April is that time in which school begins in Japan. April is that time in which you prepare for NIS releases if you are not in Japan. April is that time in which you prepare for Fanime, which I am going to in case you people haven’t noticed by now. April has so much going on and it’s why it’s one of my favorite months of the year.

Well, after this month’s column, you will not see this column again for another three months. I will attend Fanime, I will have a report to work on in regards of Fanime and after all of that, I will take July off because I have been really active here ever since I joined staff and I could use the rest. There is that and my birthday is in July. Well, until then, enjoy this column because I will be much less active than what I have been at this point.

Playful Games

“Shugo Chara! The Three Eggs and the Joker in Love” (”Shugo Chara! Mittsu no Tamago to Koi Suru Joker”) – Konami

From what I’ve learned, this is an action game. Never the less, it is a game to take note of, as it’s by Konami. While “Shugo Chara” isn’t my all-time favorite “Nakayoshi” series (as that honor belongs to “Cardcaptor Sakura”), it still is pretty darn cute. I highly doubt this game will have a translated version though.

“Days of Memories 2” – SNK Playmore

Though this game did hit me earlier today, I actually remember learning about it a while back. For those that don’t know, this is what “Excitement Memorial” (“Tokimeki Memorial”) would be like if SNK Playmore made it. In other words, it’s a romance series by SNK Playmore. Of course, they would place their girls in.

Anyway, the new girl is named Karen. Oh and this time around, the girls have jobs. Athena obviously is an idol, but I will not reveal more than that. You just have to see for yourself. Of course, this means you need to be fluent in Japanese.

“Heart Pounding Magical Investigation Duo” (“Doki Doki Majo Shinpan! 2″) – SNK Playmore

Why is this here? Yes, I know that the game is that disturbing for people not from Japan. However, the first game did surprise people. It will probably sell more than the original. Oh and just like the last game I mentioned, you need to be fluent in Japanese.

I don’t know much of the details at this point, but NCSX did mention that you can touch a girl’s derriere now. Now the game gets more action. On a side note, if you don’t know, Ken Yagami (who is most known outside of Japan as the creator of “Nanaka 6/17″) did make a manga of this series.

Paused Games

“Mario Kart Wii” – Nintendo

I know that it should be up top. It’s that the DS one is too inconsistent and I fear that the Wii version may carry that inconsistent flair. This is not the same as saying that I hated the game. I like the DS version after all. Well, it may surprise me.

Pitiful Games

“Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword” – Tecmo

When I found out that there will be a “Ninja Gaiden” (“Ninja Ryukenden” for some of you) game for the Nintendo DS, I thought, “Good. Outside of ‘III’, Nintendo always brought out the good games of the series”. Guess what? It plays like the last few games. If you’re a fan of this, more power to you.

To be honest, I’d rather have those annoying birds come after me now than play this game. After playing the first post-16 bit game of the series, I just gave up and I guess this game will not make me flock back to “Ninja Gaiden”. Scratch that. I know this game will not make me flock back to “Ninja Gaiden”.

Well, that’s that. Say “Ciao!” to this column for now because this column will be out for three months. I will try to make a rant or two before Fanime.