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Health Control Game Timer keeps your DS gaming in check
Video game timers of one sort or another are hardly anything new, but timers for handheld game consoles are a considerably rarer sight, especially ones as elaborate as this so-called Health Control Game Timer for the Nintendo DS. Apparently not content with simply shutting off the handheld after a predetermined period of time, this one also packs a built-in proximity sensor that'll set off an alarm if you're holding the DS too close to your face. Of course, considering that the device can simply be yanked from the DS at any time, this isn't exactly the most effective tool for parents looking to curb their kids' gaming habits but, if you lack a little self control yourself, you can grab one of these now for ¥ 3,990, or just about $40.[Via SlashGear]
Nintendo DSi gets sized up on video ahead of US debut
Still on the fence about picking up a Nintendo DSi this Sunday? Our BFFs at Joystiq have a rather exhaustive video hands-on with the portable, pre-recorded cheers and all. Witness firsthand the unboxing, the inevitable side-by-side comparison with the DS Lite, and a walkthrough of the new camera and sound recordings apps, all thanks to the power of moving pictures. Grab some popcorn and hit up the read link to have all your dual-screen questions answered, and then some.
DSi project leader reveals unreleased Nintendo handhelds
Man, the folks over at this year's Game Developer's Conference are having all the fun -- and now the Joystiq crew just got a rare look at two Game Boy models that never made it to production, unveiled during a talk by the project leader for the development of the DSi, Masato Kuwahara. The first, developed around 1995, was labeled "Game Boy Advance Predecessor," and was based on a 32-bit ARM RISC processor. The project stalled in development due to poor graphics performance. The second device was essentially a touch-screen Game Boy Advance SP, with a clamshell case thrown in for good measure. Apparently, this one didn't make the cut due to its lack of a backlit display. We've got a picture of that one for you too -- and it does look somewhat familiar. Check it after the break.
Nintendo doubles up Sony's PSP, ships 100 millionth DS handheld
Nearly a month ago to the day, Sony triumphantly proclaimed that it had sold its 50 millionth PlayStation Portable. Now, Nintendo's making that figure look awfully small by shipping its 100 millionth DS handheld. The number includes original DS, DS Lite and DSi systems, and clearly, those sales are still going strong. The original DS launched way back in late 2004, while the totally hip DSi is slated to ship here in the United States in under a month. So, who's taking bets on how long it takes to hit the magical 200 million mark?
Sony, Nintendo and Nokia sued for making gaming devices that do stuff
While most folks welcome gaming devices that do more than simply play games, Texas-based Wall Wireless LLC seems to think that's a bit over the line, at least when it's not getting a piece of the action. More specifically, the little known company says that Sony, Nintendo, and Nokia are infringing on its patent for a "Method and Apparatus for Creating and Distributing Real-Time Interactive Media Content Through Wireless Communication Networks and the Internet," which apparently relates to someone distributing "messages having aural or visual content that is generated by the operator using handheld apparatuses such as mobile telephones." According to Wall Wireless, that patent not only covers the DS and PSP, but specific games like Mario Kart and Wipeout Pulse, and a whole host of Nokia's game-playing phones, including the N95, N93, and N82. As a result, it's seeking a permanent injunction against the allegedly infringing companies lest it be "irreparably harmed," as well as the usual damages, expenses, and attorney's fees, not to mention "pre-judgment and post-judgment interest."[Via Register Hardware]
Nintendo DSi now up for Amazon and GameStop preorder
Those of you feeling the need to tell someone your credit number before the Nintendo DSi's April 5th US street date take heart: Amazon and GameStop are now both accepting preorders. You're looking at $169 for the base system from either retailer, but GameStop will happily jack the price with some bundled accessories if you're feeling generous. Anyone gonna throw down?[Via Joystiq]Read - AmazonRead - GameStop (black)Read - GameStop (blue)
DS Lite solar panel mod lets you leave the PSU at home
If you've got some 60 x 60 solar panels, a few diodes, some scotch tape, and a little time on your hands, you may never need to plug in your DS ever again. According to "dark sponge," a poster over at Instructables, you can convert the Lite into a solar-powered wonder that will obviate the need for your standard PSU, and make your green leaning friends, er... green with envy. The mod involves slapping panels on both the bottom and top of the device which -- when wired in parallel -- get 6 volts of power at 80 mA, which is apparently perfect for a trickle charge. The only downside is you'll have to leave the device face down for a bit, and it's advised to keep it out of the sun all day. Still, it's an excellent mod that doesn't seem too difficult to execute, and ends up saving hassle and energy... and who can knock that? [Via SlashGear]
KORG DS-10 synthesizer up for pre-order in America
DS owners in Japan have been enjoying the spoils of the KORG DS-10 synthesizer for over half a year, but at long (long!) last, we Americans are about to receive equal treatment. The game itself, which is graciously priced at just $29.99, is now up for pre-order on GameStop's website. The listed ship date is February 9th, but we wouldn't go betting the farm on that being entirely accurate. Nevertheless, we're down to counting days and hours rather than months and weeks before we'll be able to shove a synth in our pockets without paying import prices. Huzzah![Via Joystiq]
Nintendo DSi hitting the streets in early April?
It was bound to happen sooner or later. We've seen it hacked and seen it cracked open, and now it looks like the Nintendo DSi might finally get that Stateside release. According to IGN, the device will be hitting the shelves here in early April for $179.99. If this is for real, for real -- as the site is quick to point out, Nintendo "doesn't comment on rumors and speculation," so there's been no official confirmation -- it looks like it's only a matter of time before the fun lovin' game console finds its way into our hands. Because it's already found its way into our hearts.[Via Joystiq]
Nintendo DSi gets its first flash cart, courtesy of Acekard
Good news, future DSi owners -- it looks like all your homebrew dreams have just moved one step closer to reality. The Acekard 2i is the newest version of the popular flash cart, just the thing for storing save files, using Action Replay codes, and running backups and homebrews. So don't fret, kids -- by the time the handheld becomes available Stateside, you'll be able to make music, take pictures and tweet to your heart's content. Why else would you purchase a game system? Just make sure you check out the video of the cart in action after the break.[Via DS Fanboy]
Amazon kicks off Cyber Monday with $99 Nintendo DS
Let's face it: this year's recession-busting Black Friday sucked, featuring a few good deals but no single blockbuster worth getting up at 2:00 am to stand in the cold. Over the weekend we still maintained a bit of hope that Cyber Monday would bring something worth getting excited about, and while right now it looks like we're set for another disappointingly bargain-free day full of nothing but work and turkey sandwiches, one deal did catch our eye. Amazon has a Nintendo DS up for just $99; that's $30 less than you'll find it elsewhere -- if you can find it elsewhere. The catch is it's the "Limited Edition Pink Ribbon" version, and pink and white is not exactly the perfect color scheme for those about to rock. However, a deftly-placed AC/DC sticker might let you feel the joy of supporting a good cause this holiday season ($5 goes to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation) while also avoiding any embarrassing taunting from thoughtless friends.Update: This deal is done! Back up to $129.99. [Via I4U]
Nintendo plays dress up with two new DS Lite bundles, DSi mocks from afar
If you haven't succumbed to the DS Lite's embrace by now, we're not sure this pair of bundles will do the trick, and if you already have a DS Lite in your posse you're probably waiting impatiently for the DSi to traipse on over Stateside. Still, we can't begrudge Nintendo's God-given right to bundle, and this Ice Blue Brain Age set (with custom carrying case!) and Mario Red New Super Mario Bros set (pictured, with emblazoned "M" logo!) aren't exactly unattractive. Both are being released this Friday -- that Friday -- for $150. The Brain Age bundle is pictured after the break.
Apple's Greg Joswiak touts iPod touch as the future of handheld gaming
We speculated in our review of the new iPod touch that Apple had designs on more than just consumption of music and video, and now an interview with company VP of iPod and iPhone product marketing Greg Joswiak all but confirms that sights are set on the gaming market. In a conversation with T3, Joswiak boasts that the devices are breaking through as a viable alternative to established handhelds (such as the PSP or DS) due mostly in part to competitive software pricing and the company's content delivery system. While much of the interview focuses on iPod sales figures, it does delve into more detailed comparisons of platforms, with Joswiak stating, "The 3D graphic power here [iPod touch] is significantly greater than what you have here [picks up Nintendo DS]. So this allows people to do significantly higher quality games." While it's not unusual to hear Apple's honchos hyping their products like they just skipped across some water to heal a few lepers, it is a new trend to see the company aggressively going after gaming platform mainstays so directly. With Sony and Nintendo just getting up to speed on non-traditional content delivery, Apple may find an edge come holiday season with casual gamers -- the real question is whether the hardcore will bite.[Via Eurogamer; Thanks, Zach M.]
XCM Hyper Gear case promises to overclock your DS
Overclocking the Nintendo DS is hardly anything new, but the mod-happy folks at XCM look to be taking a decidedly different approach with their new Hyper Gear case which, as you can see above, is actually a full-on replacement case for the currently non-hyper DS Lite. That approach gives you the added advantage of selectable turbo speeds and, of course, a rapid fire switch, both of which, as Technabob points out, will likely take quite a toll on battery life. No word on a price just yet, but it'll apparently be available from at least a few of the usual modding retailers in the next few weeks.[Via Technabob]
Nintendo Points won't make the leap between Wii and DSi
While it's not exactly a huge surprise given that Nintendo doesn't have an overarching account system for the Wii and DS, plenty of folks will no doubt still be disappointed to learn that the company's new Nintendo Points won't be transferable between the two consoles. Instead, when you buy a points card (available in 1000, 3000 and 5000 points versions), you'll have to pick a console and spend all the points in that one place. Not exactly an ideal option, to be sure, but it seems like it's one that we'll be stuck with -- unless Nintendo has some plans to make some major changes to the way the Wii and DSi do business.[Via gamesindustry.biz]
New Nintendo DS purportedly confirmed for tomorrow
You know how it goes -- first comes the far-out rumor, then comes something a touch more believable, and then the company itself issues an all-too-familiar non-denial denial. According to MCV sources, the next step in the process will happen tomorrow, as a revamped DS storms into action at 5:00AM GMT on the 2nd of October. As for specifics, we'll have to wait for Iwata's supposed announcement to find out more, but we'd be utterly shocked to see this ship after Christmas. That is, if this isn't just some elaborate scheme from the Big N to distract us all from realizing that Wiis will still be impossible to find this holiday season two full years after launch.[Image courtesy of Parade, thanks Michael]
Nintendo getting into the pedometer game? This will all end in tears
Bad / good news, folks: Nintendo is / isn't working on a pedometer peripheral that will / won't integrate with its Wii / DS console. The company has famously stated that it doesn't plan to release "a whole lot more" accessories for the Wii, which means we've got at least one or two to look forward to, and this could be one of 'em. The images surfaced on a European trademark registry site with very little supplemental info, but we do know it's a pedometer of sorts. If we're lucky, this is something that'll integrate into the existing Wii Fit setup, perhaps alongside a software update to manage more info about our unhealthiness than just how far we can jump on a pair of imaginary skis, but it's probably just as likely that we're looking at a Wii Fit sequel, or perhaps a DS version (a handy companion to that new DS?) designed to lure us out of the house. No telling, really, but the peripheral does appear to be wireless... and wholly evil.[Via Joystiq]
Nintendo issues a non-denial DS denial
Nintendo seems to be tripping all over itself denying the rumors that broke over the weekend of a new camera-packing DS, but it's not exactly doing the greatest job -- "While Nintendo is always working on new hardware, we have not made any announcement about a DS and we cannot comment on the Nikkei story" is exactly the sort of not-quite-a-no that has our new-hardware piggy bank cowering in fear. We'll see soon, hopefully -- Ninty prez Satoru Iwata is scheduled to give his fall presentation on Wednesday.[Via Joystiq, Image courtesy of Fami Blog]
Nintendo fights breast cancer with DS Lite Limited Edition Pink Ribbon
In keeping with a time-honored gadget tradition, a new paint job for the Nintendo DS Lite has surfaced: the Limited Edition Pink Ribbon -- not just for girls mind you, breast cancer affects us all. While the polar white console doesn't include any games or nifty carrying case, five dollars of your $129.99 purchase will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, with Nintendo promising a minimum donation of $100,000.[Via DS Fanboy]
Top 5: Gaming in Japan
Musicians have Vienna. Catholics have the Vatican. And gamers have Japan. While many significant contributions to the world of gaming have come from outside the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan is the unassailable fountainhead of modern video gaming. It's the birth and workplace of gaming giants such as Hideo Kojima, Shinji Mikami, Yuji Naka, and probably others. To say that Japan is a place that hardcore gamers need to check out is an understatement at best. Recently, I took a week to visit my brother who teaches English at a Japanese university near Nagoya. Hundreds of thousands of words could be used to describe the wonderful food, the beautiful temples, and the unique culture of the country. But being a life-long gamer, I paid special attention to the distinct connection between the country and the gaming scene we all know and love. For the Top 5, I usually come up with a topic, then list the top five items for that topic in order. For this edition, it was truly difficult to narrow it down to only five. With that in mind, here's my best attempt at listing the Top 5 gaming elements of my time in Japan. NEXT >> #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; } The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, check out What Are You Playing?, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.
