Monster Rancher DS

Monster Rancher is one of the longest running monster-breeding game series of all time, comparable even to the Pokémon franchise. The formula for the Monster Rancher games has remained largely unchanged over the years -- generate a monster, put him/her/it through a training regimen that emphasizes certain vital statistics, then enter your monster into ranked tournaments to win cash and prizes. The feature that's always made the Monster Rancher series unique is the methods in which you generate your monsters. Previous iterations have used CDs and DVDs, but the DS version allows you to draw a picture or speak into the DS microphone. That information is then (somehow) converted into a monster which you then start training.

Aside from training, there are also trials you can take your monster through which will teach them new techniques, and a scavenger-hunt style mini game where your monster can find valuable items to use in battle or just to sell for money. In addition, you can connect wirelessly with a friend to battle their monster or even combine monsters to make more powerful breeds.