Last minute DS help for Moms and Grandmoms

Still a few days left before Christmas.

I'm sure there are a few folks out there who are still entirely confused by their children's requests for a "Dee-Ess" and "the game with the little animals that talk." With that in mind, here is a quick roundup of what it is your kids are asking you for.

1. Nintendo DS. Nintendo's newest handheld. It has two screens (one of which is touch sensitive), a built in microphone, built in WiFi, and comes in Arctic White, Onyx Black, Crimson and Onyx, Coral Pink, Gold (available in the Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass bundle only), and Silver (available in the Nintendogs bundle only.) If your kids are asking for blue or metallic rose be aware they're offerings available in Japan only.

Your kids may refer to it as the DS Lite. They're all "Lite" now so don't even worry about it. It's just a thinner version of the original. They play the same games; don't worry.

The DS will also play most of the older Gameboy Games that your children have lying around. You don't need to buy anything extra for that to work. There's a second slot on the bottom of the unit that takes those older cartridges.

Everything you need is in the box. Except for a game.

The DS doesn't come with a game unless you buy one of the above mentioned "bundles."

2. The games

Here's a list of the most popular games for the DS and how your kids are probably describing it to you:

• The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass "Zelda."
  
• Animal Crossing: Wide World "The one where the little animals are friends."
  
• Nintendogs "The one where you get a dog."
  
• Pokemon (Diamond and Pearl) (Both games are virtually the same. You only need one or the other) "Pokeymans!"
  
• The New Super Mario Brothers "Mario."
  
• Mario Kart "Mario."
  
• Mario Party "Mario."
  
• Master of Illusion "The magic game."
  
• Brain Age 2 "The brain game" or the "learning game."
  
• Tony Hawk's Proving Ground "Tony Hawk's skating game" or the "skating game."

There are loads more titles that you may be asked for. I kept my list to the 10 most common and the 10 that are suitable for almost everyone. If you find yourself stumped, shoot me an e-mail and I'm sure I can sort it out for you and save you the embarrassment of asking at Gamestop or EB.

Merry Christmas!