Lite
Latest
Guide to Itadaki Street characters
Confession time! We haven't played a Dragon Quest game since the first one. And that was in the ancient times-- we were basically playing it on an oscilloscope. As such, we don't know any of the characters besides slimes (who could forget slimes?).If you're like us (old and anachronistic), you might need a lesson on who all these adorable Dragon Quest characters are in Itadaki Street. That is exactly what Siliconera has done, because we asked for it just now. Oh, there we go with the anachronism again.Finally, we know the names and origins of Guy Who Looks Kinda Like Dante and Spikey-Haired Guy. Now we're ready for the US version of the game, which will probably never exist.
War Stories trailer hits the trenches
New screens for a game are nice, but video is always better, wouldn't you say? And this video is damn nice. Seriously, we're really excited for Ubisoft's game now, even if the graphics aren't all that great. Shooting down VF rockets, hurling grenades at enemy sandbag enclosures and ducking tanks while running through trenches?! Sign us up!Check out the video past the break.%Gallery-3731%
Myst coming to the DS
The Myst franchise is either great or incredibly boring, depending on who to talk to on the subject (we've enjoyed every Myst game we've played, to tell the truth). But, regardless of that, there are plenty of reasons why the franchise has been around for so long. It practically invented a gaming genre.And while we'd like to say that Myst on the DS is going to be a brand new game, instead Midway is looking to bring the game that started it all to Nintendo's handheld platform. No worries though, as the game's code has been re-written, specifically with the DS in mind. New sound clips, new touch-screen controls and a new age to explore (the Rime Age) should help ensure both fans of the series and newcomers find something to enjoy come time for the game's release this November in Europe.
Uglify your DS to avoid slippage
You know how sometimes you'll be playing a DS game, and the system will slip completely out of your hands and fall? You don't, because that has never happened? Um, okay. Well, do you hate how smooth and shiny the system is? Oh. Well, here's this thing anyway. It's a set of rubber grips for the sides of the DS Lite. It comes in white and black. It's got little nubs on it for maximum gripping. It also comes with covers for the ports.
Jammin' Guitar Pick stylus lets us shred our touch screens
We've seen a GameStop.com listing for a product called the "Jammin' Guitar Pick" for a while, but we've been patiently waiting for a picture to show up. Today, one day before the product's release, one has surfaced. It's a very simple idea: a guitar pick with a stylus stuck to it, and it comes in a pack of three for $8. Oddly, the pointier part of the pick doesn't appear to be the part where the stylus is attached.We're just thrilled that someone at Naki thought Jam Sessions was going to be big enough to call for its very own third-party accessory. Too bad the picks are coming out just as word comes out of the game's delay. We're thinking about picking up the accessory now in anticipation, and so we can pretend we're giving one of them sexy solos while we're playing Meteos.
DS Fanboy presents: Game Night 6/7/07
Not only does Thursday signal the close proximity of Friday, but also allows us to get together for our weekly gaming session Game Night. And, as usual, we've gone ahead and embedded the theme game poll results past the break. Oh, and there's the details on where to meet and all. Really, it's in your best interest to head past the break. Do it. Do it now.
New Brothers in Arms screens flank us
GameSpot posted some new screens for the upcoming handheld entry in the Brothers in Arms franchise, Brothers in Arms: War Stories. The screens depict the same stuff we've been seeing: both on-foot and vehicular-based combat scenarios. So, if you've liked what you've seen so far, then there's more here. Before checking out GameSpot's images, be sure to hit up our gallery below.%Gallery-3731%
Spending a childhood in Hyrule
The Escapist celebrates its 100th issue (congrats!) with a fascinating read in Marty M. O'Hale's piece A Childhood in Hyrule. For many of us, Link's first adventure in Hyrule was our first adventure game, if not first game period, and something that we will never forget. And The Escapist takes a look at all that in the only way they can: incredibly deep analysis and interesting observations. Seriously, if you don't read The Escapist, start right now.See also: Honoring Gunpei Yokoi
Taiko stylus giveaway reveals control method
As total music game freaks, we've been pretty interested in the DS version of Taiko Drum Master. The graphics made the transition to a handheld system just fine, and we know from the Ouendans and other music games that it'll be able to handle the sounds-- and it should easily handle the Super Mario Bros. theme (yay!). Really, we thought, as long as it didn't ask players to bang on their touch screens like a drum, everything would be cool.Yeah, that's what it does. This ad, small as it is, is still clear enough to show a drum on the touch screen, with two special styli used as drumsticks. We know that's the most logical way to control a drum game on the DS, but ... a lot of screens are going to get pounded. Try to employ some self-control when playing Taiko![Via GoNintendo]
Chibi Robo: Park Patrol screens
Famitsu has posted a variety of different screens for the upcoming DS installment in the Chibi Robo franchise, Chibi Robo: Park Patrol. These screens show a lot of what you'd expect; a small robot rides a bike and meets some oddball characters. So, while there isn't much here in the way of new content, there is plenty of stuff those looking forward to the game can gawk at.'Chibi Robo: Park Patrol is currently slated for a September release in the United States.
Itagaki speaks, we listen
Whether it's dealing with sexual harassment lawsuits or drinking on the job, Itagaki is always a man that is interesting to hear from. This latest video interview is no different, as Itagaki explains how Hayabusa in Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword is the fastest Hayabusa to date, allowing the player to move him around the game environments quickly using the stylus and touch-screen. Catch the video after the post break.
Decent sale on imports at Renchi
We love region-free consoles! Not only does it allow us to play games that never get released in the US, but it also gives us freedom to choose the cheapest version of worldwide-release games. Renchi.com has marked down a load of DS games, and there's plenty of stuff for US gamers to enjoy. First, the Japanese versions of US games. You can get Yoshi Touch & Go (Catch! Touch! Yoshi!), Mega Man ZX (Rockman ZX), Star Fox Command, the just-released Honeycomb Beat, and a few others for $10. If you want a uniquely Japanese experience, there's a bunch of stuff including Mawasunda!!, a lot of miscellaneous non-games and puzzle games (including an amusing-looking coloring game), and a nice selection of D3's Simple Series stuff. Stock is rapidly diminishing, so go browse right now.[Thanks, joe!]
Itadaki Street screens and trailer
Famitsu has posted some new screens up from Itadaki Street, providing us with some more shots of the characters that will be featured in the game. Of course, we all knew folks from the Dragon Quest series, as well as Nintendo alumni Mario and the gang, would be making an appearance in the game.We've also got another treat for you, in the form of a trailer for the game. embedded past the post break. Let us know what you think in the comments!
GameStop reinforces Assassin's Creed, Front Mission rumors
A GoNintendo reader was scouring the GameStop product listings and found a couple of interesting, items. Front Mission 1st, previously sort of confirmed for a US release, is marked as releasing on October 2nd.Assassin's Creed, which was spotted on the leaked GameStop release list, now has a listing on the GameStop site, with a September 25th release date and the completely final boxart seen here. As our copy of Superman for the Playstation will attest, the GameStop computer system is completely accurate and infallible, and once something has a listed release date, it's definitely coming out for real.
Finally, a use for pants
Craftster user Trip_and_fall has made what must be the most charming DS Lite case ever. Or the creepiest, depending on your perspective. On the one hand, it's made out of some old Frito-Lay pajamas. On the other hand, it's made out of old pants. Does that bother anyone else?We'd also like to point out the delicious irony involved in making a pocket out of pants so that your DS Lite doesn't get scratched up in your pants pocket. Furthermore, we'd like to point out that Doritos are often even more delicious than irony.
Buy a DS and get a free game
Circuit City has a sale going where purchasers of any DS Lite get the choice of a free game ($19.99 and under). Just taking a quick glance at the games that fall under that category, there isn't much there, but you could get your hands on Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits or Sonic Rush if you don't own them already. Or, if you're looking for a good gift idea, why not get someone a DS Lite with a copy of Brain Age?
Bulky battery pack brings 40 hours of fun
Now, we've never had a problem with the length of charge our DS Lite's battery holds, but apparently the Japanese are in need of longer battery life from their DS. Enter this chunky battery pack, which has an internal battery and space for 4 AA batteries. A convenient switch located on the unit allows for the user to choose which power source they wish to utilize, even allowing the power to be cut off from the battery pack altogether and routed to the DS' internal battery.Do you think the battery pack is too big and ruins the sleek, slim aesthetic of the handheld?
Vision Training through video
The DS is turning into the place to go for any and all training needs. Do you need to learn English? DS is your place to be. How about learning some common sense? You can also learn how to liquor someone up, or train your hearing.Well, for those looking to get their Vision Training on, Nintendo's Japanese web site has updated with a new video. Of course, we can barely understand any part of it and it's kind of light on the content, but we're sure you'll be able to extract something worthwhile from it.[Via Go Nintendo]
A most excellent adventure through time
Konami's Time Ace is a 3D reimagining of their fossilized arcade game Time Pilot, in which players thwart a time-traveling madman who wants to enslave the past with futuristic weapons. The method used to accomplish this goal? Flying around in airplanes and shooting everything, obviously. Something doesn't seem right about going into the past and shooting up the landscape to prevent the changing of world events, but what do we know? We aren't time travologists.There are 19 levels of time-travely, rail-shooty action, and a bunch of different planes from past, present and future. And speaking of flight in the past, this game doesn't use the touch screen for flight controls. That's an interesting decision.%Gallery-3617%
Brightening up your buttons
Rocky's ultra-modded DS Lite has gotten to the point where you can literally station it on the coastline, its LED beacons guiding ships to safe harbor. His latest hack installs LEDs under the ABXY buttons, sticking them in place with hot glue. We're not sure if the mod has any functional purpose -- save serving as a navigational aid to sailors at sea -- but it's certainly something we haven't seen done before with the handheld. Float your boat past the post break for larger photos of the DS lighthouse.
