is a role-playing video game developed by Grasshopper Manufacture for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. It was published by Marvelous Entertainment in Japan on March 30, 2006, by Atlus USA in North America on October 19, 2006, and by Rising Star Games in Australia, Asia and Europe on January 25, 2007 and February 2, 2007 respectively. Plot The story begins as a scientist, known as the Professor, flees through space from a mysterious enemy known only as the "CosmoNOTs" (Cosmic Nihilist Organization for Terror). He crash lands on a strange planet, losing the "cells" that power his ship. Without power, he is stranded. He enlists the help of Terry, a young boy. Terry agrees to help the Professor by exploring the planet and locating the cells. Helping the Professor is the only way that Terry will be able to get home, but the Klaxon Army are tracking them down, the cells are hidden in some dangerous areas and, as the game progresses, the Professor's intentions are slowly thrown deeper and deeper into question. The player is included in the story-line as a separate character from Terry, and the game's characters recognize the player as "controlling" Terry using the DS, breaking the fourth wall, and assisting him through the use of 'decals' - sticker-like items that apply specific, often powerful effects. Throughout the game, the Professor will talk directly to the player to give hints on how to use the controls and to voice his concerns about Terry. The Professor is eager to keep the player's existence and their role in Terry's life a secret from the boy. Gameplay In Contact, several atypical gameplay mechanics ensure a certain amount of alienation between the player, the Professor, and Terry. The Professor talks directly to the player, giving instructions in order to help Terry. Once battle mode is entered, Terry's attacking is essentially on autopilot - being done automatically provided the attack is not on cooldown, and Terry is within range of the enemy. The player can switch weapons, move Terry, and use items, decals, and skills, but the bulk of combat is out of the player's hands, and they essentially watch, waiting for the right moments to use their abilities, while Terry handles attacking on his own. Unlike many RPGs, experience gain is instantaneous during battles, which complements the real time combat system. Rather than increasing multiple statistics at once, Contact's