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Nintendo shows off special edition Super Mario Bros. DSi and DSi XL
Yeah, Super Mario Bros. was kind of a big deal, and we can't fault Nintendo for wanting to celebrate: September 13th marked the 25th anniversary of the game's launch, and Nintendo is pushing out special editions of the DSi and DSi XL (pictured) to celebrate, along with some pretty sweet swag. We mentioned the handhelds this morning, but now we've got a couple pictures -- way to play it subdued, Nintendo. Unfortunately, the consoles are for Japan only, but what we're particularly digging is this Super Mario Collection Special Pack that Nintendo will be launching alongside. The pack will include a version of Super Mario All-Stars for the Wii, a soundtrack CD, and a "Super Mario History, 1985 to 2010" booklet with some unreleased materials like initial development planning sheets handwritten by Shigeru Miyamoto himself. Again, announced for Japan only. Sounds like the import industry is going to be hot this October when these things land! %Gallery-103649%
Mario DSi XL and DSi temporarily make us forget the 3DS
Japanese DS fans face a critical choice: start saving for a 3DS to be able to buy one at launch, or buy one of the swanky Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary DSi LL systems announced last night. Nintendo has revealed an image of the system (above), along with a surprise: a 25th Anniversary DSi, also in red, and also with Mario graphics. That's going to make choosing even more difficult. The DSi LL will be available in Japan on October 28 for 18,000 yen ($215). The DSi, featuring an adorable little Mario jumping over the camera, will be available the same day for 14,800 yen ($177) -- but only from 7-Eleven and its online shop.
Nintendo 3DS ships in Japan February 26, US and Europe in March, auto-generates Mii from camera (update: video!)
Enough with the rumored prices and launch dates for the 3DS already, let's get official. Nintendo just announced a February 26 ship date in Japan for ¥25,000 (about $298). It'll then land in the US and Europe in March for an undisclosed amount. Launch colors are aqua blue or cosmo black. At a press event in Japan, Nintendo demonstrated the ability to take your picture using the 3DS' front-facing camera and then automatically converting the image into a Mii -- you can edit it too using Mii Studio on the 3DS. You can even merge two photos into a single image if you choose. Images can then be exported as QR codes in wireless "tag mode" or as a file to the bundled 2GB SD card. Ninty also announced a special edition Super Mario DSi LL (no hardware changes) set to launch for ¥18,000 in Japan on October 28th. It also confirmed that a Wii Remote Plus is in development (it'll be announced at a date some time in the future) and a partnership with Fuji TV that will trial 3D video streaming to Nintendo's new handheld. Finally, a virtual console-style store was show serving up downloadable Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games to the 3DS. Update: Nintendo just launched its 3DS microsite in Japan with a bit more product detail including new feature overview and software lineup videos found after the break. There you'll see a built-in pedometer with activity graph and what looks like background multitasking (or at least a state save) letting you launch other apps and then return to a game at the exact same point you left it. Nintendo also demonstrates the Mii Plaza app that lets you collect and view Miis from 3DS owners you pass throughout the day (even when the 3DS is sleeping); Augmented Reality gaming with six AR cards included in the box; a long-press home button for in-game access to web browsing, WiFi toggle, and more; a Book app; and note writing / diary software.%Gallery-103589%
DSi firmware 1.4.1U update blocks certain flash carts
Nintendo has released a new firmware update for the DSi -- the first update in over a year. The update does not add any new functionality to the device, but instead provides "behind-the-scenes improvements to system performance." Translation: Several DSi flash cartridges, which enable the use of homebrew or pirated software, have been blocked. According to GBAtemp.net, the affected carts include (but aren't necessarily limited to) the Acekard 2i, Supercard DSTwo, M3i Zero, iPlayer and DSTTi. A handful of carts are reportedly unaffected by the update, including the EZ-Flash Vi, iSmart DS and Hyper R4i. And thus the cycle begins anew, with hackers diligently hacking away at Nintendo's new anti-piracy efforts (which didn't take too long last time). Joystiq does not condone piracy, but flash cartridges also have plenty of legal, entertaining uses. For example, did you know the DS makes a handy SCUMM emulator?
Sanyo's Eneloop Stick and Mobile Boosters will juice your gadgets on the go
Make no mistake, we're unabashed Eneloop rechargeable battery fanboys around here. How could we not be given our mobile lifestyle and obsessive need to keep all our toys juiced. As such, we're stoked by the announcement of a pair of Sanyo power packs: the Eneloop Mobile Booster (model KBC-L2BS) and Eneloop Stick Booster (KBC-D1BS). The Mobile Booster is a rechargeable slab of lithium-ion with a pair of built-in USB terminals (and microUSB adapter) capable of pushing a relatively hefty 1 Amp charge for about 2 hours (or 500mA for 4 hours if charging two device) to gear that requires that kind of suck... like the iPad. The battery pack can then be recharged over AC or a USB connection on your PC. The highly portable Stick Booster, meanwhile, ships with a pair of AA Eneloops -- so when the electrons cease to flow you can just swap out the dead batteries for a pair of fresh rechargeables. The Stick Booster is also an official Nintendo licensee so you can be sure that it'll charge your DSLite, DSi, or DSi LL (no mention of the 3DS). Look for these to ship October 21st in Japan.%Gallery-100758%
Nintendo dropping DSi and DSI XL prices on September 12
Nintendo is slashing the DSi to $149.99 and the DSi XL to $169.99 (that's down $20 apiece) on September 12 in North America, after dropping prices in the UK and Japan in June. We still don't know what the 3DS will be going for or when it will land, that announcement is still slated for the end of this month, but we're sure at this price (or any) Nintendo will manage to sell a good many million of the current crop between now and then. PR is after the break.
Price drop for DSi and DSi XL in North America on September 12
Nintendo of America has announced price reductions for the DSi and DSi XL systems. Starting September 12, the handhelds will retail for $149.99 and 169.99, respectively. Americans have been waiting patiently for this price drop, which occurred in the UK and Japan this June. The DSi had a price drop in Australia way back in April. We were all waiting for a price drop even before that, of course, since the 3DS is on the way to make both of these things appear a little more antiquated.
Pikachu is really, really excited to charge your Nintendo DSi
The last time we plugged in our Nintendo DSi to recharge it all we got as thanks was a little light. It turned on, the electrons flowed, and we continued our humble existence. Just think how much more exciting that menial act could have been if only we had this sucker. Hori's Pikachu charger accepts a DSi or DSi XL into its faux-poké ball slot and, presumably, jumps up and down excitedly as lightning bolts dance from its maniacal little fingertips to juice up your dead cell. Or, maybe it just pulls power from an AC adapter and sends it through the connector. Either way, it's certainly more exciting than most other simple charging stands we've seen but, at 3,981 yen (just shy of $50), it's also rather more expensive. %Gallery-100562%
Retailer: Solatorobo is DSi-enhanced
Cyberconnect2's Solatorobo: And Then To Coda (previously known as Solarobo) will feature support for the DSi camera, according to a listing from Japanese retailer Game Star. The listing doesn't offer any detail on how the functionality will work, except to note that you can take pictures that will be used in the game. This adventure, a semi-official followup to Tail Concerto, will not require the use of a DSi. Siliconera also points out a new video from the official site (see it after the break) of a multiplayer mode available over Download Play, in which up to four players can race in an Air Robo Gran Prix.
Nintendo posts Q1 loss on strong Yen and lower DS prices
Although foreshadowed, it's hard to believe that the once mighty Ninty, a company with unshakable profits even during last year's global economic downturn, just recorded a Q1 net loss of ¥25.22 billion ($288 million) compared to a net profit of ¥42.32 billion during the same 3-month period a year earlier. Revenues dropped from ¥253.50 billion to ¥188.65 billion. Lower DS portable gaming machine prices coupled with a strong Yen (86.5 percent of its sales were outside of Japan) helped pull Nintendo into the red. Regardless, Nintendo continues to forecast a full year net profit of ¥200 billion on revenue of ¥1.4 trillion. We'll see.
Nintendo DSi game lets your face do the flying (video)
When it comes to video games that make you look absolutely ridiculous, nothing beats Microsoft's Kinect, but Nintendo's got a substitute if you just can't wait. The aptly-named Face Pilot: Fly With Your Nintendo DSi Camera! does exactly that, letting you literally direct a virtual hang glider with your face, by using the Nintendo DSi's camera to track your head in 2D space. Sure, Sony's EyeToy did similar things earlier this decade and you could program Windows-based FreeTrack software to do the same, but neither provide the portable hilarity (or challenge) of Face Pilot played on commuter rail. The downloadable title will set you back 500 Nintendo Points ($5) at the DSiWare store; watch a quick video demo after the break.
THQ announces Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet
THQ has revealed a sequel to last year's Marvel Super Hero Squad, entitled Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet. The sequel will follow the events of the second season of the Cartoon Network show, as players take on Doctor Doom and his Lethal Legion once again, in an altered version of the storyline used in the Marvel Super Heroes arcade game. Originally, the Infinity Gauntlet storyline involved Thanos killing half the universe, but this time, the bad guys are Doctor Doom and his "Lethal Legion." We gotta know: why the Lethal Legion? How about you rename 'em something a bit more positive, like the Perturbed Posse or Curmudgeon Crew? The sequel will introduce a new puzzle element in which characters will need to use their individual powers to "move or destroy objects, traverse through certain environments, and summon specific strengths to overcome obstacles." Like its predecessor, it offers co-op gameplay and challenges, as well as the requisite roster of Marvel's most famous heroes and villains. Infinity Gauntlet is currently in development for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DSi and DS systems. No launch window has been announced, but as soon as we hear something through the superhero grapevine, we'll be sure to relay the info. %Gallery-97989%
Blue Nintendo DSi XL headed to the US of A
Nintendo rather quietly announced earlier that as of July 11th, it will see the DSi XL in Midnight Blue. The new color model will cost $189.99 -- just like every other DSi XL -- and will also come with all the same installed software and apps. Yes, other than the color (we'll give them this, it's a pretty sweet shade of blue) this one's identical to every other DSi XL.
DSi XL goes Midnight Blue on July 11
Well, that didn't take long. Less than two months after the North American release of the DSi XL, Nintendo has announced a new color variation for the handheld -- and it's one that doesn't make us think of a Cadillac at all! On July 11, the large-screened handheld will be released in Midnight Blue, which appears to be the same as the "blue" color announced for Japan this month. It'll retail for the normal $189.99 price Nintendo has set for the DSi XL in North America. Though Nintendo doesn't mention it in the press release, the timing of this new handheld coincides perfectly with Dragon Quest IX. The publisher is likely hoping to entice customers to pick up both together -- a Midnight Blue DSi XL at a midnight launch of the game, perhaps?
DSi price drop set for June 18 in UK
Nintendo announced price drops for the DSi, DSi XL and DS Lite in Japan today. Nintendo UK has confirmed to MCV that a similar price drop will occur in that territory, starting June 18 -- but only for the DSi. Because Nintendo UK chooses not to dictate the retail price of any of its consoles, Nintendo is simply cutting the trade price for the DSi in the UK (meaning retailers will purchase the system for less). It's up to the individual retailer to pass the savings on to the consumer (or not) -- though most retailers will want to cut prices fairly consistently with the market standard to remain competitive. MCV estimates that the retail price of the DSi would drop from the current £150 ($220) standard to around the £120-£130 ($175-190) mark. Though we'd expect a similar announcement from Nintendo of America, the company told Joystiq that "We have nothing to announce on this topic at this time." Maybe it's saving it for E3?
Nintendo cuts DSi and DSi XL prices in Japan, announces new DSi XL colors
[Nintendo] With the 3DS right around the corner, buying a DSi or DSi XL seems a bit foolish. Now, in Japan, it'll at least be a more cost-effective foolish decision, as Nintendo of Japan has announced price drops on both iterations of the DSi. The regular-size DSi drops in price on June 19 from ¥18,900 ($205.55) to ¥15,000 ($163.13), while the DSi XL drops from ¥20,000 ($217.51) to ¥18,000 ($195.76). The DS Lite is now "open price," meaning retailers can price it at their discretion. In addition to the price drop, there will be three new colors of DSi XL available in Japan on June 19: blue, yellow, and green. These are a lot more fun than the previous luxury car colors for the giant handheld. [Via Siliconera]
Nintendo trims DSi and DSi LL prices in Japan, adds new color options for bigger console (updated)
Good news for Nippon-based handheld lovers: from June 19, Nintendo will be selling the DSi at a new reduced price of ¥15,000 ($165), accompanied by a more affordable DSi LL, which lands at ¥18,000 ($198). That will make the jumbo portable console cheaper than the regular-sized one costs today, while the whole effort seems clearly aimed at maintaining the market for Nintendo's classical wares after it blows all our minds with its 3DS debut at E3 in a couple of weeks. We look forward to it, we just wish this price cut would go global -- Europeans need love too, you know. Update: We've also just learnt Nintendo is bringing out a trifecta of new color options for the Japanese LL: blue, yellow and green jumbo DSis will be available on June 19, right alongside the price trim. Come past the break to see the other two hues.
NintendoWare Weekly: X-Scape, Ben 10, Wild Guns
Even though it's a holiday here in the US, Nintendo has released a plethora of new downloadable titles for the Wii and DSi. It's a great thing, not simply because OMG moar gamez, but because it gives us a distraction from the day's festivities. There's only so much of Aunt Linda's trip to the Grand Canyon we can listen to, you know? %Gallery-86442%
Touching is good enough with CTA Digital's new DSi/DSi XL charger
Induction-based charging is always a crowd-pleasing trick (at least among this crowd of one). It feels vaguely magical to lay a device down on top of a mat and watch the little battery light turn on. CTA Digital's new Non Contact Induction Charging Pad will enable DSi and DSi XL owners to enjoy the convenience of setting a thing on top of another thing. By replacing your battery with the special battery included with the kit, you'll be able to charge the device through contact with the charging stand with four lights (not five) to indicate charge level. The device is available now from Amazon and other retailers. We're personally going to hold off for a while, as we often do with third-party charging products, and make sure there aren't any fire-related issues.
Nintendo net profit declines for first time in six years, panic remains inadvisable
Nintendo's 2009 financial results have just been released and, shockingly enough, the company hasn't been able to break its profit record yet again. In fact, annual net profit dipped -- for the first time in six tenths of a decade -- to $2.44 billion, a 12 percent drop from the previous fiscal year's $2.79 billion. Sales of the Wii were down 21 percent year-on-year, but Nintendo still managed to shift 20 million units globally, so it's not exactly all doom and gloom at Mario HQ. And while Microsoft and Sony are working on their own motion-sensing offerings, Ninty is reloading the only way it knows how -- bringing the noir Wii to fashion-conscious Americans, and an all-new 3D portable console for the rest of us. Anyone willing to bet against Nintendo's income sheet improving next year? [Original image courtesy of Anarkyman]
