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GAMETECH's Sound Shell bulks up your DS Lite, isn't worth the trouble
You know how rough it is -- trying to procure a couple of those Duke Xbox controllers for your man-sized paws. Thankfully, for folks such as yourself, GAMETECH's busting out the Sound Shell, which takes the apparently dangerously small DS Lite and gives it plenty of fat. Besides adding on a pair of sure-to-be-booming speakers to the rear, this thing also provides a nifty storage nook for your earbuds and a totally necessary kickstand. You could blow ¥3,200 ($30) on this, or you could look a whole lot more hip by just picking up a similarly beefy Game Boy and kickin' it old school.[Via DSFanboy, image courtesy of Technabob]
Cobalt Blue Nintendo DS Lite now available to order
If by some chance you still aren't satisfied with the variety of DS Lite color options currently available, you'll apparently soon have yet another to choose from, with a Cobalt Blue/Black model now up for order on Circuit City's website. Somewhat curiously, the site actually shows two slightly different blue-colored models, although we're guessing that's due to some image processing shenanigans and not evidence of two different blue DSs, though we certainly wouldn't put anything past the big N. No official word on a release date just, but Circuit City will gladly take your $130 now and ship it to you as soon as it's available.[Thanks, Matt E]
Nintendo's DS overtakes PlayStation 2 in lifetime Japanese sales
We already knew Nintendo's DS was quite the popular handheld, and while the PSP recently overtook it in Japanese hardware sales, the most recent numbers show that the Big N's famed DS has actually rocketed above the mighty PlayStation 2 in lifetime sales (in Japan). Notably, the numbers do combine DS and DS Lite units, but there's no mention of how the systems stack up worldwide. Nevertheless, the feat is a fairly impressive one when you consider how much longer the PS2 has been available compared to the DS, and unless Sony somehow lightens the PS2 load even further and starts bundling them in with cereals, we doubt it will reclaim the top spot anytime soon.[Via DSFanboy, thanks J]
Fan-made DS Lite redesign is impressive
Either someone created the coolest DS Lite redesign ever, or they're just a little too into Transformers. We love the screen that flips up and we're especially fond of the first process of the unit opening itself up. Regardless of what caused its creation, this fan-made unit is pretty slick and something we'd easily plunk down the dough for. Actually, now that we think about it, how much would Nintendo even charge for something like this? [Thanks, shak!]
DSvision bringing downloadable content to Nintendo's DS
If you're still teetering on the edge of picking up a DS Lite for yourself, here's yet another reason to go ahead and pull the trigger. Dai Nippon Printing has partnered with AM3 in order to offer up a new way to get content / media onto Nintendo's handheld. The system, dubbed DSvision, will enable DS / DS Lite owners to purchase a variety of material through the web, including books, comics, movies, music, etc., and then transfer the files over to the DS for on-the-go enjoyment. The product package will reportedly include a 512MB microSD card, a DS cartridge adapter and a USB adapter (shown after the jump) for use with one's PC. It looks as though the hardware will hit Japanese shelves in January for ¥3,980 ($37), but the web-based content delivery system won't go live until March.[Via SlashGear]
Nintendo enjoys its biggest sales week ever in U.S., breaks record
It seems that Black Friday was very, very, very good to Nintendo, as both the DS Lite and the Wii performed quite impressively in the U.S. over the holiday week. Nintendo has announced that it sold 653,000 DS Lites over the week of November 18-24, setting a new record for the portable, for Nintendo, and for the entire industry. The number of units moved is record-breaking, exceeding the industry's previous record, also held by Nintendo with the Game Boy Advance's sales during Thanksgiving 2005. The Wii also performed quite admirably, selling 350,000 units, a number topped only by the console's launch week. No word on how these sales figures compare to Sony or Microsoft's, but it's not like it's a competition or anything, right? Update: Specified sales figures as pertaining to the U.S., and clarified the record as industry-wide. Read -- Nintendo Sales Go Through the Roof During Thanksgiving Week [GameDaily] Read -- Nintendo Has Its Biggest Week Of Sales... Ever [Game|Life]
Play Famicom games on your DS Lite with 'Familator'
Hideous name, and less-than-hideous hardware. CYBER Gadget's "Familator Lite" plugs into a DS Lite's GBA slot, allowing users to insert their Famicom cartridges and re-live their favorite Nintendo classics in portable form.Would rather re-live the classics on television? The device allows for TV out. Would rather play with the original Famicom controllers? Well... the device doesn't do that, actually. But it does that other stuff!The Familator Lite is due out in Japan in December, but no price has been set. Sadly, the device's form factor means it's only compatible with the DS Lite, and not its phatter older brother.[Via DS Fanboy]
Nintendo's DS Lite Bundles are a real pair
Sometimes those rumors are spot-on. Just like we heard, Nintendo is launching two special-edition Nintendo DS bundles for the holidays. The Gold edition ships with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass while the Metallic Rose ships with the Best Friends version of Nintendogs. Each comes emblazoned with the series' signature logo, "a shiny nugget that any gamer -- girl or guy -- would be proud to show off." Right, 'cause all gamers love to show off their nuggets. Available on November 23rd for an undisclosed price, though expected to be $150 like the rumor said.
Nintendo denies DS Lite rumors... maybe
Despite what you've been hearing about this fancy, extra "lite" DS Lite coming to town, Nintendo would like to tell you otherwise... sort of. In a response to analyst's claims that a new system -- thinner, with larger screens and on-board storage -- was headed out in the near future, the company said that the news was, "Rumour and speculation and we are not commenting further." Tough talk, right? Well, while that sounds all doom-and-gloom -- it's not quite a denial. If anything, one might conjecture that Nintendo doesn't want all you holiday shoppers holding off on wallet-bashing purchases in the hope that something newer and / or better is just around the corner. Of course, we could just be speculating.
Another Nintendo DS redesign 'already done' says analyst
As we all know, in the video game industry, one day you're in -- and the next you're out. Now Pacific Crest Securities analyst Evan Wilson reports that their contacts say the Nintendo DS is out. He says their contacts say there is a new DS redesign that is "already done"; it's thinner, has no GBA port, has "on-board" storage, and larger screens. He also says that they don't expect the new design to be revealed until sales start falling off on the handheld that is dominating the globe.We'd ask Nintendo directly about this, but last time they denied the DS Lite and then announced it soon after. There could very well be a new DS on the way, but what will it look like?
Nintendo has a DS Lite "Lite" redesign ready to go?
According to at least one analyst, Nintendo's not just resting on its laurels while the DS Lite produces incomprehensible piles of cash. Evan Wilson, an analyst at Pacific Crest Securities, got word from his inside source that a DS redesign is actually already done, and Nintendo's just waiting around for DS Lite sales to cool off a bit -- which, unfortunately for those pining for new hardware, doesn't seem to be happening just yet. The redesign, which has been rumored before, supposedly is thinner thanks to the absence of a Game Boy Advance port, includes a larger screen and rocks some built-in storage, which we imagine could have some great uses in the right hands. Obviously, Nintendo's Game Boy Advance only made it through three hardware iterations, which begs the question of when we'll see a brand new handheld platform from Nintendo, though we can't say we'd blame them for sticking to this generation for another couple years of insane wealth and staggering stock price.
Two new DS Lite models, both branded & bundled
Nintendo's making a final push to indoctrinate the rest of the world's pet-deprived tweens and twenty-something geeks, according to a new Sears ad. Come "Black Friday," two more DS Lite models will hit retail ($150 ea.), each branded and bundled with a corresponding game.There's the metallic pink Pound Puppies Nintendogs case, complete with (bloody?) paw print and game -- which reminds us, our lil' pixelated Shih Tzu hasn't been fed in about two years ... Anyways, moving on: there's also the gold-sprayed Zelda unit, (spotted a few weeks ago and) bundled with Phantom Hourglass, featuring the Triforce logo for those of us not quite ready for the more-permanent expression of our faith.[Via DS Fanboy]
Sears ad shows off two new DS Lite models
Well, it looks like those that have yet to take the plunge on a DS Lite will soon have two more models competing for their attention, as evidenced by this Sears "Black Friday" ad that recently turned up online. As you can see, one of the models is a Zelda: Phantom Hourglass model, although it's a good deal more subtle than the one spotted earlier this month. The other is a metallic pink Nintendogs: Best Friends model, which gets in its cross-branding with equal subtlety. Both models also come bundled with their respective games although, at $150 apiece, those looking for the best bargain will likely be able to do better with a non-coordinated model.[Via Digg]
Nintendo DS gets 1seg tuner, too -- watch out PSP
Maybe you know the deal with 1seg, but in case you don't, it's Japan's new(ish) native-brewed broadcast digital TV service technology that devices like the PSP -- and now the Nintendo DS -- are rocking. Granted, we can't help but thinking the way this cartridge is going to jut out the back of one's DS is hardly elegant compared to Sony's much more densely designed solution, but the Japanese obsession with the DS knows no bounds, so godspeed, 'Tendo. This dongle will sell for ¥6800 (about $60 USD) when it goes on sale in Japan on November 20th.[Via Engadget Japanese and Akihabara News]
Gilded Zelda DS Lite on the horizon?
Apparently, the gold DS Lite you see tucked away in the lower-left hand corner of the picture above could soon be coming to retail stores, which to be honest, wouldn't shock us considering the smorgasbord of colors already out there. Reportedly, the photograph was snapped at the Nintendo World Store as Phantom Hourglass launched, and to make things even more interesting, a certain individual has also claimed that his company has received orders from the Big N to design graphics for a "BOX, SYST GOLD W/ZELDA: HOUR USG." Even if legitimate, it remains to be seen if the elusive new portable will simply be a limited run for contests or if it'll hit shelves en masse, but it's hard to argue how well a gilded Zelda DS Lite bundle would sell this holiday season.[Via DSFanboy]Read - Gold DS & Phantom Hourglass BundleRead - Zelda DS Lite Bundle Coming Soon?
Bundled no longer: Onyx and Crimson DS set free
Oh, the woes of being a bundled system, joined at the hip with a potentially uninspired game that forces you from the forefront -- the limelight you deserved -- to mere obscurity. However, fear not, Onyx and Crimson DS, your Ashlee Simpson moment ends now. Nintendo announced today that the red and black monstrosity, originally released in August, shall no longer be tethered to the Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day bundle. Now available in stores for the MSRP of $129.99, expect to see Nintendo haters call this glut, and Nintendo fans call it bold. Either way, at least it can't jig.
Europe getting new silver DS
Who says there's no karma in the video game industry? On the very same day that Europeans learned that the United States would be getting the demo for FIFA 08 before they would, they learn that they'll be getting a new color of DS, silver, on Oct. 12. See, doesn't that more than make up for it?Here in America, we don't have that fancy color, so we're pretty jealous of you. But you may remember that in Japan, they not only have silver, they have "Metallic Rose." ... Come to think of it, they also have the FIFA 08 demo. Maybe you've been angry with the wrong country all along.
Paste Donkey Kong on photo, win a DS lite and DK Jungle Climber
Do people exist somewhere that don't own this system? If the Japanese sales charts are to be believed, then there have been enough Nintendo DS systems sold so that every man, woman, child, and dog on the planet could have one of these. And a spare.However, if you are DS-less and have a hankering to get onboard with the action, and you have some rudimentary photochopping skills, then try your hand at the Nintendo DS/DK contest at SmugMug. All you have to do is paste the little guy climbing to the top of pretty much anything, and then submit it. Keep in mind though, images must be under 12 mb in size (good gawd).It's a pretty easy contest to enter, and the swag is well worth the time, so why not whip something up and get in? We made one in just a few seconds (hint, it's the image for this post) so you should trump our skillz easily and submit it to them. Check out the rules on their site. Also, the comment on the first (and only) entry that's up so far is ... priceless. Ahh, the internets.
Nintendo confirms red and black DS, launching August 21st
Plain white had a good run, but Nintendo is bringing other parts of the rainbow to the US at last, with a new red and black DS Lite that'll be shipping bundled with Brain Age 2. The rumored pair are officially hitting the shelves August 21st for $150, says Nintendo, and while we can't guarantee the new color scheme will help boost your IQ, at least you'll look a tad more refined scribbling furiously on a "Crimson and Onyx" handheld.[Via Joystiq]
Arkanoid DS keeps it real with attachable knob controller
Sure, using your fingertips to control gameplay was novel at first, but we scarcely-satisfied geeks are always looking for more elaborate control schemes to wrap our sweaty palms around. For DS owners who just so happen to adore Arkanoid, that fantasy will soon be coming true, as the Arkanoid DS title will reportedly play nice with "a special controller resembling the arcade controller (complete with the knob)," and will be available in silver, white, black, and pink. As if you couldn't have guessed, both the game and the oh-so-enthralling controller have only been confirmed for a Japanese release, but here's to hoping we Americans get our chance too, even if it's a few months later.[Via Joystiq]
