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Nintendo lets us know to brace our brains
Nintendo dished out a friendly press release today, informing us all that Brain Age 2 has shipped off to retail. In making sure that we did not forget when our piece of software that is supposed to help with that particular function of our brain arrives on store shelves, they've only made us remember why we want the game so bad in the first place: Its bundled DS Lite. Seriously, why can't we just buy the thing by itself? We need it!But, we realize some of you are actually looking forward to a new game that labels your brain with some sort of numerical value and could do well with this news. Don't be ashamed, we think the minigames look fun, too.%Gallery-3436%
Rumor or error: the all-red DS Lite
Sharp-eyed reader Fashnootin noticed something interesting while poking around the Best Buy website -- the Brain Age 2 bundle. But not the super-hot two-toned Lite we've been drooing over, oh no ... this Lite is all red. Now, we've seen the gorgeous red and black Lite in the hands of some of our fellows, so we know it exists -- so what's with this one? Could there be another bundle? Another new DS Lite? Or is it simply a mistake on Best Buy's behalf? We snagged a screencap of the image just in case it disappears. Reader thrillho also caught a picture in the sales flyer, so it's not a one-off. We do so love to start the mornings off with a little gossip, and this pic is as juicy as a ripe strawberry. We rather prefer the red and black model, but we wouldn't say no to an all-red Lite, either.[Thanks, Fashnootin and thrillho!]
Brain Age 2 DS bundle unboxed, envy unleashed
GamePro got one of the Brain Age 2 DS Lite bundles, and decided to kill us all with envy. We're writhing as we stare at the surprisingly sparkly crimson finish on the DS. We're struck by how much better it looks in these GamePro shots than in the official photos!As it happens, the included case is also hot. It's red with a repeating dual-screen pattern (like the emblem on the Lite itself.) And, lest we forget, the package includes Brain Age 2, which itself is worth a little drool. We're considering buying one of these bundles just to be seen with it.Oh, did we forget to mention that they're giving it away? Yeah, GamePro will be holding a contest in the near future to put that DS in some lucky fan's hands. ProTip: You probably want this.
Tops on GameFly DS: Brain Age 2
No wonder the Brain Age franchise keeps getting NoA's Reggie Fils-Aime in trouble -- we're all renting it instead of buying it, according to GameFly. We're actually pretty surprised to see Brain Age 2 at the top of the list on the rental service. The other games rounding out the current top five most-requested DS titles aren't surprising to us at all; it's a rousing round of try-before-you-buy, especially with the sketchy Heroes of Mana swinging in at number two. We can even understand people wanting to try out Picross; after all, not everyone loves paint-by-number, even when it comes in an awesome package. But with a budget-priced sequel, we figured most people who were interested enough in Brain Age 2 to be looking ahead would just pick it up come release day, or toss down a preorder somewhere. Are you looking at this one as a rental? Maybe considering that shiny bundle? While you ponder, check out the current top five most-requested DS titles at GameFly; we've tucked the list behind the break. %Gallery-3436%
DS Daily: Pikachu Lite, we choose you? Or Brain Age DS?
It's another battle of the limited editions! If both the Pikachu oh-my-god-so-yellow-it-burns DS Lite and the Brain Age 2 black and red DS Lite were both in front of you, you had the money in your hand (and didn't need it for anything else!), and time to decide, which would you choose?
Red and black DS ships with Brain Age 2 Aug. 21
Though retailers sort of spilled these beans already last month, Nintendo has now confirmed that a special two-tone DS bundle will ship with Brain Age 2 for $149.99. Expect to start seeing the package on store shelves on Aug. 21. Though we said in the headline that the new system is "red and black," the real colors ... well, we'll let the press release handle this one, it's too good not to publish. "The top half of the new Nintendo DS sports a smooth, glossy Crimson, reminiscent of a dangerous shade of lipstick or a cherry-red sports car. The bottom is a matte black – an Onyx yin that complements the Crimson yang."The new DS is, apparently, made of pure sex, and if there's a better game to pack in with it than one that asks you to count change, we don't know what it is.
A closer look at the Braincase
Our resolve to stay Phat would be almost totally crushed by the Brain Age 2 DS Lite, were it not so strongly bolstered by finances. Just ... just look at that thing. We aren't sure if we've ever seen such a nice-looking game system. Well, maybe the Turbo Duo.Play-Asia has put up a boxart for the bundle, as well as the image you see above. The new images provide not only a better look at the system, but also our first decent look at the case. The case, unsurprisingly, also looks incredible. We're a little troubled by what Play-Asia is charging, and we hope that changes. During its brief appearance on Gamestop.com, this bundle was priced at $149.99, which is a lower price.
DS conquers all competitors in UK, prepares to assault mainland
The British gaming industry sales watchers at MCV are reporting today that the DS has overtaken both the PS2 and PC in unit sales and overall market value in the UK. They attribute the little portable's triumph to its strong sales since Easter, as well as bumper crop of high quality releases, including Pokemon Diamond and Pearl and More Brain Training, that currently account for over 15% of the all game sales! While sales of Apple's iPod might indicate otherwise, one has to wonder how long the DS can hold onto its worldwide domination. But by then, it'll be time for some new colors or an even sleeker form factor. Onboard flash memory, anyone?
US gamers get Really Cool Color Spotting Training [update 1]
If you're in the US, and you've ever thought of listening to Alisha and upgrading to a Lite, next month would be a good time to do it. A listing for the black/red DS Lite with an included copy of Brain Age 2 has shown up on Gamestop for $149.99, which is unfortunately not a price break at all. It also doesn't come with a carrying case like the Canadian bundle does. We're confident enough in the awesomeness of the Brain Age 2 edition DS Lite that we can recommend it even against future color schemes. We always wanted the Boktai GBA SP, and now here it is as a DS! It may even fit in the Boktai coffin case.[Update: The listing appears to have been removed! The same thing happened last time with Futureshop. You're just going to have to trust us. We totally saw it. It's totally real.]
Two-tone DS Lite, Brain Age 2 bundle coming August 20 [Update]
Last week, forum members at RedFlagDeals stumbled upon a listing on Canadian retailer Future Shop for a two-toned, Crimson and Black Nintendo DS Lite bundled with a matching carrying case and Brain Age 2. The entire set was priced at $159.99 Canadian dollars (approx. US $153). It was to ship on August 20 alongside the brain trainer's release date.Unfortunately, the listing has since gone missing. We really dig the new colors and the deal. Here's hoping it comes back up close to Brain Age 2's launch, either on Future Shop or another retailer site.Update: Though it hasn't returned to Future Shop yet, Gamestop has a listing for the bundle, priced at $149.99, with no image available and no mention of a bonus carrying case.[Via Engadget]
DS Daily: Bundle Appropriateness Age
There's no denying it (though we're sure there will be plenty of denying it happening in the comments)-- the two-tone DS Lite found in the Brain Age 2 bundle is hot. We're not personally looking to upgrade, but for the sake of others, we seriously hope it ends up in the US and not just Canada. However, is this the best choice of color scheme for Brain Age 2? It doesn't really fit with the white/black/grey color scheme of the game, or with the blue boxart. We also aren't sure if black and red electronics appeal to Brain Age 2's target demographic.What would your ideal Brain Age Special Edition DS Lite look like? It can be designed for the target market, or for attractiveness, or hilarity, your call. The only rule is that you should be able to justify it as a Brain Age-related product. And, really, you don't even have to do that.
Is that a black and red DS Lite?
Sure, we've seen the two new colors Japanese consumers are getting their hands on, however a third and more appealing (to us, anyway) color has emerged from the ashes of E3. A red and black DS, which is red on the top clamshell piece and black throughout the remainder of the handheld, is only to be included in special bundles along with Nintendo's upcoming sequel Brain Age 2. In checking around the internet, we found a bundle of the new color is already being made available to Canadian folks via retailer Future Shop, where they can pick up the new DS Lite, along with Brain Age 2, for a cool $159.99 (or $152.67 USD). The bundle even comes with a carrying case, which we're not sure is to be included in other bundles, as well.
DS Daily: Brain Training Training
With Brain Age 2 on the way, we thought we'd start helping everyone limber up mentally, in the most meta way we could think of. Let's come up with new Brain Age challenges! They may increase bloodflow to the prefrontal cortex, or they may not-- we have no idea! We'll get you started with some examples: You have two minutes to write as many jokes as you can about Dr. Kawashima's mama! Calculate Nintendo's profits based on a given number of Brain Age sales! How well can you remember the lyrics to Kris Kross's Sprite jingle?
E307: Great while it lasted
... but all good things must come to an end, eh? It's always nice to wallow in the explosion of news that surrounds a trade show, and even the diminished E3 was no exception. Sure, for Nintendo fans, at least on the DS side, things started out a little slowly, but once the media hit, we no longer had anything to be disappointed about! So what was tops for DS owners? Here's the best -- according to us, at least.Top E3 trailers: Contra 4 -- After all our Contragasms, you knew we were going to say this! Front Mission DS -- What can we say ... we're big fans of ass-kickery. Brain Age 2 -- We know you'll probably disagree with us here, but we can't help it. We a) dig a good, brainy challenge and b) think the selection of games looks even better than before. Less-discussed games we desperately want right now: Professor Layton and all his mysterious locales -- Okay, we wanted this before. But it was mentioned in passing around E3, and now we're more rabid for it than ever! Nintendo Magic -- Another game we weren't sure would head our way, but that just sounds like fun. Advance Wars 2 -- The first is one of the best the DS has to offer, though it seems to rarely get a mention. Worst trailer that should have been awesome:Insecticide, hands down. Please pass us some Dramamine on your way out.Biggest disappointment:Probably the missing wi-fi for Mario Party DS. C'mon, Nintendo, slip it in there! We promise not to complain about friend codes for at least a week.
E307: Brain Age 2 is looking better all the time
It looks like the second round of Brain Age will have a lot more to offer, and that's without even considering the unlockable Dr. Mario! We've updated our gallery with new screenshots that include images from a change-making game (a very helpful skill to practice) and a pretty dubious drawing of New York that's still better than anything we could manage (but somehow reminds us of Pictochat ... ). And don't forget to check out the trailer after the jump!%Gallery-3436%
Conjecture Countdown: One more day!
With only one more day of waiting before the debut of the diminished E3, we've decided to get serious and offer up some real predictions about what we will -- and won't -- see at the show. Check after the jump for the breakdown, by writer, of the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of our E3 hopes and fears.
DS Daily: Who should it be?
We can't stop thinking about who should do commercials for the Brain Age sequel in the U.S., and we think we've happened upon the perfect sponsor. Go forth, Nintendo, and get Mr. T. He can scare people smarter. Think you can come up with someone better? Let's just see you try!On a serious note -- hey, we can be serious sometimes! -- what about Jessica Alba? She apparently actually plays DS. Wouldn't that be a refreshing change in celebrity campaigns?
Former Olympian joins Nicole Kidman in promoting Brain Age 2
When we think Brain Age 2, we think swimming*. Well, maybe not so much, but for Australians, former Olympian Kieren Perkins is probably a great choice as the face of Brain Age 2. Perkins, who medaled in three consecutive Olympic Games, will be promoting the game (along with his wife, Symantha) in an expansive media campaign. So we've got Nicole Kidman in the U.K., Kieren Perkins in Australia ... will we have a designated celebrity for Brain Age 2 here in the U.S.?*We do not recommend swimming and playing Brain Age 2 at the same time, for, y'know, obvious reasons.
Friday Video: Curiouser and curiouser
Selecting a video for this week's spotlight was somewhat difficult ... because we managed to stumble across some of the weirdest videos we've seen in a while. Take a moment to think about the magnitude of that statement. Around here, we spend all day immersed in the fruits of Miyamoto's brain (and other Nintendo goodness), and yet these videos were extra weird.Hit the jump for the full array. And yes, we know there are even weirder videos out there. Please don't supply links; we're not sure our bruised brains could take it just now!
DS Daily: Please win (no, really)
Details on the new minigames in Brain Age 2 have surfaced, and we finally know the origin of this hilarious screenshot. Dr. Kawashima isn't simply encouraging you (like he would ever do that!); instead, it turns out that part of the game is that sometimes you need to win at Rock, Paper, Scissors ... and sometimes, you need to lose. We can't wait to see that screen. "Please lose!" Gee, thanks. Next you're probably going to tell me that I fail at life.So what's the point? Well, we do love to talk about that wacky Dr. Kawashima around here (we like it a lot), but we figure that within a matter of months, "Please win" is a phrase that will work its way into our everyday lexicon of silly game phrases ... which of course leads us to ask you in turn about some of your other favorite wacky moments and unforgettable dialogue in gaming.%Gallery-3436%
