In Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, death is still permanent, but Battle Saves can make it less frustrating. If you need a mulligan in a nasty fight, load up a mid-battle save point. Hardcore fans will be happy to know, however, that in the game's hard mode, Battle Saves are not an option.

Another change that wasn't in the Japanese version of Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, or its Gamecube predecessor is a native 16:9 aspect ratio, giving HDTV owners a better look at the battlefield. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn may not push any graphical boundaries—though its pre-rendered cutscenes are simply gorgeous—but we appreciate the extra space.

More gameplay changes for the Wii Fire Emblem include a new terrain mode, one that will add a new layer of strategy. Units on higher ground can attack those on lower ground, to an advantage of course, when not on the same level of terrain. New destructible portions of the map also open up new opportunities.

Other new additions include the revamped elemental magic system, new customizable skills and counterattacks from healers.

The game controls quite well with simply the Wii remote, either in vertical or horizontal position, but for those looking for something more familiar, Gamecube and Classic controllers are also supported.

Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn is out in just a few weeks, giving players little time to properly play the game before Super Mario Galaxy hits. Regardless of the holiday crunch, fans and newbs should both give it a look.

The story of Advance Wars: Days of Ruin is one of a world in chaos following a cataclysmic meteor storm that leaves 90 percent of the population dead. The scattered survivors live in a diseased, war-torn world controlled by roving bandits and power-hungry warlords. The tone is muted, the dialogue dreary, the characters devoid of smiles.

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin also takes the series back a step, gameplay-wise. The Dual Strike CO powers from the previous Nintendo DS Advance Wars are gone, and CO powers in general are said to have been toned down. The tides of war won't turn so easily this time.

Also absent from Advance Wars: Days of Ruin are dual screen battles, with maps and information occupying the top, gameplay shown in the bottom.

Days of Ruin does add some new units to the series, though, bringing a Motorbike unit to the list of infantry units. Motorbikes can capture buildings and factories like other infantry, but they have better range and better firepower. A new Flare unit, incapable of attacks also joins the ranks, cutting through the fog of war—now a permanent dust cloud kicked up by meteorites. The Duster, a new air unit that wasn't available for hands-on play is also promised for the final version.

Actually playing Advance Wars: Days of Ruin is much speedier than its Nintendo DS predecessor. The team has refined the interface so issuing orders takes fewer steps, resulting in quicker battles. The game's assets have been completely redone, giving the maps and enactments of your firefights a new look.

While our play time with Advance Wars: Days of Ruin was limited to only a trio of chapters, we were introduced to many of the game's characters. Leading man Will replaces Andy and Jake, with tactician Lin, a morose female officer, his companion. Captain Brenner, a "grizzled war veteran", leads the Independent Legion to which Will and Lin belong.

Most of Advance Wars: Days of Ruin's gameplay remains tried and true, it's simply boiled down to the core formula. Players of previous Advance Wars games may initially be unsettled by the frequent references to murder, pillaging and destruction—there's even a line from a barbarian named The Beast who wants more ears to add to his ear necklace—but the storyline feels more engaging than the light-hearted fare of games past.

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin boasts a feature set that should have fans excited. Wi-fi multiplayer battles over the Nintendo Wi-fi Connection are finally here, bringing voice chat with them. Also coming is the tentatively titled Map Center, making map creation and sharing a worldwide affair. Players can take their map designs, upload them, and rate and download others via the Map Center, adding hundreds of maps to the 170+ already included.

It may be a big change, but Advance Wars: Days of Ruin is a welcome addition to the series and one that should breathe new life into the game.

In the meantime, check out new screens and loads of gorgeous artwork for Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn.

A pair of in-game screen shots is after the jump, showing off the all-new, more detailed sprites, plus giving us a look at the new cast and the new motorcycle unit. I firmly express my "Do Want."

The mystery of how one "plays" Otona No DS Kao Training—what we call Face Training DS—has been unraveled in Nintendo's latest TV spots for the Nintendo DS non-game. Working toward a more beautiful Japan, developer Intelligent Systems will be buffing the faces of pleasant young Japanese women as they strive to strengthen their brow and cheek muscles. Personally, I can't wait, as my hideously sloppy visage could stand to be on the receiving end of some tightening.

Super Paper Mario is the new 2D/3D sidescroller/RPG by Intelligent Systems. And while we've already heard that it's pretty awesome, inquiring minds need to know the exact level of awesomeness that we are talking about here.

So hit the jump for our Frankenreview: every word that matters in the world, all in one place (minus my daily unrequited love musings to Ash).

GameBoyz
Although [graphics are] generally good I have to mention that the 3D worlds could have used more work. They were just as bright and vibrant in terms of colors, but they seemed to lack the overall punch that the rest of the game had. I think they just weren't as interesting as the 2D levels....[but] this whole lack of oomph is not a deal breaker...


RPG Gamer
While the dialogue in Super Paper Mario is abundant and the game could be considered pretty text-heavy, nearly every line is well-written and punchy. Because the game doesn't take itself seriously, it makes fun of just about everything in some very clever ways. With a charming cast of heroes and villains, every single character is appealing...if you don't take the time to constantly talk to people, you're missing out on a good portion of the game's hilarity.

Nintendo World Report
Let's get one thing straight: Super Paper Mario is not a Super Mario Bros. game with Paper Mario visuals. In fact, this game is more accurately described as Paper Mario without turn-based battles...Super Paper Mario focuses on more leisurely exploration...The dungeons and Bowser mini-stages from The Thousand-Year Door are analogous to Super Paper Mario's gameplay and pacing.

UnderGroundOnline
At any time Mario has the ability to "flip" the world, turning the 2D environment on its ear, allowing you to explore the "depth" of the level. It's a little hard to explain, but imagine mixing Super Mario with the original Crash Bandicoot and you can sorta begin to understand. Most of the game's puzzles involve this "flipping" as secret pipes and items are often obscured by rocks and pipes. Getting past a previously inaccessible mountain is as simple as flipping and walking right past it. After an hour or two you'll be looking at the world in both dimensions at once.

IGN
Super Paper Mario proves the point that even as Nintendo makes titles like Wii Sports and Wario Ware, it hasn't forgotten about the hardcore gamer. The title not only harkens back to the days of the 2D platformer, but retains enough of the RPG mechanics to satisfy players who liked the previous outings in the franchise. And unlike some Wii titles, which can be completed in an afternoon, this undertaking will keep you busy for a good 20 hours, give or take...

So who out there has tried the game? I'm looking forward to a vicarious play session tonight as my wife probably won't pass off the controller anytime soon. Mark Wilson

Want to go classic? Turn the Wii-mote sideways. Want to justify the pricepoint of your Wii Classic Controller? Plug it in (for once)! Masochist? Thanks to lovable developer Intelligent Systems, you can even use your Gamecube controller.

Now you're playing Fire Emblem with power! Michael McWhertor

These look a tad more complicated, so zen origami patience may be required. FLORIAN ECKHARDT

Advance Wars Papercraft Units