Ten Upcoming Nintendo Games You Shouldn't Miss

Got a Wii or a DS? If sales figures are any indication, chances are you do. Though a few months ago we openly questioned Nintendo's plans for 2008, they recently showed off a ton of games for both systems, proving that even a scant few months into the year, there's plenty to get excited about. Here are ten upcoming Nintendo titles you shouldn't miss.

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Mario Kart Wii

Genre: Racing
Release Date: April 27

Get back on track with the latest version of Nintendo's famous racing game. Mario Kart Wii features a stable of familiar mascots powersliding around a wealth of crazy tracks, using new and classic power-ups to wreak havoc on opposing racers.

Ninten-Do: It's the most complete version of Mario Kart to date, featuring tracks culled from every past game in the series along with plenty of new ones. Motorcycles add a new twist to the franchise's typically four-wheeled fun, and the ability to race online against up to 11 other players dumps even more fuel into the gas tank. Bundled with the "Wii Wheel," it's custom-built for the new console.

Ninten-Don't: If you don't own a Classic or Gamecube controller, expect to be a little miffed at the control. The Wii Wheel isn't tethered down like a normal steering wheel; in our short time playing, holding it in mid-air while steering led to some notable cramping. And unlike the sublime Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart Wii's graphics are more Gamecube than next-gen.

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Wii Fit

Genre: Exergame
Release Date: May 19

Find your balance with Nintendo's blood-pumping exergame, Wii Fit. Using an innovative balance board peripheral, you can track your health progress over time as you engage in stimulating aerobic workouts and relaxing yoga exercises.

Ninten-Do: You've shed a few pounds playing Wii Sports - why suddenly waste money on a gym now? Wii Fit's exergames will let you strengthen core muscles without wasting time looking for parking. Also, we're really impressed with the Wii Balance Board. It's an amazing piece of hardware that, if properly supported, could lead to a wealth of interesting future games.

Ninten-Don't: You're probably thinking that somewhere in here are a bunch of fun games. You should ditch that line of thought before you pull a cortex, because the few game-oriented exercises simply aren't great fun...though they will certainly help tone those abs. And the $89.99 asking price seems more likely to slim down your pocket-book than your love-handles.

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Guitar Hero: On Tour

Genre: Rhythm
Release Date: June 2008

Rock it in your pocket with the first portable version of Activision's musical masterpiece. A custom-built Guitar Grip attachment, a handy guitar pick stylus and a ton of exclusive songs keeps the fret-burning fun intact.

Ninten-Do: It's Guitar Hero on the go! What part of that isn't pretty much awesome? The Guitar Grip is well-designed, works with both the DS Lite and the old "fat" DS, and while it only has four fret buttons, it functions exactly like the console games. Since you strum the DS touch screen with the included guitar pick stylus, it actually feels more like playing a guitar than the console versions despite not benefiting from the full guitar peripheral. Built-in multiplayer modes should make family road trips a blast, too.

Ninten-Don't: Much of Guitar Hero's allure is pretending like you're a metal god. But since you have to hold On Tour in the same hand as the one noodling away on the fretboard, it's essential to keep your rocking under control - and that's just no way to rock.

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Boom Blox

Genre: Puzzle
Release Date: May 6

EA sets 'em up and you knock them down in this explosive puzzler developed by iconic film director Steven Spielberg. Using the Wii remote, players are challenged to blast their way through over three hundred levels of brain-busting 3D puzzles, or even create their own using a handy built-in level editor.

Ninten-Do: Boom Blox was a runaway hit at Nintendo's recent Media Summit. That's a rare feat for any game, not to mention one primarily designed to appeal to Nintendo's expanded casual audience rather than jaded game journalists. With its crossover appeal and intuitive gameplay, there's reason to believe that Spielberg's game will be a blockbuster in more ways than one.

Ninten-Don't: At its core, Boom Blox is a turn-based game and therefore might drive your ADHD-afflicted kid brother bananas. And there's something disheartening about building a level only to watch it get ceremoniously destroyed.

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Rock Band

Genre: Rhythm
Release Date: June 22

The world's greatest party game finally struts its stuff on the world's greatest party console. Turn your Wii into the ultimate karaoke rock machine with up to four players simultaneously jamming on drums, guitar, bass and vocals. Five bonus on-disc tracks make this the game's biggest arena yet.

Ninten-Do: Remember how sad you felt when, after cleverly outmaneuvering throngs of antsy parents at Best Buy and snagging your very own Wii, your friend got the 360 version of Rock Band and suddenly your cool toy started gathering dust as you partied through the night at his house? Maybe it's time to even the score a little. Plus, the white drum kit hardware is super sleek.

Ninten-Don't: For one thing, you might already own it, and if that's the case, there's truly no reason to add the Wii version to your family band. Compared to the 360 and PS3 editions, it's missing some major features, not the least of which is the ability to download new tracks.

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