Very Interesting News

"Here's something you shouldn't tell the FCC if you plan on keeping your shiny new DS - apparently, the DS has a third screen. But no, it's not what you think. Hold your DS up to your TV (rabbit-ears-antennae work best). If you look closely at the TV screen, you should be able to see the image that is on your top screen being picked up by your TV! Yes, this may sound crazy, but so many people have reported this that it can't be just a joke."- DS Central

I haven't gotten it to work myself, but Jeremy has.
If you have any success, share your experience by leaving a comment to this post.


From the comments, we have our first detailed success story... with a picture!--

"Here's what I did. I hooked up a coax cable, and turned the TV to channel 3. If you point the end of the coax at the right speaker, you get a signal. If you touch the end of the coax to the ground of the DS power jack [metal that holds the charging plug when you put it in your DS], you get a clearer signal. It looks like a scrambled Cable channel, but with no color.
Also, it appears to me that the signal from both top and bottom screens is displayed on the TV. They are overlayed.
Here is a fuzzy pic that I only adjusted for contrast and brightness for clarity:
http://mudskip.blogspot.com/2004/11/super-mario-64-ds-on-tv.html"

Thanks Jarrod

Regionless Confirmation

Play-Asia, an online retailer, recieved their shipments of the Japanese DS's today. The DS's are they same compared to the American version except for the default language settings in the main menu (which can be changed). Play-Asia tested using Pictochat, and Super Mario 64 DS multiplayer between USA and Japanese versions of the DS and everything went well. The Japanese DS could also play the American version of Super Mario 64 DS. Along with playing the games the DS seemed almost identical except for the missing Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt demo in the Japanese DS. Now its good to know that the DS truely is region free.

Source: Gamecube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DS Game Hints

IGN have posted some great hints for:

Mario 64 DS
Feel The Magic

Under Construction

...Sorry if the site looks kinda messed up in the next few hours, it is under construction.

Sorry.

Surprise...

Depending on when we finish, there will be a nice little surprise coming up later today or early tomorrow.

Also for those of you that have submitted your mini game scores, I will try to get to them later tonight.

-Jeremy Olson

Update: We are experiencing some technical difficulties with Blogger and CSS so the "surprise probably won't be up for a few days or more." So just sit back, relax and forget about it :).

Sorry.

Mr. Driller Released

Today Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits has now been officially released. Have fun getting your copy as the pink football head hero drills his way onto our DS's

Source: Nintendo.com

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Super Mario 64 DS (mini game) high scores

I have had a lot of requests in the forums to have an official Super Mario 64 DS Mini Games high score chart so I thought it would be a lot of fun to start one.

I just added the chart to the Super Mario 64 DS preview page (soon to be a review page.) The page includes all the Super Mario 64 DS media (videos, images, etc.), the preview, and the high scores at the bottom. You can access the page by clicking here or you can access it any time by going to the articles section and clicking the "Super Mario 64 DS preview" link. I am also editing the template to include a direct link to the page on the sidebar.

How to submit your score

There are currently no high scores yet so its your job to start submitting! Just press the "Contact Us" button on the sidebar and put "High Score" in the subject line. Make sure to include your name, the mini game(s) name(s), and the score(s).

Right now we are forced to use a trust system so please do not submit a score you have not actually gotten as this defeats the entire purpose of the chart.

Have fun!

-Jeremy Olson

Black DS? Ummm.. No.

There is a "rumor" going around the web about a black DS based on a picture posted by Lik Sang showing a "black Nintendo DS". I am very surprised sources such as Joystiq are posting the story with out even questioning the source.

If you would notice, the image is quite similar to the image on the silver Nintendo DS' box and as you can see if you look closely, there are some flaws in the photoshop job (look at the edges.)

The backround is exactly the same as the backround from the box (which is a Nintendo DS image that came out a few months ago with much fanfare.)

I'm not saying that there won't be a black Nintendo DS coming in the near future but I am saying that this is merely a neat photoshop job and not a real picture of the black Nintendo DS.

If there is any evidence against my conclusion, please email it to me by pressing the contact us button on the sidebar and putting "Black DS" in the subject line.

-Jeremy Olson

Advanced Wars DS: early next year?

DS Central: "Portable Review have reported that Advance Wars DS could be out as early as January 10th 2005 or October 9th 2005. Click here to read Roger's full preview. We stress however that this is just a rumor until Nintendo announces a release date."

Madden 2005 DS Preview

Now the game is already out, but this preview was written awhile ago and in all the confusion of launch it didn't end up getting posted. So here is the belated Madden 2005 DS Preview

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Mr. Driller Preview

A preview for Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits is now up and it got a 6/10 for an appeal rating. See Why.

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Crystal Chronicles........Dated???

There is a rumor going around that Square-Enix latest DS incarnation, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles will be making its way to our gaming shelves by ebruary 7th of 2005.

More info will be gathered as it is released....

SOURCE: DS Central

-MPRUNTY

DS Help: Protecting Your DS

For the second installment of DS Help I have written an article on how to keep your DS clean, shiney, and protected. Check it out!

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Eastern Release, Far East

Nintendo DS has already been released in the North America, Japan will be getting their hands on the double-screen handheld system in December 2, and Europe will be getting the Nintendo DS before Easter 2005. Now Nintendo has reported that they are planning to release the Nintendo DS in Hong Kong Spring 2005, Taiwan Summer 2005, and their is no release date for China.

Source: Magic Box International

-Falco8

Three-Tribes DS

Two Tribes announces that they are making an action/puzzle game for the Nintendo DS and the GBA called, Three Tribes. You play as the village shaman in the game and must help the villagers as much as he can. Developer Two Tribes. You can go their site at Three-Tribes.com.

Source: DS Central

-Falco8

Official Zelda: Four Swords DS

I have previously e-mailed Nintendo trying to enquire about this game with them responding that it has not been announced as of yet, but today that all changed. In the latest issue of Nintendo Power The Legend of Zelda: Four Sword Adventures has now been added to the Game Watch list for the DS. The whole issue is infact on the DS and is a good read and provides insight into many of the DS games. Along with The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures other games such as Star Wars III, Another, Advance Wars, Final Fantasy III, Jam with the Band, Nintendogs, One-Line Puzzle, Yosh's Touch & Go, and Zoo Tycoon were also added to the Game Watch list.

Source: Nintendo Power

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Peripherals

A number of Japanese peripherals have now been announced by Nintendo. Many of these will never see and American launch, but some of them will. The peripherals are mainly DS cases and add-ons to keep your DS safe from sratches.

Case 1
Active Pouch DS, 12.02.04, 1580 yen
Case 2
Mobile Pouch DS, 12.02.04, 945 yen
Sun Filter
Sun Filter DS, 12.02.04, 525 yen
Shell Case
Shell Pack DS, 12.02.04, 1260 yen
Head Phones
Head Phone DS, 12.16.04, 1029 yen
Screen Protection
Screen Guard DS, 12.02.04, 650 yen
Mesh Cover
Pouches
Multi Pouch DS, 12.02.04, 1344 yen
LCD Filter
LCD Filter DS, 12.02.04, 714 yen
Shock Pouch
Shock Holder DS, 12.02.04, 1344 yen
Moblie Pouch 2
Mobile Pocket DS A Type, 12.02.04, 1050 yen
Mobile Pouch 3
Mobile Pouch DS B Type, 12.02.04, 1050 yen
LCD+Screen Protector
LCD Guard + Screen Guard, 12.02.04, 840 yen

These pouches look interesting and hopefully we'll see some of them over here soon.

Source: IGN

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Translated Miyamoto Interview

Recently Miyamoto had and interview with Famitsu magazine and it has now been translated.

Interviewer Hamamura (hereinafter, Hamamura): Since the Nintendo DS (hereinafter, DS) was announced, over 2 million units have been pre-ordered, far more than the number that can possibly be shipped by the end of the year. How do you react to that?

Shigeru Miyamoto (hereinafter, Miyamoto): First of all, we announced it in January. After that, lots of people got to try it for the first time at E3 in May, and we got a considerable response.

Hamamura: It was pretty great, wasn’t it? People waited an hour and a half to try it.

Miyamoto: Really? [Smiles] But, returning to Japan, I asked my kids at home about it and they said, “What’s a DS?” I then realized that the name hasn’t gotten around yet. From the start, the DS has been for a market that doesn’t yet exist, as it was made with the intention of being something that would be more widely used in the world. What that means is, there was no way to be prepared for this news. In this case, I think it’s fortunate that so many pre-orders have accumulated due to high expectations.

Hamamura: President Iwata said so, but up until now, games have been controlled with a d-pad and A and B buttons. In that regard, the DS boldly introduces a touch-screen and voice input for a really unique means of control.

Miyamoto: The d-pad is also on the DS, but I was worried about its removal many times during development. However, it’s used by lots of previous games. Surprisingly, I didn’t know at the time that the DS would also play GBA games.

Hamamura: The design behind the DS aside, it seems that today’s players are worried about the video game industry.

Miyamoto: Looking at society as a whole, we’ve come to understand that there are people who play video games and people who don’t. That sense of crisis really does exist, doesn’t it? During the Famicom era, anyone could play.

Hamamura: It was new to everyone.

Miyamoto: Right, right. [Smiles] When we made Super Mario back then, people would react by saying, “Ah!” When we make Mario nowadays, people only say, “Oh.” [Smiles painfully] Since we want their attention, I think we’re making games on the DS that anyone can play.

Hamamura: From the start, Nintendo established the d-pad and A and B buttons in video game culture. It took some courage to break away from that culture for something new, didn’t it?

Miyamoto: I guess I was just getting tired of my own style of games. Games that just use the d-pad and A and B buttons seemed limited. Nevertheless, adding more buttons makes things more complicated… That’s something I’ve felt ever since the Nintendo 64, and so now we’ve made games like Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, Mario Party 6, and Yoshi’s Universal Gravitation. It’s good that the DS has two screens and a touch-screen. By trying out controls that have not been seen before, can games be designed to use only a stylus? That’s the kind of thing I think we’ll see a lot of.

Hamamura: Is that right?

Miyamoto: We’ve got some ideas rolling around. There will be games with classic controls like Super Mario 64 DS, the kind that can even be played on the latest cell phones, but that’s not the main goal of the games we’ll sell. Therefore, the DS will act as a pillar that won’t flow with the old style. That doesn’t mean that the GBA will be discontinued. We feel that both can continue to be supported.

Hamamura: So conversely, you say that the DS isn’t the successor to the GBA?

Miyamoto: Right, in our minds.

Hamamura: Is that so?

Miyamoto: Yeah. However, the next step for portables is certainly a high-powered GBA. This isn’t the successor. We feel that the DS can do things that the Cube and the GBA can’t.

Hamamura: PictoChat is built into the DS, and so everyone with a system can enjoy it.

Miyamoto: That’s right. I also thought it’d be good for public relations.

Hamamura: Drawing and sending pictures is fresh and really fun.

Miyamoto: Really. Anyone can bring up a new topic and things are kept interesting. [Smiles] For example, “Draw Mario!” and so on. If someone’s drawing is good, someone else will want to add another, spreading the fun.

Hamamura: Our editors are now taking up the subject of Puppy Times (tentative title). Its concept is also different from anything we’ve seen before.

Miyamoto: Although I’m worried that it can’t help but become a game, I think it’d be fine even if it didn’t. Everyone just wants something fun. If a game is fun, then I just think people will want it. In my own experience, women hold interest in games across a wider range of ages than men.

Hamamura: Uh-huh.

Miyamoto: The musical performance in Jam with the Band is also really fun because humming into the microphone can create a musical score.

Hamamura: The DS can be found to have fun experiences in totally different ways in its games, right?

Miyamoto: It’s not something to find, it’s truly there.

Hamamura: Is that so? Well then, I’m sure there’s more to come.

Miyamoto: Although there are lots of jobs to make regular video game that respond to customers’ expectations, unpredictable games are now appearing more and more. Which, when made, will be unable to stop the joy! [Smiles]

Hamamura: Sounds great.

Miyamoto: Further, worried game designers have looked at the DS since last year and were convinced of this. Will the different means of communication be interesting? A DS placed inside of a bag can automatically detect another system within 30 meters and can give rise to changes in games.

Hamamura: That’s a great breakthrough! With new concepts and actions, the DS is a machine that offers something we really haven’t seen before, isn’t it?

Miyamoto: Yes. [Smiles]

Hamamura: Nintendo has said that the Internet is not worthwhile to its business framework, but would rather find out how it can make playing fun. I think the recognition of that is spreading through society in general. However, something more was said: when there’s a use that lends itself naturally to play, then preparations will commence. The former statement seems very strong, and has given Nintendo an image of being against networking. Even at the presentation a few days ago (10/7), Mr. Kawazu of Square-Enix spoke very little about it during his appearance. Can you expand upon this at all?

Miyamoto: The management of the company has lately had talks with all sorts of other companies about whether we should handle the Internet. However, that will probably bear fruit after three or four years.

Hamamura: That long of a time span?

Miyamoto: With the DS, I think it’ll be faster. I think it will take more time to get users and investors to the same level of interest. In shaping the future, we’re moving in a positive direction. I can’t say anything more until it’s formally announced.

Hamamura: I see. For something that interesting, I don’t think Nintendo will be lacking.

Miyamoto: Yeah, because of our cooperation with Square-Enix. [Smiles] I think there’ll be a hint hidden in Animal Crossing.

Hamamura: With the DS offering so many new ways of playing, will the Revolution, with its heterogeneous goods, also expand the horizons of what consoles have been able to do?

Miyamoto: Like professionals, the players’ expectations won’t stop pointing the way. If we betray them, then I believe our products will lack value. The basic art form of creating interesting video games to play is still full of potential. Please look forward to the results.


This interview says alot. Hopefully you'll read it all. Here are the magazine scans.

Scan 1
Scan 2
Scan 3

He's looking pretty good for his age.

Source: Nintendojo

Nintendo's Fiscal Report

Nintendo's fiscal year ends in March 05, but they have now released details on how much money they plan to make by the end of the fiscal year. Nintendo projects an estimated total profit of 90 billion yen (846 million dollars) by the end of fiscal year, March 05. The new figure is almost triple from last years earnings of 33 billion yen and it is all due to the DS. The DS is selling extremely well and Nintendo has once again pushed up the projected sales figure from 4 million to 5 million by the end of March 05.

Paul Koulogeorge, vice president of marketing Electronics Boutique, refering to the DS said this:

'Let me put it this way, no matter what the supply is, we could sell more.'

Source: Nintendojo

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Ping Pals Media

IGN just posted a load of new media for the upcoming DS game Ping Pals (including videos.)

See it all here.

Madden Screens

5 more Madden screens... This is getting repeatative.

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5

Source: N64-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Dust & Shadows DS

A new game is now announced for the DS. Dust & Shadows is an upcoming game that blends gameplay features from Warcraft, Advance Wars, and Fire Emblem and is to be released in Q2 05. The game will be set in real-time and you are able to select up to 6 units at a time. The game is predicted to use both screens and the touch screen, no news yet if it will use any of the other features of the DS. More as it comes.

Artwork

Soucre: N64-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Nintendo Online

Since the Nintendo DS was releases over here in North America, Nintendo has now come out of the light and they are giving some new infomation about the Nintendo DS.

- Online gaming will be very popular in three to four years, and Nintendo will have to move forward, according to Miyamoto-san
- The Nintendo DS will be online sooner than you think
- Square Enix and Nintendo are working together, to be the Nintendo DS online to the fullest extent.

Now this is good news for Nintendo, as they are now accepting online gaming and hinting that the Nintendo DS online will be here this year or early next year. Stay tuned to DS Update for more news on this.

Source: Gamecube Heaven

-Falco8

DemaSked False Clues

Recently Chad posted up some songs on the Warp Pipe forums. The songs were interesting, but many people figured that they were the next set of DemaSked clues. I got a chance to talk with Chad and he said this

UZG- Hey is that shh.. listen topic on the forums new demasked clues or just songs you like because i've been listening to them like 50 times in a row and its killin me...

UZG-So whats the deal with those songs or do i have to listen to them 50 more times?

Chad-They are just songs

There you have it. Chad said they were just songs, so don't over think things. DemaSked will come when it comes. I also talked to Chad about his new DS and he said that Super Mario 64 DS was the best overall game, but Feel the Magic XX/XY is also very much worth getting. Well I'm glad Chad talked to me, he really is a nice guy. I thanked him and wished him good luck on DemaSked, hopefully soon we'll see what he has been working on.

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Release Dates

Many upcoming DS games have now been scheduled for a release date.

Rayman DS-Dec. 2004
WarioWare Touched!-Feb 14, 2005
Pac Pix-Mar 2005
Atari Classics-Mar 2005
Yoshi's Touch & Go-March 2005
Pokemon Dash-Mar 14, 2005
Ultimate Card Games-May 2005
Ultimate Brain Games-Jun 2005


Source: Nintendo.com

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Ubisoft European Releases

Today Ubisoft made a press release announcing that it will release Sprung, Rayman DS, and Asphalt: Urban GT as launch games in Europe. Good news for Europeans. Ubisoft also released a batch of new screenshots. (see below post).

Source: Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Ubisoft reveals more screens!

DS News have posted some new screenshots from all three of Ubisofts Nintendo DS titles. See them here.

DS gets great reviews!

It certainly looks like the critics love the DS! The Nintendo DS is PC Magazine's Editors choice and they gave it 5 out of 5 stars saying "The Nintendo DS is an excellent portable gaming platform." And "Nintendo DS the most immersive portable gaming experience around."

Here are a few more quotes:

"What more can you ask for?" (Computer World)

"I find the Nintendo DS impressive" (Bargain PDA)

"The feature-packed Nintendo DS is a worthy successor to the Game Boy Advance." (Cnet 8.3/10)

"Nintendo DS a Sleek Powerhouse" (Yahoo)

"DS is clearly the most powerful and versatile handheld game system on the market today" USA Today

-Jeremy Olson

Dead Pixel Syndrome

It appears that in every LCD device there can be a problem with the screen called dead pixel syndrome or so I would like to call it. When this happens one pixel of the screen is burnt in one colour. This happens a very small percentage of the time, but it does happen. This can happen with any LCD device. Now this may be very distracting when playing your DS, and you will be able to return it and get another one through the warranty. Nintendo has released this statement about the problem:

"With a small number of Nintendo DS screens, one or two dots on the screen may appear to be "stuck" on a particular color, such as white or red. This effect is caused when a particular pixel (the dots that make up the screen) is not working properly, even with the high quality standards set by LCD manufacturers. You will find this situation is common in many LCD devices, (PC monitors, televisions, cell phones, etc.).

It's important to understand that this issue will remain limited to the pixels you have already noticed. The problem will not get any worse and you should not expect to see the problem in any other areas of the screen.

We suggest that you use your system for a few weeks to determine whether this interferes with your enjoyment of game play. If, after using your system for awhile, you feel that this tiny dot is too distracting, the Nintendo DS does carry a one-year warranty. We are happy to inspect and, if necessary, fix your system at no charge within the warranty period."

It sounds like Nintendo just doesn't want people returning thier DS's, I would strongly advise just going to the palce you bought it and returning it ASAP and getting another one. Regardless of whether you don't find it that much of a problem. You paid just as much as everyone else you should have the same quality one as them.

Source: IGN

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DS Game Cases

Now the new game cases for the DS games are very stylish and look great, but they are a little on the bulky side. So if your looking for something easier to carry around in your pocket the solution is here. Today images of new smaller DS game cases were released and they look very stylish.

Case 1

This first case looks more like a lighter than a game case which is pretty cool. The design is sleek and easy to carry in your pocket.

Case 2

This second case is alittle larger, but holds more games, GBA games, and a spare stylus. This case looks very nice as well and looks like it will over some protection for your DS games.

Both cases look good and I will probably get one of them myself. No news yet on release date or price, but keep your eyes open.

Source: N64-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

...and now for a very special article

UZG has written up "A Note or Two about Launch". Check it out here.

All of us here at DS Update, hope that you have good luck securing your DS tommorow or today, as the case may be. Happy DS Day!

IGN on SM 64 DS

Ign has just weighed in a review on the new DS title Super Mario 64 DS. The overall rating is an 8.9 (close to my 9/10 appeal rating). Click Here for the full article.

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

It is ALMOST here!

The official launch of the DS will begin in less then two hours and I'm just about ready to collapse as I have been in the chat room way to much today, replying to emails all day, working on the template, finding news, playing Ping Pong, and the list goes on. I am about ready to hit the hay so I can get an early start to my local Target store!

A note to everybody:

Good luck on getting your DS and if your one of the ones going to a midnight party, make sure to take some pics and send them to DS Update :).

Goodnight everybody, have a nice DS day tomorrow.

-Jeremy Olson

Chad Watch: DemaSked Clues?

Chad finally speaks again on the Warp Pipe forums now dawing a new Bill Murray avatar. Chad's topic was called Shh.. Listen. In the topic thread there was links to two different songs which many are interpretting as new DemaSked clues. This comes at a time when the Warp Pipe image has been changed to a DS ttype symbol. Later on in the topic Chad also posted a picture of a man in a beard which you will see below with a song attachment. Chad posted a third picture with a song attachment (see below).Below are links to the songs he posted and I shall try to catch up with him soon to try and ask him about this. Cross your fingers.

Mirah-Cold Cold Water
Quasi - Master And Dog

This is Chad's second post in the topic.

Song attached to above picture

The third post picture This picture turns out to be a picture of the artist that wrote the first song.

The song attachment to the second picture.

If someone would like to look up the lyrics and post them in the comments I will update this topic with them.

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Meet Chad in Chicago

First for the small news, Warp Pipes logo has been modified to a more DS centered logo. See it here

Now for the big news. If you live in Chicago, your in luck! Tomorrow you will get the chance to play the DS with Chad himself!

See the details here.

Thanks to Chris (in the chat room) for the news.

-Jeremy Olson

Staff Update

First off, I just put together a page dedicated to the staff at DS Update, check it out here.

I would also like to take this oppertunity to welcome Marcus Hermansson onto our staff. He specializes in graphic art and will be doing some great art work for DS Update. His first piece is DS Updates first official wallpaper!

New Screenshots

Today new screenshots of multiple games arose. Only hours before the DS releases we are still getting screenshots, but this time not of launch titles. The screenshots came in of Mario Kart DS and Animal Crossing DS. Check them out

Mario Kart:
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3

Animal Crossing:
Image 1

DS Picture
DS

The DS picture is just to make us drool abit before it comes out and the games are lookin good.

Source: Nintendojo

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DS Update chat party! (STARTING NOW)

(STICKY)Starting NOW, you can join in our DS Update Party Chat! I will be online most of today and some other staff members will get online later so join in the fun and chat away. No sign up is required, just sign in with the name you wan't to be known in the chat by and start chatting!

Have fun. The topic is ANYTHING NINTENDO DS! Chat about the launch titles you got, your live experience with the DS, the recent reviews of the DS games, anything!

-Jeremy Olson

Lik Sang Touch the DS

DS News: "Lik-Sang have received their DS shipment (well, the first batch of them anyway) and early pre-orders (made in March) are on their way. The rest of us will have to wait on... In the meantime, they\'ve opened up the machine totally and have lots of new shots and info to prove it!"

Click here to see Lik Sangs DS page full of new images and info.

-Jeremy Olson

Jam with the Band commercial

DS Advanced just posted the first ever Jam with the Band commercial, it seems to be in the Japanese (touch) format. Watch it here.

-Jeremy Olson

New Nintendo DS Commercial (Japanese)

Watch the new Japanese Nintendo DS commercial here.

-Jeremy Olson

Source: DS Advanced

Video Reviews

Gamespot just posted two new video reviews, one for Madden NFL 2005 and the other for Super Mario 64 DS.

Enjoy.

-Jeremy Olson

GET READY!

Get ready for the best Nintendo DS launch coverage on the net, stick to DS Update for ALL the latest news and fun features!

ITS PARTY TIME!

Gamespot Reviews

Gamespot has post some reviews of some of the launch games for the DS. The scores are similar to my total appeal scores on my previews, which is a good thing. Either way most of the games are above the 7 point mark which is pretty good for a launch. The scores give us a general idea, but for the best review you should play the game yourself.

Gamespot's Reviews:

Asphalt: Urban GT- 7.5/10
Feel the Magic: XY/XX- 7.7/10
Madden NFL 2005- 7.2/10
Super Mario 64 DS- 8.4/10
Spider-Man 2- 6/10

Notice that if you average the Asphalt: Urban GT scores from IGN and Gamespot you get my appeal score? What a coincidence. Anyways expect DS Update to post some good reviews for you soon. I myself will not be posting any until after the 25th, of December, but they will come. Expect some good reviews from Matt Prunty and others.

Click here for the complete reviews from Gamespot.

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

IGN gives Asphalt a 5.5

IGN just posted their review of Asphalt: Urban GT giving it a 5.5 out of 10 rating.

4.0
Presentation
Poor use of the touch screen for its menu system. And even without touch screen function it's cluttered and confusing.

8.5
Graphics
Still screens don't do this game justice. In motion it's a beautiful game on the Nintendo DS, running at a silky 60 FPS with a good sense of speed.

7.0
Sound
Solid, better than average audio that doesn't really offer up much "oomph" during the races.

5.0
Gameplay
Barely passable racing action. Some elements are good, like the drift handling. Others, like AI routines, instant replay handling, jumps, and even multiplayer just feel unfinished.

7.0
Lasting Appeal
A good amount of replay value if you're more forgiving in your racing games than we are. Lots of competition for single and multiplayer.

5.5
Overall

Read the full review here.

Update: Gamespot just reviewed the game giving it a 7.5. Read their review right here.

PC Mag: Nintendo DS (Editors Choice)

PC Magazine recently reviewed the Nintendo DS giving it 5 out of 5 points! Check the review out here.

IGN Media

IGN just updated their DS section with a load of new gameplay videos including:

Mr. Driller
Ridge Racer (Including intro)
Madden
and The Urbz

-Jeremy Olson

EA's MMORPG DS?

It seems that GameCube Heaven has caught wind of what could be a MMORG heading its way overto the Nintendo DS. This game would come by way of EA Canada, and details should be released in the coming weeks.

To some this may seem far fetch, but remember Square-Enix was talking about taking the Nintendo DS online via their Playstation Online service, so this could be something that could happen, which would spell many many hours of gameplay for gamers around the world.

As the news is release, we will bring it to your attention, so keep tuned to this website, as the news breaks.

SOURCE: CUBE-3

-MPRUNTY

Sprung preview

UZG has written yet another preview, this time he takes a look at the text based dating sim: Sprung.

-Jeremy Olson

DS is on Sale?

Reports have been coming in from certain large chains in the southern USA of selling multiple copies of the DS before launch. It appears that several stores such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and other large chains have accidently let out some of the systems. Good for gamers who can find them. Two days difference isn't that much of a deal anyways.

Source: Gamespot

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

G4techTV DS Day

G4techTV has now announced that they will be having a DS day to celebrate the release of the new hand held. The screen will be slipt in two and on the top you will see the person playing and on the bottom you will see the game itself. Good to see they caught the hype of the DS. In the recent past they did days like this on GTA: San Andreais and Halo 2, but tune in on Sunday to watch the program.

Source: Nintendojo

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

"On the Spot" DS footage

On Gamespot's weekly show, "On the Spot", they showcased Spiderman 2, Super Mario 64 DS, and Feel the Magic XX/XY. Though not much new info (if any) is given, these gamplay videos do serve to remind us one thing... the DS is only a few days away.

Check out the video here.

IGN Updates

IGN released a pile of DS media and articles that are all woth checking out. The articles include bits on Wario Ware DS, and midnight launch parties for the DS.
IGN is now featuring new DS game reviews of games such as Feel the Magic XX/XY and more.
Media from IGN includes new gameplay videos from numerous games.
Also a handheld buyers guide is out on the site.

Check them all out here!

Source: IGN

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Asphalt: Urban GT preview Second take

Well, already our second preview of Asphalt: Urban GT is up, this time giving it 8.5/10 as apposed to the last previews 6.5 anicipation rating.

Check it out here.

Best Buy Reward Points

It has now been announced that Best Buy shoppers will now recieve double the amount of rewards points on DS games and accessories. The promotion will go from the 21st till the 27th. No news on whether the points will be doubled if you buy a DS or not though.

Source:DS Advanced

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DS Pre-Order Charts

Today charts were released on how well each game was going to sell based soley on pre-orders. This report comes from Japan and shows us what is the most popular over there.

1. Super Mario 64 DS
2. Sawaru Made in Wario (WarioWare Touched!)
3. Feel the Magic: XY/XX
4. Chokkan Hitofude (One-Line Puzzle)
5. Kenshuui Tendo Dokuta
6. Daigasso! Band Brothers (Jam with the Band)
7. Pokemon Dash

Source: N64-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Feel the Extras XX/XY

Sega has now released that certain GBA games will unlock special features in thier upcoming DS game, Feel the Magic XX/XY. In the game extra clothes and wigs are unlockable, but now Sega has told us that you may unlock even more features with certain Sega games. Below is the list of games that are announced to unlock features and what they unlock.

Sonic Advance- 'Sonic'
Sonic Advance 2 - 'Chao'
Sonic Advance 3 - 'Ulala'
Puyo Puyo Fever - 'Puyo Puyo'
Sonic Pinball Party -'Nights'

Certain other Sega games may work as well, but no news on the other games so far.

Source: Cubed-3

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Multi-player Details

Today Famitsu magazine released the multi-player details on many upcoming DS games.

Cool 104 Joker & Setline Aruze, 2 Dec
Only Setline is compatible with wireless LAN and features a two player game where users take it in turn to place tiles in a "tag play".

Mahjong Taikai Koei, 2 Dec
Allows 4 player games over ad-hoc mode. Supports "DS download play"* for up to 4 players.

Zoo Keeper Success, 2 Dec
Versus mode can be played between two players over ad-hoc mode. The versus mode unlocks items not available through single player mode.

Mr.Driller Drill Spirits Namco, 2 Dec
Up to 5 people can play against each other via ad-hoc mode. "DS download play"* is supported.

Super Mario 64 DS Nintendo, 2 Dec
Up to 4 people can play in a versus battle to collect starts. "DS download play"* is supported.

Daigassou! Band Brothers Nintendo, 2 Dec
Multiple people can play instruments together in "Band Play" mode, or players can battle for the best score in "Grading mode".

Chokkan Hitofude Nintendo, 2 Dec
Two player versus mode is possible, and you can also give a trial version of the game to people as a "present".

Pictochat Nintendo, included in hardware
People can draw in sequence via the LAN or up to 16 people can chat together.

Pokemon Dash Pokemon, 2 Dec
2-6 people can race against each other, using the stylus to move their Pokemon faster than their opponents.

Puyo Puyo Fever Sega, 24 Dec
Up to eight people can play against each other. "DS download play" is supported.

Bomberman Hudson, 2005
Both upper and lower screens are used to create a large playing field which up to 8 players can battle in.

Egg Monster Hero Square Enix
There are plans to use wireless LAN but no details yet.

Meteos Bandai
Up to four people can battle against each other in this puzzle game using ad-hoc mode wireless.

Nothing but pretty good news here. Hopefully the next line of games we'll be seeing online multiplayer.

Source: Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Rayman Preview

UZG is at it again, this time he takes a look at the upcoming Rayman game for the Nintendo DS.

Read the preview here

Sale Alert!

Now this goes out to all the Canadian shoppers as this deal is only in Canada. Future Shop is having a one day only sale where the DS is on sale for only $179.99! That's $20 cheaper than most stores and converts into less than $150 USA. This sale is only on the 21st though, and I suggest going there right at the time it opens. Also it is selling Super Mario 64 DS $10 cheaper than most stores. If you already have a pre-order go pick up a Future Shop flyer then head to the store you pre-ordered at, most of them do price mataching anyways. You can use that extra $30 for another DS game!

Source: Future Shope Flyers

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

TV Tuner coming to the DS and GBA

IGN: "The latest news from Japan points to a television tuner in development for the Game Boy Advance and DS platforms. The tuner will attach to the cartridge slot on the systems (the GBA slot on the DS) and will run on its own set of batteries. Four AAA batteries will make the device run for six hours.

This officially licensed product is being developed by Agatsuma Entertainment for planned Japanese release in January of 2005. The company expects a price of 9240 yen (about $90).

Early mockups of the hardware make it look very big -- larger than the DS hardware itself. We hope that the final product will end up being as small as the tuners that gave television functionality to the 16-bit portables."

Only 7 titles on the 21st

Cubed-3:

"he good folk over at N-Philes have been doing some digging after the recent announcement of EA's Tiger Woods PGA Golf DS slipping from its 21st November US début to sometime in mid-December.

Originally Nintendo announced that its new portable system, the DS, would launch in the US with twelve titles, however that number quickly slipped with EA's revelation. That meant that the remaining list looked something like this:

Super Mario 64 DS [ Nintendo ]
Rayman DS [ Ubisoft ]
Asphalt GT [ Ubisoft ]
Sprung [ Ubisoft ]
Madden NFL 2005 [ EA ]
Urbz: Sims in the City [ EA ]
Spider-Man 2 [ Activision ]
Feel the Magic XX/XY [ SEGA ]
Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits [ Namco ]
Ridge Racer DS [ Namco ]
Ping Pals [ THQ ]


The website, therefore, smelled a rat and began investigating some more...and the findings were not too favourable. Ubisoft's official page states that whilst Asphalt Urban GT might still be on for a 'November' (still vague), release, its DS counterparts, Rayman DS and Sprung are deemed to hit in December instead of on Day One.

Therefore, it would look as if the total on the day has been reduced to a possible eight straight away and removes some of the more interesting launch games. But then it gets worse, as on THQ's site Ping Pals looks to have been dated in December as well, reducing the number to just seven! However, this last one would make sense since many have critcised THQ for making people pay for something similar to the completely free PictoChat from Nintendo...

Thankfully there are reports of retailers getting Spiderman 2 and Feel the Magic: XX/XY already. Yet Mr Driller: Drill Spirits is said to only be coming in limited supply - with just 2,500 units from the word 'Go'."

So Close...

The DS is only two and a half days away and people like YOU will be getting their DS' in a matter of days. If you have your DS, have played with one, or just want to talk about the DS, let all your thoughts loose here.

P.S. Don't forget that the DS launch isn't the only awesome thing happening on the 21st, we should also get some new info on Demasked and Nanostray!

-Jeremy Olson

Zoo Keeper Details

Although I'm still skeptical as to if this game is worth $40 or not, here are some more juicy details about Zoo Keeper:

DS News: "Ignition have revealed a few more details on the game today - There will be Wireless Communication capability for two-player (Single-Card Play), Five different game modes, An input system that is ideally suited to the Touch Screen, An instantly understandable and intuitive game system, Incredible visuals, Highly relevant plot involving an actual Zoo Keeper and best of all (and unexpectedly) Zookeeper will be available for the launch of the Nintendo DS."

"Sizing up the Nintendo DS"

DS Advanced just posted a nice article showing just how small the DS is. Take a look here.

New Nintendo DS Ads

IGN: "Airing just in time for the launch of the Nintendo DS are three commercials touting the features and fun of the dual-screen, touch-screen system. These three commercials, "Breath," "Dust," and "Gravy," offer a real-world look at the unique functionality of Nintendo's handheld.

The television commercials, each 30 seconds long, were produced by Leo Burnett USA."

watch the ads here and discuss them in the forums.

-Jeremy Olson

New Feel the Magic Gameplay videos

See them here.

-Jeremy Olson

New Super Mario 64 DS footage

Gamespot just posted some new Super Mario 64 DS videos including a comparison between the DS version and the N64 version. Watch them here.

-Jeremy Olson

New SpiderMan 2 video and screens

IGN just posted a new video featuring the launch title that is actually available right now: SpiderMan 2.

Enjoy.

Update: Along with the video they also posted a few new (very impressive) screens. Take a look.

-Jeremy Olson

Ridge Racer Preview

UZG has turned out yet another preview. Check it out here.


(Interesting note: At the current rate UZG will turn out approximately 10 previews by midnight tonight)

Asphalt: Urban GT Preview

UZG has written yet another preview this time for Asphalt: Urban GT. Check it out here.

Any bets on how many preview he can write tonight? 2 and counting... ....

Feel The Magic XX/XY Preview

UZG has written a preview for the upcoming DS launch title, Feel the Magic XX/XY.
Check it out here.

Feature of the Day #7

IGN's feature of the day today is the crush proof box. The seventh feature is definately one worth talking about compared to the GBA cases. As the GBA games had no first party boxes unlike the original Game Boy games. Either way this case stands up to the tests IGN put it through and proves to show that these case will keep your DS games safe. Check out the full article Here.

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Party On!

Last night a huge party was thrown for the launch of the DS and many of Hollywood's stars were there. The party featured food, music, and DS's for everyone to play. The music was done by The Killers and DJ Spinna, and was pretty rockin'. Many celebrities showed up such as Cuba Gooding Jr., Jesse Metcalfe, Zach Braff, and Orlando Jones to Taryn Manning, Anthony Keidis, Sarah Chalke, Rachel Hunter, David Gallagher, JC. Chasez, Donald Faison, Michael Vartan and Jerry Bruckheimer. There were Pictochat sessions of 16 people going on and other celebrities were trying out the games.

"They look great! They are small enough to travel with and will help me pass away many hours when I'm on tour, especially on those long bus rides
Pink

"proud to be the first [to receive the DS]!"
Nelly

"Yo, this is the dopest thing I've seen in my life."
Donald Faison

"Since we announced the Nintendo DS, celebrities have been clamoring to be the first to get their hands on it. The Nintendo DS was a huge hit due to its revolutionary features - the dual screen; touch-screen; a built-in chat function; and wireless communication."
Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales and marketing

The party seems to have went well even though I didn't get an invite I can always hope for next time... Either way it is good that there are already celebrity endorsements and it sounds like the DS will be selling better than most people would have imagined. Good-luck making it to Sunday, I suggest some Paper Mario or Metroid Prime 2 to pass the time.

Source: IGN

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Spider Man 2 Pictures

No, not the normal screen shots that have been getting posted since May, but pictures more so of the actual cartridge and box. These pictures give us some insight into how durable these cases will be.

Cartridge
Inside Case
Inside Case 2
Manual
Front of Case
Back of Case

Source: DS Advanced

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Spider-Man 2 Ships

Spider-Man 2 shipped out today and now allowing store owners to put them up on shelves when ever they may choose. Activision celebrated the shipment and supplied some words.

“There is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for the Nintendo DS and we are excited to be among the launch titles for this innovative new platform,”“Spider-Man 2 takes advantage of the Nintendo DS’s processing power by delivering amazing graphics and sound, and gameplay that fully realizes the potential of the dual screen"

Kathy Vrabeck, president of Activision Publishing.

Source: Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Mr. Driller Shortage

According to certain sources there is an expected Mr. Driller shortage in North America. According to the source only 2500 copies will be sent to North America for us to fight over. The majority of the copies are suppose to be sent to large retailers such as Wal-Mart and EB Games.

Source: Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Nintendo DS official Manual

GameCube Europe have gotten their hands on the official Nintendo DS manual, take a look here.

Japanese website list

Our affiliate DS News have posted a list of Japanese DS game websites. Check it out here.

-Jeremy Olson

Handheld Shortage

As weeks went by, Nintendo and Sony are gearing up their new handheld systems for the holiday season, but there are a few problems that will be coming to the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP.

Nintendo have announced that the Nintendo DS has gotten 2 million pre-orders in Japan, this large amount could make Nintendo cry with joy, but Nintendo will ship one million Nintendo DS units and that would make Nintendo cry with sorrow. But Nintendo announced that they will set up a manufacturing factory in China to speed up the process of the Nintendo DS, and Nintendo had raised their forecast one million to four million in Japan only because of the demand.

Sony annouced that the Sony PSP will only 200,000 units on the launch day, but 500,000 units will follow in December, but will that be enough for the Japan`s PSP lovers?

Now it seems that the Nintendo DS will be the victor over the Sony PSP, because of the Sony PSP lack of development time on the graphically enhanced handheld system, but anything can happen in this handheld war.

Source: Jeux-France (French site)

-Falco8

Asphalt: Urban GT releasing early

Ubisoft annoucned that their raceing game for the Nintendo DS, Asphalt: Urban GT, will be released tomorrow to all gaming stores. It seems that Ubisoft is gearing up for the Nintendo DS and to knock its rival, Ridge Racer DS, off the charts. Although many are seeing this as a poor move by Ubisoft as it will be able to be released before the system itself. Not many people buy a game without the system. On the other hand though, early buyers may get this game first because of its early release. Both games seem adequately prepared for the launch of the new system, we'll have to see who ends up victorious. UZG estimates a close finish with Ridge Racer slightly ahead.

Source: Gamecube Heaven

-Falco8
-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Japan Zoo Keeper Site Up

Again our loving friends at DS Advanced, found another Japanese DS site, and the game is called Zoo Keeper. Hope you enjoy it for those who can translate.

Zoo Keeper Site

Source: DS Advanced

-Falco8

Feature a day #6: Single Cartridge Wireless Multiplayer

IGN has posted their 6th "feature a day" article, this time its focused on The DS' ability to play multiplayer games with a single cartridge.

Read it here.

Store Locator

Nintendo.com launched its store locator for the DS today. The locator allows you to find the cloest DS retailer near you. The locator came not a moment too soon as now people who haven't preordered thier DS's and are scrambling to find one can check all the stores selling them in that area. Although the locator does not include Canada, it is good to see it up ready for Sunday.

Source: Nintendo.com

-Ultimate Zelda Guru
-Jeremy Olson

Interview

Edge magazine interviewed Jim Merrick, Nintendo's senior director of European marketing, and he had some very interesting things to say. Check out the interview here Cubed-3

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Asphalt Urban GT Screens

Today some new shots came of the street racer from Ubisoft. Less than a week left till we can see these shots on your DS screen.

Check em out

Source: DS Advanced

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Quick thought: Zoo Keeper coming to USA

If you have a PDA or mobile phone, and have played the online version of Zoo Keeper you will immediately notice that the game-play is almost identical to the popular puzzle game Diamond mine and the clone Bejeweled. These games are available free on the internet and twenty bucks for mobile platforms such as the Palm OS. When contrasted with the newly announced US price point ($40), the only way I would be persuaded to pick this game up is if it has lots (and I mean lots) of special features unavailable in the free clones.

Just a quick rant, discuss this topic on this forum post.

-Jeremy Olson

Feature a day #5: Sleep Mode

IGN posted their fifth "Feature A Day", this time they take an in depth look at the Nintendo DS' built in sleep mode. Read it here.

Viewer impressions

Jarrod Willard, the author of the blog Mud Games has emailed me to tell me that his hands on impressions of the DS are up and you can view them here.

Enjoy.

DSA interviews Spider-Man 2 developer

DS Advanced: "DSA recently sat down with Karthik Bala, CEO of Vicarious Visions, developer of the upcoming Spider-Man 2 for the Nintendo DS." Read the interview here.

Cleaning Your DS

After the DS demos were introduced the question arose on how to clean the touch screen once they get dirty and oily. This question was recently asked to Nintendo and got this reply:

"A water-dampened, soft cloth should be used to clean the screen. Solvents of any type should never be used on the screen."
Nintendo Representative

This comes to show that solvents should not be used on the DS screen during any point. Keep your DS's safe.

Source: DS Advanced

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Super Mario 64 DS Site Up

Finally the Super Mario 64 DS website has launched! The site features long load time and awesome features that are worth the wait. Inside the site you can check out videos of the game, draw on a DS or check out character Bio's. The site shows us that Nintendo is nearing the completion of the launch of the DS. Make sure you check this site out.

Source: Super Mario 64 DS

-UZG

Caduceus Official Website Opens

Atlus has just put a website for their surgery game, Caduceus. Expect this game to come out next year. Check it out here.

Source: DS Advanced

-Falco8

EB Games celebrating DS Day!

If you pre-ordered your Nintendo DS at EB games, then make a joful noise! As EB Games is holding a day called DS Day( when the Nintendo DS is coming out). The event will last to 11:00 A.M to 6:00 P.M as people can go into special tournaments using the Nintendo DS. Don`t forget that Nintendo DS comes out on November 21, and if you are at EB Games on DS Day talk about it on the forums.

Source: GC Cafe

-Falco8

Just a thought: PSP price drop

For all you Nintendo fans getting worried about the PSP due to the new competetive price, don't be worried! I think its a good thing that the PSP is providing lots of competition for the DS as it will force both companies to innovate in their games. This means we will be seeing some really cool games from Nintendo that use the DS' features to the fullest at a good value as the games will be an important selling point for the handheld war.

What do you think? Post your thoughts in the comments section or talk about it in our forums.

Nintendo: "Nothing from Rare"

A Nintendo representative told Spong today that: "There is nothing from Rare on the release schedule right now in any territory. As far as I’m aware, no one here even talks to Rare anymore. There’s certainly nothing right now."

Source: DS News

While this news may be disappointing for some, Rare developing for the DS is certainly not out of the question for the future.

-Jeremy Olson

New Affiliate: DS News

I would like to welcome our new affiliate DS News onto our very small affiliates list :). The site is always up to date and is worth a bookmark so check it out here.

P.S. Sorry for the lack of updates from me, I was gone all weekend.

-Jeremy Olson

Gamespot Media Blowout!

Gamespot has updated their DS section with many new gameplay videos and images for games such as Asphalt: Urban GT, Super Mario 64 DS, The Urbz: Sims in the city and Feel the Magic. They also posted a video that takes an in depth look at the DS' menu!

Source: Gamespot

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Lik-Sang Pre-Order Confirmation

For those of you who have pre-ordered your DS's through Lik-Sang, they are now requiring confirmation for the pre-order. Head over to thier website and make sure you confirm your order before the deadline. Just go through our link if it helps. This is important otherwise you will not revieve your DS.

Source: Lik-Sang

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DS Bundles

Now Gamespot will be offering DS bundles for DS's and games. There are 5 different bundles which are:

1: Nintendo DS Ultimate Bundle!
With:
- Nintendo DS System
- Nintendo DS Starter Kit
- The Urbz: Sims in the City DS
- Mario 64 DS
- Madden NFL 2005 DS
For: $275.95

2: Nintendo DS with Mario 64 and Power Cable Bundle
With:
- Nintendo DS System
- Mario 64 DS
- Power Cable
For: $194.97

3: Nintendo DS with Super Mario 64 Bundle
With:
- Nintendo DS System
- Mario 64 DS
For: $179.98

4: Nintendo DS with URBZ: Sims in the City Bundle
With:
- Nintendo DS System
- The Urbz: Sims in the City DS
For: $189.98

5: Nintendo DS with Madden NFL 2005 DS
With:
- Nintendo DS System
- Madden NFL 2005 DS
For: $189.98

The DS bundles are worth thier money if you were planning on buying the bundle anyways. Good news to hear about these bundles as a few months ago we were wondering if Pictochat would be bundled with the system.

Source: DS Advanced

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Super Mario 64 DS Preview

UZG has written a preview for this much anticipated DS launch title. Check it out here.

World Touch Event in Tokyo

The world touch event recently went to Tokyo Japan, and showed many DS and Gamecube games. Amug the DS games there were Wario Ware DS, the new Kirby game, Mario 64 DS, Feel The Magic XY/XX, Harvest Moon, Bomberman, and Another. A game that was not there was Metroid Prime: Hunters, which is surprising. Either way it is good to know that some people get to play the upcoming games. It was stated that Feel the Magic XX/XY plays similar to Wario Ware DS and they are both fun. Amung the Gamecube games to play were Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, StarfoxAssault, Metroid Prime 2, Fire Emblem, Chibi Robo, GoldenEye, Mario Tennis GC, and Need for Speed Underground. All games we hope to be playing soon. Good to know that some games are still coming right along.

Source: Nintendojo

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

A new Caduceus Scan

Thanks to DS news, they found a Caduceus scan from Famitsu in Japan. Caduceus is a surgery game, but in the futuristic time and one of the first DS game announced. Enjoy and thanks again DS News.

Click Here For Scan

Source: DS News

-Falco8

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 delayed

EA annouces that their greatest golf game, Tiger Woods PGA Tour series, has been delayed to December 14. The game was going to be releasing with the Nintendo DS on November 21, but EA annouced the reason of the delay was because they needed more development time the golf game.

Don`t fret, you still get EA`s greatest football game, Madden 2005 and EA`s sims game, Urbz: Sims in the City coming out November 21.

Source: Gamespot

-Falco8

New Asphalt: Urban GT video!

Gamespot just posted the first Asphalt: Urban GT video! Watch it here.

IGN: Feature a day #4: Slot number two (GBA)

Read IGN's latest feature a day here.

The two parts I found interesting:

I quote: "It's very difficult to give a visual comparison of image quality between the Nintendo DS and the Game Boy Advance SP hardware, but the difference is night and day: GBA games look much more colorful and vibrant on the Nintendo DS' backlit screens. Not to knock the Game Boy Advance visual quality in any way, but the bright DS screens really make the GBA images shine vibrantly compared to the slightly bluish-tinting of the GBA SP frontlit LCD screens. The extra two buttons, X and Y, are disabled during GBA mode, as is the Nintendo DS' auto-Sleep Mode when closing the system up while the power is turned on."

and: "The slot isn't just for Game Boy Advance games, though. Nintendo plans on using it as an expansion slot of sorts, building new functions into the handheld. If Nintendo, for example, releases a camera for the system in the future, it will most likely plug into the GBA slot."

-Jeremy Olson

DS Kiosks appearing every where!

In fact, it is most likey that there is one near you! Call your local:

Best Buy
Circuit City
EB Games
Game Crazy
GameStop
Sears
Shopko
Target
Toys R Us
or Wal-mart

to see if they have theirs yet. If they do, head over and bring your camera along. We want pictures of you playing the DS! Send your impressions and pictures here and have fun playing with the demo DS'!

Reggie Speaks on Fox

Reggie, who we should all know by know, spoke to Fox last night about the DS in an interview. The interview tells us nothing that us informed gamers know, but to people who didn't know about the DS this would tell them alot. Check out the interview.

Click Here

Source: Fox News

-Ultimate Zelda Guru
-Jeremy Olson

Madden DS Interview

At DS Advanced, they have set up an interview with Daimon Banks, who helped make the Madden 2005 DS game possible.

Source: DS Advanced

-Falco8

Famitsu Scans Show More DS Games

Today more screens of new DS games came in and show two games. The top game appears to be Deep Labyrinth DS, although no news on a release here we can hope to see this RPG soon. For the bottom game, I just don't know. Check them out yourself.

Click Here

Source:N64-Europe

Update: I just recently got this email from Gentil_graphiste the webmaster of a french Nintendo DS website (http://www.u-blog.net/dualscreen):

"Just to say than a friend of mine translated the
famitsu scan , and here comes infos for the 2nd
titles:

The name is "Dihessu World" . Creatures are called
Dihessu as the name of the Nintendo "DS" is spelled in
Japanese langage. You have to name the littles cute
creatures, and make them do mini-games. Multiplayer
with only one cartridge is written too. One more cute
game for the system :)

Sorry for my poor english, and again congratulation
for your great blog, i'm comming read it everyday :)"

Thanks for the info Gentil!

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Nintendo Unveils Q1 and Q2 2005 DS lineup

This list is VERY subject to change, but at least we get to know when some of the major titles are coming out.

* Feb. 14: WarioWare Touched! (Nintendo)
* March 14: Pokémon Dash (Nintendo)
* March: Yoshi’s Touch & Go (Nintendo)
* March: Atari Classics (Atari)
* March: Pac Pix (Namco)
* Q1: Need for Speed Underground 2 (Electronic Arts)
* Q2: Metroid Prime: Hunters (Nintendo)
* May: Ultimate Card Games (Telegames)
* June: Ultimate Brain Games (Telegames)

Source: Gamespot

On the Spot features Nintendo DS

Gamespots latest On the Spot features the Nintendo DS, take a look here.

-Jeremy Olson

Nintendo DS Store Locator Page Updated

The Nintendo DS store locator page just got an update, though the store locator isn't yet online, here is the info it now provides:

"The Nintendo DS store locator is coming soon. Hands-on display units are on their way to the following retail locations:
Best Buy
Circuit City
EB Games
Game Crazy
GameStop
Sears
Shopko
Target
Toys R Us
Wal-mart


Please bookmark this page and check back soon for a detailed list of retailers where you can test-drive the Nintendo DS and see for yourself why Touching is Good."

-Jeremy Olson

Nintendo will "boost production to a third site in China"

In an article about the unforeseen demand of the Nintendo DS in Japan Bloomberg said: "To meet demand for the DS, which features two screens and voice recognition capabilities, Nintendo will boost production to a third site in China, Toyoda said."

Its encouraging to see Nintendo taking action to help meet the amazing demand for the Nintendo DS in Japan, perhaps a similar scenario will work out in the US.

-Jeremy Olson

Article: The Death of 2D Gaming?

UZG just wrote up a nice article reminding us why we don't need to worry about the death of 2D gaming anytime soon and how the Nintendo DS will affect it. Read the article here.

New Madden Videos and screens

VideosGamespot has released some new exclusive Madden 2005 DS gameplay videos. Take a look here. A couple things to notice about these new videos is that now there are nice backround sounds such as Maddens voice chiming in once in a while and the crowd chearing in the background.

ScreensCheck out the new screens here.

-Jeremy Olson

DS Demo Station Picture!

Touch DS.com shows first Nintendo DS demo station picture. Get a better view here and read the article here.

IGN: Feature a day #3: The Hinge

IGN's latest "feature a day" takes an in depth look at the DS' hinge. This article has blown away all my worries about the Nintendo DS' hinge so take a look here.

DS Pre-Orders in the Millions

It has now been revealed by Nikkei, a Japanese newspaper, that DS preorders are beginning to push the 2 million mark in Japan. This is amazing news and comes recently after Gamestop and EB Games have stopped taking preorders. The DS appears to be sold out before even being on the market. There is still no figures on PSP orders yet. For those of you who haven't preordered thier DS I suggest checking out my article on how you can get one. Good-luck.

Source: Spong

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Meteos Website Launches

The upcoming Nintendo DS game Meteos' website has launched, see it here.

Feel the Screens XX/XY

Today 13 new screenshots were released from the upcoming Sega game, Feel the Magic XX/XY. Won't be long before we're seeing these screens on our DS's.

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5
Image 6
Image 7
Image 8
Image 9
Image 10
Image 11
Image 12

Source: Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Rumor: DS shipping one week early (BUSTED)

First and foremost, the rumor is as follows (skip to the end for the verdict.)

IGN:

"Readers who have preordered the unit from GameStop have reported a recent email sent out from the retailer that informed them of a change in release date. According to the email, the release date has changed from November 22 to November 15, one week earlier.

No official word from Nintendo at this point, but considering that we've already got our hands on the final retail boxed version this week, it's certainly not impossible for Nintendo to let slip these systems to retailers as soon as possible."

I just contacted IGN asking them if its bogus, I'll report once I get a reply.

Update: This is the email people recieved from Gamestop:

"Dear Customer,

You have signed up to receive release date changes for:

Nintendo DS

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=020225&affid=1

Old Release Date - 11/22/2004
New Release Date - 11/15/2004

Thank you for visiting GameStop.com!
The World's Largest Selection of Gaming Products!

NOTE: The product release date is the best estimate as to when the product
will become available. These dates are subject to change at anytime.
GameStop.com is in constant communication with product vendors to provide
you with the most accurate release dates possible.
"


Verdict
After the rumor started, I checked the check box on Gamestop to tell me if the release date changes. Well, this morning I got an email from Gamestop and it goes as follows:

"Dear Customer,

You have signed up to receive release date changes for:

Nintendo DS

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=020225&affid=1

Old Release Date - 11/15/2004
New Release Date - 11/21/2004"

Verdict: Rumor Busted! Sorry guys.

IGN: Feature a day #2: the thumb strap

IGN just posted its second "feature a day" article. This time they are covering the thum/ wrist strap included with the DS. Check it outhere. I quote from the article: "so far we're a believer in the thumb shoe control after experiencing it with Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt."

-Jeremy Olson

Ping Pals Preview

UZG has written a preview for for Ping Pals that includes a Picto Chat/ Ping Pals screenshot comparison. Read it here.

Another DS Hands on

This time its the lucky ducks at DS Advanced, take a look.

From the last three hands on articles I have read it seems that the DS is a great piece of hardware and the only major complaint is that the stylus is too small which will be easily fixed by third parties.

-Jeremy Olson

Nintendo DS released a week early rumor proven false

Just to clear up a rumor that was circling the web yesterday, Gamestop made a typo by saying the DS would ship a week earlier then planned. Today Gamestop corrected the error by posting the old release date, sorry people we won't be getting the DS a week early :).

More new MP: Hunters videos

IGN has beatent he Metroid Prime: Hunters demo packaged with evey Nintendo DS sold and they have videos to prove it! IGN also posted a video of a multiplayer match.

Gamespot gets Nintendo DS (retail version)

IGN got their turn, now its Gamespots turn to have some fun. Take a look at their impressions here.

Game of the Year Tournament 2004

Be sure to vote in GameFreaks 365's Game of the Year Tournament 2004. Just vote everyday on the Gamefreaks365 home page.

May the best game win!

Zoo Keeper Box Art and date revealed

Today EB games released the official box art and release date of the anticipated puzzle game, Zoo Keeper. The release is set for December 28th with a price of $39.99. Many see this release date as a mistake as it will just miss the holiday season, but it will be the front runner in the new year. The game's box art was also revealed and I think it projects an honest image of the game.



Source: DS Advanced

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Writers Wanted

With the Nintendo DS creeping closer every day, the time has come once again for recruiting. This time we need some new skillful writers to produce Nintendo DS related content for the site. If you think you fill the bill, press the "Contact Us" button on the side bar and in the subject line type "Staff Application". In the application include the following information:

Your full name
Your age
Your location
Your past writing experience (a brief explanation of your past writing experience)
Previous writing works (at least two writing works you have done in the past such as previews, reviews, editorials, etc.)

Good luck,
Jeremy Olson

P.S. If you are skilled in the editing field, I am sure we could use you as well.

Microsoft on the Handheld War

Recently Microsoft has commented on the handheld battle between Sony and Nintendo. Microsoft bashed Sony saying that it is a mistake to enter the handheld market. Peter Moore of Microsoft commented on how Sony entering the handheld market is like "developing your own little operating system and saying, 'Well, I'm going to challenge Windows',"

Peter Bach, chief executive of Microsoft, also said
'If Sony is distracted by way of a war with Nintendo, that's fine with us.'

It seems like Nintendo fans aren't the only ones who don't think Sony will win this uphill battle. With Nintendo DS being sold out from many video game retailers The PSP seems to be fighting a very one sided battle. As now price developments don't go to the PSP either. Is there really a chance?

Source: Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

New sidebar up!

Ross, our template guy has been busy working on our new sidebar for the past few weeks. Now that it is finally done, we want your input on it. Post your comments in the comments section of this post or join the forums to talk about it here.

We appreciate your input so don't hesitate.

-Jeremy Olson

Ridge Racer for PSP: $45!

Game Freaks 3: "GameSpot is reporting that Ridge Racer for the PSP will retail for $45 in Japan. It's possible that this could eek up to $50 by the time it reaches American shores, making PSP games the same price as console games. The DS version of Ridge Racer, currently slated for release this year, is only $30, as is every other DS title to be released. The price advantage by both hardware and software could give Nintendo a buffer zone in its defense against Sony."

-Jeremy Olson

IGN: Nintendo DS "feature a day"

Starting today, IGN will be taking an in depth look at one cool Nintendo DS feature a day until launch. Todays feature is the Nintendo DS' built in alarm clock, take a look here.

p.s. The article includes pictures.

3 New (Very Interesting) Metroid Prime: Hunters videos

IGN has just posted some very interesting Metroid Prime: Hunters videos.

They are interesting for a few reasons, one, the guy playing the DS is obviously left handed as he is using the a, b, y, and x buttons for moving Samus, and they seem to work quite well (good news for left handed DS fans!)

Second, he is using the thumb strap for control and as he said in his hands on article, it completely changed his view of the game (for the better.)

Third, although we have seen the DS opening sequence and menu in pictures, the second video shows the whole start up sequence, and the menu in action so you may want to take a look.

Enjoy!

-Jeremy Olson

Japanese PictoChat website launches

Nintendo of Japan launched the Pictochat website which features a lot of words I don't understand. Although there are some nice pictures and you can get the idea by the pictures. Either way it's good to see that Nintendo is still launching these sites!

Source: Pictochat Website

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

EA on the DS

Warren Jenson, executive vice-president and chief financial officer of Electronic Arts spoke at Harris Nesbitt's Playtime 2004 Investor Conference and spoke about many different changes of the upcoming games. This included EA's three for two deal (which is still on starting November 14th), lowering of prices, staying number one in the game market, and even the DS during a question period. Jenson leaves us this quote:

“We’re certainly cautious, but very optimistic about the Nintendo DS ...”

Source: Nintendojo

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Feel the Anticipation

Now here in America, when the Nintendo DS comes out, people would be looking at Super Mario 64 DS, Asphalt: Urban GT, or Madden 2005, but all the way in Japan, the most anticipated Nintendo DS game in Japan, would be Feel the Magic:XY/XX (Kimshine no Tame Nara Shineru).

in Famitsu, their lastest charts shows Feel the Magic place 25th on the list, the highest Nintendo DS game on their charts. As Final Fantasy 3 placed 28th placed the chart, while Super Mario 64 DS came in 29th place.

Source: IGN

-Falco 8

IGN gets their paws on the DS (pictures galore)

IGN just posted an article full of hands on impressions and pictures of the Nintendo DS. Read it here!

P.S. This article just reminded me how close we are to launch... 13 days!

A load of new Asphalt: Urban screens plus interview with the developers

IGN just posted a load of new Asphalt: Urban DS screens..

To add to this news, NintendoDS.de has conducted a nice interview with the developers of the game.

Feel the Trailer

Sega has now released a trailer for thier upcoming DS game, Feel the Magic XX/XY. The trailer shows that even though there are few days left before the DS is released there is still alot more information to be given out.

Click Here to Watch the Trailer

Source: DS Advanced

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DS Hands on; Questions?

Our new forums member Alexander just recently got a hands on experience with the Nintendo DS and is taking questions. If your not already a member of our forums, this is the perfect time to join! Post your questions on this thread.

Thanks again to Alexander for taking questions.

-Jeremy Olson

Super Mario 64 DS website!

Well it was bound to happen sooner or later. The site for Super Mario 64 DS is now up and running and is all about the game. The site was launched just recently and has no more than a front page, but expect the full site coming soon. The site is nice to see up and hopefully more game sites will come soon. Stay tuned to know when this site gets updated.

Source: Super Mario 64 DS Site

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Canadian DS Tour

As Nintendo is having their Nintendo DS tour in Japan, Nintendo are will be bring their innovating handheld machine to Canada as well as GCN and GBA games.

The title for the Nintendo tour is called "Too Much Fun". During the tour, the Nintendo game staff will be giving the Canadians a chance to play the Nintendo DS. I bet UZG will be testing out the Nintendo DS and give his impression about the Nintendo DS. You lucky dog, you.

Source: N64Europe GBA

-Falco 8

---

Notes from Ultimate Zelda Guru:
This tour looks awesome, but it's not coming to my province so it's a bit of a downer. Keep your eyes open if your Canadian this tour is going to rock your socks. ARGH!!!! Why not my province?!

EA games DS websites open

EA Games just launched mini sites for their two upcoming DS games:

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005
Madden NFL 2005

Enjoy.

Spiderman DS Developer Interview video

Gamespot has just posted a new interview video with the developers of Spiderman 2 for the Nintendo DS. Watch it here.

EA Screenshots

Today EA released 10 new screen shots, 5 from Madden and 5 from PGA. The images are nothing new or special, but its a reminder that the DS will be coming soon.

Madden 2005 DS

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5

Tiger Woods PGA Golf DS

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5

Enjoy

Source: N64-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Puyo Pop Fever Release Date

Puyo Pop Fever now has a Japanese Release date of Decemeber 24th 2004 on both the DS and PSP. Although it is being released on the night before Christmas, there is no significance to this day in Japan. Also December 24th carries some significance in the game. Hopefully we'll see a North American release date soon.

Source: Gamespot

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

New SpiderMan 2 Screens

Gamespot today updated their SpiderMan 2 DS section with some new screens and a nice preview of the game, check them out here

Meida Galore

Tons of screenshots were released today and even a Madden trailer. Check them out.

Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt
Yoshi Touch & Go
Urbz
Madden Trailer

The new updates are good to see. Especially the trailer offers insight into the game. More as it comes.

Source: DS Advanced

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Made in Wario DS Japanese site goes live

The Wario Ware Inc. DS' site has launched. See it here.

Nintendo DS European price point

As the Nintendo`s innovating handheld system is coming closer to launch in North America, and December 2 for the "Land of the Rising Sun", but some how, the European gamers are always left out from all the fun, but now, we know what the European price point for the Nintendo DS.

The Nintendo DS european price will be 129.99 euros, and the Europeans might get up to 20-25 launch titles for the Nintendo DS, and the Nintendo DS will be released at the end of March 2005. Now both the Sony PSP and the Nintendo DS will be released on the same week; Europe will be a battle ground for PSP, Nintendo DS, and other handheld system.

Source: Spong

-Falco8

Developer Insight

Yoshiki Sugiyama, game developer responsible for Dynasty Warriors DS, was recently interviewed by Game Developer magazine and talked about the upcoming DS game. Also other game developers talked about how easy the DS is to develop for.

"'The DS can't do the higher quality graphics, so the 3D models are pretty tough. As a result we decided to make a game that's simpler looking, and plays simpler too.'"
"'The library Nintendo provided allows us to do various things, so we're satisfied. The DS is more prepared, so it's easier to develop for at this stage.'"
said Yoshiki Sugiyama

"'Oh, it's easy [to develop for]. It's a very interesting piece of hardware. The touch pad is really new though, and our game also uses the mic, so that was a small challenge,'"
Yuji Naka of Sega Sammy's Sonic Team

Easy development for the DS is a really good thing, as developers will then want to develop more the DS. Simple gameplay is also a good thing, less hasle and so forth. Although the Dynasty Warriors game won't have the highest possible graphics expect this game to look good, play well, and be awesome. Many people are waiting for this game and can't wait to have it. Hopefully we'll have more info on Dynasty Warriors soon.

Source: Nintendojo

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DS in Wall Street

The Wall Street Journal contained an article about the DS under its 'Gadgets' section today. The article tells us nothing new about the system, but gives a nice overview on what's happening with it right now. The article titled :"Nintendo Punches Back: Portable Device Will Try to Counter Sony Hand-Held Challenger," is more so focused on the upcoming battle between Nintendo and Sony in the handheld market which is nothing that hasn't been covered. The article comments on Nintendo avoiding integrating its systems with multipurpose devices like a DVD player as well. The most interesting part of the article is on Nintendo President Satoru Iwata. The article comments on Iwata's position and strengthening North American ties and had this quote to offer about the DS launching in USA before Japan.

"If we had started sales at the same time in both Japan and the U.S., we wouldn't have had enough [of the DS] for either market," Mr. Iwata said at a DS demonstration in Tokyo last month.
Nintendo President Satoru Iwata

No real news here, but it is good to see the DS in the paper.

Source: Nintendojo

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Ubisoft Reveals Three Nintendo DS titles to launch in 2004

Ubisoft reveals to the public today that their three upcoming titles (Asphault Urban GT, Rayman DS, and Sprung) will all launch within a month of the release of the Nintendo DS.

Asphault Urban GT will hit stores on November 23, 2004, while Rayman and Sprung will follow shortly afterwards.

"We're thrilled to bring three genre-leading titles to the Nintendo DS that each reach a very different, yet broad, audience," said Tony Kee, vice president of marketing at Ubisoft. "The Nintendo DS is an innovative and unique portable video-game system. We're excited to match that level of creativity and provide an all-new experience with our titles, especially Sprung."

Asphalt Urban GT combines the virtues of both simulation and arcade racing as you will hit the streets in a wide range of licensed high-performance cars, including Lamborghini, Jaguar, Hummer and more, on tracks from around the world.

Sprung creates an entirely new genre for portable gaming by putting players in the middle of an engaging, risqué, and daring adventure with sexy singles at a hip ski resort. The dating simulation, or "stimulation," title features gender-specific adventures, entertaining dating missions, and a hilarious script.

Rayman arrives for the first time in full 3D glory since its handheld debut in 2001, as he battles to defeat the pirate terror that has enslaved his world.

Game Information
Rayman DS
Sprung
Asphault Urban GT

SOURCE: GAMESPY

-MPRUNTY

DS Central: EDGE reveals more details on the Nintendo DS

DS Central: "In a recent issue of EDGE, it has been revealed that wireless voice chat protocols are in development by Nintendo. Other developers are also developing internet browsing interfaces and protocols and some have got 32 DS' interacting wirelessly. EDGE also said that Bandai has already got a DS interacting with a PC whiel Square-Enix have been experimenting with the "PlayOnline" service with the DS.

Source: EDGE magazine"

DS Shipping Out?

Since the release of the Nintendo DS is only 15 days away, the heads of Nintendo thought it would be a smart idea to start shipping out their DS units to retailers worldwide.

They are trying to push 2 million units by the end of the year, with half of them heading over to North America. Nothin is knwn about how many will be available for the U.S. launch, but rumors are circulating that retailers will be recieveing a single shipment of for the holiday season. If this indeed happens, it would make things increasingly difficult for gamers who didn't pre-order a DS to get their hands on one. But Nintendo is expecting the demand to far exceed the supply that will be available for the DS during the holiday season.

As mentioned, the DS will be on sale November 21, and will be available at an MSRP of $149.99.

SOURCE: N-Philes

-MPRUNTY

Article: Getting your Nintendo DS

UZG has written up a very interesting (and helpful) article about getting your Nintendo DS. Inside are helpful tips and tricks on the best ways to get your Nintendo DS and save money.

Read it here!

Nintendo DS Emulator

Cubed-3: "In a rather strange turn of events, it has come to light that a group of people have already launched the Nintendo DS to the eager public. However, this is not exactly what you might be thinking. This is definitely no PStwo situation, with retailers breaking the release date. Instead this falls under the dodgy territory of 'emulation' - a very taboo subject at all times.

If you head over the NDS Emu then you will be greeted with a website that links you to lots of information about Nintendo's forthcoming portable system. However, there is also the chance to grab yourself a copy of the team's Nintendo DS emulator! Currently it is only at its pre-alpha release stage and thus the full abilities have been curbed whilst problems are ironed out, but this is still a worry for Nintendo, who does not release the system until 21st November in the US. For reference, you can presently play GBA titles and test ROMs on the programme.

For more details, just head to the homepage and sit back in amazement: www.NDS Emu.com"

Everybody knows emu's can never be anything like the real thing so personally I am not that worried about it. Just a couple more weeks and I can get my hands on the DS itself, wouldn't want to ruin the experience by playing the emulator.

-Jeremy Olson

Nintendo DS Site

The official Nintendo DS site, www.nintendods.com, has finally been updated. The new site features moving screens by the movement of your mouse in a peaceful setting while soft music plays in the background. The updated site shows games, features, and other DS options. The site also features a store locator and French, English, and Spanish settings. The site is a look in to what Nintendo wants to show the DS as. Although the site is still being updated it is looking good so far. Check it out.

Source: NintendoDS.com

-Ultimate Zelda Guru
-Jeremy Olson

P.S. It is now apparent why it has taken them so long to get this up.

Factor 5 DS

Factor 5 announced that it will not be developing for the gamecube, but they will be working on games for the next gen system. Well, Factor 5 have just registered their N64 shooter game Katakis 2 for the DS. No infomation has been released, but stay tuned to DS Update on this latest development.

Source: Gamecube Heaven

-Falco8

Dynasty Warriors DS Trailer

Koei released a trailer today on thier upcoming DS game, Dysnasty Warriors. The game that will be the first of its kind on the DS has yet to have a 100% certain release date, but this video looks promising. Although the video does not show any actual gameplay footage it is interesting to see what different things we can pull out of it. Hopefully the game will turn out as well as this video did. This video will definately tweak your interest and you should check it out. Koei has not said a heck of alot on the game, but we'll send more when we get it.

Click Here to Watch the Trailer

Source: N64-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

0 months, 2 weeks, 3 days

The elections are over, whats next? The Nintendo DS' launch of course! We have waited so long for this moment and now that it is closing in on us.... Well simply put, I think we can all agree that we are extremely excited.

Don't worry
When the DS launches we will keep giving you the best coverage available on the net. In the next day or so you will see some nice updates to the site, some that will make the site look better and some will make the site easier to use.

What you can expect
You can expect a very nice revision to the sidebar, speed bumps to the site, less posts to scroll through on the main page, and finally news icons.

News Icons
As you probably already know, we post quite a lot news on the site every day and without news icons you have to look at every headline to see if you want to read it. You may not be interested in news posts regarding our site such as this post and we wan't to make it as easy as possible for you to find the news YOU want. Below are all the news icons and their descriptions.

General Nintendo DS News:

Nintendo DS Media News:

Rumor News:

Site News:

Warp Pipe News

...More are on the way. If you have any suggestions or critique, post a comment in the comments section or email me here.

IGN Previews

In one of my previous posts I mentioned that IGN posted some nice previews for some DS games as part of their Touch! DS coverage. At that point I didn't bother to read the previews myself and after reading them I highly recommend their preview for the mysterious adventure game Another and the wacky Kirby game Touch! Kirby.

Both of these games look to be very interesting and innovative and are worth a look.

New Ridge Racer DS video clips!

There are four new Ridge Racer DS gameplay clips and 1 developer interview on Gamespot. Watch them here.

DS Preview Explosion

For those who aren't familiar with the website Project COE, you should pay them a closer look. They have been on par with some of the top sites on the internet (including IGN, GAMESTOP, GAMECUBE ADVANCED, PLANETGAMECUBE, etc....) with no signs of slowing. Their latest incarnation has been a set of previews for the upcoming DS system and a few of its games. You can follow the links below to get to each preview brought to us by my good friends over at Project COE. Hope you guys enjoy the great finds that i have knwon to love...

Animal Crossing DS
Another
Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits
Nintendo DS System
Puppy Times
Spider-Man 2 DS

SOURCE: Project COE

-MPRUNTY

Media Explosion

It seems that at the World Touch! DS Tour, Nintendo had more up its sleeve than advertising the Nintendo DS. On hand were tons of video footage (some new, and some old) that covered games ranging from the DS, to the Gamecube, to even the Game Boy Advance. It seemed clear that Nintendo was tyring to show the Japanese community what to look for this holiday season and beyond into the 2005 season. Following movie clips require Macromedia's Shockwave plug-in to be viewed, but I hope you enjoy this experience.

Gamecube Movie Clip #1
Mario Tennis
Mario Party 6
DK Jungle Beat
Fire Emblem

Gamecube Movie Clip #2
Star Fox: Assault
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Geist
Odama
Advance Wars
Chibi Robo

Gamecube Movie Clip #3
Naruto
Powerful Pro Baseball
Various EA Games
Killer 7
Resident Evil 4
Others 3rd party titles

Nintendo DS Movie Clip
Animal Crossing DS
Nintendogs
Sawaru Made in Wario
Touch! Kirby
Zookeeper
Kaido Racing Battle
Bomberman
Super Mario 64 DS
Yoshi's Touch and Go!
PictoChat
Feel the Magic: XY-XX
Princess Peach DS
Prince of Tennis: Crystal Drive 2005
Mr. Driller Drill Spirits
Advance Wars DS
Jam With the Band
Metroid Prime Hunters
Mario Kart DS
Harvest Moon DS
Various other DS titles

Game Boy Advance Movie Clip#1
Marawu Made in Wario Commercials
F-Zero Climax Commercial
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap Commercial
Advance Wars 1 + 2

Game Boy Advance Movie Clip#2
DK: King of Swing
Tower SP
Mario Party Advance
Yoshi's Universal Gravitation
Other third-party GBA games

Game Boy Advance Movie Clip #3
Ganbare Goemon
Dragon Ball
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
Mega Man Battle Network 5
Powerful Pro Baseball
More third-party titles

SOURCE: N-Philes

-MPRUNTY

IGN: Touch DS Coverage

IGN has been covering the "Touch DS" events in Japan and are bringing us a lot of previews, screens and even a few videos.

Some of the highlights are: Super Princess Peach, Touch! Kirby, Goemon, Prince of Tennis, and Meteos videos.

Take a look here!

Linux DS

It would appear that a group of Linux fans are trying to bring the operating system to the handheld. The site has told people that they will give a $1000 reward to the first person who can complete the task. Good-luck linux fans, this will be interesting to see if they get it working.

Source: Nintendo DS Linux

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Feel the Magic Desktop Theme

Today Feel the Magic Desktop themes were released for computers. The theme package includes icons, sounds, and desktop backgrounds. The package released from Cube-Europe is now available free to download and will be fun for all XX/XY fans to get an early feel for the upcoming game on thier computer.

Click Here to Download

Source: Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DS Flash Ad "Source Code" Transcript

John Tokash the author of John Tokash's Weblog recently created a transcript of the CC Daily Show DS Flash Ad's mysterious source code. Take a look here.

Thanks for the heads up John.

Mario Kart DS dated!

It looks like in Japan, the lucky people over there will get to play mario kart for the Nintendo DS sooner than we think. Mario Kart will be released December 2, as launch title for the innovative handheld machine. Mario Kart for the Nintendo DS will be coming out next year for America and Europe.

Source: Cubed-3

-Falco8

New Asphalt: Urban GT DS screens!

Thanks to IGN for the screens. From these screens, this game (if nothing else) looks to be a very beautiful game.

WeirD ThingS

Now there has been mini-DS campains all over the internet and some of them are just odd to say the least. Many sites have had every word with the the letters D and S in them enlarged and bolded. This is just to make us think....

Comedy Central
Shockwave (possible Madden connection?)
WWE

You have to see it for yourself

Source: Cubed-3

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

PS Remember to vote tonight

How Many DS's?

I recently e-mailed Nintendo to ask them regarding the amount of DS units coming to North America, since it was said there would only be 2 million released. I am pleased to say that I have a positive response to the e-mail.

Hello and thank you for contacting Nintendo,

Although I would like to have a specific answer to your question about how many Nintendo DS systems will be available at launch, since this information has notbeen announced, I am not able to.  Please keep in mind that there is a lot of speculation about the Nintendo DS, most of which isn't true.

I am sure that there will be enough systems so that you will be able to get yours.

Nintendo of America Inc.
Sharon Matheny

Does this mean that there are still 4 million untis being shipped? It is not known at this point, but it is good to know that Nintendo is not acknowledging the 2 million DS's possible rumour.

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

"Wild Boys Risk their lives for the DS"

Nintendo is featuring an article on their website about the filming of their latest Nintendo DS commercial:

"When MTV's Wildboyz Steve-O and Chris Pontius signed up to film a commercial for the Nintendo DS and their new Wildboyz DVD, they were probably expecting a big fat buffet and an easy day on the set. They got the grub, but the shoot was far from easy.


Steve-O -- a man who loves stapling himself just as much as he loves the great outdoors -- described the Nintendo DS commercial shoot as "... the closest this boy has ever come to death."


Check out the commercial to see for yourself what had Steve-O's pulse pounding, then download exclusive behind-the-scenes outtakes for more Wildboyz action -- and elephant poop.


Nintendo DS hits store shelves on November 21, and the Wildboyz DVD is available now."

Whatch the ad and making of video here.

Also be sure to check out Touch DS every day for more video clips of people playing around with the DS.

New DS Media

Many different pieces of media were released today on many different games. Enough said, let's see what they have to show us.

New Ridge Racer Screenshots
New Urbz Screens
New Urbz Videos
Feel the Magic Preview and Trailer

Sources: IGN
Gamespot

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DS Sold Out

Today it was reported that all Gamespot stores are now no longer taking preorders for the DS. The message came from the corprate office which has described the number of DS preorders as 'excellent'. This is not the only store that has stopped taking preorders, my Electronics Boutique has stopped taking preorders and has even refunded some. This comes as good and bad news. For everyone who did not preorder your DS, good luck. Even to those who have, good luck. I hope my own preorder does not get refunded. Expect few DS's available at launch.

Source: IGN

-Ultimate Zelda Guru
-Jeremy Olson

Truth About PSP`s Battery Life

Since Sony`s announcement about the PSP`s date and price, they also released that the PSP`s battery life will be up to 4-6 hour of game play. Now to PSP lovers would think this will be a good thing since it`s almost on par to the Nintendo DS, but Sony has annouced that small games like puzzle games will be good for the PSP`s battery life range, but if you want to play a big game like Ridge Racer, for example, you would have to play with headphones, without using wireless gaming option, and turn down the brightness for the PSP to play longer.

This looks very bad for Sony`s new handheld machine as you need to do all these thing just to enjoy playing your PSP for a little longer. Now I feel relieved that the Nintendo DS will have a better chance with the PSP, and I think this might have to do with the PSP`s price range being so low. Also, UZG and I think you might get 2-3 hours of gameplay for the big games.

Source: Evil Avatar

-Falco8

Chad Watch: Chad's Lips Are Sealed

Now I recently tried to contact Chad for another one on one interview. The results are what is to be expected right about now. Here is the conversation:

Me: Hello Chad, would you be willing to do an interview now?

Chad: Sorry, no.

Me: Would you be willing to do an interview later on?

Me: Do you have sometime this week when we could schedule an interview? I know your a busy person.

Chad: I can't
Chad: Sorry

Me:Will there be another time when we could have an interview, or are you no longer talking to anyone?

Chad: I'm no longer talking to anyone

Me: Would we be able to talk in 2005 after DemaSked has been revealed?

Chad: Yes

Me: Well, I thank you for your time and wish you all the best luck on the project and hope to talk to you again soon

Chad is a tough rock to crack, so don't expect anymore information out of him in the next months to come until the DemaSked announcement. Chad has been a great help with giving us clues towards the secret, but now we'll just have to wait. Don't expect giving out many more hints on the Warp Pipe forums either, I suspect that the flow of information regarding the service has now been shut-off. You can't blame Chad though, too many hints given out could allow another company to begin to develop thier own online for the DS which no one wants. Be paitent and be calm something far greater is coming, all we have to do is wait. DEMASK

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Sprung Details

The game formerly known as crush revealed some interesting details about the gameplaye and features of the game Ubisoft released that:
- Take the role of a male or a female.
- 50+ 'Dating missions'
- You will use Items and gifts how you like in order to entice your lover.
- Grab the love of your special person before someone else steals them from under your nose.
- A wide range of responses and pick up lines leave you to decide your choice.

You will choose what to say with the stylus on the bottom screen and the reaction of the characters will appear on both screens. This game seems like it will be interesting enough and will have alot of questionable content. Although the dating game does seem somewhat original in this format. Hopefully we'll see a good release soon.

Source: Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DS Screen Shots

More media from Nintendo today on two of Nintendo's upcoming games for the DS. Screenshots were released today on both Animal Crossing DS and Princess Peach DS.

Princess Peach DS
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Animal Crossing DS
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The screens from both games look good (Animal Crossing better though). The Princess Peach shots do raise questions when it appears this game could have just as easily been put on GBA rather than the DS. Either way it is good to see more media coming our way.

Source: Cubed-3

-Ultimate Zelda Guru