Mercury Games Rolls Out Paint by DS Fact Sheet!

Isn't it amazing just how flexible the Nintendo DS is (in terms of titles that is)? Is there anything that can't work with it? If it's an RPG or a side-scrolling game, all the platform requires the gamer is to use the button controls, while strategy games, cooking games and brain teasers require the use of the stylus. How about a painting game? One like this definitely makes perfect use of the platform's touchscreen abilities. In case you didn't know, the first of Mercury Games' Zen Series of titles (set to launch exclusively for the handheld) is Paint by DS. The game's fact sheet is now available.

According to Mercury Games, paint by DS is a digital coloring book which enables the player to recreate masterpieces by renowned artists such as Hokusai, Cezanne and Van Gogh, in their own artistic style. What else could the player use to mix oil and water-based paints to create colors and consistencies and then paint the artwork, if not the handheld's beloved stylus? Also, Mercury has confirmed that Paint by DS consists of 15 coloring challenges along with a variety of mini games, such as puzzles based on the famous artwork included in the game.

All right then and now for the basic game features:

- Re-create famous works of art using your own artistic style
- Artwork by Van Gogh, Cezanne, Katsushika Hokusai, P.J. Redoute and many others
- Mix oil and watercolour paints with the DS stylus or use colored pencils
- Your paintings are critiqued when finished
- Paint with relaxing instrumental music in the background
- Contains four recreational mini games to "take a break" from drawing
- Unlock new paintings, papers, colors and other items by completing mini games

Sounds like the DS is getting one heck of a fun title in Q4 of 2007. The game's US retail price hasn't been set yet, but if it helps, you should know that the Europeans were able to get it for £19.99/€24.99 on the 24th of August, when it was released in the respective PAL territory.