Art Academy

3 cert, Nintendo Nintendo DS/DSi

The DS has carved itself a niche for games that will help you improve yourself, from brain training to cooking and fitness programmes. Now Nintendo has turned its attention to one of the finer things in life. Art Academyis designed to teach painting through step-by-step lessons. While it won't turn you into a master painter overnight, the game does provide some pointers and a few basics to build on. There are a few problems. The game, although compatible with the DS, is more suited to the DSi because you can create your own subjects from photos you have snapped yourself and saved to its internal memory. The same option is not afforded to DS owners. It won't turn you into a da Vinci or Michelangelo, but it could help improve your skills from stick figures and bubble trees.