Dinosaur King (Nintendo DS)

Basically, the game is a save-the-world RPG that uses collectible dinosaur cards to fight against other dinosaurs. You use the touch screen to pit dinosaur versus dinosaur in a Rock-Paper-Scissor-type game, with the ensuing bloodless battle shown in nice detail on the top screen. The game has one terrific twist on the old collect 'em all premise that is Pokemon's trademark. By scratching the screen with your stylus, you mimic digging and uncover dinosaur fossils. You even blow lightly into the DS mic to rid the bones of dust, a fun touch that's somehow realistic.

Dinosaur King has some true positives going for it: well-rounded characters with personality, triumphant trumpets sounding your kingliness and the aforementioned ability to dig fossils. Plus, you can play wirelessly against folks who have another DS and via a WiFi connection. But it's just too much like Pokemon to make it seem completely new. Plus, you have to do your own saving constantly, which is a royal pain. The Dinosaur Encyclopedia just doesn't have enough interesting dino facts to warrant the name. Finally, you wish the battle system had a bit more variety and nuance to it.