Latest Pokemon titles morph DS into kid-friendly VoIP phone

While we recently showed the adults in the crowd how to craft your own VoIP phone (and potentially burn the house down) with a somewhat antiquated landline device, the kids in the bunch can stop whining about the blatant discrimination. In case you haven't lost count, Nintendo is actually unveiling two new Pokemon titles for the DS on April 22nd, and aside from the ability to collect, train, and pwn up to 380 new pixelated creatures, the games also enable online communication thanks to the built-in microphone and the handheld's VoIP capabilities. Reportedly, you can talk smack to other immature pals on the proverbial line "before, during, and after battles," giving your kiddos yet another venue to chat with their pals, evade chores, and become even more addicted to the game that never ends. Darn you, Nintendo.

[Via Joystiq]

[Jeff @ Mar 16th 2007 9:26AM]

*patiently awaits for the first media outcry on how the DS is a tool for pedophiles*

[sycks @ Mar 16th 2007 10:15AM]

Good thing the comment is timestamped so we know who said it first....

I give it 6 weeks after the game hits shelves and a parent actually realizes what they just bought their kid.

[sam @ Mar 16th 2007 10:56AM]

I assume, based on nintendo's actions in the past, that this will only let you chat with those on your friends list. So, no such luck for all the pedophiles eagerly awaiting this title.

[strider_mt2k @ Mar 16th 2007 11:33AM]

Gimme Skype

[deusfaux @ Mar 16th 2007 11:50AM]

You can only talk to those you've entered their friend code in for, yes. No random voice chat encounters

[Kit @ Mar 16th 2007 12:24PM]

It only works with people on your friends roster, so you'd need their friends code and they'd need yours in order to use the online voice

[Callaway @ Mar 16th 2007 1:58PM]

Under the assumption this makes voip communication directly to the other Nintendo DS in the immediate area? If that's the case, ummm why would you need a microphone? Don't you need to be rather close just to connect to other Nintendo DS? Could you not just speak directly to them?

[Steven @ Mar 17th 2007 8:37PM]

@Callaway

Actually, the new Pokemon game supports online play so you will obviously be able to talk to people around the globe.


Anyway, that DS headset looks pretty slick. Gotta pick one up. =D

[Vic Lee @ Mar 19th 2007 10:59PM]

This might not seem like HUGE HUGE news for those who aren't interested in the game, it's huge in that VoIP technology is not utilized in hand held gaming systems. Not only that, it turns the Nintendo DS into a sort of limited VoIP cell phone, too. Just think about that, it's insane!


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[Vic Lee @ Mar 19th 2007 11:22PM]

whoops, bad typos. I meant to say that the news is huge because VoIP is NOW utilized in hand held gaming systems.