Art Academy
© 2010 Nintendo of America
Turn your Nintendo DS into a serious artist tool with this new $20 cartridge from Nintendo. Using the DS stylus as a pencil or paint brush, you can choose to work through a series of ten step-by-step tutorials, or freely draw using the selection of pencils and/or paint tools. There are two parts: Art Academy First Semester and Art Academy Second Semester, both of which were previously available as Nintendo DSiWare downloads. Other features include the ability to snap a photo using the DSi camera to use as a model. The model is shown on the top screen and the bottom serves as your creativity surface. While the graphics don't compare in quality to the iPod Touch, the stylus-based touch screen is much better for replicating the drawing process. Finished projects can be framed and saved in the Gallery, but (unfortunately) can't be exported. All in all, this is an excellent addition to any Nintendo DS software library. Librarians note that a child's projects will remain on the cartridge.
$20, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
Teaches: drawing, painting
CTR Rating: 92%