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Luc Bernard confirms Mecho Wars hitting DSiWare, WiiWare
Amid an awkward (and drunken) confession that his life is in shambles following the end of his marriage, developer Luc Bernard confirmed Mecho Wars will release on WiiWare and DSiWare. Described as "similar to Advance Wars but with RPG elements," Mecho Wars had already been revealed as a WiiWare release.Mecho Wars will hit the iPhone app store and WiiWare first with a DSiWare release sometime after. No official release details for the dev's second title were mentioned in the YouTube confession. So far the game looks interesting and we extend well wishes to Bernard in the middle of his personal crisis. The first footage -- of the still-under-development title -- can be found after the break.[Via GoNintendo]
Square Enix announces Dragon Quest Wars for DSiWare
Square Enix has revealed the Dragon Quest Wars whose title was trademarked last month. Anyone expecting some kind of MMO tactics game will be disappointed, because while the new game does feature online play, it's nothing quite so grandiose. In fact, it's a 500-point DSiWare download.Dragon Quest Wars is an online-capable board game for up to four players. Each player creates a team of four classic Dragon Quest monsters and participates in "simple battles" against up to three other AI or player teams. The small game has some decent strategy game cred: it's being developed by Intelligent Systems, the Nintendo second party responsible for both the Fire Emblem and Advance Wars series. Dragon Quest Wars will be out in Japan this June.[Via 1UP]
NintendoWare Weekly: Aliens, Pirates, and Soccer Players
This week, the various downloads across Nintendo platforms form quite the eclectic mix, though the quantity of what's available is sure to upset some. If you're looking for more than one title to download on each platform, then we're afraid you're out of luck.%Gallery-63164%
Intellivision DSi collection held back by Nintendo policy
Would you like to have a downloadable collection of vintage console games on the DSi? We would too! Oh well. When the DSi was announced, Intellivision president and IP holder Keith Robinson decided to move a stalled DS version of the Intellivision Lives compilation to DSiWare. However, Nintendo rejected the project. Apparently, according to an email Robinson received from Nintendo, WiiWare and DSiWare games cannot "run under emulation."Because of this rule, we're missing out on the most authentic presentation of Intellivision games yet. Look at that -- even the Intellivision keypad is emulated on the touch screen, with overlays and everything. Nintendo didn't respond to IGN's inquiry about the rule, so as of yet we don't have an explanation for the refusal. It's likely that Nintendo refuses emulated projects to avoid Virtual Console-style games on WiiWare. But there's no Virtual Console on DSi, so either that rule needs to be changed or there will be a VC soon. Scratch that -- the rule needs to be changed.
NintendoWare Weekly: Calculators, Clocks, and Fish
This week, Nintendo has a double dose of downloads -- both on the DSi -- for the Animal Crossing fans out there. Complementing Nintendo's handheld offerings are one new WiiWare game and a C64 title for the Virtual Console. So, quit wasting time here and head past the break to check out this week's content on the DSi and Wii.
VC Friday: Bit.Trip: Beat plus the impossible
This week, as promised, Bit. Trip: Beat arrives on the PAL Wii Shop, ready to hypnotize and frustrate another set of Wii gamers. But that's not the only reason this week is special: it's joined by a Virtual Console game. That's right, Virtual Console and WiiWare in the same week. Totally crazy, right? Galaxy Force II, stripped of its brilliant moving arcade cabinet for the Genesis version, comes off as a sort of Space Harrier ... in space. It's not great, but it sure is a Virtual Console game!It gets crazier: there are also two DSiWare games in the lineup. Virtual Console: Galaxy Force II (Mega Drive,1 player, 800 Wii Points) WiiWare: Bit. Trip: Beat (1-4 players, 600 Wii Points) DSiWare: A Little Bit of ... Dr. Mario (1 player, 500 DSi Points) A Little Bit of ... Magic Made Fun: Funny Face (1 player, 200 DSi Points) %Gallery-43105%
ESRB rates 'Asphalt 4' for DSi
Gameloft's mobile racing games Asphalt: Urban GT and Asphalt 2 were both released as retail DS cartridges back in 2004 and 2006, respectively. The fourth game in the series, Asphalt 4: Elite Racing, appears to be releasing as a downloadable game like its cell phone counterpart, thanks to the advent of DSiWare.The ESRB has added a rating for Asphalt 4 for DSi. It'll join Gameloft's lineup of DSi games including Real Football 2009, American Popstar, and Uno. Whether you like the Asphalt games or not, we doubt anyone can deny it's better to buy them from home and pay less for them.
NintendoWare Weekly: Paper Airplane Chase, Cocoto Platform Jumper
If you've been keeping up with what's headed to WiiWare and DSiWare, then this week's downloads will likely be of no surprise to you. These are games that we've either talked about already, or that have hit their respective platforms in regions elsewhere. So, without further ado, let's get to this week's content.%Gallery-39578%
VC Friday: The adventure begins
Sigh. Enjoy playing Adventure Island: The Beginning this week, PAL Wii owners. We know we'll see it in the US eventually, but it's not today. We've waited so long for a new Master Higgins/Takahashi Meijin game, and we guess we can wait a little longer, but it's pretty painful. Just thinking about rolling around in the jungle on a skateboard, with the wind against our grass skirt and a stone axe in our hand ...Also available today: Crystal Defenders R1, the Final Fantasy tower defense game, and a DSiWare sports game from Gameloft.WiiWare: Adventure Island: The Beginning (1000 Wii Points) Crystal Defenders R1 (800 Wii Points) DSiWare: Real Football 2009 (800 DSi Points)
Japan DSiWare: Do more with your pictures with Print Club and new Moving Memo
Nintendo of Japan added four new DSiWare apps to the shop today, two of which are a bit too Japanese for us to expect to see. It's not like we can't grasp the idea of putting sparkly graphics on top of a picture -- we are just less likely to automatically thrill at the idea. Chotto Magic Taizen: Date Uranai (200 Points): This trick from Master of Illusion asks questions to determine where someone wants to go on a date. Atsumeru Egao-chou (Smile Collection Book) (500 Points): This app is an album for smiling pictures of friends, with compatibility tests and other activities. Itsudemo Puri-Kura Kira Deco Premium! (Anytime Print Club Sparkling Deco Premium) (500 Points): Based on the popular Print Club photo booth machines, this app allows you to decorate photos, trade with friends, and then, of course, transfer them to your phone via an SD card. Chotto Brain Training: Sudoku-hen (500 Points): 200 new sudoku puzzles! In addition, Ugoku Memo-Chou (Moving Memo Pad) has been upgraded to version 2, which now includes the ability to rate videos from the DSi, draw comments, and upload to different "channels." Maybe this upgrade is the reason we haven't gotten the service yet!
NintendoWare Weekly: Dr. Mario Express, Deep Psyche, Crystal Defenders, and Wonder Boy
Another week and another slew of content is available for your Nintendo consoles. DSi enthusiasts receive Dr. Mario Express, while WiiWare lovers can check out Square Enix's Crystal Defenders. Let's get to the full rundown, which you can find resting comfortably past the break.%Gallery-39567%
Skype 'technically possible' on DSi
TechRadar sent an inquiry to Skype about the possibility of its VOIP telephone service appearing on the Nintendo DSi. While we'd love to tell you that the Skype rep responded with a concrete "yes," we can at least say that the representative didn't totally shut TechRadar down. In fact, the wording of the boilerplate response suggested that there's no reason the service wouldn't spread to the DS platform.According to the representative, Skype's growth strategy "includes extending the Skype infrastructure and platform to bring Skype functionality wherever, whenever, and on whatever device or site people choose to use it." Currently, that includes computers, some smartphones, and, of course, the PSP. As for the DSi, "Whilst we can't comment on any future plans to bring Skype to Nintendo's DSi, it would technically be possible."Of course, DS homebrew enthusiasts have known for a couple of years that it's possible. But the DSi Shop makes it seem more likely to happen in an official capacity.
VC Friday: Mixed Messages about whether this is a Rambo game
This week on the PAL DSi Shop, Vicarious Visions' Mixed Messages allows players to enjoy a game in which ideas become increasingly warped over time. Kind of like what happened to one of this week's Virtual Console games! Sega of Japan made a top-down commando game and called it Ashura. Sega of America heard "Ashura" as "Rambo" somehow, while Sega of Europe heard "Secret Command." For that matter, miscommunication is one of the only possible explanations for Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars, which is almost too freaky to have been made like that intentionally. Mixed Messages -- DSiWare -- 500 Points Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars -- Sega Master System -- 500 Points Secret Command -- Sega Master System -- 500 Points Videos of each game are available after the break. Write descriptions of them and send them to a friend!
ESRB rates Ghostbusters, two other Atari DS titles for DSi
The DSi category of the ESRB's database is currently pretty small, containing only eight games, including some of the current first-party DSiWare (not all of the existing games are visible yet), a few Gameloft games (Brain Challenge, Real Soccer 2009, American Popstar Road to Celebrity), and ... three Atari games. Specifically, Ghostbusters, N+, and The Chase: Felix Meets Felicity, all of which are now listed as both DS and DSi games. These are the only games in the whole database to have such a distinction -- and the only DSi-listed games that aren't downloads. Unless they are!We don't want to be rumormongers, and we don't want to jump to conclusions, so we'll lay out the possibilities that have occurred to us, from most exciting to least exciting: Atari is planning to digitally distribute DS games via DSiWare, starting with Ghostbusters and extending into its back catalog. The publisher will release special DSi-enhanced cartridge versions of the games. The updated listings are a mistake. Atari PR had the following to say in response: "Unfortunately, no official word from Atari. We'll let this stay a rumor for now ;)" %Gallery-27664%
Virtual Wares: Pirates suffer a Masterful Pitfall
It's Monday, which means that the Nintendo faithful get a slew of new downloadable content. DSiWare is the place to be this week, with two new titles available for download, one of which is the first third-party offering on the service. For the Wii, both WiiWare and the Virtual Console each have one item available for download this week.
Nintendo of Europe reveals April-June WiiWare/DSiWare releases, including Cave Story
As mentioned in the announcement of Squibs Arcade, Nintendo of Europe is holding a WiiWare (and DSiWare) media summit this week. During the event, Nintendo released a list of WiiWare and DSiWare games planned for release between April and June. On WiiWare, the biggest news is Cave Story! Even though we knew it was scheduled for release in April or May, seeing more confirmation of that (for more regions) is great! Swords & Soldiers is also on the way. In addition, there are also a few games we haven't heard much (or anything) about. Each game has a brief description in Nintendo's announcement. Bonsai Barber Cave Story ColorZ Crystal Defenders R1 Icarian: Kindred Spirits LIT Overturn: Mecha Wars Robocalypse: Beaver Defense Spaceball: Revolution Squibs Arcade Swords & Soldiers Water Warfare In DSiWare, the most exciting title (to us) is Nintendo's Art Style: PiCOPiCT, a retro-Nintendo-themed puzzler with reinterpreted NES music by YMCK. A Little Bit of... Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: Maths Edition Art Style: PICOPICT Mighty Flip Champs! Mixed Messages Pop Superstar: Road to Celebrity Real Football 2009 [Via NintendoLife]
Vicarious Visions introduces DSiWare party game Mixed Messages
It just occurred to us how perfect the multiplayer-only LOL would have been on DSiWare. As a 500 Nintendo Point download, four players could download the quirky application whenever they had five minutes to spare, and enjoy it immediately, for the cost of just one copy of Agetec's retail game. We just realized this because Vicarious Visions' Mixed Messages is pretty much just that.Well, it's a bit more directed and gamelike than LOL, but very similar nonetheless. Mixed Messages is a take on "telephone," in which players alternately type sentences and draw pictures based on them. One player writes a sentence, then another draws it, and then the next player writes a sentence based on that picture, and so on. The game saves sessions for the enjoyment of all afterward.VV has been playing with this idea for two years, but the program was too small for retail and required too much rewriteable memory for the DS. DSiWare to the rescue! Mixed Messages is slated for the DSiWare "launch window," which is basically anytime now!
Nintendo talks core, third parties, and DSi
During a recent interview with Gamasutra, Nintendo's Denise Kaigler spoke about a slew of subjects sensitive to the Nintendo loyal. Core gaming, third-party support, and the new DSi were just a few of the subjects Kaigler touched on. In regards to the core, Kaigler says that developing games for that audience is important for "everybody, the industry, certainly for Nintendo, but most of all, for consumers." She points to Zelda: Spirit Tracks as a game for that audience.Moving on to third-party support, we're starting to see more and more third parties recognize Nintendo's platforms. Kaigler says that being able to offer that 150 million user base between the two systems is very enticing to those developers. But, she notes that Nintendo wants to impart its own success on the platform and show these developers how it has achieved success (see: characters with floating, circular hands in everything), which might tie into those poor sales figures for the recent original, mature games MadWorld and House of the Dead: Overkill.Finally, no interview with a Nintendo exec can skip the company's latest handheld, the Nintendo DSi. Some folks (especially commenters on Joystiq) have felt the handheld doesn't improve enough over the DS Lite, especially for the price it's demanding. Kaigler, however, argues that the new handheld has plenty to offer, pointing out the DSi's popularity on Amazon and at GameStop through pre-order figures, as well as the one feature that we think too many people are overlooking: DSiWare.
Reggie: DSiWare about quality, not quantity, third-party titles coming soon
Wired recently talked with Nintendo president Reggie FIls-Aime and the upcoming DSi was obviously a focal point of the conversation. More specifically, when quizzed about the DSi Shop and potential DSiWare that will populate its virtual shelves, Reggie wanted to stress that Nintendo will be focusing on quality titles, and not an overabundance of games and apps, like one might see on the iPhone. Reggie rather smartly compares the emphasis on quality over quantity to that of a film festival and YouTube. He says Nintendo will focus on "high-class content done by knowledgeable developers," instead of the "YouTube approach of everything under the sun that is difficult for the consumer to navigate through."He also says that the company will be granting third parties licenses to develop DSiWare and titles should be available around six weeks after the DSi's launch. But, he stresses that these companies need to create experiences unique to the platform and not available anywhere else, so don't expect a DSi version of SSFIITHDR or anything.
VC Friday: Majora's Mask, DSiWare available in Europe right now
This is probably the best day for downloads on Nintendo consoles in years. If you got a DSi today, you've probably already begun perusing the new DSi Shop and downloading some DSiWare, including the two Art Style games available! But even if you didn't get a DSi, you'll probably be happy with the downloadable selection this week. Well, that is, if you didn't get a DSi and you have a Wii. If you've got neither, this might just irritate you.The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask has arrived! And we don't even have to make any disclaimers about making sure you have space to download it.The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask -- N64-- 1,000 PointsArt Style: AQUITE -- DSiWare -- 500 PointsArt Style: CODE -- DSiWare -- 500 PointsBirds & Beans -- DSiWare -- 200 PointsDSi Browser -- DSiWare -- free!Paper Plane -- DSiWare -- 200 PointsWarioWare Snapped! -- DSiWare -- 500 Points
