Now I have been pretty harsh on the DS in the past, but not for the stupid reasons that all the fanboys use (like "silly rabbit DS is for kids"). My reasoning is for the simple fact that with all the potential that this system has, its alarming at how little innovation there is on the system. Sure it may have a touch screen that could be utilized for all sorts of cool things, but instead developers have decided that moving the menu systems down to the touch screen is "innovative" enough. Its been out for a few years and yet the best expression of innovation is in "pictochat", which has been with the system from the beginning. With such great hardware full of such promise you would think that by now someone would of figured out how to really do something cool with the system. Elite Beat Agents is a neat idea, but you gotta admit following a ball around a screen isn't exactly what you think of when you hear "innovation". Frankly the only really cool thing I've seen so far is being able to play the guitar on the ds, and that has yet to make it to these shores. And you would think someone would have released an RTS game by now, the system is just so perfect for it. While I'll admit that wouldn't be particularily innovative, it would be unique in the fact that it would be the first truly portable and easy to control RTS game. Hell the GBA has a frickin RTS game, so they cannot argue that the DS isn't powerful enough.

Having said all that, I finally caved in and got one. EB games in Canada is currently offering a deal where you can get a DS lite by trading in 6 games that have a minimum trade in value of $8. While I didn't jump at the chance, I decided to dig through the collection and see what some games I was done with were worth. To my surprise 4 of them qualified. I decided to check out the local blockbuster video and see if I could round up 2 more. To make a long story short, I ended up getting a white DS lite for 9 bucks including tax. Also snagged a copy of Phoenix Wright for 20 bucks brand new as eb games is clearing them out. I figure at least this way if I am disappointed with the lack of innovation, I won't be disappointed with loosing 9 bucks.

Now obviously I don't believe the DS is for kids, but I won't debate that there is a lot of kiddie games available for the system as is true nintendo fashion. Its obvious this system is targeted to more casual gamers, a market that had gone pretty much untapped previously. But anyone who has played a game like Phoenix Wright will know that kids could not possibly play that game, it would fly straight over their heads (as would most of the humour). 

Overall the DS is neat little system, however for me to really appreciate it I'm gonna need to see more games that live up to the potential the hardware presents. Unlike so many others, I'm not simply happy to recieve the same recycled crap that nintendo likes to spit out. And for once I'd like them to follow through with a promise and truly be innovative, instead of releasing some hardware but not following it with any matching software. A touch screen is great, but if I wanted a PDA I would of gone out and bought one.

PS - go here for more info on current eb games deals (there is some really good stuff here): http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=436334