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System envy: 7 DS games I wish were on PSP
I may write about PSP gaming news, but I own and play every system (including the new and next-gen consoles). So while I do get to play most any game I want, I can't help but wish in a feverish state, that certain system exclusives went to other consoles. In this case, if I wanted to list 7 DS games I'd love to see show up on PSP (however unrealistic that may be). So here it is: New Super Mario Bros (My favorite DS game, but I would like better power ups and more variety. It would also be great to see what the creators could do in 2D with the power of PSP) SNK vs Capcom Cardfighters (Addictive and strategic gameplay that makes me giddy. Only if it comes to PSP, add back in free-roaming and take out the game killing bug) Ace Attorney (Great characters, funny cases and it makes you think. That sorta game would work on any system) Kirby (He may be cute, but the gameplay is classic) Advance Wars (Because Field Commander is good, but not THIS good) WarioWare(Because there aren't enough mini-game titles on PSP) Meteos (Because every Q? Entertainment game should be on PSP) What about you reader? Are there any DS games you'd like to see on PSP, or do you refuse to even entertain the thought?
DS games pepper Next-Gen's top 100 games of 2006
Where can you find Hannah Montana hanging out with FFIII? No, not on a shelf at your local GameStop -- in Next Generation's list of the top 100 best-selling games in North America in 2006. But you get more than just a regular ol' list; they also broke the games down by average critical rating, and it's pretty interesting to compare sales with review ratings. More signs that the review system could use an overhaul? Or just an indication that critics and gamers often look for different things?Some interesting things we noticed while perusing the list: Bratz outsold a lot of very good DS games, including Tetris. We can only guess that Games 4 Girls campaign worked. Also, we're now certain that Bratz dolls should be banned, due to the fact that they're obviously both evil and insidious. People really dig Cars. DS games started to get fewer and further apart as the list wound down. We suspect that's simply because there are too many great DS games for people to buy. Our wallets hurt. Really. But we're not complaining. Nintendogs barely made it into the top 50. We're surprised. The highest ranked DS exclusive: New Super Mario Bros., which came in at number 5.
DS snags two slots at top of '06 charts
It's always nice to be reminded that it's not just about us. Y'know, the hardcore devotees the folks who cackle over zany niche titles, when we're not busy whipping it good in something a little more mainstream. Awesome as we are, we're not the only ones who drive the DS market ... and the list of the bestselling games of 2006 (in the U.S.) serves as a great little reminder. The DS grabbed two of this year's top spots with New Super Mario Bros. and Brain Age, which took 2nd and 10th, respectively. Numero dos behind Madden '07 is a pretty big deal, and surely not all of the people who bought New Super Mario Bros. would consider themselves Nintendo fanfolk, and that's almost certainly true of Brain Age, as well. The DS may not be recognized as the top system in the U.S., but we're still in your lists, stealin' your slots. And, of course, that money.
Sony ignored among 2006 Spike TV major awards winners
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Sony_ignored_among_2006_Spike_TV_major_awards_winners'; Spike TV has released the list of its 2006 Video Game Awards winners, expunging all temptation to tune into the televised presentation this coming Wednesday. While the results hold little standing in the industry, it's interesting to note that Sony has seemingly fallen out of popularity with Spike TV's award ceremony, perhaps implying a shift in popular brand.Last year, Sony enjoyed (at least shares in) Game of the Year, Best Action Game, Best Original Score, Best Graphics, Best Handheld Game, and Best Technology; this year, Xbox 360 is tied to all of those awards (except 'Best Technology' & 'Handheld Game'), along with Studio of the Year, Best Shooter, Best Multiplayer Game, Best RPG, Best Racing Game, and Most Addictive. Sony currently has stake in none*.Sure, PlayStation 3 hasn't even been on the market for a month, but Wii managed to earn the 'Breakthrough Technology' award, and Twilight Princess nabbed Critic's Choice; plus, with New Super Mario Bros., DS won out over PSP. Is 'Comeback Company of the Year' in the cards for Sony in 2007?*Oblivion will end up on PlayStation 3 next year.
Mario & Peach can't shake gender stereotypes
Serious Games Source offers some heady insights into the designs of DS's Super Princess Peach and New Super Mario Bros. Despite North American and European marketing efforts to mask sexist overtones, it should be clear to anyone who's played Peach -- and succeeded using her emotions -- that the game perpetuates certain stereotypes about women. Gonzalo Frasca writes, "What is shocking is that from all the possible design options available, the creators of this game had to frame the princess as an emotionally unstable person."Digging deeper, Frasca discovers that Mario has also failed to avoid cultural imprints. Where Peach focuses on a woman's bursting emotions, NSMB follows a size-obsessed man searching for that "mega mushroom" to make himself ginormous; and thereby invincible.[Via GameSetWatch]
Super Mario Bros. stylus
We have shown you all the stylus options and let you ponder which one fits you best as a gamer. Now, we have to tell you that you were wrong in your choice and you have to go with these! Not really, but they are fun to look at plus you get a pair with Mario and his trusty sidekick and brother, Luigi. These are only 9 bucks and would come in handy if you lost your current stylus like the bad gamer you are. Thinking about it, we would bet dollars to donuts that this guy already has an entire case. [Via Siliconera]
Norwegian DS Bundle
The classic Nintendo days are remembered in this special edition DS. Not only are lucky owners getting a copy of Super Mario Bros. from the NES Classic Series for GBA, they are also getting a copy of New Super Mario Bros., a black DS Lite and spiffy packaging. It doesn't sound like a whole lot when you already have a black DS and both the games but to a harcore collector this is a gold mine.
DS Lite pwned Japan in June
As if those weekly hardware charts weren't enough to convince you, Next Generation has put up a report that once again underlines just how well the DS Lite is performing in Japan. The words "ridiculous", "ludicrous" and "criminal" certainly spring to mind when noting that the Lite sold 575,000 units last month, making for a grand total of 2.6 million thus far. New Super Mario Bros. has been flying off the shelves with equal aplomb, right into the hands of 1.8 million nostalgia-craving gamers. It has become one of eight DS games to break through the meticulously guarded million sold barrier. As part of those who initially thought the DS to be a silly device that would be beaten to a pulp in the handheld gaming ghetto, we've been proven wrong again and again. And again. Let's be honest now. Did you expect this to happen back in 2004?
Secret New Super Mario Bros. Challenge mode: Elation to displeasure in fifteen seconds flat [Update 1]
First off, the good news. Your copy of New Super Mario Bros. has a heretofore completely undiscovered secret mode of play, dubbed "Challenge Mode" by the creators. Certainly, this mere sentence has already launched your hopes and potential delight into the ionosphere. So, here's what's going to happen. You're going to take out your copy of NSMB right now, and turn it on. You're going to start up your game and go into the World Map pause screen. You'll then enter this button combination: L R L R X X Y Y. The screen will flash "Welcome to the secret Challenge mode". You'll enter a level of your choosing, and find out that what Nintendo considers a "challenge" is actually an almost inconsequential and possibly quite irritating facet of gameplay: in Challenge mode, the game will no longer allow you to backtrack in levels. You're going to then cry many tears of pain, for your hopes have been dashed 'gainst the sharp rocks of reality. Okay, so it's a nice throwback to the old days of the original Super Mario Bros., and that's not actually a bad thing. Still, gamers these days prefer the option of backtracking for hidden coins and whatnot, and labelling such a minor addition as a secret Challenge mode is a bit of a faux pas, no? [Update 1: Commenters are reporting that the code appears to function only once the game has been beaten. Why haven't you beaten it yet? Go go go!] [Thanks, Lotsofno!]
New Super Mario power-up preview
A video of some of the new power-ups featured in New Super Mario Bros. has been posted on the official website — additional videos will be posted on 5/1, 5/8, and 5/15. The current video features the exciting new Mega Mushroom power-up (pictured) and its counterpart, the Mini Mushroom. The new blue Koopa shell also makes an appearance, transforming the plumber into Shell Mario, as seen in the underwater scene. And of course, what preview would be complete with a Fire Mario sighting?The video also gives us a look at some of Mario's moves, including the ground pound (or 'butt bounce'), double jump, and wall jumping ability. We may have picked up on Infendo's skepticism a few weeks ago, but this new footage had us on that nostalagia tip, hard. You know, all warm and gooey inside. New Super Mario Bros. is set to drop on May 15.
EGM: DS Lite arriving in May!
The latest issue of EGM reports that the DS Lite is "due in May" on North American shores. The snippet coincides with 1Up's recent speculation, but does not contain further information that would validate this claim. Consider this a rumor — for now.
Chat with Miyamoto
Nintendo has announced that its legendary designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, will be on hand to field questions and praise during a half hour webchat next week. The discussion looks to focus on the Nintendo DS, including insight into the New Super Mario Bros., but perhaps some skillful fans will be able to pry out some Revolution details (don't count on it). The webchat will be viewable at webchats.tv at 2 pm (Eastern) on March 17. Start submitting your questions now.
