Remember when Nintendo of America first announced Crossword DS during the 2007 E3? Puzzle fans will be pleased to know that the game is now available from retail stores. To find out what this game has to offer, head on over to the full article.

Nintendo is aiming for all walks of life with innovative gaming machines that are easy to pick up and play. The number of casual gamers are multiplying at an unprecedented rate, and even your grandma who thought a joystick was a demonic object is probably now interested in training her brain or cooking with a Stylus.

Expanding the user base isn't a bad thing at all, and today is a lot better than before when gamers were rare, but what of the hardcore who would frown at digital crossword puzzles or next-gen tamagotchi?

"The hardcore gamers will always be important to Nintendo," said Nintendo Australia Marketing Manager Greg Arthurton to IGN. While Ninty is dishing out countless of light-hearted titles to attract the non-gamer, Arthurton stressed out that the big N won't turn tails on loyalists that followed Nintendo since the early days.

He expressed disappointment after hearing that some hardcore fans feel they're being left behind since all the buzz is on casuals. Arthurton reassured that "there is no way we're taking our eye off the core gamer unit." Fingers were pointed at Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Mario Kart Wii, and other upcoming titles as peace offerings for the core gamer.

Arthurton went on saying there is no fear for the hardcore market to shrink with such games coming soon. One would notice that all the games he mentioned were spin-offs from franchises of old, but he named Animal Crossing, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, and Hotel Dusk: Room 215 as relatively new brands that will cater to both core and casual gamer alike.

Anyway, if you want to know how the entire interview with Greg Arthurton went, feel free to click the Read link below.

 

Nintendo has announced its lineup of games for its very own Nintendo DS during E3. As of March 31 this year, the DS has sold more than 40 million units worldwide. The DS has introduced some of the most innovative - not to forget educational - games that have hit the gaming industry thanks to its interactive design. Now the new generation of games are about to be released.

Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day involves the user in a series of tests in hand-eye coordination, eye agility, reaction time and peripheral vision. It's designed to help users focus better and launches on October 15.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is the all new Zelda game that pushes the graphics capabilities of the DS, Phantom Hourglass has intuitive controls and promises to intrigue long-time fans and new fans. The game will be out on October 1 for the US and in June for Japan.

Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day brings the best selling brain exercise game back! Introducing more than a dozen all-new puzzles to exercise those neurons, this game will be available on August 20.

Picross DS should be out by July 30, while Donkey Kong Jungle Climber will be stretching its legs on September 10. Chibi-Robo Park Patrol should hit stores by October 2, with Mario Party DS signing up for a bash on DSes everywhere by November 19. Nintendo Magic chimes abacadabras on November 26, while Professor Layton and the Curious Village satisfy their brain itches on December 3.

Nintendo Crossword (working title) was also mentioned to be one of the other DS titles to be released this year, although not target release date was specified as of press time.

When was the last time you gave your gray matter some exercise? A round of Sudoku maybe? Or a half finished crossword puzzle? Well, 505 Games together with ASK Co Ltd. is bringing MinDStorm to the Nintendo DS to give our minds a bit of a workout.

MinDStorm will feature ten challenge types for players, designed to enhance reasoning skills, endurance (in case you get nosebleeds from math problems), analysis, intuition, and observation. According to 505 Games, extended play will give gamers evil genius capacities... err- improved memory and better overall brain functions. With the use of the stylus, touch screen and microphone, players will be challenged in solving geography and general knowledge puzzles, plus sliding picture mind benders and mazes.

Players can also indicate where they are playing - be it on the train, bus, or in the general public - and the MinDStorm will omit some challenges. For example, if you're on a bumpy bus ride, it'll take off the challenges that require precise stylus activities. Or if you're in public, it'll spare you from talking into your DS lest be mistaken for a lunatic.

Anyway, MinDStorm looks like it'll leave a lot of minds looking like a pretzel - but then that's pretty much the point, right? This brain training title will hit the shelves on May 4 and will retail at 30 GBP or around US $59. In the meantime, you can check out the screens to get an idea on what challenges MinDStorm offers.

More screenshots after the jump!