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   This week marked not only the release of The Sims 2 Seasons, but also several announcements made by Electronic Arts about their upcoming, extra-cute sim games for the Nintendo DS and Wii platforms. We've known about MySims and SimCity DS for some time, and now we finally get to tell you a bit more about them, and also show you some new screenshots. So let's start with MySims - a game created especially for the Wii and Nintendo DS platforms.

   As seen in these first screenshots - and in the updated MySims trailer that was first revelead three months ago, the game introduces a charming cast of whimsical, toy-like characters, with a distinguishable asian look (it would have been great for the whole series to look like this, if you ask me). You can of course customize your chibi-sims to your heart's content, "from pig-tails and baseball caps to dreadlocks and Mohawks", and you'll also be able to unlock new clothing, hairstyles and accessories.

   The same goes for customizing the town in which you play: you start in a delightful but disorganized town where you can re-shape everything and make it your own. Using a selection of building blocks, unique patterns and engaging creativity tools, you can design furniture and appliances, architect new homes and businesses, and re-define the entire MySims landscape. And as the town expands to new areas, you will receive special building blocks, decorations and patterns.

   For more details, check out the full description from our MySims gamespace. The game should be available in autumn 2007 on the Wii and DS.

   As for SimCity DS, this one is (also?) being developed by EA Japan, but only for the Nintendo DS handheld, with a release planned for summer 2007. Aside from using a wide array of recognizable international landmarks, SimCity DS will also include some interesting features, by using the handheld's stylus and built-in mycrophone - "from blowing into the microphone to put out fires in the city to signing off on mayoral proclamations with your stylus". In addition, players will be able to communicate with each other, via a "wireless data exchange" feature.

   Last year, it was revealed that the DS version would be based on the PC SimCity 3000, however this week's announcement mentions no such thing (which is not to say it's not true). Finally, EA also released a new screenshot, which we added to our growing SimCity DS gallery.