What do you want out of Nintendo's next handheld? Nintendo President Satoru Iwata already has some ideas, which he revealed to the Asahi Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper (transcribed by Kotaku.com):

"[It will have] highly detailed graphics, and it will be necessary to have a sensor with the ability to read the movements of people playing."

Higher-quality graphics is a given for the Nintendo DS's future brother, though the built-in motion control option sounds intriguing.

Obviously, we don't know much else about the Nintendo DS's successor at this point: The Nintendo DS Lite and DSi are still selling remarkably well, and in fact the DS became Europe's best selling console overall at the end of 2009.

With this kind of momentum, it might be another year before we hear any kind of concrete facts about Nintendo's next handheld--or even a name.

Puzzles, puzzles, and angry food. That's what you can expect from Nintendo DSiWare this week. Here's what you can get for some of that Christmas money you scored from Aunt Bertha:

Trajectile is up your alley if you've had it with pacifist puzzle games. Combine enemies, blocks, and missiles for a very satisfying puzzle experience. Sometimes you just have to slice through the knot. (500 Nintendo DSi Points, Rated E)

Animal Puzzle Adventure is, well, a puzzle adventure featuring animals. Barnyard animals need to be guided home, and it's up to you to lead them around pitfalls and cliffs. Avoid the cliffs; cows cannot fly. Work through 50 stages and unlock bestial wallpapers! (500 Nintendo DSi Points, Rated E10+)

If you have fantasies about Gordon Ramsay screaming in your face while you cook a pie, prepare to be delighted by Hell's Kitchen Vs. Battle head-to-head with friends over a hot stove to see who can make Ramsay hate them the most. (800 Nintendo DSi Points, Rated E)

It's almost time to say goodbye to the aughts (naughts?) and head into 2010. I hope the year has been wonderful to you, and I wish you lots of good times and games in the coming year.

Nintendo Dream, a Japanese Nintendo magazine, had a surprise for readers in its latest issue. Game developers from Nintendo contributed New Years' cards featuring original artwork of favorite Nintendo characters. Mario, Professor Layton, and various Pokemon made an appearance to wish fans a happy New Year. Capcom, Square-Enix and other third parties contributed art as well.

Zelda Power has scans of the cards. They're well worth checking out.

Happy New Year!

Something strange from the Herald News: A 22-year-old woman living near Chicago came home on Monday to find an intruder in her house. The robber made a quick dash out of the premises and disappeared, but he left his mark: The victim's Nintendo DS was on, and in mid-game.

The victim's iPod Touch was stolen, but the Nintendo DS remained. Nobody was hurt, and there's no word on what DS game the robber found so interesting.