That I am a bit of a sucker for racing games is pretty much a known fact. Hence I am not going to subjects myself to fan-boy’ism by reviewing TrackMania, but rather focus on the facts.

Other racing games usually offer a finite number of cars and tracks, TrackMania for the Nintendo DS offers nearly limitless racing and stunt possibilities by allowing players to build their own tracks, share their creations with friends, and then speed across ramps and rails on those custom tracks (or tracks included with the game) in local wireless play. TrackMania DS  can be entertaining for quick minute-long sessions or hour-long marathons. The game has what kids expect from racing games, whether it is  insane jumps, dizzying loops, or tons of unlockables including additional tracks, car skins, and parts for the track designer.

TrackMania DS

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What is “Disney’s Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force” all about?
In Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force for Nintendo DS, players become agents of the Elite Penguin Force, waddling their way through secret missions, solving mysteries and connecting with the online world of Club Penguin. Players will use both familiar and new gadgets, accessories, disguises and vehicles as they set out on new missions to investigate puzzling events in the world of Club Penguin.

Players can earn coins while playing on Nintendo DS and upload them wirelessly to their online penguin accounts. In addition, each game comes with a redeemable code that allows players to gain special access to the top secret EPF Command Room, which is only available to DS players online at www.ClubPenguin.com. Click here for our KidConfidence Club Penguin.com Video Review.

Other features of Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force include three mini-games – Snowboarding, Dance Challenge and Snow Trekker. As well as three fan-favorites from the virtual world that have been adapted to utilize the DS touch-screen – Cart Surfer, Jet Pack Adventure and Ice Fishing.

Weekly newsletters, polls and upcoming seasonal missions are planned for download via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force also includes access to Disney’s DGamer, which allows kids to engage with other Disney game players using their Nintendo DS or home computer via the www.DGamer.com web site.

“Disney’s Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force” Review Summary from Family Oriented Media Sites:

Whattheyplay.com comments: “Though presented in the no-doubt-familiar cartoon style of Club Penguin, the complexity of Elite Penguin Force should not be
overlooked. The game requires a great deal of reading (something that’s noted in very, very tiny type on the back of the box) as the bulk of the gameplay objectives are revealed through conversations with other characters. Also, many of the puzzles require very careful exploration of the penguins’ island, and the ability to memorize locations, patterns, color combinations, and numbers.” Whattheyplay continues: “Club Penguin Elite Penguin Force does not
carry any ESRB content descriptors. In fact, the game puts a great deal of effort into reinforcing a number of very positive messages. All of the in-game characters are extremely polite, and there are lots of references to admirable activities like recycling.

CommonSense puts on their Club Penguin Fan-boy hat and writtes: “This is a fabulous Nintendo DS game, regardless of whether you are (more…)

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What is the best handheld gaming device for kids and families? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Leapster, Nintendo DS, Sony and PSP? What accessories do I need? What is the target age group for each system?

There are many questions and options when it comes down to selecting the right handheld entertainment and gaming device for your kids.

We put all systems to the test, and here is what we think.

Watch our exclusive KidConfidence Handheld Buyers Guide to learn more about the Pros and Cons of each system. (more…)

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Mario Party for the handheld Nintendo DS is the first portable version of the popular Mario Party videogame series. The game can be best described as electronic (virtual) board game, reminiscent to Monopoly and the Game of Life. (more…)

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“Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day” is the official sequel to Nintendo’s surprise hit “Brain Age: Train you Brain in Minutes a Day” for the handheld Nintendo DS.

For those new to the game, the concept is simple: Brain Age offers small and easy to understand, but hard to master mini games geared towards Teens and Adults. The games are designed to keep your synapses firing. At the end of each session the game will calculate your “brain age” – the lower the number the younger your brain. And as with all type of exercises, you are encouraged to do it often to see real improvement. (more…)

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