GamesRadar's alternative 2007 hit list

Our hot and alternative DS tips for 2007...

Hotel Dusk: Room 215
Publisher: Nintendo • Developer: Cing • Formats: DS • Out: Early 2007

Not much is known about this clue-following, puzzle-solving, mystery adventure (it is a mystery, after all), but if it's anything like developer Cing's debut DS title - the charming and ingeniously designed Another Code - then we'll be in for another top notch round of enjoyable lateral thinking. We've already fallen for the eye-catching, scribbled visual look and if Cing can resist being so unnecessarily generous with the text this time round, we've got a private dick style hunch that this is going to be rather special.

The Settlers
Publisher: Ubisoft • Developer: Blue Byte • Formats: DS • Out: Early 2007

Strategy-based empire/civilisation builders have always been traditional PC fare, but they are absolutely perfect handheld fodder, too, and the dual-screened, touch friendly nature of Nintendo's device makes it an even better match-up. Establishing a settlement, exploiting the right skills, developing farming and mining, building a strong army... raising a worthy civilisation takes many commuting hours and if there's one game we're sure to invest a frightening amount of time into this year it has to be this.
The Settlers

Above: Fancy yourself as a bit of a sharp-eyed sleuth? Hotel Dusk: Room 215 should test your powers of deduction to the limits with some ingenious puzzles

We're also watching...

Contact
Publisher: Rising Star Games • Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture • Formats: DS • Out: Spring 2007

This quirky RPG certainly won't be everyone's cup of cha but if - like us - you're always keen to sample some refreshingly original ideas then you should endeavour to make - ahem - contact. Sorry.
Contact

Elite Beat Agents
Publisher: Nintendo • Developer: iNiS • Formats: DS • Out: March 2007

This absolutely loony rhythm game might be a few twists short of a Lambada but its wonderfully smile inducing, potently addictive, enviably stylish and will make you feel like dancing in the street (or on the bus).
Elite Beat Agents

Gunpey
Publisher: Atari • Developer: Q Entertainment • Formats: DS, PSP • Out: March 2007

This is a reworking of a baby-simple but nicotine-addictive line-connecting puzzler from the genius brain behind Game Boy, Gunpei Yokoi (RIP). It's bright, it's cheerful and it'll keep your brain engaged for hours.
Gunpey

Line Rider
Publisher: inXile entertainment • Developer: inXile entertainment • Formats: DS, Wii • Out: Spring 2007

Draw a downward slope and launch a sledging man from the top. That's it. Think it sounds naff? Tell that to the 15 million people that have played it since it appeared on the net as a flash game. Responsible for the loss of many working hours.
Line Rider