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Dragon's Lair headed to DSiWare Dec. 21
We expect this kind of thing from Tetris or Resident Evil 4, but whoever thought that Dragon's Lair would be appearing on so many consoles? It appeared on the iPhone just a week ago, and now the FMV adventure is (as rumored) set to appear on DSiWare on Dec. 21 in North America and Jan. 1. Now, considering none of the DSiWare releases have been particularly large, we have no clue how they'll fit the whole game on the service. We do know from this video, however, that the console is powerful enough to handle the game. Now, the next obvious step in Dragon's Lair's quest for console domination? Well, Zeebo, of course.
Datel's Sound Speaker DSi eats handhelds for breakfast
Nothing's ever going to top Nyko's crazy Zoom Case, but Datel Japan's bulky DSi speaker attachment thing -- the official title is the Sound Speaker DSi -- is definitely making a strong play for Most Crazy DSi Accessory Ever. As you can see, the accessory is not only meant to protect by consuming the handheld whole, but it also amplifies the DSi's audio ... because that's what you want from your DSi. The multitasking capabilities of Datel's device also allow you to charge your handheld (through an included AC adapter or some AA batteries) after you've spent hours being kind of a jerk. The Datel Sound Speaker DSi runs 3,990 yen (about $45) and can be purchased here. [Via GoNintendo]
NintendoWare Weekly: Rayman, Stop Stress, Shinobi, Street Fighter Alpha 2
There's some classic platforming to be had in both Rayman and Shinobi in this week's Nintendo downloads, and even a way to deal with Jack's overabundance of stress in Stop Stress: A Day of Fury. There's over ten titles in all, so cruise past the break for the full list.
Nintendo loses DS flash cart case in French court
According to a post on Maxconsole, a court in Paris has just dismissed a lawsuit filed by Nintendo over the use of flash carts on the DS. Apparently, the gamemaker was attempting to halt the use of the cartridges due to their ability to circumvent copy protection and allow for pirating of software, but a judge in France took a decidedly different view. As the carts are often used for homebrew and DIY projects, the court holds that owners of the console should be able to develop software much as a license holder of Windows might. Furthermore, the article claims that the court also deemed Nintendo's strict control of development "illegal" (Maxconsole's words), and said that development of software for the system shouldn't be hamstrung by the need for proprietary kits. This ruling follows a recent Spanish case in which the court dismissed Nintendo's lawsuit over flash carts claiming that while the add-ons do violate DRM, they also legitimately extend the functionality of the console.
Nintendo gives thanks for plenty of holiday week hardware sales
Nintendo announced that over 1.5 million of its various game systems were sold last week. Not last month, last week. Thanks to Black Friday and two new DSi bundles, Nintendo could afford all the trimmings for a resplendent company Thanksgiving. Not that we know whether or not Nintendo had one of those. The point is, Nintendo sold a bunch of stuff and made a lot of money. According to Nintendo's estimates, more than 550,000 Wii systems were sold last week, and over 1 million DS and DSi systems. The release of two new DSi bundles (along with a few crazy prices) could have had something to do with that last statistic. By selling that many handhelds, Nintendo broke its own sales record for the holiday weekend! Though the company didn't manage to beat last year's 800,000 Wiis sold, which means that, despite still selling a huge number of Wiis, and despite all those DS sales, Nintendo is completely doomed, right?
This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Jon Heder shows off Flipnote Studio
Apparently, Jon Heder has been spending his downtime with Nintendo's Flipnote Studio. The video above shows the actor knows how to do a thing or two with Nintendo's software, though you'll find his doodlings are severely lacking in Ligers. Still, it's a neat video for some very neat -- and very free -- software for your DSi. Head past the break for the full list of this week's Nintendo Channel content.
Japanese Nintendo downloads: MSX games, Eco Shooter, and 16 more
There's an incredibly diverse selection of games on the Japanese Wii and DSi Shops today -- 12 different games on Wii, and 6 on DSi. Think of this as Nintendo's online version of the holiday rush. Most interesting among the multifarious offerings: a few forgotten Konami MSX games on VC, and 530 Eco Shooter on WiiWare. That's ... an Intelligent Systems-developed shooting game about shooting cans. The cans are alive and move around. It's weird. Also weird: Nintendo's Neratte Spot! for DSiWare, which is about throwing bombs into the mouths of fish. The whole list is after the break, because it's crazy long.
Nintendo DSi LL sells 103k in two days, ripped open in two minutes
The newer, embiggened Nintendo DSi LL (as it's known in Tokyo Town) has been available to the kids in Japan since the beginning of the week, and Enterbrain, Inc. is reporting that Nintendo has pushed 103,524 units in its first two days. To perspectivize things, the DSi was snatched up to the tune of about 170,000 units in the same time period, while the PSPgo sold around 28,000 units. To celebrate, the kids at PC Watch have ripped one of these bad boys -- and you'll never guess what they found! (OK, maybe you will.) Check out the link below for the hardcore details -- and don't say we didn't warn you.
Nintendo DSi LL gets DS-ected
[Image Source] The Nintendo DSi LL (DSi XL here in the West) may be big, but it's still susceptible to being dissected by anyone with the proper screwdriver and no qualms about potentially ruining a 200-plus-dollar piece of electronics. In this case, it's the daredevils at PC Watch who had the guts (and spare yen) to pop open the Big N's newest handheld offering. The site has posted step-by-step photos documenting the teardown, the highlights of which include a look at the system's larger capacity battery and downright mammoth mainboard. Rumors that a member of the site's staff fell into the device and got lost during the process remain unsubstantiated. [Via Andriasang]
Nintendo DSi LL set loose in Japan
Feels nice when a company keeps its promises, doesn't it? Nintendo said it'd have the newly bulked up DSi LL out in Japan for November 21, and shockingly enough that's exactly what's happened. Eager Japanese upgraders have today gotten their mitts on the 4.2-inch (both screens, of course) device, while similarly inclined European and American Nintendo lovers are once again left to envy from afar. Their helping of jumbo DSi, to be known as the XL, will be showing up some time in the first quarter of 2010, long after bragging rights and gift-giving holiday occasions have passed. We're not sure whether to consider it consolation or cruelty, but you'll find a gallery containing close-ups of the new machine at the read link. [Thanks, Craig]
Easy Piano bringing keys to the DS Lite in 'early 2010'
We've got a sneaking suspicion that the DS Lite will be old ancient news by the time Easy Piano hit the market, but those who've learned to be content in life (and have somehow managed to resist the urge to snap up a DSi in place of their older handheld), have probably been hunting for this date. Valcon Games has just announced that its piano-teaching title (and the highly comical / interesting 13-key accessory) will be landing in North America in "early 2010," but it didn't go so far as to fess up to an MSRP. Not like it matters -- you know you're totally lining up to snag this during a midnight launch, regardless of how many heirlooms are forced onto Craigslist.
Iwata: DSi XL is a spectator system
The DSi LL (or XL) isn't just for the poorly sighted or hugely handed. In his financial results briefing, Satoru Iwata revealed another purpose for the jumbo system: playing with crowds. "Nintendo DSi LL features not only bigger monitor screens," Iwata said, "but an improved view angle on the screens to make it the first portable system that can be enjoyed with people surrounding the gamer." He envisions the DSi XL as allowing for a "new play style where those who are surrounding the game player can also join in one way or the other to the game play." Tomodachi Collection, one of the best-selling DS games of the quarter in Japan, is named specifically as a game that already benefits from having friends nearby. "Because communications and interactions with other family members and your friends are one of the key elements of the game, the fun aspect is intensified when other people can watch how you play in comparison with when you are playing by yourself." As a bonus, your friends can help you hold the system up.
The DSi XL gets sized up, then Joystiq answers your nagging questions
Two items of note for future owners of the DSi XL (aka, The Gigantic DSi) Nintendo has slated for a November launch in Japan (and Q1 2010 here in the US). First, if you've been wondering just how much bigger this thing is in comparison to the previous version of the handheld, wonder no more. The device has been spied in action on Japanese television, and it really is quite enormous. How big? Well luckily the folks at Joystiq have put together an awesome little FAQ about the handheld (including exact dimensions -- 161 x 91.4 x 21.2mm for those keeping count) which addresses all the pressing issues and more. Check out the XL strutting its stuff on video after the break, the bop on over to the 'Stiq to fill up on notable quotes and quotable notes. [Via Kotaku] Read - DSi XL FAQ: Sized up Read - My Game News Flash on the DSi XL
Nintendo DSi XL coming to America in Q1 2010
Since Europe and Japan can't have all the fun -- unless, of course, it's a black Nintendo Wii -- the super-sized DSi XL is also due out in the US sometime in Q1 2010, according to a spokesperson speaking with Joystiq. Still no word on price, but we wouldn't be surprised if it parallel the slight markup for the ¥20,000 / US $221 Japanese version. Looks like that smaller-screen version isn't looking so hot for Grandma's Christmas present anymore.
DSi XL dated for Q1 2010 release, Nintendo confirms
Not only will the first few months of 2010 play host to the release dates of a squadron of delayed aught-nine blockbusters, it's also when we can expect to see the recently announced, seriously embiggened DSi XL hit North American and European store shelves. According to a Nintendo spokesperson, the new model of the handheld will be released stateside (and ... union-side?) in the first quarter of 2010. That just leaves us with one final, appropriately oversized question: How much is it going to cost? Don't get us wrong, we love the idea of buying a bigger version of a smaller version of a smaller version of an originally bulky handheld -- but based on the sheer number of titles we'll be buying in the dawn of next year, we're probably going to be kinda strapped.
DSi LL coming to Europe in Q1 2010 as 'DSi XL'
Nintendo may have announced Japanese plans for the new DSi LL first, but it's not taking long for news about other regions to come out. Nintendo of Europe confirmed to Videogamer that the giant handheld will be released in that region as the DSi XL, in the already-packed Q1 time frame. "The retail price of the Nintendo DSi XL is expected to be higher than that of the Nintendo DSi," the statement reads. "Further details will be released soon."The Japanese DSi LL will be available in Wine Red, Dark Brown (above), and Natural White, and will come preloaded with Easy Meikyo Kokugo Dictionary, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters and Brain Age Express: Math. There is no word yet about the color variation or preloaded software selection for the European version.
Nintendo profits sink on declining console sales, weak game selection
Oh how the mighty have fallen. Nintendo just announced that its interim net profit was cut by more than half to ¥69.49 billion (about $770 million), from ¥144.83 billion last year at this time -- figures that won't be helped by the cheaper Wii price tag announced at the end of September. Speaking of which, Nintendo sold only 5.75 million Wii consoles from April to September (down 43% from last year) and cut its full year sales forecast for the April 09 to March 2010 period to 20 million units, down from an expected 26 million. DS sales were also off 15% from last year and we doubt that a bigger screen on the new DSi LL model will change that dramatically.
Nintendo DSi LL goes large in Japan on November 21 (update: DSi XL in Europe Q1)
Whoa, it's true: the rumor of a bigger screen DSi was just validated by Nintendo. Shipping November 21st in Japan, the 4.2-inch DSi LL is priced at ¥20,000 (about $221). The above comparison is straight from the Big N showing the DSi LL vs. the white DSi. Besides the obvious increase in height and width, the 21.2-mm handheld is chubbier than the 18.9-mm DSi but slimmer than the 21.5-mm DS Lite when it ships in your choice of dark brown, burgundy and natural white. The battery seems to be roughly on par with the DS Lite going for about 4 to 5 hours on maximum brightness and intensity or 13 to 17 hours when dialing back the display to its lowest settings. No word on US or international shipping yet but obviously they'd be smart to get this out in time for the holidays. A few more pics and a full spec-by-spec comparison with the DSi and DS Lite after the break. Update: Listen up Europe, Nintendo issued a statement saying, "a new Nintendo DSi XL console is launching in Europe in the first quarter of 2010." Note the change in name from LL to XL. Unfortunately, no price was announced. [Via Joystiq and Impress]
Nintendo officially announces large-screen DSi LL, hits Japan Nov. 21
It's huuuuge: Nintendo DSi LL (red) versus Nintendo DSi (white) digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Nintendo_s_big_screen_DSi_LL_revealed_hits_Japan_Nov_21'; Well, that didn't take long. Just two days after Japan's Nikkei newspaper reported that Nintendo was planning a new variant of the DSi sporting larger 4" screens (which it called "speculation"), the Big N has gone and announced it -- for Japan, at least. Called the Nintendo DSi LL, the hefty handheld will be released in Japan on November 21 for a price of ¥20,000 ($221).The device has so far been shown only in a burnt red finish and features a full pen-sized stylus. The whole kit's big -- just look at the above comparison image from Nintendo's site -- and really does appear well-suited for an older audience. We'll have more on the DSi LL soon.[Thanks, Dr. NOGAMES!]
Nyko Zoom Case for DSi unleashed upon the world
Click for 2x ZOOM! The last of Nyko's Big Three from E3 has hit the marketplace, and it's a doozy. The "Zoom Case" is, uh, well, it's a protective case for the DSi with, yep -- that's a gigantic camera lens attached to it. And would you look at that? Nyko saved up enough for a real-life model. She really helps to sell the image of a social networking enthusiast. Don't you think?No, seriously, the Zoom Case "improves upon one of the landmark features of the DSi, enabling gamers to take higher quality images, which is perfect for the growing suite of social networking capabilities available on the platform," says Nyko marketing director Chris Arbogast.Ohhh ... that explains it!%Gallery-76721%
