Those with loads of disposable income probably wouldn't mind ponying up for the relatively inexpensive rumble cartridge made specifically for Nintendo's DS Lite, but the frugal (and engineering) sets will certainly appreciate Xyzzy's efforts. After dissecting a Pokemon Pinball GBA game and ripping the rumble motor from a salvaged Nokia 5100, he put his circuitry knowledge to work and conjured up a rumble device that fit flush in the DS Lite and cost him nothing more than a little blood, sweat, and tears. Be warned, however, that this guide isn't for the faint of heart (or those who don't natively speak in 1s and 0s), but feel free to tag the read link and get busy if you dare.

[Via Joystiq]

We all knew this one was just a matter of time, but it sounds like the Japanese faithful will finally have the opportunity to purchase a glaring yellow Pikachu DS Lite system in the not too distant future. Of course, this isn't the first time the infamous Pokemon has taken over a Nintendo handheld, but getting your palms around this machine will be even more difficult than those other hard-to-get hues. The limited edition machine will reportedly sport Pikachu's face on the bottom right corner of the cover, include a matching yellow stylus, and in order to procure one, you'll have to show up in person at the Japanese Pokemon Center and submit your name into a lottery system. Supposedly, the winners will be able to pay their ¥16,800 ($139) and walk out happy starting on July 20th, and afterwards, the rest of you can shell out small fortunes on various auction sites if you just can't do without.

[Thanks, Mitch]

We're guessing you didn't peg us for Pokemon fanboys -- it's OK, common misconception. Truth is, we just can't get enough of Nintendo's little cash cow, and this time they've managed to combine the money-making brilliance of the collectible card game with a bit of arcade excitement / extortion. How can they lose? Pokemon Battrio is the name of the game, and allows for 3-on-3 battles with little collectible Pokemon "coins" that are dispensed from the machine -- for a fee, of course. You slap your coins onto the machine, which senses your Pokemon and sends them into battle at your bidding. Not quite as exciting as, say, online Wii multiplayer, but it'll do in a pinch.

[Via DS Fanboy]

Not that bad of a trade, if you ask us. Nintendo has come forward and discounted the sketchy rumor de jour of an external Wii-bound hard drive being slated for production, with a Nintendo Europe spokesperson calling the reports "pure rumour and speculation" -- like that's a bad thing. The flip side is that Nintendo took this happy occasion to confirm that the "Poképhone" DS-based VoIP action is going to hit the States next month alongside that DS headset accessory we've been seeing around forever. Of course, this isn't a huge surprise, but it's always nice to have some confirmation, even if it means getting a hopeful rumor shot down in the process.

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]