The newer issues of Game Informer feature a sleek, full page cover with minimal text. It’s contemporary and generally attractive. The paper has changed from high gloss to a low gloss, more like newspaper (although, not quite). I am personally not a fan of how this feels to the fingers.

I’ve noticed a lot more creativity with choice of font and layout and by creativity, I mean some pieces are lot harder to read (because of the font choice) or follow (because of placement). I’m not a big fan of comic books which mess with panels because I like to know what to read next. Where should my eyes be going?

I know there was also restructuring of the features. However, I couldn’t name one for the life of me so if something is new or missing, I wouldn’t notice. Okay I lied. I did notice there are still reviews at the end and I usually give at least a cursory glance at the list of cool new electronics which is still there. I also read an announcement in a previous issue about an upcoming feature for parents which sounds awesome.

The most recent issue really failed to grab my attention, however. The “Best of” 2009″ lists took up so much of the magazine that the rest seemed shorter. It probably really isn’t any shorter but I only bought 1 game last year (Scribblenauts) so it wasn’t something I was dying to read. Of course, as a blogger, we all know that lists are really anti-content. ;)

Of course, I’ll read the next one that comes to my mailbox. Just because.

And now? I can play my Nintendo DS online. YEA! Well, not mine, really. Mine sucks. But I can play Ryan’s, and he can play his PSP or use his iTouch because of the PLANEX WiFi USB Adapter. Read the rest of my review.

I was excited to play this game and still enjoy it but have become increasingly frustrated by certain pitfalls. First, though, the good.

The characters are adorable. The ego design interprets Batman’s stealth and masculinity and even shows the female characters and their curves adorably. We play with and against well known names like Batman, Robin, Catwoman and the Joker and see figures which may only be known to more serious fans such as Nightwing and The ManBat. I think this allows casual and hardcore fans alike to appreciate the game.

Every character has the ability to fight in a meelee style and the villains have a special power which doubles as a weapon and is generally required to beat the levels. For instance, Poision Ivy has a chemical cloud that grows flowers, stuns people and makes door operators fall in love with her. Mr Freeze can freeze people or liquid. The Bat crew can also use batarangs as well as a sort of grappling gun. Furthermore, certain characters are super strong (Mr Freeze), can double jump (Poison Ivy) or can walk in toxic waste and there are different BatMan and Robin suits which can also be worn by Nightwing and Batgirl which allow the gang go swim, plant bombs, break glass, and use technology among other tools.

Although released after The Dark Knight, it has nothing to do with that story. The plot is interesting enough without being too in depth. The entire story can be played as a hero or villain from the Batcave and Arkham Asylum, respectively. The overall story is broken into 3 levels on each side (hero vs villain) and each episode is made up of 5 levels for a total of 30 levels and 2 bonus levels. The levels are counterparts to each other. That is, each level is played from both the side of the heroes and of the villains; although you do not fight the heroes as the villain so it is not the same level as the other time. Villain levels generally show the villains plotting before the faceoff with the Bat crew. Of course, each works up to a boss at the end of the episode and the episodes altogether create a larger story.

Gameplay is fairly basic (as are the controls, thankfully). and you start each level in story mode. You break people and stuff which are made out of Legos. You also build things with Legos like levers and vehicles to accomplish goals. In between this, you drive around in little cars, boats, trucks or motorcycles, control robots and helicopters, walk on tight ropes and ride in giant mech-like robots.

The breaking and killing result in dropped coins, call studs, and hearts for health. Each character (you and a friend can play) has optimum health at 4 hearts and “dies” when the hearts run out. This results in the scattering of some of your studs – a loss of money. At certain times, Ryan and I would find ourselves stuck and we searched for the solutions online. Although this only happened 2 or 3 times, for a game that is made for 10 year olds, this could be an issue. After beating story mode, you can play in free mode which allows you to select your character and the computer assigns additional characters you can switch to.

Besides beating each level and the game itself, there are smaller accomplishments built in. By collecting enough studs (how many varies by level), you can achieve Superhero or Supervillain and get a piece of the Super kit (collecting all superkits unlock the extra bonus levels). By accomplishing certain feats players can get minikits, of which there are 10 for each level. Gaining all these minikits results in a reward of studs. Also, you can collect red bricks which unlock additional abilities and tools like a minikit detector and stud magnet. However, extras are routinely unlocked as you complete the levels ad you will soon find yourself able to purchase suit upgrades, characters and other abilities.

As you unlock different abilities and characters, you can go back and play the free play on levels which you have already played in story mode. This helps you get more studs and complete the game. After playing each level, you can see how much of the game is completed by percentage and this includes beating the levels as well as finding all the red bricks, minikits and making superhero/villain as well.

Now for the bad. The really bad. The thing that makes this game so frustrating: Camera Angles.

From my understanding, this has been a problem for all the Lego games. Basically, you have very little control over the camera, so little that you might as well not have any. This results in your character being far from the screen and difficult seeing where he is or what he is doing. Because of this you will experience any number of these issues:

• getting stuck in a corner
• falling off ledges and dying
• walking to your death (because you cannot see where you’re walking)
• missing your target when you jump
• difficulty climbing ladders
• walking into the enemy, bullets, toxic slime and any other potentially fatal substance
• having to move blindly through the game
• using a special ability when you are trying to build something
• being pushed off ledges by the computer when playing 2 player

Overall, the camera angles result in a lot of unnecessary dying not because of a lack of skill but because you cannot possibly judge where you need to be, are going or what is around you. This seems to cause a lot of trouble when player multiplayer (and sometimes when playing alone) because the camera tries to focus on both players but sometimes this is not feasible. Unless you stay close together which can sometimes kill you, it’s difficult to see.

Another, albeit lesser issue, I have is when playing multiplayer. You have a computer player as well and sometimes this person stands directly in your way so you cannot hit your target or jump where you need to. Often, you must kill your sidekick in order to get him out the way. And, although he does fight the enemy, he doesn’t do it very well so you wind up doing the brunt of the work. Lastly, there are times when you each must pull a switch and getting the computer player to do so is usually a hassle.

Because we play this game on the XBox 360, we can unlock XBox achievements which add a little more excitement to the game.

Nonetheless, I enjoy Lego Batman overall. I like how the elements of each character – both hero and villain – were brought in from the history of Batman. I thought that the characters were cute, the weapons were fitting and the story made sense. However, the camera angle causes enough frustration that it could cause a person to not want to even finish the game. I think if that issue were solved, this game would not only be more fun, but easier as well.

Helpful Hint: Items which are blue and/or sparkly can be blown up with Batman’s demolition suit or run over with larger vehicles.

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (MS@OG from here on out) has many events in several sport types including athletics, aquatics, gymnastics, archery, table tennis, fencing, shooting and cycling. There are also “Dream Events” which are all locked at the beginning of the game which put fantastic spins on traditional events. The game encompasses most of the Olympic disciplines and you will see familiar events such as the long jump, table tennis and basketball. Although some of the events are a little less typical, they are all Olympic events.

And what fun is it to play these events as one of your favourite video game heroes or his friends. Sonic and Mario bring along their pals so you can kick butt as Luigi or Tails, Dr Eggman or Bowser, Princess Peach or Amy. In all, there are 16 characters divided by type (power, all-around, speed and skill) to choose from and everyone will have his favourite.

There are 3 standards modes of playing for single player in MS@OG: single match, circuit and mission. As the name implies, you can choose any single match in any sport with any character in “single match.” Most events consist of 3 rounds and your scores are either added or averaged to determine the winner and the top 3 competitors earn a bronze, silver or gold medal.

There are 3 circuit classes – Beginner’s, Advanced and Master’s – each containing 5 circuits made up of several events from different sports. The circuits involve a special opportunity to win called the “Circuit Chance” which will double the points you earn in 1 chosen event. Contestants earn up to 10 points each match which are added to all the match points to determine the winner of the circuit, who earns a trophy.

There is also a “Free Circuit” where you can choose the individual events or have the game select random events.

Each character has 5 missions, not all of which are unlocked to begin with. Completing all 5 regular missions unlocks a 6th final mission which is usually a dream event. Missions require you to complete certain events with certain criteria like within a certain time frame, without being hurt or scored against, with a certain score, with a handicap or before another character.

Gameplay is done mostly with the touch screen and stylus, making good use of the DS features, although a few buttons are used. Many of the events involved running which means rubbing the stylus back and forth quickly; this can soon tire your arm. There are some unique elements particular to the DS, such as making sound to increase your score. During some events, like the long jump, ‘clapping’ (I tap the mic with my stylus) into the microphone encourages your character to do better. For the hammer throw, making a sound at the right time increases your throw.

You can also expect to trace a lot of shapes (Trampoline, 100M Swim) as well as push certain button combinations (Platform, Table Tennis)

Gameplay can become a bit tedious, especially when it comes to a lot of racing or long races like the 400M race. I also find that the biking uses a lot of button mashing rather than calculated moves. It’s definitely a good idea to do a variety of events so that you don’t become bored or exhausted of any one. However, very few events are so tedious; most of them make better use of the controls.

MS@OG also makes good use of the dual screen by generally displaying information on the top screen, allowing the touch screen to be used completely for game viewing or settings/menu selections. In some events, like Table Tennis, the opposite screen is even used to display the character, allowing the view to be even larger.

One thing that I find unique about MS@OG is that it shows the actual World and Olympic records for events and, if you happen to beat those records in game, it tells you and updates them. Your scores can be submitted online through a WiFi connection.

And if you want to play with a friend or more, you can do that, too. MS@OG has Versus Play, like other DS Games. You can create a group with local friends via Download Play or play with others across the world via Wireless Play. There appears to be only a limited version of Download Play regardless of whether the other player has the game which is a bit disappointing. However, unlocking all the events expands the available games.

Of course, all your medals and trophies are stored in your Collection in your records. Here you can see medals by character (for individual events), trophies (earned in circuits), emblems (special accomplishments you unlocked during play such as winning an event without letting your opponent score or completing all of a character’s missions, and points and crowns (earning gold medals in all events for a character).

MS@OG also contains a gallery which lets you play minigames and learn about the history of the Olympics. As you complete the minigames, you earn rewards in the form of songs to play in the Gallery Jukebox.

Although some of the events differ in almost no way from actual Olympic events, MS@OG manages to still bring a unique flavour to their game. The dream events really add something new to the Olympics, taking events to a whole other level bye eliminating the laws of physics, gravity and even reason. ;) Although generally harder than the regular events, they are often more fun as well. They’ve even managed to add a bit of Mario Kart with the dream race, where you can use items to aid you.

Overall, my favourite events are 10m Platform (swimming), Trampoline and Vault (Gymnastics), Table Tennis, Fencing, Dream Long Jump, Dream Fencing and Dream Basketball. All except 10m Platform and Table Tennis require use of the stylus and most of which also use the buttons.

In terms of difficulty, MS@OG does not require much of you, which is why it’s a great game for kids of any age. Although it make take some time to get used to the controls, it’s likely that there will come a time when you are always scoring a medal or trophy.

Overall, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games is a fun game which creatively uses the DS as a system. Although it would be nice if there was a more extensive option to play with your friends besides only Download Play and some of the events are a bit tedious, it offers a lot of variety and lovable characters so that you can compete at the Olympics in your own home and experience the Olympics for yourself.

The concept is simple, you play as Mario or one of the franchise characters and you race others. You hit item boxes to get items to help you on your way and make the game a little more exciting. Besides racing, you can do time trials, battle or missions (which seem to be common with Nintendo DS games).

To to the spirit of Mario Kart (one of the things I love most about this game), which is being pitted against your friends, you can play with others via 2 methods. The first method is called multiplayer and is with a friend (or 7!) in within range of your system. You can play with those who have the game (Normal) or those who do not (simple). Friends without the game can download a more limited version to their Nintendo DS for the time being. Of course, with the WiFI capabilities of the DS, you can also play with anyone across the globe as long as you have access to a compatible wireless network.

Besides that aspect, how is gameplay? I find it to be pretty fun even when it’s just single player.

Like previous versions, you can play Grand Prix which is divided into 4 Cups made up of 4 tracks to compete for bronze, silver or gold place. In this game, you can also get a rating of letters or stars. Letters A – D work like grades in school and stars – from 1 – 3 – are even better ratings above A. The Grands Prix are divided into classes based on speed (engine size), also like previous versions: 50cc, 100cc and 150cc. In this version, you can also play the 150cc Mirror version which is a flipped (not backward) version of the tracks.

The game comes with several Grand Prix cups locked. By playing each of the Cups before it and earning the gold, you unlock the cups. Each cup can be unlocked in each of the engine classes.

The Grand Prix is also divided into two classes – Nitro and Retro. Nitro contains new tracks and Retro contains tracks from previous games.

If you’re not interested in playing a whole cup or want to play more than one, you can play Versus. This gameplay consists of track after track according to settings you choose which include engine class, kart difficulty, course order, rules (or lack there-of) and teams. You can play free for as long as you want and quit at any time. If you want to play to a certain score or a certain number of races, you set that in the rules.

To practice the runs, play time trial. Time trials have a new feature where you can send or relieve a “ghost,” that is a slightly transparent recording of an already completed time trial. You can see how you’re doing against your previous trials or those of a friend.

Like previous versions, you can play Battles. Mario Kart DS includes Balloon Battles although, there is a slight difference from older versions. Instead of starting with 3 balloons, you start with 5, only 1 of which is blown up. Using the microphone, you blow up the others up to 3 at a time. Once all your active balloons are popped by items and damage, you lose, even if you have balloons in reserve so you must always blow them up.

There’s also a new version of battle, Shine Runners. In these, you collect little stars called Shines. Every time you are damaged or hit with an item, you lose a shine. Periodically, those players with the fewest sines are eliminated until only the player with the most Shines still remains.

The newest addition is that of the missions. With 7 different levels containing 8 missions plus a boss stage, you have to complete different tasks such as driving through gates, collecting coins, collecting and using items on others or doing turbo boosts to earn a ranking of stars or letters (the same as cup rankings). Each stage earns a ranking and each level earn and overall ranking.

One of the features I like about this game is the ability to unlock things. Completing tasks or racing well offers rewards of extra characters or karts. Overall, there are 12 characters including classics like Luigi, Yoshi and Princess peach as well as let known faces like Princess Daisy, Dry Bones and ROB 64. There’s also a total of 36 karts to allow you more customization than previous versions.

If you’d like to customize it even more, there are options to edit your nickname and emblem which appear next to your character on on your kart, respectively.

Of course, being on a dual screen offers some new incentives as well. It allows for information to be displayed on its own screen and the overall playing image to be larger and more detailed. The Nintendo DS has pretty good graphics despite its small size so this is definitely a plus.

During races and battles, the top screen shows up close racing view while the lower one shows a map of the track and stats of the other racers. In settings modes, the actual settings show up on the touch screen where you can select them with additional information or images on the upper screen.

The one qualm I have about how Mario Kart DS is set up is that it does not fully take advantage of the innovative touch screen. Besides the title and selection screen, the touch screen is not even a factor in the game. Even during those times, the keys can be used as well.

Overall, I really enjoy this game. I love to play with my friends but it’s just as fun to play by myself. The Grand Prix provides exciting new runs as well as ones I love from older games. Even after unlocking all the different tracks and earning gold in all the cups, I can still keep myself busy by trying to improve my ranking for tracks, cups and missions.

The option to play with friends in my living room or across the world also adds variety to the game and although I’ve unlocked almost everything n the game, I still play it frequently. This is definitely a game whose bright colours and fun sounds will attract children of all ages. At the end of the Grands Prix, the first, second and third place winners drive up to a platform where they are crowned; I would definitely crown this game!

To put it mildly, my DS – in polar white – is the only gaming system I use frequently and is the only newer system to which I have become attached. The Nintendo DS builds upon the strong base that Nintendo’s previous hand-held consoles under the Gameboy moniker, bringing with it tried and true strengths as well as new features.

Although the DS in Nintendo DS stands for “Developer’s System” to the company, the public refers to it as “Dual Screen” because this system has 2 screens. Although not the first dual screen handheld system, the Nintendo DS brings some unique aspects to the concept which set it apart.

Some of the other features of this system include:

Touch Screen

Play with the stylus in addiction to the buttons

Microphone

Add the aspect of sound to your gameplay

Backward Compatibility

Play your GameBoy Advance games

Pictochat

Communicate with others in close range

Wifi

Upload scores and play games with others wherever a wireless connection is available

Download Play

Play games with friends who do not have the game by allowing them to download it temporarily to their system

Lithium Ion Battery

A 4 hour charge provides up to 15 hours of game play

Also available in metallic rose and Onyx Black as well as new duos of Black and Crimson and Black and Cobalt,there is a shade for everyone. The Nintendo DS Lite is actually a sleeker, smaller redesign of the original DS. I chose white because it looked sleek and slightly futuristic.

Of course, no Nintendo DS will be purchased without a game as well. My first game was Nintendogs and I have since added more to my collection including Mario Kart DS and Mario and Sonic at the Olympics. Of course, if you have Gameboy Advance games, these can also be played with the Nintendo DS as it has, true to hand held Nintendo systems, limited backwards compatibility.

The dual screen system allows for information to be displayed in one screen (usually the top) while game play takes place in the other (usually the bottom). Both screens are wider and taller than the screen on the GameBoy Advance which provides a richer gaming experience.

Additionally, the bottom screen is also a touch screen which adds a new and interesting element to game play. Instead of just using buttons, you can draw, rub, and tap with the stylus (which is housed in the bottom of the system and slides out easily) to add variation to the game. For instance, in Nintendogs, you can use the stlus to pet your pup, throw a Frisbee or pull a leash.

The microphone, located between the 2 screens, also adds a new element for use of sound in games. Players can teach their Nintendogs commands by using the microphone and in Mario and Sonic at the Olympics, clapping into the microphone will psych up the character. Mario Kart DS Makes use of the microphone in its Balloon Battles where players blow into the microphone to inflate their balloons.

Of course, if you’re looking for something a little more retro, you can always play your GBA games on your Nintendo DS. The bigger GBA cartridges fit into an additional port at the back of the system and use only 1 screen (the top) for play which lets you continue to enjoy your favourite titles.

Of course, the Nintendo DS has versions of many favourite games, as well as new ones, for today’s gamers. Mario Kart DS includes classic tracks as well as new ones, Super Mario Bros and Mario 64 have both been given slight face lifts to adapt to this new system as well.

The Nintendo DS Lite, like all Nintendo systems is a great way to interact with your friends. Without a game inserted, the Nintendo DS menu has an option for Pictochat which allows you to chat and draw with others in close proximity who also have a DS.

The download play feature of the Nintendo DS allows 2 or more players in close proximity to play the same game when only 1 player has the game (although if both people have the same game, there will be less limitations). You can now play Tetris or Mario Kart with your best friends with up to 8 players.

Of course, if your friends are busy you don’t have to play alone. The Wi-Fi option of the Nintendo DS adds yet another fun aspect to game play. The Nintendo DS supports WEP-encrypted networks and you can connect to play with others across the world.

The last significant feature of the Nintendo DS is its rechargeable LithionIon battery. Equipped with adapter, the battery indicator will change to red from its normal green when power is lower. You can continue to play as your system charges although it will charge faster when turned off. When the charge is complete – a full charge takes 4 hours – the red indicator will turn off and the Nintendo DS will be playable for up to 15 hours. Battery life can be extended by turning down the brightness settings.

The features sound great but how does it work out? Very well, in my opinion.

The dual screen allows for more in depth game play and information. The touch screen offers a new aspect that’s great for casual gamers, such as myself, and children. Some gamers may not like this type of game play and frequently playing with the stylus can require a surprising amount of speed and effort that can leave your arm tired. The same goes for the microphone which adds variety but can seem a little silly, especially when talking to your Nintendogs.

The Wi-Fi options are an improvement over the GBA’s gamelink. I can easily play a game with my husband who doesn’t have the game with Download Play or chat to the neighbours with Pictochat. As someone who likes that sort of interaction, the DS certainly delivers.

However, I have been a bit disappointed with the Wi-FI capabilities. For starters, not all networks are supported. I have only been able to successfully connect to a wireless network once, although the DS detects networks. It seems that the system is not a very strong receiver and that a strong signal is needed. With public networks, this is out of my control. Also, some network settings may need to be adjusted to allow a specific DS system to connect which is, again, impossible with public networks.

It may work better with a private wireless network, which I don’t have. I’m also not positive if the weak reception is an issue with the Nintendo DS in general or just mine as my husband’s DS seems to work a little better in this area.

If I were better able to use the WiFI feature, I would definitely look into the DS browser which allows one to browse the internet with the system.

Despite the issue with WiFI, I still get many hours of enjoyment out of my Nintendo DS on a weekly basis. It’s great when I’m waiting for someone or something, like in an airport, and is small enough for me to carry around in my purse if I suspect I may be bored.

There’s a wide variety of games including first person shooters, racing, puzzle, pet, RPGs, fighting, action, arcade, simulation, strategy, music and educational games so everyone will find something that fits. The games are also significantly less expensive than games for other popular systems.

It’s a good system for solo or interactive play so it doesn’t bore you easily.

If that doesn’t get you, I’m sure the price will; at roughly %100 cheaper than the least expensive full console (Nintendo Wii), the Nintendo DS will not burn as big off a hole in your pocket and the games won’t set you back as much.

I love my Nintendo DS and think it’s a great system for anyone of any age or gender. With an abundant supply of accessories and tools, the Nintendo DS provides a gaming experience like none other. The only thing I would caution about it keeping an eye on your stylus; those small pen-like pieces are easy to lose! Other than that, let’s play!