Joystiq's DS Lite buyer's guide [update 1]

So you now have your DS Lite and unpacked it ... now what? Here are some of our picks for the best games the little handheld has to offer (in no particular order):

• Mario Kart DS (average score: 91%) The best Mario Kart to date, and quite possibly the best title the Nintendo DS has to offer. You can not even try to realize its full potential without taking this sucker online for a spin (we suggest you learn the art of snaking).

• New Super Mario Bros (average score: 89%) Is there any doubt? While many people call the title derivative of the old Mario sidescrollers, the New SMB is 8 world of fun with some great pseudo-3D graphics. There's no Yoshi, but you do get a multitude of minigames (some of which are pretty entertaining).

• Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (average score: 89%) Forget about the "seal-drawing" to defeat the bosses, this is yet another classic in a long line of classic handheld Castlevania titles.

Read on for more of our picks.

• Nintendogs (average score: 83%): As one of only six titles ever to receive a perfect score from Famitsu, Nintendogs is a no-brainer. Just don't blame us if you find yourself praising your digital pet in the middle of the subway ride.

• Brain Age (average score: 76%) A "game" even your grandmother can enjoy, Brain Age is a series of activities -- including Sudoku -- to stimulate cerebral activity. Our advice: when taking the Stroop Test, pronounce Blue as "loo."

• Meteos (average score: 88%) From the mind of crazed designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi (Rez, Lumines), this touch-screen-centric puzzle game is madly addictive once you get used to the controls. We really dig the soundtrack, too.

• Phoenix Wright (average score: 81%) You play a defense attorney. It may sound lame, but trust us -- it is very fun and comical.

• Metroid Prime: Hunters (average score: 86%) Once you get the controls down (a bit quirky, but by no means as complex as, say, G.R.A.W.), Hunters becomes an addicting online multiplayer.

Honorable Mentions: Kirby: Canvas Curse, Animal Crossing, Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, Advance Wars: Dual Strike.

We don't recommend: King Kong

Did we forget something? Feel free to give your suggestions via the comments below.

[update 1: fixed an "its-it's" issue ... oi. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions!]