download-station
Latest
Wet your wireless whistle at new Nintendo DS Centers
Nintendo is taking the whole portable connectivity concept one step further in the UK, with 33 brand-spankin' new DS Centers installed at various retailers. There used to be a bunch of creaky old "Download Stations" dotted about the place, but these latest models outstript the dated machines with their sleek superiority and high levels of rad.The official website has launched, where you can learn what these white towers of fun can do for you and your DS. We love making generalizations around here, so we'll assume every UK citizen lives in a quaint little cottage in the countryside, always having scones and raspberry jam for tea. If you want to try one of these DS Centers, you'll need to crank up your old Reliant Robin and pop down to the local big-shot retailer to bust out some Wi-Fi fun.These centers are a pretty good way to physically show UK gamers that their DS can do more than sit unloved at the bottom of a bag while waiting around for the next Coronation Street house party. You can download the latest demos, try a game you may have missed, and even get global with a worldwide network of DS players. It'll be just as fun as downing a pint at the Rub-A-Dub, right lads?
A more intimate look at the Nintendo Spot service
Click to enter gallery Remember that story we ran about McDonald's recently? No, not the one about no more free Wi-Fi, the other story. The one about the download service in Japan. Got it? Good.Well, Inside Games recently checked out the service and did a nice little write-up. Of course, some of you knew what the service looks like because you checked out our gallery of screens (below, if you're late to the party), but if you're looking for some additional screens depicting the service at work, hit up Inside Games.%Gallery-23702%
UK getting new, superior DS Download Stations
Until recently, the UK supposedly had 600 DS Download Stations dotted about its high streets. Exactly where these were located will probably forever remain a mystery -- this blogger resides in one of the largest UK cities, yet still hasn't seen a single Download Station in the wild. Fortunately, that could be about to change, and soon. The latest issue of Official Nintendo Magazine reveals that Nintendo has plans to launch a bunch of new 'DS Download Center' stands to UK retailers and supermarkets, including chains such as GAME, Gamestation, HMV, and others.These aren't just any old DS Download Centers, either. With the old style of Download Center now extinct in British stores, this new breed will come equipped with a DS Lite for trying out demos (we give the styluses a week before they're swiped by ne'er-do-good street urchins), along with a video screen so that annoying curious passers-by can peek in at what's happening on your screens. Nintendo is also promising that many demos will be downloadable, and will feature some of the latest games; which should make a change from the drab offerings we currently have here on the Nintendo Channel.
The DS: McDonalds is lovin' it
Fast food chain McDonalds is to launch a new download service in Japan tomorrow, through DS download stations located in 21 Tokyo branches of McDonalds and train stations along the Tsukuba Express line.The scheme, dubbed "Nintendo Spot," is currently in a trial period, and will give DS owners access to free downloads featuring the latest "McDonalds news" (this just in: you need to learn to cook for yourself), nutritional information, and menus, as well as actual news, weather reports, horoscopes, a Brain Training demo, and hotel/restaurant guides for Tokyo (though we assume that guides to rival restaurants won't appear in McDonalds). The trial ends on June 30th in McDonalds, and on December 28th at the railway stations.Incidentally, our machine translation is picking up something about a "downloadable gift" related to Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Here's hoping the service heads west so we can find out more. While you wait with us, make the jump for a look at Ronald McDonald's offspring as perceived through the eyes of Japanese advertising executives (warning: slightly NSFW).%Gallery-23702%
DS Download Auction
Sure, this is just a used DS Phat with a sticker on it, in a chipped lockbox, but it's the coolest used DS in a box we've ever seen. That's because this particular arrangement is a retail download station, of the sort set up in local stores (and at Safeco Field). It's intended to broadcast demos to anyone who brings their DS to the location that houses it.As if it weren't cool enough to have a DS Download Station that is never supposed to leave the store, this set comes with two cartridges full of Download Play demos. The current bid is only $.99, but who knows how high the reserve is, especially given the $350 Buy It Now price. For that matter, who knows if Nintendo will see the auction and shut it down?[Via GameSniped]
Classic Mega Man shows up in Star Force 2
While it's true that the original Blue Bomber makes an appearance in Mega Man Star Force 2, it's probably not in the way that you're hoping. In a promotion for the game, Capcom has allowed Japanese players to download a classic Rockman card at DS download stations.It would definitely be cool if Capcom let other regions enjoy this content, too, but we're not getting our hopes up. This wouldn't be the first time Japan has gotten cool downloadables that haven't found their way elsewhere. Gallery: Mega Man Star Force 2
Rumor: Contra 4 and Ninja Gaiden coming to DS Download Stations?
GoNintendo's "inside guy" is usually spot-on with his scouted information on upcoming Download Station games, but keep in mind that this tally is anything but official. According to the mole's report, this Version 7 update to the in-store wireless stations will feature a total of twelve game demos and five videos, all of which you can see after the post break. Playable demos for Contra 4 and Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword top the gossip, promising to bring run-n-gun shootin' and ninja-of-the-night flippin' to our handhelds soon. Once this update hits, we are going to be on these two titles like gravy on mashed potatoes. Who knows, we might even eat some mashed potatoes with gravy while we play the demo. These are crazy times we live in.
Finally, DS demo downloads via Wii
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo_wii/Finally_DS_demo_downloads_via_Wii'; Among the other megatons Nintendo dropped at its Tokyo conference late last night, the company revealed that the Wii will soon support a feature we've been speculating on for some time now -- enabling the console to act as a DS demo download station. At last, you can finally try out games like that new Nancy Drew release without ever leaving the comfort of your own home!Much like with the download stations that are already installed in game stores and airports across the country, Nintendo Wii owners will eventually be able to download video game trailers and demos wirelessly to their DS through the newly announced "Everyone's Nintendo Channel." A concrete date hasn't yet been set for the channel's launch.
New iTunes kiosk in development
After you've dropped more money in a vending machine than you ever thought possible, you're left wondering how to fill your new iPod with media to escape the monotony of your 10 hour layover. Enter 22Moo, an Australian hardware and software designer who is developing an iTunes kiosk -- dubbed PodBuffet -- to place in airports, train stations, hotels, shopping centers, and who knows where else. The prototype is powered by a Mac mini attached to a 15-inch touchscreen display that allows users timed access to the iTunes Music Store. Equipped with WiFi and all the appropriate USB, FireWire, and dock connectors, the PodBuffet won't refuse service to any iPod. The idea is to provide convenient access (and satisfy those cravings) to Apple's media mall when your laptop is MIA, and we can imagine this setup creating quite a few impulse indulgences as well. 22Moo hasn't announced a launch date nor any plans to bring these stateside, but hopefully the famished can enjoy the all-you-can-afford PodBuffet sooner rather than later. [Via Macminute]
Kiosk Hunting: Here and there, but mostly there
When you ask DS Fanboy readers to do something for you, they don't waste much time. This is a valuable lesson I've now learned after putting out a call to you guys to let us know where and when you stumble across one of the many Wi-Fi tendrils of Nintendo's download station network currently spreading across the world. My online persona was buried beneath an avalanche of tips, comments and the usual death threats, but it has now surfaced and is ready to start compiling the information in an epic list that's sure to inspire a major motion picture. This is just the second part of our ongoing quest and I hope to keep adding new locations on a weekly basis.A big, slightly overzealous "thank you" to everyone that contributed to this round. If you don't see your highlighted area in the list, be sure to check back later in the month. A few brave souls have also added some new locations to the Frappr map--quite a feat given that working with that application is about as pleasant as a sturdy kick in the head. The format of this list is probably far from optimal, so please let me know how you'd like me to change it in the future. Also, the information from readers isn't always exact, but if you see that one Best Buy (or another store) has a download station in your region, chances are decent that others will have too. You'll know you're close to one by either recognizing a small banner and a DS set in wireless mode behind some plastic or experiencing a lightheaded sensation as Wi-Fi beams scramble your brains.Keep the details (we want street names!), pictures and experiences coming! The full list is but a click away.
Kiosk Hunting: London calling
One of our UK-based readers sent us one of the first bits of information to help in our ceaseless quest to locate all the DS download kiosks in the world ever. "I found a DS demo kiosk in HMV on Oxford Street in London. It was demoing Mario Kart DS and had a crappy times new roman a4 print-out that gave instructions on how to download demos from the kiosk. I followed em and sod all happened.I went back 2 days later, and they changed the kiosk to an Animal Crossing demo with a new shiny sign that said you can download demos. I tried again and it worked. All they had was Polarium, so I grabbed that and finished the demo on the train ride home..."And our progress on the American front? Not so good. Nintendo seems to have hit a delay in rolling out their kiosks, with the Nintendo Store in New York being the only US location thus far to be bathed in Wi-Fi goodness. Nintendo's own Download Station page promises that the units will start showing up in early April, however, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled and your DS powered on.If you spot one, let us know what your experience with it was like! Tell us what games you tried! Send us a picture! Or update this Frappr map that one of our swell readers created! And make obnoxious use of exclamation marks! [Thanks Butch, Sean and D. Short!][Update: Thanks for the submissions so far! Just make sure you give us enough details on the location--states are rather large, after all.]
Kiosk Hunting: The quest begins
With March in full swing, it's finally time for Nintendo to begin placing mysterious, oblong structures in various game stores spread across the North American continent. Emitting undetectable Wi-Fi beams, these innocuous-looking kiosks promote a very subtle form of mind control, implanting the desire to move closer, switch on your DS and download trial versions of "fun" upcoming games. There's no telling how many hours and relationships may be lost to this devious scheme.In the interest of public safety, we must locate each and every one of these so-called download stations (Japanese version pictured to the right). It is with this goal in mind that we call on you, our astute readers, to help us track these monstrous devices down and warn other readers of the potential dangers that lurk within their nearest shopping complex. The task is simple: If you spot a DS download station in your area, send us the location or, even better, a picture of the beast as it whirs discreetly in the used games section. Please make use of our tips form to submit the information. Once the sightings start rolling in, we'll post a weekly update (more frequently if required) informing you of the latest discoveries and their locations. Keep an eye out and above all, be careful out there. We can't afford to lose more souls to that Tetris DS demo.
DS demo download station impressions
Upon hearing that the NYC Nintendo Store had begun hosting a DS Download Station, Gaming Steve rushed to the scene with a phat DS in hand and some Brain Training in mind. After failing to find the actual station, a shocking truth was revealed: The Wi-Fi signals are coming from inside the store. The omnipresent power of Wi-Fi flooding the building quickly enabled him to latch onto the download service and grab some demos. Download time is reported to be very quick indeed, though 15 seconds may seem like an eternity when you're waiting to play Tetris DS. The linked article also contains some impressions of the various demos and you'd do well to check them out if Nintendo still hasn't gotten around to dropping of a Wi-Fi kiosk thing at your local mall. [Thanks Stephen!]
