The marvellous whimsy of Wonderland brings news today of two new Nintendo DS handheld games that continue their pledge to attract new audiences to interactivity. While they may not appeal to the traditional hardcore elite, they are both extending what interactivity means and how it can be used in a playful way.

Konami's skincare game challenges users to

[mark] a target date such as a wedding in the software [so] DS users can get customized, daily skin care instructions in the run-up to the big day.

How hilarious is that? What would be great is some kind of deal with scary Gillian McKeith, who'd terrify players into submission with her skincare eating tips. And while I've not played it (it's debatable whether it will arrive in Blighty - boo), I would hope that the design engineering will be more game-y than historical attempts at similar products.

A commentator on Alice's article raises the bar even further by announcing Sommelier DS, a product for wine lovers:

Sim City DS producer Hiroshi Murakami said that it was his hope that people would spend the 2950 yen on Sommelier DS and then buy good wine instead of going directly to the cheap stuff.

I'll add this to my wish list along with Cooking Mama and the other recipe game.

I've got to hand it to Nintendo: they make it far more fun to learn to be the perfect housewife than any 1950s Father Knows Best or Donna Reed programmes ever did.

A Florida teenager has seen off two burglars with his samurai sword after the hapless crooks went after the family PS3. On hearing a break-in at his home, 15-year-old Damian Fernandez, grabbed his sword (Wha?!) and waited for the felons to enter his room. From the Local10.com report:

"the burglars ransacked [his] parents' room, taking some jewelry before moving on to what they were really after - a PlayStation 3."

But they were never to lay their thieving hands on Sony's next-gen powerhouse as moments later, the pugnacious teen, a brown belt in karate, lunged at one with his blade, striking him non-lethally in the chest. "He freaked out," commented the sanguine hero.

One of the burglars was later found by police, hiding behind a neighbour's palm tree. The next Cell he'll experience will be a 7 x 12ft room... IN JAIL!

How long before the captured crook sues the kid for assault? Perhaps Jack Thompson will provide legal representation.