The Nintendo DS Lite looks like a nice improvement over the DS.

I feel as if I haven’t played video games in years. I play Super Smash Bros. Melee every once in a while when a friend wants to battle me, but I don’t remember the last time I really got into a game. College does keep me rather busy, but that’s no excuse to neglect my hobbies. What happened to that love of video games I used to have? I may very well be outgrowing this passion for virtual adventure.

I’m a big fan of games like Super Mario 64, Eternal Darkness, and Chrono Trigger. Games with magic and exploration are wonderful, and games with my favorite characters are even better (e.g., SSBM). Nintendo knows which games I like; games like Grand Theft Auto, World of Warcraft, and Madden 2005 just don’t interest me. Sports and shooter games are very hard for me to like. I need games based on simple action and adventure, and it needs to be purely fantasy. (Why play games that mirror reality when you can just go outside and live reality yourself?)

I watched a few videos of the game New Mario Bros. for the Nintendo DS. I really miss playing those old Mario games, so it was nice to see that Nintendo is bringing back the classic Mario fun. I don’t have a DS yet, but I may be finding more and more reasons to buy one.

A few games I want to play:

• New Mario Bros.
• Mother 3 (I believe this is for the GBA, and I don’t even know if and when this will come out in the U.S., so this one is a long shot.)
• Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
• Tetris DS

When I have enough money, I’ll go buy a Nintendo DS Lite. I’ve seen and read a lot of nice things about it. Its purchase will signify my return to the world of video gaming, but it will also signify the beginning of a big wallet-drainer. However, happiness is always worth it.