Why Buy it? Well it is Zelda, that is generally reason enough as it has been sometime since a game from the series has not been great. In this case the name is backed up by a great storyline picking up where Wind Waker left off with great characters, situations and plot points. The graphics are a standout on the DS with the anime style; Link looking spot on compared to his previous versions, environments and other characters also look great. The real selling point of this title is the DS implementation of the game and it being solely touch based. It takes some getting used to, but once you start scribbling notes on the map, navigating with the stylus and managing items and attacking with the touch commands you will be hooked. This is a great entry in the Zelda universe and should not be missed.

Contra 4
It is Contra baby, that means there are tons of weapons, tons of enemies, everything is sprites and it is HARD. Looking at some of those points you would think it is a failure, but this 20th anniversary game is classic Contra and that is all good. The action is spread across both screens with thoughtful level design that ensures the hinge is never in the way of the action. While this title plays it safe and doesn't really have any DS style innovations (aside from using both screens) it has solid action, a perfectly cheesy 'story' and all the spritey goodness you remember. Contra 4 is available right now.

Why Buy it? The best thing about this title is that it doesn't try to be the new best thing, it channels all the mid 90s goodness that was Contra in the arcades. There are oodles of weapons, enemies come from all directions in waves, you have the pseudo 3-D hallways to transition levels and best of all (IMHO) the boss are made up of giant sprites! It is Contra the way it should be and it is a great title for any action gamer out there... oh yeah and it is a challenge and a half, so if you think you got it as a gamer, give this game a try.

SHOOTER

Brothers in Arms DS
There are relatively few shooters on the DS, luckily the recent Brothers in Arms game is a well thought out addition to the series and a great game on the DS. While it is a 'port' of the cell phone version of the game, Gameloft has managed to amp up the production values incredibly well and this feels like a console experience. You are a soldier in WWII scenarios in this game and most action is from an over the shoulder third person view (grenade throws are top down in a nice implementation). The game is in your face the whole way and the touch screen is used to great effect as a form of 'mouselook', this makes it very playable and a lot of fun. Brothers in Arms DS is available right now.