The 30 hottest DS titles between now and Christmas

The DS release schedule looks more stuffed with goodness than the turkeys we'll eat in December. What isn't clear is exactly what's coming when.

We know European gamers can look forward to catching up with their US cousins with Star Fox Command, while Americans (and anyone who imports DS games) can put several high profile releases on their wishlists for Santa that we won't see here til 2007. But still, there's so much choice!

To help make sense of it all, we've compiled a summary of the hottest 30 titles we believe are coming to DS before the end of 2006, along with the firmest release date we can find. (Sometimes we can only give a month). Generally dates are UK/Europe, but where we believe a title will arrive in the US before Christmas but not in Europe, we've given a US date. Equally, US readers will see some games listed they've been playing for months.

Stay tuned for these dates firming up in the next few weeks. (And remember, even confirmed release dates are ever subject to change.) Beware: buying the whole list could cost you as much as £900!
The top 30 DS games still to come in 2006

Opera Browser Developer: Opera Publisher: Nintendo Release date: 6th October (Europe) Even with a touchscreen magnification box you can drag around, nifty dual screen action and plenty of neat options such as switching off images and so on, one big issue with this DS version of the Opera browser is it doesn't run Flash, which means no YouTube – surely the only thing anyone uses the Internet for these days? It screws up the format of many pages too, but the main problem remains the tiny size of the screen. OK, so it seemed like the coolest thing ever when announced but do you really want to spend £30 to browse the internet?
Age of Empires: The Age of Kings Developer: Backbone Publisher: THQ Release date: 13th October (Europe) We're amazed this classic PC strategy game could be squeezed into a DS, but Age of Empires on DS manages to hit all the right buttons as it offers you the opportunity to step into the shoes of some of the most successful historical warriors such as Genghis Khan and Richard the Lionheart. But it's not all about winning battles and creating balanced armies – you also have to make the right choices in terms of inventions to guide your civilisation up the technology tree. Only then will your fearless knights have the weapons they require to overcome their enemies.
The Sims 2 Pets Developer: EA Publisher: EA Release date: 20th October (Europe) The DS version of The Sims 2 was surprisingly good; how will it be with added pets? Standard options include creating your own style of dogs, cats, guinea pigs or birds, but the DS version of the game seems to be focused on the more simulation-style approach that characterised the hotel-owning theme of the original DS game. This time you'll take control of the sim who's running the local Pet Care Centre, where you get to look after the neighbours' animals. You'll also be able to earn simoleans by selling accessories and pet fashion. (Suddenly The Sims 2 Pets looks like hard work.)
Children of Mana Developer: Nex Entertainment Publisher: Square Enix Release date: 30th October (US) While there are plenty of Japanese role playing games in the line-up, none promises to be more beautiful and more enjoyable to play than Children of Mana. With its real-time action dynamic and double weapon wielding system, the fact you spend your time bashing your way through endless dungeons full of evil beasties is the very point of the game. Plotwise, you play as one of four kids trying to find out what happened to your village, which has been destroyed. Using the DS' ad hoc wi-fi mode you can even play four-way co-op throughout the game.
Pokémon Ranger Developer: HAL Laboratory, Inc. Publisher: Nintendo Release date: 30th October (US) Another Pokémon game that isn't really a true Pokémon game, Pokémon Ranger is based on an island, where you as the ranger swan about helping out trainers who are in trouble. The gameplay promises to be very touchscreen-oriented – instead of capturing a Pokémon with your poké ball, you'll have to whip out your stylus and quickly draw circles around the stunned beast, with different circle types working better against certain Pokémon species. Another neat element is the way Pokémon Ranger links into other Pokémon games, as some of the items and eggs you collect here will only be hatchable when imported.
Flipper Critters Developer: Zen Studios Publisher: Conspiracy Release date: October (Europe) With Nintendo having lost Metroid Prime Pinball between the pages of its release schedule, maybe Flipper Critters can fill the gap. Coming out of Hungarian codeshop Zen Studios, the game offers an interesting mix of lush environments with a quirky cartoon character-based world, where you'll have to taken on pinball-based mini-games and quests to save the day. It's also one of the few DS games to be made using completely 3D graphics, so if nothing else it should look great. The only thing we're not sure about is the release date, which originally supposed to be September. Let's hope it's not too late.
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend Developer: Eidos Publisher: Eidos Release date: October (Europe) It's Lara's first adventure on the DS, and we're pretty excited. Not only has the Tomb Raider been revitalised in the latest Legend incarnation, but she's also back to doing the things she does best: swinging around ruins full of traps and treasure. The game doesn't use the touchscreen for control, which seems potentially a shame, as you could imagine some great rope-based stylus tricks. Nevertheless, with dual pistols and plenty of scenery variety – ancient tombs, dangerous jungles and snowy mountain ruins are all on offer – there should be plenty to get your teeth into.
Pro Evolution Soccer 6 Developer: Konami Publisher: Konami Release date: October (Europe) After a few lacklustre DS versions of FIFA, handheld footie fans are hopeful Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 6 will be the game to beat the offside trap and score the winner for DS gamers. The key issue will be playability, but hopefully the game will also offer an improvement on FIFA's deep but overly complex tactical controls and options. Considering the DS' limited 3D capacity, don't expect even Pro Evo to produce the beautiful game. Playable if angular will suit us fine.
Need For Speed Carbon Developer: EA Publisher: EA Release date: 3rd November (Europe) Last year's DS version of Need For Speed didn't particularly impress us, but 2006's Carbon is certain to add another gear to the edgy street racing circuit. This time you're dodging the cops and winning the races against other souped-up petrolheads in Carbon Canyon. Expect more cars, more nitro boosts and better graphics; actress/model Emmanuelle Vaugier will grace the game's box art and probably some non-skippable cutscenes with her fragrant Canadian presence.
Contact Developer: Grasshopper Publisher: Rising Star Release date: 10th November (Europe) One of the most interesting games on the horizon is Contact. Something of a hybrid, it mixes a role-playing foundation with plenty of action and touch-based mini-games, as you take the role of Terry, who's helping out the mysterious Professor. His spaceship has crashed on earth, losing his all important batteries in the process, and it's up to you, with the help of Professor and his space dog Mochi, to find them and get them back home. With great splitscreen graphics and a quirky mentality, Contact is a game from which you should expect the unexpected.
Mario Slam Basketball Developer: Square Enix Publisher: Nintendo Release date: 10th November (Europe) White men can't jump but fat Italian plumbers can, it seems, as Mario and friends take to the three-on-three basketball court to slam and dunk their way to victory. The key part of this game should be the control method, with Nintendo promising a fluid stylus action that will enable you to move, pass and score by just touching and stroking the touchscreen. Special power up moves will also be available thanks to the option to tap the screen in a special sequence depending on which character you're playing. You'll also be able to collect coins during the game, and there'll be loads of players available, including some from the Final Fantasy games.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team Developer: Chun Soft Publisher: Nintendo Release date: 10th November (Europe) This Pokémon game for DS isn't really Pokémon in terms of wielding and capturing your own batch of little critters – you'll have to wait until 2007 for Pokémons Diamond and Pearl. Instead Blue Rescue Team is the first ever game where you get to play as a Pokémon. Indeed as you might have guessed from the title, you're part of rescue team, fighting your way through dungeons in an RPG-stylee. One unique feature is the Rescue Mode, where a mate can come and save your team if you've fainted in a dungeon, thanks to a handy password and the DS's wi-fi connectivity.
Final Fantasy III Developer: Square Enix Publisher: Square Enix Release date: 14th November (US) It sold over half a million copies within a week when released in Japan, and combined with the fact this is the first version of the game to be released in Europe, Final Fantasy III is sure to be one of the biggest DS releases of the year. The basic game layouts and dungeons remain the same as the original 1990 version, but the main characters are new and all the artwork has been reworked into 3D. As for the plot of this classic role-playing game, it involves four orphaned youths who come across a crystal of light, with evil forces planning to use the equivalent dark crystals to take over the world. As they invariably do.
Star Fox: Command Developer: Q-Games/Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Release date: 24th November (Europe) Star Fox: Command sees Nintendo fan favourite Fox and his ace pilot chums Peppy, Slippy and Falco taking the DS into 3D for some dogfighting, asteroid-dodging, big boss action. New to the series is the command view, which enables you to plan you and your teammates' route through missions using the touchscreen. You also use the touchscreen to fly your Arwing, with a double-tap providing the all-important shielding barrel roll to avoid enemy fire. An even bigger selling point is the multiplayer battles, with four players supported via Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection or eight over an ad hoc connection.
Spider-Man: Battle for New York Developer: Torus Games Publisher: Activision Release date: 24th November (Europe) While everyone's waiting for the big 2007 summer release of Spider-Man 3, Activision's providing some special Nintendo handheld-only relief in the shape of Spider-Man: Battle for New York. The Green Goblin's hooked up with Kingpin and they're causing havoc in NYC – it's up to Spidey to swing to the rescue. A big element of the game is stealth, with lots of CCTV cameras to be avoided as you beat off assorted thugs. Of course you'll also have plenty of webskills to use – whether swinging around, immobilising enemies or pulling them towards you to experience the strong-arm of vigilante law.
Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam Developer: Vicarious Visions Publisher: Activision Release date: November (Europe) Control is always a key part of Tony Hawk's games and combined with the downhill dynamic of Downhill Jam – which is exclusive to Nintendo handhelds – Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam seems certain to be another great example of how to construct highly playable game. Certainly the early version we played at E3 had us wanting more as we whizzed through the San Francisco road network. All the extra features you'd expect will be place too, with Create-A-Skater plus over 70 different decks to try out, and head-to-head gameplay promised for the Race, Trick Attack, Slalom and Event modes.
Nacho Libre Developer: Budcat Creations Publisher: THQ Release date: November (Europe) OK, so in film form Jack Black as a Mexican cook-cum-wrestler wasn't quite as funny as we thought it was going to be, but that doesn't mean the first wrestling game for DS won't hit the spot. Tons of over-the-top wrestling moves are the most hopeful signs for the game, which will also let you take to the ring as one of a dozen different theatrical bad boys, each of which have their own fighting style. Other promised features include four-way multiplayer, different play mode and touchscreen mini-games.
Bionicle Heroes Developer: Travellers Tales Publisher: Eidos Release date: November (Europe) The studio behind LEGO Star Wars is taking on another part of the knobbly brick empire in Bionicle Heroes. Based within a weird universal of mythological monsters, huge throwing axes, laser guns, and strangely-named tribes, you take the role of the Toa Inika warrior team, fighting your way through enemies such as Bohrok, Vahki, and Visorak. Each member of Toa Inika has their own weapons and abilities, so each area you play will feel different. Helping you complete your mission will be the ability to upgrade your weapons and construct new vehicles so you can reach fresh areas, and you can also boost your various attributes such as vision.
Yoshi's Island 2 Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Release date: 1st December Good old Yoshi – the enemy-swallowing dinosaur is back from more prehistoric (in a good way!) platforming action with help from Baby Mario, Baby Peach and Baby Donkey Kong. Each have their own special attributes, which means you'll have to choose the correct baby to have on your back to make your way through different parts of the game. You'll also have to protect them from the various nasties you'll meet too as they will float away if targeted, demanding you quickly lash them down to earth with your tongue. Aiming this sticky, pink appendage is another of the game's gameplay tricks you'll have to get to grips with.
Panzer Tactics Developer: Sproing Publisher: CDV Release date: 1st December Turn-based WWII strategy gaming will invade the DS with Panzer Tactics, which hopes to build on the solid foundations of similar games such as Advance War: Dual Strike and Age of Empires. Historically accurate German, Russians and Western Allies campaigns are promised, and you'll have 150 different weapons to command over land, sea and air; completing optional mission objectives will unlock bonus missions and other tactical enhancements. Equally impressive sounding is support for four-way multiplayer via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, as well as a global leaderboard, meaning everyone knows who is the Commander-in-Chief.
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin Developer: Konami Publisher: Konami Release date: 5th December (US) If it's Castlevania, it must mean someone is trying to resurrect Dracula again. This time the setting for the long-running action 2D platformer is the Second World War, with your two playable characters, vampire hunter Jonathan Morris and witchy Charlotte Aulin, combining their skills to rout the evil vampire sisters and their hordes of the undead. You can switch seamlessly between characters, with the game's AI taking care of the other one, using Jonathan's weapons expertise and Charlotte's spells where most appropriate. Both characters can also use the new summon attack to materialise demons to help their quest.
Elite Beat Agents Developer: iNiS Publisher: Nintendo Release date: December (Europe) The Western sequel to Japanese-only rhythm action game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, Elite Beat Agents sees you wielding your stylus in time to ensure needy people are instilled with groovy energy. And if that doesn't get your feet tapping we don't know what will. There are three main ways to tap to the beat: either hitting the numbered circles in the right order; tapping and tracking a moving circle; or spinning onscreen disc in a DJ-scratchy style. But the reason everyone loves this type of game is the absolutely bonkers situations you find yourself in. Whether helping a lost dog find its way home or a babysitter charm a hunky football player, no job is too strange for the Elite Beat Agents.
Gunpey Developer: Q Entertainment Publisher: Namco Bandai Release date: December (US) Originally released for the Game Boy way back in the day, Gunpey is a re-imagining of the monochrome puzzle game by creative firebrand Tetsuya Mizuguchi (of Lumines fame). Mixing cutting-edge visual style with a typically original soundtrack, Gunpey is all about connecting and flipping squared icons that have angled lines on them. When you connect an entire line it will disappear, but, like Tetris, if an incomplete line reaches the top of the screen it's game over. (Think Meteos but without the space rockets.) It promises to be fast and frantic, and head-to-head multiplayer will only further frazzle your nerves.
Harvest Moon Developer: Marvelous Interactive Publisher: Rising Star Release date: December (Europe) One of the many European DS games to be hit by the curse of release date slippage, Harvest Moon should have been out in the summer, but now the cute farm simulator looks like it could make the ideal Christmas present for the DS owner in your life who wants to raise cows, sheep, chickens and grow plants and trees. This garden of Eden has been blighted by a Witch Princess: you'll have to find 101 harvest sprites to make sure your farm is a success, and that's before you undertaken the arduous task of finding the right wife!
Rayman Raving Rabbids Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier Publisher: Ubisoft Release date: December (Europe) He doesn't go down the pub (as far as we know) but Rayman is always legless. He's always armless too, but despite his lack of limbs, he's back for his fourth adventure in Rayman Raving Rabbids. The problem is an invasion of out-of-control bunnies, which the Gallic creature must, somehow, get under control. New powers include the ability to hypnotise them with disco music or, taking a more evil approach, you'll be able to invoke the dark creatures of the Rayman's world, which you'll need when coming up against the giant rabbit's colossus. (Yes, it's a weird French game).
Star Wars: Lethal Alliance Developer: Ubisoft Casablanca Publisher: Ubisoft Release date: December (Europe) Set between the Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, Star Wars: Lethal Alliance focuses on collaborative gameplay as you take control of the elite weaponry and acrobatic skills of Twi'lek Rianna Saren together with her security droid Zeeo. Hired by the Rebel Alliance, your job is to infiltrate Imperial planets and eventually make your way to the Death Star. The action will be blaster-based rather than full of Jedi tricks, but Star Wars characters such as Boba Fett, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader will be called in to add some authenticity.
The Settlers Developer: Blue Byte Publisher: Ubisoft Release date: December (Europe) A boon for those of us bored by war games and movie tie-ins comes the delicate charms of The Settlers. You goal as the leader of your tribe is to progress in the civilisation stakes by chopping down trees, planting crops, making iron, and generally keeping your followers happy and trading your way to prosperity. That said, if such gentleness isn't really your thing, the odd soldier unit will be on hand for you to fast track your path up the national ladder of power. Four races will be available – Roman, Viking, Nubian and Asian – as well as 30 job types and six types of soldiers.
Star Trek: Tactical Assault Developer: Quicksilver Software Publisher: Bethesda Release date: Unconfirmed (possibly 2007) Strategy gaming collides with the original Star Trek universe in ST: Tactical Assault. You get to sit the seat of Captain J T Kirk, fighting in deep space, all the while trying to balance the Enterprise's energy output with the competing demands of speed, weapons and shields. (Cue Scottie shouting: 'She cannae take it!'). Campaigns can be fought from either the Federation or Klingon perspective, and in multiplayer the Romulan, Gorn, and Orion fleets are also available. The ships of each race have their strengths and weaknesses, so you'll have to modify your tactics depending on which side you decide to be.
Lunar Knights Developer: Kojima Productions Publisher: Konami Release date: Unconfirmed (possibly 2007) Coming out of Hideo '(Metal Gear Solid)' Kojima's studio, Lunar Knights is a time-dependent, shape-shifting action game with you taking control of the vampiric Lucien during night hours, switching over to warrior Aaron during the day. The game's inbuilt clock system is a key element, as the passage of time is shown in constant motion on the top DS screen. You'll also be assisted in your dungeon-clearing exploits by your elemental pet, Terranial. Stylus in hand, you'll be able to get him casting spells, and Konami promises there'll be microphone-based attacks too. In fact, the only thing missing from this game is the kitchen sink.
Spectrobes Developer: Jupiter Corp Publisher: Buena Vista Games Release date: Unconfirmed (possibly 2007) Okay, so it's sorta a bit like Pokémon, but that doesn't mean we're not excited by Spectrobes, another collect and deploy critter-type of game. The nice twist to Spectrobes is the animals you find are fossils. You have to use your stylus to carefully remove them from the rock before reanimating them back in the lab. Then the fun really starts as you take out your specimens to do battle. There are 500 to collect but you can only select six at a time, and their particular attributes will be vital to getting the job done. Good thing then that you can get them to link up to perform powerful combo attacks and counterstrikes. Be sure to bookmark our dedicated DS section to keep up on all these games, and everything headed to DS in 2007!