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Miyamoto wants to get DS into classrooms (with permission)
[Brandy Shaul] Ahhh, grammar school -- there was nothing quite like trying to hide that GBA under the desk in fear of Mrs. Rosencrantz confiscating our portal into Pokémon Fire Red. Back then, handheld games were little more than an obvious distraction in the eyes of our ruler-equipped teachers, but Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto plans on changing all of that. Speaking with the Associated Press in an interview recently, the legendary game developer explained his latest devotion: bringing the Nintendo DS and Wii into schools. He said that the DS would be making its way into "junior high and elementary schools in Japan starting in the new school year" (beginning this April). Miyamoto didn't get too specific on how his company's consoles would help Japanese students with their education, only detailing it as part of Nintendo's initiative to expand the audience for gaming consoles. We have to imagine that the kids won't be using them to decide whether or not Resident Evil 4 on Wii is the best version (besides, we all already know that it is). Thankfully for our unborn children, Miyamoto didn't mention any amorphous plans to bring gaming consoles into North American schools just yet. Presumably they'll have to play it fast and loose like we did -- keeps 'em sharp!
Pokemon still on fire, GBA sales greener than ever
Nintendo of America announced that sales for its latest GBA Pokemon titles, Fire Red & Leaf Green, have broken the one million mark in just three short weeks. On top of that, Game Boy Advance SP sales have increased by 70% since the $20 price drop. Ironically, the new Pokemon games are remakes of the original Game Boy Color's Red & Green titles. Then again, much of the GBA's recent success can be attributed to the remake genre. And so, as Nintendo's VP for marketing said, "The key to success in our industry is no secret." You got that right, George.
