What is a good Nintendo DS game for a girl? I've been asked that more than any other question since Nintendo's top-selling portable game system came out a few years ago. People of all ages have a DS, but girls seem to gravitate to it more than other game systems. It surely helps that the DS' sleek design also comes in fashionable colors, including pink, blue, white, black and red.
So, here are 10 outstanding DS games for girls, some of which take advantage of the system's unique touch-sensitive screen and built-in wireless capabilities. The reality is that half of these games are simply great for any DS owner, but girls will have an affinity for all of them.
Titles are organized by their age-appropriate ratings -- as determined by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board -- with all being enjoyable for girls well into their teens. Those rated Everyone are for players as young as 5. Expect to pay $15 to $35 each, even for used copies of out-of-print titles.
Rated: Everyone "Animal Crossing: Wild World" Cuteness reigns in this virtual world. Players buy a house and then interact with the lovable characters that inhabit their village, all in real time. Buy items, go fishing, chat, explore and more. Players can even visit the villages of their friends -- who can be anywhere in the real world -- using the wireless capabilities of the DS (as long as their friends grant access and vice versa). "Animal Crossing" for the DS, a sequel to a GameCube version, comes highly recommended by every girl I know who has played it. Among the games mentioned today, it is one of two that has sure-fire prospects.
"Nintendogs" This is the other can't-miss game. Players nurture virtual pups -- by feeding, bathing, playing and doing other pet-owner duties. Take the little fella for a walk, and the DS will bark when it senses another "Nintendogs" game nearby -- at which point your pups can interact with each other on-screen. Cool! There are several versions of the game. The only difference is which six dog breeds you start out with among the 18 total that can be unlocked.
"New Super Mario Bros." The classic game that defined Nintendo's home consoles for years continues its run-and-jump success on the portable DS. What hasn't changed is its retro look and wildly addictive allure. This one gets a personal recommendation from my 12-year-old daughter, who's still hopelessly hooked two years after the game's DS debut.
"WarioWare: Touched!" You'd be hard-pressed to find a goofier title for the DS. It features dozens of mini-games lasting just a few frantic seconds. Players must quickly figure out what to do in response to one-word commands, by using the touch-screen stylus or blowing into the microphone. The game is out of print, so try used sellers or eBay.
"Mario Kart DS" Girls, start your go-karts! Players pick a Nintendo character and vehicle and race against others on creatively designed tracks. Gather special items to slow your opponents or give yourself a boost. Best of all, if the computer isn't enough of a challenge, you can compete against seven other players worldwide on the DS network.
