If you're an old-school Nintendo fan, get an eReader. If you're getting Animal Crossing ... get an eReader. If you're a Pokemon fan, get an eReader.

The eReader is an optical card reader. A small "dot-code" pattern is printed on the sides of otherwise ordinary cardstock. These small dots are actually data ... programs that can be read by the eReader and transformed into games and other "programs" for your GBA.

Use is simple. Insert the eReader into the GBA controller slot. Turn it on, set the eReader program to "Scan Card" and run the card through. It takes a certain amount of practice to slide the cards through at just the right speed, but it's a very painless process. After the card is read, the eReader will tell you what program you've loaded, how many more cards are needed, and the option to slide another card.

Pokemon cards (three included) will contain mini games and PokeDex data, collect all three of a Pokemon's forms to get the game. The other strip on each card contains the Pokedex data, bascially turning your GBA into a PokeDex, which is sure to tickle the hardcore fans.

Also included is one old-school Game and Watch title. Simply swipe both strips on the card, and you're playing one of those old classics. Not overly impressive, but a quick diversion.

Nintendo is also selling packs of cards containing old NES games. Pinball was included in with the eReader (you can also get it with Donkey Kong Jr. ... you can tell which by looking at the back of the bubble pack), and you can also get Excitebike, Tennis and Balloon Fight separately. You'll have to slide all five cards, some twice to load the game.

The games are stored in the eReader's internal memory, so even when you turn off your GBA, you don't need to reslide the cards unless you want to load a new game. But, only one program can be stored at a time.

The real Killer App for the eReader is Animal Crossing. The eReader also has a link port at the top for connecting the GBA-GameCube cable. Using the Animal Crossing "eTM", you can load a card reader program on the eReader. Now, slide a special Animal Crossing card (one included) and you will have recieved a special item for use in the GameCube game.

Packs of five Animal Crossing cards will go on sale at the end of November, all containing an assortment of new clothes, furniture, music, and patterns for your town. Of course, this all makes you think of the Pokemon possibilites, when you might be able to play a Pokemon Stadium game using Pokemon you load from cards. Not to mention the card giveaways Nintendo will likely do in Nintendo Power or in stores.

Overall, the eReader is a blast. But it will really come into its own when the Animal Crossing cards, and whatever other plans Nintendo has in store come to fruition.