Buy Simple DS Series

Simple DS Series Vol. 11: Mouichido Tsuueru - The Otona no Shougakkou

2008-01-09T13:17:00.001-08:00

Simple DS Series Vol. 11: Mouichido Tsuueru - The Otona no Shougakkou can only really be described as an "Elementary School Simulation."

The game runs you through different classes, quizzing you on each subject. Everything from English to Science to Math and even Morality(!?) is included in the class list. In between classes, players can even experience lunch break and recess as a nice break from all the acedemics.

The game supports up to four players for local multi-player.

Scroll down for gameplay pics!

Simple DS Series Vol. 10: The Doko Demo Kanji Quiz

2008-01-08T19:21:00.000-08:00

The tenth volume of the Simple DS Series is essentially an educational title aimed at increased your understanding of Kanji (Chinese characters used in the Japanese language).

The DS is held "book-style" and gamers begin by taking a Kanji assessment test to determine just how skilled at Kanji they are. After the assessment test their are 3 main types of quizzes (converting hiragana to kanji, kanji to hiragana, etc) and 16 other drills.

The game is only limited to two players, but is really only effective as a single player learning tool.

Scroll down for pics!

Simple DS Series Vol. 9: Atama no Yokunaru - The Me no Training

2008-01-07T21:26:00.000-08:00

Simple DS Series Vol. 9: Atama no Yokunaru - The Me no Training is to your vision as Brain Age is to your frontal cortex.

Just as Brain Age was developed in conjunction with an academic, so too is this vision training game. Dr. Takao Naitou has lent his supervision (no pun intended) to this game and brings a history of training the vision of Olympic athletes and other professional athletes.

The game is divided into 4 types of training: Eye Movement, Hand/Eye Co-ordination, Visual Response and something called "Refreshing Index" which is described as "Strength Training for your eyes."

The game also provides support for up to 4 player taking part in local play.

Scroll down for gameplay pics!

Simple DS Series Vol.14: The Jidousha Kyoushuujo DS

2008-01-04T23:36:00.000-08:00

The 14th installment of the Simple DS series is one of the most interesting and original games in the entire series! Its full title is actually "Simple DS Series Vol.14 The Jidousha Kyoushuujo DS -- Gendoukitsuki Jidousha, Futsuu Jidou Nirin, Oogata Jidou Nirin, Futsuu Jidousha, Fusuu Jidousha Nishuu, Chuugata Jidousha, Oogata Jidousha, Oogata Jidousha Nishuu, Oogata Tokuchuu Jidousha, Kenbiki" haha, seriously!

The game isn't really a game at all, but rather a daily training program that helps users prepare for the Japanese driver's license examination. That long list of names in the title are actually different types of examinations.

The game is split into two modes, questions and answers and driving "simulation." The Q&A is comprised of 4,000 question taken from driver's training manuals and the "simulation" is actually a 2D top-down view of the road that puts you behind the wheel of the appropriate vehicle and tests you in real time on the rules of the Japanese road.

This game is definitly a big help for those of us looking towards getting their Japanese DL.

Scroll down for gameplay pics!

Simple DS Series Vol.8: The Kanshikikan - Kinkyuu Shutsudou!! Jiken Genba wo Touch Seyo

2008-01-03T09:54:00.000-08:00

Simple DS Series Vol.8: The Kanshikikan - Kinkyuu Shutsudou!! Jiken Genba wo Touch Seyo may have a ridiculously long name but rest assured that the lengthy moniker isn't over compensating for lack of fun.

Vol 8 (as I'll refer to it from here on out) is all about police work. The game is a mix between Phoenix Wright and Sierra's point and click adventure, Police Quest. Players will travel to the scene of crimes and look for clues, then analyze any findings, including finger prints, and blood samples.

This game is heavy on the japanese text, so think hard before you buy.

Scroll down for game-play vids and pictures!

Simple DS Series Vol. 7: The Illustration Puzzle & Number Puzzle

2008-01-02T12:26:00.001-08:00

The 7th volume of the Simple DS series: The Illustration Puzzle and Number Puzzle, is strictly a combo game. It combines a huge compilation of Picross puzzles with a huge compilation of Sudoku puzzles.

The game also supports up to four players, all playing off of a single cartridge locally. Players can also design their own Picross and Suduko puzzles and challenge their friends!

Not a whole lot more going on here than in other puzzle compilations, but all the more reason to pick up this budget priced title instead of dropping more cash for the same game in a different box!

Scroll down for gameplay pics.

Simple DS Series Vol. 6: The Party Game

2008-01-01T21:45:00.000-08:00

Vol 6 of the Simple DS Series is a big party game mash-up, with over 40 different mini games it'll be blast to play with all your friends.

The game does support a single player mode but the real heart of this title comes when you gather up to four friends and start battling it out for mini game supremacy. Each player picks a cute animal, then you decide on how many matches you'll play and then as each games begins you start to battle each other for the top score.

There are a ton of mini games and you'll find your self doing everything from the 100 metre dash to fishing for goldfish to translating kanji!

Scroll down for game-play pics!

Simple DS Series Vol. 5: The Cards

2007-12-31T13:25:00.000-08:00

Released on June 22nd 2006, the 5th installment of the Simple DS series is all about card games. The game boasts over 17 types of card games including Poker, Speed and Free Cell.

Up to four people can play against each other with just a single cartridge in local play, but more possibilities become unlocked if everyone has their own copy, including messaging during play, great for communicating when you have to keep it quiet!

While the graphics are nothing to write home about (it is just a compilation of card games after all), the back grounds are awesome! Take a look at the screens below and you'll understand what I mean.

Simple DS Series Vol. 4: The Block Kuzushi

2007-12-28T16:25:00.000-08:00

The fourth volume of the Simple DS Series: Block Kuzushi was released October 10th, 2005 and proved so popular that the Japanese game was localized for both North America and Europe.

What is essentially a Break-Out or Arkanoid clone, Block Kuzushi has player commanding a small platform at the bottom of the touch screen that must intercept and reflect a small ball into falling bricks and at times, bosses.

There are several game modes including a standard progression style game where players play level after level in a predetermined sequence and a random level game mode where player a dropped into a randomly generated stage and must fend for themselves. There are reportedly over 3,000,000 different stage possibilities in random mode!

The Block Kuzushi also boasts an 8 player multiplayer mode where up to eight friends can all battle it out using local play and just one game card!

Scroll down for gameplay video from the US version and screen shots from US and JP games.

Simple DS Series Vol. 3: The Mushitori Oukoku

2007-12-24T10:18:00.000-08:00

Mushi Oukoku roughly translates to Bug Catching Kingdom" in English and that is what the third volume of the Simple DS Series is all about: Catching bugs!

Released in Japan all the way back in June of 2005, The Mushitori Oukoku has players exploring isometric maps and using the touch screen to russle grass and trees looking for insects to add to their collection. The games boasts over 400 different species of bugs to catch so for players that love to collect, this game will definitely keep you busy!

Up to 8(!) players can all enjoy The Mushitori Oukoku from a single game card, and if you are playing alone the game features a story mode that will guide you to new maps and bug catching tools.

The game is in Japanese, but game play is easy t pickup if you don't understand the language.

Scroll down for game-play video and screen shots.

Simple DS Series Vol 2: Billiards

2007-12-22T11:03:00.000-08:00

Released June 27th 2005 for the Nintendo DS, the second installment in the Simple DS series is dedicated to Billiards.

The game plays out in full 3-D, with the top screen displaying an overhead view of the table and the touch screen providing the classic cue ball POV, scene most recently in Wii Play. Players use the stylus to line up shots and then tap the screen in time with a power gauge to fire the cue ball. If classic pool controls are your thing, the game also allows the game to switch to full D-pad control.

There is a lot to keep you coming back with this budget cart as the game boasts 6 different play modes, including a multi-player that allows up to 4 players to play off of a single game cartridge! Multiplayer also allows inactive players to draw on each other's touch screens while they wait to play. Very cool.

This game is available in both Japanese and English (although the UK version is hard to come by) and is no doubt the high point of pool on the Nintendo DS.

Scroll down for gameplay video and pictures!

Simple DS Series Vol 1: Mahjong

2007-12-21T16:56:00.000-08:00

Originally released June 30th 2005, the game proved so popular that a second run was produced and released just this Dec 2007. The very first game in the Simple DS line is all about Mahjong. Up to four players can partake in the table-top tile action with only one game cartridge. And don't forget that all Nintendo DS games are region free so if you import this title you'll have no problem playing it on your North American DS.

The game also features classic mahjong board game play in both competitive or a story mode. Players can even customize the rules and pick their own tables.

You may want to brush up on your Mahjong before importing this guy, because the menus are all in Japanese.

Scroll down for screen-shots and game-play video!