Nintendo DSi

1. Would you like a handheld that does more than play games? Now, there’s DSiWare, an online “shop” that offers games and applications, with Nintendo promising to add many more in the future. All of the apps can be downloaded wirelessly, and some of them rival the apps used with Apple’s pricey iPhone and iPod Touch.

2. Do you wish there were more games to choose from? DS players who enjoy “homebrew” games have been using ROM cards in the card slot for years. But now Nintendo is offering SD card compatibility as well as downloadable software from DSiWare. And when you purchase a DSi system, you get points toward free games from the DSiWare shop. You can also download game demos and add-ons (such as special characters).

3. Do you like having fun with photos? The DSi has two built-in cameras. One is a regular camera, and the other is a “mischief lens” you turn on yourself. The interactive lenses mean you don’t have to stop with “normal” photos. You can use your stylus to make funky pictures with the distortion lens, merge two faces, doodle on photos, change expressions, add frames and more. Pop an SD card into the expansion slot to save more photos and transfer them to your PC. The photos are organized with a built-in calendar, and you can even send them to other DSi users via local wifi. Some games can incorporate your pictures in gameplay.

4. Do you want better sound technology and music features? Use the DSi to record sound clips and apply one of 12 filters and make new sounds. You can control speed, pitch and more. You also use the card’s portability to play ACC file format audio files you’ve created on the DSi on your PC.

5. Do you worry about losing your DS, or is your kid or partner always “borrowing” it when you want to play? Maybe it’s time to add a DSi to the family. If you have the money in your budget, go ahead and buy a DSi. Or, take advantage of one of the trade-in offers, where retailers offer big discounts if you trade in a DS when purchasing a DSi.

Scrabble Nintendo DS

This is a big week for Nintendo DS fans. The hard core gamers can finally get their hands on Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, while more casual gamers can get the eagerly anticipated followup to Professor Layton and the Curious Village, Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure. I have my eye on Scrabble, even though I have Scrabble for my still-working original GameBoy. Scrabble for DS is currently on sale for $27.99 ($2 off) as a preorder through Amazon.

I’ve learned to take release dates with a grain of salt, because releases and shipments are often delayed, but here are some other DS titles you might expect this week:
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time
History Great Empires: Rome
Suikoden Tierkreis
TrackMania DS
Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume

At Kmart, save $10 on all Petz, Imagine and Ener-G games priced at $29.99. Also, Kmart has a variety of DS games on clearance; titles vary by store.

At Toys R Us, buy a Nintendo DS console, game and accessory and get 25 percent off of the combo.