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DS Update Job Applications

Down below are the job applications and requirements that are currently available.


News Reporter

1. You must have good writing and spelling

2. Which days you will be able to post news? (i.e. everyday, every other day, two days a week, ect...)

3.You just like posting Nintendo DS and Revolution related news


Editorialist

1. You must have excellent writing and spelling

2. Know what topic in gaming you are going to write

3. You must at least own a console and a portable system

4. Don't be afraid of what other might think of your article, it's what you believe in.

5. You must submit two or more articles monthly


Review/Preview writers

1. You must have excellent writing and spelling

2. You must own a Nintendo DS

3. You must buy DS games monthly (if you have the money and it doesn't matter how many games you purchase)

4. You must submit one or more previews and two or more reviews every two months


Freelance Writer

1. You must have excellent writing and spelling

2. You could actually be a News Reporter, Editorialist, and review/preview writer at the same time

3. Which days you will be able to post news?

4. You must own a console and Nintendo DS

5. You must buy DS games monthly

6. You must at least write one article and one review or preview monthly


Question and Answer Writer

1. You must have knowledge of what's going on in the video game industry

2. You must endure reading countless of mail (including some that should be obvious)

3. Have a funny attitude when you are answering the mail


Please send the following information in your application:

-Username (optional full name)
-Primary E-mail Address
-Which Position You Are Applying Fpr
-Write a sample article which should be one page long (For Editorialist, R/P Writers, and Freelance Writers only)


The deadline is March 8th on Wednesday.

To email the job applications, email to falco8@dsupdate.net with the subject that you are applying for.

-Falco8

Star Wars 3 Review

Slashing… flying… and using the force… the 3 best things about Star Wars: ROS DS. I haven’t played many side-scrollers, but I like this one the most. It is a lot like the old Ninja Turtles arcade game that I love. But just hacking at droids with a light saber can get boring, that’s where Jedi powers come in; you customize your Jedi(either Obi-wan or Anakin) to have the force powers and special moves that you want. Every time you beat a level to can add stats to your Jedi. Both Jedi are different: Obi-wan is not as aggressive as Anakin. Obi-wan mainly uses the force to heal, block, push and pull for him. Anakin, on the other hand, uses the force as a Sith, being more aggressive and using it to choke, to attack more severely with his gaining rage, and throw to his light saber.

The game play seems to follow the movie plot and is some times too fast and sometime too slow. There are things popping out of doors, flying through the air, and dropping from the sky. Sometimes you are so busy wiping the floor with droid parts, that you forget to pick up heath packs and force boosts. Now to the best part of the game: the dogfights in the sky. These are awesome… even though that each player must have a copy of the game it is well worth buying the game to challenge 3 other friends to space war! You can still play by your self and customize 3 other bots to compete against. You also have the choice of playing against a past present, or future Star Wars characters, such as Darth Vader, General Grievous, Boba Fett or even Han Solo, and if you beat them then you can fly in their ship. You can configure the amount of kills (a.k.a frags), the length, enemy ships, the difficulty, and choose from one of 8 different areas.

The graphics are mainly cartoon inspired but are very vivid and fit the game well. The backgrounds are bright but some times get a bit monotonous after trying to beat them man times. In the beginning of the game the famous word scrolling from all the movies comes and explains the game (it’s very cool).

The sound is very smooth and sounds great. It sounds as if you were listening to the movie’s soundtrack. There are many different songs played including The Imperial March, Darth Vader’s theme song, and the Star Wars theme song.

It has little innovation except for the graphics of the dogfights and has a good use of the touch screen while flying (you control the hull and to view either your heath or engine heat or to see the enemy’s whereabouts). This game is a must for anyone who loves side-scrollers, enjoys flight simulators, or wants to blast your friends into hyper space.

My ratings:
· Presentation: 8.0
· Game play: 8.5
· Graphics: 8.5
· Sound: 9.5
· Lasting time: 8.0
· Multi-player: 9.0
Overall an 8.5. A very good game, good job Ubisoft, I have high expectations for your next game. A very good use of the DS’s graphic capabilities and a good game for the Star Wars geek of the world (like myself)

-theONE

Second Opinion: Star Wars Episode 3:
Very well produced, even if it is the same as the GBA Counterpart.
Reminds me very much of the old SNES platformers and Beat 'em Up's.
7.5/10

-D*Nyce

Goldeneye: Rogue Agent Review

Well after months of playing Metroid Prime Hunters we finally get a FPS on the DS, one that should hold you for a good while and with an eight-player multiplayer, why wouldn’t this game hold you over?

Golden Eye: RA has features two modes to choose from Virtual Training and Campaign. The Virtual Training mode helps you figure out the whole game, you can learn how to dual wield, take hostages, and get better at those headshots, which is a personal favorite of mine. You can train in various stages in Virtual Training but only after you unlock them in the campaign mode. The Campaign mode is a fun trip, but it’s really nothing too special, you do what you’re told to do and you battle your way through loads of bad guys to do it. The A.I. isn’t that smart either, when in a gunfight, they will stand in the same spot for ages but they do occasionally move. Also another complaint is that there is no reaction to the enemy when they’re being shot, so it can be a little annoying to tell if you’re doing any damage to them. The gun selection is ok and most of the guns are powerful and if you’re dual wielding, most of the enemies should go down quickly but there are some guns, which prevent from using two weapons at the same time. The stages are done well, enemies can hide around most corners, which can sometimes give you a wake up call and there are plenty of occasions were there are so many enemies that you’ll be sweating a river just to stay alive.Though the game play in Golden Eye: RA could of been a bit better if it wasn’t rushed, this might of been a very good game but it’s still a heck of a ride.

Game play: 7.5/10

Golden Eye: RA is by no means a fun game; it just feels as though it was rushed. Just a few little touch ups and you could had a great game in your hands but this is still a good game no matter what. You’d be surprised how long shooting bad guys can keep you entertained. Big shootouts are also really fun; I haven’t had hand-held game ever excite me as much as this game, which is a really good thing. So I guess you can say that this game did fulfill my expectations. This game sets the mark for all FPS’s that might come to the DS in the future, even if the mark is not set high, it’s still set.

Controls: 8.5/10

The controls in the game are very smooth with the stylus, very easy to shoot the bad guys with great precession. It might take you a quick run through to learn how to pick up weapons, take hostages, and dual-wield, but all it’s pretty simple. Though when enemies it can be a little tricky trying to dual-wield or reload with all the bullets flying by surround you but again a quick run through should help a bunch. There can be 4 modes of controls in the game, one using the stylus, one for the thumb strap, and the other two for left handed players and right-handed players. Personally I have a better time controlling the stylus but I’m sure others think differently.

Graphics: 7.5/10

Graphics in the game are well done, running most of the time at 30fps; I was really surprised what the developers were able to pull off here. Though some of the surroundings could have been done a little better, it’s still nice to look at. Enemies were ok but most of the men were all the same, only a few different enemies here and there. And when you’re playing multiplayer the opposing players character, looks really weird, there is like a huge piece of his clothes sticking out. Explosions are also a little weak; they just don’t look that great.

Story: 6/10

Well, how can I describe the story in Golden Eye: RA? Well, that it is easily forgettable and dull, mainly because all you see is text being typed in front of you, someone talking might of been good but all you see in text and that’s it, with some footage of the level you’re about to enter. But if you can move ahead of that the story does seem ok but there is nothing really there, the only real story is how you got your golden eye and that is in the very beginning after your first mission has ended. Sound: 5/10 Now on to sound, well if you’ve played the game you would know how horrible the sound could be, now I’m not big on sound but this one really did it. The music is horrible, I can’t stand those little techno beats they have, and it’s really annoying. But I guess you can give some credit to the sound for the guns, they are pretty decent but really the whole sound of the game is a big weak spot for this game.

Multiplayer: 8/10

Well a really big plus for Golden Eye is its single-card multiplayer mode, were up to 7 of your friends can duke it out with each other, though the downside to this is that there is only one level to choose from and one form of battle. If you want the whole experience, everyone needs to have a card and up to four players can choose from several different modes of multiplayer modes.

Overall: 7.9/10

-El Mariachi

Second Opinion:
Goldeneye Rogue Agent: People expected a lot from this game, I expected just the average, which is exactly what it was in my opinion. Short story, and an impossible training mission (#4) didn't really turn me on. But fun nontheless. Expecially multiplayer. 7/10

-D*Nyce

Madden 2005 DS

Madden 2005 will be the first 3-D Madden game on a handheld system. The Madden games have been known to be some of the best football games around and now a Madden game is heading its way to the DS. The game does have some major differences from the DS version to the other versions.

The main play of the game is to run through a season, one game, multiplayer, or football drills. The game features all the major NFL teams and some major plays that you can do. The game can play up to 2 players at once and each player controls a different football team.



Madden 2005 features use of both screens, but not very effectively. The lower screen will be used to choose a play and during plays will show a 2-D version of the play being played out. The touch screen is also used for the kickoff and the special kickoff meter. Which is one of the most original parts of this game. The game also features quite well done 3-D graphics which are slightly on the blocky side, but are pretty good when you have to do so many players at once. The graphics on this game are done quite well to say the least.

This game will be the first sports game to appear on the DS with Tiger Woods being delayed. The game will be well done and will probably have high replay value. The game not having online will be a great disadvantage, as I think after Demasked we will see online sports games. The game will probably sell well and will be a fun game. For sports lovers this game will be a must buy for your DS, for those of you that usually only buy one or two sports games per console I would advise to wait till after Demasked is announced. This game still looks well done and deserves a 7/10 for a total appeal score.

Total Appeal Score: 7/10

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits Preview

Genre-
Puzzle

Publisher-
Namco

Developer-
Namco

# of Players-
4

Release Date-
December 2004

ESRB Rating-
Everyone

One of Namco’s sure fire puzzles is coming to DS fast. The Mr. Driller series has been a promising puzzle series in the past few years and is now headed to the DS. The game features many unique features that are not common in many puzzle games now a days.

The game features single player and multiplayer mode up to 4 players. The single mode features series of puzzling levels. The game is you as Mr. Driller having to drill your way through different coloured blocks and have the blocks land in the right order to start a chain reaction. Not only do you just have to drill and line up, but you also have to worry about blocks falling on top of you, and enemies. Single player mode features increasingly challenging levels as you move through and multiplayer allows you to play against 3 of your friends.



The game features pure 2-D graphics and use of both screens, although the top screen is mainly only useful in multiplayer, the screens create a large arena. The touch screen or controls can be used to control Mr. Driller and the game is presented in a similar field to a Tetris game. In 4 player mode the top screens are used to watch your opponents and the bottom screen is to control your playing field.



This game seems to remind me of Dr. Mario for the NES, lining up blocks and worrying about enemies. Although the game is completely different there seems to be some similarities between the two games. This game seems pretty impressive and will probably be good for short amounts of time. This game does not use the DS to its full capacity and I expected more for one of the first puzzle games on the DS. This game seems like it will fall short somewhere, but I can’t put my finger on where. Whether it be the graphics, the controls, or use of the upper screen I think I’ll pass on buying this game first day. There are many other puzzle games that look much more promising like One-Line Puzzle, but overall this game is still looking pretty good.

Total Appeal Rating: 6/10

That's Our Most Anticipated for 2005

Whether you agree with us or not these are the games we think you should be looking out for this year. Hopefully they will all be as good as we expect them to be. From all of us at DS Update, good luck in 2005.

DS Help: Protecting Your DS

Now launch date has come and past, and I hope you all have your shiny new DSs. Now what you have to do is make sure they stay shiny and avoid scratches for the next couple years. This many times is a difficult task when dealing with handhelds, bouncing around in backpacks, in people’s pockets, sometimes even falling down the stairs will not keep your DS looking good or working for very long. The are many different ways of keeping your DS in pristine condition and you need to know them all to keep your DS in the best possible condition.

The Case-
Some type of protective case is necessary when dealing with a $150 purchase. There are many different types of cases that are being produced for the DS that will help keep your DS clean, but some are better than others. First off if you want your DS in the best possible condition a hard case is the way to go, make sure when buying a hard case it has inner padding that will keep your DS from bouncing around. Hard cases are probably the best for your DS, but if you keep it moving around more often or a hard case is a little on the bulky side for you then a soft case is the way to go. There are many different varieties of soft cases available, and many may not even help your DS. When choosing between soft cases for your DS always choose a cloth like material that has some padding, try to stay away from thin leather cases that usually don’t have any padding. Sometimes dyed leather can even make a mark on your DS. Padded cases are always the best when choosing a soft case. When choosing between companies for your cases, Nintendo made cases are almost always better than any third party. With a Nintendo case you are guaranteed some protection, but when Nintendo cases are not available choose between the third party companies which you think will give your DS the protection it needs. Price plays an important role when choosing a case as well, try to choose a middle of the road price. Being cheap will only end up costing you more money, but you don’t want to get ripped off. Usually between $10-$15 is a reasonable price for a DS case. Although the case isn’t the only thing you have to protect on your DS, the screen also needs some protecting.

Screen Protector-
Now screens can get scratched, and with a touch screen they can really get scratched so your going to have to stop these scratches before they happen. The best way to reduce scratches is use only the DS certified touch screen parts. Use the stylus and thumb strap rather than your fingernail, pen, or pencil. Making sure your friends know how to use the DS as well will help reduce the number of scratches on the screen. Along with the touch screen, being sure to close your DS after using it will reduce scratches on the top screen as well. Along with just reducing yourself from touching the screen with pointy objects is not the only thing you can do to reduce scratches. Buying thin plastic covers for the screen can also help. The plastic usually has a small amount of adhesive that will allow it to stick to the screen. The plastic is similar to covers you put on PDA’s ,it is very reliable and will stay stuck to the screen for about a year or two. These screens can be picked up specifically for the DS or you could buy a generic one and have to cut it out yourself for about $5 cheaper. Make sure when you are buying a generic handheld screen you check to see if it uses large amounts of adhesives, you only need a tiny tiny amount of adhesive on the plastic. When buying screen protectors don’t be cheap go for one of the higher quality plastic slips and it will last longer and in total save you money. The difference between the two screens from DS specific and good generic handheld screens is negligible you might as well take two minutes and cut out two screens for your DS top and bottom screens. The screens are also very easy to clean, hopefully these screens will help you out.

There are many different ways to protect your DS, you can even make your own case if you want. The best way to make sure your DS is safe is just being careful. Careful handling is the best way to make sure DS will last for many years to come. Hopefully this article has helped you make sure that your DS will not have to be replaced until the next DS comes out. For DS Help this is Ultimate Zelda Guru.

Ridge Racer Review

Ridge Racer DS is a port to the Ridge Racer for the Nintendo 64 that was developed by Namco, and now, Nintendo is lending their hands on the Nintendo DS version and see if they did well on the game or not.

The visuals, in Ridge Racer DS, is up to par to the Nintendo 64`s graphics. The tracks are done well as you drive in the desert, city, and racing track. The cars, in the game, are done well also as some of the cars have a great shine to them. They could have included more customization for the cars in the game, but the visuals are done nicely.

The audio could have done better with the music. There is not that much music in the game as well as variety of music as they only play is techno in Ridge Racer DS, but there is some positives about the music. The sound effects are good having the the turn of a car making a screeching sounds like cars do, and when you bump into another car or an object it will sound as if the car is making a crashing sound. The game sounds somewhat real with the car`s engine and the screeching of the car make it seem somewhat real. I thought they could have done better with the audio aspect of the game.

I think Ridge Racer DS main point for it is the game play. In Ridge Racer DS, there is Quick Race, Single Player, and Multiplayer. The first mode is Quick Race as you you race with the simplest car and race on the easy racing track against the other racers. The second mode is Single Player; now there are three other mode in Single Player mode is Grand Prix, Car Attack, and Time Attack. You start out in Grand Prix mode, you will start out with four cars in your garage, you will race on three different tracks on novice, and then you race against the other racers trying to get first place in all three racing tracks to move on to the next round to face even tougher racers.

The Car Attack mode is very challenging as you race against supercharged AI racing cars across the tracks. You need to beat the novice tracks to unlock this mode. If you beat the super powered racing cars; you will get a new car for your garage and help you on other difficult racing tracks. The last mode in Single Player is Time Attack as you race on the racing tracks you have unlocked and beaten the default controls handles nicely when you are in first person view, but the controls are a mess when controlling the car when viewed out the car. Both hard and expert controls is very hard to control and it feels too loose when using the analog steering.

The last mode, in Ridge Racer DS, is the multiplayer mode is really well done; you can play up to six players to race against each other to get first place. Plus, if you host a game in single card multiplayer a lot; you will unlock secret cars!

Graphics- 7.5/10

The graphics were good in the game, but I thought they could have done more polishing up with the cars and the racing tracks more.

Sound- 7/10

The music was half descent, and they could have put in more variety of music in the game, but the sound effects, in the game, sound somewhat realistic.

Controls- 5.5/10

The default controls are pretty easy to pick up and play, but the analog steering was horrible and Namco could have worked more on the analog steering.

Gameplay- 8.5/10

Overall the gameplay element of Ridge Racer DS is the best. They did very well in the AI aspect making the races intense.

Replay Value- 9/10

You would come back for the game`s great races against the AI, and Ridge Racer DS` multiplayer as you can race with five other friends.

Ridge Racer DS is great racing game for the Nintendo DS as the game has challenging tracks and AI opponents, but the music and the analog steering brought the gameplay element quite a bit, but until other racing games comes unto the Nintendo DS; Ridge Racer DS is good to play for a long time.

Overall- 7.5/10

-Falco8

Chad Question Period Summary

Yesterday the Warp Pipe community organized a chat with Chad to answer a lot of the questions people wanted to know. The Big Topics were Chad’s Microsoft Bashing campaign, The “Chorx” (the undisclosed thing relating to demasked created by Dr. Tushar Singh), and some new Juicy Details about demasked. Little was said or really cared about for the 1st 2 topics but the demasked details are loud and clear. Here is a Summary of the more important Q&A’s with Chad:

 
Wolf_iBook: can you be online anywhere, any time?

Chad_Paulson: Yes to Wolf's question.

Wolf_iBook: Chad, will you be announcing DemaSked at E3?

Chad_Paulson: Announcing Demasked at E3 is not likely

itsroberthello: Do chorx charge by the minute?

Chad_Paulson: Chorx are free.

itsroberthello: Will the PSP have anything remotely close to chorx?

Chad_Paulson: I could easily see the Chorx arrive on a console or portible.  But for now, they have a destination in mind and they are headed there slowly.
 
IRbaboon: So, will DemaSked use the WarpPipe accounts?

Chad_Paulson:  Although demasked is now comprised of several components, it started off as two very unique concepts.  One from myself, one from Tushar.  I married these two concepts, we adopted an overall philosophy and we began work.  The initial plan was to launch a very small piece of my concept to get the ball rolling, with the intent of selling the much larger idea to interested parties.  Hence the initial release date.  After accomplishing Therefore, it is doubtful that my initial statement concerning usernames is still the case, but I hope you see it in a positive context rather than a negative one.  I also hope this answer gave others some perspective as to the state of demasked and why things seem to be "slow going".
 
           
lcddream: Will users have the ability to access demasked from at home and remotely?

Chad_Paulson: Both, why chain yourself.
 

The rest of the things posted were Mainly repetitive of what was already said, in conclusion I talked with Chad about demasked and got a response that demasked will not require you to be in a city or to even have the internet.
 
So the Main Idea in this is that, simply demasked will rock, will be free, accessible from anywhere but the bad news you have to wait.

 
'I hope the chat brought some perspective to those who were confused and wondered why demasked was delayed.  I look forward to the arrival of the chorx, as I think it will start bringing people together.
Chad Paulson

The full chat can be seen HERE.

Bad Blood

Nintendo Shall Not Fall

Nintendo Shall Not Fall

It’s been a year and a bit now since Nintendo launched the DS (Dual screen, Developers System) and it’s proven that Nintendo is still the king of handhelds.
A lot of Sony sympathizers claim that the DS came out before the PSP (2 weeks to be exact) but why don’t Nintendo fans complain about how early the PS2 was released before the Cube? In the current handheld generation, Nintendo has to face off with a lot of competition. It’s not just Nintendo vs. Sony but its Nintendo vs. Sony vs. Gamepark vs. Microsoft (soon to be shown). Despite lack of third party developers Nintendo is still doing a good job at maintaining its position. It maybe third in the home consoles but believe me it shall not bow out.

Reasons
1. Nintendo has a number of 1st class mascots that are probably the oldest in video game history and each time a game is released about them they are instant hits. Unlike Sony that relies on third party developers and Microsoft dishing out money to keep the console alive. If the money supply cut off then God knows what would happen to the Box. If the third party publishers ditched Sony, it would be left like a vulture searching for food.

2. Nintendo gives new experience all the time. Microsoft and Sony just have the same ideology on gaming. That is make games full of blood, graphical power and oh yea don’t forget to insert a semi-nude girl in one of the cut scenes. Take Nintendogs, Donkey Konga, Electroplankton, all these games are enjoyable, relaxing and are not sexist offering a new type of gameplay.

3. Nintendo targets at a wider audience unlike Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo’s games are aimed at all genders and ages hence more people can enjoy games.


See, Nintendo is capturing new markets all the time due to Innovation, customer conscious and being customer oriented. Before you fanboys start mouthing off remember, I am not being closed-minded, I am using my educated mind.

GAME ON!!!

-DoubleStrike

Zelda DS Article

Zelda Article:

I have thought a great deal about how Zelda DS could take advantage of the DS's unique features without being just a watered-down version of a console game. Here are my thoughts on what would make Zelda DS, for me, the perfect game.

First, I think it should definitely be in 3D. Though the 2D Zelda's are excellent, (I love Minish Cap.) The 3D ones are those that, in my opinion, really shine. The DS could definitely handle it, and I hope Zelda DS will have similar graphics to Ocarina of Time, but better.

To control the game, the DS would be held in either the left or right hand with the stylus in the other. I have made a detailed diagram of the look of the game and the controls:

I think these controls would allow the player to easily access the needed functions to play Zelda.

After I created this image, I believe I found a way to improve the controls. The L button, when pushed once, would center the camera. But if you held it, it would allow you to rotate and zoom the camera using the stylus on the touch screen, as well as strafe. This way, the touch screen would not usually be used for the camera. In stead, it would be used to lock on to things, like enemies. To lock onto an enemy, you would tap it. Then to unlock, an arrow would appear (maybe a curved one, signifying BACK), that you would tap. This would also work in dialogue. If this was done, the surroundings-specific control (usually the A button on console games) would be performed by merely single-tapping Link.

The L-button would no longer be used for targeting enemies. It would be the camera-button, and the touch screen would be used for targeting.

I was also thinking that, for the touch screen fighting, the longer the line you draw, the more powerful your slash is. This will do more damage and perhaps the enemy will be less able to block it, but it also uses more of your energy meter. So different fighting strategies could be developed; some people would strike with a flurry of tiny slashes, trying to strike a hit, while conserving energy, while others would do huge powerful strikes that would wear them out. You would have to adapt your fighting style to adapt to your enemy.

The most obvious question is "Why is there a big "?" on the top screen?" Well, the DS's second screen could obviously be used for maps, hearts, keys, etc. But I think Nintendo has something up their sleeves to really show what kind of innovation can be pulled off with dual screens. I bet whatever game play element (like the Minish Cap or the Ocarina of Time) that is introduced in Zelda DS will use the dual screen setup.

Now for the best part, the touch-screen sword fighting:

Your stylus would become your sword. (Hey, it'd be awesome if Nintendo shipped the game with a Master Sword stylus, maybe as a pre-order incentive.) By drawing a line across the screen, you would attack the enemy you were locked on to. Depending on the direction and the angle of the line, you would attack a different area of the enemy. Special moves would also be accomplished with the touch screen, like a spin attack by drawing a circle, a stab by double-tapping, or a jumping attack by jumping (double-tap the D-pad) and drawing a line.

This could make for some very strategic sword fighting. In order to have a successful attack, you would have to attack where the enemy is not blocking. This would be accomplished by drawing from different angles and directions, very quickly. By scoring three successive hits, a bonus would be acquired. Now, most would abuse the touch-screen control by just scribbling randomly and easily taking out enemies. For this reason, the energy meter would be implemented. As you draw lines, or especially special attacks, your energy is depleted. When you run out of energy, you must go on defensive, by raising your shield, dodging, or parrying with your sword.(Or just standing there and getting attacked while your energy replenishes, but this tactic isn't very healthy.)

You can use your shield by equipping it by touching its icon, then moving it around with your stylus while your energy meter slowly replenishes. Or you can defend yourself with your sword. This method is harder, but doesn't require you to take time to equip your shield and would replenish your energy faster, as well as possibly opening up your opponent for attack.

To parry with your sword, you wait till a line appears on the screen, showing where the enemy is about to attack, then you draw a line intersecting it. By successfully blocking several blows, you could push the enemy's weapon aside, leaving it wide open for attack.

This method of touch-screen swordplay would be really fun and strategic, and would really be the best simulation of sword fighting there is in a video game. (How is pushing buttons at all like swinging a sword?) (That is, until the Revolution comes out and changes everything!)

Summary:

Zelda DS would be awesome if:

- It was in 3D with better than Ocarina of Time graphics.

- It was controlled with the stylus and touch screen.

- It had touch screen swordfights that used the stylus as your sword to attack and parry.

All we know about Zelda for DS is that it exists, that many of the creative ideas in Four Swords are similar to the creative ideas that will be done with the DS (that's why I think the second screen will be a major game play element), and that it will mainly use the stylus and touch screen, but that it won't be in the Four Swords series. So a Zelda game like this could actually be reality. We can only hope.

--Soaring Phoenix

Meteos Review (public version)

Meteos review:

Graphics : 9.0 out of 10

The graphics in Meteos are very good, including the parts with game play which look very nice and most planets have their own look to their meteos (blocks you fire if you line up 3 or more). The cut scenes on the other hand are beautiful and very well done even though if wasn't even necessary since this is a puzzle game. Bottom line this is the best graphics for a puzzle game ever and the cut scenes are worth watching and would look good on current generation consoles.

Sound: 9.0 out of 10

Meteos does just as well in the sound department as in the graphics department. Music is great but there is nothing catchy about them, but you well still like the music never the less. Most planets have their own song and you can unlock songs to play them as you wish and there is a lot of songs to unlock. When you send meteos up you will also hear a sound but most planets launch sounds aren’t that great but I do like the planet Firim where it would make a rock guitar sound when you launched your meteos. If you have headphones use them because the sound is a lot better with them on. Overall good (not great) music, good sound effects, but use headphones to appreciate them.

Game play: 10 out of 10

This is where Meteos truly shines, because a puzzle game would suck if the game play wasn't great because that is what puzzle games depend on. Your goal is to launch meteos back up to the other planet which make them have to deal with the blocks you sent up. You have to get at least 3 blocks aligned horizontally to launch them up but the catch is you can only move blocks vertically. You can control with the stylus or the D-pad and buttons, the stylus is your best option. All the action takes place on the bottom screen but the top screen will show you the other planets or you can zoom in on another planets and get a better view of what they are doing. You also have a speeder option where you can get many blocks to fall down if you are running low. You can also launch blocks from the bottom and then while they are launching up (most planets take a two or three launches to make your meteos go into space) you can align three more meteos again and make combo move to send your meteos up. You can also do a strategy move where you launch all the meteos in one move (which will hurt your friends in V.S. mode) but its not that easy and takes some time to do. Special items also help in Meteos, when you're playing special items will appear and they can help and hurt you. There is a axe that will destroy meteos but you would only need it if you were getting close to the top. There is a drill that will plow down on a row of meteos. There is a smoke screen that will block your view of vision. There is a lock that will make your speeder option inoperable for a moment. There is a boost rocket that will launch part of the field instead of you aligning at least 3 meteos, and there is a super boost rocket that will boost the whole field that can give you a huge combo. You will also have to worry about the planet, some have smaller areas than others , and some have lower or higher gravity than others. Overall this is one of the most addicting puzzle game play since Tetris.


Replay value:

9.5 out of 10: One of the biggest modes in Meteos is the Fusion mode, where all the Meteos you launched go into storage (except the ones you launch in Single card VS play) and you can unlock more stuff. You can unlock planets(32 in all) which have their own unique features (think of it like characters in a fighting game), you can unlock special meteos (soul and time), you can unlock items that will help and hurt you while you are playing, and you can unlock songs (there are a lot of songs to unlock) and you can play them at will any time you want. Unlocking all the planets, items, and songs will take lots and lots of meteos and at least 20 hours of your time. You also have many modes to play which will increase your addiction to the game and gives it more variety. There is the Simple game, where you can play computer opponents like you would in VS mode with real people and you can customize what planets you use and if you want a time or stock match). Star Trip mode is basically the story mode of Meteos, you have to go down different paths and finally ending up against the planet Meteo, after you beat the planet Meteo you will see a ending and every path has its own ending, but if you don't care about the story I don't think you will care about the endings. Time war mode gives you the chance to play a 2:00 minute, or a 5:00 minute game, or have a mission that will be completed as soon as you launch 100 or a 1000 meteos launched. Deluge mode lets you go as long as you want till your screen fill to the top with meteos. Wireless mode? lets you play a vs. game with either single or multi carts, and you can actually send a demo of the game to your friends which was a surprise bonus which was probably made for your friends to practice by themselves if they don't have a copy of meteos because they were tired or getting beaten. If you choose single cart multiplayer you can fight up to four people but the meteos you launch do not get stored and you can only pick a limited set of planets. In multi cart play you can play up to four people and the meteos you launch do get stored and you can pick any planet that you have. Overall this game will keep you busy will you wait for another great DS game.

Overall 9.0 out of 10

Meteos is one of the greatest puzzle games ever and must be picked up by anyone who owns a DS. Great graphics, sound, game play and tons of stuff to unlock will have you playing this game for a very long time.

-link the legend 2

Nintendogs Review (public version 2)

Nintendogs review:

Summary: A puppy simulator for your DS with amazing graphics.

Graphics 10/10:

The DS isn't known for having the best graphics since most of its games are 2D or have really ugly N64 graphics (Mario64DS improved on graphics, Rayman DS did not), but the graphics in Nintendogs are very life like and look gamecube worthy (not RE4 but it still looks good). The graphics will suck the battery life out the DS really quickly so be careful.

Sound 7.0/10:

In the sound department Nintendogs doesn't fail or succeed, puppies bark and do their own thing, lighthearted music, but overall there is nothing that helps or hurts in the sound department

Game play 8.5/10:

Nintendogs is more puppy simulator than a real game but hey, innovation is lacking in the industry and Nintendogs is a fresh breath of air. First you pick out your puppy from the kennel and then you give it a name and teach it some basic commands using the DS' microphone. The microphone functionality is good but it does get very iffy sometimes, like teaching your dog new tricks in real life you will need patience for the dog to understand what you are saying. You can pet your dog, it can lick your hand and your can rub it's belly, but when that is compared to a real life dog well there is no love in that department. You will have to feed, and wash your dog regularly or it will get hungry if you don't feed it (your dog won't starve to death you sick bastard, so don't even try) or get fleas if you don't wash it. You can take your dogs on walks where it can find you new items, meet other dogs, go to the park, and a couple other things. You can put your dog in competitions as well, the disc competition is where your dog catches a Frisbee and gets points based on the length of the catch, the agility competition where your dog is timed on how fast it can get through certain obstacles, and the obedience competition where your dog is watched and judged on it's obedience. Competitions are the biggest moneymaker so you will be doing them quite often, so you can purchase supplies, new puppies, and even a new decoration for your home.

Replay value 7.5/10:

Watching and playing with your dog is fun but the game isn't as addicting as game like animal crossing. Trying to win the competitions will take some time and a lot of practice. Walking is kind of boring since your dog does No.1 and No.2 so many times during the walk it seems to have urinary problems or something. You can have up to 3 dogs and watching them interact with each other is interesting to watch but after a while you won't care. Finding new items for your puppies to play with is a big draw ,they can play with balls, pull ropes, Frisbees, sticks, photos (why is that in there), and some other items. You can also put accessories on your dog from bows to hats (including a Mario hat).

Overall 8.0/10

Nintendogs doesn't deserve the perfect score it got from Famistu, but it is what they were targeting for, it's a puppy simulator that includes basic things you would do with a puppy, but overall it can never provide the love a real puppy can bring.

-link the legend 2

Nintendogs Review (public version 1)

Nintendogs review:

Nintendogs is one of those games that can win anyone over who plays it for a few minutes. The puppies are extremely lifelike, making you feel attached to them; the way you feel towards a real dog. Nintendogs is almost a perfect dog simulator. You walk your dog, you feed your dog, and you wash your dog. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that the game is necessarily fun. This is not the kind of game where you play it for 3 hours straight; it's made to be played in 15-minute bursts. But even playing this game isn't fun once you've explored everything, and there isn't much to explore. This game is purely a rental; there just isn't enough meat on its bones.

The concept of this game is you can raise your own virtual dog. At first, you must select one, out of the six dogs at the kennel. Once you choose the dog you want, you go back to your pad and play with him/her. Once your new dog calms down, you name it. You first make the dog come to you, and you have to say the desired name for your dog into the DS's microphone. Once you say it enough, he/she will come to you whenever you say it. You can also teach your dog tricks by petting it with the stylus and doing specific things with it. You also pet your dog with the stylus. Taking walks is also important, because you can meet new dogs on walks, and come across new toys for him as well. The toys vary from tennis balls to Mario Kart toys that you can control.

Everyday, you can enter your dog into three contests everyday. There are only three contests, and they are Frisbee trials, Obedience trials, and Agility trials. You have to train your dog(s) in three different areas, all very tedious and boring. For the Frisbee trials, you have to go to an empty park by taking a walk, and repetitively throw the Frisbee, until the dog gets better at catching it and bringing it back to you. When you return from your walk, you can teach it new tricks, which is incredibly repetitive, and even gave me a headache. Once you make your dog perform a trick, you say whatever you want into the microphone that you want to name the new trick. Do this 5 more times, and your dog will learn the new trick. The problem is, you have to say it exactly the same each time, and if you don't, you have to say it another 5 times. Once you feel your dog and you can make your dog do these tricks on command, you enter it into the obedience trial, where you perform the tricks in the order the host wants you to. Lastly, there is the agility trial. You first go to the gymnasium to teach your dog how to jump and go through some tubes. Once your dog can do this easily, you can enter the trial. If you beat the trial, you obtain cash to buy some things for your dog. It's just too repetitive. Also, this is the entire game; imagine how time consuming this game is with three dogs. It's just not fun.

The one remarkable thing about this "game" is the graphics engine. It's amazing; I had no idea the DS could pull off such realism. The reason anyone can fall in-love with their virtual puppy is because they look so life-like. All of the different puppies act differently, and have their own bark.

The amount of detail that went into this game is incredible, and you have to love the fact that it runs at 6o frames per second. Lastly, the physics engine is also remarkable. When you throw a tennis ball, it acts like a tennis ball. It's incredible.

In the sound department, well, there is no department. All there is, is some annoying barks and yelps, and elevator music when you take a walk. There's just no sound, along with no difficulty, and control. You use your stylus in very minimalist activities, such as petting, and, uh, petting. There is also the microphone. Lastly, this game has no real difficult parts; it's more frustrating than difficult. Luckily, it does have a nice pick-up and play, which does help its repetitive gameplay. But, once you get three dogs, caring for each and every one of them takes way too long. So it's easy to start to play this game, and it's even easier to stop playing it.

To some, this game is probably considered to be very fun to play all the time. Some might even compare it to Animal Crossing, although AC has much more meat on its bones. I haven't played it since the 3rd day since the release date. I just got bored with it. There are better games to be addicted to, such as Advance Wars: Dual Strike, Nintendogs is just not one of them.

Score: 6.5/10

Since this "game" is so unconventional, the whole add up the numbers and find the average doesn't work. A game like this is should be purely based on gameplay, and since it's not gameplay heavy, it really loses its initial charm.

Super-Sweet

www.reviewsnsuch.blogspot.com

Nanostray Review (public version)

Nanostray:

Overview: This is a shooter game, with beautiful graphics that really shows what the DS is capable of. Although there are some flaws, switching weapons being one of them, it really is a great game. This game also has an online ranking system, which allows you to compete with other owners of this game, around the world. At first, I thought it wouldn't add any replayvalue to the game, but, sure enough, I was wrong.

Plot: Unfortunately, there is no plot. From the moment you start the game, to the moment you beat it, you will never see something that even touches a story. In this case, I will not score the plot. N/A

Gameplay: Intense! You can not play this game if you can't multi-task! In order to get a good score, you have to destroy a "wave" of enemies. This means is a bunch of weak enemies appear on the screen, by destroying all of them, you get a wave bonus. Also, if you destroy a wave, a blue coin appears, which fills up your energy bar. You can use the energy bar by pressing B, and the regular blast with A. But, if you don't use ANY of the energy bar, and pick up another blue coin, you get 500 times 2 points. The next blue coin you pick up will get you 500 times 3 points. This can really boost your score. One last thing is that if you press and hold the R button, all the coins come to you. But, by using this, it will reduce your Valor Score at the end of the level. There are two ways you can lower it, pressing the R button, and by shooting as little as possible. Not the greatest scoring system, but it works. All of this while shooting all the enemies on screen. Yeah, it's hard. But the camera angle doesn't help either. 8.25

Sound: Very good music, but nothing too special. It's got some enjoyable techno songs, and the menu's music is good. This is one of those games where I really like to have the sound maxed out, it really emerses you into the game. 8.0

Replayability: It is very fun to memorize each level, and remember where the waves of enemies come from. The constant want to get a higher score really motivates me, especially the online ranking system. When you get a high score in the game, you can get a "Nan-Code" which you put on the website, and see how you rank. There's also a challenge mode which gives you certain objectives you must complete to get some little odds and ends. 8.25

Graphics: This game offers the best graphics out of any currents DS game. They are amazing. All of the enemies, backrounds, enemies are all rendered it 3D, everything except for the blasts you and your enemies shoot. It is simply something great to look at. This is the game to show off to your friends. 9.25

Innovation: A different type of scoring system and a really bad way to swap weapons make this game not-so innovative. But it's all about classic, retro, and intense gameplay. But it does almost nothing new. 6.75

Controls: Good, but not great. You shoot with A, and use the super form of the attack with B. I would've much prefered it if it was shoot with Y, and shoot the super form of the attack with X. Also, you have the choice to switch what type of shot you want to shoot. There are four types, and you have to change them by touching little icons on the right-hand side of the touch-screen. Bad idea. When you're playing a game like this that demands your full attention, you can't fiddle around with the touch-screen; it just doesn't work. The good thing is that moving the ship with the D-pad works great. 6.25

Difficulty: From hard, to really hard. If you've never played a shooter before, this has all the basics to introduce you into this type of game. Every level gets progessively longer, but since there are only eight stages, it doesn't take long to beat. 8.25

Tilt: Easy to get into, but a little too easy for the shooter genre. After about 5-10 mmnutes with the game, you'll have the basics down cold. It's a really fun game to pick, play for 10 minutes, and then move on. 8.0

Overall Score: 7.9, C+

- Calvin

www.reviewsnsuch.blogspot.com

Matthew's Top 10 DS Titles for 2005

10.Animal Crossing - Not much i can really say about this considering I have never played a Animal Crossing game (demo doesn't count....LOL). But from what i have heard so far about it, its shaping up to be one of Nintendo's big guns for 2005.

9.Need For Speed Underground - Head to head racing, custimization, nitros, the ladies, the underground circuit...all that you can expect from EA when it comes to their Need For Speed Underground series. Though not much is really known about this title, fromt the scan that have been posted, it seems that the touch screenw ill be used to customized your car's every detail, and also to keep track of the other drivers when you are racing. Though not that much different from Asphalt Urban GT, the grpahics look very promising, and when it comes to sports, no once can do it better than EA
8.Castlevania - The return of the infamous Castlevania to a Nintendo handheld. Though it will play fairly similar to the its GBA/GBASP predicessor, this game will boost wireless multiplayer, additoinal multiplayer levels (if time allows for it), and a new innovative feautre by way of the touch screen. You will be able to draw magical spell symbols on the touch screen which would seel the bosses away in order to defeat them. Though i dont really play these games, this is a nice addition, not to mention its being played in 2D, as uppose to 3D versions that have been on the PS2 that didn't stack too well in the ratings and sales...

7.Meteos - All i have to say about this title is look at the video intro for the game... that will give you all the answers you want.

6.Naruto - A popular series turned video game in Japan. All I can say is that if you have never played the GBA release of the game, nore watch the series ata ll, then you are in for a real treat. Its an action/fighter title with a mixture of characters from varios amines and video games...

5.Metroid Prime Hunters - I have always been a metroid fan ever since the olden days of NES and Game Boy. One of Nintendo's true franchises that has stood the test of times, and has come back no even bigger, better, and badder than ever. With the implementing of touch screen, this game is sure to fly off the shelves like the DS systems did at launch.

4.Another Code - As of right now, this game is still on slated for a Japanese release, but this will be the DS's first true taste of an adventure game. Being developed by a Japanese developer, CING, the story follows a girl looking to find her father after a freak acident happended at the workplace of where her mom and dad worked. But the way the game plays out, is one of shear beauty and intrigue.

3.Tetris (rumored) - As of now, this title is still slated as a rumor game. It hasn't been confirmed by Nintendo nor THQ (developer), but many sites have it as releasing on March 8th. Nothing is knwon about this game at all, but if it feels and play's like Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits, this title is worth looking into.

2.Moonlight Fables - Not much is known about this game beyond the few artwork shots that they released. But my bases for wanting this game is of lack of knowing. I love games that envolve a blending of 2D and 3D art styles, while bringing a dark and mysterious appearance and feel to the forfront. This game will indeed be one to keep your eyes on come Q3 2005.

1.Nanostray - My bad boy right here. I have been hooked on this game ever since i saw the first screenshot of the game at IGN's website. One of the first true shooters to grace the handheld with a style all of its own.

Ross's Most Anticipated------------->

Need for Speed Underground 2 Review

Now I'm not a very big fan of racing games. For me to want it, it has to be
different than the rest. Such as Gran Turismo 2 or Ridge Racer RType4. Need
for Speed Underground 2 (NFSU2) isn't much different than what you would expect, but
it's great. It's basically a pick up and go game.

Gameplay: 8
NFSU2 plays as any other racer, the AI is cheap and always has the upperhand.
Sometimes you can be proven wrong though, when you blow past the opposing drivers wrecking into a Fire Engine. The realism is set pretty high, touch anything and you
will lose some control. An aspect I really like about the game though is catching air. No, I don't mean jumping, I'm talking about air flowing into places where it isn't supposed to, causing your custom vehicle to flip, twist, or turn.

Customization: 8.25
Enough paints and decals to keep you satisfied hopefully. There isn't a plethora
of things to customize though. 18 different types of Rims and 30-something decals are
diverse enough for this duck. Not many types of body modifications but at least you get Neon and Tint. On the engine front, if you were looking to change gear ratio's and dampening and such, you won't get it. You buy parts, you install them, your
car is faster. Like I said, it's straight pick up and race.

Controls: 7.75
At least you don't have to drive with the Touch Screen. The D-Pad is very esponsive. Although, you cannot map the buttons yourself, one of the 3 controls schemes should keep most happy. The Touch Screen controlled Nitrous took the cake. Allowing you to blow one or two bottles at a time out of 4. So you can get 2 double shots in a drag or you can blow one at a time during a circuit.

Graphics: 7.5
The graphics aren't very high end, but they are pretty good. Driving at high
speeds, under the accelerated acceleration of nitrous makes everything move at a blur, which is a nice effect, and leaves you not paying attention to the graphics
much. Blowing two bottles at one time though, is blurrific.

Sound: 7
Sound quality in the game is great, but without an adequate soundtrack it sounds
repetitive. The production quality is high, very little to no background noise. The engine sound just sounds looped, no difference between vehicles. You can hear the
nitrous when you blow it, but you cannot hear the turbine when you switch gears. It
sounds great in headphones, with a bassline and the high and low end shelves equalized instead of being normal defaults.

Sidekicks: 8
Multiplayer? Yes. Get ready for "My Dad's better than your Dad" type races.Single Card? No. Understandable due to car and track data. Extras? Unlockable cars, Decals, Parts, Minigames (which are insanely hard), and Vehicles. Replay Value? High. Like they say "It's good to play Together."

Overall 7.75

Very great game with High replay value, even if you do not have many friends. Trying to get a vehicle to 100% will take a while. The manic mini games are what will get to you the most. Don't forget to buckle up for safety.

D*

Second Opinion

NFSU2 for the Nintendo DS is the best racing game up-to-date on the Nintendo DS. The sound effects sounded good and the music was good as well, but with no soundtrack, the game didn't seem like a Need For Speed game. The customization in the game was great as you trick out your car, and you can unlock new parts for your car. The controls were sub-par in the game.

8 out of 10

-Falco8

Kirby: Canvas Curse Review

The first time I saw Kirby: Canvas Curse, I thoght "Wow" to myself. The vibrant
color scheme had my itching to play this game. After owning it though, I have changed the way I look at it.

Story 7.5
The story line isn't very in depth with the gameplay, it is kind of different though with Kirby needing the help of you and the Magic Pen. An evil witch turned the world into a canvas (go figure) and Kirby needs your help to make things right, because he is just a ball. The aspect of the story line I do like is the recurring bosses(Kracko, King Dedede, and Paint Roller) with 3 levels of difficulty.

Controls 6.75
This is my only complaint with this title. The controls may seem easy and similar
to Yoshi's Touch & Go, but in all actuallity they are different. Kirby can move all
directions around him with the help of the Rainbow lines that you draw, and touching him gives him a little whirling ball technique remeniscent to Sonic. Kirby follows the lines that you draw, no matter how slow he is rolling. Be wary, that if he moves to slow, the end of the line will catch up to him and he will fall off. Also,Drawing Loop-the-Loops will make Kirby do his rolling attack. Touching enemies stun them for a short period of time, allowing you to roll Kirby into them, gaining their power, or destroying them. You can also break blocks, and detonate bombs by touching them. Drawing lines in front ofShotzos and lasers will guard Kirby as long as the line is there. The Bonus Game, at the end of every stage, has you tapping Kirby frantically to roll as fast as possible, then at the end you have to draw a line, that will act as a ramp to launch Kirby as far as possible.

Graphics: 8
In the graphical department, this game is definantly not lacking at all,especially
for a 2D game. The vribrant colors really stand out against the artistic and abstracted backgrounds, which were also designed very nicely. It kind of makes me feel like I'm looking at classwork from my Senior year art class, except it has sprites. Just as Pac-Pix seemed very story book like, this game seems to be a painting that has sprung to life.

Sound: 8
Very catchy and repetitive Kirby tunes are back once again, and I like it. All the classic music and sound effects are back and they sound better, especially in Virtual Surround.

Extras 7.5
Pleny of extra gameplay to go around, like the Challenge Mode, and Rainbow Run. Medal Swap also lets you use your medals from Story Mode and Rainbow Run to break blocks and unlock things, such as Sound Test Sounds.

Overall 7.5
A lot of time and effort was obviously put into this game, but only in my humble opinion, I think it's mediocre. Everything was fine and the game was nostalgic, the control scheme was what shot it down for me. But if you're looking for a game that will take some time (which we all are, at least until next month) I'd pick it up.

D*

Second Opinion

Kirby: Canvas Curse is a very addicting game, but the game is challenging which I like. The visuals is bright and colorful, and the levels were really done well. The music in the game matched each level and catchy; the controls was really fun for me, as you can control kirby with stylus,and the game play was good, but the story didn't catch my interest that much.

8.9 out of 10

-Falco8

Tony Hawk American Sk8land Review

Tony Hawks American Sk8land

Tony Hawks American Sk8land is the portable equivalent to the groundbreaking skate series on the consoles, is this the end of the 3rd party game curse the ds seems to have?

Let us start with the basics. It is another skating instalment from the amazing Tony Hawks series, DS’s 2nd online game, full 3D cell shaded graphics and fully customizable characters & boards.

From the moment you start, you can tell that the producers of this game crammed as much as they could on the tiny ds card. Fully 3D models throughout, cut scenes and even real voice acting from all the pros. Not only did they stretch what you can fit onto a ds card they stretched the small budget 3rd party companies seem to get for the ds.

A great thing about this game is the simple fact that it is portable because Tony hawks games are perfect for a portable console, whenever you feel the urge to have a quick 2-minute run you can just pick up and play. The game also brings back the feel of the original pro skater games because the game is purely skating they did not try any stupid gimmicks which just never felt right on the console.

The game plays like a dream with the same simple control system of the console versions and added simplicity with the great touch screen. In which it can be used to access difficult combos, it is used to switch the game into slow-mo when you have nailed a set of tricks and if that was not enough it’s a map of the course. Another ds feature is the microphone that you can record a voice clip for bails and special tricks. You can record anything.

There is a character design feature which to be honest is way too basic. That takes nothing away from the awesome story mode which will take your skater and attempt to renovate an old skate park. Which just so happens to be Tony hawks old favourite place to skate. At the start of each level you will be put in one of the many task filled skating areas placed around Los Angeles. On completion of the tasks, you earn money which you can spend on cool ramps, rails etc for your skate park.

In single-player, you can also take on the appropriately named classic mode. This is like story mode but instead of having to ask for tasks to do you just get given a list and have to complete as many as you can in 2 minutes Pickupandplayability at its best. Alternatively, you can use the two minutes too rack up the highest score you can and post it on the net, which brings me to my next section.

Wi-Fi connection easily beats Mario Karts simple attempts (though still a good attempt). With loads, more features that go beyond simple vs. mode by bringing you downloadable missions that get updated regularly so there is always a new task to do. An online scoreboard that lets you show your best scores to the world (includes replays). Download and upload artwork that you can put on your deck and put on the website. This is a sign for things to come, and I cannot wait!

Now, with every game, there are some bad points and this game is no exception. They are as follows, the games easily finished 1-player mode and if you do not have a wifi hot spot, you will get bored quickly. This game used almost every feature on the ds except the download play that is a huge miss. The online score challenge has been devalued by the ability to just repeat the same set of moves over and over again. You know who you are!!!!!! If you have a score of more than 500,000,000 the chances are it was achieved this way. I managed over 900,000,000 in 5 minutes with this method and it meant nothing to me.

Conclusion
Graphics: 90% A 3D that works on the ds is cell shading and this game is the proof
Sound: 90% The sound on this is a big winner with a great soundtrack in my opinion but it is all rock so people with different tastes may dislike it. All the pros have lent their voices to the game a great addition.
Controls: 90% amazing the d-pad gives you a more responsive feel to the game and the DS’s button layout is perfect.
Lasting appeal: 90% if you have Wi-Fi this game could last forever .

Overall: 93%

A must have for fans or newbie’s to the series.

Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time Review

Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time


Mario and Luigi P.I.T. is the sequel to the GBA’s amazing RPG game Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga, did this new chapter live up to the originals fun, enjoyment and challenge? Read on to find out.

To begin with here are the basics of the game, it’s a 2D isometric view Role Playing Game where you take control of the dynamic duo Mario & Luigi and their younger selves from the past in order to save Princess Peach (again!) but this time not from Bowser or any kind of Koopa but a new foe the evil Shroob princess and her Shroob army.

A good story line and script is just what a Mario game needs and this game nailed them both, a big improvement on the previous Mario series. The story line is all about time travel throughout the Mushroom Kingdom past and present. Where you will meet up with younger versions of the regular cast and take control of Baby Mario & Baby Luigi. Along the way you will meet all your favourite Mario characters and some new enemies. Playing as Baby Mario and Baby Luigi brings you something new but still familiar. There is plenty of interaction with other characters from the Mushroom Kingdom along the way.

The games turn based battle system is similar to the other Mario RPG titles, which is great, if it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it (well done Nintendo). For those of you who don’t know Mario rpg games aren’t just simply choose a move, hit, then wait to be hit. You have more of a say in the battle with on screen button commands which dish out more powerful attacks or help you defend yourself from an arsenal of moves. There are two new features added to this style, firstly new combos with the babies, which to begin with I found quite challenging and took a while to get used to but persistence will pay off later in the game. Secondly they have removed the bros attacks from the last game and replaced it with bros items, these are similar except you buy/find bros items along the way instead of having BP (bros points) which you would lose each time you did a bros attack. These little extras add that certain something to an already successful format.

Whilst on your travels you will come across places where you will need to use special outside of battle moves which are accessed using the L and R buttons they consist of high jumps, rolling up into a ball and many more this gives the game a great platforming feel and makes the game fun even while you’re on the move between battles..

A special mention has to be made for the games amazing 2D graphics, since the DS is powerful enough to run 3D it can run 2D to near perfection and yet again Nintendo shows us that sprites aren’t a dead form of game graphics. Also the games animation in-game and cut scenes alike run smoothly and also make you smile with the Bros attempts at baby sitting failing more often than not. There is some quirky Nintendo style comedy in their quest to keep their young counterparts from danger.




Now the downsides, what’s the point of a DS game that doesn’t incorporate the touch screen? The only DS feature the game made use of was the extra 2 buttons X and Y to control the babies. The touch screen can’t even be used on the load data menus or pause menus. So, its back to using the d-pad and A button to equip your team which seems slow when you want to use your finger to choose exactly what you want when you want it. Nintendo should have incorporated the touch screen some how either for the battles or even the mini games. It seems petty but you have the system, the technology and the game, how can the systems main feature be overlooked on a major release title. In addition a feature they shouldn’t have used is the top screen map which makes the game easier than it should have been by showing you where all the exits, entrances and items are. We’re not babies!
Another thing that really bugged me was the lack of replay value, the game can easily be finished in less than 15 hours and after that there is nothing more to do, no extra quests, fun mini games or multiplayer the only thing I could think of doing is try and get your team to lv.100 but that is hardly inspiring.


Conclusion:

Graphics: 90% great 2D engine

Sound: 85% awesome remixes of old Mario tunes and some new ones to keep you going.

Controls: 77% Great battling mode but no touch screen mini games lets it down.

Lasting appeal: 57% the lack of multiplayer or any thing to keep you going back for more.

Overall: 80%

The game is fun while it lasts. It’s such a shame that this game was so short and had nothing to do afterwards so unless you are a collector of Mario titles you could easily complete this in less than 3 or 4 days and be stuck with nothing left to do on it except start again. Come on Nintendo you know what we want this is so near but yet so far.

-Miles Ross

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Review

So this is how it is: a year ago, you were some how abducted into a castle which dwells in an eclipse. After a while collecting souls, battling bosses, and exploring you find out that this is Dracula’s castle and you, Soma Cruz, must help to defeat the evil king and save the world. All along the way your friends help you and give you information and eventually you kill the man who is Dracula, but as it would turn out he is not Dracula, but you are turning in the king of darkness.... and now a vampire slayer is out to kill you, and you don’t want to become Dracula. You now find out that to stop the complete transformation you must stop the chaos which lay in the Chaotic Realm. You do this and all is returned to normal, and you and your friends are returned back to earth... now it is a year later....



This is where dawn of sorrow begins and this is when a cult starts to rise that wants to resurrect Dracula and to do this they must kill you... but you are not gonna let them, in fact you are going to try and stop them, somehow. In to the cult’s base and through its many dark and treacherous rooms you go exploring and battling for your life. You find out that there are 2 candidates for Dracula and that they are trying to kill you along with the cult leader. YOU MUST STOP THEM AND THE WHOLE PLAN TO RESURRECT THE KING OF DARKNESS.














The game is very fun and has a pretty long lifespan. The graphics are much more detailed than the previous GBA versions and so are the sounds, which is extraordinarily good. The game play is excellent according to me. It is a lot like Aria of Sorrow: go around the castle, amass your soul collection, defeat the bosses and eventually stop the cult. The new innovations (boss sealing, directing familiars w/ TS, breaking blocks, and creating your 'profile') are pretty good editions but don’t seem like enough to make it gimmicky. I have been played about 5 1/2 hours and I have uncovered about 50% of the map... so the game is pretty long for a handheld game... pus there are hidden modes such as boss rush, where you sequentially battle the bosses faced during the game, and Julius mode , where you can play as a Belmont. This game impressed me very much and I recommend it to anyone with a DS. Although I have not played the multiplayer, I know it consists of setting monster which you have acquired their soul and placing them on a preset room with limits to the amt of creatures… then u trade your map w/ the other person and the faster one to complete the course wins. There is also a soul trading multiplayer where you (guess what???) trade souls. The game is overall great and the best DS game out so far in my opinion, but I still think that aria of sorrow is better… hehehe… but I would give this game a…. 9.25/10



My ratings:

•Presentation: 8.5 – they did a pretty good jog advertising and whatnot

•Game play: 9.25 – its good old platformer castlevania… but if you disliked AoS, stay away!

•Graphics: 8.5 – a good improvement from the GBA versions and from what I hear comparable to Symphony of the Night’s graphics

•Sound: 9.5 – one word: excellent

•Lasting time: 8.0 – the game is about 10 hours (I think) to finish the campaign fully.. but the extras and multiplayer give a boost

•Multi-player: 8.0 – I think that they could have made a better multiplayer or they could’ve made this single cart… but it is nice to see new things
•Innovation: 8.5 - the additions were good but not great



Overall: 9.25



-theONE

Ross's Most Anticipated

One thing that can definately be said about the DS's 2005 lineup is that it will be very unpredictable. Many companies are going to be experimenting with the new capabilites the DS offers them. Some of these "experiments" may turn into great games, while other good games could possibly be ruined by a developer's sloppy implementation of the touchscreen control. No matter what, though, the DS's games in 2005 show amazing potential. Onto the list of my top 10 most wanted games of 2005--


Animal Crossing DS-- **Honorable Mention** What has become an addiction for fans of the gamecube game might do just the same on the DS. I can't honestly say that I've played the gamecube version nor generally like this type of game, but I've heard so many people rave about the series that Animal Crossing DS is definately showing up on my radar. If Nintendo can deliver on the rumours of online-play, this game could easily be a flagship title.

10. Wario Ware Touched!-- In the past, the Wario Ware series has delivered fast pickup and play excitement, and it looks like Wario Ware Touched! will offer the same. This title promises to be a showcase for the DS's touchscreen and microphone features, and so far, impressions of the japanese version have been mostly positive.

9. Pac 'n Roll-- Pac'n Roll offers a hybrid marble-madness/super monkey ball style gameplay. This sounds pretty good, but what interests me is how the control of the ball is handled. From short impressions, it seems like control will be similar to that of the morph-ball in Metroid, except it will be completely handled through the touchscreen. Acceleration of the ball will be based on how fast the stylus is dragged across the touchscreen. It seems like Pac 'n Roll may almost be Super Monkey Ball with more precise controls... which would be a great thing.

8. Viewtiful Joe-- Very little has been said by Capcom about Joe's journey onto the DS. Still, this is Viewtiful Joe... Sorry but-- Henshin a go-go , baby!

7. Metroid Prime Hunters-- Many people have already experienced the First Hunters demo with their DS's. The control will be perfect with a few minor changes. All that is needed is a variety of good levels to play around in, and I truly think NST, the game's developer, will be able to deliver on this.


6. Castlevania-- Konami's previous iterations of the game on the GBA have been great. Since the DS version is 2d also, the same level of quality can be expected. However, I am a little reluctant to hear about Konami's attempts at implemeting the touchscreen... Supposedly, once you get a boss character's health low enough, you'll have to trace an image on the ds's touchscreen to "seal" away the monster. Who knows though, perhaps Konami has hit upon a great new gameplay mechanic. However, this game still promises to be great whether the touchscreen use helps or not.

5. Jump Superstars-- The fighting system has been compared to Super Smash Brothers Melee, which is a great game. Also providing a twist is the use of cards in the gameplay. At the beginning of each round, 4 cards are given to each character. These cards can help out your fighter in many different ways and are easily accessed through the touchscreen.

4. Mario Kart DS-- There is not much info about Mario Kart DS yet. What I do know-- 1. It is Mario Kart 2. It is being developed by Nintendo. Being developed by Nintendo does not assure that the game will be amazing, but it does mean that the game will have a very high level of quality and polish. In other words, at the very least, Mario Kart DS will be a good game.

3. Touch! Kirby's Magic Paintbrush-- Though I loathe the main character of this game, initial impressions of an early build have come back with generally rave impressions. A new style of gameplay only possible on the DS means this game could easily be a must own.

2. Rayman DS-- Though it is suposedly a remake of Rayman 2: The Great Escape to some capactiy, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Rayman 2 was one of the best platformers on the previous console generation. It is almost reassuring to hear about the delay on Rayman DS, since some of the DS's launch games seemed a bit rushed. Hopefully the additional time was spent both fixing bugs and tweaking gameplay.

1. New Super Mario Bros-- The characters may be 3d now, but this Mario game returns to its 2d perspective roots. With Sony's PSP providing competition in the marketplace for the DS, Nintendo knows that a blockbuster title would significantly reduce the PSP's draw... Mario, being Nintendo's flagship character, most likely will deliver the goods.

Falco's Most Anticipated -------->

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UZG's Most Anticipated

Now this list was not long enough to put all the games that I am truely waiting for so games that would have been after my number 10, but deserve honorable mention are Baten Kaitos DS, Another, Secret of Mana DS, Mario Kart DS, and others. Some of the games were not on my list because I really wasn't sure if they would come out this year. Anywways on with my list.

10. Metroid Prime: Hunters
To be honest I have never been a big fan of the Metroid series. Metroid Prime was enough for me on the Gamecube, but First Hunt has got me looking forward to this Metroid title. Metroid games are good first-person shooters, and I expect Hunters to be above average and challenge Echoes.

9. Pokemon Pearl and Diamond
Pokemon sort of died with me after red version, but the DS has me wondering what the series can do. Pokemon is a very open ended franchise with numerous possibilities and the DS can maximize that potential. I see Pokemon regaining some of its standing in the 13-20 category with this version.

8. Jam with Band
Jam with Band has been a game that I have been looking forward to for awhile. The game has a lot of potential and I hear good things from Ross. This game is a welcomed change from most music based games. No dance mats, no weird moves, just pure clean music that you can even make.

7. Dynasty WarriorS
Dynasty Warriors is a successful franchise which is really not well known to many Nintendo gamers. The console games have been great games and hopefully this game will be just as good. This game will have many options and hopefully will take some part in using the innovation.

6. Viewtiful Joe DS
Viewtiful Joe is a breath of fresh air on the consoles and it is well suited to the DS. The original game is one of the best 2-D beat-em up games I have ever played. Viewtiful Joe is a fantastic console game and if the DS’s innovation is incorporated into this version this game will be even better.

5. Animal Crossing DS
Animal Crossing was an addictive game on the cube and has online possibilities on the DS. I expect the DS version to be a much deeper game and one where you can’t just change the date. I’m looking forward to the possibility of an entire online community with this game.

4. Zelda DS
You know its coming... The only reason this game is #4 on my list is due to the lack of information on it. Hopefully we will see a new Zelda game with good use of innovation.

3. Super Mario Brothers
Super Mario Brothers has a legacy of greatness. This series on the NES and Super Mario World on the SNES set the standard for excellency on platformers. This game looked good at E3 and I’m hoping it will be able to live up to Super Mario Brothers.

2. One-Line Puzzle
What?! A puzzle game at #2?! That’s right. This game looks like the best puzzle idea since tetris, and an opportunity for a new franchise. One-Line Puzzle looks like it combine the 2 screens and touch screen perfectly. Get pumped up for this game because I’ll be standing outside the store before it opens on launch for this one.

1. Advance Wars DS
Strategy games are awesome and the DS is the first system to be able play these games as well as a computer, if not better. Advance Wars has potential on the DS with online and touch screen. Watch out for this game as it has amazing potential for greatness.

Closing Comments ------->

Falco8's Most Anticipated

10. WarioWario Touched!
WarioWare Touched! seems to be pretty fun playing these silly games for some short periods of time. I like the touch screen features as you you need to cut the vegetables, and to make Wario laugh by tickling him. The one thing I like the most about this game that you can use the microphone features in the game as you blow in your DS the air will the hat off the head, but really awesome so I can`t wait for this game.

9. Goldeneye Rogue Agent
Now, now, now. Yes, I know that GoldenEye: Rouge Agent was a dud when it came out for the consoles, but I do have a little faith in EA for making the game better on the Nintendo DS. Besides, who doesn't`t love a first person shooter with the title name "GoldenEye" on it?

8. Dynasty Warriors DS (working title)
I love a hack-n-slash game when the day does not go well for me, and I think Dynasty Warriors DS will do the job just right . I hope the game has some great multiplayer to with my friends so that i may crush them in it and my bad days will go away.

7. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl
Believe it or not. But I cannot wait for these games because the games will be getting a new type or kind of gameplay experience never shown in the Pokemon World. Who knows? We might see a RTS or an action adventure in the games.

6. Need for Speed Underground Rivals
Now some of you guys always hear me nagging about Ridge Racer DS that it is the best racing game on the Nintendo DS, but Need for Speed Underground Rivals might be an exception. The Need for Speed series is known for its sleek cars, tough AI, and the need for speed in the game, and now I cannot wait to hit my nitrous on this game.

5. Advance Wars DS
I love war strategic games to keep you and your men one step ahead of your enemies as they are trying to take you guys out, but you call in air raids to wipe out the obstacles right out of your path, and I am hoping that Advanced War DS will fill my childhood dreams. The game looks promising for car trips and meeting with family reunions.

4. Mario Kart DS
The reason why I want this game so badly is because of the gameplay experience and the multiplayer mayhem, of course! I love to race against my friends, but I really love it when one of my friends are about to cross the finish lie but I get them with a red shell and pass the finish line, now that will be great!

3. Winning Eleven DS
Sport games are the best to play with your friends, like this game right here. Winning Eleven is a great soccer game to burn some time playing by yourself  with some good AI. I will be loving this game when it comes out.

2. Nanostray
Nanostray is one of those games that pull off everthing like the visuals, having great music and sound effects, and it will have a great game play element to the game, You can go play with one other friend to seee if your the best, or you can see if you are the best in the country with the WLAN high scoreboard so I am having my eyes on this game when comes out.

That is why Nanostray is my most wanted DS game of 2005!

1. Metroid Prime: Hunters
The reason why this game deserves to be the first on my list is just about everythingyou need in a first person shooter. You have the visuals which will be fantastic as it did in the demo, the audio will be great with all it`s eerie music and the awesome sound effects, the gameplay is goibg to great going throught the story lines and eveything, but finally, the multiplayer is going to rock my mind as you can play up to eight player that is going to the biggest multiplayer game on the Nintendo DS.

That is why Metroid Prime: Hunters is my most anticipated DS game of 2005!

UZG's Most Anticipated -------->

Most Anticipated of 2005

The year of 2005 is filled with many surprises and new DS games. Hopefully we will see tons of AAA DS games this year, and much more innovation from the system that is already leading the pack. Here at DS Update we have looked over many of the titles that are suppose to be released this year and we have each chosen our top ten picks for the games that we think will be the best in 2005.

Matt Prunty's Most Anticipated ----------->

Sprung


Genre
Simulation

Publisher
Ubi Soft Inc.

Developer
Ubi Soft Inc.

# of Players
1

Release Date
December

ESRB Rating
Teen

One of Ubi Soft’s upcoming titles, Sprung, formerly known as Crush, is set to come out this December. The 2-D dating game features many different situations and modes to play the game through. In the game you may play as male or female through 50 different dating missions. In the missions you must try to ‘hook-up’ with a member of the opposite sex. The storyline is some what faded and humourous. Although this game is only one player, during the game you must compete against other people to try to win your target person over. In the game once you choose your target you will get to choose from a variety of different responses to try and make your target ease up to you.

In the game is featured in almost completely 2-D environments with 2-D characters. The game features use of both screens with your ‘target’ person on the top screen, so you can view thier response, and yourself and your choice of speaking selections to choose from on the bottom screen. So far the touch screen is only known to be used to choose between responses.

This game does not seem to explore the full potential of the DS’s capabilities with its features. Although I’m not sure we would like to see blocky women and men though. The graphics aren’t a bad feature of this game and they show something different from most of the DS games. I think this game would get quite old fast, as each mission basicly has the same objective and varieties of responses only go so far. Along with Feel the Magic XX/XY being some what of a dating game this game seems like it will fall short. The game seems to lack key features which gamers will want to use with their DS. This game although has many disadvantages it may also be something to be tried as these types of games are all the rage in Japan.

Total Appeal Score: 5.5/10

Media

Screens
IGN
Gamespot

Videos
IGN
Gamespot

Asphalt Urban GT Preview....(Second Take)

Asphalt Urban: GT Preview

By:

Mprunty


When gamers hear about Ubisoft, they immediately think of Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia. Ubisoft has set a standard in the industry for offering amazing detail and intense nonstop action that keeps gamers anticipating their next move, the next enemy and even their next installment in that particular franchise. But for Ubisoft, this is new territory that they are venturing into. Extreme Racing titles have seldom grabbed the attentions of gamers (mainstream and hardcore), and this is something that they feel needs to change.

Early this year in August, after a stellar show by Nintendo and fellow game developers, they revealed their line-up for upcoming Nintendo Ds titles for fourth quarter debut. Several titles were mention, one of which was Asphalt Urban GT. At this time, nothing was really known about the game besides the obvious (being developed for the N-Gage). In the following weeks, new screenshots and info was released in regards to the upcoming title. At Nintendo’s conference back on October 7th, it was revealed that Asphalt Urban GT was going to be a launch title for the Nintendo DS. This wasn’t a big surprise to me, but many gamers that I talked to felt that they needed something to compete with Ridge Racer, and it seemed that Ubisoft had the answer.

Game Features:

• 23 dream cars, including Lamborghini, Jaguar, Hummer, VW, and Audi.
  
• Tracks inspired by real locations, including New York, Miami, Paris, and Tokyo.
  
• Track your turns and spy on your opponents using the bottom display of your Nintendo DS.
  
• 30 options for tuning, engine maintenance, and bodywork.
  
• Race up to 4 other players using DS Wireless Communications
  

Developed by Gamelot and published by Ubisoft; Asphalt Urban GT offers a little bit of everything. You have so much going for you when you play this game, from the many licensed vehicles (23 total) including the likes of Lamborghini, Jaguar, and even the Hummer!!!! Like in the Need For Speed Underground series, you have the ability to customize your cars, adding your own flavor and style to the game and fellow racers. You have the ability to customize your ride with the price money you win after each race, so you can give your car a new paint job, a more powerful engine, spoilers, etc… These two features bring a lot of attention to this game, and give their competition (Ridge Racer DS) some more things to worry about. There is a strong single player core with lots of elements and loads of fun, but also offers a multiplayer aspect. When playing multiplayer, you have the ability to connect with up to 4 other gamers (total of 5 players) using either a single cart or each DS owner having a copy of the game. So you know there will be a high replay value due to the heavy competition with fellow friends and new gamers.



But the strong point for this title is its truly amazing graphics that it displays. Fully 3D and running at a stable frame-rate of 60fps, it is clear that the game engine Gamelot is using strives for true beauty and astonishing fluidity. Asphalt Urban GT is only one of two titles at the launch of the DS that will actually run at that frame-rate with no problems. The game engine interlaced with this amazing frame-rate simulates the sense of speed, which isn’t see all too often on handheld. All the gaming action is displayed on the top screen, while the touch screen is used for map tracking of you and your fellow opponents. Not stopping there, you also have several camera angles that can be used, especially the “cockpit view” which gives you a more arcade feel. This game operates of the standard digital pad and action buttons, but let it be known, the controls handle smoothly and shouldn’t cause any problems for any gamer.



The replay value of this game will certainly be high, but there is one gaping hole that should be known about. When watching the playback footage of your completed race, you’ll notice that only your car is being shown (no opponents or track). So if you are bumped from behind by another car or run into the railing, the car will jolt and shake. This will be frown upon, but doesn’t take much from the overall feel and appearance of the game. Not trying to talk bad about this game, but some says that it has a small “port” feel to the game, since the game was originally announced for the N-Gage.

It is clearly shown that whether a port or not, this game is destined to bring great arcade action to the Nintendo Ds and has the potential to cause a disturbance in the sales of Ridge Racer DS. Come November 21st, the battle of the 1st generation racers will begin and will decide the fate of both titles, and future racers for the Nintendo DS.

Overall Appeal: "8.5/10"

Guilty Gear: Dust Strike Preview

Guilty Gear: Dust Strike

Genre
Fighting

Publisher
Majesco Games

Developer
Arc System Works

# of Players
1-2? WiFi; 1-4 WLAN

Release Date
11/29/05

ESRB
Rating Pending


Now I love a 2D fighter games like Street Fighter, and when I heard that Majesco was publishing a 2D fighter for the Nintendo DS; I couldn’t wait to see this game at E3. Guilty Gear: Dust Strike is going to be the first fighting game that will be coming on the Nintendo DS, and Guilty Gear: Dust Strike will have WiFi capabilities that will have rules like “last fighter standing wins” so that will be sweet. The game will also have wireless multiplayer that you can play with three of your friends. Guilty Gear: DS is set up for a vertical game play to include both of the Nintendo DS’ screens.

Guilty Gear: DS’s arenas look somewhat like the Donkey Kong arcade’s stages or one of Super Smash Bros. stages. Guilty Gear: DS has only a hand full of characters at E3, but will have all characters on Guilty Gear X2#Reloaded will be on Guilty Gear: DS and, the graphics in the game look nice. Guilty Gear: DS will have up to six modes like Arcade, Survival, VS Battle and Mini-games; there will be up to ten mini-games like Sword Practice and Arm-Wrestling that you can unlock special moves. We'll see Guilty Gear: Dust Strike release later this year.

-Falco8

Revolutionary Downloads

With all the talk of Revolution and its new gameplay elements people have been speculating, the element of downloading classic games has been left in the dust. People know its there and simply go “ok, cool”. But now what? Some have been speculating about if it’s going to cost the user or if it’s going to be free. Now what many people may have skipped over is that it will probably be neither. "We hope to establish a format where both Nintendo and [third-party] software makers will be able to make a profit by using the resources from our past." – Satoru Iwata. It’s obvious that Nintendo isn’t going to give us our games for free, but I don’t think they will make us pay.

"We believe that there's a number of ways that we can use the system, such as to offer a bonus download with the purchase of a new game, or allow some games to be downloaded during a limited time during a campaign period."- Satoru Iwata. Right now Nintendo.com is doing a promotional Nintendo power magazine give away when you register three game codes. Now for those of you that don’t know what these “game codes” are, they are game-specific codes released with Nintendo first party games. Each game comes with one code. Nintendo has actually been offering giveaways with these codes since the Zelda collector’s edition was released, which was actually the first code giveaway. So what if Nintendo used these codes as a point system. Every code grants you a game. Not only dose it give you incentive to buy more Nintendo created first party games, it gives the consumer the feeling they are getting them for free. So now we have the idea of Nintendo offering game downloads for code-points, what if you added to that with the concept of title-points. Say you registered the code for smash brothers revolution. That allows you to get the original smash brothers for the n64. It can also apply to people who bought the classic NES series games for GBA. Anybody that registered a classic NES game can download the original NES version of that game for the revolution as well as gaining a code-point for registering the game. So in short you get 2 points for some games, a title point and a generic code point which you can use to download games that maybe don’t have an applicable newer version available in which to acquire a title point for. This could be the way Nintendo is intending to do things.

-Blackmajik

Super Mario 64 DS Review

Super Mario 64 launched the N64 and got stellar reviews across the board and Super Mario 64 DS recaptures all the magic of the original. Super Mario 64 DS is probably the strongest launch title for the DS and is a game definitely worth getting. Now for those that own a DS and don’t own this game, just save yourself some time, Stop reading this review and go buy the game.

Gameplay
The main objective in this 3-D platformer is to collect the stars to eventually beat the game. The star quests start off simple and slowly progress in difficulty at a reasonable pace. The stars keep the game new with 150 stars this time, rather than the 120 stars found in the original. Along with new stars in this game, new characters also come along to give Mario a hand this time around. Wario, Luigi, and Yoshi are all playable characters and are integrated essentials to the games game-play. The new characters in the game add a new level of complexity to puzzles and the game itself. Along with new characters and stars, there is a bit of a hat trick in this game. Each character only being able to use certain transforming hats from the original makes each character differently suited to different stars. Along with the old hats there is also three new hat skills which make the game more fun. The game-play in this game is very similar to the original, but the new characters and hats bring the game-play to a whole new level.

Game-play: 9/10

Story
This game has the same basic story as every other Super Mario Brother’s game, but somehow the basic and simple story is captivating and compelling. No major plot twists no major changes in who the evil character is, just a straight forward story line with a definite objective. The story is so simple its original yet reused. Most games these days make you think you know the story until that plot twist happens and its refreshing, even as unexpected as those plot twists may be, to see a game without them is refreshing in its own little way. The basic story worked back in the 80’s with Super Mario Brothers on the NES, and the story is just as new and original today as it was back then.


Story: 8/10

Controls
This game took noticeable criticism for using a D-pad rather than an analog stick for control, but the difference is almost negligible. There are a few points in the game where you will notice the difference of the D-pad, but for the most part the D-pad works great. Along with the D-pad there is also the option of using the touch screen for control. The touch screen is a little more difficult to get use to, but is beneficial in some parts of the game. Overall the controls in this game work well, and the jump, punch, duck and view buttons are well placed on the DS. Controls in this are a non issue.

Controls: 9/10

Multiplayer
It was only natural to add in a multiplayer feature, but this is where the game lacks the most. The multiplayer stages are fast paced with limited arenas and options. The multiplayer can become redundant, especially if you don't know that many people with a DS. While still fun with less, it is best played with 4 people. Although Nintendo could have easily created multiplayer co-op in the game which would have added a lot more.

Multiplayer: 7/10

Graphics
Super Mario 64 DS shows off the 3-D graphics that the DS is capable off and has noticeably better graphics than the N64 version. Along with having great graphics technically, the games colorful worlds draw you in seemingly shutting out the outside world you are physically in. The graphics were good in the original, but were improved in this version and it only adds to the game to make it even better.

Graphics: 9/10

Sound
One thing that people never talk about is the DS' stereo speakers. This game definitely demonstrates this feature very well, giving you a pretty good idea of how far off objects are by the sounds alone. Along with the good use of sound effects and surround sound effects, the music is a definite strong point in the game. The music in Super Mario 64 DS is addictive and wonderful like most other Mario games. You may find yourself humming some of the tunes in the shower on on your way to work, along with just having a few of the songs stuck in your head for a few days. The game has beautiful music that suits each level perfectly further increasing the fun of the whole experience.

Sound: 9/10

Use of DS Innovation
When you are choosing a new game to get for you DS, one of the deciding factors is probably going to be how much the game uses the DS' great new features. Super Mario 64 does use the dual screens and graphics, but in the main game the bottom screen is only used as a map and touch pad for control. The game takes a bit of a dive in using the touch screen in the main game, although the map is very helpful, but regains all of it with the mini games. Super Mario 64 DS’s mini games incorporate the touch screen very well with combinations of brain games, speed thinking games, and just fun slot machine games. The game did not have to have any of these mini games in the game and it would still be a good game, but the mini games are almost reason enough to purchase the game.

Use of DS Innovation: 8/10

Conclusion
This game recaptures the magic of the original and with fun extras this game will keep you coming back for more. The mini games are fabulous and will keep you playing the game long after you have gotten 150 stars. This is definitely a title that is not to be missed and is a good game for anyone. So next time your considering a new DS game, just pick up this game, you won’t be disappointed.

Overall: 8.9/10

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DoomDS Interview

DS Update: Could you give us your name, and what title are you making?

Larry Ellis: My name is Larry Ellis and I'm Director of the DoomDS project.

DSU: How did you get the idea to develop this project?

LE: While working on a Doom project for the PC, I bought a Nintendo DS and fell in love with the Metroid Hunters demo. I thought to myself it would be awesome if they released a new version of Doom on the DS like they did with Doom on the N64, but incorporate freelook with the stylus. I went looking around on the net to see what other FPS titles were in development, but was not impressed with what was coming. Doom was not announced, but if it was coming, it would probably be yet another boring port.

I started drawing up how the controls would be setup and the layout of the two screens, I eventually ended up doing alot of concepts and documentation and really got into the idea of a new Doom for the DS. I went online to see if anyone had ever made thier own games for a console or handheld, because i really had no idea what kind of support there was for such development.

I was blown away by the already huge established community for DS homebrew. The speed at which some of these guys work is a little scary. I knew right away that this project could work, It would just take some time.

DSU: How long have you been in development for Doom DS, and do you have anyone helping you with this project?

LE: It's been in development for about four months now, it started with just myself and a bunch of documents.I now have another fulltime 3D modeler on the project, Brandon aka Eclipse, he produces some great stuff and is a fast worker too. On the programming side, there are several people involved, with a few key people
working on the initial foundation of the engine. The engine will be open to the community for any future projects anyone wishes to start, so the more people helping with the engine the better off the community will be.

DSU: Will the title be a port, or a Doom related project?

LE: DoomDS is very much like Doom64 was, its a new Doom for a new system, but dont confuse this project with a port of Doom64 because it isnt. There will be some relation to art design aspects of Doom64 but that is all.

DSU: Will you use the same weapons as in the Doom game or will there be different aray of weapon selection?

LE: All the original weapons are back, with the addition of a Grenade Launcher. Its design is based on the 40mm M79 that requires it to be broken to relaod, just like the DB Shotgun. I think its old style design with wodden
stock and its slow firing nature fits very well into the Doom universe.

DSU: Will you utilize the touch screen to aim like in Golden Eye and Metriod Prime Hunters?

LE: Yes, freelook is fully supported.

DSU: Will you implement a multiplayer mode for this project?

LE: Once the project is complete we may turn towards the multiplayer aspect. There are alot of multiplayer features that I want to impliment into DoomDS, but untill more is known about the WiFi language we wont be able to use it. The usual Deathmatch, CTF, Team Deathmatch and Co-Op modes will be included, but not for a long time yet.

DSU: Do you fear that developer, Id shut your project down like Nintendo did with the SSB DS project?

LE:I had a pretty strong feeling that the SSB DS project would get shut down, Nintendo have proven in the past that fan-made projects based on Nintendo characters or franchises usually get shut down. I remember a Mario64 type conversion
being made for the Quake engine, it didnt last too long.

Id have released the source to Doom1/2 and Quake1/2 and you really do have quite a free run with it. With the Quake source under the GPL, anything you make using the Quake source, you must make your projects source available to anyone else and if your selling your project, you must write your own compile tools. So providing you write your own compile tools you are free to use the engines to make and sell your own games.

Projects like Doom64: Absolution on the PC used a tile dumper to extract all the textures and sprites from the Doom64 ROM. They then included soundFX, music and art content from other versions of Doom and released it on the site for download. If people can get away with such things, I cant see DoomDS getting shut down. We are using all new art content, but the sound and music will be from previous versions of Doom. I dont think being a DS title makes it any different.

Id software have moved on from the classic Doom series and into the Doom3 universe, SSB is still very much an active franchise for Nintendo and they obviously are protective of it.

DSU: When do you think the Doom DS will be release?

LE:The faster our engine comes together the faster we can release DoomDS. We are really relying on the engine at the moment, we are getting through the modeling and other aspects of the project very fast. We are still in need of a few very talented people to help with Character Skins and Textures. Anyone interested please contact me at: DoomDS@hotmail.com Samples of work will be required.

DSU: Do you have any future DS projects that you would to develop on the Nintendo DS?

LE: Of course, but once we get DoomDS running, then I will know if the project will be suitable for the DS. I dont want to say too much, but I will say that its a first-person action adventure game with an outdoor setting.

DSU: Well I wish you good luck with the project and I hope the project become a great success.

LE: Thanks.

-Falco8

Another Code Preview

Another Code Preview

By:

Matthew "Mprunty" Prunty

Throughout the gaming industry, innovation has always played an important role in how a game was and is perceived and played. From plot twists, to the style of Gameplay, to even how the game is played out, Innovation always seems to answer the call of the developer and the gamer who thrives for it. With every new generation of gaming, comes a new style of Gameplay that is to be remembered and to be praised…

With their latest creation, the Nintendo DS, Nintendo sought out to bring something never seen or done within the handheld market. Teaming up a developer, Cing, Nintendo sought to bring a flavor never seen in the handheld market, at least on the DS. This game was first announced last year when Nintendo held a very important conference in reference to the DS and the rest of Nintendo as a whole. Billed as the first “true adventure” game for the NDS, Nintendo hopes for gamers to be drawn into this creation.

The basis of this game is you are in control of a 13 year-old girl named Ashley who goes to Brad Edward Island in hopes of finding her father. Now you may ask, why is she going to the island in the first place? Well here is the reason. Her parents Sayako and Richard, both who worked for a research lab of a secret government organization, got into some serious trouble… to the point where Ashley's mom dies, and her father ends up missing… The reason for her mom’s death and her father going missing is because of a secret project they were working on by the name of “Another”.

This title makes good use of the touch screen in the telling of Ashley finding here estranged father. While the bottom screen displays the game world from a overhead view, the top screen switches between close-ups and points of interest that would help you further the story along. With your choice of using the stylus or the D-pad to control Ashley, you get the best of both worlds. Those who still aren’t comfortable using the stylus and touch screen to control the characters can use the regular controls. But for those who enjoy the innovative features the DS brings, you are in for a treat. Though relatively easy, if you want Ashley to go in a particular direction, all you have to do is to touch the bottom screen with the stylus in the direction you want her to go in.

But just when you thought it couldn’t get more interesting…. the stylus is also used to interact with the game world. While walking around, if you see a territory of interest to yourself, you can tap that area (on the screen) and some on-screen options appears, including an “investigate” option. Taking part in this mode can lead to special mini games composed of simple puzzles

Due to the overhead view, gamers are given a 3D perspective, which includes smooth movements and zooming in/out of the action. And because of the simplicity of design in regards to character models and backdrops, the game goes easy on the eyes, allowing for extensive Gameplay.

So for all those who are interested in the game and cant wait until Nintendo announces a launch date for North America, you can import it from Japan on February 24th, 2005. I don’t know about you, but this will indeed be a title that I will be following further to see if anything else is added, or if there are any changes to this title. This game can truly be a turn for the better in regards of pulling older gamers into the world of the DS.

Total Appeal = 8/10

-MPRUNTY

(Images couresy of IGN)

March

March 20, 2006 Metroid Prime: Hunters--Nintendo Software Technology

March 31, 2006 Dynasty Warriors--Koei NR

March 31, 2006 Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll--Amusement Vision

March 31, 2006 Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi (DS)--D3Publisher of America

March 31, 2006 Resident Evil: Deadly Silence--Capcom

March 31, 2006 Ultimate Brain Games--Telegames

January

January 9, 2006 Electroplankton--Nintendo

January 23, 2006 True Swing Golf--T&E Soft

January 31, 2006 Age of Empires: The Age of Kings--Majesco

January 31, 2006 Bust-A-Move DS--Majesco

January 31, 2006 Guilty Gear Dust Strikers--Majesco

Super Mario 64 DS: "Mario's Face" Hints and Tricks

If you have played Super Mario 64 DS, you will have probably already discovered the "Mario Face" game accessed by tapping Mario/ Yoshi on the main menu screen. This article will show you some things you may not know about the clever little mini game.

How to access it
The simplest way to access the game is to tap Mario/ Yoshi's face when you start up Super Mario 64 DS. The 3D character you tap will give you a nice little pose, then the computer will trace the character and the original 3D face will disappear, leaving the outline for you to mess with. At this point "your in."

Poke time!
Now you have Mario's face. At this point, take out your stylus and start poking him (he really doesn't mind.) Once you've poked Mario's face to your hearts content, read the following tips and tricks for advanced poking.

Poking Tips
Now its time for some serious poking. Take note that all of these poking tips apply to your future drawings as well (but we will get into that later.) First, lets try rotating Mario a little bit. Press "left" on the d-pad to rotate Mario left and press "right" on the d-pad to rotate Mario right, (this will also straighten Mario's face if you had messed it up to the point of confusion previously.) If you rotate him for a while it starts to look crazy.

After your done rotating Mario, ready to do some squishing? Okay, press up on the d-pad to squish him from the top and bottom and press down on the d-pad to squish him from the side. Once you let go, Mario will straighten just like he did when you rotated him.

Okay, if you still haven't had enough, you can try what I call drifting. Press "L" to start. Mario's features will start drifting, resulting in a mess of eyes, ears, and pretty much everything else creating a jumbled mess. If you still don't feel sorry for poor Mario at this point, press and hold "R" and the process will start all over again, this time drifting in a slightly different way (haven't quite put my finger on it.)

Done poking? No? Okay then just press random buttons and poke away. When your done, come back here.

Draw a Picture!
When Your done messing with mario/Yoshi's face, press the pencil icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. Mario's face will disappear with some kind of cool effect and now your clear to start drawing. The bar at the bottom of the screen indicates how much ink is remaining. When you run out of ink, you will be automatically transfered to "touch mode" where you can put all the above poking tips to good use. If you have finished your drawing and still haven't run out of ink, press the bottom left "touch" icon to get into touch mode. I highly recommend touching your drawings when you have finished with them as it is a very rewarding experience.

Drawing Tips
The drawing mode isn't as simple as you might think. There are actually options built into it.

Pen Size
This feature really surprised me. The up and down arrows on the d-pad toggle through the three different pen sizes, the default pen size is medium. When you go to a different pen size, your whole drawing will transfer to that pen size. So if you want a more refined and detailed drawing, you will probably want to go with the smallest pen size.

Undo/Redo
To undo any number of steps, just press "left" on the d-pad, you can always redo the steps by pressing "right" on the d-pad. (This can be quite useful when tracing, which I will get to right away.)

Tracing
Ever wanted to trace Mario? Well, here is your chance. When in drawing mode press "L" or "R" to make Mario's face appear. Now you can start drawing over the face. When your done, just press "L" or "R" again and Mario's face will disappear.

Advanced Tracing
When your done tracing Mario, you can move onto Yoshi by pressing the Yoshi Icon on the bottom left corner of the screen, (this is also the way to quit.) Tap Yoshi's face and treat him just the way you treated Mario.

Choose a pose...
Ready to do some advanced tracing? Here is how. When your at the main Super Mario 64 DS menu, wait until Mario/ Yoshi's face is in the pose you want and press "b" twice. That pose will turn into a color outline including any other elements that come in (such as the star.) Now you can trace to your hearts desire.

Had Fun?
Tell us all about the ways you have manipulated this innovative game, in the comments section of this article. Thanks for reading, and have fun! (Images courtesy of Gamespot and IGN.)

-Jeremy Olson

A Note or Two About Launch

A Note or Two About Launch

Since last May we have spent the months since speculating about Nintendo’s new dual screen handheld. We were screaming ‘Give us a release date’, ‘Give us a price’, or even ‘Give us a release date when the release date will be released!’. Now that time is finally here and we know so much more about the DS, its capabilities and it now has a new model. The last months have been fun and interesting to say the least. We have learned a lot and starting today we now have a chance to own the handheld itself.

Now that the DS is out and many of us are wondering what information there is left to be covered. There are still hundreds of thousands of posts that will need to be made and updated. Reviews will begin to flow in and more and more previews as the games are announced. Even with the DS in our lives we have a lot more to learn about something we may already own. We still have to cover a lot more things here on Update, DemaSked, the mystery port, new games, and the failure of the PSP.

As the DS slips into your home and your hands, we hope you slip onto our web page which will be begin covering many new things. Game strategies will begin to be common and, as always, feel free to e-mail us about game problems you are having. Reviews from Matt Prunty, myself and other writers will come in and we’ll make sure you get the best game for your money. Not to forget the previews for the newest games announced. Possibly even a place you can come to find people to play against online. New servers, new templates, and new members will help the site grow and hopefully as will our viewer numbers. The DS is an innovative system as so the site should be.

The DS is coming and we should all be ready by this stage and hopefully we are. The launch of the system is one more thing to celebrate and the purchase of your own system is even more to celebrate. It is still over a month away before I will receive my own dual-screened system, but I can’t wait to hear about yours. The DS is an amazing system as is the site to go with it. We plan to play a prominent role in DS reporting and grow even larger. This is Ultimate Zelda Guru, and from all of us here at DS Update, happy launch.

December

December 31, 2006 Brain Flex-- Nintendo
December 31, 2006 Code Lyoko-- The Game Factory
December 31, 2006 Nicktoons Unite!-- THQ
December 31, 2006 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest-- Eurocom

Release Dates

Right now, we will be putting release dates for the Nintendo DS and Revolution for the North America for now, but when we're think we have most of the North America release dates, then we will start on the European and Japanese release dates later.


North America: 2006
January

February

March

December

Ridge Racer Preview

Ridge Racer

Genre
Racing

Publisher
Namco

Developer
Namco

# of Players
1-6

Release Date
11/21/04

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

Ridge Racer is the second racing game to be launched with the DS. Ridge Racer has similar single player modes compared to Cruisin’ USA with time trials, Championship mode, and more. The game also features a multiplayer mode where up to six players can race against each other on one game pack. The game features over 20 different levels to race in which include a variety of landscapes from sea-side, to desert, to inside a city. The game also has unlockable secrets which include Pac-Man and Mario themed cars. The unlockables will be nice bonuses for players who want to beat the Championship mode.

The game also features an arcade-type feel with full use of the touch screen. On the touch screen, there is a steering wheel displayed on which you control the car with using your thumb or stylus. There is also a map and your lap times on the lower screen, while the upper screen has the main action of the race and your car. If the touch-screen steering wheel isn’t your choice then you may also use the D-pad for control. Other secondary features such as the pause menu are also on the touch screen.

Ridge Racer looks like it will offer something different than most of the current racing games. The touch screen will be new to drivers and will probably be fun to try out. More maps and a less serious racing game seems to make this game to be more fun and casual than hardcore all out racing. The game does have a disadvantage to Asphalt: Urban GT though, its graphics. The graphics on this racer are very nice, but it comes in second to Urban GT for graphics. The game also will be good for multiplayer with one game pack and up to six players. This game looks like a better pick to me than its competition, but anything can happen. This game seems pretty original and the arcade style seems to run smoothly. This game deserves a 7/10 for a total appeal score.

Total Appeal Score: 7/10

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Asphalt: Urban GT

Asphalt: Urban GT

Genre
Racing

Publisher
Ubi Soft Inc.

Developer
Ubi Soft Inc.

# of Players
1-4

Release Date
11/21/04

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

Asphalt: Urban GT will be one of the first racing games on DS. The game takes place in cities and has a selection of nine tracks in different nine cities. In the game there is Championship Mode, Single Race, Replay Mode, and Cop Chase to play your way through. The game also includes a multiplayer mode for up to four people. Urban GT also features up to 24 possible cars to drive including such cars as the Lamborghini, Jaguar, and Hummer. Also there is the ability to customize certain features of your car in the game which adds a lot more to the game as opposed to most driving games.

The game will be played with the D-pad and buttons as opposed to the touch screen. The action in this game takes place on the upper screen and the map, music selections, and other secondary functions appear on the touch screen. The lower screen map will allow you to track your opponents accurately and watch for oncoming turns. The game does not take full advantage of the DS’s capabilities. Instead of working hard on integrating the touch screen and other features, Ubisoft made a straight forward racing game. The game does use the 3-D graphics of the DS very well which will make you think you’re playing a game more of Dreamcast quality.

This game seems to be one of those “come and go” racing games that every system has. This racing game does not use the DS to its full potential which is its main weakness compared to Ridge Racer (the other racing game coming to the DS). It offers a lot of what every racing game seems to have and it does not seem to go beyond this. The car customization will add a little more to the game but not enough to make it original. This game will be as fun as every other racing game, and will probably sell quite well. Graphics-wise it seems to have a hand over Ridge Racer, with its really well done graphics and backgrounds. If you really enjoy the normal racing games I suggest picking up this title on launch. This game seems like it will do fairly well and will help kick off the DS’s launch and it deserves a 6.5/10 for a total appeal score.

Total Appeal Score: 6.5/10

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Feel The Magic XX/XY Preview

Feel the Magic XX/XY

Genre
Puzzle

Publisher
Sega Entertainment

Developer
Sega Entertainment

Release Date
11/21/04

ESRB Rating
Teen

Feel the Magic XX/XY, from Sega, is the new dating puzzle game that is turning heads. The game features gameplay similar to Wario Ware games. Numerous mini-games and fast paced fun will keep this game fresh. This game will feature you as the main character trying to impress and date the love of your life. The trick is to find the way to her heart. This game will feature full use of the touch screen, voice recognition and dual screens. It will also feature mixed blends of 2-D and 3-D graphics and silhouetted images which are very original. The game features a humorous storyline which will shape the character and how you play the game. In the game, you must also do tasks to help out or even protect your loved one by fighting a bull or even regurgitating a fish.

This game is one of those fun Japan games that we usually don’t get over here. If you were down about Wario Ware not being a launch title, then this is the next best thing. This game will feature some good and fun mini-games that shall keep the good gameplay going long after you have beaten the game. The game seems to be one of the best choices, available at launch, if you want to put your DS to full use. This game will probably be one of the games you will want to play if you don’t buy it. Feel the Magic XX/XY seems new, interesting, and original and deserves an 8/10 for a total appeal score.

Total Appeal Score: 8/10

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Super Mario 64 DS Preview

Super Mario 64 DS

Yes, Mario is back at the same adventure again, but this time he’s brought backup. Super Mario 64 DS is the new version of Super Mario 64 except now with some changes and on the DS.
The adventure starts as Yoshi and you are invited to the castle, but soon you’ll realize that the princess has been captured and you and your buddies have to get her back.
The game features an adventure/platformer type gameplay which was very new at the time of the 64. In the game you will go into different maps to get stars and eventually get enough stars to face it off with King Koopa (Bowser). The game is more puzzle oriented then the Super Mario Brothers series and is a lot more interactive. The game will also last a LONG time with all the amounts of stars and other features.

The game features wireless multiplayer for up to four players. In the game you may play as Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, or Wario during single or multiplayer. The game will be similar to the Nintendo 64 version, but now there are a lot more options. Now you may get 150 stars opposed to the 130 in the original. Mini-games are also added which will make use of the touch screen and other. Also each character has separate abilities which will be needed to be used throughout the game. Each character’s abilities vary from jumping, running, to even how they use caps. These changes between characters are key to making the game much more than just a port. Also new items have been added to the game such as the mushroom which now allows you to grow and become invincible for a certain amount of time. Other items and hats have also been added which will boost the gameplay and replay factor.

For both those who owned the original and those who have never played this game, this version will feel new and from what it looks like so far a must own. For those who have not seen or played the original it is comparable to the gameplay of Banjo-Kazooie, which is also an amazing game. I am interested to see the improvements on this game, and although this game is not going online, it deserves a 9/10 on the scale of total appeal. I think this game will be one of the top selling DS games in North America, and I already have mine preordered.

Total Appeal Score: 9/10


-Ultimate Zelda Guru

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Mini Game High Scores:

Yoshi
Wanted!: 1st: Amir Abdelli with 69, 2nd: DS Fan 56 with 38, 3rd: Robert Smith with 35

Hide and Boo Seek: 1st: DS Fan 56 with 5

Puzzle Panel

Boom Box

Mix-a-Mug

Puzzle Panic

Mario
Mario's Slides

Bounce and Pounce: 1st: Greg Z with 27

Sort or 'Splode: 1st Dark Straw with 289, 2nd: Jeremy Olson with 177, 3nd: Maligius with 48

Trampoline Time

Shuffle Shell: 1st: DarkStraw with 1700

Bounce and Trounce

Connect the Characters

Shell Smash: 1st: DarkStraw with 74,460, 2nd: Michael Hayes with 61,870, 3rd: Amir Abdelli with 38,450

Trampoline Terror

Luigi

Memory Match

Pair-a-Gone: 1st: Greg Z with 436

Wario

Bob-omb Squad: 1st: Robert Smith with 60,100, 2nd: Amir Abdelli with 45,700

Snowball slalom: 1st: Michael Hayes with 13"85

Submit your high scores by pressing the contact us button on the sidebar, put "MINI GAME HIGH SCORES" in the subject line. Make sure to include your name, the mini game(s) and your high score for the mini game(s). Discuss your high scores here.

Have fun.

Chad Interview

In regards to all the tunneling news and different services that has been going on, Chad Paulson agreed to give us another exclusive interview. Say thanks to Chad everyone, he's a nice guy and I'm glad he's taking some time out to talk to us.

DS Update: Just before we start I have to say, all of us at DS Update really appreciate you taking the time to talk to us.

Chad: My pleasure.

DS Update: With all that has been going on lately with the tunneling, what are your opinions on the situation?

Chad: I respect the desire to bring the Nintendo DS online. However, tunneling will never become a consumer friendly online solution in terms of the mass market. Warp Pipe was more of a research project at the time, I never fully expected it to be the definitive solution for online game play with respect to the GameCube by any means. Tunneling the Nintendo DS is not as straightforward as many people had expected. If DS tunneling software is ultimately distributed, this epiphany will trickle down to consumers who wish to tunnel their Nintendo DS. They will find that tunneling looks good on paper, but ultimately doesn't emulate a true online gaming experience. For this reason, among others, we never intended on tunneling the Nintendo DS.

DS Update: Do you personally plan to ever use a tunneling program for your DS?

Chad: That's hard to answer, as it's becoming increasingly difficult to allocate time to play video games in general. I'm sure I will check in and see how things progress.

DS Update: That's understandable, with tunneling being available do you think that even with other programs it will still be used?

Again, tunneling in general is inaccessible to most gamers. Add to the fact that there will be very special hardware requirements and network setups to tunnel the DS and little by little the potential consumer reach decreases.

DS Update: I myself plan to wait till all the different online services are announced before getting any equipment, but yet there seems to be many people making tunneling services. Why do you think that is?

Chad: As long as human nature and the Internet coincide there will always be established trends and those who wish to satiate desires based on those trends.

DS Update: With some of Xlink's team putting out multiple claims of you doing very bad things and calling you stupid and so on, how do you respond to that?

Chad: That said, as long as human nature and the Internet coincide there will also exist petty rivalry. Xlink shares quite a different philosophy than that of Warp Pipe Technologies. They are good at what they do and I wish them the best of luck with all of their future endeavors.

DS Update: Is that all this is, petty rivalry?

Chad: I didn't see reason for negativity towards any party then, nor do I now or in the future.

DS Update: Earlier in the week one of the Warp Pipe members claimed that Microsoft will be your competition for DS Online is this true?

Chad: In a question regarding tunneling competition, I made a note that no longer will any tunneling application be considered competition for Warp Pipe Technologies, as tunneling is no longer our core competency. One of our many competitors is indeed Microsoft. For what product or service? I am not at liberty to say.

DS Update: Dan of Team Nitro mentioned that you said that his efforts will not go to waste. Is this true and what did you mean by the statement?

Chad: I've learned through personal experience that if you put your heart into any endeavor for the right reasons, you will gain benefit from your work. If nothing else, attempting to tunnel the Nintendo DS will prove a positive learning experience.

DS Update: Nitro members mentioned a friendly relationship with you. Do you think this is true?

Chad: Of course we are friendly, as they are members of the Warp Pipe community. It should be noted, however, that Warp Pipe Technologies is in no way officially affiliated or responsible for their product or claims thereof.

DS Update: In regards to tunneling do you and the rest of the Warp Pipe team ever plan to tunnel another system? Perhaps a next-gen console?

Chad: Absolutely not. However, we do plan to finish our GameCube application and release a post-beta stable build. Although this remains a lower priority due to our new direction, it still remains priority as we value the community that has evolved with Warp Pipe through it's infancy.

DS Update: Do you plan to have your Demasked service continue and evolve to other systems?

Chad: There have been no official announcements on what platforms the Demasked service will run on.

DS Update: When can we expect an announcement on Demasked? Earlier you specified 2005, can you be more specific?

Chad: I cannot be specific, but I wouldn't expect to hear anything before E3.

DS Update: So how has Demasked been coming along?

Chad: Things have been progressing as expected.

DS Update: That's good to hear.

Demasked and other programs obviously take a long time to make. Do you think that Nitro will be able to make the timeline they specified, by having it out in around 10 days now?

Chad: I obviously cannot speak on someone else's behalf. I wish them luck.

DS Update: Is there any connection between the rumored Nintendo announcement in march and Warp Pipe's upcoming service Demasked?

Chad: I'm not aware of a March rumor.
So, to better answer your question. No.

DS Update: With Demasked being such a large priority at Warp Pipe, do you expect another delay?

Chad: Well, we haven't announced any particulars about demasked, including a release date. Therefore it would require us to do so first before we announce a delay. This project has grown by leaps and bounds and I am no longer in control of everything. By the time the details of the project are announced, I will be just another cog in the machine. A machine in which I am incredibly proud of, but a cog nonetheless.

DS Update: It sounds like things are really coming along. Now I would like to know some completely unrelated things. Everyone has asked you about demasked and so on, so I'd like to sort of meet the man behind the magic so to speak. What is your favorite system and video game of all time?

Chad: That's a tough question to answer, so I'll choose a different format to answer it in. In terms of a group setting, the GameCube is, by far, the best console; with the Nintendo 64 as a close second. I've really enjoyed the DS, American video game developers no longer have an excuse to forgo art in the process of creating a video game. Sonic Team did a splendid job with Feel the Magic. It is nothing short of art, video game culture at it's finest. I'm anticipating Metal Gear Solid 3, nothing like a game that makes you think and carries with it a political message. I guess you could say that I enjoy it when video games go beyond the obvious. There is a significant trend based on developing and publishing "pretty" looking games with fairly adequate game play, but little to no substance. I guess you could say that about the music industry. So I guess you could say I usually shuffle past the "teen pop" Ubisoft, "boy band" EA titles.

DS Update: What game are you most looking forward to in 05?

Chad: Advance Wars DS, hands down. As previously stated I love games that require brain capacity. In all, I'm even more interested in being completely surprised by a title than anything. The DS has so much potential.
I'm also looking forward to Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. I made sure I played that game daily while at E3. Of course, there is Zelda.

DS Update: Well I hope to one day play you online over the DS. Any closing comments?

Chad: I wish everyone reading a Happy Holiday. I advocate all those with a spare sum of money and a good heart to donate what they can to Child's Play (http://www.penny-arcade.com/childsplaycharity/index.php) or an equally worthy charity of your choice.

DS Update: Thank-you for your time.

Chad: It was my pleasure.

DS Update: Happy holidays and best of luck with DemaSked

Chad: Thanks. Same to you.

Chad said that DemaSked will be competing with Microsoft, this sounds to me that DemaSked will be a multi-console service that will be something somewhat similar to Xbox Live, except revolutionary. Also if we do hear news around E3 will this mean that we will see DemaSked enabled games at this year's E3? We'll have to be patient and wait for the answers. Until then, DEMASK!

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

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Red Steel Details

Details:

-Game development started shortly after E3 2005. Ubisoft saw and demoed the controller before E3 2005.
-Ubisoft Paris took their idea directly to Iwata and Miyamoto, and were given the go ahead. After that meeting they were given prototype controllers. The article states that Ubisoft worked "closely" with Nintendo's engineers in Japan on the title
-Game Informer mentions that while conducting the interviews with Ubisoft, they were handed the "latest version" of the controller

-During the beginning of the game, you are encouraged to use your weapons ruthlessly, but as the game progresses you become more proficient and strategic. This gameplay idea led Ubisoft to decide to give the game a martial arts setting. "Enter the Yakuza"
-The first third of the game will be all about being "brutal by necessity"
-You will be less precise and favor more devastating weapons (machine guns)
-As you progress and become more precise, smaller guns will be used
-"The goal...is to use five bullets to kill five enemies"
-"When fighting with this level of skill, the music and sound effects will reflect it, remaining calm and peaceful"
-"When you fight brutally, the sounds around you grow increasingly more intense"
-"Audio feedback"

-Freeze shot: by fighting effciently you fill the Freeze Shot gauge...fighting chaotically causes to decreases
-When the gauge is filled you can hit a button to momentarily stop time, and then target specific locations on enemy bodies
-Headshots thus are tempting, but non lethal shots, such as shooting guns out of enemy hand, can be more beneficial
-By defeating high ranking leaders who command others and sparing their lives, you will be rewarded. He will offer you respect and help (guns, help, new weapons, alternate paths, etc)
-Respect plays a MAJOR part in the game

-Flailing your sword isn't a smart idea
-Specific motions with the controller will trigger combos (in the final game)
-Tracing an X in the air, for instance, will unleash a devastating attack
-You can stop these combos at any time by simply pausing your own movement. So if you do something that leaves you open to attack, you won't be screwed
-New moves will be taught to you by two mentors in the game
-One will teach you gun tactics, and another will teach sword tactics
-If you don't show the proper respect to them, they won't help you
-Friendly/respectful interaction is tied to the controller
-You signal "yes/no" answers by nodding the controller up or down or shaking it from side to side
-You show extra respect by bowing to the masters
-Ubisoft is still coming up with other interactions
-"You can act disrespectively as well: there are no cut scenes in the game - all conversations take place in game, as in Half Life 2. However unlike that game, characters wont keep prattling on if you walk away from them. They will react angrily to your imputent behavior"
-Staying in the master's good graces is key: they give you missions that can be tackled in any order
-You track down the gang leaders and try to turn them to your side. If you don't, they will join Tokai's (the main villian) gang
-You have to prove you are worthy to them by battling them and sparing their lives.
-You will need as many of them with you as possible to face Tokai. Without their help, you'll have a rough time when you finally face him
-You turn gang leaders to your side by besting them in battle and stopping a deadly blow miliseconds before it strikes
-Training sessions are offered by the two masters so you can hone your skills


Multiplayer:

-Split screen multiplayer with traditional deathmatches
-Totally original multiplayer modes Ubisoft is not revealing yet. Wait until E3
-They didn't talk about Nintendo Wi Fi (NDAs). Full details haven't been revealed yet
-Revolution works by placing a small sensor bar either above or below any TV
-You can stand at any angle and not lose any accuracy. You can even take your controller to a friend's house and instantly start playing without syncing up the controller
-"Perhaps most impressive is the fact that although splitscreen reduces the amount of onscreen space you are playing in, you don't have to make smaller movements - you can gesture as wildly as you want, and it won't interfere with the other player's onscreen quadrants

Game Informer's hands on:

-The two triggers on the front of the analog unit activate ducking and jumping. The analog stick controls movement, and the revmote controls aiming. No rails.
-Level consisted of shooting ranges that popped out from behind cover
"Aiming with the controller is as simple as using a laser pointer. You point your hand at a target and hit the trigger on the underside of the controller to fire
-"Unlike other FPS games, which tie the camera and aiming together, Red Steel's camera follows your aim with a slight delay. If, for example, you point to the edge of the screen, the camera will turn to re-center on your view after a second. With the sensitivity of the controller, a standard FPS control would move too much, potentially making the player feel ill
-"Thanks to the improved reaction that the controller offers, the team can create gunfight scenerios that would be extraordinarily diffilcult with a standard controller"
-Most console FPS games limit their enemies to horizontal planes to prevent player frustration, but targets on a verticle plane are just as easy to hit with the Revolution controller
-You can aim at a target as quickly as you can move your hand
-In the demo targets popped up on rooftops and in second story windows, as well as behind cover points on the ground, and all were equally easy to hit
-While you can quickly shoot enemies anywhere on screen, Red Steel never feels in a light-gun game - this is a true FPS, one that feels like it has drawn from the best of both the PC and console shooter worlds

-According to lead game designer Oriola, it takes roughly three seconds to turn completely around around in most console shooters, while it takes about one-quarter second in a PC game. In Red Stel, it takes one second

-AI characters will care for themselves. They will go for cover, attack you while you're reloading. They focus on risk management
-"They won't walk around a table to get to you. They will simply jump over the table"
-"The benchmark for their intelligence and aggressiveness, says Oriola, is the PC title F.E.A.R., which has widely been praised for it's AI"

-Destructable environments. There's a pic of a giant explosion on a carm with gang members being thrown left and right by the blast. Nice effects. The lighting on the explosion and the store signs is pretty good
-GI: we found Red Steel most enjoyable to play while standing up
-Straffing is extremely easy and effortless
-"Aiming felt similar to using a PC mouse, and it's possible to quickly explore every direction in a three-dimensional space with quick gestures"
-"In the finished game, you will be able to push forward with the controller to knock over an object to use for cover, pull it backwards to reload, and twist it to lead behind walls"
-Lob grenades with the controller, or roll them on the ground like a bowling ball
-"gangsta style" shooting is cool
-Total immersion. Feels like you are living the game

-GI: the Revolution is real
-Andy: It could change the very way all gamers are played now and forever

Ping Pals Preview

Ping Pals Preview


Genre
Simulation

Publisher
THQ (Toy Headquarters)

Developer
WayForward Technologies

# of Players
16

Release Date
11/21/04

ESRB Rating
Everyone

Price
$19.99



The game that will be the first challenger for Pictochat will hit stores at launch. Ping Pals is basically another messaging program similar to Pictochat that will feature up to 16 player connectability and will have the same basic layout as Pictochat. One of the cool features that Ping Pals has to offer is that too connect with 16 friends only a single game cartridge is needed. Ping Pals, like Pictochat, will be able to send messages using the keyboard or doodles on the screen.

One of the largest differences between Pictochat and Ping Pals is that in Ping Pals you may customize your own avatar (character) to represent yourself when chatting with your friends. To create your avatar you will choose hairstyles, clothing and other accessories available and when you are chatting your avatar will represent you on the screen. You may also win extra gear for your avatar by completing tasks such as making a certain amount of posts or playing mini games such as Hot Potato, Top Ten, Doodle, Pick a Number, and more. These games will keep the game more fun between friends. You may also earn points to buy gear in the single player mode wear you play the mini-games alone to earn the points.

Compared to other DS games coming out, this is the cheapest at $19.99 though it is hard to beat PictoChat's price as there is none at all. If this game was online then it would sell, but until it does go online I don’t see any reason to buy this game. Some advantages it seems to have over Pictochat is the minigame feature which will keep friends chatting for awhile, but everything gets old eventually. The avatar also looks like another interesting feature which help set it apart from Pictochat, but I don’t think this is enough to sell the game with a free similar program bundled with the DS. The one cartridge for 16 players seems to be an upside, but still, Pictochat requires no cartridges for 16 players. Expect this game to sell as well as the Nokia N-Gage. Now we can’t bash THQ for producing this game. It was in the works long before Pictochat was announced to be embedded. If Pictochat didn’t come free I would have to reccomend this game over it, but since this isn’t the case some serious changes need to be made. Based on the concept of this game and how much I would want to buy this game I will give this game a 3/10. Now that may seem incredibly harsh, but the score should help reflect my prediction on how well this game will sell and whether or not the game is worth buying along with other factors.

Picto Chat

Ping Pals


Total Appeal Score: 3/10

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

One-Line Puzzle Preview

Look out Tetris, there’s a new puzzle game coming out that is likely to bring a new challenge to the puzzle format. One-Line Puzzle is the upcoming DS game that was originally suspected to be a launch title for the system but was delayed. One-Line Puzzle is a game that will be a heavy user of the touch screen and lighter on the buttons.


One-Line Puzzle is a very simple, yet complex puzzle game. The basic idea of the game is that there is an arrangement of two different colours of blocks (white and black) and you must make rows of one colour of blocks by drawing lines of blocks to invert their colour. Also there are neutral (gray) side tiles that you may go on to continue a line, but these tiles never change colour and are not counted in the rows. You may not draw diagnol lines either. Sounds easy? It’s not. Not only do you have to get rid of the blocks to clear the level, but you must do it in different ways. There are two different single player modes, endless mode where more rows of blocks continue to fall from the top and you must remove the bottom rows before losing and there’s puzzle mode where you will be given a puzzle and must solve all the rows using only one-line. There are also different multiplayer modes where you can challenge a friend to see who can last longer in endless mode or you can even make your own puzzle for a friend and send it to them via wirelessly or through a code that you can write down. Another bonus to the game is that you may send your friend a demo of the game that they can download on their DS and it includes multiple levels that you can play in the game. The game may sound complicated, but it’s really not.



Along with a strong variety of modes One-Line Puzzle features the most use of the touch screen yet to be seen on the DS. The entire game can basically be played using the touch screen. The graphics in this game are for the most part 2-D. This is not a bad thing. This game is simple and to the point. The graphics match what type of game it is. It is much more heavily focused on game play than graphics. The game puts the dual screens to moderate use, by having the top screen used to show which pieces are next to fall, while the bottom screen is the main action where you’ll be touching.


align=right>This game may not put the graphical power of the DS to its full potential, but it sure uses the touch screen. Along with having such a simple game, it is nice to see a new simple puzzle game come out. This game looks like it will be very addictive and will keep you busy on many long car trips. One-Line Puzzle looks like it will be the next Tetris and has a lot of potential. The game may sound confusing, but watch one of the videos (at the bottom) and you will quickly understand the game completely. This game will be a must own for puzzle lovers and anyone who ever gets bored. This game is new, fresh, and really shows the innovation of the DS.

Total Appeal Rating: 9/10

Puzzle Video
Endless Video


-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Hello i am metalgear x your news reporter!

Andy Interview

Andy, one of the leaders in tunneling the DS at XLink, took some time out of his busy day to talk about his upcoming service. Andy tells us about the DS tunneling and how Xlink will be operating with the tunneling.

DS Update: Now what exactly is your position at Xlink?

Andy: I'm project manager, but I'm also responsible for the win32 version of Kai, and for the network which runs kai - the Kai Orbital Mesh.

DS Update: Yes, I very much like the program you have going, so what are you currently working on?

Andy: Well, obviously we're hard at work on the Nintendo DS, but we've just got the PSP working, and we're preparing to release an opwnWRT version of our software - so people won't need PC's to tunnel anymore.

DS Update: So how has the work on the DS tunneling gone so far?

Andy: Pretty much all the way - we have played the Metroid demo over the internet - with roughly a 100ms roundtrip, with no issues. We're currently working packaging what we have for general release - we like things to be tidy - otherwise we get killed with support requests.

DS Update: Now how many games will your system be compatible with?

Andy: Any game which can be played wirelessly using a Nintendo DS, will be available using Kai. Obviously we don't now how much roundtrip time will affect future games, but so far everything looks fine.

DS Update: That sounds good,  what equpiment do you need to play the DS tunneled?

Andy: That's the big question. All our work is being done using the openWRT platform, on a WRT54G router. We'll be officially supporting that platform, although we'll obvious release the source for the "bridge" application in BSD Licensed form - so other developers can benefit from the abstraction between data and protocol with the DS.

DS Update: What equipment should the consumer be prepared to buy for your service, besides an internet connection?

Andy: Again, it's impossible for me to be sure right now - it would be irresponsible for me to tell people to go buy anything right now. As I said before, best case, you will buy nothing (if you use Linux / OSX) - worst case you will need to buy a WRT router. If you use Windows, you *will* need to buy a router.

DS Update: Well that's not too bad as its sounding, now with your service how will the consumer find others to play the DS? Will he/she have to give out their IP or will there be an Instant messenger type program?

Andy: They will use the existing Kai user interfaces - available for many platforms. They will be able to browse a tree of available games, and add buddys for quick-play with friends. This part of Kai is already established - it's going to be nice to use it with the DS.

DS Update: It sounds like you have it all planned out, when can we expect the service to be available to the mass market?

Andy: We never like to give release dates - people just get disappointed when it doesn't happen. I would like it to be available by Christmas, but that might slip. I'll certainly keep people informed of exactly where we are though.

DS Update: That sounds appropriate.

DS Update: Will people need more than one game pack for your service on games that only require one game pack for multi-palyer?

Andy: Well, that's something I intend to confirm as soon as possible. Our architecture certainly supports the sharing of a game pack, although how long it takes to start the game will probably vary massively, based upon both user's upstream bandwidth.

DS Update: Now it appears that another group, Nitro, is developing online tunneling as well. How do you plan to deal with Nitro and competition in general?

Andy: I don't plan to deal with them at all. They will develop their own code, I will manage the development of ours. The users will use whichever tunnel best suits their needs.

DS Update: Will demasked and Chad Paulson's development team affect your service?

Andy: That's essentially for them to decide. Demasked is not something which affects our plans regarding the DS, until we, or anyone else actually knows what exactly it is. Right now, it's not relevant to Kai, or DS users who want to go online.

DS Update: Do you expect Demasked to have an affect on your service once it does come out?

Andy: All I can give you is my personal opinion. And that is, in all honesty, that I do not think that Demasked will provide a means by which you can play DS games online. The DS WiFi architecture, and everything which everyone has learned about the DS since it's release, precludes online play without tunnelling - and I believe Warppipe have explicitly said that Demasked is not a tunnel. Therefore, I expect Demasked will be some form of player matching, or community building software. Who knows - perhaps they will be able to use it to allow people to matchmake on Kai.

DS Update: Now with your service how many users do you expect to attract?

Andy: Ahh I don't really know - I mean, the DS has sold well, but tunnelling will always be a fairly inaccessible technology for the mainstream - although one of the Kai Project's main goals is to address that issue. I'm sure I speak for the rest of the team when I say that, if only 2 people end up playing on Kai with DS units and enjoying the experience, then we've achieved what we set out to do.

DS Update: What has been the general reaction from members of your site and the community to hear about you tunneling the DS?

Andy: We've seen a good few people come over and take a look at us - I hope they stay - but Kai is a strange place. Our demographic is a little different to sites which Nintendo fans may be familiar with - we're more of a development community - the average age of users is 22, and we're often accused of being "adult-content" on our forums  - something which I can't deny, nor apologise for. We are what we are - we're a group of people who share the same beliefs regarding online gaming, and have a good time playing about with it.

DS Update: Well your service in the past has been good, to say the least. How are you preparing for the launch of the DS tunneling? I have not seem alot of hype created.

Andy: We just do our thing on our own site - if you guys choose to cover us, we appreciate the exposure - but we're kinda insular in a way - I see no real reason to aggressively market what we do. If people want to play DS online, they will eventually find their way to Kai anyway.

DS Update: Very true, do you expect to be doing alot of interviews, or getting alot of media coverage from sites?

Andy: I don't mind doing interviews - as long as I have an hour or so spare. I suppose media coverage is always nice - but in the end, all that matters is if the software does what it says on the tin - that's our main focus.

DS Update: Now many have said that upcoming online programs such as demasked will mean the end of tunneling, how do you respond to that?

Andy: Well, as I said before, I pretty much know for a fact that the games currently available for DS will not be able to be played online without a tunnel. There is nothing which Demasked or anyone else - even Nintendo, at this late stage, can do to change that. That's not just my opinion - it's the facts, based on the DS hardware / software. Like I said, everything which the Demasked group has said so far indicates that Demasked will not be a system to play online with - more a community building / matchmaking system.

DS Update: Any closing comments?

Andy: Yeah - thanks for taking the time out to chat with me - it's actually nice to discuss what we're doing in here with someone from an external site. Lastly, I hope we can  get you guys online as soon as possible.

There is tunneling from the view of Xlink opposed to Nitro, both services sound promising and we will have to wait to see which one the community chooses. I'm glad Andy took some time out to talk to me, and tell me about his work. Tunneling the DS is very interesting and both sides of the equation are looking to equal out, the only left is to hear what Demasked will be. For everyone to looking at tunneling your DS, choose which service which will best fit you.

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Dan Interview

Dan of Nitro took some time out of his busy schedule to give me an interview as a follow-up on the last Nitro interview. Dan tells alot about the position of Nitro and how he and Nitro is responding to other groups' comments.

DS Update: Now Dan, what is your position at Nitro?

Dan: I am one of the three developers at Nitro. My main position is maintaining the OS X builds of Nitro Online, as well as sharing a little less-than-fair position as project manager.

DS Update: Now we know what the service is, now what will it be? Will users have to give out their IP or will there be like an instant messenger type program to choose users?

Dan: We are basically following Warp Pipe's kind steps, along with the steps of other very successful open-source projects. At the moment, users will need to give out their IP address to the opponent they wish to play. Future versions of Nitro Online, as well as possibly an association with Warp Pipe Technologies, will feature a centralized-server along with various other goodies such as automatic match-making.
Users will not have to give out their IPs once we reach stage five of development.

DS Update: When do you expect that to be?

Dan: We hope to accomplish this in the near future.

DS Update: Now to go online what different equipment can users use to go online through your project if they don't have a wireless Lan/internet card in their computer?

Dan: After testing various communication cycles possible using a wireless router, our conclusion unfortunately shown all routers are not able to communicate with the DS at this moment. This is due because of the lack of an API interface to work with.

DS Update: Will wireless USB adapters work?

Dan: Wireless USB adapters (such as the D-Link DWL-122) have been confirmed to communicate with the Nintendo DS. We recommend that you do not buy any hardware yet, as new ways to talk with the Nintendo DS are being researched as development goes

DS Update: Now with you changed the release date from one week to closer to two, why?

Dan: We had overcome various technical difficulties and big IFs, such as cross-platform ethernet frame pushing, that we cannot risk loosing half, or even a portion, of our userbase due to Windows' limitations. Therefor, we have decided to use generic tunneling with only beacon packet filtering. While everyone is enjoying their Nintendo DS online, we will be hard at work developing an elite build compared to the initial. We find that one week is just not enough time to implement our optimizations and make everyone happy with a non-rushed build. As stated before, the end user is our top priority.

DS Update: How has the community been reacting to your announcement of the tunneling?

Dan: The response has been overwhelming. Over 1,500 unique IP addresses have visited our sourceforge project page within it's 11 day life cycle. The intention of the thread at Warp Pipe was mainly to recruit interested developers. But, as we also asked in the thread to start word, something struck Brandon and I. People were so excited about an alternative to X-Link. But, did we know that the response would be this great? Absolutely not! We are proud to be delivering this great application to millions of grateful gamers out there, who have yet to known a breath of fresh air is out there.


DS Update:Yes there has been alot of positive response from the community towards your project. How large do you predict that your online community will be?

Dan: As the time arrives when our project is in stage five, we hope to have a userbase larger of that current Warp Pipe's. As the time DemaSked comes out, we hope to fill in a spot with our tunnel that DemaSked may have missed. Automatic match-making is only possible with a large userbase. I quote Chad, "Your effort [in Nitro Online] shall not go to waste."

DS Update: Many people say that your service will shut down as soon as demasked comes out, how do you reply to that?

Dan: Since I do not have direct information with DemaSked, I can only comment that we will just have to wait and see. I quote Chad again, "Your effort shall not go to waste."

DS Update: Do you expect to tunnel anymore systems after the DS?

Dan: No comment.

DS Update: Does your team plan to continue to make improvements to the service once you have passed stage 5?

Dan: Stage six is project maturity. Stage six can only be accomplished once a large userbase is established, and is possibly used for more than personal reasons. it'll be a long road to reach maturity, since nearly half of all Nintendo players don't have a computer/internet. Stage six is all about the user.

DS Update: Now there has been an enormous amount of criticism from dfunked of Xlink and other people, that say this is a project just to get Xlink back. Or that this project will not succeed, how do you reply to that?

Dan: We founded Nitro not as a means of attacking Xlink, but because we feel that we can come up with better. We want more features for the fans. Better and more inventive. Not only this, but we want something that is owned, controlled, and influenced directly by the fans. By the fans, for the fans.

DS Update: Any other comments towards any competition?

Dan: As you know, we aim to compete only with X-Link for the sanity of innovation. We are aware that there are currently three other projects being silently developed. I do not know their names or their current status. But we hope to be friends with all other sister projects. Those asking for competition will get it, a nice can of Whoop Ass(tm).

DS Update: Well put.

Dan: Thank you Mr. Guru.

DS Update: Now when can we expect a Nitro homepage?

Dan: If you're asking for a release date -- we don't have one. Brandon's close friends as well as a few other Nitro Online fans are developing a webpage.
Expect that to be whoop ass as well.

DS Update: Well, I'm hoping to see it soon.

DS Update: Along with developing tunneling for the DS, have you used any tunneling program for any of your systems?

Dan: Yes. Warp Pipe and X-Link Kai.

DS Update: Now with the service being available when do you predict that you will have a substantial user base and a finished program?

Dan: Finished program? Those are some very big words Mr. Guru.

DS Update: Well when do you expect to have a program where users do not have to give out their IP's and have a substantial user base?

Dan: Very soon because of the overwhelming response by our fans and supporters, the team and I are very motivated to get this thing into the public as fast as we can. The faster we release it The more initial userbase we will have,

DS Update: That sounds good, any closing comments?

Dan: I'd just like to respond to the great wars between Warp Pipe, X-Link, and Nitro. We are all involved in this fight. We may have said things that offend each other. We want competition, nothing else. If you aren't afraid of us, why don't you just admit competition?

Dan: Thank you for the interview, UZG. It's been a pleasure talking with you.

DS Update: Thank-you, I'm looking forward to your service.

Dan: I hope to play you in Metroid!

DS Update: As long as your okay with losing.

Dan: I'm not sure about that UZG. this may be an interesting "competition" *chuckles*


Dan tells alot about the upcoming service, and I'm getting alittle excited here. If all goes to plan you may be online in under two weeks, which is astonishing. Dan is a nice guy and was very professional about the interview, I hope to talk to him again soon. The Nitro situation is becoming very hyped around the community and around here as well. Perhaps Nitro will be alot larger than Xlink or others imagined. Soon we'll know for sure, but I'm sure we're all getting ready for the DS online.

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

dFunked Interview

Now dFunked has gone off and said some stuff regarding Chad, Nitro and other competition in general. dFunked is a member of the Xlink team, and we wanted to give him a chance to explain himself for all the talking he's been doing lately.

DS Update: Now what exactly is your position at Xlink?

dFunked: Web development, web administrator, web designer, database administrator, lead documenter, lead support, visuals, and ironically PR. I'm probably the closest guy to Andy (TheDaddy) and I've been working with him for the longest. Almost 9/10 features and ideas that come to Kai come from our discussions and interactions.

dFunked: So I guess you could chuck in the title 'Co-Project Lead'.

DS Update:Now have you been working on the tunneling of the DS?

dFunked: Me directly no. I don't have a DS (tight budget and not particularly interested in it). What I am interested in is actually getting people to experience what online gaming should be like, and firmly believe the best place for that is with us. Andy managed to get his DS from eBay (not released until March in the UK) and within a few days of investigating the propietary protocol Nintendo decided to implement (for god knows what sane reason), managed to crudely tunnel a Metroid Prime game session. It was a good start.. many of our moderators have the DS handhelds, and testing has primarily been done between Andy and our moderators. We're not lying. Some people might say we're just making stuff up, and we've read reports in some places, but we've said it time and time again that we don't deal in **. When we know we can do something, we go do it.

DS Update: Now in recent days you have made comments directed to demasked, how do you feel demasked will affect your service of DS tunneling?

dFunked: Frankly, we're not afraid of it one bit - whatever it is. You see, DemaSked is a DS-only service. People fail to realise we're the only place that will be tunnelling 5 next generation consoles (XBox, PS2, GC, DS and the PSP). Whatever DemaSked is, we're not worried. It cannot be the most revolutionizing thing to come to consoles, because the most revolutionizing thing to come to games is online gaming, and although SEGA tried with the DreamCast, it was Sony and Microsoft who made it a reality. DemaSked is based somehow (we believe) on the online gaming concept, so it really can't be anything outstanding or amazing. We know it has nothing to do with tunnelling, and whether it's an official service or not is not where I'm worried. Take a look at our XBox division, is there not XBox Live (the official service) to contend with?

Our problem with DemaSked is simply due to our long history with Chad Paulson. I won't bother going into those details, but check the WP news archive and you'll understand it. We feel that his "antics" aren't appropriate in publicising his DemaSked campaign..

But as always, he's free to do as he wishes. I just don't like creating hype for our users then going back on it with a delay and hiding in darkness. I'm sure he's working on something, but it's definately not stopping us from doing anything.

DS Update: You speak so poorly of Chad Paulson, I am very curious of these antics, what type of things has he done?

dFunked: Well I didn't want to get into this because we don't like bringing it back up, but since you asked..

Back when the Kai project was just kicking off (we'd been around for about a year now, but just with Release Candidates) we were notified from a user that the Gamecube would have a broadband adaptor. Straight away we decided that we would no longer be an XBox-only tunnel but incorporate the Gamecube side of things too.

Little did we know that some other guy by the name of Chad Paulson had been investigating bringing the Gamecube online. Chad had released some documentation outlining some of the Gamecube architecture and principles that could get it online. None of the team had ever seen this until a few days later when the proverbial **** hit the fan. To this day I still haven't even seen it, but that's not the point.

After understanding that "bad-boy" XLink was going to tunnel the GC, Chad went on an all out spree to tarnish our image. The result was a front-page news post on warppipe.com claiming we had violated some Intellectual Property (even though we were around 95% complete on GC tunnelling and WP still had a very very primative build out). Here's where things got nasty.

A forum member by the name of Gweedo767 (if memory serves me), was a member of the WP forums. He had tried to let the WP team know that they still had WP sourcecode sitting on the CVS repositories over on their SourceForge.net site. Every attempt he made to make them aware of the code ended in his posts being deleted. In frustration, he decided to post on our own forums, with the instructions on how to grab the sourcecode. Apparently, that constituted Team XLink stealing code we didn't even need. What's funnier is that Chad actually violated the SourceForge Terms of Service and ceased their involvement with SF instantly. The whole thing got slashdotted and many people thought Chad should stop trying to deflect the reality that he was in the wrong in the first place for signing up to the SF Terms of Service, and that Gweedo was simply a forum member.

We tried reasoning with him and dropping the whole thing, but he refused to remove the news post. What makes us even angrier is that he's no capitalised on that story, because a lot of the WP members aren't familiar with the REAL story, but believe whatever Chad says to be the truth. Andy recently made a good analogy. Imagine some random guy coming up to you and telling you how your girlfriend is really fat and you should be ashamed of yourself. Are you going to stand there and go "Oh yeah, maybe she is a little plump" or are you going to go right off? The Kai project takes a lot out of us and we're working on things almost everyday. It's something we all take pride in, so when someone tries to wrongly destroy you, we do the natural thing of defending ourselves and attacking those who falsely accuse. Trust me, if Chad never made that post and never thought we "stole" his code (it wasn't even code, just a document), none of this hostility would exist. Threatening a law suit isn't the best way to make friends..

DS Update: Well I have not seen him post anything towards you or your group lately, why is there still such the hostility? Was there anything to trigger that post you made?

dFunked: Things got a little personal when I made a post on the WP forums which I believe "demasked" all his plans about "DemaSked". To distract users, he made note that I was from XLink (which causes everyone to turn on me), and then banned me from the forums. Free speech doesn't seem to exist on the WP forums..

The post I made about Nitro Online was made simply due to the Project Managers continuing the 'anti-XLink' stance. I don't expect everyone to love us, but just like Chad did, they're capitalising on a false accusation they know can get them support from 9 out of every 10 WP forum users. That's what gets me angry, because we were dragged into this and nobody is willing to accept the truth - that we don't steal from other teams. Never have, never will. We don't need to as we have the skills to do everything on our own. Additionally, the post was hostile because ness (one of the Project Managers) had some sort of issue with us because we turned him down when he wanted to become a moderator. Since then he's said everything under the sun, even recently claiming to take down our website..

This all just sounds like some sort of "payback" with no real substance, hence our extreme doubts in Nitro's development. If they can do it, I don't see the point behind it, considering they say they are going to fall head over heels when DemaSked is revealed in March. A tunnel that will be used for 3 months? I don't see the point really..

But as always good luck to anyone who tries. Given our differences because of where we originate, we don't apologise if Nitro Online never makes it as far as the team wants it to go.

DS Update: If Nitro's tunneling will go down in 3 months (as you say) what is to stop Xlink's from going down?

dFunked: We tunnel 4 other consoles. Period.

DS Update: Then do you expect your DS tunneling to drop once Demasked comes out?

dFunked: No. It will remain there. If DemaSked does end up taking users because it's an official service, we don't mind. As I mentioned earlier, XBox Live is the official service, yet there are many people who extremely dislike the service, preferring Kai over XBox Live anyday. One of Nitro's opening stances was that they were going to offer "choices" that were apparently not available at XLink. I don't see how that makes sense when the reason people come to XLink is because they want a choice. They can also choose to leave XLink. I really never understood that statement to be honest..

We don't drop anything. Gamecube tunnelling is still there and still outperforms Warp Pipe, but with 3 old games and no prospects of Nintendo making any more LAN enabled games, the Gamecube's quickly shrivelling up. It still remains there though..

DS Update: Do you expect Nitro to be a success?

dFunked: I don't expect it to be hailed a success, no. Yes they might eventually get something developed, I wouldn't call it a success. 1 week and they plan to do everything that we've built over the past year (mind you we've got a lot of other things to deal with apart from the DS)? I suppose it's possible to get a very rudimentary (spelling?) version running in one week, but I still wouldn't think it would become very successful. Even if they can pull it off in one week, a new piece of software is error-prone and you'll find them having to take time to fix lots of things. Our engine is extremely flexible and requires very little changes to add additional consoles to the picture. Good luck to them anyway though but don't expect us to "go soft" on the DS front. If they want competition, they can have competition..

DS Update: Do you expect for them to actually come out with a DS tunneling system?

dFunked: Well I'm a skeptic, and that's because of 1 fact: When revealing this idea, they had no coders. They might have some now, how talented they are I don't know. Nobody's heard about these coders, who they are or what they've done in the past.

DS Update: Do you expect Chad's Demasked to be as widely a success as people are believeing it will be?

dFunked: Depends how you define success. Global success, no. Success for the current Warp Pipe members, probably. It's not an official Nintendo thing - or at least we're led to believe it isn't - so it can't be THAT massive. What I think people shoudl do is stop thinking it will "blow everything out of the water" when they don't even know what it is..

DS Update: Closing comments?

dFunked: Well at least thanks for not showing yourselves to be yet another pro-WP, anti-XLink website and giving me this opportunity to talk with you. I'm sure it's not going to change anybody's opinion, but the main reason I undertook this interview was to tell people that my opinion is my opinion. If you think I'm evil or rude, fine, but you can't use that against 'Team XLink'. I look forward to the next few weeks and seeing where both teams stand at the end of it and the thoughts of users are at that point. Cheers.

DS Update: Thank-you for taking the time to talk to us.

Now dFunked was very telling in this interview, and you got to give him credit for explaining himself. Whether you choose to believe him or not is your choice. Before the interview he made it clear that his views are his own and do not express all of team Xlink's views. I like to take every interview with a grain of salt and this is without exception. Do I think Nitro will do as bad as dFunked expressed, no. To each his (or her own) so make your own opinions.

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Worms: Open Warfare

Worms: Open Warfare

The worms are back for another battle against each other and finally back to their 2D roots. Can the classic series keep up the reputation?

For those of you who haven’t heard of the worms series I shall fill you in on the info, The game is a turn-based strategy consisting of 2 to 4 teams the last team standing wins. You take control of your very own worm army and set out to defeat your opponent, which can be against computer, or human controlled characters. To take out the enemy you must use an arsenal of weapons to kill the other worms by either depleting their HP or making them fall into the water hazard found on each stage.

Worms has always been fun and easily enjoyable, until this version! It feels like the game was rushed, there is no reason why they couldn’t have spent a bit more time getting rid of the countless number of faults and glitches. The most annoying fault in this game is in the single play mode, the cpu’s AI is so slow! They spend most of or sometimes all their turn doing absolutely nothing it really brings down the pace of the game.

The graphics for this game are disappointing considering what the ds is capable of. The actual worms look like they belong on the NES maybe they should have done what Sonic and Mario are doing by going back to their 2D roots and have some modern 3D graphics.

Another fault with this game is that they have lowered the numbers of pretty much everything. The number of weapons has dropped hugely and there is not a single new weapon in sight, the number of worms on a team has dropped to four from eight and the number of different challenges has dropped making it less of a game than the classics.

One thing that this game does right, which almost makes it worth buying, is the multiplayer, the single pack play is quick and it has all of the features you want. If your friends don’t have a ds, thanks to the turn based game play you can share one ds between 4 people.

Conclusion:
Graphics 40% there is nothing wrong with using 2D just use it properly.
Sound: 50% not the worst music in the world but their not exactly catchy tunes.
Controls: 65% the touch screen works well in game play, menus seems unresponsive, the control layout is decent.
Lasting appeal: 50% if you enjoy the game the multiplayer is good enough to make it stay in your ds a bit longer but chances are your not going to like the game.

Overall: 45%

How did they get it so wrong?

-Miles Ross

Wii Will Rock You!

Before E3

Wii Will Rock You!
Its hard to ignore the new brainchild Nintendo’s been working on. People love to hate it because its different and its normal for people to be afraid of change for one thing and that is what Nintendo wants, to change the gaming world.

The Wii might not have a catchy name or catchy specs but remember the DS wasn’t too catchy but it’s leading in handheld sales.
I remember before the Psp and DS were released a lot of people were badmouthing the DS on looks and performance but as an old saying goes, “don’t judge a book by its cover”.

One fact we cannot ignore is that when the Wii comes out our lives will be changed. The new innovative gameplay will not be aimed at gamer’s alone but non gamers as the DS.
The DS was rather underpowered as to the Psp and like the next gen consoles, the Wii is underpowered but as we have seen from the DS, power is not everything.

A lesson publishers are going to learn and one that keeps them moaning about the Wii is that they should stop being lazy.
An example of this is that they make games for Xbox or PS that are similar and all they do is change the quality of graphics and edit button configuration for each console.

Then there is the Wii that has to have games built from the ground up and publishers really don’t want this because it’s the same as doing your homework twice.

This is where Wii will rock us. The experience on Xbox and PS will be the same but with the Wiimote, the experience is closer to reality.

-Doublestrike

MezCo Studios Interview and FAQ

DS Update: Thanks for your time, can you to tell our viewers your name and what you do at MezCo Studios?

Rich: My name is Rich Vitale, and I am President and Lead Designer for MezCo Studios, Inc.

DS Update: What is the name of the Nintendo DS game being developed by MezCo Studios and what genre is it?

Rich:The name is Cerulean Dreams, and it's a hybrid action RPG/shooter.

DS Update: How did you come up with the idea for the game?

Rich: I really enjoy playing both role-playing games, and shooters, and realized that there have been very few efforts to combine the two genres.  The storyline and basic design of Cerulean Dreams seemed to fit the hybrid genre perfectly.

DS Update: What is the story line for Cerulean Dreams?

Rich: I'll just refer to the preview on this one...
"It’s a time of conflict; two major sky-city powers, the Daladian Kingdom and the Xamin Empire, have been warring for over 20 years with no real outcome. It’s also a world shrouded with superstition; people live in cities floating high in the sky but have no understanding of the ancient technology used to make them float, and the majority of people have never seen the ground. In reality, there is a world below the sky-cities which the Daladians and the Xamins have never discovered, and they are separated from this world on the ground by a vertically massive sea of clouds – the “second layer.” But when a close friend of Kayle Sethan, Gene Hakins, is downed in an air battle and falls into the “second layer,” Kayle, an assassin pilot of the Daladian Kingdom, refuses to believe Gene’s fate is sealed in superstition. Some have tried to explore beneath the second layer, but those who have either never come back or return after seeing nothing but clouds, and for this reason, Kayle is advised not to go after Gene. But, defying orders, he goes down to the second cloud layer, followed by his close friend, Crystal Shelia. Unbeknownst to them, a team commander of the Xamin Empire, Vince, follows them, but the truth that Kayle and Crystal discover on the ground will force the Daladian and Xamin empires to work together – a civilization on the ground indeed exists, and the ground dwelling people are planning a massive assault on the cloud cities that will be all too successful if the Daladians and Xamins continue to oppose each other."

DS Update: Will the graphics in the Cerulean Dreams be in 3D or 2D?

Rich: The game will be rendered mostly in 3D, although the view will be top-down/overhead most of the time, giving it a more limited perspective.

DS Update: Who is the main character? and do you play with other characters?

Rich: The main character is Kayle, although the characters Gene, Crystal, and Vince will all be playable throughout much of the game as well.

DS Update: Will there be multiplayer in this game? If so, will the game have utilize the DS' WIFI capabilities?

Rich: The game will certainly have multiplayer functionality using the networking abilities provided by the DS.

DS Update: How long have you have been developing Cerulean Dreams?

Rich: We have yet to start full production on the game.  If you want to count the design/concept stages of development we've already gone through to get the demo ready and better pitch the DS project, it's been about 6 months.  If you go all the way back to the GBA version - well, quite some time.

DS Update: What do you think about the Nintendo DS?

Rich: Personally?  I think it's an impressive piece of technology that definitely has a place in the market, and has a ton of potential for some truly innovative projects.

DS Update: When will this Cerulean Dreams be released?

Rich: I don't really have an answer for this at the moment.  It really depends on the publisher, etc.

DS Update: Will there be any more Nintendo DS games you guys might develop?

Rich: That remains to be seen.  We're concentrating on one project at a time at the moment, although we're always coming up with new ideas.  Nothing I can really comment on right now, at least.

DS Update: Thank you for your time and best of luck with Cerulean Dreams.

Rich: Thanks for the opportunity, and take care.



________________________________________________________________
Sent via the WebMail system at mezcostudios.com

Well, it's actually more of a commentary based on some of the information I've seen posted or referred to out there in regards to Cerulean Dreams, but, for the sake of keeping things easy-to-understand, I'll make it more of a FAQ-type format. I'll probably add to this from time to time, too. =)

Q: Will Cerulean Dreams be a DS launch title? If not, when will it be released?
A: The DS has a supposed US launch date set in November. Cerulean Dreams is a game designed to be released for the Nintendo DS, but without a publisher secured, we do not have an anticipated launch date at the moment. It will definitely not be a launch title.

Q: Will there be online multiplayer?
A: We're currently taking steps to make sure such a concept is brought to life, as the original design does call for multiplayer aspects. With the innovative networking solutions the DS is capable of making use of, it should be entirely possible to play the game online, but time will tell for sure.

Q: Did you hire an orchestra to perform the music for Cerulean Dreams?
A: Nope. We did hire an orchestra to perform a piece for Dark Reflections, and the piece turned out rather nicely. Seeing as how the composer is the same for both games (Mike did/is doing the musical composition for both concepts), the music quality will be of the same caliber, if not higher. Mike is constantly refining his vision of the soundtrack for the game, but so far, no orchestral performance has been done. Several samples are available on the forums, though, but are entirely synthesized.

Q: Your ship models lack in detail, and don't look too hot, overall. Are you planning on changing them?
Q: Some of your design ideas are rather loose. Will you be refining the game design itself?
Q: The old GBA demo video you posted looks like crap. How do you expect to increase the level of quality in the DS version?
A: I posted those questions all together, since they can all be answered the same way - Absolutely *no* production work has been released regarding Cerulean Dreams, save for the music samples Mike posted. Other than that, none of the concept renders, nor the demo video, are actually items we ever plan(ned) to be used in the final production version of the game. All items posted so far were developed for internal use, to give both us, and possible publishers, an idea of what our basic vision of the game is supposed to be. As far as our design info goes, you've actually seen very little of it, as we certainly can't post every aspect of the game up for everyone to see before production is nearly finalized. I've tried to stress this aspect before, but seeing as how these questions/comments have come up a few times (although nowhere near the amount of positive commentary we get - special shoutout to all of our fans out there!), I feel perhaps I've failed in making this point clear. So, again - Cerulean Dreams is a game concept designed for the Nintendo DS. We're actively seeking a publisher for the title, and at the same time, refining design aspects and doing generalized production work. Everyhing you've seen so far is **concept** work. The models we've shown will not be used in the actual game, although they do represent the general design concept we have for each of the ships - the final design will rest with a real 3D artist, and not me . The GBA video out there was created to visualize what we meant by a "party-based" shooter - demonstrating the ship assist functionality, as well as the basic overhead gameplay. All of the graphics used in compiling the demo were merely placeholder graphics, and certainly nothing we ever intended on using in the final version of the now-cancelled GBA version of the game. We posted all of this information simply because we like keeping our fans and those interested in the project informed. In my experience, there aren't too many companies out there that rather consistently post pre-production concept work for the public to take a look at. We just thought that folks might be interested in the evolution / different stages the project goes through as time goes on. Models will change, and the design itself will become more refined and evolve as the project does. That said, we will continue to post pre-production concept work as allowed, however, you probably won't see much for quite some time as this is being written, as things are entering a deeper stage and such freedom isn't quite as available to us.

Q: Can I play as just the character of my choice throughout the whole game, or will certain storylines be pre-set?
A: Some areas of the game will require you to play as a certain character - especially in the beginning. As time goes on, and certainly towards the final third of the game or so, you'll have complete freedom over which of the party members you control, which ones are included as your wingmates, and which ones sit out a battle.

Q: You mentioned not being able to pause the game?
A: That's something people seem to have gotten a bit confused on. What I said, was that using the touch screen menus of the DS will be quick, and allow you to play the game and make decisions on weapons, energy levels, etc on the fly without having to pause. I see this as a benefit because you won't *have* to pause and therefore interrupt playing, but you certainly *can* if you'd like. It's all a matter of preference and choice, and I think that's a huge benefit to the touch screen on the DS.

Q: You've mentioned before that you don't have a DS development kit. How can you possibly be working on the game, then?
A: Cerulean Dreams is a game concept designed for the Nintendo DS. We can design all we like without a DS development kit. It's not necessary, as long as we keep in mind the specifications released for the unit, and the demos and concepts we've seen running on the system so far. The game concept we had set up for the DS before it's unveiling at E32004 was, luckily, right on the money in terms of what Nintendo showed off as the DS' capabilities. Very little had to be changed. As far as the modeling and other work we're doing at the moment, it's being done with the technical capabilities of the DS in mind, but also mostly being done for internal and demo use, to better illustrate to possible publishers and other partners what we expect to accomplish with the project on the DS.

Q: What do you mean by "top-down shooter?"
A: I'm rather surprised at how many times we get this question, actually. Basically, we mean the game is played from a straight-down overhead perspective. Your view as the player is not from inside or behind the ship, but rather from directly above it. As such, all of the action is witnessed from above, and as such, you see mostly only the top of your ships, and those of the enemies and obstacles. Most of the game, however, will be rendered in 3D to allow for more dramatic and interesting angles and lighting, and seamless cutscenes (Yes, cutscenes, I told you this is a shooter/RPG hybrid - and don't you forget it!  )

That's all for now. Should I add anything to this, or edit it, I'll post a revised comment in the subject. Thanks again for visiting, and keep sending in or posting questions, and we'll continue to try to answer them!

-Falco8

Reviews

Advance Wars: Dual Strike (audio review)
Asphalt: Urban GT
Bomberman DS
Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow second opinion
Electroplankton
Feel the Magic XX/XY
Goldeneye Rogue Agent
Kirby: Canvas Curse
Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time
Meteos
Meteos (Public version)
Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt
Nanostray
Need For Speed Underground 2
Nintendogs
Nintendogs (Public version 1)
Nintendogs (Public version 2)
Pac N' Roll
Pac-Pix
Polarium
Ridge Racer
Sims: Urbz
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Sonic Rush
Sonic Rush(2)
Star Wars 3
Super Mario 64 DS
Tony Hawk American Sk8land
Wario Ware: Touched!
Worms: Open Warfare
Yoshi Touch & Go
Yoshi Touch & Go (take two)

Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt Review

Back from the days of the NES there has not been a half decent game given out free with a system. While game system bundles are becoming ever more frequent it does not compare to a brand new system with a free game. Although Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt is just a demo, the demo stands tall and shows what the DS is capable of.

The demo starts off with an amazing cinematic sequence that is more comparable to Gamecube graphics than N64. The cinematic scene takes place on both screens proving that the DS can produce stunning 3-D graphics on both screens simultaneously.



The game features three single player training modes and multiple multiplayer battle arenas. The first training mode is called Regulator and is more just learning how to play the game. In Regulator training mode you will move through series of rooms with enemies and you will not be able to proceed until the enemies in the room are all killed. At the end of all the rooms you will go one on one with a dark Samus and you will be given a score for how well you did in the training session. The second mode is a survival mode where the are never ending enemies and you have to see how many enemies you can kill while staying alive. This training type is fun, but short lived and you may find yourself playing it when you have nothing else to do. The last training mode is a morph ball training level where you must follow a series of dots in the morph ball and continue to the finish. This is definitely helpful for practice if you plan on taking on your friends in multiplayer action. The multiplayer action is where this demo shines the brightest. The wireless multiplayer is a must if you have a friend with a DS or you have the right equipment to tunnel your DS. The multiplayer options are few such as death match or survivor, but they are as fun as most full game multiplayer levels. There are a few different levels to choose from, but nothing overly different. The demo offers a variety of different options for everybody to try.



The levels are great, and as are the controls. The game’s control scheme takes off popular PC first person shooter games. Samus’ movement is controlled by the D-pad while the view of Samus is controlled by using the touch screen. Shooting with Samus is controlled by the R and L buttons and to jump you must tap the touch screen. The controls in this demo take some getting use to, but are solid and accurate. Auto-aim isn’t even in the game because the touch screen is so accurate. Using the touch screen with the stylus is good, but sometimes the thumb strap is better. When using the touch screen you tap on different parts of the screen to change weapons or go into a morph ball as well. The thumb strap does seem to limit your movement in the game, but feels more natural. The controls in this game use the DS’ touch screen to full use and the controls are very stable in this game. Although there are other options for control, the starting option is the best and most natural to use.



Graphically this game stands tall with stunning cinematics and in game graphics which are obviously greater than an N64. The top screen is used for the main action while the lower screen is simply a map and used for the touch screen control. Graphically this game stands tall and shows that we should be comparing the DS more to the Gamecube rather than the N64.



Although I am not a fan of the Metroid series, this game may spark an interest. The slow paced Metroid game play is all good, but I think one of the most outstanding versions of the full version of Hunters will be the multiplayer. This demo is perfect for the DS and is a perfect play for anyone who wants to kill some time. Out of many recent demos I have played, this game shows off the potential of the full version. The demo however does not reveal any details or major clues to the possible storyline of the full version game, the game is still fun and addictive none the less. Including this amazing demo with the DS is an added bonus to anyone who buys a DS and almost guarantees Metroid Prime: Hunters a million seller mark.

Demo Rating: 5/5

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Previews

Another
Asphalt: Urban GT
Asphalt: Urban GT(take two)
Feel the Magic XX/XY
Goldeneye: Rogue Agent
Guilty Gear
Madden 2005 DS
Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits
One-Line Puzzle
Ping Pals
Rayman DS
Retro Atari
Ridge Racer
Sprung
Super Mario 64 DS
WarioWare Touched!

Editorials/General

A PSP, DS, and a Whole Lot of Bias
Analyzing the Revolution's Chances
A Note or Two About Launch
Birth of a Generation...is Nintendo One Step Ahead?
DS & GBE vs PSP?
DS Help: Getting your Nintendo DS
DS Help: Protecting Your DS
E3 2005: Nintendo Press Conference
High-Definition: Are We Better Off Without It?
Most Anticipated Games for 2005
My Dead Pixel
Nintendo Behind in Technology?
Nintendo Revolution Controller: Innovative or a Piece of Junk?
The Death of 2-D Gaming?
Nintendo Shall Not Fall
The Fall of the Playstation Generation
Revolution Controller: Streak of Genius or Total Flop?
Revolution or Gimmick?
Revolution: Too Early to Judge
Revolutionary Controller
Revolutionary Downloads
Wii Will Rock You!
Zelda DS Article (Public version)

Interviews

DoomDS Interview
MezCo Studios: Cerulean Dreams
Nitro: Brandon
Nitro: Dan
Tim Schuerewegen
Xlink: dFunked
Xlink: Andy Interview
Warp Pipe: Chad Paulson (2)
Warp Pipe: Chad Paulson

Editorial: Nintendo’s Handheld World

Nintendo’s Handheld World


Innovative or Rehashing???




Throughout the years, the handheld market has been one of great, but not lasting competition. There has been several companies, i.e. Sega, Nintendo, Atari, Tiger, etc… and now we have Sony. The handheld market has had it shares of ups and downs, but the one thing that didn’t change is the presence of one entity known as Nintendo. Ever since 1986, Nintendo has prided themselves on bringing quality entertainment to gamers across the world. In 1989, the Game Boy was released to the world. The Game Boy swept the lands like a ravishing plague. Everyone had to have his or her hands on this technological marvel one way or another.




Throughout the following years, several franchises made a name for them or became even bigger. From Mario, too Metroid, too even Mega Man, big name franchises were popping up all over the place. Nintendo enjoyed a sweet dominance of what was known as the Handheld Market, until mid 1989. In September of 1989, Atari returned to the gaming world with the Atari Lynx.



At this time, Nintendo was riding a high wave of success in a market that needed resurgence. The Atari Lynx was Atari’s way of getting back into the mainstream and an effort to succeed where Nintendo had no trouble. The Lynx was enjoyed by lots of gamers, as it was the first 16-bit color handheld on the market that offered “true multiplayer action.” Though a technological marvel of its time, it just couldn’t compete with the great support and shear power of presence that Nintendo and the Game Boy had to offer. Like the Game Boy, the Lynx made a fee key franchise players and reborn a few more. From Ninja Gaiden, too Robotron, the Lynx provided a wide range of games that apparently appealed to a small few (compared to the Game Boy).

Another company came out of the woodworks in an attempt to succeed in the handheld market. Sega, one of the favorites in the console market at the time, released the Sega Game Gear in mid 1991.



Just like the Atari Lynx, the Game Gear set out to truly compete with the Game Boy and snag a name for them in the handheld market. Unlike Atari, Sega used their console backing to fuel their handheld competition. Soon to be household names like Sonic, Mortal Kombat, Tails, Shining Force, etc. But the one thing that hinders its competition with the Game Boy was its battery life. The Game Boy ranged from 10-35 hours, whereas the Game Gear lasted about 3 hours. Towards the mid-1990s, the Game Gear was virtually on its last legs, so Sega decided to release a portable version of its home console Sega Genesis.



The Sega Nomad thought to be a solution to get back in the handheld market, turned out to be a big flop for Sega. It allowed gamers to take their Sega Genesis cartridge games on the road with them. Like many others, it sold a lot, but nothing that could even measure up to the numbers of the Sega Game Gear.

A little bit after the release of the Sega Nomad, Nintendo released a redesigned version of the Game Boy, known as the Game Boy Pocket (1996).



Though, not really needed, Nintendo decided to make their Game Boy more compact and easier to carry around. Just like its older brother, the GBP sold millions and was the first Game Boy to come in several colors, which appealed to gamer around the world. Over the next couple of years, there were several competitors to come to the forefront in an effort deny Nintendo their great dominance. We even saw Nintendo acceptance of the color domain with the Game Boy Color.



“Game Boy Color was the ultimate evolution of the original Game Boy system. Released in 1998, Game Boy Color added a color display, allowing for a palette of over 32,000 colors. Game Boy Color was compatible with hundreds of original Game Boy games.”

This evolution in gaming also brought about one of the most dominating franchises in handheld history known as Pokemon. Nintendo had a little competition with the Wonderswan (03.04.1999), but they had an easy ride pretty much throughout the next few years.

In 1999, Sony had planned on releasing a handheld similar to what we have today in the PSP, but not as powerful. Due to indecisiveness and delays, the project was scrapped at the last minute, right before launch. So when the Game Boy Advance came out in mid 2001, there was pretty much no challenger in the midst. Around this time, Sony was working on what was soon to be the PSP, but nothing was known about it. The Game Boy Advance was the most successful handheld to date, with its little brother Game Boy Advance SP right behind it. With more that a staggering 70 million units sold (to this date) It’s clear that Nintendo had the perfect formula for supreme dominance.



VS.



The Game Boy Advance SP was more of an upgrade to the original. The main differences between the two were that the SP ran of a rechargeable battery pack (provided 18 hours max of Gameplay). The display screen was backlit to provide for optimal Gameplay in the dark (with light on, only 10 hours of Gameplay). With this era of handheld gaming, Nintendo brought great franchises, and new innovative ways to play games. We saw new and dominating franchises like Pokemon, Golden Sun, Shining Force, Fire Emblem, The NES Classic series, etc… (The list could go on and on). We saw the creation of the wireless adapter, allowing for wireless Gameplay with up to 3 other players without the need for cables. Nintendo even dabbled in handheld –to-console link up known as GBA-GCN Connectivity. This allowed for the Game Boy to be used as a map, inventory screen, etc… depending on the game being played. Some of these games included Mario Golf, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, Splinter Cell, etc…






In mid to late 2003, both Nintendo and Sony both announced that they were coming out with their own respective handheld. Nintendo’s handheld soon became known to the word as the Nintendo DS. This time around Nintendo was doing something they never done before, but mixing it with a little Game ‘n’ Watch flavor. The DS possessed two processors (One ARM9 and one ARM7), two screens, and one being a touch screen, wireless capabilities, and the ability to play GBA games. With its launch on November 21st 2004 (North America) and December 2nd 2004 (Japan), Nintendo saw a huge success made out of its DS handheld, with almost its whole shipment whipped out for both North America and Japan, Nintendo was seen with a huge dilemma on their hands. The handheld sold way beyond Nintendo’s expectations and were forced to increase their shipment of 1 million (overall) to 2.8 million worldwide by the end of 2004. There was and is a high demand for this handheld, which boggles some people’s minds. But last, and certainly not the least, the battery life. The DS running time currently is 6 to 10 hours (the range when the DS starts to use Wi-Fi abilities).




While Nintendo was riding a high off the success of the DS both in Japan as well as North America, Sony unveiled their new entry into the handheld market known as the Sony PSP. First showed at E3 2004 (from behind a glass casing) gamers, musicians, developers, etc. alike got a chance to the see the acclaim PSP in action through video footage of some of the upcoming titles. On December 12th 2004, the Sony PSP was released to the Japanese market first (in an effort to establish themselves and test the waters). Though their initial shipment was smaller than that of the DS, it still sold like crazy, selling through 88% of its initial shipment of 200,000 units. Some analyst saw this as good start, but Sony saw it as a great one, though their shipment was smaller, it still almost completely sold out, something that they new was going to happen. Their “supply and demand” quota would be on level with that of the Nintendo DS. For the simple fact that they sent way less and their selling percentage was higher than Nintendo’s on launch day. The PSP has a similar set-up to that of the DS (well not too similar). The PSP also has wireless Gameplay, a 4.3 inch liquid screen display (compared to the DS two 2.6 inch screens), an analog nub for a true 3D gaming experience, a processor with the ability to pushing near early ps2 graphics, etc…

Now before anyone tries to bight my head off, both handholds weren’t without their problems. The Nintendo DS had a dead pixel issue with their handheld, and there were a few reported problems with the PSP having dead pixel issues too (Ds with 1 or 2, but the PSP having 3 or 4), analog nub mal-functions, and supposed dead systems on site. Now either camp has officially confirmed known, but both are looking into perfect their handheld in the coming months. But another downside to the PSP would be its battery life. Sony estimates a 2 to 6 hours of gameplay, depending on several factors, including volume level and online play. But if you take it into account, most gamers dont play a game beyond two hours, so its not as bad as it seems.

But the main reason for the creation of this editorial is at hand. Throughout the years, in the portable gaming market, Nintendo has been known for doing things their way, and on their terms. But with the recent news of Nintendo coming out with an adapter to allow for music and video playback on the DS, it seems that Nintendo isn’t as original as we thought. Sure they took a different approach to Gameplay and innovation with the DS, when compared to the PSP, but with the latest news release, it would seem that Nintendo is following Sony’s way of thinking. Sony is all about multimedia, whereas, Nintendo is about gaming. So the question you should ask yourself and Nintendo is …”Why are making this adapter?” And that question can be answered real easily. Nintendo saw the potential that the PSP possessed when the spec was first released about the handheld and the deals that Sony were making with Paramount, Square-Enix, Bandai, etc… for video content on their handheld.






Now, I know that I may be getting ahead of myself, but the facts and proof is in front off everyone who has a computer and the Internet. Though at the current moment, the adapter is only set for a release in Japan at the price of $47.47 (5,000 yen), there may be a future home for this adapter in the states by way of importing. And if Nintendo does indeed release this adapter around the time of the U.S. launch of the PSP, it can do some considerable damage to Sony and its PSP. But like with all things, it takes time and effort, and Nintendo is truly bent on staying at the threshold of the handheld market leading board, they will indeed have to pull a Sony just to do it.

Well anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed my thoughts and feelings on Nintendo’s direction and motivation…... and I look foward to the dealing of the DS and the PSP in the forthcoming years.


SOURCES:
Lynx
Atari Lynx
Segonoa
CyberiaPC
VideoGame
Nintendo
Gaming-Age
Arstechnica
IGN

And Special thanks to my friends over at PROJECT COE, PSP Import Play-Test

-MPRUNTY

March

March 20, 2006 Metroid Prime: Hunters-- Nintendo Software Technology
March 31, 2006 Dynasty Warriors-- Koei
March 31, 2006 Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll-- Amusement Vision
March 31, 2006 Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi-- D3Publisher of America
March 31, 2006 Resident Evil: Deadly Silence-- Capcom
March 31, 2006 Ultimate Brain Games-- Telegames

Febuary

February 27, 2006 Super Princess Peach-- Nintendo

Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory Review

“Fisher, we need you to take a trip, but if you are captured or killed we will not rescue you because we as a nation cannot admit you exist.” Step into the shoes of Sam Fisher and preserve the nation that he protects.

You must find a terrorist leader and eliminate him before he transfers vital information given to him by a kidnapped scientist he killed. But this is only the beginning. After training you must complete 9 stealth missions alive and undetected. You have to complete a primary objective, but you may attempt to achieve a few secondary objectives by avoiding lasers, cameras, alarms, and enemy eyes and by not killing your opponents. To complete your mission you are given a SC-20K rifle and a pistol. The rifle is equipped with a scope and is capable of firing shots that can disarm electrical devices, stun opponents, or act as a camera, but it can also shoot normal rifle ammo. During your mission you might need to see something in the dark or identify something by its heat. To do this you may equip your night or heat vision goggles. Your OPSAT (which is like a PDA) helps you store information, remember objectives, or study maps during your mission.

The whole game is in full 3d and runs at about 30 FPS. There are a few bugs throughout and the graphics are sometimes a little rough, but you will eventually bend to them. The graphics and 3D are both very good and even with the bugs the game is very good. The music is the same great music as the console versions and fits the mood well.

The controls are a little awkward at first but after about 15 minutes of the game you are adjusted. The touch screen is used for changing the camera angle and for aiming and the D-pad is used for moving.

If you have any friends with the game you can team up with him/her and embark on 5 co-op levels. One of you will be a hacker equipped with a sticky shooter gun and a few electronic disarming grenades, and the other player is the assaulter who kills all the enemies. Only the hacker can hack some computers and only the assaulter can kill a guard, so teamwork is needed. You can also have a battle of the guards and the spies in versus mode.

This is one of the best DS games and one of the best games I have played in a long time. It is a little choppy and the controls and graphics take a little adjusting to but it is so much fun. I am not sure why the professional reviews all gave it such a low score because I think the game is very well done.

My ratings:
•Presentation: 8.0
•Game play: 9.0
•Graphics: 8.5
•Sound: 9.0
•Lasting time: 8.5
•Multi-player: 8.0

This one gets an 8.0 overall due to the glitches and frame rate.

By theONE

Staff

On this page you will find info on all our staff members, and the information you will need to apply to be one.

First and foremost, I am Ultimate Zelda Guru the webmaster of DS Update. We are always looking for new talent to join our staff and if you think you could help us, contact us by e-mailing one of us with our below e-mails.

Now its time to let our current staff shine.

Name--Jeremy Olson
Jeremy Olson is the founder and former webmaster of this site, unfortunately he chose resign. This site wishes him the best of luck and he is welcome back here anytime. Below is his paragraph.

I started DS Update back in June of this year as a hobby and since then it has grown beyond my expectations. The Nintendo DS is such an interesting device to write and speculate about, and I have developed a sort of passion for doing it. Since the site has grown the staff has grown as well and so has the fun. We talk every day via AIM about the DS, DS Update and certain news/ rumors that come up. I have had many a long conversation with my staff and and we have gotten to know each other quite well, which makes it very easy to work with one another.

Codename--Ultimate Zelda Guru
Location--Canada
AIM--mattshellder
Email--uzg@dsupdate.net

Now I am the webmaster here at DS Update and I will try to run things as well as Jeremy has in the past. (Anyways) Well I'm not even 100% on my full postion at DS Update, I report news and write articles, previews, reviews, and everything in between. I enjoy working here and the benefits are really good. I haven't had a single conflict with any of the staff and everyone around DS Update seems to be very friendly and supportive. Getting back on topic.... If you have any questions regarding the DS, or would like certain reviews or interviews done I'm your guy. I'll do everything in my power to bring you the best and most accurate DS news and perspectives around. To everyone out there, I hope to see you online with the DS soon, and if you would like to contact me my AIM is mattshellder.

Name--Matthew Prunty
Age--21
Location--Los Angeles, Ca.
Email--mprunty@dsupdate.net

Well what can I say about myself. I'm an avid gamer and a sport fanatic. I believe to truly experience the "Gaming Experience", you have to open yourself to try something new (systems, game genres, etc...). I'm an outgoing person, whether it be clubbing, shopping, hangin with the homies, amusement parks (Magic Mountain baby!!!!). My main reason for being a part of DS Update is to help out my main man Jeremy, who asked me for some support. With my help, DS Update has become a website phenomenon on the Nintendo forums...........

Name-- Ross (rosco)
Location-- Wisconsin
Email--rosco@dsupdate.net

I'm the graphics / template person here at DS Update. It all started
innocently enough, as I, a regular guest visitor to the site, decided
to make myself known and offer my skills to creating a site logo.
After doing this, I was asked to join the staff. Since then I have
created the navigation sidebar and... umm... thought about doing even
more :)
In the past, I have written on various topics and games, so when I
have a little more time, I hope to contribute some articles here.
My interests include tennis (pretty good at), guitar (terrible at),
writing (who knows), and drawing comic strips (similar to "The
Farside"). My interest in drawing probably lead to my interest in
graphics work.

You can check out my website at: http://www.spoonattack.com/



Codename--Falco8
Age: 15
Location: USA
Email--falco8@dsupdate.net
AIM: Falco 0789

I became a news reporter at DS Update, when Jeremy was offering positions on his site, and I was one of the first staff members at DS Update. I like sports, and I`m a big Nintendo fan.



Codename--Video Gamer J
Location: USA
AIM: VideoGamerJ
E-mail: videogamerj@gmail.com
I love video games. It has been my favorite hobby for nearly 8 years and has scored me a job at GameStop and a student position at DigiPen. My favorite video game console is the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, but of course I like the Nintendo 64 and the GameCube as well.

Lately I've been very happy with my Nintendo DS and I am looking forward to the Nintendo Revolution! At DS Update, I submit news, reviews and other various things.

Codename--Westmarch
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
AIM: Will Coury
E-mail: Westmarch@gmail.com

Well, let me see here. My real name is Will Coury. Uh, I enjoy longwalks on the beach, painting my nails... I'm joking. I'm just ahardcore Nintendo fan. I own every single Nintendo system ever made(excluding the Virtual Boy and Super Nintendo). I am experienced withPhotoshop, HTML, Visual Basic, and I also manage my own videoproduction crew. I am a huge gamer, and I can be found frequenting the Nintendo NSider Forums, as well as all of the major gaming sites. Uh... That's it.

Name--David Nelson (D*Nyce)
Age: 18
Location: Harrisburg, PA

I joined the DSUpdate team because I was seeking to write articles and news, and I was looking to do something besides work all the time, although I am starting school this summer. I enjoy writing hip-hop and R&B music, Making beats, writing poetry and articles, and of course I love gaming. My favorite series would have to be The Legend of Zelda, with Link to the Past at the number one spot. Sorry, Ocarina of Time is number 4 on my list. My favorite genre of gaming would have to be platforming and beat em' ups. The Mainstream does not appeal to me, and I've been gaming since Age 2, almost 17 years now. But enough about me, I expect to bring a lot of storys and articles to the site and I hope everybody enjoys my writing. Thanks.

Name--ElMariachi
Age-15
Location-Fresno,CA
AIM-Ericvasquez5
Email- elmariachi@dsupdate.net

I was a regular visitor at DSupdate before I joined the staff, I just love playing my DS and I decided to see if I could be a member at DSupdate, I orginally started as a Jr. Reporter but later became promoted to a Reporter for DS Update. I hope to do the best I can on getting the latest news on the DS and hopefully meet some new friends while working here.

Name--Blackmajik
E-mail-Blackmajik@dsupdate.net

Hey, My name is Ian Karavas. I'm an avid Nintendo gamer and blah blah blah….but instead of getting into details….well lets put it this way….I wont buy a system unless it has Nintendo written somewhere on it. My favriote game of all time would have to be The Legend of Zelda:TWW, followed up by Secret of Mana in a CLOSE second


Name--Marcus Hermansson aka Marc Short
Age: 22
Location: Uddevalla, Sweden


I have been interested in games since I was 6 y/o and I ownes all the Nintendo consoles. My favorite console is NES and GBA SP and hopefully Nintendo DS. I like 2D gaming most :D. I am a graphics artist at DS Update.

Interests: Photography, games, painting, singing, writing, movies and music.









Name--Julien (Jujuforce)
Age : 18
Location : France

I currently live in a small town, but next year i'll begin computer study (c++, java,... programmation) in the nearest big town.
I'm currently a news reporter there, and i'll try to post here the best and most exciting news i can find ;)
I'm by the way in the Neoflash Core Team.

My favorite game ever is : FF7(PSX)
My favorite game now : Meteos(NDS)
My favorite movie is : Schindler's list

Codename--Jimmie
Name- Patrick Tow

Location: Houston, Texas

Age: 13

A long, long, time ago, someone was born in a log-cabin in the countryside, with only his Ma, Pa, and dog fer company. And that person was...not me. Many, many years later, I was born. Yeah. With a normal life. There was this company that had been around called "Nintendo" and I didn't really, er, grow up on 'em, as they say. But soon I started playing there games and likikn' em. YEEEEEEEEEE-HAW!!!

Seriously, now. I didn't really grow up with Nintendo, but later in life I started playing their games and liking them. Believe it or not, my first Nintendo system was the GBA. Now let's get to the now. I'm currently the forum moderater here at DS Update, and I like my job thus far (although I also hope to get better jobs, like maybe writing reviews). I've also been enjoying the DS a lot, and I look forward to the Revolution. Oh yeah, and I'm also a member of the Nintendo forums. You'll see me around here a lot.

Favorite game: I have no idea. I have too many favorites.

Favorite movie: It really depends. Day After Tommorow was awesome, but I also enjoy comedies. Incrediles ruled. Again, no clue.

Codename--Secret322
Age: 15
Location: California
Email: secret322@dsupdate.net
AIM: Secret369100

I first stumbled upon DSUpdate.net when i was searching Google for some DS info and found DS Update. Then i started to visit the site regularly and realy got into the reporting business so i made my own blog which was unsuccessful so i decided to share my knowledge with others by talking to them directly. Now I am the new co-webmaster at DS Update and hope to do all i can to make DS Update the best it can be. But I love the Nintendo DS and my favorite game for the DS i would have to
say would be Meteos. The Revolution shoud be the best system because it has 5 systems in one and i loved all the systems! Gaming has been the best experience i have ever had and my favorite kind of games are FPS games so that means im looking forward to Metroid Prime Hunters! I hope to report all the Nintendo related news I can! Long live the Revolution! Long live Nintendo!

The Death of 2-D Gaming?

Gaming started with 2 dimensions and has had a way of bringing the 2-D into 3-D. The 2-D gaming is what many gamers were raised on and now with handhelds going 3-D many seem to wonder if this could be the end of the 2-D era.
2-D gaming has its ups and downs, but some of the best games of all time were on 2-D systems. Super Mario Brothers 1 and 3, Duck Hunt, Mega Man 1-6, and many others are golden games which are just left better in 2 dimensions rather than three. No one can deny that some of the greatest games of all time came from the 2-D era, and this fact scares many gamers.
We all knew that the day would come when we would have a 3-D portable. The GBA and other past handhelds kept the 2-D gaming going and with the DS’ 3-D capabilities this trend may be discontinued.
2-D games will become less and less regular throughout the gaming industry, especially for handhelds, but expect 2-D games to still make up a good portion of the handheld market. 3-D games will soon dominate the handheld scene, but not without some 2-D’s titles thrown in there once in a while.
2-D gaming is still making a comeback though. Games like the new Super Mario Brothers title is uses 3-D graphics, but with only two dimensions which blends the gap between the two types of gaming. Other games such as Spiderman 2 DS also feature 3-D, 2-D blends which help gamers experience 2-D gaming in their favorite 3-D games.
Games that feature 3-D 2-D blending aren’t the only 2-D games that are being released on 3-D capable systems these days though, there seems to be more and more resurrection of the old games on the new systems. Collectors editions, and anniversary packs seem to be becoming more and more common in the gaming world. Sega, Midway, and Nintendo have been releasing these collection packages which have been selling well in the gaming market. Not only are the games selling well, but are well worth the money. Most of these games are on the lower end of the spectrum for games (around $20), and the games are good. Not only are the games really good, but your getting an amazing deal, I use to pay $100 a game on the games in the collections and now you can get more than seven games in one of these bundles.
Full out 2-D games are also currently scheduled to be released for the DS and there are a lot of 2-D’s scheduled. The DS, although capable of extremely good 3-D graphics, seems to be getting a lot of 2-D games and Nintendo seems to be supporting the 2-D gaming. Nintendo already has 2 new DS games in the works to come out that will feature 2-D gaming, Kirby DS and Princess Peach DS. Many games like Sprung, Ping Pals, Mr. Driller, Zoo Keeper, and more will all feature fine 2-D gaming.
The DS, although a 3-D system, will play a prominant role in 2-D gaming development as with its innovative features 2-D gaming will be taken to a whole new level. In games like Wario Ware, and Kirby DS the touch screen will add new features to many 2-D games that could have never been possible before. The DS will provide 2-D gaming with new ways to experiance the dimensions that has never been seen before. Other functions such as the dual screens will add more depth to 2-D gaming then ever seen before. Puzzle games will have new meaning and card games could possibly go online with wi-fi. The voice recognition would allow 2-D team shooter comands posisible as well. The possiblities with the DS are endless when it comes to 2-D gaming. 2-D gaming is going to be reinvented on the DS, be prepared for the same awesomeness from your favourite 2-D games and then some with the DS. The DS adds 2-D features that are not possible on the PSP.
Is 2-D gaming going to become less regular than before, yes. Should we be planning a funeral, no. The DS may just save the two dimensional worlds from destruction. Many people have asked if 2-D gaming is going to die, the answer is no, it’s just getting its second wind.

Rayman Preview

Rayman DS

Genre
Action / Adventure

Publisher
Ubi Soft Inc.

Developer
Ubi Soft Inc.

# of Players
1

Release Date
December

ESRB Rating
Everyone

Rayman, one of the most innovative and interesting characters to come out of Ubisoft will be launching just after the launch of the DS. The Rayman series is quite popular and provides an adventure/platformer style game, some what similar to Mario 64. The game features just a single player mode opposed to most DS games offering some kind of multiplayer mode. In the game you must go through levels to collect lums using Rayman’s special abilities such as flying, bombing, or whatever it takes. The game also features a humourous storyline which will affect the game and make it entertaining.

The game makes use of the dual screens in a similar fashion to Madden and Asphalt. The game features the main action on the top screen and Rayman’s health and items on the lower screen. The game is controlled by the D-pad and buttons. The game also features a colourful display of graphics and smoothing. The graphics in the game do show the DS’s potential.

Expect good things from this game and for it to be undersold. I have heard good things about the Rayman series and plan to atleast give this game a try. This game will be good for long trips with only single player. The graphics also show the game off very well. The game will probably not rival Mario 64 DS, but will be a good game never the less. You should probably try this game out, and it deserves a 7.5/10 for total appeal.

Total Appeal Score: 7.5/10