The Nintendo DS has seen better days. Sure, it is one of the best selling game systems of all time and has a new Zelda title in the works, but it just lost a Trauma Center and it doesn’t appear there are any Metroid or platforming Mario titles in the future. It also now has some competition, as Sony announced a slimmer version of the PSP that might actually gain at least an inch on Nintendo’s mile-long distance lead on their competitor. Not all that arises is bleak, however, for from the ashes of the E3 showing rises a Phoenix in the guise of Mario Party DS. Early hands-on impressions give us reason to be optimistic, although it looks just like every other title in the franchise. And that isn’t a bad thing. It will feature up to four players with one cartridge and hopefully will come out this year.