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Limited Edition Pokemon DS Lite shows up at GameStop
It's a couple of years late, but it looks like this Pokemon-themed DS Lite has finally made the trip over from Japan, as evidenced by this shot apparently snapped at a GameStop store. While there doesn't seem to be a game included with this particular bundle, you will get a matching carrying case, a 22-minute Pokemon Mystery Dungeon DVD, a Grovyle poster, and a Pokemon t-shirt that we're guessing anyone buying this will never want to take off. All for the usual price of $129.99.[Via DS Fanboy]
Nintendo files suit against five DS hacking firms
"Touching is good," but hacking? Not so much. Nintendo has gone on the war path against five Japanese companies that make their living helping users rip off DS games. Of course, a primary use for such hardware -- such as the R4 Revolution, pictured -- is homebrew and emulation, but good luck convincing Nintendo (or any large console manufacturer) of that. Details of the actual lawsuit are slim, but Nintendo has brought along with it 54 Japanese software makers to lend a bit of gravitas to the suit. If you haven't managed to hack your DS yet, now might be a good time to score the requisite hardware -- we might be facing a scarcity before too long.[Thanks, Michael]
Chrono Trigger DS countdown ends, 'reveals' Chrono Trigger
After much speculation and painful hours of sitting on pins and needles, Square-Enix confirmed that their chronometric teaser was, in fact, counting down to the big reveal of a Nintendo DS adaptation of Chrono Trigger. The countdown just ended, revealing the first pseudo-trailer for the game; following Squeenix's promise for a "newly revamped" version of what many consider to be the greatest RPG of all time, our hopes were high for a 3D remake, ala Final Fantasy III and IV -- though the trailer shows that the visuals will retain their charming 16-bit aesthetic.The trailer doesn't show off the game's new features, like the new dungeon, wireless play and touch screen support -- though it does end by touting the Winter 2008 release window we'd previously heard. Hopefully, future media for the title will show us exactly why we'll need to purchase the game again (other than the fact that it's frakkin' Chrono Trigger) -- until then, we'll be anxiously awaiting Christmas morning, when we'll scurry to the foyer to discover that Ho-Ho has left us stockingfuls of heartwarming nostalgia.Update: We've got the post-countdown trailer posted after the jump, courtesy of GameVideos.
Nintendo pushes back DVD-playing Wii for Japan, again
While those of us 'round these parts have pretty much given up on the idea of a DVD-playing Wii a long time ago, folks in Japan have had some cause for hope based on promises from the company that such a system was, in fact, headed for the country sooner or later. It seems like they're now about to enter the acceptance phase as well, however, as Nintendo has just announced yet another delay to the system with no word about an eventual release date. According to IGN, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata would only go so far as to say that due continuing worldwide supply constraints on the current Wii, "the priority is on the current model." One thing getting a boost in availability, however, is the Nintendo DS 1Seg TV tuner, which Nintendo says will get a retail release next month after previously only being available online.[Via Joystiq]
Guitar Hero: On Tour for the DS now on sale
Alright, so Guitar Hero: On Tour technically went on sale on Sunday, but who launches a game on Sunday? Anyway, the DS version of the rocker franchise is now available, goofy Guitar Grip accessory included, for just $49 of your hard-fought dollars. Reviews of the control system have been pretty positive so far, and the game itself looks like it's a solidly fun time -- even if that insanely bad promo video had us convinced otherwise for a while. Rockers -- to arms![Thanks, Wraggster]
Final Fantasy Tactics A2 trailer full of whimsy, tactics
It's actually pretty difficult for us to tell if the above trailer is any good -- you see, when the original Final Fantasy Tactics Advance came out, we played it until our GBA SP's brilliant backlight peppered our poor eyeballs with cataracts. From what we can tell through blurs and blind spots, Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift looks similar to it's last-gen predecessor, with a few minor graphical tweaks and improvements in sound. Considering Square-Enix has added a handful of new classes and races, and yet another lengthy single-player campaign, we're wondering where we can find a black market eyeball dealer/installer in our neck of the woods, and if they can pencil us in before the game's June 24 release date.
Guitar Hero: On Tour DS bundle revealed, pocket rockers go "\m/"
Yo, portable rockers: Toys 'R' Us has let the Guitar Hero: On Tour DS Bundle details out of its proverbial bag. For $179.99, you'll get a limited-edition silver and black Nintendo DS, the Guitar Hero: On Tour game, and the Guitar Grip. The DS in question has a flaming Guitar Hero logo on its silver cover and hits stores on June 29, a week after the game comes out on its own. As far as the $179.99 price goes, don't flip out just yet: this is a fair deal given the DS runs $129.99 and the game will be $49.99 on its own. So, if lime green or cinnamon red isn't your thing and you're the last gamer without a DS, this could be the bundle for you.
First Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia trailer is awesome, whipless
We've yet to play a DS incarnation of Konami's vamp-slaying franchise that we didn't thoroughly enjoy -- if this debut trailer for the next installment in the handheld series is any indication, that streak appears to show no signs of stopping. This stylish trailer introduces us to the protagonist of Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia -- the raven-haired Shanoa (who looks a bit too similar to Bullet Witch's Alicia for our comfort), and her many, many methods for murdering and dismembering ol' Vlad's minions. Sure, she may not wield the Vampire Killer whip made famous in other Castlevania titles, but she does dispatch a Giant Enemy Crab with a falling elevator, which arguably possesses a bit more panache than the Belmont family's legendary cord.
Joystiq hands-on: Tecmo Bowl Kickoff
We tried to get Hank Williams, Jr. to kick off this post with "Are You Ready for Some Football?" but he was booked. So, we're just going to assume that you are, in fact, ready for some football ... in this case, a rundown of our recent hands-and-stylus-on with Tecmo Bowl Kickoff for Nintendo DS. It's been 19 years since the original Tecmo Bowl hit the field on NES, making it one of the earliest football sims, not to mention one of the most famous. For its return on modern hardware, Tecmo drafted its first US executive producer, Ryan Gilbo, to head the project, and he promptly set out to update the game just enough, but not change too much.Read on for our full impressions and see first video of the game in action after the break.%Gallery-23985%
Nintendo brings DS wireless service to Japanese McDonald's
Stateside DS gamers can already get online using free WiFi at McDonald's, but now Nintendo's bringing a slightly different version of the service to Japanese McD's: customers can log in to get menu information and download free game demos. The service is being rolled out at 21 Tokyo-area restaurants with an assist from NTT, which also provides DS wireless service at Japanese train stations, so things should get lit up fairly smoothly. You'd better hurry if you want to join in on the fun, though: the test program ends on December 28th.
Pokemon Platinum revealed, set for fall release in Japan
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Pokemon_Platinum_DS_revealed_coming_Fall_to_Japan'; Pokéfanatics across the globe have been anxiously tied to their poké-related news sites over the past few weeks, attempting to prognosticate what gemstone/precious metal/color would serve as the title for the next installment in the beloved monster-enslaving series -- shortly after CoroCoro magazine dropped word of the upcoming Pokémon Platinum, the Sandshrew-swift Nintendo swooped in to confirm the title, and to reveal a fall release window for the game in Japan.Following the pattern of pokéreleases thus far, it will serve as a companion to the two current-generation titles, Diamond and Pearl -- much like Yellow, Crystal, and Emerald did for their respective generations. That means we'll likely be treated to new sprites for many the monsters, and a few tweaks to the story, but not many new entries into the ol' Pokédex. Perhaps that expansion will come in the franchise's next generation, Pokémon Ununbium and Cadmium.[Thanks, Vinay.]
Nintendo not dropping Wii or DS Lite price anytime soon [Update]
Update: Oops! We've realized we covered this before, but think of it this way -- now you're two times more aware of these firm, firm prices as the other denizens of the internet.Whether you've yet to join the hunt for the Golden Ticket-esque Nintendo Wii, or you're one of the eight people yet to buy a Nintendo DS of some shape or color, we certainly hope that the reasoning behind your reluctance to join Camp N isn't the anticipation of a price drop for the two (relatively) affordable consoles. According to a recent statement from Ninty's Satoru Iwata, there are currently no plans to lower the retail price on either of their money-printing apparatuses.While this fact isn't exactly surprising considering the systems' sales success at their current costs, Iwata's reason for the set-in-stone price is rather intriguing -- should either system undergo a cheapening, he explained, it would upset those who bought the console at its former price. Yes, we're sure it has nothing to do with the near completion of Miyamoto's personal, Scrooge McDuck-style gold coin swimming pool.
New Nintendo DS coming at this year's E3?
According to reports (translated, possibly misunderstood, clearly speculative reports), come this year's E3, Nintendo could be rolling out a brand-spanking-new DS -- most likely very unlike the one pictured above. If you follow the text in a Bloomberg Japan article, Famicom magazine publisher Hirokazu Hamamura says that the timing of E3 would fall right in line with the two-year stagger the Big N has applied to other handheld releases. Of course, Nintendo is saying "no comment," though we find that's usually the last thing they say before introducing the Wii, Game Boy, N64, Harry Potter Wand, or Ultimate Doomsday Device.[Via Joystiq; Image courtesy Kris/Rakka]
KORG DS-10 synth turns Nintendo DS into instrument of awesomeness
There's already been quite a few musicians (and would-be ones) brought into the Nintendo DS fold thanks to apps like Jam Sessions, but it looks like there could soon be another wave flocking to the popular handheld, with the official, Korg-approved DS-10 synthesizer from AQ Interactive now headed for the DS in Japan. As you can see for yourself in the video after the break, like Jam Sessions, the synthesizer is anything but a game, with it boasting two patchable virtual synths with two oscillators each, a drum machine, a sequencer, and a full range of effects, to name but a few features. You'll also apparently be able to wirelessly link up several systems to play together or simply exchange sounds and songs, although you'll apparently have to make do without MIDI support. Needless to say, we'll keep you posted on any word of a release 'round these parts, but in the meantime, you can look forward to this one hitting Japan in July for ¥4,800, or just under $50.[Via Create Digital Music, thanks to everyone who sent this in]
iBand: like the Velvet Underground, but with iPhones
Back in our day we had to use these things called "laptops" to make music, but now it seems like any kid off the street can rock out with a jailbroken iPhone and some Red Bull. Put two of these ADD-addled youngsters together with a DS Phat-toting friend and you've got New York avant-garde out the wazoo. We hear Matthew Barney is designing the iconic cover art as we speak. Video is after the break.[Thanks, Basar]
Gently weep over your DS with Bandai Namco's 99 Tears
We can all think back to particular moments in certain video games that have penetrated the thick, black crust which envelops our hearts and caused us to tear up. Perhaps it was that heartbreaking moment in Final Fantasy VII, or the ending to Shadow of the Colossus. Maybe it was the time your mom made you go to bed while you were in the middle of a particularly gripping Karazhan raid, or when you finally finished Steel Magnolias Adventures, a game so awesome that it hasn't actually been created yet.Bandai Namco is making a pretty heady claim -- not only is their newest game going to make you cry, it's going to do it about 100 times. Calling the aptly titled 99 no Namida (or 99 Tears) a game isn't actually accurate. It's more of a handheld therapeutic crying assistant, providing you with a sad graphic novel to read for 15 minutes at the end of each day, with a brief questionnaire following shortly after, the results of which will help move you closer to the story which will more effectively tug at your heartstrings, and further from the respect of your bros on the wrestling squad.
Rumor: Novels on their way to European DSes
The techno-literary world is abuzz over Kindle, Amazon's handheld electronic reading device which is quickly gaining popularity in the small circle of people who love books, aren't afraid of computers, and have $400 in disposable income. According to a recent Nintendo investor report, European DS owners might be able to ride the e-book wave this coming winter -- the tentative release date for the tentatively titled DS Novel.Details about the game are non-existent, though DS Fanboy speculates that it's an English language version of a Japanese title which allows the user to peruse over 100 complete books. We hope to hear more about this later in the year -- the thought of being able to sit down with our favorite editions of "Chicken Soup for the Soul" without all the fuss and muss of ink and pulp fills us with anticipation.
Cobalt Blue Nintendo DS Lite now available to order
If by some chance you still aren't satisfied with the variety of DS Lite color options currently available, you'll apparently soon have yet another to choose from, with a Cobalt Blue/Black model now up for order on Circuit City's website. Somewhat curiously, the site actually shows two slightly different blue-colored models, although we're guessing that's due to some image processing shenanigans and not evidence of two different blue DSs, though we certainly wouldn't put anything past the big N. No official word on a release date just, but Circuit City will gladly take your $130 now and ship it to you as soon as it's available.[Thanks, Matt E]
Disney puts Nintendo DS to use as interactive tour guide
The DS has already proven some of its versatility by ordering food and dishing out replays at Safeco Field, and it looks like Disney's set to expand those non-gaming capabilities even further, with it now testing a system that turns the handheld into an interactive tour guide. Dubbed the Disney Magic Connection, the app appears to be fairly extensive, including not only maps of the Magic Kingdom, but details on wait times at various attractions, directions to the nearest washrooms and ATMs and, of course, the odd game. Unfortunately, at least in its current state, you'll only be able to take advantage of those features with one of Disney's pre-set up DSs and not your own -- no word if that'll change once the system moves beyond the testing phase. Hit up the read link below for more pics of the app itself and a first-hand report from one lucky tester.[Via WDWMagic.com, thanks Durango Jim]
Nintendo says no full DS game downloads coming to Wii, just demos
Well, that didn't take long. Just over a day after The New York Times got all our hopes up with word that complete DS game downloads were headed for the Wii, comes word that the big N's Reggie Fils-Aime actually said no such thing, and that only DS game demos would be available, as expected. In issuing the correction, Nintendo also confirmed that, like other content that currently be beamed to the DS, the demos will be erased once the handheld is switched off. Unfortunately, there's still no word as to when that service might actually be available, with Nintendo only going so far as to say that it's coming sometime "in the future."[Via Joystiq]
