What it is
Nintendo DS is the latest of Nintendo’s hand-held game systems and the highly hyped, follow-up to the hugely successful GameBoy Advance (GBA) series. More than 1.4 million units were sold in North America in the last holiday season, and even the upcoming launch of Sony’s handheld in late March can’t slow down the momentum.

Why does everyone wants a DS when they already have a perfectly good GBA (Game Boy Advanced)? The DS features two (dual) screens. (Hence the name, "DS.") The screens are protected by the device’s clamshell design, which when closed hides both screens. The lower screen is touch sensitive like a Palm Pilot or other PDA and like a PDA, the DS comes with a stylus for accessing options from the screen. DS games utilize this touch-screen in numerous ways including; game menus and options, level maps, item lists and a majority of other screens that you usually have to press the start button to access.

Why it’s fun
In addition to the second, touch-sensitive screen, the DS system features markedly improved graphics capabilities that present games with crisp, clear and highly detailed visual elements. It’s the closest thing to a home gaming system’s graphics we’ve seen yet on a handheld. The improved graphics alone make this a great game device.

Another added touch (pun intended) to the Nintendo DS is its 802.11 wireless communications capabilities. You can use a DS to wirelessly send text messages, communicate in chat rooms and play games with other DS owners at distances ranging from 30 to 100 feet.

Who’s going to love it
The DS system plays a new, smaller-sized game cartridge than the GBA. Fortunately for everyone who has been building their GBA library since they switched over from the old Game Boy, the DS also has a separate GBA slot and can play GBA games on the upper screen.

Although the DS will undoubtedly appeal to a wide range of ages, including young gamers who have heard the older kids talking about it, it’s communications capabilities and price tag make this a little more suitable for older kids, teens and adults.

Younger kids might actually be more satisfied with a "starter" GBA, like the SP model, which has been on the market for a couple of years.

What to be aware of
The power On/Off button is awkwardly placed closely above the left thumb-pad. We found on several occasions, during the heat of an intense game moment when we were frantically hitting the thumb pad, that we accidentally hit the power button and abruptly shut off the system. Very frustrating!

If you want to explore the DS’s wireless communications features, you will need to have a friend who also has a DS of his or her own.

The DS comes with PictoChat - a chat room program, embedded real-time clock with alarm and a calendar built into the system.