Nintendo has a spotty history when it comes to making art games. Going all the way back to Mario Paint, they have shown an interest in bringing fans innovative ways to create art with their game consoles. Since then, there have been several attempts to do just that, including their 1999 release for the Nintendo 64DD, Mario Artist. However, neither title became as successful as Nintendo's most recent collaborative effort with Headstrong Games, Art Academy.

Art Academy is an art training game (though perhaps it might be more apt to call it a simulation) which was originally released as a two part series of downloadable DSiWare titles. In order to make the game available to owners of non-DSi models, Nintendo compiled both Art Academy titles into a retail package in 2010 for everyone to enjoy.

At the time of release, there was nothing like it. Art Academy is a solid package that provides you with the tools (and even the lessons) to turn the worst artist out there into a more confident one. With the introduction of the 3DS and applications such as Colors 3D, the upcoming sequel to Art Academy, Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone!, has a lot to live up to when it releases next month.

As a fan of the series, I can't wait to get my hands on this next iteration. Sure, the DS touch screen is no canvas and the stylus is no brush, but what these creative teams have pulled off with Art Academy is quite impressive, and only increases my curiosity for what has been added. In anticipation, let’s check out what new things fans of the series can expect from this sequel, and maybe some of what they shouldn't.

What to Expect

New Lessons

Art Academy boasts over 30 new lessons, consisting of multiple main lessons and a number of smaller, mini-lessons, used to compliment the main ones. Compared to Art Academy for the DS and its 10 lessons, Lessons for Everyone should vastly improve the overall experience. If the plethora of lessons is not enough, artists will be able to purchase lesson DLC. No price or date has been announced for these lessons, but the prospect of such content is definitely a good thing.

Brand New Tools and a Fresh New Interface

Anyone who played the original Art Academy would know that while functional, the interface and tool selection was pretty low on frills. In the sequel, a quick look at the trailer shows off new additions, including a graphite stick added to the pencil set, which is a key addition for anyone who has a love for black and white drawings or drawing with charcoal. Other welcome additions include the ability to mix paints on a realistic looking palette, and new colored pencil and pastel sets. Something I really look forward to is the clean and sleek looking interface; In my opinion, there is nothing better when using a paint simulation than having a set of tools to use and select from that look authentic.

What Not to Expect

If you're one of the many fans planning to pick up Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone!, you should also be prepared on what not to expect.

No 3D Paintings

It should be stated that Art Academy is no Colors 3D. In this franchise, the main focus is to provide users with a set of tools and most of all, teach them how to draw and paint. This means there will be no 3D paintings here, and judging by the history of the series, Art Academy likes to stay true to art in a more traditional sense.

No Internet Sharing

From what we know, users will not have the ability to share and post their paintings online through the software. You can still save your art to your SD card like in previous versions, but if you are looking for a reaction to your art, you will have to publish these pieces yourself.

Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone! Is looking to include more of the same solid ideas that made the original such a success while incorporating a slew of new lessons and updates. Sure, fans of the series might be a bit mad when they find out that the game won’t feature the ability to post art to Facebook (or even an internal sharing website), but what they have added manages to keep me excited. Moreover, once you realize that the lessons you learn from these games can translate into your own physical creativity, I think you will be excited as well.