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NintendoWare Weekly: Minis March Again, Swords & Soldiers
With all of the excitement of E3 dying down, it's time we got back into the groove of things, and Nintendo knows that best. This week, the DSi gets some Mario vs Donkey Kong love, and WiiWare gets a pair of new titles. The Virtual Console isn't left out in the cold, either, as strategy fans will likely be interested in what Ghengis Khan is up to. So, head past the break and check out what's available for download from Nintendo this week.
Nintendo admits to scrapping new handheld plans in the past three years
Nintendo's talkative global president Satoru Iwata turned a few heads when he told CNBC that the company had another handheld gaming system completed and ready for production sometime in the past three years, but that it ultimately decided not to release it. Though he didn't give any details on the handheld, he did say that, "in the history of Nintendo cnbc_comboQuoteMove('popup_ntdoy_ID0EGF15839609'); there are several such examples." We can only hope that some kind of wild, awesome Gameboy prototype hits our desk one day. Nintendo's most recent handheld, the DSi, has moved over a million units, including around 435,000 during its first week of sale in the U.S. [Via Joystiq]
Nintendo releasing black Wii, red DSi this summer
Our bingo card was off by just a couple of days. Nintendo didn't bother to introduce a new color for the Wii system during its E3 press conference ... or anywhere else in North America, for that matter. Japan got its own mini-megaton tonight in the form of a new black Wii system, which will release in Japan on August 1. In addition, accessories including the Wiimote, Classic Controller, and Classic Controller Pro, will also be released in black to coordinate with the new system and extract money from people who already have Wiis.In addition, Nintendo announced that a red DSi system will launch in the region on July 11. No announcements have been made for any other region.[Via Kotaku]
Nintendo announces Flipnote Studios for DSi this summer
One of the more cool apps for the Nintendo DSi in Japan has been Moving Memo Pad, and now Nintendo has confirmed it for a North American release. The title will be changing its name, however, to Flipnote Studios. The app will come to North America largely unchanged, allowing folks to create and upload their own custom animations and share them with others. If you're interested in seeing some of the stuff it can do, check out this post.
DS more popular than Paul Hogan in Australia
Okay, so DS hasn't really bested Paul Hogan's popularity -- as the man is an Australian legend -- but it is the fastest-selling piece of gaming hardware ever down under. Edge reports the DS, DS Lite and DSi have pulled together to sell two million units in a span of 221 weeks, the fastest any platform has managed to reach that coveted two-million milestone. Nintendo of Australia boasts that the DS has been the number one console in Australia for three years. That's just ... wow.
Nintendo: we're not making a phone, we swear
Despite a statement back in April from prez Satoru Iwata that the company would make a phone if it could avoid monthly subscription costs, it looks like Nintendo will not be getting into the cell biz any time soon. Reggie Fils-Aime, president and CFO of Nintendo of America just put the kibosh on all that with a statement to the New York Times, saying, "Telephony is not in our wheelhouse. It's not something I anticipate us getting into." So, you're telling us that telephony is not in your wheelhouse? Hmm... okay. Thanks for clearing that up! The company is however, considering offering devices with always-on wireless connectivity -- which would be way cooler the DSi's current, WiFi hotspot capabilities.
Used game sales balloon GameStop Q1 2009 numbers
Now here's a real economic indicator: during the fiscal quarter ending May 2 of this year, used game sales at GameStop increased by 31.9 percent, while new game sales decreased by 2.8 percent. Game sales in the US aren't declining, new game sales are -- to the tune of 548.5 million dollars in Q1 2009 alone, just over a quarter of GameStop's entire earnings during the period.Sure, the Nintendo DSi release and a handful of blockbuster titles from Capcom earlier this year helped to keep new games and hardware from dropping off too much -- new hardware numbers actually increased from last year. But that isn't to say that the 114 new stores opened by the company recently due to "the downward pressure of rents" is a good idea. While GameStop predicts even better sales over the next half of the year, it'd be wise to carefully plan around the "brittle global economy." [Image credit]
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]
Nintendo sold enough DS systems in Japan for one-fifth of the population
Nintendo's strategy for the DSi has evolved from "one DS per household" to "one DS per person." This slide from Satoru Iwata's fiscal year 2008 financial results briefing demonstrates just how frighteningly close Nintendo has come to that goal in Japan.According to the chart, 26.1million DS systems have been purchased in Japan, or 20.5% of the population of the country. That means that if each DS belonged to one person, one fifth of Japan would own a DS. Of course, each DS doesn't belong to one person -- people who bought DS Phats re-bought Lites and then DSis; and no doubt many people bought second systems for a new color scheme or a limited-edition, or to replace a broken system. Regardless, the DS has undeniably made its mark on Japanese society.The US and Europe, on the other hand, have almost reached ten percent market penetration each. Just ten percent? That's merely outstanding -- what a disappointment for Nintendo.[Via Kotaku]
EEDAR predicts slower April sales, success for Rhythm Heaven
EEDAR's Jesse Divnich released a Retail Sales Preview for April, containing predictions for hardware and software sales results for last month. It starts on a down note, unfortunately, with a projected decline in software sales of 17%. "We believe the weak retail environment is to blame for the year-over-year decrease in [average selling prices]."Music and rhythm games got somewhat of a boost in April, according to Divnich, but only because of heavy discounts. "The biggest sales occurred at Wal-Mart.com with certain Guitar Hero World Tour SKUs being discounted by as much as $90 and Best Buy with a sale that gave away Guitar Hero: Aerosmith for free with the purchase of Guitar Hero: Metallica."The two success stories this month are both DS-related. Hardware sales went up over last year, but only because of a new DS launch -- The DS is predicted to be up 129% year-over-year thanks to the DSi. "Without the DSi, hardware sales would have likely been down by over 27%."In software, Rhythm Heaven's "sales performance has been nothing short of amazing," according to Divnich, with sales of around 154,000 copies. The reason? "Nintendo's ability to leverage an effective marketing campaign using a celebrity (Beyonce)." Hopefully some of the people who bought it because they saw Beyonce playing it will then play it themselves. They might like it!
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.
Thrustmaster intros T-Standee and T-Strap chargers for Nintendo DSi
Looking for a new way to burn money on your DSi? How's about a few new charging solutions from the folks at Thrustmaster? Today, both the T-Standee Charger and T-Strap Charger were introduced, with the former expected in mid-June for $12.99 and the latter checking in next month for a penny under $8. As the name implies the T-Standee is basically a charging kickstand / docking station, while the T-Strap builds a charging port right into the strap that can be connected to any powered USB socket for on-the-go recharging. Gnarly, right? Full release is after the break.
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%
DSiCade brings free games to your DSi browser
If you're like us, then you've probably been enjoying Dr Mario Express and trying to find a place where you can enjoy WarioWare Snapped. And that's probably where your free 1,000 DSi points went, so how else can you enjoy free games on your DSi? Enter DSiCade.com.DSiCade allows you to play games on your DSi through its browser, as well as chat with other members on the site through the Shout Box! feature. The site itself is kind of bare bones at the moment, with only Missile Command and Simon Says clones available to play, but based on how well these games play, we'd say you should keep an eye on the site. We're no Simon, but we say that this will be a great destination for your DSi's browser in the future -- when there's more content on offer.[Via Pocketgamer]
Japan getting Wii video service May 1st, complete with DSi connectivity
We haven't been hearing a whole lot about the planned video distribution service for the Wii as of late, but looks like folks in Japan will soon be able to try it out first hand, as the service is set to launch in the country on May 1st. Dubbed the "Wii no Ma Channel," the service is rolling out with a little help from advertising firm Denstu, and includes both free and paid content, as well as some other various services and special offers from sponsors. Even more interesting, however, is word that a free DSi app will launch alongside the service, which will let you download video from the Wii to the DS, and even download coupons from advertisers, which can then be scanned directly from the screen. Head on past the break for a quick video overview -- which, of course, doesn't include any word of a launch 'round here.
Wii video service launches in Japan May 1, features DSi connectivity
Nintendo has launched the Japanese site for the "Wii no Ma Channel," the video service the company is launching with advertising producer Dentsu. The site offers a launch date for the free channel: May 1. A series of videos on the site helps explain all of the slightly weird features.The channel takes the form of a family room, around which up to eight Miis from one system can gather. Clicking on the room's TV accesses the video download service, which will include both free and paid content. No programming has been announced yet, though one of the videos after the break uses nature show footage as an example. Clicking on a houseplant will take users to the sponsor area, where they can find free trials of services and special offers from advertisers.The Wii no Ma Channel is also usable on the DSi, via a free app called Dokodemo Wii no Ma (Anywhere Wii no Ma). This app allows users to download video from the Wii to the DS, as well as sponsor coupons. In the video, a coupon for a fast-food restaurant is downloaded to the DSi, to be scanned from the screen![Via Andriasang]
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.
Nintendo moves 435,000 DSi handhelds during first week in US
We already heard that the Big N managed to lighten its DSi inventory by 300,000 during the handheld's first full weekend in America, and apparently another 135,000 procrastinators swooped in to grab one as the week finished up. Potentially more amazing, however, is the overall impact of Nintendo in the month of March. Last month, Nintendo systems accounted for just south of 60 percent (58.4 percent, if you must know) of all video game hardware sold in America. And yeah, that's even despite a shocking 17 percent drop in Wii sales during the same 30 day window. Have we mentioned lately that things seem to be going quite well in the Mushroom Kingdom? 'Cause they definitely do.[Via Joystiq]
