Unfortunately, typing with a C64 is still faster and easier than with a movemovepressmovemovemovepress XBox controller.

The DS version is plagued with frequent and long "loading" screens.

Never saw anything like this on other DS games: this is really a shame.

At least on PC the loading is only at the beginning, since all of the game can be stored in RAM.

Things could be worse.

Try The Settlers on DS.

Well, I happen to use the keypad attachment on my 360 controller if I need to type.  I can also use voice in game when playing people.  Yes, a keyboard is still faster than the keypad, but it does spare me of the movemovepress bit.

By the way, maybe you can go back to Atari 2600 days if you want to be REAL comfortable.  I see they apparently have some new carts for it, like Killzone 2 and Prince:

http://www.vgchartz.com/forum/thread.php?id=62314&page=1

This thing?

http://videogamecentral.com/blog3/pics/360_keypad.jpg

Good Lord.

Yes.  You are able to text with it.  Shocking, huh?  Not meant for long messaging, but it beats your downdownleftrightleftrightBABA.

Even a cellphone beats it.

If we continue, you will then go to say that a cellphone WITH merely the numeric pad beats it, and then harp on how a rotary phone dial is superior.  So, on this note, I think the talk of entry devices is done.  But, do feel free to harp on the superiority of a rotary phone dial over the keypad attachment for the 360 controller.

Good.  No one here would want your view of the universe disrupted.  So, please don't try to confirm that the 360 keypad IS real.  By the way, I think everyone agrees that the 360 is POOR for doing one's taxes on, or writing a letter.

EDIT: BUT, I challenge volcantius to get everyone to agree that the 360 is poor at playing games.