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DS Daily: Bummed about the GBA
Yesterday, we presented a feature that said goodbye to all of the great things the GBA slot can be used for on the DS Lite. As you all know, the new DSi says sayonara to the GBA slot. What we're wondering is, what will be the most missed aspect of that GBA slot for yourself? Will you miss not being able to play Guitar Hero: On Tour on your DSi? Are you sad to see your gigantic library of GBA games is not supported by the new device? What will you miss most about the GBA slot?%Gallery-33709%
Reminder: The DSi is lite on GBA slots (it doesn't have any!)
"Oh, who cares about that thing?" you ask aloud, paying no heed to your alarming habit of vocally addressing the internet. "I can't wait to get that newly announced Nintendo DSi! I don't need no G'bah slot." You pause briefly, ignoring the dire grammar in your previous sentence in favor of concocting something humorous. "I say G'bye to it. Oh, that was clever." It wasn't. And you're pathetic.Also, you might just be a tad hasty. As MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo points out, there are several things you won't be able to do on Nintendo's wondrous new device. No Game Boy Advance games -- but will those be offered for download from the DSi store? -- and certainly no rumble cartridges. There won't be any room for your collection of weird-peripheral games either, with Arkanoid losing its paddle pizazz and Guitar Hero: On Tour bidding farewell to its frets. Though the DSi won't arrive in the US until "well into 2009" and, despite its technological tweaks, be unable to magically transform every DS Lite out there, publishers will no doubt have to start planning new games and, oh yes, new peripherals. We're looking at you, Activision (and we've contacted you about it).
DS Daily: Sad to see the GBA slot go?
With all of the oooh-ing and ahhh-ing we've done at the recent announcement of the DSi, we are bummed about one thing: the GBA slot being no more. We like GBA games. They're cheap and fun! But, is it worth losing the GBA slot for all of the other goodies on offer? What do you think of the GBA slot going the way of the dodo bird?%Gallery-33263%
What is Art Style: Orbient? Watch and find out
The Nintendo Channel updated with fresh videos today, most important of which is a gameplay video showing off Nintendo's new WiiWare title, Art Style: Orbient. Our own JC noted that the title looked a lot like Orbital, a Bit Generations game for the GBA. Sure enough, it is! Head past the break for some gameplay footage of Nintendo's new game.
Bacteria's "Mini-Platform" gets GBA'd
British modder Bacteria really likes cartridges. The bigger the better. He turned an entire N64 console into a gigantic, beige cart, then took a slew of cheap plug 'n play games and did the same -- though smaller and minus the neutral tones. He dubbed that latest creation the Mini-Platform Plug'n'Play Console System, and promised that Game Boy Advance integration was coming soon. Two weeks later it's here courtesy of a little solder and hot glue, opening up the massive library of Game Boy and Advance titles. Yeah, the system isn't much to look at, and with an entire GBA hanging off the back it's pushing the limits of the word "mini." But, it is an intrepid hack and, like his others, he's more than happy to tell you how he did it. Video of this meaty portable in action after the break.
DS Daily: Remembering our old friend, the GBA
It's been awhile since we thought about our dearly departed friend, the GBA. It burst on the scene and gave us an amazing Castlevania game, then got itself redesigned to the awesome GBA SP you see above you, complete with brighter screen and awesome clamshell design. Then we got the ... GBA Micro.What fond memories do you have of your GBA? What was your favorite GBA game to play? What model did you have? Did you hold onto it after you upgraded to a DS?
DS Daily: Tilting through Tony Hawk
Did you play Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam for Wii? If so, it may help determine how you feel about the latest handheld Tony Hawk title, which will include an accelerometer add-on for the GBA slot. We don't know much else about Tony Hawk's Motion other than a) it's a skateboarding game (mostly) and b) there'll be tilt controls. Having played the aforementioned Wii game, however, this blogger, at least, is somewhat intrigued. How are you feeling? Did you play Downhill Jam, and does that make a difference? It must be said that I skipped Proving Ground, but did have a blast with Downhill Jam, though I didn't think I would, at all. Gallery: Tony Hawk's Motion
Which Nintendo system favored third-party publishers the most?
You would think DS, no? That's exactly what we thought, as the handheld is home to more amazing third-party games than any other console in recent memory, but that is not the case. It turns out, the SNES was the best Nintendo console for third-party publishers. Who would've known?Keep in mind, though, that this is merely based on Aeropause's own evaluation and may not be representative of how much money publishers made on each system, or the quality of the titles they released on said platform. It's more or less based on an article in the latest Nintendo Power where the staff ranked their top 20 games for each Nintendo system.What do you all think? Which Nintendo system had the greatest batch of stellar third-party titles in your eyes? We're going to stick with DS. It seems like a no-brainer to us.
Two Tribes reveals original title ReWind
If you're not familiar with Two Tribes, then you haven't ever played Toki Tori or Worms: Open Warfare 2. Aside from the game's recent release on WiiWare, it was also available on the Game Boy Color. They also did a game on the GBA called Three Tribes. But, we digress. This new title, which is nothing more than some concept art right now, promises "a unique gameplay experience" in an on-rail shooter. Two Tribes also says that the controls will be accessible, as "average players will be able to complete the game while seasoned players will be motivated to go for higher scores and completion rates." %Gallery-27164% [Thanks, psyborg!]
Stars Catalogue now offering GBA titles [Update 1]
Two Game Boy Advance games have randomly appeared in the Stars Catalogue, leading us to surmise that Nintendo has been spring-cleaning its warehouses and found a bunch of old, unsold stock. Kirby & The Amazing Mirror and Mario Power Tennis are both decent purchases, we suppose, even if the price (5000 Stars each) is steep (you'd need to buy at least 20 DS games to amass that many Stars). We're still waiting on the warehouse with all the sealed Super Famicom consoles to get cleared out (it must exist somewhere).Some other new tat has also been added, including a Pokémon sports bag, and three further items that have (inexplicably) sold out: a Raving Rabbids T-shirt, a Pokémon Mystery Dungeon bookmark, and a Brain Training pen. Don't all rush at once, please.[Update 1: And the Kirbster has sold out!]
PSP beating DS ... on New York subway trains
The poor PSP has spent most of its life getting kicked in the teeth by the rampaging DS in all major regions; even taking into account its recent strong performance in Japan, there's no doubt that Sony's machine has come in a firm second place. But look, here comes MTV's Stephen Totilo, and he's bearing good news for Sony executives everywhere: the PSP is the most popular handheld in New York City! Well, alright, on the New York City subway. Okay, on the New York subway's "C Train". Hey, the little victories count as well!Totilo reached this summary through the simplest, most non-scientific method ever: over the course of a year, he mentally tallied up how many of each handheld he saw played on the subway, and eventually counted 67 PSPs, 44 DSes, 6 Game Boy Advances, and 0 Gizmondos. While he treats his findings light-heartedly (as you should), Totilo concludes that this preference for the PSP is due to the typical subway commuter being older and having a higher disposable income and being on the same subway train as Stephen Totilo.It's a very specific survey.
Midify board adds MIDI port to Nintendo gaming handhelds
Not like you really need another excuse to use your DS as a MIDI controller, but the hacking fiends over at Division 6 have just made available the aptly-titled Midify board. The tiny creation enables users to add a MIDI port to just about anything, but it specializes in Midifying Nintendo handhelds. It can be installed directly into a GBA, GBA-SP, DS or DS Lite, though it'll play nice with other electronics should you procure a few extra parts. We won't even bother mentioning what all you can do with this, but those already salivating at the thought shouldn't have too much trouble parting with $34.99.[Via Hack A Day]
First tiny Rhythm Tengoku media
Yesterday, Nintendo's updated Japanese release schedule revealed that Rhythm Tengoku would be bringing its daft-as-a-brush brand of barmy exuberance to the DS, under the guise of Rhythm Tengoku Gold. Consequently, our dreams last night were filled with dancing monkeys, robotic samurai, and onions with hairy faces in dire need of a good plucking.Today, we awoke to this: a Rhythm Tengoku Gold fact sheet, featuring the same WarioWare-esque art that characterized the GBA game, and the first screens from the DS edition -- you can rhythmically tap your way past the jump for a fuller, bigger version.Incidentally, if you're wondering what all the fuss is about, it's not too late to catch up (though it is rather pricey).
Point: Uh, yeah, it totally will get redesigned
While we all think it would be totally rad if Nintendo issued either another redesigned DS model or a whole new handheld unit altogether, certain things must be considered first. Like, will it make Nintendo some money? Also, is there a demand? And, finally, is the DS as it is now outdated and no longer a viable option for the consumer?Let's look at the facts, folks: The original Game Boy released in 1989 and saw several revisions, including a color change in 1995, a smaller system in the Game Boy Pocket in 1996, the Game Boy Light in 1997 and the Game Boy Color in 1998 The Game Boy Advance released in 2001 and saw 2 revisions before it was officially retired, with the Game Boy Advance SP releasing in 2003 and the Game Boy Advance Micro releasing in 2005 The original DS was released in 2004 and since has received one revision, in the DS Lite, which released in 2006 But, this is not all that needs be considered. For one, the DS Lite is still selling incredibly well, and Nintendo might think to adopt the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" plan of attack on this one, choosing to sit back and let the thing sell as long as it possibly can. However, due to the lowering manufacturing costs and Nintendo's profit on each unit sold, a revision with newer features might be manufactured for the same, or a very similar, price. This would allow Nintendo to sell the new unit at a higher price than the DS Lite and make even more money on each handheld sold. There goes the answer to the first question.What about demand? Well, the demand for the existing DS Lite is there, but we'll be the first to tell you that, while we love the handheld , it's not perfect. Alterations in the best interest of the handheld may still be made, including generic improvements such as improving battery life and the like.If the people still love the DS Lite, we find little reason for them not to upgrade and froth at the mouth for something like a DS Liter.What about its use to the consumer? Does it still remain a great choice for the general consumer? Sure, but in technology years, the thing is like a Brontosauras with Jesus resting comfortably on top of it. What we're saying is, the thing is old. While its appeal may never go away thanks to the easy control scheme and mountains of amazing titles available for it, one cannot ignore the competition. As new features are released everyday for Sony's PSP system, the DS Lite is increasingly dwarfed by the technological wizardry capable with Sony's handheld. If Nintendo went with a new version of the DS, we'd like to see them implement some of the more standard technological features that exist in other handheld devices on the market.So will Nintendo release a revision to the DS? Sure, whether it's a new handheld entirely or a new DS, Nintendo would be crazy not to build on what they have with the DS Lite. Will we see it at E3 this year? This blogger thinks so, because, to be honest, what other megatons could they possibly drop on us? placeholdertext Back Not so fast there!
Virtually Overlooked: Astro Boy: Omega Factor
Welcome to our weekly feature, Virtually Overlooked, wherein we talk about games that aren't on the Virtual Console yet, but should be. Call it a retro-speculative. Yeah, there aren't any Game Boy Advance games on the Virtual Console, and there probably won't be any time soon, but that's not important! This column is about games that should be on the Virtual Console, and this game should be everywhere.Treasure is known for producing super-hardcore action games, from frantic run-and-guns like Alien Soldier and Gunstar Heroes to clever shooters like Ikaruga and Radiant Silvergun. Between original releases, they sometimes take on licensed works, seemingly to pay the bills. One of their best games -- and possibly the best game on the GBA -- combines all of these aspects of Treasure's style. It might be slightly strange to say that a licensed game based on a kids' show is one of Treasure's best, but it absolutely is.%Gallery-20301%
7 great Game Boy games that got the shaft?
Let's face it: we all love the DS, but if it wasn't for the handhelds of yesteryear, we wouldn't be enjoying the dual-screened bliss we do on a regular basis. Instead, our reality would be dark and cold, our fear of what is right in front of us only challenged by our incredible lack of knowing what is right in front of us. It would probably lead us to suicide.But, lo and behold, the passage of time flowed in favor of Nintendo, as the Game Boy lead to the Game Boy Advance and the Game Boy Advance lead to that stupid Game Boy Micro thing the Game Boy Micro and then, finally, to the DS. But what about all of those great Game Boy games that time forgot?Well, now is the time to rustle up those nostalgic memories you have pattering around your noggin. The games are: Rolan's Curse 2 Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters Mole Mania Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge Mega Man V Kirby's Dreamland 2 Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land Personally, we would've liked to see Street Fighter II get some love (kidding!). What do you all think? What games do you like? What does this list need?[Via Go Nintendo]
Friday Video: Generations
We found inspiration for today's video in the discussion about Q-Games' mysterious DS title. We referred to their bit Generations game Digidrive in that post, but it really takes a look at the game in motion to understand it. And even that probably won't fully explain it. Since we never got any of the bit Generations games in the U.S., this may be your first look at one of these abstract, experimental, weird GBA games. If you like what you see, you can get the game for $10 right now at Play-Asia, along with Dialhex and Boundish.We have enough trouble keeping Q-Games and Q? Entertainment (Tetsuya Mizuguchi's company) separate in our minds. Q-Games doing a game like this doesn't help.
The best and worst (that we've reviewed)
2007 is almost over, and the end of the year brings joyous tidings of List Season. It's the time for taking stock of the last 12 months of gaming, and trying to make sense of it by putting things in numerical order. Join DS Fanboy for our best-ofs, worst-ofs, and other categories-ofs.We cranked up our review quotient in 2007 (and hope to do even more in 2008!), but we still can't review everything that comes out, to our chagrin. We wouldn't have time for anything else! However, we did try to hit a wide variety of titles this year, from the biggies like Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and Phantom Hourglass, to some smaller titles, like WordJong and Duck Amuck. We even worked to review some more off-the-wall things, like the Nintendo Fan Network at Safeco Field -- you know, in case you happened to find yourself in the Northwest with a hankering for a day of DS and baseball.
A DS sequel to Shantae rests in our hands
Remember Shantae? WayForward certainly does -- the Contra 4 developer spent two years producing the delightful Game Boy Color platformer, only to see it die a death at retail, its chances cruelly crushed by the increasing obsolescence of its host platform, as well as the rise of the newly released Game Boy Advance. Boasting an engrossing mix of Metroid-style puzzles and neat visual tricks, the game was an unsung gem that emphatically failed to register on the gaming public's radar.A sequel was planned for the Advance, only for the project to be inexplicably shelved with the game 50% complete, but WayForward hasn't forgotten about the series entirely. With the all-conquering Contra 4 now out on store shelves and begging to be bought, the developer has posted a poll on its site, asking whether or not we'd be interested in purchasing a Shantae follow-up, and what platform we'd like it to appear on.Hence, we implore all of you to hit the link below and get your vote on. If you're still wavering about giving thirty seconds of your time to one of the best DS-related causes we've heard of in ages, go past the break for footage of the canned GBA title.Then go and get your vote on.
Wii passes lifetime sales of GameCube in Japan
NeoGAFfer JoshuaJSlone has devoted a serious amount of time to compiling weekly hardware sales figures in Japan, as they appear in Famitsu. That sounds like a task of almost Sisyphean proportions, but it's not all thankless. This week, for instance, his legwork and terrifying table of numbers (mercifully translated into the graph above) threw up an interesting little factoid: lifetime sales of the Wii in Japan have now surpassed those of the GameCube. Which is darn impressive, considering the Wii has been in Japanese stores for just 54 weeks.Our new favorite NeoGAFfer also took the time to compare those first 54 weeks of the Wii's life with other consoles. Turns out the GBA needed only 40 weeks to reach where the Wii is now, and the DS an almost identical 53.7 weeks. What could have been in a world without Wii shortages, eh? Interestingly, the Wii is even outperforming the PlayStation 2, which required approximately 66 weeks to reach the Wii's current total.For more graph-related tomfoolery, and to see how the PS3 is faring against the Wii (clue: it's not faring well, but let's not be complacent), head past the break.
