Nintendo DS / Nintendo DSi 2009 Holiday Gift Guide

Nintendo DS Lite - Released in 2006, the Nintendo DS Lite is an aesthetic upgrade to the original Nintendo DS (sometimes referred to as the “DS Phat”). The original Nintendo DS has been discontinued, but the Nintendo DS Lite can play all Nintendo DS games, and features a larger, brighter screen, longer battery life, and a smaller, lighter body. It can also play games from Nintendo's previous handheld gaming system, the Game Boy Advance. The Nintendo DS Lite supports Wi-Fi, and select games can be played head-to-head over a wireless connection.

The Nintendo DS Lite costs $129.99 USD at most retailers. If you're looking for something extra special and are committed to the hunt, you might want to track down a special edition DS Lite.

The Nintendo DSi, released in North America in 2009, is an upgraded version of the Nintendo DS Lite, but with a few important differences. The Nintendo DSi has a slightly larger screen than the DS Lite. It also has a built-in camera, downloadable games (called Nintendo DSiWare), an SD card slot, and no backwards compatibility with the Game Boy Advance.

Most Nintendo DS Lite and Nintendo DSi games are interchangeable, though there are a few exceptions with games that use the DS Lite's Game Boy Advance slot for a plug-in accessory (for instance, Guitar Hero: On Tour). The Nintendo DSi costs $169.99.

For an in-depth comparison of the Nintendo DS Lite and the DSi, read Should You Buy the DS Lite or the DSi?

(Adventure/Puzzle, Rated E10+) - The second entry in the Professor Layton series arrived on the Nintendo DS to much critical acclaim. Like its predecessor, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, Diabolical Box follows Professor Layton and his apprentice, Luke, as they solve life's mysteries through interrogation and dozens of head-scratching brain teasers. The game's graphics and storytelling are top-notch.

(Role-Playing/Action, Rated E) - Mario and Luigi spring into a role-playing adventure once more (though Luigi hesitates at first). A bunch of weird maladies have sent the Mushroom Kingdom whirling into chaos, and this time it's Bowser who'll charge the threat from the frontlines. The writing, graphics, and dialogue in Bowser's Inside Story are among the very best on the Nintendo DS.

(Puzzle/Action, Rated E10+) - While I appreciated Scribblenauts' creative gameplay and imagination-stretching challenge, I ultimately docked marks in my review because I felt that the controls were frustratingly loose. However, my opinion of the game is merely one: while some people got little out of Scribblenauts, others thrived on its open-ended method of problem solving. If you have a particularly creative person on your gift list, Scribblenauts is certainly worth considering.

(Rhythm/Music, Rated E) - In Rhythm Heaven, you tap, hold, and move your stylus to match a level's background music. The game's graphical style is simple but cute, giving you plenty to look at, listen to, and groove alongside.

(Role-Playing, Rated E) - Thought you caught 'em all in Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl? No! You did not! A true Pokefanatic must conquer Pokemon Platinum, a “director's cut” edition of the monstrously popular Nintendo DS Pokemon installments. Pokemon Platinum is a huge, deep adventure, with lots of new Pokemon to catch and a new distorted dungeon to explore.

(Puzzle/Action-Adventure, Rated E) - Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure combines action, adventure, and frantic puzzle action. When Mr. Hatsworth conquers enemies, they're banished to the bottom screen as blocks. If the blocks aren't linked and cleared, chaos quickly reigns. Mr. Hatsworth must move quickly, and most importantly, he must never spill his tea. Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure is one of the most creative and challenging titles in the Nintendo DS's library.

(Driving, Adventure, Sandbox, Rated M) - The Grand Theft Auto series has garnered its share of controversy over the years, but there's no denying that these games are remarkably detailed, intense, and a lot of guilty fun. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars brings more theft, more head-bashing, more shooting, and even drug pedaling to the Nintendo DS. Though the game high levels of violence are not something that a child should get near, adults will enjoy a well-constructed game that condenses some of the GTA series' best features.

(Turn-based Strategy, Rated E10+) - The Fire Emblem series has been popular in Japan since the dawn of the Famicom (the original Japanese Nintendo Entertainment System), but it's only now gaining some serious steam in America. Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is a turn-based strategy game that puts you in charge of moving your warriors and determining how they'll attack the bad guys. Prepare for a pretty steep challenge and a moving storyline.

(Role-Playing, Rated E10+) - The Dragon Quest series is oldschool console role-playing at its finest. Hand of the Heavenly Bride features classic sword-swinging and magic-casting action, plus you can recruit monsters to do your dirty work for you. The story is epic, featuring a hero who literally grows up as the game progresses, and sires children to adventure alongside him.

(Retro Minigame Collection, Rated E) - Retro Game Challenge is the ideal title for curmudgeonly gamers who remember when games were challenging, and fulfilling, and cured the blind, etc. This collection of retro-themed minigames features a self-parodying story about a nostalgic “game king” looking to recapture the glory of his Nintendo-centric youth. It's fun, it's lighthearted, and it's certainly unique.