SimCity DS isn't quite like the most recent edition, Sim City 4, it does live up to its title, SimCity DS.
The game has great tutorials to get you started, (I recommend you play them whether your familiar with the series or not) and they aren't too long that it makes you fall asleep. Once you get started in your city, you are immediately thrown into the action. After you put in a power plant and zone some land people fly into town! There is a huge variety of buildings to place that will keep things fun for quite a while. Like in other installments in the series, the hardest part is keeping up your money. Luckily this isn't as much of a problem here, it is a lot easier to keep up funds without your city becoming a dump.
The graphics in this game aren't what they could be, since they could have easily made the graphics look a little more 3d. The music and sound effects are pleasing, so there is no problem there.
Additional pros and cons:
Pro:
*Unlockable buildings for paying research funding
*Multiple advisors with different views
*Landmarks unlockable by completing scenerios, including Bowser's castle
Cons:
*If you're in the car while placing something and go over a bump, you will end up with a highway through town hall
*Constant visits from citizens get annoying quickly
*The transportation system is overly complicated
Overall, I would say that if you like simulation games or just like playing with making a city, then you should probably get this game. If your not into the simulation or tycoon games, you probably shouldn't get this game.