Using the Nintendo DS to Study Japanese

DS Software for Studying Japanese

These software/games are made specifically for native Japanese to improve their Japanese or kanji. It would be better for beginners to wait until basic Japanese grammar and vocabulary is mastered before buying any Japanese software for the DS.

My Japanese Coach From Alexdal: It's the first real japanese course for foreigner! Very good and very big (but you have to start from beginner even if you know a lot of words)

漢字そのままDS楽引辞典

This is perhaps the most popular Japanese DS 'game' for studying Japanese. It basically turns your Nintendo DS into a Japanese electronic dictionary. Let me say first, this makes a poor denshi jisho compared to the top of the line dictionaries out there, but, hey, it is much cheaper. It uses the small (but decent) Genius J-E and E-J; has no kanji dictionary (despite the name); and unlike stand-alone dictionaries, the DS isn't made to be a dictionary per se. But for the price one can hardly complain! It certainly gets the job done.
More on my blog... and here is a simple video I made of it.
LEVEL: Upper Beginner+

２５０万人の漢検＋常用漢字辞典＋四字熟語辞典 2,500,000 People’s Kanji Test + Joyo Kanji Dictionary + 4 kanji compound Dictionary

(note the Amazon link is to an earlier version 200mannin--but I believe the shippers will ship the newest version)

This is probably my favorite of the bunch. Again, it isn't great for beginners or even upper beginners because of the vocabulary needed to use it effectively, but it can be a great way to practice writing kanji or for learning the readings.
LEVEL: Intermediates+

シカクイアタマをマルクする DS漢字の章 shikakui atama o maruku suru DS kanji no sho Make your square head into a round one: the Kanji Chapter漢字の章

This game is made for Japanese children preparing for the Junior High School kanji entrance exam. This software not only reviews kanji, but it fully explains (in simple Japanese) each problem.
LEVEL: Upper Beginner+

The following are games made for practicing kanji or Japanese in general but I haven't tried them enough to comment just yet:

ことばのパズル・もじぴったんＤＳ
kotoba no pazuru moji pittan DS

I haven't played this (I intend to soon), but here is the description from Amazon:

Mojipittan DS is a fun and adorable Japanese word game for Nintendo DS. Practice and test your Japanese skill with Mojipittan--works with any DS. Recommended for Intermediate and Advanced learners of Japanese language.
LEVEL: Intermediate+

日本語検定ＤＳ nihongo kentei DS Japanese Test
I haven't tried this, but it is an all-around Japanese trainer: kanji, grammar, vocabulary, expressions, etc.

More later!
LEVEL: Intermediate+

漢検DS２＋常用漢字辞典 kanken DS 2 + jouyou kanji jiten - Kanji Test DS 2 + Joyo Kanji Dictionary
I haven't played with this enough to comment or to know how it differs from the above ２５０万人 software... Will update--or maybe someone can comment?

There are 'games' like the next one that try to trick you into learning kanji. I'm not sure. I think I would prefer something more on the line of the 250 mannin no kanken.

必殺カンフー漢字ドラゴン hissatsu kanfu- kanji doragon - Deadly Kung fu Kanji Dragon (sounds very friendly, huh?)

Games for Practicing Japanese

And then there are DS Japanese games/software that are made purely for enjoyment in the Japanese market but can be an excellent way for those learning Japanese to practice their reading skills.

日本文学１００選 nihon bungaku hyaku sen 100 Japanese e-Books

This is a neat idea. Take 100 out of copyright books and sell them as e-books for the DS. If the DS screen resolution was a little better, I would LOVE this. Even still, it is readable (although complicated kanji often look like a solid block) and very enjoyable. Furigana is given for difficult kanji. 'Easy' kanji has no furigana so I'd say it is best for those who know about 1000 kanji.

Awesome selection of Japanese classics! Every student should be familiar with many--if not all--of these books.
LEVEL: Intermediate+

美文字トレーニング bimoji tore-ningu Calligraphy Training

This is another neat idea. With computers being everywhere, many Japanese have neglected the art of writing. This software trains the use to write 'beautiful letters.' It even comes with a brush-stylus.

I haven't tried this yet, but I suspect it would be great for all levels of learners--especially beginners.
LEVEL: Beginner+?

ゼルダの伝説：　夢幻の砂時計 zeruda no densetsu: mugen no sunadokei Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

This was a game I picked up the other day and have enjoyed it greatly. One really nice feature (for learners of Japanese), is tapping any kanji will make furigana appear. There is a lot of text to read which makes this a good and fun learning game.

Please see my blog for screenshots showing the furigana.
LEVEL: Beginner+

This is a work in progress. There are of course many, many games I haven't mentioned. If you know of something else or have an opinion on any games listed, please leave a comment. I'll try to add comments to the page as we go along.