What are some popular video games out right now for the Nintendo DS?

I don’t know how popular it is but I’m buying Wheel of Fortune for myself. I assume you’re talking games for the younger set? Then I might suggest Yoshi’s Island.

I really like Shin Megami Tensei Devil Survivor.
It is a tactical role playing game, where you have to collect, train and fuse demons to fight other demons and save the world and yourself in seven days

Not sure whether there are many exciting and new Mario games this holiday season. The newest release (I think) is Mario vs. Donkey Kong Mini-Land Mayhem, which I have not played so I cannot comment on whether I would recommend it or not. The somewhat older Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story and Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time are both awesome (and hysterical) games. Definitely recommend those two.

Other than Mario, I have been enjoying the Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney (text-based) and Professor Layton (puzzle-solving). Trust me: better than it sounds.

@muppetish Awesome! Thank you, this answer is 1st place.:-D With the other answers, I love Yoshi too.

Try Call of Duty: Black Ops for the DS, if you like action games. The Call of Duty series transfers very nicely onto the DS and the multiplayer + Zombie mode are awesome.

@demonictruth Thanks for reminding me, I love video games that include zombies too.(Even though I used to fear they would come out the screen when I was little lol when others were playing it).