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Iwata: DS2 to feature movement sensor, new Wii Zelda coming 2010
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has offered the first concrete information about the next DS system -- as in, not the next revision of the current DS, but the true next Nintendo handheld system -- in an interview with the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. "[It will have] highly detailed graphics," Iwata said, "and it will be necessary to have a sensor with the ability to read the movements of people playing." Sort of like the iPhone, yes, but Nintendo isn't exactly an also-ran in the field of motion-controlled gaming. Iwata declined to specify a release window for this DS2 -- or a better name than our suggestion. Iwata also addressed potential service changes for both the current DS network and its successor, suggesting that there would be no "monthly service plan" offered for games. He indicated that Nintendo was looking to increase the number of businesses that host DS Wi-Fi hotspots instead of supporting a 3G-like service (à la Kindle or iPhone) for the DS. The "Mac de DS" service Nintendo provides in partnership with McDonald's offers free wireless connections for the handheld, along with exclusive downloadable content. In Wii news, Iwata dropped one bomb that will delight fans ... and one that will probably initiate eyerolls. First, the good news: The new Zelda game -- sort of revealed at E3 last year -- is scheduled for release by the end of 2010. And now, that other news: The Wii Vitality Sensor, the bizarre biofeedback attachment also unveiled at E3, will be released somewhere in the neighborhood of July, following a press conference about the device. [Via Kotaku]
McDonalds offering exclusive Dragon Quest IX minigame
Following the conclusion of the Pokemon Stamp Rally, the "Mac de DS" program at McDonalds will feature a promotion that ties into the biggest DS game of the year, Dragon Quest IX. Dragon Quest: McDonalds no Tabibito-tachi (McDonalds' Travelers) is a downloadable, battle-only Dragon Quest IX minigame in which players battle monsters in order to level up to level 10. It can only be played once per day -- if you want to continue leveling your character, you have to return to Mickey D's and grab the file again. Visit five times -- whether you complete the game or not -- and you get a free burger. It's a way for DQ fans to get a little extra content, and for that one guy who didn't buy DQIX to try out the game. The DQIX promotion runs from July 31 through September 1.
McDonalds/Nintendo partnership goes nationwide in Japan with new services
Last year, Nintendo and McDonald's introduced the "Nintendo Spot" service, through which special downloadable content and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection access was made available at a few Tokyo-area McDonalds locations. This week, Nintendo and McDonalds announced that they will offer the service nationwide, with new exclusive content. Train stations on Tokyo's Tsukuba Express line will also have the service, with different exclusive content.The Mac de DS service allows users to access DSiWare, to play online using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, and to download special demos and other content. Current material includes a Pokemon stamp rally in which you unlock coupons for McDonalds products by visiting stores and "collecting" Pokemon. There are also quiz games and downloadable comics.We'd say this kind of commercial cross-promotion is despicable, but, really, this has to be designed more with Nintendo's context-sensitive DS download initiative than with marketing -- because neither Mickey D's nor Nintendo really needs to do anything to become more popular. [Via Famitsu]
