The mall is bustling with excited shoppers. The new Game Center has just opened its doors, and the smell of fresh carpet fills the air. Inside, rows upon rows of consoles are laid out on display tables. I spot a sleek black PlayStation 3 next to an older Xbox. People are crowding around the Nintendo Wii, pressing buttons on the remote, laughing as they struggle with mini-games.

In the corner, a line snakes around the stand for the new handheld console, the DS. Kids eagerly tap at screens, showing off the colorful Game Boy Advance games. The staff demonstrates how to use the touch screen—swiping and tapping quickly. A young man in front of me frowns as he tries to catch Pokéballs, missing his targets.

Nearby, a group plays Pong on one of the large arcade machines. Their laughter rings out, echoing off the shiny metal surface. The game center is full of energy, with everyone excited for what the new games might bring.