victor or loser. I like how the map lays out not only my position in the race, but also shows my rivals as well as any traps or power-ups lying about the circuit.

Overall, this is an easy game to master and you’ll enjoy hours upon hours of go-karting fun. This Mario Kart DS game is for keeps!

I am a Square-Enix fan and I’m not afraid to say it. Like half the world who grew up and played the Final Fantasy series, I fell in love with Kingdom Hearts the minute the PS2 game was released. Similarly with The World Ends With You, this DS game reminds me of those good old Squaresoft gaming days. Released on April 2008, this game is not like its Square-Enix game counterparts. Far from it. There are not sorcery, sorcery and Chocobos but there is the usual damsel in distress element to it. The uniqueness of The World Ends With You lies in the fact that the ever innovative Square-Enix took the charming elements from the Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts series, mixed them thoroughly and brought them to modern day Shibuya, Tokyo.

I love the team-based game combat system because of its innovative game play that allows me to take on enemies using both screens on my DS Lite. I am also amazed that Square-Enix took the trouble to transport some real life Shibuya landmarks like Shibuya Crossing and the train station into this game.

For those who want to view the total time they invested in playing this game, players can hit L + R once you bring up the save data menu screen. I especially love the “A New Day Chapter” secret, where you can actually replay the game on Ultimate Difficulty. Getting it is easy; you just need to head on to the Shiba-Q HQ and purchase the quest item on the third floor. However, I find that completing is a tad harder than I thought. After all, it’s not called Ultimate Difficulty for nothing!

Just like the previous game, players are required to cook up tasty dishes in Cooking Mama 2 via a selection of fun NDS Lite mini games. But this time, you will be challenged by Mama or one of her nine dinner guests (hence the title) to cook something without being given instructions… AND obtain a near perfect score too! Besides that, there’s the usual mixing, chopping, peeling, dicing and stirring involved using the stylus. Upon completing these tasks, you will be awarded points, with the maximum score being an elusive 100% along with a shiny medal if you did a good job. Mini games give bonus stars and each time you gain five stars, an item is automatically unlocked.

I noticed that Cooking Mama 2 has a little unlockable feature not unlike the Achievement feature in XBOX 360 games. You earn an Item Trophy if you successfully obtained all items for design and diary; a Mama Trophy if you managed to unlock the 10 guests in the Let’s Cook mode and finally, you’ll get a sparkly Recipe Trophy if you get to dish up all 80 recipes in the game. How’s that for motivation!