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Kaigler: DSi US launch a success, haters better recognize
IGN's Nintendo Minute recently posed a question to Nintendo VP of corporate affairs Denise Kaigler about sales of the DSi. IGN was under the impression that the handheld had a slow start, but Kaigler was quick to lay the smack down. "Sorry, but I'm going to have to strongly disagree with your premise," she said, pointing to NPD figures that show the DSi's first three months in the US moved more units than the original DS Phat, DS Lite and Wii did in the same period of time.During its initial three months of availability, the DSi has unloaded more than 1.7 million units onto consumers. Compare that to the figures for the first three months of the DS Phat (1.38 million) and the DS Lite (1.07 million) and it's pretty clear who the winner is. Despite the fact that the DSi ($169.99) is more expensive than the DS Phat ($149.99) and DS Lite ($129.99) when they launched, consumers have been in favor of the Facebook-compatible handheld.The DSi even managed to best Nintendo's money-printing Wii in its first three months gracing store shelves, as the Wii debuted with 1.52 million units sold. As impressive as that may be, we're pretty sure had launch supplies been greater, the Wii would've easily trumped the DSi's figures.
David Hinkle08.11.2009
NintendoWare Weekly: NyxQuest, Super Star Wars, Brain Age Express
This week starts an initiative to bring classic LucasArts titles to the Virtual Console for the next month. Today, Super Star Wars for the SNES is available, however Nintendo also promises its sequels, Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, in the coming weeks. Considering these are among the top Star Wars experiences out there, you can bet we're pretty pumped. It feels kind of like when you bullseye a womp rat in your T-16!%Gallery-69468%
David Hinkle08.10.2009
European Nintendo downloads: Shinobi takes revenge on bonsai
Today, we're jealous of European gamers, for one reason: The Revenge of Shinobi. The totally awesome Shinobi sequel isn't on the Virtual Console in North America, and it isn't on the Sega Genesis Collection or Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection. presumably due to the appearance of copyrighted characters (some of which were included without permission the first time!). We could totally be playing it now if we were in Europe (or Australia). Hopefully this release means that Sega is clear to release it in North America as well.We'd be jealous of Bonsai Barber, which is surprisingly great, but we already have it! And we don't currently need maps of European cities, so the City Transport Map DSiWare games can wait as well. Bonsai Barber (WiiWare, 1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points) The Revenge of Shinobi (Mega Drive, 1 player, 800 Wii Points) City Transport Map Vol. 1 & 2 (DSiWare, 500 points each)
JC Fletcher08.07.2009
Looks like DSi firmware 1.4 is defeated already
The site for the R4i DSi flash cart posted a video (see it after the break) demonstrating what appears to be the R4i running on a DSi system with the 1.4 firmware. You know, the firmware that was released not even a week ago, and removed flash cart compatibility? Yeah, that one. The video demonstrates a retail game ROM, which is not particularly awesome, but does serve as evidence of flash cart compatibility. The site currently doesn't mention whether this is accomplished through an R4i firmware update or through new hardware. We'll find out more as more flash carts pick up on whatever technique is in use.If 1.4 has truly been defeated, homebrew users will be able to upload photos to Facebook and play Magnetic Shaving Derby! Magical. [YouTube video via GBATemp]
JC Fletcher08.06.2009
DSi approaching 7 million units in global sales
Guys, this DSi thing is a pretty big deal. As headlines to posts you're reading right now would have you believe, the handheld is teetering on seven million units sold globally, GI.biz points out. It's no wonder, considering some of the milestones it's reached so early in its life span: 435,000 units were sold during the first week of release in the US During DSi's first weekend on sale in the UK, 92,000 units were sold Japan recently sold its three millionth DSi It's anyone's guess as to when Nintendo will crack the seven million figure (currently it's at 6.68 million), though we're sure the remainder of August is more than ample time to accomplish the feat.[Via Go Nintendo]
David Hinkle08.05.2009
Nintendo's DS Classroom now DSi-only
Using the DS as an educational tool is nothing new in Japan. It's been a tour guide, an English teacher and even a boozing instructor. Lately the focus has been on DS Classroom, a program from Nintendo and Sharp System Products announced back in June that aims to let Japanese teachers dish out lessons and the like to students' DSes. Initially, it was planned to work with the original DS, the Lite and DSi, but, according to Andriasang, that's no longer the case.The new educational aid will only work with the DSi now, as Nintendo has announced it's doing away with support for the older Nintendo handhelds. We would be worried for the students over there that don't have a DSi, but, then again, we're pretty sure those kids are few and far between.
David Hinkle08.05.2009
DSi sees itself pass 3 million sold in Japan
High atop the tallest building in Tokyo, The Eye of DSi watched as its might power swept the land of the rising sun. Enterbrain announced today that Nintendo's watchful handheld has passed the 3 million unit sales mark on the island nation. As Gamasutra notes, Nintendo expects the DS line to sell 30 million units this fiscal year, ending next March. As of June, the DS has sold 107.75 million units total worldwide since its pudgy birth. Nintendo also has Dragon Quest IX to thank for the increased sales.
Alexander Sliwinski08.04.2009
Nintendo DSi Facebook connectivity coming to North American tonight
Hey North America, jealous of your Japanese and European friends who've already got Facebook integration on their DSis? Fear not, Nintendo of America's announced that firmware 1.4 will be pushed out tonight after 8:00PM ET -- in other words, any time now. We still haven't gotten the update yet, but let us know if and when you've got better luck! [Via Joystiq]
Ross Miller08.03.2009
Facebook integrated with DSi in North America tonight
Regardless of what your weekend activities may have been, we know it was hard to enjoy yourself, knowing that people in Japan and Europe were sharing their DSi photos on Facebook higglety pigglety, while yours were trapped by a lack of DSi 1.4 firmware like Zod and crew in the Phantom Zone.Finally, said photos can be set free with an update to your DSi arriving at 8 p.m. EST in North America. Can you even wait until then? Yes, we imagine you can.
Justin McElroy08.03.2009
Easy Piano title lets DS Lite users tickle the ivory
We know that DSi of yours is all the rage, but you did hang on to that DS / DS Lite, didn't you? Phew. Starting this November in Europe and other PAL regions, you'll have a remarkably good excuse to bust that unit back out, as this new peripheral looks to require that all-but-forgotten GBA slot. At any rate, the title (which goes by Easy Piano in case you glossed over the headline) will allow players to bang out masterpieces such as Bittersweet Symphony, Every Breath You Take and Pachelbel's Canon on the 8-note, full-octave keyboard accessory. All told, 40 songs will be made available, and there's even a "creation mode" that enables owners to record up to four 3-minute-long jams. Now, if only we had a North American price and release date to pencil in, we'd be all set.[Via Joystiq]
Darren Murph07.31.2009DSi v1.4 firmware happening now in Japan, bringing Facebook connectivity along for the ride
Back at E3 2009 it was announced that Nintendo would roll out the capability to upload photo to Facebook from the DSi. Well, we're hearing from Engadget Japanese that that firmware updating is now occurring. It's a pretty minor update which includes the aforementioned ability to upload photos to Facebook, and brings a faster "image display speed" in the DSi's camera. We're sure there's some behind the scenes tweaking going on too, right? No word on when this update will hit elsewhere, but we'll keep our eyes on our DSi until it happens. You know, for work. Check out Engadget Japanese's video of the upgraded features after the break. [Via Joystiq]
Laura June Dziuban07.30.2009
DSi Facebook update available in Europe, also blocks homebrew
The good news: DSi firmware 1.4 is now available in Europe, bringing the Facebook photo uploading capability along with it, according to an announcement by Nintendo. If you want to snap pics from your DSi and upload them to Facebook (after altering them with the DSi's image manipulation stuff, if you like), awesome!The bad news: DSi firmware 1.4 blocks flash carts. If you've been using an Acekard2i or a DSTTi to run homebrew on your DSi, you should probably not download it. If, on the other hand, you've been using a DSi flash cart to play retail games, we encourage you to update immediately. Gotta have Facebook, right?
JC Fletcher07.30.2009
Nintendo finally sees Wii demand slowing, calls iPhone a DS / DSi competitor
While it seemed that all was going well for the Big N, it looks like those jovial times are finally coming to a (temporary) end. In an earnings report filed today, the company posted a 66 percent fall in quarterly operating profit on "slowing demand for its Wii console and a stronger yen." It's not so much the profit slide that's surprising, but the sudden admission that Wii demand has finally (finally!) slowed from a raging boil to simply piping hot definitely caught us off guard. Still, Nintendo maintained that it would sell 26 million Wii consoles before the year was out alongside 30 million DS handhelds, the latter of which has seen momentum slow due to "increased competition in the handheld business from Apple's iPhone." Now, we've known for some time that the suits in Cupertino have always viewed the iPhone as a game console, but to hear it called out as such from an entity not named Apple is another matter entirely. Maybe it should reconsider that whole "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" thing? Nah.[Image courtesy of QuiteCurious]
Darren Murph07.30.2009
DSi firmware v1.4 drops in Japan, Facebook connectivity arrives alongside [update]
It seems that Nintendo DSi owners in Japan have already started digitally receiving their copies of the newest firmware, v1.4. The refresh brings little more than the Facebook photo uploading we heard (very little) about back at E3 2009. How little more, you ask? The Nintendo Japan page also lists "faster image display speed in [the] DSi camera." That's it. Nintendo announced during E3 that the functionality would be hitting American DSis "this fall." We've asked the company for a more firm release date in other territories and will update this post if we hear back. In the meantime, check out a quick walkthrough that our pal Ittousai from Engadget Japan put together for us, just after the break.Update: Nintendo has responded to us by saying "We have not announced a launch date."[Via Engadget Japan]
Ben Gilbert07.30.2009
Limited SaGa 2 DSi celebrates 20 years of SaGa, looks great
While we continue to wrap our minds around the idea that a SaGa game (specifically the SaGa 2 remake) can be worth playing, Square Enix has easily convinced us that a SaGa-themed DSi is worth playing games on. The company revealed the limited-edition SaGa 20th anniversary system, which will be sold with a copy of SaGa 2 and will release on the same September 17 date as the standalone version.The system features the SaGa logo and a circular logo with the title of each game in the series. It looks so refreshingly different from the usual limited-edition system. It remains as expensive as usual: 24,880 yen ($262).[Via Siliconera]
JC Fletcher07.23.2009
Xbox 360 and DS see significant growth, in spite of industry slowdown
The video game industry is not "recession-proof," as many have trumpeted. So far, the industry has seen a 12 percent decline in revenue in the first half of 2009 versus the same period in 2008. Sales of hardware have slowed down as well, with Nintendo selling 13 percent fewer Wii systems and PS3 selling 30 percent less. There are a few bright spots, however.Gamasutra notes that Microsoft has "caught its second wind," selling a dramatic 21 percent more Xbox 360 units so far this year. (Aaron Greenberg was right!) This achievement is even more remarkable when one considers the challenges of this economic climate. Astoundingly, the Nintendo DS has also managed to increase its sales, which begs the question: Who doesn't already own one -- or two? When coupled with the newly introduced DSi, combined sales of Nintendo handhelds have gone up more than 56 percent from last year.Sony continues to struggle with its PlayStation trifecta, as the aging PS2 slowly loses its relevance and consumers appear reluctant to spend $400 on a PS3. We'd continue this paragraph, but it's pretty clear what Sony needs to do if it wants to turn things around.
Andrew Yoon07.22.2009
DSi dipping its toes into 10,000 lakes
Nintendo will be on hand at the 10,000 Lakes Festival in Minnesota this year to promote the DSi, with a pimped out tour bus we're sure Xzibit had a hand in designing. The festival, during which Nintendo will show off the capabilities of the DSi to patrons, lasts from July 22 to July 25 and takes place at the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes. It's odd, because Nintendo makes no mention of letting folks play any games, so we guess attendees will just have the handheld's camera and its sound-messer-upper thingy to toy around with.For full festival details, head past the break.
David Hinkle07.22.2009
Pop developer making non-game DSiWare apps
Nnooo, creator of Pop, is working on a series of DSiWare productivity downloads called myLifeCollected, designed to make your life easier. If you didn't know Nintendo-related news you were going to complain about today, it's already made your life easier!The first app, called myNotebook, is a 32-page virtual notebook with auto-save and ink color features. Users can select lined, square, or blank backgrounds for each page. Pricing and release date have yet to be announced. Nnooo is planning to make myNotebook available in three different color varieties when it comes out.For those of you waiting for Pop + Solo (What? We liked Pop), Nnnoo says that it's been submitted to Nintendo for approval.[Via GoNintendo]
JC Fletcher07.21.2009
Video: GBA SP gets touchscreen hack, turns Nintendo concept into reality
The DSi seems to be getting all the cool mods and appendages these days, so we're pleased to see the other portable Nintendo gaming system getting some love. We've tracked down video of an Arduino-powered touchscreen hack for the Game Boy Advance SP that brings to life one of Nintendo's own concepts and -- while not quite on par with the GamePack -- comes with all the exposed hardware and blinking lights you'd expect from a quality mod. Though there's no interface or game compatibility to speak of, the coolness factor alone should be enough for you to check out the video after the break.
Vlad Savov07.17.2009
Translucent XCM Eye Candy case encourages licking of DSi
Oh sure, the DSi was the definite hotness when it sprung onto the scene earlier this year, but if you're growing somewhat bored of the same old camera + touchscreen action, why not spruce things up with an all new exterior? The case you're looking at above does require the disassembly of your console, and thus, you can kiss your remaining warranty goodbye. Frankly, we view the sacrifice as thoroughly worth it, as XCM's Eye Candy shell is practically guaranteed to get more eyes, fingers and tongues on your machine. And really, who wouldn't want that?[Via Boing Boing]
Darren Murph07.09.2009