KEY POINTS:
Nintendo DS (G)
Pros: The usual cutesy Nintendo DS handheld fare includes brain trainers, cooking lessons and kids' games - but DS-10 takes it to a whole new level. A pared-down emulation of the music nerd classic Korg MS-10 synth, it turns the DS into a very portable musical instrument. It adds sequencers and a drum machine which can be patched to effects to create your own sounds. A large library of sounds is also included, and everything can be recorded, edited and copied until the desired result is found, then output in reasonable analogue form. It has all of the expected options, and is complicated but usable, courtesy of a very comprehensive manual. It's a bit hard on the eyes - but try finding a real MS-10 without having to mortgage your soul.
Cons: This is not a game - those wanting easy-to-make music should look at the DS version of Guitar Hero or similar. Lack of keyboard or other musical skills may hinder those who don't like reading instructions.
Verdict: If you like making music, or miss the old-skool analogue synths like the MS-10, then this is a worthy addition to your DS.
