When EA decided to adapt its lucrative Sims franchise for what they believed to be the core Nintendo demographic, they apparently did rather well. Not exceptionally well mind, but both MySims Wii and MySims DS are above average cute little games with lovely visuals and the trademarked doll-house gameplay. Sold decently too. Obviously though, that was not good enough, and that must be the reason behind the creation of MySims Kingdom, the latest installment in the MySims series that should appear some time during the autumn of 2008 for both the Wii and the DS.

MySims Kingdom (by the way, do bother looking at the screens posted above, they are quite nice and rather appropriately from the game) seems like a new direction to the series, as -according to EA- players will get to embark on adventures, explore stuff and generally try to bring joy and happiness to a whole bloody Kingdom. This of course involves quite a lot of journeying, talking to characters (even wizards), solving puzzles, tending to pigs, building houses, collecting… err… collectibles and at times fixing bridges. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the tried and tested gameplay of The Sims shouldn’t be lacking either… just given more substance really.

When Myst first hit the Mac and PC gaming scenes back in the early 90s, nobody expected it to be such a ridiculously grand mega-hit, but, well, quite obviously it was. The thing sold millions of copies. Millions! Must have been due to the MPC/CD fad it seems and the fact that adventures were having sort of a golden era did help quite a bit methinks, but oddly this weird first person point-and-click offering seems to still be selling and has already managed to make it into a Simpsons episode. Besides, it’s got legions of fans still waiting for another sequel and even craving for the URU experience. Impressive, really, and very very mainstream.

If you ask me, on the other hand, Myst with its static but breathtaking graphics, flick-screen progression, obscure mechanical puzzles, weird ambient sounds, lack of plot and huge success, was the worst thing to ever happen to adventures. It did away with story, became a hit despite that and went on to spawn a thousand sequels and rip-offs that quite literally drowned the scene. Then again it does remain -even to this day- a highly playable, highly atmospheric game. A good game.

And now, Myst made it to the Nintendo DS in the guise of the aptly named Myst DS and it still is as great an adventure as it used to. The graphics have been slightly compressed mind you, the controls do feel archaic and the small screens don’t really help with the immersion, but it still is the original Myst in your palm, which does feel kinda impressive. Just don’t expect anything new or any bonus content…

Ok, so you got yourself a lovely and highly portable Nintendo DS Lite, the grand Etrian Odyssey RPG keeps avoiding the Old World, and you have already bought Brain Training for your parents, any conceivable Nintendogs/Pokemon combination for your children and/or nephews, and have already tried a variety of silly mini-game collections. Now, what? What’s left for a proper gamer to do with the thing, especially if he/she lacks any sort of pressing familial ties and doesn’t feel like going retro? Simple, really: try 20 of the best DS titles that have already been made available in Europe while avoiding to work in any meaningful (to your boss at least) manner. Here’s a list that should come in handy, in no particular order:

- Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
- New Super Mario Bros.
- Age of Empires: The Age of Kings
- Hotel Dusk: Room 215
- Advance Wars: Dark Conflict
- The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
- Trauma Center: Under the Knife DS
- Mario Kart DS
- Elite Beat Agents
- FIFA Soccer 2007 DS
- Worms Open Warfare 2 DS
- Meteos
- Metroid Prime: Hunters
- Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
- Picross
- Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
- Sonic Rush DS
- Animal Crossing: Wild World
- Lunar Knights
- Geometry Wars Galaxies DS

Okay, so Tetris DS was never really that overlooked, but I just felt such an adjective would sort of help this post’s title achieve an almost dramatic effect. Apparently it didn’t. Oh, well. It’s still better than plainly calling the thing Tetris DS (a brief review), isn’t it?

Anyway, on to the game, then. Well, as I’ve already mentioned, Nintendo’s Tetris DS is an excellent way to entertain yourselves with a DS and enough of a time sink to help your average gamer battle dementia on a desert island. Then again, Tetris has always been an immensely addictive offering, that has managed to entertain gamers for the past 20 or so years in all its myriad adaptations. Even my non-gaming parents parents enjoy it, you know. Have been doing so from the forgotten age of the AT PC.

This very portable DS version of Alexei Pajitnov’s classic, besides offering some of the best pixelated 16-bit era 2D graphics, a score of new game modes, fantastic Nintendo themed levels covering everything from Mario to Metroid, a points based rating system, a few cute tunes and a variety of interesting stylus-based additions, also comes with some truly impressive multiplayer options. With just one cartridge, you see, up to 10 players can go head-to-head and win nasty Tetris battles. Alternatively, using this Wi-Fi thingy, up to four players can compete online.

Now, two more words: buy it !

Football games, not unlike adventures and strategy games, don’t need fancy graphics, never truly age and are more than tricky to get right. They are, you see, one of them gameplay driven genres. That’s why Sensible Soccer still is a better game than the latest FIFA, that’s why thousands of people still enjoy Kick Off II and that’s why Football Manager -one of the most successful gaming franchises ever- is in essence a game without graphics. So, what are your options in digital football gaming, I pretend to hear you ask? Well, read on, read on.

Football Manager

Football Manager, the venerable series that began life as Championship Manager, has always been an immensely addictive time sink of a management game, an impressive ever-evolving database of the international world of of football and an incredibly fun game too. Nowadays, it can also be said that FM is a true football RPG, and one of those games we all take refuge in when our teams get disqualified/relegated/ridiculed. Traditionally FM 2008, the latest and best version of the game, is available for PC only, but you can also grab a stripped down version of the game for your PSP or go for FM 2006 for the Xbox 360. Oh, and a MMO should soon be released.

Pro Evolution Soccer

Pro Evolution Soccer is a rare yet happily popular attempt at realistically recreating football. There are no crazy scores here and precise crossing is a matter of technique. It really feels proper. Now, Pro Evo might lack FIFA’s official shine and impressive graphics, but -believe me- it still is the better game. By far. Makes for quite a brilliant party game too. Pro Evo 2008 can be played on the PS3, PS2, PSP and -provided you don’t mind less impressive ports- on the DS. The highly innovative Wii version of the game, a footie RTS of sorts, will soon be reviewed.

Sensible Soccer

This is the best football game ever. Want to know why? One word: pace. Care for more words? Well, how about after-touch, one button gameplay and lovely pixel-art graphics? To properly enjoy Sensible Soccer you should really play it on an Amiga, but lacking one, I guess you could try the equally retro PC or Atari ST versions of the game. Alternatively the best way to get some faithful yet up-to-date Sensi action would be via the Xbox Live Arcade. Sensible Soccer 2006 (PC, Xbox, PS2) is decent, as is the Mega Drive/Genesis version available via a certain TV plug-’n'-play thingy.

FIFA

Not much of a fan of the franchise really, but I must admit it’s quite enjoyable. And looks rather good too. FIFA 2008, quite obviously the latest offering in the long running series, can be played on virtually any console, meaning versions for the Wii, PS3, PS2, Xbox 360, DS and PSP have already been released.

Empire Interactive apparently still cares both for its loyal audience, and for them retro loving yet obviously disturbed individuals like myself that really enjoy the (elegant) revival of retro titles on current-gen platforms. The forthcoming remake of the classic Pipemania frenetic puzzle game for the Nintendo DS is all the proof I need. Hopefully, it will also turn out to be another reason for owning said console, though all we have for now are some screenshots like the ones posted above. They do look lovely, mind. Pretty faithful to the original too.

In case you were not one of the millions that bought the original or weren’t old enough to play games back in 1989, know that Pipemania was -and quite arguably still is- a brilliant action/puzzle game. Players have to lay down a pre-set… uhh.. set of pipes on a tiled grid in order to keep the constantly flowing… uhh… fluid moving for as long as possible. Simple and taxing as that, especially when considering the strict time limits imposed.

Now, as Pipemania DS will be hitting stores later this year, you could try and satisfy your retro obsessed inner self with the brilliantly remade Tetris DS, the very faithful Myst DS or even the not particularly inspired handheld version of Bomberman.

It was Bullfrog and Peter Molyneux that brought the satirical business sim to the gaming masses and Theme Park was the Trojan horse they used to achieved this noblest of goals. Now, as this was the 90s and the game was released for the PC, Theme Park was in lovely 2D, was extremely easy to play and felt wildly innovative and complex, when in fact its sequel, the utterly brilliant Theme Hospital, would soon surpass it. Oddly though, the hospital-based franchise died, whereas Theme Park went on to spawn sequel after sequel and even inspired a particularly talented team to go on and come up with the excellent Rollercoaster Tycoon series.

And now, finally, Theme Park DS got released and surreal park management has been made available for some truly on the go entertainment, proving that the DS can be the platform of choice for reviving classic PC games. There is absolutely no reason I can think of not to arrange pathways, plants, rollercoasters, refreshment stands, tacky shops and weird attractions while enjoying a lovely bus ride. Or getting pushed around in the tube.

Interestingly, Theme Park DS is an almost straight port of the the very first Theme Park PC game and this means its (relevant) simplicity is well suited for handhelds. The interface has been brilliantly arranged over the console’s two screens, the stylus does a fine job of replacing the mouse, the graphics have been slightly touched-up and a few little tweaks have been added, but it essentially still is the same game. It sports the same mini-games, the same punter-robbing gameplay, the same addictive value, the same humour, the same design options and the same old minor flaws (e.g. you can’t rotate the camera). It’s the same classic properly remade.

Interested? Care to help EA understand the sheer necessity of revitalizing Theme Hospital? Want to live out your weird entertainment tycoon fantasies? Well, better grab a copy then.

And it’s so much better priced than your average Nintendo DS game too! Aww, that’s so sweet of you dear Square Enix. We really appreciate it you know. And as Final Fantasy: XII Revenant Wings is an excellent game indeed, sports fantastic graphics and is the first innovative FF game in years, well, there’s absolutely no reason for us not to immediately grab a copy. Besides, how many RTS RPGs with great stories does the DS have to offer?

Finally, everything you ever wanted to know about Nintendo’s Mario, provided of course all you ever cared for were his appearances and cameos in video games of all kinds, in one convenient place: Here! Or, to be precise, included in the following list, which -I am sure- is not a 100% complete, despite cataloging over 100 games on more than a dozen platforms ranging from the ZX Spectrum to the Wii. Obviously, all the latest gems and our very dear Super Mario Galaxy have been included. Oh, and, please, do let me know of any omissions.

Arcade: Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Mario Bros, Vs. Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros., Mushroom World Pinball (an actual pinball machine!), Super Mario Bros 2., Super Mario Bros. 3., Super Mario World, Mario Kart Arcade GP, Punch-Out!, Vs. Dr. Mario.

Atari 2600, 7800: Donkey Kong, Mario Bros.

Game & Watch and Mini Arcade: Mario’s Cement Factory, Mario the Juggler, Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Mario Bros., Mario’s Bombs Away, Donkey Kong Hockey

ZX Spectrum (Yes!): Mario Bros.

Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES (or even Famicom if you prefer) & Famicom Disk System: Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Classics, Donkey Kong Jr., Donkey Kong Junior Math, Donkey Kong 3, Dr. Mario, Golf, Mario is Missing, Mario’s Time Machine, Mike Tyson’s Punchout, NES Open Tournament Golf, Nintendo World Championships, Return of Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 3, Tennis, Wario’s Woods, Wrecking Crew, Yoshi, Yoshi’s Cookie, Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally, Kaettekita Mario Bros.

NEC PC-8801: Mario Bros. Special, Punch Ball Mario Bros., Tennis, Super Mario Bros. Special.

Game Boy and Game Boy Color: Alleyway, Donkey Kong, Dr. Mario, F1-Race, Qix, Game & Watch Gallery, Game & Watch Gallery 2, Game & Watch Gallery 3, Mario’s Picross, Mario’s Picross 2, Super Mario Bros. Deluxe, Super Mario Land, Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, Tetris Attack, Mario Tennis, Wario Blast featuring Bomberman!, Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, Wario Land 2, Yoshi, Yoshi’s Cookie, Mario Golf.

Super NES (SNES, Super Famicom): Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium, Mario and Wario, Mario is Missing, Mario’s Time Machine, Mario Paint, Mario’s Super Picross, Mario’s Early Years: Fun with numbers, Mario’s Early Years: Fun with letters, Mario’s Early Years: Pre-School, Nintendo Power Dr. Mario, Picross Nintendo Power, Super Mario All-Stars, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Super Mario Kart, Super Mario World, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, Tetris and Dr. Mario, Tetris Attack, Wario’s Woods, Wrecking Crew ‘98, Yoshi’s Cookie, Yoshi’s Cookie: Kuruppon Oven De Cookie, Yoshi’s Safari, Zelda 3, Super Scope 6.

Virtual Boy: Mario Clash, Virtual Boy Wario Land, Mario’s Tennis.

CDi: Hotel Mario, Super Mario’s Wacky Worlds (unreleased).

Nintendo 64 & N64 DD: Dr. Mario 64, Paper Mario, Super Mario 64, Mario Tennis, Mario Golf, Mario Party, Mario Party 2, Mario Party 3, Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart 64, Yoshi’s Story, Mario Artist: Paint Studio, Mario Artist: Talent Studio, Mario Artist:Polygon Studio, Mario Artist: Communication Kit, Donkey Kong 64.

PC and Mac: Mario Teaches Typing, Mario Teaches Typing 2, Mario’s Fun with Numbers, Mario’s Fun with Letters, Mario’s Pre-School fun, Mario’s FUNdamental, Mario’s Games Gallery.

Game Boy Advance (excluding the Classic NES series): Game and Watch Gallery 4, Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga, Mario Bros., Mario Party Advance, Mario Party, Mario Tennis Advance, Mario Pinball Land (a.k.a. Super Mario Ball), Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Super Mario Advance, Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World, Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi’s Island, Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario Advance 6: Mario is Missing, Wario Land 4, WarioWare Inc: Mega Microgames, WarioWare Twisted!, Famicom Mini: Wrecking Crew, Yoshi Topsy Turvy, Mario Kart Super Circuit.

GameCube: Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, Luigi’s Mansion, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Nintendo Puzzle Collection, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Super Mario Sunshine, Mario Superstar Baseball, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, Mario Power Tennis, Mario Party 4, Mario Party 5, Mario Party 6, Mario Party 7, Super Smash Bros. Melee, WarioWare Inc.: Mega Party Game$, NBA Street v3, Super Mario Strikers (a.k.a. Mario Smash Football), Dance-Dance Revolution: Mario Mix, Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes.

Nintendo DS: Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time, Mario Basket: 3 on 3, Mario Kart DS, New Super Mario Bros., Super Mario 64 DS, Super Princess Peach, Tetris DS, WarioWare: Touched!, Itadaki Street DS, Yoshi Touch and Go, Mario Slam Basketball, Mario vs Donkey Kong 2, Mario Party DS, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Yoshi’s Island DS.

Wii (excluding Virtual Console offerings): Super Mario Galaxy, Super Paper Mario, Mario Strikers Charged Football, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Super Smash Bros Brawl, Mario Party 8, WarioWare: Smooth Moves

Sonic the Hedgehog was really big, you know. Bigger than Horace ever was and definitely bigger than Zool. He almost won the 16-bit console wars too (if ever there was such a thing), and -admittedly- is still recognizable enough to sell the odd overpriced copy. Then again, everyone can see the character and his truckload of silly overacted friends aren’t doing half as well as expected and -that’s the ugly bit mind you- usually star in some shockingly dreadful games.

Now, as I’m not one to necessarily demand a return to Sonic’s 2D roots and 90s gameplay form, even though you have to admit that Sonic Rush for the DS was the best Sonic for what felt like ages, I think Sega should realistically have a long hard look at Sonic’s current-gen outings. Try to figure out what they can do right and what they simply should do away with. And you know what? It’s as easy as having a look at two 2007 games.

The first one is simply called Sonic the Hedgehog and debuted on the Xbox 360, though a virtually identical PlayStation 3 version did promptly follow. Oh, yes, and it is such an astonishingly awful game you’d think it was meant as a bloody interrogation tool for a consolized version of hell. Also, despite its title, this abomination has nothing to do with the implied return to form you might be hoping for. On the plus side though, Sonic the Hedgehog Next-Gen could probably also serve as a developer’s map of the things designers should avoid: tons of horribly unfunny Sonic Team written dialog, an overly complex control scheme, graphics without style or flair, a silly soundtrack, weird missions, a horrid camera system, pointless exploration bits, exhausting loading times, an interesting selection of bugs and glitches, a badly judged difficulty curve, nonsensical ideas regarding save points and only a few moments of fast platform (almost) properly Sonic action, that unfortunately aren’t that good anyway.

On the other hand, the other extreme if you wish (you know, to, uhh, justify this post’s title) we have Sonic and the Secret Rings for the Wii, an impressively better game that really tried to focus on the basics that helped define and elevate Sonic to classic status, while also trying to keep up with the gaming mainstream of today: it’s in 3D and uses the Wii Remote. Happily it also offers a simple -almost intuitive- control system, great speed and what can essentially only be described as 2D gameplay. It is thus a fun game that feels properly Sonicy. Mind you, it’s not perfect, not by far, but definitely a step in the right direction. And it does spare us those anime cartoon anthropomorphic animals that aren’t Sonic…