Nintendo has launched a brand-new website celebrating The Legend of Zelda‘s 25th anniversary.

In it, they present an interactive history of the series, as well as a video of the orchestra that was on-stage during Nintendo’s E3 presentation this year.

Nintendo is also promoting the use of the Flipnote Studio application on the DSi and DSi XL to create Zelda-inspired animations using one of three templates. The best of the flipnotes will be evaluated by Nintendo developers (Shigeru Miyamoto included) and placed on this website as well as the DSi’s Flipnote Hatena and the Nintendo Channel on Wii. (Paper entries will also be accepted, which makes sense.)

RENT

In Disney’s Tangled, you can take on adventure alone as both Rapunzel and Flynn, or play along with a friend.  The journey is completely based on the movie storyline and you’ll see many recognizable environments and hear one-liners straight from the script.  Kids will enjoy the multiple activities and working as a team with a parent or sibling is a fun way to complete the game.  My kid and I had a few laughs during our play through.  Each character has their own special abilities.  Rapunzel can use her golden hair to swing across gaps, pull objects and climb.  She can also grow flowers in “charm mode” and collect a variety of colors to draw and paint the tower wall or collect sun drops to earn points.  She can also let down her flowing tresses to assist Flynn in climbing barriers.  As Flynn, players can climb walls, knock down obstacles, engage in sword play, and discover hidden treasures using his “Flynntuition”.  In order to win challenges faster, its best for players to work as a team, helping each other along the journey and collecting as many items as possible.

Tangled is your typical Disney tie-in game; but it lacks in creativity and innovation. For the main part of the game, you and one other person take part as Rapunzel and Flynn as you go from Point A to Point B.  There are some good elements in this game that mostly have to do with Rapunzel’s hair. I believe there could have been more to this game as far as challenges and difficulty in general, as well as more quests.  The game is meant for ages 6 – 11 yet, my 4 year old is able to master skills and complete the game on her own and my 9 year old has no interest in playing.  She says its “too easy”.  This game only asks you to do the basics; climb, jump or swing over minor obstacles that repeat themselves far too often.  As for Flynn, he’s your usual hero; he climbs walls, digs up treasure, beats up enemies and chops down bad looking bushes with his sword.

If you play this game single player, you have to constantly swap between the characters in order to get both of them through the levels.  Yes, you need to get them BOTH through.  It helps that you have the ability to “hold hands” with the other character to help them progress through the level if you’re on your own.  There is also the map which shows your progress.  Its basically a “go where you want to” type of game with no real flow or specific path to follow.  There are also a few different entrances/exits on each level which can be a bit confusing for kids, because once you exit a level, your collection counts and progress are lost.  The sun drops help to keep Rapunzel’s hair glowing and magical and the coins are used .  So, working hard to get those counts high seems a bit pointless.  The final boss battle is extremely boring and anti-climactic.  Basically, it just ends but not really — you can still go back to the map and replay any level you’d like.

In addition to the main story mode, there are several challenges that were very bland – and only up to two players can play, despite the claim that this game can be played by up to four players.  The main mode can be finished in 2 to 3 hours, and there’s little reason to go through it again except to find basic colors or get more pictures for a journal.  The controls are easily mastered but touchy.  With the slightest movement your character can move into an unwanted position which becomes quite frustrating, often leading to unnecessary “deaths” (quick respawns) or having to redo several steps (especially tedious with timed missions when one misstep/jump often means having to restart the timed mission to get a decent score).  There is way too little of a time limit in the timed missions, even as simple as it is, with the difficulty in control the time should be longer.  There are two different control configurations: Wii Remote only and Wii Remote with Nunchuk.

For the most part, this game is a solid win for kids; it’s colorful, full of action, and a good storyline that follows the movie story well, with plentiful dialogue (voice overs from actual movie talent, Mandy Moore and Zach Levi) and decent graphics.  The game also hosts the original score from the movie and Rapunzel will sing at certain points in the game which my daughter loved.  There is a tad bit of violence, from characters sword fighting or banging a guard’s head with a pan to knock him out for a bit, but no death or real violence, which is a concern for some parents.  Sure, this game is not for the serious console gamer but it’s still worth the rent if you’ve got kids or if you’re a kid at heart.  I say give it go.  Its definitely a game young children will enjoy and if you’re a parent, you’ll like the smiles on their faces.

Thankfully, this game sounds like it is going to be more than a mere Singstar ripoff. Players of the Wii version are treated to the opportunity to sing 16 songs from the movie musical. However, they also get to play some other multiplayer mini games, including drag races down Thunder Road against the Scorpions, sports competitions to win a letterman jacket, carnival games at the Rydell Graduation carnival, and pillow fights with the Pink Ladies (sounds raunchy? Apparently not – this game is being released with a PG rating in Australia and New Zealand).

In story mode, players fix up Greased Lightnin’ to try to win Sandy’s affections with their dance moves, also dancing their way through much-loved movie moments. This is why this game not only incorporates the Wii Remote, but also the Wii microphone and Wii balance board.

The Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi versions of the game test players’ rhythm skills as they tap to the beat of 10 tunes from the movie musical. The DSi’s camera functionality also allows players to take pictures of themselves or friends, and uploading their photo to their favourite character.

Grease: The Game is available now on Nintendo Wii and DSi in the US and Australia.

Featuring 16 songs from the original Grease movie, the game contains a variety of mini-games allowing up to eight players (on two teams) to compete in fun scenes from the movie like the drag race or a song-and-dance routine. In Story Mode the player can direct Sandy and Danny’s romance or choose a completely different path.

The game utilises the Wii balance board and USB microphones. The camera on the Nintendo DSi can be used to replace an existing character’s face with your own. Grease: The Game will be available in August 2010.

*Edit – Target has a deal on the DSi original from May 2nd until May 8th. You’ll receive a free copy of Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story with the purchase of a DSi system (retailing at $169.99).*

The DSi XL

The DSi XL (shown on right)

Maybe your mom doesn’t have the DS yet or she’s been sharing with someone else. On March 28th, Nintendo released a larger version of the DSi called the DSi XL. This system is much larger than the DSi, boasting a 93% bigger screen which I know a lot of older gamers have expressed interest in from my days of slinging games for a certain retail chain. The DSi XL is available in two colours at launch, Burgundy and Bronze. It has all of the same features as the DSi (camera, SD card memory, DSi Shop and internet access, music, etc) and comes pre-loaded with three DSi Ware titles: Photo Clock and Brain Ages Math and Arts & Letters.

The system retails at $189.99. You can purchase the Burgundy or Bronze systems through Amazon.com or at a local retailer, such as Walmart, Target, GameStop/EB Games, Play N Trade, etc.

Games for Mom

Depending on your Mom, and only you know your Mom, there are a wide variety of games to choose from on the DS. From casual titles she might already play on Facebook to more mature titles akin to crime dramas you see on TV, the following suggestions are here to help you make sure you can get her started on the right foot. (Click on the covers to purchase through Amazon.)

Brain/Puzzle Games

Brain Age series: The Brain Age games bring math, word, and hand and eye challenges to the DS touch screen to exercise your brain. Both games will help stimulate your brain, and include a vast amount of Sudoku puzzles to help keep your brain going once you finish your daily training. Both games can be found for less than $20 and your daily brain workout normally takes less than 15 minutes.

Big Brain Academy: Similar to the Brain Age titles in that you want to exercise that brain of yours, Big Brain Academy focuses on filling your brain and making it heavy with knowledge. There are five focuses in Big Brain, each with three games: computing, memorizing, thinking, analyzing and identifying. The level of difficulty varies, so while it might start out seeming easy, it will soon start to really test your skills.

Professor Layton series: By far my favourite of all the brain puzzle based DS titles, Professor Layton combines wonderful story telling, mystery, and a wide variety of new and familiar puzzles which will keep you entertained for hours. And even once you have finished the game, you can go back and attempt puzzles you missed or were stumped on, as well as obtain new weekly puzzles free to download. I recommend starting with the Curious Village, the first game in the series, before attempting the Diabolical Box.

PopCap games: I think almost all moms know of PopCap to some degree, even if its just that jewel matching game on her cell phone. You can play either the download & play or Facebook renditions (Bejeweled Blitz is hard!!) of popular titles, and even get them on your iPhone. For those moms who don’t want to be tied down to an iPhone, you can pick up several of their games on the DS. BookWorm, Peggle, Zuma, Amazing Adventures and Mystery PI are all available for the DS now and value priced at $19.99, same as if you were to buy most straight from the website for your computer.

Mystery Case Files MillionHeir: MillionHeir was my first DS hidden object game. The story was enjoyable, featuring vibrant characters all suspects in a murder mystery, and it really tested my observational skills. Mystery Case Files is a popular hidden object and puzzle series from Big Fish Games with six installments available on the PC. MillionHeir is exclusive to the DS, so if your mom has has checked out the PC versions, she’ll love a new adventure on the DS.

Time Management Games

Diner Dash/Cake Mania games: Time management games are great pick up and play games, perfect for killing time in the waiting room at the doctor’s office or while sitting under the heat at the salon. Diner Dash and Cake Mania both feature women who start up their own food businesses, giving you a time limit and upgradeable kitchen equipment in order to fill as many orders and make as many satisfied customers as you can. These games are great on the DS system as the touch screen and stylus combo gives you the same sort of feel as the point & click computer versions.

Cooking Mama series: A different style of management game, the Cooking Mama team brings you into the kitchen and “teaches” you how to make dishes from all over the world. Each dish is broken down into different steps and given a time limit in which to complete the task at hand. You are rated on each step and given a final score once you complete all the steps for each dish. The only disappointment I had with these games is that they don’t give you the actual recipes so you can try them at home. Gardening Mama plays the same way, except that you are outside growing flowers, fruits and vegetables.

Role Playing & Adventure Games

New Super Mario Bros: If your mom remembers playing Mario back on the NES or SNES and isn’t much for overly complicated 3D shenanigans, then New Super Mario Bros is a perfect Mother’s Day choice. NSMB brings that classic side-scrolling, brick smashing, Goomba bopping play to the portable scene, including the hidden warp whistles and the handy World Map. Just talking about it makes me want to watch The Wizard and take on the Hammer Bros.

Henry Hatsworth: This dashing adventure game combines the classic side scrolling adventure with the added twist of a Bejeweled-like puzzler. Making sure you pay attention to both screens to unlock power-ups, defeat enemies and obtain the pieces of the fabled golden suit, Henry Hatsworth features five worlds and over 30 levels of puzzling adventure. Collect jewels dropped by baddies and turn them into upgraded weapons or healing items to help get through tougher levels.

Zelda series: One of the most well-known and well-loved fantasy adventure games throughout the world, Link’s adventures to save Princess Zelda have gone portable. Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks are the most recent installments in the long running series, offering new story and new puzzles for players both new and familiar to the franchise.

Final Fantasy series: Square Enix loves putting classic games from my youth on the DS, and I am not complaining. Final Fantasy III had never been published outside of Japan until the remake for the DS (the chronology of the Final Fantasy franchise is a bit messed up over here) and when that proved to be successful, Square decided to remake Final Fantasy IV as well. Both are classic titles, and while not perfect games, they are enjoyable.

Chrono Trigger: Another port of a classic Super Nintendo game, our hero Chrono must travel back and forth and forward some more to rescue a girl who vanishes when an experiment goes horribly awry. There are seven playable characters, and the DS version includes 2 scenarios not in the original version of the game. Chrono Trigger also boasts a revised Active Time Battle system, which makes the timing of your battle moves imperative. A wonderful RPG that proves it still captures audiences 15 years later.

Strategy Games

Ninjatown: Simply one of the best tower defense style games I have ever played (you can check out my review here), Ninjatown brings to life those cute and cuddly Wee Ninja creations from Shawnimals. When their village comes under attack, it is up to you to build your defenses and save them from Mr. Demon and his minions. As with most tower defense games, each level gets progressively harder and can always be replayed for a better score should you so desire.

Civilization Revolution: If your mother is more of an Age of Empires/Civilization fan, Civ Revolution DS is a lighter version of the PC/console title, making it perfect for sneaking in a quick game during her lunch hour. There are sixteen different world leaders available, some with special troupes and with four different ways to win, no two matches will be exactly alike.

Learning Aid & Language Games

America’s Test Kitchen: Based on a hit television series, America’s Test Kitchen makes cooking an interactive experience for the entire family. It’s an interactive cookbook, allowing you to work alone or together and put delicious meals on the table. You can search for recipes by ingredient, see calorie counts and delegate cooking tasks. America’s Test Kitchen also has video lessons showing you techniques and has a handy shopping list feature. A Nintendo DS system takes up way less counter space than lugging your laptop into the kitchen when you want to make a meal.

My Coach Language Games: There are books on CD to help you learn a new language, so why not make it a little more interactive? The My Coach language games get rid of having to listen to a CD and scribble in a workbook and are a great study aid. Learn new words, practice grammar and sentence structure, and even use the DS microphone to compare pronunciation against the tutor. Of the four language games, My French Coach is the most difficult to find and now seems to be out of print, but there are some people selling it used via Amazon and eBay.

Accessories For Mom

DSi XL Goodies

DSi XL Power Pack (adapter not shown)

DSi XL Show N Go Kit (DS not included!)

There are two carrying cases for the DSi XL that are coming soon from one of my favourite Nintendo authorized accessory companies. The first is the DSi XL Power Pack, a sleek hand clutch design to slip your system into which has pockets for 3 DS cards, and space for both a small stylus as well as the larger one. The Power Pack also comes with a card adapter so you can charge on the go.

If you are looking for something with a touch more style, the Show N Go Folio wraps around your DSi XL giving it more of a wallet-like appearance when closed. The exterior is a mock crocodile skin look and can hold up to 6 DS cards and the larger stylus. The Show N Go Folio can be found in Wine or Brown for $14.99.

DSi & DSLite Goodies

The DSi/DSLite Fashion Folio (Spicy Lime)

Fans of Disney might be interested in sprucing up their DSi with a skin of either Mickey or Minnie. Both of these are a protective silicone sleeve which helps keep the exterior of the system free from scratches.

If you want something with storage capacity, the Fashion Folio wraps snugly around your DSi or DSLite and allows for an extra stylus and up to three games. Predominately black, there are five different colours you can choose from: Aqua Blue, Spicy Lime, Fresh Nectarine, Purple Spice, and Elegant Pink. For $9.99, a case is a wise investment.

The game will let you play as Aang or the Blue Spirit, or even the antagonist, Zuko. Several scenes from the movie will be lovingly recreated, and using the Remote and Nunchuk will assist you in bending.

From THQ’s description of the game:

About The Last Airbender Video Game

The Last Airbender video game revisits captivating, climactic scenes from the film while providing the player a much more indepth experience. The game is told from the unique perspective of the antagonist Zuko, exiled prince of the Fire Nation, who embarks on a personal quest to capture the Avatar, a young boy named Aang, in order to regain his father’s honor. Players will be able to embody three playable characters – Aang, Zuko and the Blue Spirit – and participate in epic battles, hand-to-hand combat and various intense challenges throughout the game. Utilizing the Wii Remote(TM) and Nunchuk(TM), players will discover and master their bending powers by performing special hand movements that are specific to their character’s abilities. The interactive, action adventure game, will allow players to learn how to manipulate air and fire, creating destructive forces such as Air Vortexes, Tornadoes, Fire Balls, and Fire Bombs, to take down enemies and progress through the game in order to fulfill their destiny.

myPostcards allows you to take a photo (or use one already in your DSi’s photo album), add a note, and then send the final product to Facebook friends or e-mail buddies. But it’s not just limited to the digital realm: You can even create real-life postcards to send via snail mail (no word on whether that costs extra or if it’s just included in the app price). Over 50 background themes are available to unlock (owners of previous Nnooo downloadable titles are in for some special surprises in that department), and you use one of 12 stamps.

(Owners of previous Nnooo downloadable titles are in for some special surprises in that department)

Nnooo have started a Flickr group for myPostcard users. Share your best creations as soon as you can!

Sushi Go Round

Miniclip Sushi Go Round is now available on Wii and Nintendo DS to North, Central, and South Americans. The time management title has been revised from the original version to include a redesigned look and feel as well as new recipes and settings. Bosses have even been included to toughen it up a bit!

Those lucky enough to have a Nintendo DSi can even use the handheld’s camera to include pictures of their family, friends, and even pets to use as restaurant customers, who will pop up from time to time in story mode as well as the five other gameplay modes.

Miniclip Sushi Go Round is now available for Wii and DS at an MSRP of $29.99. The title is, naturally, rated E for everyone. For more information, visit www.sushigoroundthegame.com.

One copy of the game, as well as a system to play it on, will be given out daily until April 7. Think it’s a good way to win an Xbox 360 or PS3? Not quite. You’re given a choice between the Wii version and the DS version (which comes with a DSi instead of the garden-variety DS Lite). Hey, it’s a kids’ movie – what do you expect?

Start entering! (Well, in four days anyway…)

Foto Showdown lets players snap photos of their environment to generate monsters based on the dominant colors in those photos. After creating a monster, they have to take it into battle. Gamers can simultaneously fight with up to six monsters at a time and will become progressively stronger, ultimately collecting up to 152 different monsters, each with their own unique capabilities. As players compete, new cameras and levels will become available, allowing players to buy or sell monsters and purchase an array of upgrades and equipment. Multiplayer is available via local wireless.

The two trailers are below.