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Nintendo and DS in full force at Comic-Con
Nintendo is not without love for the comic geek, it would seem, as they plan to be out in full force at San Diego's Comic-Con 06 later on this month. While you would think they'd be on-hand with the Wii, attempting to get it as much exposure as possible before its launch later on this year, instead the company is looking to strengthen its already huge grip on gaming with the DS.That's right, no Wii and nothing but DS will be available to cosplaying comic fans in the southern California area during the ultimate show for comics. Those cosplaying as Nintendo characters will also get a chance to win prizes such as DS Lites, software, and other junk. Some of the titles available at Nintendo's booth are Mario Hoops: 3 on 3, Elite Beat Agents, Starfox Command, and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. If you're a DS Fanboy reader attending the show and would like to send us some pictures, we guarantee you'll be *handsomely rewarded.*We're good at making people disappear.
Dicota Link does USB 2.0 PC-to-PC data transfer
What happens if your hip new pre-N network is on the fritz and you need to transfer more data than your Micro Vault can handle? The solution would be simple if you had Dicota Korea's Link handy. This little device offers simple 480Mb/s PC-to-PC networking in a nifty little Plug & Play package. No word on a US release, but from what we can tell the Link is Windows-only and sports blue LEDs that let you know when a connection has been made. And don't let the picture scare you, the approximately €20 price tag includes a cable extension so you won't need to keep the computers too close for comfort. [Warning: source link not in English][Via AVING]
Macgamefiles offers free game hosting
Macgamefiles.com has announced free game hosting for shareware and freeware game developers (but not for things like maps, mods, etc.). The only catch is that the game's developer needs to point their download links to the game's product page hosted at Macgamefiles.com. This, I assume, is so MGF can make up their (probably astronomical) hosting costs with ad hits.Given some of the bills I've heard of for hosting large files like podcasts and software downloads, I would imagine this is a huge bonus for garage-based game developers. Three cheers for internet advertising business models!
Whopping 22 minute vid of Phantom Hourglass at E3
This video shows the entire demo of The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass that was available at Nintendo's booth during E3. The video, which is filmed exceptionally well, shows all of you exactly how Link will control and interact with the environment. Just make yourself some popcorn before starting to watch, this video is on par with the length-time of a full episode of Scrubs.
Smash Bros Dojo update: Snaaaaaaaaaake!
Honestly, how good does the above screenshot make you feel? The Dojo has updated us with a Snake "bio," which only reveals that Snake's attacks will primarily revolve around the use of explosives rather than realistic firearms. The thought of sneaking behind someone and snapping their neck, while in execution during gameplay is more than likely not all that practical, is a keen prospect nonetheless.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
New Twilight Princess screens
The British Gaming Blog is hosting a plethora of Twilight Princess screenshots which originally came from Game Reactor but have since proven difficult to track down again. Regardless, you should take a gander at the ridiculously gorgeous images (presumably from the Wii version of the game) and, as a mental exercise, try to formulate in words just how good they make you feel inside. We're going for "like our internal organs have been replaced with laughing chocolate clowns." Hit the "Read" link to see it all.
Nintendo Power dishes out Phantom Hourglass info
Some new information on the upcoming stylus-drive Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass has emerged via the latest issue of Nintendo Power. N-Sider has taken the time to condense the information for those lacking the fortitude to actually go out into the world and purchase the magazine, or even lack the strength to a wield a pen and fill out the requisite information to subscribe. Out of the repeated information, a few new items are able to be extracted.The game supposedly features one primary dungeon that Link will have to navigate, yet will become impassable to him at times, which will require him to venture into other minor dungeons to acquire an item of some sort that will allow him to progress. What's also interesting is that the dungeons will also be home to what are being dubbed "chasers." These enemies are invincible, mercilessly pursuing Link upon the mere sight of him.
"I Hate You, E3," declares Escapist writer
Okay, so maybe not hate completely.The eye-catching title of an essay from the latest installment of The Escapist puts the emphasis on the negative aspect of the love-hate relationship many industry vets have with E3, but there's surprisingly a lot of love for the trade show here, even if you don't subscribe to the hardened "I hate E3 because I love it" theory of convention devotion.While the Joystiq staff hasn't been to quite as many E3s as the founder of the International Game Journalists Association (IGJA), we can certainly empathize with the world-weariness that might accumulate after years of weeklong death- press-marches and working in overcrowded, sensory-overloaded spaces. We just hope our love of the game(s) will stay with us as it has for Mr. Thomas, whether we're watching from home or working the show floor in person in post-apocalyptic L.A. The parties will be sure to be awesome.See also: Joystiq at E3 2006 mega-site The Escapist's big E3 issue this week, with references within to Joystiq's Paris Hilton story and some E3 party pics orig. from Joystiq The Game of Journalism -- the IGJA's official web site
Spotted at E3: Link and Zelda in the bathroom
Zelda's a princess, so we know why she's in the Girl's bathroom - primping as any princess would in front of a mirror. The question is, what is Link doing in there?!?!
More Official Nintendo Magazine scans
Some more scans have been leaked to the interweb from the upcoming issue of Official Nintendo Magazine showcasing an extended interview with Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto and details for NIBRIS' Raid Over the River and Sadness. The information on Raid Over the River and Sadness isn't new, and the article features the same concept art that NIBRIS' website displays. The last scan shows Link in front of the Revolution and is too blurry to make out, for the most part. In squinting my eyes, all I could read was Shiggy saying "What I can say is that I think the Revolution controller creates quite a different play style for Twilight Princess."
Phantom Hourglass trailer analysis
Since showing off the latest offering in the Zelda series at GDC, the vast amount of message boards that inhabit this interwebbed world we live in have lit up with posts of painful yearnings for the latest Hyrulian adventure and "Celda is teh gay agian lawls WTFBBQ." In attempting to fill the gap in time up until this year's E3 with something, IGN has posted a frame-by-frame analysis on the Phantom Hourglass trailer. In doing what you've likely already done, they dissect the video and offer up their opinions on what the game's final release build will be like.
Homebrew Zelda platforming on your DS
Lupi is working on a lawsuit project in which Hyrule's sword-swinging savior stars in a 2D platformer. This title is to feature a hearts-based life system as that of the real Zelda titles and Link's traditional weaponry such as bombs and his trusty master sword. Lupi aims to recreate the universe and unique skills of Link, and has already implemented almost all of the green-clothed lad's sword strike maneuvers. No word as of yet on when a playable build will be available.[Via DCEmu]
Homebrewed Zelda DS in development
Fledgling homebrewer, Lupi, is working hard on his first DS project, Zelda Platformer. While the game will undoubtedly undergo a name change, Lupi has already implemented the following items: Level system Collision system Life system (with hearts!) Lots of "Link sounds" Title screen Most of the sword attacks (including air and spin attacks) Bombs Arrows 8-direction boomerang Lupi is currently coding the "enemy engine." Once that's complete, and a tutorial level has been designed, he'll release a demo.[Via DCEmu]
Full-length Zelda fan film one-ups Uwe Boll
Watch The Legend of Zelda: Hero of Time and dazzle at the thrilling spectacle of "a boy from a mysterious forest" in "a legend as infinite as time." There's an evil threatening him and a princess summoning him, so there's only one thing to do: put the tights on, grab the Master Sword, and mess up some Moblins. Alright, it's a fan film but I'd honestly pay more to see this than oh, I don't know... anything by Uwe Boll. They're saying that principal photography is in the can, with post-production work on animations and CGI left to complete. The Zelda fanboys in the house can read more about the production here. [Via digg]
Actress talks to gamer about WoW dedication
The guys at LiquidGeneration went a step beyond stalking an actress and actually scored an interview with the WoW-playing USPS ad girl.Felicia Day is best known in TV circles as the potential slayer "Vi" during the final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but she also found a bit of notoriety as "Angie," the USPS-usin' woman for a Postal Service ad campaign. All we're interested in, of course, is her love of Ultima VII, Link (over Mario and Undead Warlocks), and 5 man Strat runs for her Level 60 Gnome Warlock.Maybe it's not the greatest revelation since Dave Chappelle showed some knowledge of the MMO, but many male gamers still manage to find a way of expressing shock that a beautiful woman (especially one who's found a measure of success in Hollywood) enjoys an online raid or two. We're just glad that an actress is willing to be upfront about her love of games--even she sometimes uses it to avoid talking about bad auditions.[Thanks, James]
Nintendo help for your fantasy baseball team
While we question the ability of McSweeney's to integrate classic Nintendo characters into a major-league squad, that's just the scouting report that's been released for this truly fantasy baseball roster.For instance, you've got a young shortstop who spends way too much of his time with "fairies" in Link and the token female pitcher (albeit one with a built-in arm cannon) in Samus, but these inclusions will always be overshadowed by that of the stocky plumber stalked by rumors of steroid abuse. Way to go, Mario.
Sights and sounds of retro Famicom keychains
For the price of $13.50 you can get a keychain featuring cool, retro blocky graphic coupled with a miniature Famicom controller that makes character-relevant sound effects, like this especially obnoxious one from Ice Climber (wav).I couldn't imagine having one of these in my pocket, repeating that sound effect ad nauseum every time something hit the "A" button; the pixelated portion is aces though.[Via GameBrink]
