The ten most anticipated pre-Christmas DS releases

Considering there are over 100 DS games to be released between now and Christmas, there's plenty to look forward to as the festive season approaches. We can only hope you've managed to pay off your holiday spending during the autumn.

Before we reveal what we consider to emerge as the essential releases for the rest of the year, though, let's just pause for a minute and think about the titles that didn't make it.

Some, such as Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations, Contra 4 and Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings are being released in the US during 2007 (and hence available on import), but us Europeans will officially have to wait until 2008 for the pleasure of their company. Hence, we're ignoring them for the time being.

And they're not alone. Games like Line Rider, Viva Piñata DS and N+, we simply don't know when they'll be available. That's because their respective publishers haven't yet confirmed their release dates. At this late stage it suggests to us they won't be available until next year, so we're not including them either.

But with the formalities out of the way, let's get on with the action. DS heaven awaits, after all…

The top 10 most anticipated pre-Christmas DS releases

10. Ultimate Mortal Kombat Developer: Other Ocean Interactive Publisher: Midway Released: November 30th Considering the game's been around for a decade, and available on everything from arcade cabinets to SNES to GBA, maybe it's a surprise that the DS version of Ultimate Mortal Kombat has gained so much attention; especially as Midway hasn't even put out a press release about it. Still we know Jade, Scorpion, Smoke, and Reptile will be available, while Mileena, Classic Sub-Zero and Human Smoke will be unlockable. Perhaps what's getting people excited is the Puzzle Kombat mini-game? If not, online multiplayer bouts may do the trick.
9. WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2008 Developer: Foundation 9 Publisher: THQ Released: November 9th The debut of the massive WWE SmackDown vs Raw on DS has to be one of the year's highlights, especially as the platform hasn't been blessed with many (if any) decent 3D fighting games. But there's a twist, as this version of the game takes more of a trick-based approach, enabling you to draw gestures with your stylus in order to make offensive and defensive moves with your chosen large, sweaty man. As for those familiar faces, 21 playable Superstars, including Undertaker, Rey Mysterio and John Cena are included, as well as separate storylines for ECW, RAW and SmackDown.
8. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Developer: n-Space Publisher: Activision Released: November The previously WWII-based shooter Call of Duty series makes its way into our current warlike timeframe, as well as making its DS debut, with a game that's already impressed us in terms of its first-person graphical capabilities. Set in Russia and the Middle East, there are foot-based missions, as well as on-rails sections where you take the role of a helicopter gunner or ride topside on a Hummer. There are also stylus-based mini-games, such as diffusing and placing explosive charges, while four-way multiplayer highlights should include Deathmatch and Capture the Flag.
7. Panzer Tactics DS Developer: Sproing Publisher: 10tacles Released: November We've been waiting for Panzer Tactics DS for a long time now. Originally scheduled for a winter 2006 release, a delay of a year could either suggest things have gone terribly wrong, or that the game is now so polished, it's bound to be a classic. We remain optimistic though and so expect the WWII turn-based strategy title to provide us with a more realistic Advance Wars-type experience, which includes over 150 units, three different campaigns as well as a wide range of multiplayer options, including Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Let the battles commence.
6. Vision Training (aka Flash Focus) Developer: Namco Bandai Publisher: Nintendo Released: November 23rd Nintendo brings another interesting real-world application to its DS Touch! Generations collection with Vision Training, a 'game' designed to do for your eyes what Brain Training did for your ageing grey cells. Indeed, some of the tasks seem to be remarkably similar to the memory tests in Dr Kawashima's popular title, but others are more gamey, with the stylus-based boxing and baseball batting mini-games well worth repeating. Perhaps this is the first training game to successfully mix short daily bursts with longer, more involved sessions?
5. The Simpsons Game Developer: Amaze Publisher: EA Released: November 2nd We've already had some fun with The Simpsons Game, having played a slightly dodgy version in Germany, and a much improved one in the US. Overall, however, we're looking forward to the experience, not least because handheld specialist Amaze is developing the game, which as well as providing the appropriately high quality Simpsons tie-in is also designed to take the mickey out of other genres. Comic Book Guy will pop up to award you cliché medals when you complete missions, for example, while the idea of a 'Homergotchi' is intriguing, too. Though, surely, we'll just end up having to continually feed him?
4. Tony Hawk's Proving Ground Developer: Vicarious Visions Publisher: Activision Released: November 2nd It would be silly to say 'third time lucky' for DS-based Tony Hawk games as previous releases Downhill Jam and American Sk8Land were great, but with Proving Ground, long-term series developer Vicarious Visions seems certain to be pushing the envelope even more, both in terms of the return to gritty graphics and the stylus-based tricks combos that will provide the points you need to fully customise your experience. We also expect the already solid multiplayer options to be impressively overhauled, with four players supported in each level, and more community features. Go, Birdman!
3. Geometry Wars: Galaxies Developer: Kuju/Bizarre Creations Publisher: Sierra Released: November With many of the games in our list being sequels or licence-based, it's good to see some innovative (if not quite wholly original) content making an appearance, too. Of course, the original game was released for Xbox Live (if you discount its earlier appearance in the Project Gotham Racing games), but the DS version of Geometry Wars should perhaps be seen as a refreshed experience, with new elements including an indestructible drone, the Geom in-game currency and some promising multiplayer options. Link-ups with the Wii version, as well as the ability to virally share a version of the game with other DSs further demonstrate the thought that's gone into its design.
2. Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command Developer: RedLynx Publisher: THQ Released: November 23rd It's perhaps a surprise to see Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command so highly rated. After all, there have been plenty of Warhammer 40,000 games and they've hardly set the world alight. Still, having had a hands-on play with the game, as well as analysing the screens, we're happy to include the space-fantasy, turn-based game high on our list, especially as it includes six-player support for ad-hoc and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection options. Indeed, expect as many as nine multiplayer-only missions to play alongside the 15 single-player sorties.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Released: October 19th When it comes to the top of the DS list, there can be only one. Probably Nintendo's most anticipated game ever on DS (even if Pok�mons Diamond/Pearl will beat it in terms of sales), we're certain it will fully live up to the most critical evaluation. Unless you have an aversion to cel-shading, of course. Everyone else, however, should find the stylus-based action – drag to move and roll, and draw circles and lines to use weapons – beautifully smooth and easy to pick up. Add in an epic story arc, as you make your way island to island, and some neat multiplayer options, and you'll find this hard to put down. Christmas comes early this year.