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Nintendo shares fall after surprising drop in Wii demand
Nintendo may have been denying any rumors of a Wii price cut earlier this month, but it looks like it could possibly be reconsidering its options if this latest sales trend keeps up. Apparently, sales in the U.S. for the month of March clocked in at around 601,000 consoles, or about a 17% drop from a year earlier. During the same period, however, Xbox 360 sales were reportedly up a healthy 26%, while PlayStation 3 sales dipped 15% -- although, in sheer numbers, both were still well behind the Wii. That unsurprisingly didn't make investors too happy, with Nintendo shares falling 6.6% on the Osaka Securities Exchange after the news broke, which accounted for it's biggest drop in more than two months. Also contributing to the sell-off was a 19% drop in Nintendo DS sales compared to the previous year, although the company seems to be betting pretty heavily that the DSi will quickly turn those numbers around.
VC Friday: Mixed Messages about whether this is a Rambo game
This week on the PAL DSi Shop, Vicarious Visions' Mixed Messages allows players to enjoy a game in which ideas become increasingly warped over time. Kind of like what happened to one of this week's Virtual Console games! Sega of Japan made a top-down commando game and called it Ashura. Sega of America heard "Ashura" as "Rambo" somehow, while Sega of Europe heard "Secret Command." For that matter, miscommunication is one of the only possible explanations for Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars, which is almost too freaky to have been made like that intentionally. Mixed Messages -- DSiWare -- 500 Points Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars -- Sega Master System -- 500 Points Secret Command -- Sega Master System -- 500 Points Videos of each game are available after the break. Write descriptions of them and send them to a friend!
Ask Joystiq Nintendo: Donkey Kong Generation Gap Edition
This week in Ask Joystiq Nintendo, unfortunately, is all about stuff that just isn't going to happen. The DS might have gotten a browser update with the DSi, but the update wasn't in the area people really wanted. In the process of discussing your questions (which you can send to us by email at asknintendo AT joystiq DOT com!), we also reveal that I am a fossil.
Ask Joystiq Nintendo: Interwebs Edition
This week in Ask Joystiq Nintendo, we deal mostly with issues relating to the DS and the Internet -- how to get online with a DS system, and interfacing with the Internet once you get there. We also start the Countdown to New DSi Colors, for the benefit of those of you who are somehow unsatisfied with the blue DSi (or the Gyakuten Kenji white DSi).Do you have a question for the sages experts dudes at Joystiq Nintendo? Simply email your query to asknintendo AT joystiq DOT com, and we will stare at it until an answer becomes apparent!
Nintendo DSi torn asunder, sized up against DS Lite's innards
Sure, we saw the Nintendo DSi get its teardown treatment back in November, but now that it's available stateside, iFixit's decided to go for round two and rip the portable completely apart, snapping pics at each painful step. Taking it a step further, we also get to see in finer detail some of the differences between the new hardware and its DS Lite predecessor, including the now smaller 840mAh battery that we hear's been contributing to some shorter play sessions. For all the gritty imagery, kindly point your mouse to the read link below.[Via Wired]
DSitality: Tearing down a Nintendo DSi
Some of us looked forward to the Nintendo DSi's release for the new DSiWare, others for the improved tech. But, for the folks at iFixit, it was more about tearing the thing apart.Not only do they provide a picture-by-picture teardown of the Nintendo DSi, but they also compare its guts to that of its predecessor, the DS Lite. Sure, we know all about what's under the hood, but there's a certain charm to looking directly at internal components. Just make sure the kids are tucked in. This is grown folks linkage.
Vicarious Visions introduces DSiWare party game Mixed Messages
It just occurred to us how perfect the multiplayer-only LOL would have been on DSiWare. As a 500 Nintendo Point download, four players could download the quirky application whenever they had five minutes to spare, and enjoy it immediately, for the cost of just one copy of Agetec's retail game. We just realized this because Vicarious Visions' Mixed Messages is pretty much just that.Well, it's a bit more directed and gamelike than LOL, but very similar nonetheless. Mixed Messages is a take on "telephone," in which players alternately type sentences and draw pictures based on them. One player writes a sentence, then another draws it, and then the next player writes a sentence based on that picture, and so on. The game saves sessions for the enjoyment of all afterward.VV has been playing with this idea for two years, but the program was too small for retail and required too much rewriteable memory for the DS. DSiWare to the rescue! Mixed Messages is slated for the DSiWare "launch window," which is basically anytime now!
WarioWare Snapped! and our inability to play it [update]
Update: Nintendo got back to us and had the following to say: "Facial recognition works best when the camera can properly see your face." We tried to drill them for more, but that's all we could get. So, try to play in an area with a lot of light, we suppose. Have you tried to play WarioWare Snapped! yet? We have, and we couldn't get past the camera calibration tool. The game says that our skin tone too closely resembles the color of the background. Considering our skin is a light peach and the walls are completely white, we're wondering what the problem is. Also, trying to use the game against, say, a dark blue background has been no help either. Have any of you had trouble playing the game, or has it all been smooth sailing?We've put word in to Nintendo and will be sure to update you as soon as we receive a response.%Gallery-48555% Got DSi on the brain? Check out our in-depth unboxing feature that shows off the handheld's features, and be sure to stay up to date on DSi-related info through our Nintendo DSi tag. And if you want to try and win one, we're giving away 3 systems right here!
Ubisoft's My Healthy Cooking Coach is DSi Enhanced
Ubisoft just announced its first game to take advantage of the DSi's camera feature, and it's, uh, My Healthy Cooking Coach (or simply My Cooking Coach in the UK). The game will work on both DS and DSi, but DSi owners will have access to ten extra recipes for some reason (mostly just to make DSi owners feel special, probably), and will be able to use pictures taken with the DSi camera in their own chef profiles. The press release mentions DS and DSi versions, so we've contacted Ubisoft to clarify, in case there are separate cartridges for each system [Update: it's just one DSi-enhanced cartridge].My Cooking Coach contains 240 healthy recipes, along with "tips and tricks to create healthy and delicious meals that will delight friends and family." My Cooking Coach will arrive in June.%Gallery-49392%
Sony spins out of control, says DSi ignores 'significant gamer demographic groups'
Trying his very best to minimize the impact of the Nintendo DSi launch, Sony's John Koller sent out a statement that basically says that the new product isn't a big deal compared to the PSP. That's expected, right? What isn't expected is how far he has to travel outside of reality to get to that conclusion. "Significant gamer demographic groups are being ignored," Koller said, "and there continues to be limited opportunities for games from external publishers to do well on the DSi." We suppose that the new options for third-party games are somewhat limited by the fact that it's the same platform, although there is that whole downloadable game store thing now.But here's where it gets really weird: "Compare that with the PSP platform, where we have many blockbuster franchises from our publishing partners launching this year, representing a wide variety of genres and targeting diverse demographics. Games such as Rock Band Unplugged from MTV Games, Assassin's Creed from Ubisoft, Dissidia Final Fantasy from Square Enix, and Hannah Montana from Disney demonstrate the commitment that publishers have to the PSP."The same franchises demonstrate the commitment that publishers have to the DS! Assassin's Creed came out on DS last year. Doesn't that say something about Ubisoft's priorities? In addition, a Final Fantasy game came out on DS just last month, adding to the rather large lineup of Final Fantasy games. Hannah Montana has been out on DS forever, in multiple iterations. And as for Rock Band ... well, okay. The DS doesn't have a Rock Band game. Just three Guitar Heroes. So who's being ignored? People who really love God of War, perhaps.
Nintendo talks core, third parties, and DSi
During a recent interview with Gamasutra, Nintendo's Denise Kaigler spoke about a slew of subjects sensitive to the Nintendo loyal. Core gaming, third-party support, and the new DSi were just a few of the subjects Kaigler touched on. In regards to the core, Kaigler says that developing games for that audience is important for "everybody, the industry, certainly for Nintendo, but most of all, for consumers." She points to Zelda: Spirit Tracks as a game for that audience.Moving on to third-party support, we're starting to see more and more third parties recognize Nintendo's platforms. Kaigler says that being able to offer that 150 million user base between the two systems is very enticing to those developers. But, she notes that Nintendo wants to impart its own success on the platform and show these developers how it has achieved success (see: characters with floating, circular hands in everything), which might tie into those poor sales figures for the recent original, mature games MadWorld and House of the Dead: Overkill.Finally, no interview with a Nintendo exec can skip the company's latest handheld, the Nintendo DSi. Some folks (especially commenters on Joystiq) have felt the handheld doesn't improve enough over the DS Lite, especially for the price it's demanding. Kaigler, however, argues that the new handheld has plenty to offer, pointing out the DSi's popularity on Amazon and at GameStop through pre-order figures, as well as the one feature that we think too many people are overlooking: DSiWare.
Virtual Wares: Introducing DSiWare
It's a big week for Nintendo fans. First of all, the first 6 downloadable goodies on the US DSi Shop are available, and we've got 1 new WiiWare and Virtual Console title to consider. So let's not waste any time and get right down to the nitty-gritty. What will you be downloading this week?%Gallery-39654%
Nintendo DSi now available in North America
At long last, US and Canadian gamers can finally join their European and Japanese brethren in picking up Nintendo's latest portable, the DSi. Price of entry is $170 and if you're interested in a color more vibrant than blue and black, you'll probably be waiting a while. Anyone picking this up on day one?
Reggie: DSiWare about quality, not quantity, third-party titles coming soon
Wired recently talked with Nintendo president Reggie FIls-Aime and the upcoming DSi was obviously a focal point of the conversation. More specifically, when quizzed about the DSi Shop and potential DSiWare that will populate its virtual shelves, Reggie wanted to stress that Nintendo will be focusing on quality titles, and not an overabundance of games and apps, like one might see on the iPhone. Reggie rather smartly compares the emphasis on quality over quantity to that of a film festival and YouTube. He says Nintendo will focus on "high-class content done by knowledgeable developers," instead of the "YouTube approach of everything under the sun that is difficult for the consumer to navigate through."He also says that the company will be granting third parties licenses to develop DSiWare and titles should be available around six weeks after the DSi's launch. But, he stresses that these companies need to create experiences unique to the platform and not available anywhere else, so don't expect a DSi version of SSFIITHDR or anything.
Nintendo DSi on sale in Europe, DSi Shop open for business (video)
Nintendo's DSi, the youngest of the dual screen triplets, is now available in Europe, priced at £150 (US $222) in UK and €170 elsewhere. As for everyone across the pond, we'll have to wait until Sunday for the official North America debut, but if you somehow managed to procure one early (hello there!), you can check out the DSi Shop, which has officially flung open its doors for eager buyers. Check out video of Josh spending some quality time with the DSi Shop after the break.
BDA Power A accessories hope to protect, enhance your DSi experience
BDA is offering up a slew of accessories to compliment your new Nintendo DSi. From screen protectors to sleeves, right down to colored stylii, the folks at BDA are hoping you'll spend a few extra coins to protect that investment come April 5. You can check out their various wares in the gallery below and find them at your local retailer.%Gallery-49252% Got DSi on the brain? Check out our in-depth unboxing feature that shows off the handheld's features, and be sure to stay up to date on DSi-related info through our Nintendo DSi tag!
Oh snap! DSi commercial demonstrates advanced mockery features
It's strange to see a Nintendo commercial that advertises one of the company's products to college-age dudes, but that's exactly what this DSi commercial seems to do. Most Nintendo commercials these days are aimed at, and feature, the "expanded audience" -- as in people other than the stereotypical male "gamer." What's funny is how different the tone of the commercial is than others: like most Nintendo commercials, the two principals in this ad are using Nintendo consoles to be social; but these two dudes use the DSi's camera and photo manipulation features to be total jerks to each other.%Gallery-48558%[Via GoNintendo]
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.
Ask Joystiq Nintendo: All DS Edition
In this week's Ask Joystiq Nintendo, in anticipation of the North American DSi launch (and also because we got a bunch of DS questions) we address some of the most worrisome issues related to the DS! Most notably the nagging issue of the DSi's regional limitations, but we also discuss flashcart compatibility and the ever-present threat of fake cartridges from eBay. Do you have a question about the Wii, DS, or anything else related to Nintendo? Send us an email at asknintendo AT joystiq DOT com!
Nintendo DSi unboxing and hands-on!
Now this is a pleasant surprise. We expected to get our hands on a DSi, just not today. Like the baby in a carriage of fictions-past, the little bundle of gadget joy arrived on our doorstep this morning. Regardless, Nintendo has outdone themselves on presentation this time around, seating the console in a large box that emits a sample of cheers and shines bright lights on you when you pop the lid. Seriously. Other than that, the DSi is about what we expected -- slimmer, sleeker, lighter... generally a lot more DS-y. We ran into a few issues off the bat, like the fact that it can connect to our network, but not to Nintendo servers (this is an issue addressed in the manual -- it makes no sense to us), and we found the menus to be slightly unwieldy to navigate through, but mostly we're as excited as school children on X-mas morning. Take a look at the vast gallery below to see what's what, and stay tuned for a more in-depth look at the DSi.
