New Yoshi Touch & Go Media

IGN have just recieved their imported copy of Touch! Catch! Yoshi! (Yoshi Touch & Go in the States). They have posted a nice little preview which will give you an idea of what the game has to offer, along with some new screens, and videos.

After reading the preview and seeing the new videos, Yoshi Touch & Go is definitely up there in my most anticipated titles due to its unique gameplay. What do you think about this upcoming title? Be sure to sound off in this forum topic.

THQ Nintendo DS Games

Nintendo has now licensed some of their intellectual property to game developer and publisher THQ. This new deal will allow THQ to develop games in the Nintendo series, but only for the DS. Nintendo still has the ability to veto any game made by THQ to make sure no bad games come through. This will add THQ to the list as Nintendo has already allowed Capcom, Namco, and Sega to thier intellectual property. The agreement is good until January 25, 2008, and Nintendo will undoubtly get a portion of the profits from these games. THQ has a history of making sub-par games, hopefully they will surprise us with a smash Nintendo title.

Source: Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

European DS Launch Event!

Kikizo have posted video footage of the Paris event held by Nintendo in regards to the Nintendo DS and its European launch. The video feed covers Saturo Iwata's (Ninty President) speech, and new Mario Kart and Castlevania feed.

So enjoy this treat, and remember to always stop by DS Update for all the latest news and event happenings in the world...

Saturo Iwata: Paris DS Speech
Mario Kart DS-Extended
DS Paris Software Reel

SOURCE: Kikizo

-MPRUNTY

Play Yan Media

Some more pictures of Nintendo's upcoming media player have arose. Check them out.

Flash Card and Cart
In GBA
In DS
Close up of Cartridge
Title Screen
Visual
Movie Select
Image
Music Select

This looks like the first thing I may import for my DS.

Source: DS Central

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Batman Begins DS?

EB Games reports on its site that Batman Begins will be heading for the Nintendo DS. The game will supposedly come out on August 17th and will cost $39.99. EA has not officially confirmed anything about Batman Begins on the Nintendo DS but be sure to stick around as DS Update will be following this rumor closely.

Source: EB Games

-Falco8

Spyro Coming to DS near you?

EB Games have listed Spyro DS on their Nintendo DS games page. According to EB Games, the game will be published by Black Label Studios and will ship on October the 18th.

Sources: DS Handheld, EB Games

Jaws Swimming his way onto the DS?

GBA.N64Europe reports:

"Two different e-tailers (DVDBoxOffice and Film Merchant) have started listing a new Nintendo DS title: Jaws DS. Jaws was earlier officially announced for the PC, PS2 and Xbox platforms by Majesco back in August, two months before Majesco officially announced its first two Nintendo DS games.

The two e-tailers, which are independant from each other as far as we know, are both listing the game as being published by Majesco, with the very same UPC code and releasedate (August 30, 2005).

Until Majesco will officially announce the game (or respond to the rumour), we won't know whether or not we can trust the entry from these two e-tailers, but it's certainly possible..."

Check out the e-tailers by clicking the following links: DVD Box Office, Film Merchant

Pac Pix Website Online

The official website for the upcoming Nintendo DS title Pac Pix is now online. Although all the text is in Japanese, the site is quite visual so you should be able to make your way around okay.

Check it out here.

Translation

Ubisoft to Publish Bomberman

Ubisoft recently inked an exclusive deal with Hudson Soft Co. Ltd to publish their first Nintendo DS game, Bomberman DS in North America and Europe. Bomberman DS will offer the classic gameplay, while the touch screen will be used for menu options and gameplay. You can also use the Nintendo DS' built in microphone for voice recognition. The game also offers 8 player head to head multiplayer via the DS' wireless LAN capabilities.

Source: IGN

-Falco8

Linux DS

Apparently someone has Linux running on the Nintendo DS by using some external hardware. For those of you who have no idea what Linux is, it is similar to UNIX, which is an open-source operating system and is most commonly used to run servers. You can see the picture here. The hardware is currently quite bulky, but the hope is to get the whole operating system down to a single portable cartridge.

Source: Engadget

That said, DS Update would like to welcome another Jr. Reporter who will be here on a trial basis. Hopefully, he will be a valued member of the DS Update team, welcome ElMariachi.

-ElMariachi

Yoshi Touch & Go Sales

According to Japanese sales figures Yoshi’s Touch And Go, which launched on January 27th has already managed to sell 23,000 units in Japan in only its first day. More news as it comes.

Scource: Jeuxfrance

-Blackmajik

Pac-Pixtures

10 new screenshots of Namco’s Pac-Pix are in now and it looks like game has taken a new direction. It seems the game will now feature boss battles in which you must draw a huge pacman to fight the boss. The graphics are really beautiful and the 2-D looks smooth and clean cut. No more news regarding the release date, though, but we will keep you updated.

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

-Blackmajik

Konami Shows Love for the DS

Heres bit of a recap of all the Konami titles planned for release on the Nintendo DS this year:

Castlevania DS (working title)

This game is a side scroller a lot like its GBA counterparts, with a bit of touch screen awesomeness as well. This title slated for fall of this year.

Dragon Booster (NDS)
We have little information on this title at the moment, but we do know its based off a cartoon, and its a 3rd person racing/action game. This game is also set for release in the fall of this year.

Frogger: Helmet Havoc (NDS)
Do I need to say anymore? YAY frogger..... Ok well perhaps not everyone has this on there 2005 list but its still a great idea and for DS fans it seems like one of the titles that may be the one you end up loving. It seems like a good looking fun adventure, but you will have to wait utnil the fall to give this one a go.

Lost in Blue (NDS)
It's an RPG, and it looks like its turning out to be a good, wholesome 2 screened experience with some great puzzle and RPG elements. I think this game will get a lot of hype and will probably help sell a couple More DS'. This title is going to be released sometime this year.

Source: Cube-Europe 

Bad Blood

Meteos Video

New in-game footage of meteos is out now and its looking really promising. The game looks like it will be a nice addition to any puzzle fans library.

You can view the movie HERE.

Source: GC Cafe

-Blackmajik

Revolutionary Patent?

Nintendo has made yet another trip to the patent office to patent another part of a game console as it would seem. The patent is hard to decypher, but our source did a good job of it so here's IGN's take on Nintendo's latest patent. If IGN's take isn't good enough for you then you can view the actual patent HERE. IGN also has a summary of Revolution rumours, you can see that HERE.

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

European Special DS?

At E3 promises were made and not delivered on. Sleeping DS's would be able to come to life near another DS. Perhaps in Europe they will get that chance to do so. On the NoE site it states:

"The Nintendo DS, when in sleep mode, will spring to life if it senses another DS transmitting in range, alerting users that someone wants to chat or play games with them!"

Did the site make a mistake or will the DS's over there be able to do what was promised at E3? If it is true than I'm sure you can expect the redone DS to head over to North America eventually. When hearing this I am glad I kept my DS with the dead pixel and warranty so I can return it later and get a better DS, that is if it is true of course.

Source: gba.n64-europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Europe Marketing Plans

Nintendo of Europe announced that the Nintendo DS will have the largest marketing campaign for the Nintendo DS hanheld product. The marketing campaign called "Touch Me" incorporates TV, prints, in-store, POS, sampling, online and PR.

Senior Director European Marketing Nintendo of Europe, Jim Merrick says, "The touch screen empowers players by offering direct, fast and precise control over the world they are playing in – all at the power of the fingertips. Touching is, of course, one of our 5 senses but it is the concept of having power at your fingertips that has formed the rationale behind the Nintendo DS marketing campaign – what would happen if you could control everything around you in the real world with the touch of your finger!"

Jung von Matt, the German advertising agency who is developing the "Touch Me" campaign, will start off with a TV teaser  and and print campaign this early Febuary. The teaser will show a teenager accidentally discover the power of his finger; the TV advertisment launch will follow a day in the life of this teenager, featuring many action-packed and comical situations, and the TV launch and print campaigns will begin early March.

Source: Gamecube Europe

-Falco8

Bomberman Info

Ubi Soft has finally relased some more news on the upcoming bomberman title for the DS. As well as some new screens of the game in action. According do Ubi Soft this new bomberman game will let players control bomberman using their voice by shouting the direction they want him to move it. This comes as a surprise to me as well as other fans of the bomberman franchise. Hopefully they will use the regular d-pad as well... I don't see why not. The game looks to be coming along nicely in 1 player mode the bottom screen is used as a map and it seems in multiplayer mode(2-8 players) the arena is connected through mario-esque warp pipes.

New Images:
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5

Source: gba.n64-europe

With that said I would like to introduce myself. I'm the new Jr reporter here at DS Update on a trial basis and I would like to say I'm looking forward to helping the site and getting news posts in, as well as writing a few editorials on ds and its future.

-Blackmajik

Sales Charts

The PSP has taken first place with 66,543 in the hardware chart in Japan as the Nintendo DS settles for third place with 44,608. In the software sales, the Nintendo DS is still holding strong as they have two DS games in 4th and 7th place as the Sony PSP has three games on the charts, but  it couldn`t top the Nintendo DS.

Software
1. Monster Hunter G - PS2 - 127,846 - 127,846
2. Fu-un Bakumatsu-den - PS2 - 51,880 - 51,880
3. Gran Turismo 4 - PS2 - 41,045 - 884,425
4. Wario Ware: Touched! - NDS - 30,675 - 335,362
5. Mario Party Advance - GBA - 29,669 - 97,596
6. Magister Negi Magi - PS2 - 26,712 - 26,712
7. Super Mario 64 DS - NDS - 24,946 - 618,777
8. Hot Shots Golf Portable - PSP - 20,012 - 20,012
9. Dynasty Warriors - PSP - 17,149 - 17,149
10. Iron Maiden 2 - PSP - 16,001 - 16,001

Hardware
1. PSP - 66,543 - (193,197) - [675,449]
2. PlayStation 2 - 56,374 - (246,612)
3. Nintendo DS - 44,608 - (206,696) - [1,702,292]
4. Game Boy Advance SP - 13,317 - (102,457)
5. GameCube - 5,359 - (32,537)
6. Game Boy Advance - 332 - (2,639)
7. Xbox - 498 - (2,183)

Source: GC Cafe

-Falco8

Survival Kids: Lost in Blue: Article, Screens, Video

IGN have posted a load of new media for the upcoming DS RPG Survival Kids: Lost in Blue.


Article
Screens
Video

Frogger DS: Screens, Videos, and Article

IGN have posted some new media on the upcoming game Frogger DS:


Article
Screens
Videos

Castlevania DS Video!

IGN have posted an awesome video showing gameplay from Castlevania DS! Check it out here.

Kirby DS Videos

Two new videos of Kirby DS come at us from Jeux-France and they are both worth checking out.

Video 1
Video 2

Source: Jeux-France

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Mario Kart DS Video

A new video of Mario Kart DS has been revealed to us from our good friend Blaze over at Xlink. The video shows a game of Mario Kart and it really looks like GC graphics.

Check out the video HERE.

Source: Jeux-France

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

European DetailS

The DS is slated for a March 11th, 2005 release date in Europe with a price of 149.99 (Euro). The system will come bundled with Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt demo and basically everything the North American DS came with. The first shipment will consist of 650 000 units, and it is expected that 150 000 of those will go to the UK. The boxart for the system will be redon though which you can see HERE. Nintendo is also offering the UK a deal where if you have collected 1000 stars as a VIP you can cash them in for a 190 (Euros) to get the special VIP DS pack. The VIP pack will include a DS, Metroid Prime Hunters demo, Super Mario 64 DS, a Wario Ware Touched! demo, and Nintendo DS T-shirt. (NOTE: the stars you redeem are not the stars you collect in Super Mario 64 DS or any other Mario game.) Although, there will be a limited number of VIP packs, only 3000. You can see the VIP boxart HERE. Along with this good news comes the bad news that Ubisoft's Sprung will only make an appearence in three European countries, UK, The Netherlands and Scandinavia. That was a good read... More information as it comes.

Source: Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DS Wifi?

Sources are saying that Nintendo may be planning on launching a DS online through a Nintendo made USB hub. The source although is not very trust worthy and we may want to take this as a big rumour. Either way the thought of the DS going online through a USB hub to connect to the computer is very warm and fuzzy, but expect to wait quite a bit longer before the DS goes online.

Nintendo USB hub

Source: gba.n64-europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

New Media

A pile of screen shots were released today so here they are.

Pokemon Dash (29 new screens)
Robots DS (21 new screens)
Rayman DS (6 new screens)
Retro Atari Classics (8 new screens)
Bomberman DS (1 new screen)

All the screen shots come from Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Most Anticipated for 2005

Although 2005 is well underway, no new DS game has come out yet this year. So we hear at DS Update decided to tell you what our most wanted DS games this year will be. You can check out our Most Anticipated Games for 2005 HERE.

Ridge Racer Review

It may have taken us awhile to post, but Falco8 did a review on Ridge Racer for the DS. Check it out HERE.

Quick Info

Nintendo of Japan has now announced that they will be launching Nintendogs in April 2005 in Japan.

Also it was previously believed that a Johnny Rocketfingers is in production for the DS and now it is confirmed by the latest issue of Nintendo Power.

Sources: gba.n64.europe and Nintendo Power Magazine

Atari Classics Boxart

Atari has released the boxart of thier upcoming compilation DS game.



Source: gba.n64europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Custom DS's

At the Sundance film fesstival there was a charity auction and there were 3 custom DS's on for sale. There was a copper brown DS on sale that was bought by Alan Cumming for $1500, a green DS bought by Poppy Montgomery for $2500, and finally a swirl blue DS bought by former SNL cast member Jay Mohr for $10 000. Nintendo decided to donate $5000 to the charity.

Jay Mohr
Poppy Montgomery
Alan Cumming

Source: DS Advanced

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Atari Classics

Yes it seems that the Atari Classics are coming for the DS on March 22nd 2005, these will be updated atari games that will now aparently Feature a 4 player Multiplayer mode. These Games sound great heres the game list:

-Pong
-Missile Command
-Asteroids
-Sprint
-Space Duel
-Tempest
-Warlords
-Breakout
-Centipede
-Gravitar

Source: Nintendo.com

Bad Blood

New Wario Ware Touched! Media

IGN have just posted some new Videos and screenies for the upcoming Nintendo DS title Wario Ware Touched!

Nintendo's "xbox live" coming soon? (Update)

IGN recently posted a Nintendo DS Mailbag with some very interesting stuff at the end:

"I was wondering even though nintendo hasn't said anything about wifi hasn't someone cracked open the ds or searched on a wireless network for a wifi chip or signal?

Justin

Technical savvy Nintendo DS owners have indeed been poking around the DS hardware to see what sort of WiFi capabilities the system has, and in fact, just a few days after the system shipped several people with the necessary equipment noticed that PictoChat was actually sending the DS system's MAC address out wirelessly via 802.11. MAC addresses are, like an IP address, an identifier attached to pretty much any networking equipment, but unlike IP addresses, a MAC address is permanent/hardwired to the hardware. So it's just a matter of time until someone cracks the DS broadcast code and enables games to broadcast over the internet.

In the meantime, however, there's been rumblings at Nintendo that indicate that the company will finally unwrap its DS online plans very very soon. As it goes, Nintendo left the keys to the WiFi car in the hands of the third-party developers, but the third-party developers didn't want to drive it without Nintendo making the engine. So, as a result, if we've been hearing things correctly, Nintendo will finally and very, very soon, reveal its own "Xbox Live" like service for developers to adopt. And the first game out of Nintendo to use this service will be one of those massively killer Nintendo brands that people have been wanting to play online for years...

-- Craig"

To me it makes sense that Nintendo would do this right about now but don't get your hopes up as it is just a rumor.

Source: IGN

If any of you DS Update staffers want to add your thoughts, go ahead.

UZG's Thoughts:
Could Nintendo beat Xlink, and Demasked to the punch? Hopefully. As for a a series that Nintendo fans have been wanting online for a long time... Can anyone say SSB DS Online?

UPDATE: More juicy info.

Chad's Q&A Summary

Bad Blood did a summary of the Q&A Chad did last night and it covers the most important points coverd by Chad. Check out his summary HERE.

New Staff Member: Bad Blood

We now have a new staff member, Bad Blood. Bad Blood is joining us as a Junior Reporter for a trial basis and may become a permanent member of the team soon. Hopefully he will be a valued and helpful member of our team.

'I joined the team to add my side of the news, and to spread the word of the DS. I like almost every genre and can't wait for more DS games.'
Bad Blood

Revolution Rumours

Although this news maybe slightly old, we were debating posting it or not. Anyways, a person on the internet has leaked these 'Revolution details', but the person who they came from was the first person to give decent DS specs. Some of the points that have been rumoured for the Revolution are:

-Controllers will contain Gyration technology
-Revolution will contain dual processors and built in broadband
-No DS connectability, but possibly rumoured Gameboy Evolution connectability
-4 controller ports
-Built in hard drive
-Supports high resolution screens and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound
-Will use HD-DVD discs
-Will be backwards compatible with Gamecube games
-A Mario, Zelda, and Super Smash Brother's games are all in development.

Now this should be taken with a grain of salt and we will know if this is true or not at E3.

Source: Gamespot and Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Japanese Sales Charts

For the first week the PSP beat the DS in sales. It is unexpected, but hopefully the DS will make a larger come back and beat the PSP down again next week. Either way Mario Party Advanced made an unexpected climb to first place on the software charts this week. Check out the Japanese sales charts for the week ending January 16th, 2005.

Rank #) System| Sales this week| Total Sales this year

1) PlayStation 2| 65,837| 189,238
2) Sony PSP| 64,602| 126,654
3) Nintendo DS| 53,527| 162,088
4) Game Boy Advance SP| 18,289| 89,140
5) GameCube| 7,475| 27,178
6) Game Boy Advance| 588| 2,307
7) Xbox| 506| 1,685

Rank #) Game, System- sales this week (sales this year)
Publisher

1) Mario Party Advance GBA - 67,927 (67,927)
Nintendo
2) Gran Turismo 4 PS2 - 63,584 (843,340)
SCE
3) The Story of Hero Yoshitsune PS2 - 41,927 (41,927)
From Software
4) Sawaru Made in Wario DS - 33,537 (575,069)
Nintendo
5) DQ & FF in Itadaki Street Special PS2 - 25,264 (299,989)
Square-Enix
6) Dragon Quest VIII PS2 - 23,858 (3,235,861)
Namco
7) Super Mario 64 DS DS - 22,671 (593,831)
Nintendo
8) Everybody's Golf Portable PSP - 18,682 (18,682)
SCE
9) Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater PS2 - 18,166 (790,518)
Konami
10) Shin Sangoku Musou PSP - 17,070 (17,070)
Koei

Source: Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

5 New Need For Speed Underground (DS) Screens!

DS Advanced have posted 5 new screenshots from Need For Speed Underground DS.

Check them out here.

Chad Watch

Chad Paulson of Warp Pipe recently did a open question period about demasked and he talks about a few different things. You can read the transcript of the question period HERE or you can wait and we should have a summary of the conversation up soon. Honestly though, don't spend too much time pondering about demasked, it will come when it comes.

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

More Another Code Goodies!!!

It seems that PlanetGamecube has stumbled across some more screens and artwork that depicct this epic adventure game that is heading towards the DS later this year. Here is the link so you can check them out.

Another Code Screens

-MPRUNTY

Tetris Dated?

Reports are coming in that Tetris DS will have a release date of March 8th, 2005. These reports have not been confirmed or verified by Nintendo.

Source: DS Advanced

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Polarium Dated

Nintendo has updated thier site to give Polarium (One-Line Puzzle) a release date of March 14th, 2005. This is good news to puzzle fans. So far there has been no word yet if the North American version will have any changes from its Japanese counterpart. Polarium Preview.

Source: Nintendo.com

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Flashing Maturity

Nintendo has had problems with thier 'kiddie' image, but they are now trying to change that with series of ad campaigns and more mature games. Perhaps this promotional video does cross the line a little though. This video is a promotion for the DS. Although, censoring out areas of women's bodies does not make a company more mature. Either way judge the video for yourself.

Video

Source: Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

GC Locally Online?

Xlink is now working on a new type of online for the Gamecube. Apparently this new way of tunneling the Gamecube will be able to tunnel local games (such as SSBM) and make them online. The Xlink team plans to intergrate the new tunneling into the Gamecube tunneling before the next-generation of systems. As for the still obviously absent DS online, Xlink says that progess continues and it will be released once everything is worked out. Hopefully we will see the DS and the renewed Gamecube online soon.

Source: Blaze, Team Xlink and Posts by the team on The Official Xlink Forums

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DS Dates

According to Electronics Boutique's website we have a new list of DS games release dates. Henshin a go-go, baby!

Viewtiful Joe (Capcom) - 7th May, 2005
World Championship Poker (Crave) - 5th April, 2005
Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour (Konami) - 1st March, 2005
Official Stylus DS 3-Pack (Nintendo Accessory) - Undetermined
Sonic DS (Sega) - 1st March, 2005
Robots (Griptonite) - 22nd February, 2005
Retro Atari Classics (Atari) - 22nd March, 2005
Rayman DS (Ubisoft) - 1st March, 2005
Pac-Pix (Namco) - 1st March, 2005
Pac 'N Roll (Namco) - 1st March, 2005
Need for Speed: Underground 2 (EA) - 21st March, 2005
Metroid Prime: Hunters (Nintendo) - 8th May, 2005
Mario Kart DS (Nintendo) - 12th September, 2005
Frogger DS (Konami) - 18th April, 2005
Egg Monster Hero (Square Enix) - 1st March, 2005
Animal Crossing (Nintendo) - 12th September, 2005
Advance Wars (Nintendo) - 9th October, 2005

Source: Cubed-3

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Tetris DS?

EBGames has on their list Tetris DS for the Nintendo DS. The action/puzzle game is going to be released by THQ, which announced that they had a few Nintendo DS games in development, but yet to announce anything about their games, and the game will be released March 8th. DS Update will keep you up to date on this rumor.

Source: gba.n64europe.com

-Falco8

Need For Speed Underground DS (first screen)

Its not big enough to notice much but GBA.N64Europe have uploaded the first ever juicy screenshot of EA's upcoming racing game. Check it out here.

Australia Launch Titles

Today Super Mario 64 DS and WarioWare: Touched!, Spider-Man 2, Asphalt Urban GT, Sprung, Ping Pals and Zoo Keeper are now confirmed to be the launch titles for the DS in Austrialia. The games are for a suggested retail price of $69.95 (Australian dollars). The DS is again set yo come out in Austrailia on Febuary 24th.

Source: GBA.N64-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Nintendo Dream Scans

New scans from the Japanese magazine, Nintendo Dream, came into to day and they show some new images of DS games.

Guru Guru Omiseya-san Gokko
Harvest Moon DS
Harvest Moon DS Image 2
Meteos
Meteos Image 2
Meteos Image 3
Meteos Image 4
Naruto DS

Hope you like the images, more when they come.

Source: Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Meteos Delay!!!

It seems that Q Entertainment has issued a statement to retailers that the Japanese release of their anticipated title, Meteos, will be shipping on March 3rd, which is two weeks later that it was suppose to. Though no reason was given for this delay, it has been re-assured that the game will indeed come out. Right now there is speculation to how this might affect the North American and potential European release.

So if you were planning on importing thsi title, you will have to wait a healthy two weeks to get your hads on it.

SOURCE: GBA.N64.EUROPE

-MPRUNTY

Konami and Nintendo???

Though Konami hasn't really said anything, if you go to their website, you will come across a message saying...

Check back on January 27th for some exciting news from Konami! If you love games, you don't want to miss this...

Now this makes you wonder what do they have planned for Nintendo, in regards to games, colaborations, buyouts, mergers, etc... anything is possible. But stay tune to Ds Update, and we will fill you in come January 27th.

SOURCE: Gaming Evolution

-MPRUNTY

Golden Sun is Back!!!

Though they didn't go into detail, it seems that the next installment of Golden Sun, Golden Sun 3, will be at this year's E3 Expo. Though no official word has been mad eby Camelot, nor Nintendo, it would indeed be a great surpise to find this game is alive and kicking come E3.

The console/handheld it is for has yet to be unveiled, so we would have to wait for more information in regards to this bombshell...

SOURCE: Gaming Evolution

-MPRUNTY

Rayman Multiplayer

Ubi Soft Germany has now said that Rayman DS will have multiplayer modes and will include the touch screen in the game. The news was in regards to the Europian version of the game, but this could easily explain why the American version of the game was delayed. Hopefully we will hear more news on this soon.

Source:Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Play Yan Nintendo

Nintendo's portable media player has now been dubbed the Play-Yan. They have also released more details about the device. The device will play MPEG-4 format videos and MP3 format songs. The GBA will have approximately 4 hours of movies and 16 hours of music playback. The DS however will have approximately 5 hours of video playback and will have aproximately 20 hours of music playback time. The news that the systems will play MPEG-4 format videos is good news as it is one of the best formats to save space without comprismising quality. Nintendo of Japan plans to launch the device Febuary 21st, 2005, but there is no news of a North American release date. If you want the device here early you will have to import it.

Source: N64-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Championship Poker

Crave has already announced thier World Campionship Poker and they now announced that it will contain 12 different ways of playing cards. Hopefully the game will hold up when the DS goes online. The game can play with up to six people in a game over wireless LAN. The game is set for an April 5th, 2005 launch date at a retail price of $29.99 USD.

Source: DS Advanced

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DS Demo Stands

New DS demo stands are going to be setup next week to show off the device to give consumers a chance to try before they buy. The new demo stands will feature various numbers of titles to try out on the DS rather than just Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt. The new demo kiosk will send out a message that the DS really is portable. Check out the new kiosk HERE.

Source: Cubed-3

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Another Code Website Online! (Includes Trailer)

The official Another Code Japanese website is now online. The website features a great flash trailer that finally shows off some of Another Code's gameplay.

Check it out here.

Source: Jeux France

Sales Charts

As we say goodbye to 2004 and say hello to 2005, The Nintendo DS is still second best selling console in Japan and the Sony PSP has overtaken the Gamecube to pushing its way to fourth place.

Hardware
1. PlayStation 2 - 124,401 - (124,401)
2. Nintendo DS - 108,561 - (108,561) - [1,604,157]
3. Game Boy Advance SP - 70,851 - (70,851)
4. PSP - 62,052 - (62,052) - [544,304]
5. GameCube - 19,703 - (19,703)
6. Game Boy Advance - 1,719 - (1,729)
7. Xbox - 1,179 - (1,179)

In the software chart, WarioWare Touched! and Super Mario 64 DS are still selling strong, but Pokemon Dash is still holding on in tenth place.

Software
1. Gran Turismo 4 - PS2 - 145,027 - 779,796
2. Tales Of The World - GBA - 81,045 - 81,045
3. Wario Ware: Touched! - NDS - 63,214 - 271,150
4. Super Mario 64 DS - NDS - 46,098 - 571,160
5. Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater - PS2 - 42,005 - 772,352
6. Dragon Quest VIII - PS2 - 37,507 - 3,212,003
7. Mega Man Battle Network 5 - GBA - 35,100 - 84,758
8. Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy - PS2 - 32,903 - 274,785
9. Mario Party 6 - GC - 30,626 - 499,555
10. Pokemon Dash - NDS - 29,813 - 77,869

Source: GC Cafe

-Falco8

New Affiliate: GBA.N64Europe

We are happy to announce affiliation with gba.n64europe.com. You can check them out by clicking the link on our sidebar or by going to http://gba.n64europe.com.

Super Mario 64 DS Review

Took awhile to get up, but we finally got a full review on Super Mario 64 DS. Check it out HERE.

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Famitsu scans show Yoshi's Touch and Go VS mode!

The latest Famitsu magazine reveals what the multiplayer mode for Yoshi's Touch and Go will look like. Check it out here.

New Touch! Kirby's Magic Paintbrush screens!

Yet another screenshot update from Jeux France. This time its Touch! Kirby's Magic Paintbrush. See all of the new Touch! Kirby's Magic Paintbrush screens here.

-Jeremy Olson

New Puppy Times screens

Jeux France have posted some excellent screens of the upcoming Nintendo DS title Puppy Times. View all 22 screens here

Another Code Artwork

Jeux France have posted some new Another Code artwork. See it here.

Puyo Pop DS screens and video

IGN have updated their Puyo Pop media page with plenty of new screens, and a new new video as well.

Yoshi's Touch and go media

IGN has posted some great new Yoshi's Touch and Go media including new screenshots, gameplay videos, US boxart, and even the upcoming Japanese ad.

-Jeremy Olson

Rayman PAL- Boxart

The Europian version of the Rayman DS boxart has been announced today.



Source: N64-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Jeremy: There has been much discussion on this box-art image as it would appear it is going back to the GBA type of box as apposed to the nice plastic stuff we are getting over here in the US. Go here to find out more.

Emails...

For those of you who have emailed me in the past month or so and haven't gotten a response, please take a look at this page. Feel free to re-send email you haven't gotten a response too. I am quite sorry for the lack of response and updates coming from me but I have quite a bit of free time today so hopefully we can get off to a great new start.

Thanks for your patience,
Jeremy Olson

Another Code Preview!!

It would seem after a dry spell, I'm back in the preview game. For those who have been waiting for another preview from me, sorry it took so long, I was on a Gamecube high. To take a look at my latest preview of Another Code for the Nintendo Ds, follow the link below...

Another Code

-MPRUNTY

Insite to "Demasked???"

It was just a short while ago that one of our members had personal interviews with the head of WarpPipe Chad Paulson. Well, i would like to bring you guys some new info and maybe some encite to Paul and the program known as 'Demasked!!!'...


It would seem that Chad has decided not to give anymore info about their upcoming prject, known as Demasked, until E3 2005 rolls around in mid-May. But on the birghter note, it would seem that Chad dropped a few interesting words in a summation about the program Demasked...

"Demasked is about culture, communication, art, voice, and most importantly, people. As the mask is slowly removed from our project, I would like everyone interested in our project to listen to the artists who have inspired our work over the years. Volume one is comprised of some of the music that inspired me, personally, in the very beginning of the project. Enjoy. - Chad Paulson"


If you are into music, or know about music, then you may be interesting in a collection that Chad put together. It's a collection of albums that help inspire himself for "Project Demasked", known as "Demasked Inspirations (Vol 1.)".

So for those who have access to Itunes or use Itunes, then you may want to check out this collection here ...
(note. u must be a itunes member to view it)

SOURCE: GBA.N64.Europe

-Mprunty

Jump Superstars media blowout!

Jeux France has posted some amazing new footage and screens for the upcoming DS title "Jump SuperStars". Check it out here.

Source: GBA.N64Europe.com

Momma Supporting Her Newest Son????

It would seem that Nintendo is showing some true love to their newest handheld, the Nintendo DS. They will be increasing their funding for Research and Development and advertisement by $5 billion yen.

They expect their R&D spending to reach new heights of $22 billion yen, a dramatic increase of 39%, when compared to that of last year. Nintendo also promises to "nuture" software development for their DS, allow for further growth and profit.

It will be interesting to see where this takes Nintendo, but it looks like we are seeing a Nintendo of the past trying to make a resurgence into the industry. Lets all hope they can continue their success into E3, and then after.

SOURCE: IGN

-MPRUNTY

More Castlevania Goodies!!!!!!!

It would seem that the recent news about Castlevania DS was only the tip of the iceberg. In the recen issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, they had mighty interesting pictures from the upcoing title, so i took the liberty of scanning them in, so everyone can see what this game is shaping up to be...





As the anticipation runs high, it looks like this game isn't one to be missed.

SOURCE: EGM - Electronics Gaming Monthly

-Mprunty

Polarium DS

Nintendo announced today that One-Line Puzzle will be coming over to North America by spring. Nintendo also announced that the game would be renamed Polarium for the North American release date. no other changes have been announced.

Source: DS Advanced

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Pokemon Dash Boxart

Today Nintendo released the boxart of Pokemon Dash, and you can see that they needed to completely change all the art before they send it over here.

Pokemon Dash Boxart

Source: DS Advanced

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Austrailia Launch Date

The DS is now set to launch in Austrailia on Febuary 24th, 2005. The DS will come with Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt and embedded Picochat. The DS is set to launch at a price of $199.95AUS.

“With the astounding US and Japanese results we are excited to confirm when this amazing interactive entertainment system will become available to Australian consumers. At the end of February the Australian public will witness a redefining moment in interactive entertainment that will cement Nintendo as the major innovative force of this industry”.
Rose Lappin, Director of Sales and Marketing, Nintendo Australia

Source: Nintendojo

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Poker DS

A new card game is now announced for the DS. World Championship Poker by Crave Entertainment will be the first casino gambling game on the DS. The game has not been announced to use any online capabilities yet though. Hopefully more details will come soon.

Source: Cube-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Madagascar DS

Activision announced at the Consumer Electronic Show that their game will be based on the movie film, Madagascar, will will be heading to all the consoles especially the Nintendo DS. No screenshots or gameplay infomation were available for the Nintendo DS, and that Vicarious Visions, the developers who did Spiderman 2 for the Nintendo DS, will also be making the game for the Nintendo DS.

Source(s): GCA and Nintendo Insider

-Falco8

Soul Calibur DS?

It appears that a remake of the original Soul Calibur will be made for the DS and may include Link. This information comes from a foreign language Nintendo magazine. This version is suppose to surpass the original in graphics and audio. Also this is suppose to be a Namco project. No official confirmations have been confirmed yet, but hopefully we will see it soon and online.

Image

Source: Club Nintendo Magazine

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Frogger DS

Apparently a new version of Frogger will be coming to the DS. The game is suppose to be similar to the PS version. The action is suppose to take place on the top screen while the healt, time, and etc is suppose to be shown on the bottom screen. The game is suppose have up to 4 player capabilities. No other details are in at this point.

Source: Nintendojo

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Game Charts

DS games have been going strong in the past week in Japan taking up 3 spots on the top 15. While Gamecube only has one hit on the chart Nintendo is doing strong with a total of 5 out of 15 of the games from them. 12/27/2004 - 01/02/2005.

Title (System, Publisher)- This week's sales/Total sales

01. Gran Turismo 4 (PS2, SCE) - 663,000 units
02. Sawaru Made in Wario (NDS, Nintendo) - 119,000 / 470,000 units
03. Super Mario 64 DS (NDS, Nintendo) - 103,000 / 469,000 units
04. Dragon Quest VIII (PS2, Square Enix) - 95,000 / 3,327,000 units
05. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2, Konami) - 84,000 / 694,000 units
06. To Heart 2 (PS2, AquaPlus) - 82,000 units
07. DQ & FF in Itadaki Street Special (PS2, Square Enix) - 56,000 / 241,000 units
08. Rockman EXE 5; Team of Blues (GBA, Capcom) - 50,000 / 255,000 units
09. Mario Party 6 (GC, Nintendo) - 49,000 / 422,000 units
10. Tales of Rebirth (PS2, Namco) - 49,000 / 493,000 units
11. Everbody's Golf Portable (PSP, Sony) - 47,000 / 178,000 units
12. Shin Sangoku Musou (PSP, Koei) - 47,000 / 137,000 units
13. Pokemon Dash (NDS, Nintendo) - 43,000 / 220,000 units
14. Kessen 3 (PS2, Koei) - 40,000 / 119,000 units
15. Pokemon Emerald (GBA, Nintendo) - 40,000 / 1,375,000 units

Source: GC Advanced

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

2.8 Million

According to Asia Pulse Businesswire Nintendo shipped a total of 2.8 million DS's worldwide by the end of the year. This is far greater than the initial expectation than 2 million.

Almost all of them had been sold through retailers up by the time the New Year's holidays ended, according to the company.
Asia Pulse Businesswire

Source: Nintendojo

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

DS at CES

Nintendo announced that ce Nintendo DS will be at the CES as the innovating handheld will be showing their Q1 and Q2 games. There was no detail if the games will be playable, but here are some of the Nintendo DS games that will be at the show.

Need for Speed Underground 2, WarioWare: Touched!, Pokémon Dash, Yoshi's Touch & Go, and Retro Atari Classics and more! Nintendo is expecting that over 120 games will be released on the Nintendo DS for the year 2005.

"Publishers and game players have only just begun to tap the potential of Nintendo DS...2005 will continue the excitement we've experienced in 2004."
George Harrison, senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications and non-former Beatle for Nintendo of America commented

Source: Nintendo Insider

-Falco8

Pokemon Dash Update!!!

Unlike the typical racer, this game brings the combination of puzzles and racing into an exciting new adventure for the Pokemon bunch. The main character of this title is of course our lovable, yellow electric mouse Pikachu. The game is striaght foward for the most part. Your objectives are to clear every checkpoint and aim towards the goal. While ove ryour racing adventures, you can also enjoy some action by riding Lapas over water terrain, or even flying in a hot-air balloon.

By way of the touch screen, you control Pikachu's actions. The faster you rub the screen in a particular direction, the faster Pikachu runs. Al the gameplay action takes place from an over-head view, so you have to follow the arrows to know where you are going.

Features:

• Race through 25 courses (all with different difficulty levels and Cups) using your stylus in order to keep Pikachuâ„¢on a direct course to the finish line.
  
• Race in single mode or play wirelessly with up to six friends (other players also must have a Pokémon Dash game card).
  
• Use Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire, Pokémon Emerald, Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen in order to create new courses (adding more than 380 courses to the game).
• Each new course takes on the shape of the imported Pokémon.
  
• More than 380 Pokémon. Plus, a first-time appearance of all-new Munchlax – the pre-evolution of Snorlax.
  

Once again, the release date for this title is....March 14th, 2005, so be prepared for some more Pokemon action!!!!

SOURCE: GBA.N64.EUROPE

-MPRUNTY

U.S. PSP Showing!!!!

Starting the year off with a bang, Sony debut the PSP to a U.S. audience in Los Vegas on the eve of the International Consumer Electronics Show. Showoing off new technologies and products, Sony felt it was time to show the American audience what they can expect very soon. Though the price and launch titles weren't mentioned at the show, what Sony wanted to make clear was that they will indeed see the PSP some time in March of this year.

Though only being out less than a month, the PSP has went through over 500,000 PSP units in Japan, which the executives of Sony see as a success. Though come March, Sony will face an intense battle with Nintendo and their stronghold over the handheld market (98% to be exact), they see this as a chance to prove themselves and to establish themselves in a whole new territory.

According to DFC Intelligence, a market research firm, the PSP and the DS are expected to raise sales through the roof by 2007 (from $3.9 billion to $11.1 billion).

A analyst, by the name OW, says "that since the DS and the GBA attracks gamers 18 and younger and the PSP is more appealing to the older gamers, the PSP will expand the handheld market more than battle Nintendo for their market share."

SOURCE: Silicon Valley

-MPRUNTY

Lunar Series

Marvelous Interactive has revealed today that they have an RPG in the works for the DS. No specific details were released except that it will be in the Lunar series.

Source: N64-Europe

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

First Review

It is a little late to be putting out the first review, but either way here is a review of Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt. Although the game is just a demo, it is definitely impressive enough to make a mini-review on. Also expect more reviews coming soon.

Review

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

Nyko Bundle Pack

Nyko Technologies is said to have an upcoming DS bundle pack which will feature a group of peripherals. The package is suppose to include custom soft case, unique charger grips with built-in rechargeable batteries that extend play time by over three times, a lighted stylus and 10 crystal clear, non-blur electrostatic screen protector sheets. Nyko is also making peripherials for the PSP and Xbox as well. The peripherals are said to be shown 2005 Consumer Electronics Show. No news yet on a release date.

Source: Nintendojo

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

IGN: Jump Superstars (hands on)

Sorry, the news is a bit old. I didn't notice it until today. IGN got a chance to try out the upcoming Japanese DS title "Jump Superstars", a Super Smash Brothers type of game from Nintendo. Check out the hands on impressions here.

Prince of Tennis Gameplay Videos

IGN has posted some Prince of Tennis gameplay videos. Check them out here.

Nintendo of Japan give club members demo disk with DS videos!

the luck members of Nintendo of Japan's club service, have recieved a GC demo disk that has the following video demos:

Sawaru Made in Wario (DS)
Super Mario 64 DS (DS)
Pokemon Dash (DS)
Band Brothers (DS)
Hitofude (DS)
Catch! Touch! Yoshi! (DS)
Nintendogs (DS)
Mario Kart DS (DS)
Another Code Fuftatsu no Kioku (DS)
Metroid Prime Hunters Tournament (DS)
Advance Wars (DS)
Yakuman DS (DS)
Ganbare Goemon (DS)
Mr. Driller Drill Spirits (DS)
Kenshui Tendou Dokuta (DS)
The Urbs (DS)
Zoo Keeper (DS)
Kimi no Tame Nara Shineru (DS)
Jissen Pachislo Hisshohou! Fist of the North Star (DS)
Tounou Ni Asekaku Game Series Vol.1: Cool 104 Joker & Setline (DS)
Mahjong Taikai (DS)
Puyo Puyo Fever (DS)
Tennis no Oujisama 2005 Crystal Drive (DS)
Egg Monster Hero (DS)
Pac Pix (DS)
Meteos (DS)
Homeland (GCN)
Pikmin 2 (GCN)
Super Robot Taisen GC (GCN)
Gundam vs Z Gundam (GCN)
Mario Party 6 (GCN)
Mario Tennis GC (GCN)
Star Fox Assault (GCN)
Metroid Prime 2 Dark Echoes (GCN)
Pocket Monster Emerald (GBA)
Mawaru Made in Wario (GBA)
Zelda no Densetsu Fushigi no Boushi (GBA)
Fire Emblem: Seima no Kouseki (GBA)
Game Boy Wars Advance 1+2 (GBA)
Tales of The World Narikiri Dungeon 3 (GBA)
Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories (GBA)
Rockman EX 5 (GBA)
Super Robot Taisen Original Generation 2 (GBA)
Kidou Senshi Gundam Seed Destiny (GBA)
Konjiki no Gashbell!! Unare! Yuujou no Dengeki 2 (GBA)
Power Pro Ken Pocket 7 (GBA)
Dragon Ball Advance Adventure (GBA)
Final Fantasy I - II Advance (GBA)

As well as a playable demo for Viewtiful Joe 2 and Naruto 3.

Source: IGN

Sorry...

For those of you that have emailed me in the past few weeks, sorry for not getting back to you. I've been very busy with personal matters and also getting DS Update's hosting up and running. That is also the reason you are not seeing much news from me.

Hopefully I will be able to get to all of your emails shortly and get back to updating the site multiple times a day with all of the latest news.

Thanks for all of your support,
Jeremy Olson

More Castlevania Goodies!!!!

It would seem that the latest edition of EGM magazine has captured some new screens and released some enticing info on the highly anticipated Castlevania DS.



Though some would say that it looks similar to the GBA version, there are some key differences.

1. top screen used for map and statistics
2. bottom screen used for the action

But besides those key differences, the game play similar (controls) to that of Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. But what really sets this version apart from the GBA counterpart is during the boss battles. In this version, a "Magic Seal"-system is used when battling the bosses. Your normal weapons only weaken your opponents, lowering their hitpoints to zero. Oncce this happens,...the Magic Seal system pops up asking you to draw a certain shape on the touchscreen in order to destroy the boss. If you fail, the boss will regain a fraction of its hitpoints and you'll be back throwing axes and wielding swords."



But the real shocker about this game comes by way of the producer Koji Igarashi, who promises wireless connectivity. So we can be expecting some "Soul-trading and exchanging custom maps", and if time allows a versus option to keep us coming back for more.

SOURCE: GBA.N64.EUROPE

-MPRUNTY

Pokemon Dash Release Date

According to Nintendo Pokemon Dash is scheduled for a North American release date of March 14, 2005.

Source: Nintendo.com

-Ultimate Zelda Guru

First Castlevania screens and info!

Cubed 3 just posted a scan of the latest issue of US gaming publication Electronic Gaming Monthly which includes the first ever info and screens of the upcoming Castlevania game for the DS. Click here to see the interesting scans.

Here is a very interesting quote from the article:

"Fans of Igarashi's previous Game Boy Advance Castlevania titles would probably only lodge one complaint--the games are over too quickly. Eight or nine hours of feverish exploration and undead beat-downs, and you've probably scoped every nook and cranny of Drac's spacious abode. The potential for wireless multiplayer action would graft some serious replayability onto this DS chapter. "I don't want to have two Somas running around together," says Igarashi. "But I'm hoping to find space for a versus mode if time allows." And even if there isn't room for that feature in this game, Igarashi promises to utilize the DS' wireless functionality for Enemy Soul trading and the exchange of customized maps."