Thanks, got Polarium last time, but for $9 and change shipped I'll give the Retro Atari thing a whirl. It got pretty bad reviews, but maybe some of the games are playable.

Order something pre-played and save yourself 30 cents on shipping if you want.

I just got this in the mail today. I only tried it for a couple of minutes but I'm not really sure how to play it. I see the numbers pop up and each time I hit them an X appears. Is there any kind of english guide that explains how to play the game? Or could one of you break it down for me real quick? Thanks very much!

At the single/multiplayer select screen there is an icon in the lower righthand corner that takes you to a tutorial. Play through it once or twice to get a sense of the timing - it helped me, anyway. Also, head over to GameFAQs and check out their translation guides if you have any questions about what all the menus are.

Reviews are up for Spider Man and Trace Memory. Spider Man is looking very good and got an 8 from IGN. Trace Memory is looking okay. It only got a 6 from IGN and definitely is for old school PC point and click adventure fans only.

Edge magazine gave this a great review. I am hesitant. My partner, am musician, LOVES rythym games and he loves the DS. Will he have to refer to the FAQ to get it? That will take away my/his enjoyment. This goes for Band Brothers as well, if anyone has that game.

Ouendan and Band Brothers are the two most import friendly games there are.

Thanks Ralph, I got it figured out.

Kissyfur - No don't worry, I'm just an impatient fool. The game is very easy to understand I just didn't spend more than 5 seconds trying to figure it out before I asked my question.

Its a great game, check it out!

I just asked my friend to pick up both from Hong Kong! Thanks guys!

A six from IGN? Damn I was really hoping for higher reviews. I'll wait for the Gamespot review before I decide whether I want Trace Memory or not.

PGC:

Edge gave Trace Memory a 7.

Ouendan people: Anyone clear "cheer girl" difficulty yet? I ran into a video of Ready Steady Go that makes me cry:

http://myweb.hinet.net/home5/yujinfa2003/ouen_last.wmv

I can't believe how much content they pulled out such simple mechanics. This game rules.

I sure am glad I mentioned this game earlier in the thread.

EGM gave Trace Memory: 5.5, 6.5, 6.5.

I wasn't interested anyway as I never liked those point and click adventure/mystery games.

Well, I really don't see a simple point and click adventure game scoring more than a 7 or 8 anyway. If you like the genre it looks like at least a solid rental.

Current Game Rankings for upcoming DS games.
Phoenix Wright 81%
Trauma Center 84%
Castlevania DS 94%
Ultimate Spiderman 86%
Lost in Blue 75%
Trace Memory 74%

Tons of good stuff for DS owners on the way.

I'm still going to pick up Trace Memory. I figure when I'm done my wife can play and I need a new game to dislodge the 'dogs. Castlevania next week, can't wait. Great stuff on the horizon too (Lost, Lunar, Phoenix, Trauma).

I think I'm going to pick this game up anyway after reading the DS review. It says you can burn through it in 4-5 hours, but my time is limited so that may last me a week, and the premise sounds interesting.

Here's some new video of Princess Peach DS. Man this game looks good. The umbrella mechanics look well thought out and the levels look awesome.

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/aspj/index.html

With moves like that, I have no idea how she's managed to get herself captured so many times. I'm always up for a semi-nostalgic game and I'm glad to see that 2D games aren't being abandoned.

I think it's better to take the Mario games as individual entities and try not to put them into a single timeline or continuity.. that's asking for trouble. I second your comment on 2D games, even though I think 3D is good enough to be tolerable, the "old craft" can still amaze and entice the imagination just as well as the new-fangled tom-foolery (and oftentimes more so).

I just got my DS last week and have questions for all you DS owners. I notice that when I shut it off the top LCD screen kinda fades out and you can still see some of the game screen. I believe this is common with LCD screens but not 100% sure. After a few minutes it goes away. I hope this isn't a defect as I'd hate to send this back to Japan for replacement.

Do any of you use a screen protector for the bottom touch screen? I don't know if using the stylus over time will create scratches in the screen and then not function as it should. Also, which case do you guys recommend getting? I've seen an official one from Nintendo that you slide the lower half of the DS into this clear plastic holder that has cut-outs for the screen, d-pad and buttons......is it any good?

Lastly, which games are a must to get? The reason I bought this thing was for Castlevania DoS but I also have to get some others to play on it. I grabbed Meteos the other night but haven't tried it out yet but I did hear good things about it. Thought about picking up Advance Wars. Any others?

Advance Wars
Nintendogs
Animal Crossing, (when it comes out)

Kirby Canvus Curse - seriously, it's awesome
Advance Wars DS
Meteos
Super Mario 64
Nintendogs
Nanostray (difficult to find but grab it if you do)
Wario Ware Touched
Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan (this is a great and fairly import friendly game)

Games to buy coming out:

Castlevania
Animal Crossing
Sonic Rush
Mario and Luigi DS
Lunar: Dragon Song (I've heard good things and bad things, i'm really curious since I'm desperate for a new Lunar game)
New Super Mario Bros.
Mario Kart DS

Don't forget Phoenix Wright!!!

Top 5 Current Games:

1.Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan
2.Meteos
3.Kirby Canvas Curse
4.Advance Wars: DS
5.Feel the Magic: XY/XX

Top 5 Coming Soon:

1.Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
2.Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
3.Mario Kart DS
4.Ultimate Brain/Card Games
5.Viewtiful Joe DS