Batman Begins DS Pak Score: 60% Developer: Mad Catz Device Type: Miscellaneous

Function: Though it's not quite the investment of a PSP, the DS is still a pricey piece of hardware, which means you'll want to protect it. Even with Nintendo?s proven record of durable hardware, there's only so much the system can take. This is where Mad Catz comes in with the Batman Begins DS Pak; offering protection that only a man dressed as a bat can provide.

Performance: The Batman Begins DS Pak comes in four parts: a console case, game case, two screen protectors and console skins based on the images from the movie. The console case is the pack's biggest accessory and is where the system's real protection comes in. The case slips over both the top and bottom portions of the system, encasing it in a nice, leathery skin. The skin isn't thick enough to protect the system from extreme damage, but offers enough protection to get the system through the normal rigors of life, as well as a few minor bumps in the road. Most of the protection goes to the outside of the system, while the inside is really more for looks that anything else. The most useful object included in the set is the game carrying case. With space for up to six games, the case is flat and resembles a metal cigarette cases that closes up like a clamshell. The outside is made of a durable plastic that can stand up to a beating. Like the case, its far from indestructible, but should stand up through normal wear and tear. A solid latch holds the case together when folded up.

Features: Rubberized Neoprene DS Console Case Game Storage Case (Holds 6 games and 2 styluses) Easy to Apply DS Console Skin with Movie Artwork Removable DS Screen Protector

Drawbacks & Problems:: The Pak's drawback far outweigh its benefits. Beginning with the case; the nice, snug fit makes installation a pain. Even though the two main sections are joined by flexible elastic, it never seemed like there was enough give to it while slipping it over the system. There was a point where I was scared I might accidentally bend the top screen back too far while trying to put the case on. Once installed, the case offers protection -- but also covers up the entire system, making the skins a pointless addition since you can't see them one the case is on. The interior portion of the case, which covers the buttons and dual screens, also presents a problem. The areas that cover the D-pad and buttons aren't much of a problem, but the thick plastic that covers the two screens is. For one, they're clingy and stick to portions of the screen, a problem that should be familiar to owners of most fabric cell phone cases. In addition, the plastic is a little too thick, which interferes with the touch functions of the bottom screen. This wasn't too much of a problem in games that featured minimal use of the touch screen like Revenge of the Sith or Madagascar. When it came to playing touch screen intensive games, like Feel the Magic and Kirby: Canvas Curse, I found myself having to press down a little harder than normal. Fortunately, this is a problem that was easily fixed with an Exacto blade. Moving on to the storage case, the drawbacks aren't as plentiful as with the console case, though it is far from perfect. As I stated above, the game case's general function is good. It is small, compact and holds a decent number of games -- at least in theory. Sharing a problem with the console case, the ?fits? of the slots to store games are a little too snug, making it a real chore to try and work the games in. There were times while I was trying to place the games in the slots where I was scared I might accidentally crack a cart by accident. I was eventually able to break the slots in, even though the fit still feels too tight. Getting back to a previous issue with the case, it would have been nice if there was some way to attach the two cases together; even if by a simple elastic band on the top or bottom of the system case. Not only would it have really helped with portability, it would have also made misplacing the small game case less of a possibility. As a package deal, the Batman Begins DS Pak sounds like a good deal at first. The amount of protection the system offers, as well as the slick Batman styling, look great. However, the functionality isn't all there, making it hard to recommend, especially with the number of better carrying cases out there.

-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker