Classic Video Games Holiday Gift Guide 2009 – Classics for the Nintendo DS

The more notorious of the Breakout-style games, mainly from its flashy graphics, addictive gameplay and sci-fi narrative. The paddle has become the spaceship "Vaus" which fights off alien invaders by breaking blocks in outer space. If played ‘till the end you battle the giant disembodied head of the alien leader.

The DS version is played across both screens, with the blocks on the top and the paddle on the bottom. Features added to the DS version include three gameplay modes, multiplayer features with up to four players and options to decorate the backgrounds and borders.

Double Shot features the classic Bubble Bobble arcade style gameplay with all-new retro-inspired single screen platforming levels, advanced graphics and variations to the level design. The twin dragons Bub and Bob are in true form using their special bubble blowing breath to capture and pop enemies, plus float to those hard to reach areas. This unique approach to classic platforming is as fun as ever.

A spectacular return of the fun and addictive puzzle game/shooter series. Often games adapted to DS become a bit awkward when implementing the touch screen, but not with Bust-A-Move. The touch controls actually improve the gameplay. From the bottom touch screen you shoot multicolored bubbles into the top screen, which is filled with breakout style rows of bubbles. Align like-color bubbles and they pop away, but if you misfire and hit a bubble of a different color, the bubble sticks in place and the top screen fills just a little bit more.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Konami’s classic Olympics inspired arcade game this remake/remix includes the six original events with upgraded graphics and sound, plus 18 more competitions, many taken from the numerous Track & Field arcade and console sequels. The controls are mostly touch-screen based so instead of repeatedly pressing a button to run fast, you scribble with the stylus. If remakes aren’t to your taste check out Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits (also on this list) which contains a direct port of the original Tack & Field.

Namco has taken all three games in the classic family friendly arcade shooter series Point Blank and put them all under one roof. Now instead of a light gun you use the stylus to fire at clay pigeons, aliens, chickens, ninjas and boatloads of bizarre targets. The game also includes a mode to test your hand eye coordination, plus multiplayer quick draw competitions.

A Nintendo DS upgrade to the classic computer “god game” Populous, where players develop a landscape and society. Using the stylus, structures and civilizations are built as you control the culture, direction and fate of your population. The societies you build and control evolve through the ages, starting with Prehistoric and leading to Medieval. An innovative Sim game that has withstood the test of time, but in and out of the game.

An upgraded version of the classic PC game SimCity 3000 has players designing, building and modifying and running a virtual city. As this is a “god game” players can control most of what happens, but even a society’s overseen by deities have a natural disaster or two, such as fires, earthquakes and alien attacks. To maintain order and keep your urban society happy, you must use the touch screen controls and microphone to keep your city safe.

One of the most popular football video games in history, Tecmo Super Bowl, gets a DS upgrade. While the visuals have been revised to compliment the DS graphics capabilities, the 2D gameplay style remains the same as the original. The game structures are identical to the original, only with some new added features such as Super Abilities (aka power-ups), customizable teams and playbook, plus instant replays of key moves.