Nintendo does sushi?

Handheld consoles aren't just there for the fun things in life you know, like, erm, playing games. We've already seen how the PSP can (sort of) help you learn a foreign language and how the DS can improve your brain, but did you know that Nintendo's machine could also come in handy in the kitchen?

As part of its series of non-game tools (a range including easy search dictionary Kanji Sonomama DS Rakubiki Jiten, caligraphy title DS Bimoji Training, and the new Opera browser), Nintendo has released a portable cooking guide Shaberu! DS Ryouri Navi that not only provides a list of useful recipes, it'll actually speak them to you using nifty voice technology.

And as you can also use your voice rather than the stylus to navigate menus, there's no danger of covering the system with spaghetti sauce – or more likely sushi, as it's presently in Japanese only.

With other features including an automatic recipe suggestor (based on you inputting what you have in your fridge) and a handy shopping list to take with you when you head to the supermarket, single men everywhere should pray that a European version is now in development.

As for us, we're just delighted to see Nintendo keeping innovation high on the menu.