Best 6: Nintendo DSiWare Games for 2010 (so far)

One of the major advantages of owning a DSi or a new DSi XL is the exclusive DSi Shop where players can download new DSiWare games from $2, $5 and $8 (or in Nintendo speak, 200, 500 and 800 Nintendo Points). Cheaper than new games, the games might lack the hours of play that a Pokemon game offers but with lower prices and no DS cartridges to lose, DSiWare games are well worth it. Here are the Best 6 DSiWare Games of 2010 (so far)… and, of course, all are rated E for Everyone’s enjoyment.

Let’s Golf — 800 Points

Pick up and play golf without the miniature slant is how Let’s Golf rolls. Rather than focus on lifelike gameplay, players hit three different courses in cartoon style with four characters. While Let’s Golf is related to the game of the same name for cell phones and iPhone, the DSiWare version features a way to add your face to the game and a hilarious way to spin the ball — by blowing into the DSi’s microphone (watch out for those spitballs). Younger kids will have to need a little help with the tutorial but once that’s done, Let’s Golf is pretty straight forward gameplay that covers over 40 holes on Fiji Beach, English Countryside and Scottish Lochs courses.

Flight Control — 500 Points

One game single handedly changed everyone’s mind about seeking employment as a air traffic controller by making it addictively fun. In Flight Control, players are given one to three airstrips and helicopter pads to which they’ll need to draw flight path lines from the tip of each aircraft to their respective landing area. Of course, doing so early in the game is easy. Larger craft are faster, helicopters are painfully slow and when there are multiple craft coming in from every angle, knowing that one single crash means game over is enough to give commoners a taste of stress. Yet, with airport-style elevator music, bright and colorful maps with an early day of flight feel, Flight Control is one of those games that your kids won’t depart from anytime soon.

Mr. Driller Drill Till You Drop — 500 Points

The newest addition to the DSiWare plate, this easily accessible yet challenging puzzler is highly recommended. Players control Mr. Driller who gains points for drilling away colored cubes in order to go deeper underground. Of course, drilling comes with its own hazards as other blocks become dislodged and fall ever downward. Move fast, drill more and avoid the falling blocks to gain more bonus points and oxygen tanks. The Driller series has always been popular with the international gaming world, and whether you’re a returning vet or looking to introduce your kids to a their next favorite game, Mr. Driller is waiting.

Aura Aura Climber – 200 Points

Created by Nintendo, Aura-Aura Climber is easy to understand, the player helps a little sparkling creature back into space to shine with the stars. At first it’s as easy as pointing in a direction, pressing A to grapple onto planets and using them as lily pads until the next jump. The game does get harder with side grapples, double jumps, purple objects that take away health and reduces time on the clock. Costing a mere 200 Points ($2), Aura-Aura Climber is easily recommendable for easy to play controls and a smooth escalation of challenge as players climb up into the heavens and hours of play.

Faceez — 200 Points

Kids want the DSi for one major reason; they’re addicted to taking pictures (if you don’t believe us, look on the DSi). Faceez lets kids take pictures of their faces in order to create humorous and animated characters with hats, facial hair, Mohawks, eye patches and more. There’s even an option to create smaller versions of newly created Faceez characters and place them into pre-existing images. It’s just the type of stuff that could turn your little gamer player into a photographic genius. Once done, you can upload such creations to your Facebook account (don’t save your password since they could do some serious photo damage). For just $2, Faceez is an inexpensive and creative tool for any age.

Disney Fireworks — 800 Points

Launching fireworks in five worlds from Aladdin, Lilo & Stitch Peter Pan Magic Kingdom and Fantasia is easy for the under 10 player. Players choose their level and launch red, yellow and blue rockets into the sky by flicking their stylus, aiming for fireworks as they grow into stars. While the stars only show for a few seconds, they’ll need to time their rocket launches in order to gain the star points. With 15 levels that do get harder and the world themes only set up the backdrop of each level, Disney Fireworks is a great game for bettering hand-eye coordination. While a 500 Point price would be more sensible for a game that will last probably won’t weeks, the Disney branding here will make kids take notice and enjoy.

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Micheal Mullen is currently a freelance editor based in Northern Virginia who has written for ZD Net, GameSpot, Computer Gaming World, Electronic Arts, PlaySavvy, Games.com, GameDaily.com and his personal site, idiottech.com.