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Portables (Games) GameCube (Games)

Nintendo DS Hands On 213

Posted by Zonk from the two-screens-mean-double-the-pleasure dept.
The Big N's media event went off well, and people have finally had a chance to experience the playability and feel of the DS system. Penny Arcade has commentary from Gabe and Tycho, and Gamespot gives it a look as well. Quoth Tycho: "The final analysis: I am overjoyed that Nintendo isn't completely nuts, which was my fear initially. This is a pretty cool little machine. But the opening salvo is a little soft in the genres I prize most, and there's no stand-out title that forces my hand on the system."
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Nintendo DS Hands On More

Nintendo DS Hands On

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  • Just wait (Score:2, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward
    and there's no stand-out title that forces my hand on the system.


    My understanding is that Nintendo is working on both a hypnotist game - word is it's much better than "Cats" and you'll want to play it again and again - and a game called "Current" which is so involving you involuntary grip your hands on the DS and just can't put it down.

  • apparently there arent enough produced for xmas (Score:5, Informative)

    by hookedup ( 630460 ) on Friday October 08, 2004 @06:27PM (#10475612)
    check it out here [engadget.com]

    like they say, i wonder if they are going to be causing fights in the stores, like the tickle-me-elmo craze..

  • The controls sound intuitive (Score:5, Funny)

    by ARRRLovin ( 807926 ) on Friday October 08, 2004 @06:27PM (#10475619)
    " You use the stylus on the bottom screen to look around and double tap it to jump. In just a few minutes I was pulling off classic FPS maneuvers like jumping, spinning around and shooting Tycho in the fucking face."

    Shooting people in the face........what people have been longing for in a handheld system.

  • DS is a new age of gaming (Score:5, Informative)

    by wobedraggled ( 549225 ) on Friday October 08, 2004 @06:28PM (#10475629) Homepage
    The touch screen opens so many new avenues of gaming, I cannot wait to see what dev's cook up for it. check out the puppy demo for example http://gba.n64europe.com/specials/nintendogsflash. html [n64europe.com]

    • Re:DS is a new age of gaming (Score:4, Interesting)

      by bogie ( 31020 ) on Friday October 08, 2004 @06:54PM (#10475823) Journal
      Cute. Is that an actual realtime demo running on a DS? That sim alone would sell millions. Hell, imagine grooming your own dog and then playing with another DS user and seeing the two dogs jump from screen to screen?
    • hm..
      yes it does open new avenues of gaming, but since DS is the only one with dual screen like this, how many game producer/publisher/developers would invest into developing a game only for DS? I'm not sure the $$ figures needed to develop games for DS but it wont be small..
      if the games cant be sold in multiple platform, in near future i see lots of Marios and Pokemons and other Nintendo-produced games..
      • Well, as far as console goes, DS games are going to have to be a one of, however, I foresee a lot of PCDS action... a good RPG, RTS, or adventure game engine where the graphics and resolution could be scaled up and down depending on the system (which any good engine should do), and that uses a built in windowing system to display game information in small subwindows within the full screen game would lend itself to PC and DS equally well, and could be used on a ton of games. (If it isn't clear, a PC with lot
      • Lots of companies have developed single-platform games for GB and GBA. I don't see why the DS would be any different.
      • if the games cant be sold in multiple platform, in near future i see lots of Marios and Pokemons and other Nintendo-produced games..

        Well, thank god. I don't know if you have a GBA(SP) or not, but if you've ever played any of the games, you'd know that the only good games for it are designed for it. Being a portable adds many unique challenges. Games that fail to meet the standards are not needed or welcome. That includes all half-assed multiplatform games, which generally are so poorly done that they are
        • I disagree, a lot of the old NES games are almost ideally suited to a handheld. Who doesn't enjoy running a couple of rounds in Excitebike? Video games used to be universally provided in bite-size pieces.
      • "yes it does open new avenues of gaming, but since DS is the only one with dual screen like this, how many game producer/publisher/developers would invest into developing a game only for DS? I'm not sure the $$ figures needed to develop games for DS but it wont be small.."

        Oh I dunno about that. The bigger bite is that these games run about $30, just like with the GBA. That's a huge bite out of potential profits. That's probably why a lot of portable games out there don't enjoy the same level of dep
    • My god, that is absolutely uncanny. It's like the old Dogz games but with realistic graphics and less soullessness.
    • "The touch screen opens so many new avenues of gaming, I cannot wait to see what dev's cook up for it. check out the puppy demo for example http://gba.n64europe.com/specials/nintendogsflash. htm"

      Son of a bitch!! (no pun intended!)

      Kinda makes ya forget about the PSP, duddn't it?

  • is it just me (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Skadet ( 528657 )
    Is it just me, or is this thing really useless? I think the guy from Penny Arcade had it right: The SP is the perfect size.

    And the touchscreen? What the hell? Who here owns a PDA? Ok. Out of you, how many have lost their stylus at one time or another? All of you? That's what I thought. And we're supposed to stick this thing in the hands of junior-highers? Yikes...

    Nintendo, don't get me wrong... I love you. I love your gold-encrusted Zelda cartridges; I love Mario in a non-homosexual way. But please, lay
    • And it's impossible to replace a 20 cent piece of plastic or temporarily use your finger? Who's smoking the crack?
    • Out of you, how many have lost their stylus at one time or another? All of you?

      I know 5 people atm that regularly use a PDA (including myself). None of them has ever lost a stylus.

      Anyway, if you can think of a reliable and easy way to get precise control out of a touchscreen without a stylus, i'm sure Nintendo would love to hear from ya.

    • Re:is it just me (Score:4, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 08, 2004 @07:15PM (#10475995)
      How many times do I have to say this on Slashdot? It's to the point where I should assign the pasting of this bit of text to an f-key macro:

      NINTENDO DID NOT DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, OR SELL THE POWER GLOVE.

      Blame Mattel.

    • Re:is it just me (Score:3, Insightful)

      by MilenCent ( 219397 )
      I actually like the larger size a lot, for one reason: the touch-screen. A smaller screen would make it difficult to draw and use things like Pictochat.

      Hopefully it'll be big enough that I can sketch on it....

      As for crack in the R&D department, Nintendo has a much better track record for left-field successes than failures, of which the Gameboy is the overreaching example.

    • I trust you realize that anything stylus-shaped will work as a stylus. For instance, a ballpoint pen with the ink cartridge removed. Or how about the fact that you can buy three packs of PDA styluses for little money almost anywhere office supplies are sold?

      The Power Glove was a peripheral ahead of its time. R.O.B. was part of a successful bid to get the NES into stores at a time when "Video Game" toys had basically no credibility, and Nintendo successfully used this strategy to get their system into bi

    • Re:is it just me (Score:4, Interesting)

      by NanoGator ( 522640 ) on Saturday October 09, 2004 @04:36AM (#10477967) Homepage Journal
      "Is it just me, or is this thing really useless?"

      Question: Do you prefer to play some games on the PC over a console because of the mouse interface? Think about it.

      " Ok. Out of you, how many have lost their stylus at one time or another? All of you?"

      No, I haven't. And I've had several PDA devices over the years. Even if I had lost one, calm down man, they're just a hunk of plastic. It's not like Wacom tablets where you MUST have the stylus to use it. Even in the event of a lost tablet, BFD, go buy a cheapy Palm stylus. (As if Nintendo isn't going to make replacement stylus's available.)

      "But please, lay off the crack in the R&D department, huh? R.O.B.? The Power Glove and Power Pad? Virtua Boy? And now... DS."

      Crack in the R&D department? You mean like the analog sticks on the N64 controllers? How about the shoulder buttons on the SNES pad? No? How about the Rumble Pak? 4 controller ports on the front? The original Game Boy? Give Nintendo some credit, you owe several 'revolutions' in gaming (note: don't confuse revolution with invention.) to Nintendo. If that's not enough, go watch the Dogs demo. If even that isn't enough, consider that the DS is a GBA compatible + 3D processing + twice the screen real-estate with wireless features.

      You have to try REAL hard not to see what this thing brings to the table.

  • Now I need new pants! (Score:5, Funny)

    by Kenja ( 541830 ) on Friday October 08, 2004 @06:30PM (#10475649)
    Curse you Nintendo! Now I need new pants to hold all the electronic gizmos I own or will soon own. This DS unit is the proverbial straw that breaks the camels back (or in this case his pants). To date I have a Rio Karma to get my Ogg on, a Toshiba e805 PDA to play Sam and Max Hit the Road (love PocketSCUMM), my Nokia 3650 cell phone and leatherman multi tool. Where oh great purveyor of Mario am I expected to put this new porta game system?
    • Having long been a fan of pockets, I have come to realize that pockets built into your pants are not an ideal solution. Not very configurable, and you have to pull out your stuff whenver you change pants. This is where ALICE gear [olive-drab.com] can come in oh so useful.

    • No, you need a E-Vest! (Score:5, Interesting)

      by way2trivial ( 601132 ) on Friday October 08, 2004 @07:20PM (#10476030) Homepage Journal
      http://www.scottevest.com/

      SCOTTeVEST (SeV) designs functional and fashionable clothing that's so innovative that it's worn by the Secret Service. SeVs have up to 42 hidden pockets and a patent-pending Personal Area Network (PAN). The PAN allows you to carry and use your electronic devices such as cell phones, PDA's, and MP3 players, without the mess of dangling wires. Our unique design allows you to store all of your gadgets and gear without looking like a geek. With removable sleeves, you can also wear as a vest. Click here to see our latest product line. Our products are also used as a better solution for concealed carry weapons (CCW) and tactical vests.

    • Bat Belt, my friend, Bat belt.

  • Game titles: Zelda (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Antony-Kyre ( 807195 ) on Friday October 08, 2004 @06:33PM (#10475663)
    If they could fit the first five Zelda games onto one catridge, that would be a start. Perhaps even upgrading the graphics of Zelda I and II, but leave the game the same.
    • Of course they can fit. It's just a question of making more money by not making such a dumb business descision.

    • Re:Game titles: Zelda (Score:2, Interesting)

      by Kobun ( 668169 )
      On the upgraded graphics note, go check out http://www.zeldaclassic.com/ The game includes an additional module that, instead of replicating the original NES graphics, seeks to have the original game with graphics similar to the SNES verion.
    • "If they could fit the first five Zelda games onto one catridge, that would be a start. Perhaps even upgrading the graphics of Zelda I and II, but leave the game the same."

      Fascinating. I've now seen both flames and praise for Nintendo's ports of their classic games modded up.

      • Well, there's a large difference between what the grandparent poster is suggesting, and what Nintendo is doing. I wouldn't mind paying for a portable cartridge with multiple classic games, especially newer ones like Ocarina of Time (which is possibly the best game ever in my opinion). However, paying $20 for one old NES game is insane, especially when the technology allows for tons of NES games on a single cartridge.
    • Why upgrade the graphics? I prefer the original NES graphics... they give a nice retro feel, and the gameplay is still simple and fun.

  • For right handed people only? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by lietkynes65 ( 694539 ) on Friday October 08, 2004 @06:43PM (#10475733)
    Being a left handed person, when I try to use a pen like object with my right hand, it doesn't quite work the way i want it too (I'm sure everyone has tried to write with their other hand once in their lives. This means I will have trouble holding the machine and useing the dpad with my left hand and trying to write on the screen. Any writing would be illegable. I most likely couldnt make precision movements required in an fps if I cant make an uppercase K on paper with a pen.

    • No (Score:2, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward
      The Nintendo DS, when you use pen-based games, is set up so that the ABXY buttons on the right side mirror the D-pad on the left. Left-handed people will hold the pen with their left hand and use the ABXY keys as a D-pad with their right hand.

    • Re:For right handed people only? (Score:5, Interesting)

      by EvilFrog ( 559066 ) on Friday October 08, 2004 @07:08PM (#10475941)
      The buttons on the right are arranged in a cross for that very purpose- in Metroid the buttons and the d-pad both do the same thing.

      This may sound awkward, but I've played other games that use a similar control layout (MDK2 for the Dreamcast, for example) that worked rather well. I'm left handed myself, and the concept doesn't bother me too much (or at all for that matter).

      Of course, I just bought my first Gameboy (an SP) earlier this year, so I'm really in no hurry to get a DS anytime soon. I think I'll wait and see if anything worthwhile gets released for it first.

      • "The buttons on the right are arranged in a cross for that very purpose- in Metroid the buttons and the d-pad both do the same thing."

        Heh. As much as everybody here hates the Virtual Boy, it had a D-Pad on both sides of the controller. Sadly, that particular innovation never took off. Well.. I guess it kinda did on the N64 controller...

        I'm curious, do left-handed people have trouble playing on modern consoles? Is it something you get used to? Is it just the stylus that's a problem?
    • They thought of this. you can switch the functions of the D Pad and the ABXY pad. They are the exact same shape, so you would hold the stylus in your left hand, and hold the device in your right.
    • Yeah, I was pretty annoyed too when I first looked at the DS, and how games seem to expect the player to handle both the d-pad and the stylus, left-handedness be damned.

      Still, it's not really surprising that they completely ignored left-handed issues, since this is a Japanese system, and from what I can tell in Japan being left-handed is still unaccepted by the society, like back in a few decades here.

  • A whole crapload of screenshots (Score:5, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 08, 2004 @06:44PM (#10475741)
    Can be found here. [penny-arcade.com] I recommend them highly.

    Be sure to note the insanity that is Pac-Pix and this screenshot. [com.com]

    Also click here to see videos of Mario 64-DS and Metroid Hunters in action. [planetgamecube.com]

  • Oh, you -know- I'm getting that. (Score:3, Interesting)

    by InfinityWpi ( 175421 ) on Friday October 08, 2004 @06:44PM (#10475745)
    Especially since it's $150, and I can trade in the old GBA for $25, the old SP for maybe $40... it'll still play GBA games, so it's all good. C'mon, nobody complained about Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo Tournament Edition... don't complain about Nintendo Gameboy Advanced SP Dual-Screen Edition.

  • Just So (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Sagara Sozou ( 726002 )
    All this talk of Nintendo being on crack doesn't matter much. Even if the system isn't that great, Nintendo has a star line-up of games. Just the fact that Square is releasing Final Fantasy 3 (which never before came to america) to the handheld will win over thousands from the PSP. With good marketing and a few good games, it'll be fine.
    • Yeah, Square-Enix is porting FF3 to the DS, but that's in Japan. They haven't announced a US release. I wouldn't be surprised if we never get it.

      Square has never been all that good to their US fanbase. The first time through we only got about half of their games. Some of them (especially Front Mission 1 & 2, Seiken Densetsu 3, and Final Fantasy III) we still have never gotten official translations of. For the most part their English translations are rushed and shoddy, although in recent years they've d

  • Righthandedness, etc. (Score:5, Interesting)

    by DeanCubed ( 814869 ) on Friday October 08, 2004 @06:57PM (#10475854)
    PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, RTFA! The XYAB buttons are designed to replace the D-pad for lefties. You just use your left hand with the stylus, and the R buttonand Lbutton switch places, and the D-Pad and XYBA buttons switch places. It's that simple. And for the people worried about battery life, again, RTFA. Or go read IGN's interview with Reggie Fils-Aime. Battery life is about what the SP's is. They've come out and said "somewhere from 8 - 10 hours, depending on use, volume, WiFi, etc." And I can't believe people are still using the word "virtual boy" when talking about this thing. This has a better launch/near launch lineup than any system Nintendo has released since the SNES. And it has hundreds of games being worked on right now for it. Virtual Boy had what, 20 in total or something? Everyone knows this will be a big hit. I mean, seriously, wireless multiplayer Sims and Mario Kart and Metroid... Absolutely pure money trees. And rumors of a new Pokemon RPG, plus the movie-downloading stuff, the "go to EB and download demos of new games" stuff, the "whatever warp-pipe is doing" stuff, the "Final Fantasy 3 finally being officially translated" stuff, the "Built in wireless chat" stuff... and it just keeps going on and on... This thing will dominate for sure, and the PSP really isn't any comeptition. Totally different target markets other than age and the fact that they play games. And it's got it's own set of problems... still no word on price or launch specifics, games, BATTERY LIFE, etc. It has the potential to kick ass, but I think it would have better luck if it released for sub-$200 in a few years rather than trying to take over the DS's market. Nintendo is keeping the gameboy brand for the sub-18 year olds, and the DS's demographic is 18-24. PSP is for 21-30. It's a bit of overlap, but the price difference and game styles will seperate them enough that those with good jobs in the overlap will just get both.
    • And remember: it'll play GBA games. Much like the SP pretty much cannibalized sales of the original GBA, this should take over a lot of the sales of the SP (hmm... $80 for an SP or $150 for a DS that can do everything the SP can, plus a lot more?)
    • Here's how I look at it. Despite the system's short life, relatively speaking, I have had no reason to regret getting my Dreamcast. I can't tell you the hours I've spent just with Crazy Taxi, let along the other games for it. (Typing of the Dead itself is worth getting a Dreamcast and a keyboard for.)

      Even if the DS falls flat on its face, which I rather think it won't, Metroid Prime Hunters, Mario 64 DS, PacPix and WarioWare DS by themselves would make the system worth it. Add in Pictochat, which is bu

  • Two games have me sold on this (Score:3, Interesting)

    by ildon ( 413912 ) on Friday October 08, 2004 @07:28PM (#10476090)
    Two games:
    Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles and Zelda: Four Swords.

    Only now no longer limited to a TV, and (possibly) only four players, and needing to buy like ten accessories.

    I realize these games are basically at "rumor" stage for the DS now, but if and when they come out, I WILL buy a DS. Maybe two.

  • I'm finally convinced (Score:4, Insightful)

    by kerrle ( 810808 ) on Friday October 08, 2004 @08:33PM (#10476421) Journal
    I was not originally convinced that the touchscreen would be a worthwhile addition, but I am now.

    Gamespot Movie [gamespot.com]

    In this movie, it's incredibly clear that not only does the device work, but Metroid Hunters actually has more PC like control than any console based FPS I've seen - essentially, the stylus acts as the mouselook, and the d-pad works like your standard WASD keys. I'm convinced; that's all it comes down to. I can also see things like Flight sims, which, with the stylus, will now have enough area for complete controls, and can do more than one plane. For more "innovative" games, I'm sure we can rely on Sega and Nintendo, but I'm happy if this is what we get.

  • ...are geniuses and deserve every Dollar or Yen they earn, imho.
    The DS has just enough features to pass as an inovation and offer enthusiasts a reason to by it, but unobstrusive enough so n00bs on mobile gaming can join the fray.
    Apple does things very much the simular way. The japanese call it "Kuy-Zen". Copy the things or rebuild them, and then start improving them bit by bit.
    Their philosophy shows in every thing they do nowadays. No wonder Nintendo is doubling its revenue on something like a half year bas

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