Japan Kanji Test DS

In 2005, over 2.4 million people took the Japan Kanji Aptitude Test which is the only kanji test authorized by the Japanese Ministry of Education. Since the learning of kanji can be a life-long endeavor, Nintendo helps learners along with Japan Kanji Test DS. Based on the structure of the tests administered by The Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation, the software includes 6,000 kanji characters to learn which covers all 8 levels of the official test. For example, if you're somewhat familiar with roughly 600 kanji characters, you're at the beginning level of 7. If you're a wizened kanji comprehending master who grasps the complete dictionary of 6,000 characters (JIS Level II), you're a level 1 professional and would «more»

Remindelight

When the Book of Happiness is torn asunder, a sullen pall of despair descends upon the land. Without happiness to goad the masses along, industry and commerce falter. To bring everyone's spirits back up, a hero or heroine must venture forth and reassemble the Book of Happiness and bring joy back into the world.
Remindelight is a conventional RPG which makes full use of the stylus for attacks, defense, and spell casting. For example, to attack a crab creature, simply poke at it and damaged is impacted. To defend, push left on the d-pad and then move the shield around to block attacks. When casting a spell, flames encircle a rock-like sphere on the touch screen. By deftly swishing the stylus and dragging all of the flames into the sphere, it «more»

Joushiki Nanmon no Shou

Targeted at the junior high school demographic, Shikakui Atama wo Maruku Suru: DS Joushiki Nanmon no Shou gathers together 8000 questions where arithmetic and numeric calculation are in play. The Study Mode throws a series of questions at the math practitioner to wade through and be judged. To answer a problem, the touch pen is used to scribble answers to the equations and questions on screen. An "adventure mode" features mathematics challenges while the player wanders around Japan and is presented with adversity in the form of math problems. Two competitive games are available where two players link up and solve math problems to determine who's the quickest draw.

Kanji no Shou

To help children and child-like adults hone their kanji reading and application skills, IE Institute releases a kanji learning program which features roughly 6,000 questions and tests at the elementary school level (Japanese grades 1 through 6). Tests require reading comprehension skills where a passage is read and a question asked. Three choices are then listed for answer tapping. To practice kanji writing skills, test takers may neglect the multiple choice selections and actually write out the kanji answer on the touch screen slate provided. A quiz mode in the game features a trip to planet Mars where aliens (who are apparently kanji experts) test the player with kanji characters quizzes.

Keisan no Shou

Less focused than the other two Shikakui Atama releases for this week, Shikakui Atama wo Maruku Suru: DS Keisan no Shou tests gamers on an assortment of subjects including the Japanese language, arithmetic, modern Japanese society, and science tidbits. Two levels are testing are available on the card which caters to junior high school students and a higher level which tests adults with more difficult questions. Test takers may also tackle light or intensive exercises. In addition to the test taking study mode, an adventure mode features space themes where planets provide the backdrop. A versus mode is also available for two wireless gamers tackle each other by calculating problems as simple as 1 x 1 = 1 to 19 x 19.

Pokemon Diamond

Pokemon games have sold over 100 million copies in the 10 years that Game Freak and Nintendo have collaborated on the franchise. Starting with Pokemon Green and Red on the original Game Boy, Pokemon went on to become a multi-billion dollar brand with movies, television, a theme park, merchandise, and even food stuffs.

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl continue the winning tradition with a new crop of Pokemon led by Naetoru, Hikozaru, and Pochama. Also in tow are new trainers, a new world, and a multi-player feature where up to 16 participants may engage. What's not new are the familiar fighting sequences where Pokemon face off on screen... «NCS Game Notes»

Pokemon Pearl

Pokemon games have sold over 100 million copies in the 10 years that Game Freak and Nintendo have collaborated on the franchise. Starting with Pokemon Green and Red on the original Game Boy, Pokemon went on to become a multi-billion dollar brand with movies, television, a theme park, merchandise, and even food stuffs.

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl continue the winning tradition with a new crop of Pokemon led by Naetoru, Hikozaru, and Pochama. Also in tow are new trainers, a new world, and a multi-player feature where up to 16 participants may engage. What's not new are the familiar fighting sequences where Pokemon face off on screen... «NCS Game Notes»

.hack//G.U. Vol. 2 + Bonus Storage Box

The Player Killer Killer named Haseo was able to survive the trouble with the rampaging Player Killers in .hack//G.U. Vol. 1. Early in the first game, Haseo was completed dominated by the PK known as Tri-Edge but over the course of the adventure, Haseo rose up and eventually gained enough moxie and power to destroy his oppressor. As the story in .hack//G.U. Vol. 2 begins, two members of the Azure Knights named Balmung and Orca conspire to resurrect Tri-Edge.

Haseo returns to "The World R: 2" in another "online" romp where the battle system has improved and new powers are available to Haseo and crew. At the outset of the game, a cinematic sequence plays where a blonde moppet name Atori wakes up @HOME but she's unable to log out of the game world. Haseo and friends then bear witness to a dramatic sequence of events... Battles run similar to the first .hack G.U. where the player has full control of the hero as he hacks and slashes along with dash attacks where swords light up with trailing effects. The camera keeps a tight cover over the action as Haseo runs and motorbikes around the world. The motorbike can be summoned simply by pressing the "SQUARE" button. One moment, hero is standing around and the next moment, he's on a hog. «NCS G-Notes»