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Gotta wear 'em all [update 1]
We don't advise buying gifts for anyone who won't show you their Pokemans, but for anyone willing to show you them, you might want to look into these cute little Poke-watches. They've got a bright, retro look that's sure to catch the eye of other Pikachu devotees in the area. Looks like they're available in both red and blue, and while we're big fans of the color blue in general, red just seems a little more evocative of all things Pokemon.[Thanks to Kefka for inspiring this image way back when.][Update 1: A terrible typo.]
DS Daily: Guilty pleasures
You know what we're talking about. Everyone has that game that they just absolutely love that their friends don't quite understand. Maybe you're surrounded by Madden fans, but you just can't get enough of Super Princess Peach. Maybe you love Pokemon, even though everyone you know thinks it's silly. Sometimes, you love something so much that you just don't care what anyone thinks. What is it for you?
Panel de Pon coming to DS
We have great news for puzzle fans! Panel de Pon, aka Tetris Attack, aka Pokémon Puzzle League, aka Puzzle League is going to get a DS release in Japan in April, according to some rumor-hounds at NeoGAF. This marks the first time we can think of that the same game has appeared on both the Game Boy Advance and the DS.We can think of one thing in particular that could elevate this new version over its predecessors: delicious online multiplayer. We're dreaming of future Game Nights already.
Gotta pre-catch 'em all: Pokemon preorder bonuses
If you've been on the fence about this whole Pokémon thing, just waiting to be convinced about the monster-collecting genre (thus giving away your rock-underside-located residential status) then Nintendo knows just how to tempt you: free junk. Preorder the new DS Poké-games, Diamond and Pearl, from the Gamestop -EB mega-retail conglomerate and you'll be rewarded with a stylus! Also included is a ... stylus ... holder! It's a holder for your stylus! (Back in our day, we had stylus holders too. We called them DSes.)Naturally, both of these items are decorated with Pokemans, so friends who come anywhere near your DS-wielding hand or your designated DS Accessories Storage Area will be tipped off about your pathological need -- your addiction -- to catch 'em. Also, it wouldn't be Pokémon if there were no incentive to buy both games -- in the case of these bonuses, the styli each have a different little Poké-mascot on top: Dialga for the Diamond version and Palkia for the Pearl version. We assure you that those are real Pokémon names and not rare diseases. Or maybe both? We don't have medical degrees.[Via GayGamer]
Friday Video: Let me show you them
Since Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl continue to crush all kinds of sales records in Japan, we thought it only fitting that this week's featured video revisit the game, which is only a couple months away here in the U.S. This one's not new, but that doesn't mean it doesn't show off some Pokemans Pokémon action. Check it out after the jump.
Cute game cases for the Mario and Pokemon fan
Siliconera has documented the above game cases, which are distributed in Japan by company Takara Tomy, available for the small price of 200 yen (about $1.61 USD) each. The only snag is that you do not get to pick which one you get, instead offering your money int he hopes that you'll randomly get any case other than the bricks. We've included the Pokemon cases after the post break, which will become available next month.
Diner Dash for PSP
Casual games are getting more popular than Pokemon porn lately and so it shouldn't be any surprise that Diner Dash is coming to the PSP. For those unfamiliar with the game, it involves seating customers, picking up orders, serving food, getting paid, cleaning tables and keeping customers happy. Diner Dash started out as a highly popular flash game, but has spawned mobile and downloadable versions as well. Judging from the few screens released, it looks simultaneously better and worse than its PC counterpart, which in of itself can be counted as a unique achievement. Plus, finally I can fulfill my desire to wait on annoying customers in a crowded restaurant and not get paid! But what's up with having to use a cursor on a PSP game? If I wanted to play Diner Dash on the PC, I'd already have upgraded from the Apple IIe I currently use. Some PSP owners and non-owners believe the system needs more quick-play experiences. Will Diner Dash satisfy these people? Let's pretend like we care and await their response, when Diner Dash hits store shelves in May. [Via Gamespot]
Yet another 'games to watch' list
We can only guess that it wasn't enough for the DS to steamroll everything and everyone in 2006. Nintendo wants to own 2007, as well. Not that we're complaining; after all, we are total slaves to our beloved handheld. But it just seems altogether crazy that there could be so many lists predicting great games in the coming year, and that the lists could vary so much. No matter your pleasure, 2007 is bound to be packed with more DS games than you can possibly afford. And in celebration of our future indecision, IGN has offered a list celebrating ten of the best coming games for the year. We've included the full IGN list after the jump, and we'd love to hear how it compares to some of the other lists you've seen since the end of last year, because there's been a ton. We've even dipped a toe into the list-making process ourselves.
DS Daily: How would you connect?
What with Wiis finally showing up again in stores, we thought we'd dedicate today's daily topic to the DS's new sibling and all the possibilities for connectivity. We know the DS is going to be a force in Pokemon Battle Revolution, but since everyone and their brother seems to have at least one DS these days, it seems likely that we'll see more occasions for the DS and Wii to play together. So what we wanna know is -- if you had the power, what would you do? What kind of connectivity would you like to see?
Nintendo holds key to franchise longevity, profitability
As noted earlier, a list published by UK newspaper The Independent reveals what many already assume; Nintendo's Mario is the best-selling franchise of all time. Coupled with the second best-selling franchise Pokémon (also a Nintendo property), the two series, which have sold a combined 348 million games worldwide, account for nearly 34% of the total sales of the top-twenty best-selling franchises; which include two additional Nintendo IPs ranked in the top ten, Donkey Kong and Zelda. So what's Nintendo's secret?Cross-culture appeal, spin-offs (e.g., racers, sports titles, puzzlers), brand saturation (e.g., apparel, card games, TV shows), and E-ratings all appear part of a profitable formula built for the long haul.
Sony's 82-inch 1080p Bravia LCD prototype
Because CES really is nothing without some enormous prototype displays hanging on the wall and we have a Pokemon Snap-style desire to catch each one in its habitat.. This one is Sony's recently announced 82-inch Bravia. While it's only a prototype for now, we wouldn't be surprised to see HDTVs this size and bigger become available later next year when Sony and Samsung have an 8G plant like their competitors over at Sharp. As far as we're concerned, this 120Hz refresh LED-backlit x.v.Color compatible screen can't hit shelves soon enough. Sony's 82-inch 1080p Bravia LCD prototype
2007: the year of the DS (again)
2006 was a banner year for gamers, particularly DS gamers. We've got it all: a rainbow of system colors, an incredible library of games, and powerful studios clamoring for a piece of the action. Our favorite handheld consistently rocked out, thundering over the competition -- all the competition -- for the entire year. The DS avalanche of awesome can't possibly continue at this rate ... and yet, when we look at the forthcoming year and the incredible parade of titles set for the year, it seems that the DS will, in fact, continue to dominate global gaming. And we're totally okay with that. Just so you know. If you're still scrambling to finish some of the titles from the latter half of 2006, play harder -- no matter who you are or what you like, you're sure to find at least ten games this year that are must-haves, and that's just among the games we know about right now. What's worse (or is that way, way better?) is that most of them are slated for the next few months. So run through Portrait of Ruin and put aside the hard rockin' Elite Beat Agents (your fingers will thank you for the break), and check after the jump for a few of the games that will drain your free time in 2007.
Pokemon hits the 5 million mark
Pokemon Diamond & Pearl have together managed to sell a combined 5 million copies. This enormous figure comes under three months of the game's release in late September. This news marks Diamond & Pearl as the best-selling Pokemon title in Japan yet.See also: Diamond/Pearl online play rumors Nintendo announces official date for Pokemon US release [Thanks Brandon!]
Pokemon struggles on Wii
If Nintendo execs assumed Pokemon Diamond & Pearl's chart-topping popularity would be an indication of Pokemon Battle Revolution's inevitable success, they were wrong. Despite Japanese shipments of Diamond & Pearl recently hitting the five-million mark, Battle Revolution, Wii's first online title, has struggled to make an impact on the sales chart, with only 67,607 copies sold in its first full week of release; by comparison, 69,923 units of Wii Sports were sold during that same period.
Nintendo: Pokemon importers beware
Nintendo's Robert Sanders says they " in no way condone the importing of games into territories other than where they are supposed to be sold." Now, with online details about the latest Pokemon installment for the American territory scarce, leaving some to doubt support for the full fonctionality the game enjoys in Japan, many Americans are looking to import. Nintendo isn't too happy about that, apparently. Robert goes on to say that "in the past, if deemed necessary we will issue cease and desist letters to retailers whom we know are selling imported games not intended for sale within the EEA."
Nintendo oddly silent on Pokemon DS online
With the new era of Pokemon coming out to savage the time of millions of DS owners worldwide, there is one feature we're not hearing much about. That feature? Online play via the DS WiFi feature. With the Wii version of Pokemon getting a serious amount of attention about online play, the lack of DS information is puzzling. Many think that Pearl/Diamond will be completely without online compatibility. However, Nintendo quashed that rumor, saying the online play is there; they prefer the fan base to create their own buzz. Being mum on the next big Pokemon's key feature isn't quite surprising. Nintendo has never had a problem moving handheld Pokemon titles. Nintendo is most likely choosing to focus their efforts on promoting the console version of the franchise, which will have an additional benefit of moving more Wii consoles in the process. Don't worry, Pokemon fans, you'll be throwing down with people around the nation in Pearl/Diamond.
Diamond/Pearl online play rumors
When Chris Kohler starts thinking aloud, panic shoots through the interlaced tubes of the 'net and spreads like a virus. And now look what you've done, Mr. Kohler. You've made the Pokefans cry. The story: Kohler noticed that in the blitz of press releases regarding Pokemon Diamond and Pearl in the U.S., local multiplayer was mentioned, but not the WiFi play that had Pokemasters everywhere drooling. And lo did the speculation begin -- and a legion of sites leaped onto the bandwagon with full force. But take heart! Nintendo confirmed to GameLife that WiFi play would in fact be preserved for the U.S. releases of Diamond and Pearl, so everyone is free to take a breath and untangle their twisted knickers, for all is well with the Pokemon. Now all you have to worry about is waiting for April.
Nintendo working on Wii/DS connectivity
In speaking with UK news site MCV, Nintendo's very own DS Product Manager James Honeywell confirmed that the company is working on software to further bring the DS and Wii together, beyond the only title we've seen with the feature so far in Pokemon Battle Revolution. James also speaks on Nintendo's exact focus for this, claiming that Nintendo's competitors "might offer connectivity between formats, but it concentrates on media capabilities, rather than the fun and interaction you'll get when you bring our two consoles together."James, obviously, didn't drop any names that the company plans on utilizing this feature with in the future. He did, however, further emphasize that DS/Wii connectivity is going to be something entirely different than Nintendo's rivals, where the Xbox 360 and PC connect for streaming video and other media-related goodies. James says the "link-up between Wii and DS will be much more about offering new forms of gameplay, fun and interaction." Sounds good, but give us game names already!
Nintendo working on software for DS/Wii connectivity
In speaking with UK news site MCV, Nintendo's very own DS Product Manager James Honeywell confirmed that the company is working on software to further bring the DS and Wii together, beyond the only title we've seen with the feature so far in Pokemon Battle Revolution. James also speaks on Nintendo's exact focus for this, claiming that Nintendo's competitors "might offer connectivity between formats, but it concentrates on media capabilities, rather than the fun and interaction you'll get when you bring our two consoles together."James, obviously, didn't drop any names that the company plans on utilizing this feature with in the future. He did, however, further emphasize that DS/Wii connectivity is going to be something entirely different than Nintendo's rivals, where the Xbox 360 and PC connect for streaming video and other media-related goodies. James says the "link-up between Wii and DS will be much more about offering new forms of gameplay, fun and interaction." Sounds good, but give us game names already!
Nintendo announces official date for Pokemon US release
That rumored Spring date seems to be the real deal as Nintendo sent out a press release stating that Pokemon: Diamond and Pokemon Pearl will be releasing to the US on April 22nd. On top of that, a unique gift will be available to all of those who pre-order the title in some unique styluses, which are said to feature new Pokemon in some way. Nintendo hasn't released any images of the planned styluses, so we'll just have to use our imagination.Personally, we were looking for an announcement of special DS Lites selling bundled with the game, but we guess if they didn't bring them over for Final Fantasy III, then it's foolish to assume Nintendo would do it with Pearl and Diamond. See also: Pokemon pack-ins Pokemon Wi-Fi in action [Thanks BPMΩ]
