Nintendo DS Lite Games For Casual Folks

Nintendo DS Lite games like Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, New Super Mario Bros., the Phoenix Wright series, and the likes are highly enjoyable experiences, but they are meant for veteran gamers who are familiar with the earlier incarnations of the said games from earlier consoles in the days of yore.

But what about entry-level gamers?  Are there Nintendo DS Lite games for casual folks who just want an easy-to-pick-up title for a few minutes, if not a few hours, of fun and excitement?

Indeed, there are!  Here are 5 such Nintendo DS Lite games:

1. Rhythm Heaven.  Rhythm Heaven is one of the biggest Nintendo DS Lite games for 2009, and this is saying much for a game built for casual play.  Rhythm Heaven is actually a collection of mini-games that use a rhythm and beat mechanic which is easy to pick up and play.  Using the stylus, you can tap or flick on the screen to match the music that the game will play.  It is highly addictive and is a “must have” game for your collection – regardless of whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore player.

2. Professor Layton and the Curious Village.  Even casual gamers will find Nintendo DS Lite games that present straightforward puzzles boring.  Professor Layton and the Curious Village is an exception.  The title presents a series of story-driven puzzles.  These puzzles are always within the context of the story and are needed to be solved to advance the same.  The result is a highly engaging game that is very, very exciting – something which you can rarely say for a puzzler.

3. New York Times Crosswords.  Admittedly, this is one of the few Nintendo DS Lite games which are not for everyone.  But if you just can’t dig saving princesses or shooting at invading aliens, and if you just want a game that presents simple layouts of challenges that you can solve, then the New York Times Crosswords is the perfect title for you.  The New York Times is known for 2 things: well written content and highly challenging crossword puzzles.  You won’t be receiving the content, but you will have access to hundreds of crosswords that will keep you busy for hours.

4. Brain Age 1 and 2.  Two games that actually make you smarter.  The Brain Age titles are meant to improve your cognitive functions through a series of mental challenges that stimulate and sharpen your faculties.  These mini-games can be played anywhere and everywhere, as solving them can be as easy and as quick as a few seconds of your time – unless of course you’re stumped because you’re applying the wrong logic or you’re viewing things the wrong way.

5. Diner Dash.  Diner Dash is one of the Nintendo DS Lite games that have created an entirely new genre of video gaming: the time management gaming niche.  In Diner Dash, you play the role of Flo, an entrepreneur who just started her own restaurant.  Strapped for cash, Flo serves as a waitress for her restaurant, and the player is supposed to balance her various duties so that restaurant patrons won’t get impatient.  Sounds simple, but the game play is a stroke of pure genius.  Without a doubt, Diner Dash is one of the most addictive Nintendo DS Lite games available today.