The Nintendo DS, despite its versatile library of games, has yet to host very many great sports games. EA Tiburon is hoping to change that with the upcoming Madden 08.

Foremost among the upgrades this year is a newly revamped touch screen interface that better employs the strengths of Nintendo's handheld. From a brand new kicking mechanic to selecting players on defense or choosing which receivers to throw to, the touch screen connects gamers directly with the on-field action (the top screen shows a zoomed-out, top-down, 2D view of the field). According to EA there are also new player models and animations to spruce things up.

The most surprising addition to this year's game is a paper football mode. That's right, the game you played across the lunchroom tables of your youth is coming back with a new, mysterious 'ultimate mode' that promises to take the paper football experience over the top.

Of course the usual modes of play are all here for a standard game of pigskin: exhibition, season, franchise, create-a-team, custom leagues, mini-camp, and more.

Finally, EA has gone all out with the multiplayer modes this year, including something that fans have long been clamoring for: true online support. Via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, friends can game it up from anywhere in the world. For the less physically isolated there is 8 player local wireless play as well.

Madden 08 comes out August 14. Check NWR for our full review.