In case you missed out on the news, Ubisoft's Brothers in Arms game for the DS air-dropped into North American territory just a few days ago. Given that this is going to be the second FPS-style game coming to the console (Move over, Samus...please?) you can imagine that plenty of the DS owners here at QJ.Net were excited to get their own game copy.

In celebration of this excitement, we thought we'd give other gamers out there an idea of how the game looks, by way of another gameplay trailer. This latest video will be much longer than the trailer we featured here earlier, and should bring in more information on how the gameplay translated on the DS' touchscreen. Happy viewing!

What's up this week down under? A whole new bunch of gaming treats from Nintendo. This week will see a couple of title launches for the Wii, while there's seven new games for you to pick up for your DS.

The two new titles for the Wii are Mario Strikers Charged, which lands in Australia with online multiplayer capabilities, and the odd royal gang from the land of Far Away, Shrek the Third. As for the DS titles, take your pick from the list below:

• Shrek the Third (Dreamworks)
• Brothers in Arms DS  (Ubisoft)
• Harvest Moon DS
• Nicktoons Battle for Volcano Island (THQ)
• Picross DS
• Princess Natasha
• Puzzle Quest

Anyhow, we're sure there's already a healthy bunch from among you who have already grabbed a copy of Mario Strikers Charged. So, the next best thing to say is, of course, enjoy! Keep it posted here for more updates on what's hot and what's not. This list: definitely hot.

There are two things here that we don't quite see everyday: First, this is a trailer for a Nintendo DS game, and second, it's an FPS for the same platform. The surprise is welcome, though. If you play the video, you'll be amazed with the sheer quality of the visuals and audio that really demonstrate just what the DS is capable of given the right software. Check it out:

We can safely say that Ubisoft may very well be on to something huge here. The push in the quality of visuals is unprecedented in any title we've seen before and that's saying a lot since first-party games have delivered some terrific goodies in the past. For a platform that's recognized more for the quirk and creativity of its content, Brothers in Arms War Stories certainly stands out in its platoon.

This isn't to say that creativity and innovation aren't present here. As a matter of fact, Ubisoft is actually giving special attention to those areas. The early word is that the top screen will display the action as you can see in the video and the bottom screen will make for some real-time weapon swapping. Grenades will be thrown via the stylus and aiming controls will be input using the pad. It's an exciting prospect that we will watch continually with enthusiasm. We'll keep you posted for more.

Two new games in the Brothers in Arms series have been slated for the Nintendo DS and Wii. Both games, published by Ubisoft and developed by Gearbox Software, are expected to bring new life to this FPS based on WWII.

The Nintendo DS version, simply called Brothers in Arms DS, has a lot going for it. This is the first Brothers in Arms for the system and the developers look to be maximizing the use of the touch screen. Other features of the game include 3D graphics, drivable vehicles, and even contextual movements.

The game will also have 16 missions and three different campaigns which include Normandy, North-Africa, and Ardennes. For those who crave human flesh, er, i mean human opposition, the developers have included a multiplayer option for you and up to three other players. You can compete in various multiplayer games such as Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch.

The Wii version, Brothers in Arms: Double Time, has features that maximize the use of the Wii's innovative control scheme. What they have dubbed an "Enhanced Control Scheme" allows players to issue orders and perform military gestures to command via the Wiimote.

The game will feature 31 different levels, all of which depict the highlights of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment's fight for survival during WWII. The developers have also assured that the game will be historically accurate, with players fighting in Airborne Infantry battles of D-Day. They have even recruited Military and Historical Director, Col. John Antal to ensure the accuracy of the game.

You can expect Sergeants Baker and Hartsock to be leading their boys into combat soon since both versions are scheduled to ship this year. No exact date has been given yet, but we expect the announcement to come soon.

The latest Nintendo Power included a look at the Brothers in Arms DS title, which was rumored to be in development by Ubisoft last year and substantiated by an ESRB listing (as Brothers in Arms: War Stories) a month ago. Buttonbasher tells us that the game will include 16 missions spanning three campaigns. The action will start in North America and spread out through Normandy.

The DS's top screen will show a 3D view of the battlefield which, according to the Nintendo Power preview, "pushes the boundaries of graphic quality on the DS." The touch screen is used for real-time weapon changing or touch-controlled aiming. Grenades are thrown by drawing up with the stylus, and weapons include bazookas and sniper rifles. There are also a bunch of operable vehicles in the game including a jeep and a Sherman tank.

 

Brothers in Arms DS is slated for a summer release.