Anyone who’s ever visited a contemporary art gallery and thought "my kid could do better" should look into the forthcoming Art Academy, out in October, which condenses the art world into a concise video game to be played on the hand-held Nintendo DS. As its creators note, the module "replaces the lecture-like structure of art school and the trial-and-error of working on canvas." (And at $19.99, it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than a semester at SVA.)

More confounding is Nintendo’s assertion that Art Academy will "teach real-world art skills." Is there an advanced stage in which one must get drunk, but not so drunk that it’s impossible to suck up to Jerry Saltz at your opening? Perhaps a bonus round in which the budding artist has to fight the bedbug infestation in her Bushwick loft?

It seems like Art Academy is stuck in the past — the 'second semester' promises "an even deeper understanding of colors and techniques used by famous impressionist artists [sic]", so don’t expect cameos from YBAs. We’re curious as to why Cory Arcangel didnt partner with Nintendo to provide this game with a bit more street cred. Personally, we’d recommend skipping this art academy, and sticking with the John Baldassari iPhone app for your high-tech, high-culture fix.