Another year, another E3. Just like last year, Nintendo’s press conference was heavily unbalanced, portraying how the company is shifting the large majority of its gears towards Wii development. There are, however, a good amount of DS tidbits to report, including a few interesting surprises. We have summarized the latest DS news for your convenience:

Grand Theft Auto hits the DS: Although it was barely mentioned, this is quite possibly the biggest surprise at this year’s Nintendo media briefing. Grand theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is set to launch this December, bringing Liberty City to Nintendo’s handheld, including ‘classic gameplay in a brand new engine’, hinting at a 3D title to look forward to.
Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades is on its way: Somewhat of an expansion to this summer’s big-seller, On Tour Decades is set to release very soon, including its own set of tracks and the ability to share music with standard On Tour players.
Cooking Guide: Can’t Decide What To Eat coming to North America: Shipping this November, this digital recipe book allows your DS to invade the kitchen, with helpful tips and voice clips to help you prepare delicious dishes.
Rhythm Tengoku 2 / Rhythm Heaven to see the light outside Japan: Our prayers have been answered; Nintendo will be releasing this quirky DS rhythm title, a sequel to a GBA import-only masterpiece, in North America. A release window has yet to be given.
Pokémon Ranger 2 finally has North American release date: A sequel to a surprisingly fresh Pokémon spin-off, which was released in Japan almost ten months ago, is finally on its way to the US; titled Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, the title has a November 10 release date.
Retro Game Challenge U.S.-bound: Game Center CX, based off a popular Japanese TV show, features a collection of many different takes on classic old-school titles. The title received great praise in Japan, and is set to launch this winter as Retro Game Challenge.

And that’s about it. Nintendo had previously confirmed Kirby Super Star Ultra and Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir for a September release, and surprisingly only the latter was found at the E3 show floor. No word on Fire Emblem DS, Pokémon Platinum, or Miles Edgeworth: Perfect Prosecutor; at least not yet. We will continue to bring you updated DS-oriented E3 info as it becomes available.

I don’t know about you, but it is way too hot over here. Depending on your location, you could be under the stings and arrows of our fellow fireball the Sun, you could be under the pleasant covers of the Northwestern clouds, or you could be in a midpoint situation. Regardless of the weather, though, the Nintendo DS keeps the good games coming, and this July is no exception. Check out the following titles releasing this month, including the anticipated release of a fantastic adventure, Final Fantasy IV:

Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 – July 2: At last, a true sequel to the Trauma Center series returns to its birthplace, the Nintendo DS. With a few new operations and the same challenging gameplay, the title has been praised of being good, although a bit non-innovative. For those looking for more E.R. action, TC:UTK2 won’t disappoint.

Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution – July 8: A bit of a ‘laid-back’ approach on the hardcore Civilization gameplay, simplifying gameplay to expand the game’s audience while keeping many gameplay aspects and tons of replay value. Although basic 2D graphics aren’t impressive, the addictive strategy gameplay and tons of content make the DS version of Civ one worth checking out.

Carnival Games – July 8: The not-so-good-but-sold-a-ton Carnival Games for the Wii is attempting to cash in with the DS market. This game is a collection of carnival-themed mini-games for stylus play, featuring many prizes, a town to explore and customize, and microphone usage. It might not be great, but casual gamers keen to the Wii version will probably enjoy this.

Final Fantasy IV – July 21: Known as ‘the definitive FFIV version’ to many, this enhanced remake featuring gameplay enhancements, gorgeous 3D visuals, and connectivity features offers a challenging, old-school role-playing adventure for nostalgic fans or newcomers alike.

Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns: July 22: Izuna’s second DS adventure is on its way, with a lot of dungeons to explore, enemies to defeat and items to collect. Izuna’s DS titles are dungeon crawlers similar to Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, titles that many consider repetitive but that have an increasing fan base that can’t get enough of them.

Yet another ball-bouncing, brick-breaking game has been released for the Nintendo DS. Although Arkanoid is a clone of the Breakout pioneer that started this puzzle-esque genre, the title means quality, as many have tried and failed to recreate this experience on the system, whereas Arkanoid DS succeeds. Think of it as a revival of the title; retaining its classic, addictive gameplay, the game is enhanced with catchy tunes, vibrant graphical backgrounds, multiplayer and leaderboards, and tons of replay value.

As you would expect, Arkanoid DS features the classic ‘break the bricks’ gameplay, as you repeatedly bounce a ball with a paddle to make your way through a static stage. You can embark on Clear Mode, in which you clear sets of 5 rounds each for a total of 35 stages to finish the session. The thing is, every Zone matches a letter in the alphabet, giving players hundreds of stages to go through to fully beat the game. Once you clear a Zone, you can enter Quest Mode and clear the Zone’s five stages again, this time with specific challenges such as clearing a certain color of blocks or all of them with limited time or ball bounces. Although there isn’t nothing all that new about these modes, and the gameplay remains repetitive overall, it’s still a very addictive title, especially if you want to go through every stage.

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There’s no doubt about it; Guitar Hero revolutionized the way we see and play rhythm games. The franchise has enjoyed great success in multiple consoles since late 2005. However, when a portable version of Guitar Hero for the Nintendo DS was announced, many were skeptical; how on earth could we get a guitar-playing experience on the go? Will there be a mini-guitar included, or some other peripheral that might or might not work? Discussion and speculation continued for a while, with little to none official word on how the game would pan out. Eventually, the Guitar Grip accessory was revealed; some followers of the title were impressed, while others felt a bit uncomfortable about the idea. With the recent release of the game; we can finally say ‘…almost’.

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Nintendo DS owners who also have an internet-connected Wii can download demos of upcoming DS games through the Nintendo Channel. Although recent ‘updates’ to the Channel have been somewhat disappointing (switching old demos within weeks isn’t really updating), we finally have a good reason to use the service. You can now get your hands on a demo of Arkanoid DS, complete with five levels, three difficulty settings, stylus or button controls, neat music, and an overall satisfying experience. We had a lot of fun with it, and we suggest that lucky Wii and DS owners go and download it immediately.

If the demo can be this fun, there seems to be no reason to skip the game’s release next week, especially with its tempting $20 price tag. Still on the fence? Worry not; PVG will review the title and give you all the skinny on it next week. Also look for an extensive round-up of every ball-bouncing, brick-breaking game currently available for the DS, to celebrate the release.

The great thing about multi-platform releases is that gamers have the option of playing a game on one of many possible systems. The difficulty is choosing which system to get a blockbuster game for. We faced this problem with the recently released LEGO Indiana Jones, which is available for both the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP, as well as every current home console. Unable to decide between the two portable options, we decided to get both — and report back here on which version we liked best. It is difficult to choose a clear winner, because both handheld consoles handle the game well, and each version has its own particular strengths and weaknesses. If you are still on the fence about which one to buy, read on for the specific details and our verdict on each release.

The DS Version

Players who opt for the DS version are in for a slightly different gameplay experience. Unlike the console and PSP versions, Lego Indiana Jones on the DS makes a few sacrifices in image quality and level size, but brings new features to the table. At many points in the game, players must use the “wind” feature of the microphone to activate certain platforms and puzzles. DS owners with friends can still play in cooperative multiplayer mode over local wifi. The DS version also features touch functionality, although this is somewhat unnecessary and redundant since the same input can be achieved by pressing one of the face buttons. The DS version also predictably adds some touch-screen minigames not found on any other system.

Graphically, the game can not compare to the PSP and console versions, but it delivers a strong performance nonetheless: levels are filled with colorful textures and player characters are clearly distinguishable, even on the small screen. The framerate is also noticeably better than last year’s Lego Star Wars. The only really substantial difference is that the DS version cuts back the total number of levels in the game, leaving out some of the content found on other systems, while still retaining the overall spirit and fun of the franchise.

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After a few months of slim pickings it is once again a very strong month for PSP releases in North America. We have a couple of high-quality movie tie-ins, a sure-fire adventure hit from Sony and a rapid twitch shooter in the vein of Lumines. It is difficult to choose a favorite among the upcoming titles, but there is definitely something for nearly every taste coming up in the next 30 days.

LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures — June 3: Sure, the new Indiana Jones movie was a bit of a let down, but this video game adaptation of the first films won’t disappoint. All of the insanity and fun of LEGO combined with the excellent gameplay that Travelers Tales are known for, in a portable package.

Secret Agent Clank — June 17: The next blockbuster action/adventure title for the PSP revisits the underdog sidekick theme to find out what kind of damage Clank can do when Ratchet is locked up for crimes he didn’t commit. All signs point to this being a quality release.

Space Invaders Extreme — June 17: The DS is not the only system receiving the retro arcade treatment from Square Enix this month. Space Invaders Extreme on the PSP loses touch input, but gains a graphical upgrade. Having more in common with Lumines than a typical arcade shooter, we predict that this title could be a smash hit on the Sony portable.

Naruto Ultimate Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress — June 24: We know there are some anime fans out there looking forward to this release from Namco/Bandai.

WALL-E — June 24: This game adaptation of the Disney-Pixar film will put players in control of a trash collecting robot through a variety of environmental puzzles and obstacle courses.

Oh yes; June is here, the summer starts, and the controversial Guitar Hero: On Tour will rock your DS, or fail trying. Will players dig the concept? Is the lack of a fifth fret really all that important? We shall find out soon. As big as GH:OT is, though, there are other note-worthy DS releases for this month, from classic revivals to hardcore strategy / RPG blends. Take a gander at these DS titles set to ship this June:

Summon Night: Twin Age – June 3: Previously delayed and now shipping on June, this action / RPG hybrid features two playable characters and a decent-length quest full of dungeons to crawl through and a clean real-time, action-based battle system. Explore the world, level up, trade items; good stuff here.

Looney Tunes: Cartoon Conductor – June 10: Don’t be so quick to dismiss this one; although not much is known, this title apparently plays just like Elite Beat Agents, a favorite among rhythm DS gamers. Expect a review soon after the game’s release, for good or bad.

Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles – June 10: Solve three deep, intriguing cases full of murders, love and betrayal in this point-and-click adventure, a genre that suits the DS perfectly. Although initial reactions haven’t been all that positive, the game’s $20 price tag is a nice attraction.

Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard – June 17: The second installment to a fantastic, old-school RPG / dungeon crawler of yesteryear, with new character jobs, improved boss fights, and other tweaks here and there to make a good game even better. Will PVG review this game? You bet!

Arkanoid DS & Space Invaders Extreme – June 17: Two titles, two timeless classics revived on DS, complete with touch screen controls, attractive new visuals and audio, boss fights, and DS Paddle support. Unfortunately, US copies of Arkanoid DS won’t include said paddle; you can import one, or wait for a possible third-party substitute to become available.

Guitar Hero: On Tour – June 22: 25 songs, an interesting peripheral, and the concept of Guitar Hero on your DS; talk about surprising. Many have wondered just how well this game will do, considering the limitations of the system and the fact that you’re not using a real guitar controller. Worry not; PVG will have an in-depth review soon after the title’s release.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift – June 24: A pseudo-sequel to Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, a series that takes a light-hearted approach to standard FF Tactics series, while retaining its hardcore RTS elements. Once again set in Ivalice, this whimsical adventure features all you loved of the GBA title—many character classes, an artsy look, and the Law System—plus more.

Trauma Center: Under The Knife 2 – June 24?: A question mark? Well, you see, although the ‘official’ release is July 1st, a rumor floating around suggests a release date drawback of one week. Either way, you will soon follow up to one of the most beloved (and challenging) DS titles that lets you play doctor, in a good way. Join Derek Styles and Angie Thompson as they deal with the after-effects of the deadly GUILT virus of the first UTK title, complete with new operations, tools, and patients to save.

Talk about a jam-packed month! And take a look at all the DS titles with colons in the title; this is quite a trend, isn’t it?

From the blatant copyright infringement department comes Still Alive, a homebrew game for the Nintendo DS that does a good job of capturing the madcap mayhem of the popular Valve game Portal from the PC.

Of course, without the raw horsepower of the PC and modern consoles, French developer “T4ils” have had to cut a few corners in the graphics and presentation of the wall-zapping puzzler for the DS version. Fortunately, the core gameplay appears to be intact — players must make their way through maze-like levels by creating portals on wall surfaces which allow them to teleport around the level. Here, the goal is no longer simply to make it to the exit, since the infamous cake from the original game has finally deicded to make an appearance. Players must scoop up the pieces of cake scattered throughout stage as an additional challenge before they can make their way to the next level.

Fortunately, despite the changes in gameplay and graphics, the creativity and dark humor of the original Valve release seems to be intact. Some players have even reported difficulty making it past the game’s menu screen, which requires a little bit of creative thinking. If you think you are up for the challenge, be sure to head over to the developer’s site to download a free copy of the game. If you are not sure how to run homebrew software on your system, be sure and check out our handy DS Homebrew Guide.

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We have some sweet, sweet DS mews to report. After a Nintendo business meeting in Japan, a good amount of new titles and releases were divulged. First of all, Fire Emblem DS, an enhanced remake of the first FE game way back in the NES days, will see Japanese release on August 7. That’s good, but here’s the true ‘sweetness’; a new Densetsu no Stafi game is in the works for the DS, as well as another Rhythm Tengoku. The first is a popular 2D platformer to the likes of Mario, and is quite a popular franchise in the Land of the Rising Sun; the rest of the world, however, hasn’t seen much of the little chubby yellow star, except from a relatively useless appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The latter, Rhythm Tengoku, was a cult classic import titles for the GBA; one of the system’s last gems, really, with addictive rhythm-based gameplay with a twist, from the developers of the WarioWare titles. Although there are no specific details to report on either of the newly announced games, we should be able to get more info soon, seeing how both titles are set to storm Japanese DS systems this July.

So now we have three titles from franchises that have yet to see the light in American soil; Densetsu no Stafi, Rhythm Tengoku, and Daigasso! Band Brothers. This would be a great time for Nintendo of America to make it up to us and bring these games over for a change. We will continue to gather relevant info and pass it on to you as soon as we can get it.

Thanks: [NeoGAF]