Guilty Gear: Dust Strikers Trailer

Thanks to GC Cafe, we have the Guilty Gear: Dust Strikers trailer for your enjoyment. Guilty Gear: Dust Strikers features all 21 characters from the series. The game uses both screens for the battle arena, ad also there are some minigames and six modes of play in Guilty Gear: Dust Strikers. The game will be released on April 3rd.


Guilty Gear: Dust Strikers Trailer


-Falco8

Metroid Prime Hunters preys upon the Web

Nintendo has finally updated their Metroid Prime Hunters that is coming out for the Nintendo DS. The site alot of videos to watch, info about the story in the game, and multiplayer info. Also the site have downloads like wallpapers and IM icons. Here's the site.

Metroid Prime Hunters site

Source: Nintendo.com

-Falco8

DS Lite Videos

Here are recent DS Lite videos that was put up on YouTube.




DS Lite Video 1
DS Lite Video 2
DS Lite Video 3
DS Lite Video 4
DS Lite Video 5
DS Lite Video 6
DS Lite Video 7
DS Lite Video 8
DS Lite Video 9

Source: DSRevolution

-Falco8

Crossbean Studio Entertainment Develops a Revolution Title

Crossbean Studio Entertainment has announced that they will be developing a Revolution title code-named "Thorn". The title will utilize the Revolution's controller, and also the title is a action-adventure game which takes place in the future and the main character is on the run from the police. He must also solve a disappearance of an old military comrade on a planet that has yet been explored.

Source:Nintendojo

-Falco8

Weekly Japanese Chart Sales

Here's the weekly Japanese chart sales for the week of February 13.


Software:
01. PS2 - Monster Hunter 2 (Capcom): 362,173 (*NEW*)
02. NDS - Motto Otona no DS Training/Brain Training 2 (Nintendo): 64,856 (1,278,458)
03. NDS - Eigo ga Nigate na Otona no DS Training: Eigo Zuke/English Training (Nintendo): 52,481 (476,695)
04. NDS - Oideyo Dobutsu no Mori/Animal Crossing DS (Nintendo): 50,808 (1,900,871)
05. PS2 - Bleach RPG (SCE): 41,480 (*NEW*)
06. NDS - Otona no DS Training/Brain Training (Nintendo): 33,194 (1,554,037)
07. PSP - Monster Hunter Portable (Capcom): 27,823 (495,003)
08. NDS - Mario Kart DS (Nintendo): 15,832 (1,114,304)
09. PS2 - Siren 2 (SCE): 12,911 (62,691)
10. PS2 - Winning Eleven 9 Bonus Pack (Konami): 12,087 (67,786)


Hardware:
NDS: 52,099 (403,902)
PSP: 27,430 (337,683)
PS2: 23,433 (241,273)
GBASP: 5553 (57,890)
GBM: 2941 (35,529)
GCN: 1814 (32,392)
X360: 1314 (23,971)
GBA: 105 (1,584)
XBX: 92 (762)

Source: Media Create

-Falco8

New details on Tetris DS

Article taken from Nintendo.


"Tetris® DS will have players humming along as their thumbs move at lightning speed. On March 20, Tetris DS launches exclusively for Nintendo DS™ with six game modes, each themed with classic Nintendo characters and remixed classic Nintendo music. The new ways to play reignite the addictive passion of one of the most popular games of all time.

Players can connect to Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo’s wireless gaming service, or choose one of six other ways to play:

Mission: In this Legend of Zelda®-themed mode, players race the clock to complete the missions that appear on the top screen before time runs out.

Catch: In this Metroid®-themed mode, players try to land Tetriminos (falling blocks) on any side of an ever-growing floating pile of Tetriminos. Once players complete a 4-by-4 square, the Tetrimino will explode in all directions and earn points.

Puzzle: Players solve up to 200 tricky Tetris puzzles at their own pace with the help of just a few Tetriminos provided. Players tap the orientation they want to use and then the Tetrimino will automatically fall into place as Yoshiâ„¢ monitors the action.

Standard: This Mario™-themed mode features the same addictive game play that made the original Tetris so wildly popular. Players guide Tetriminos and form horizontal lines to clear them away. Mario runs around Super Mario Bros.® levels in the background.

Touch: This unique Balloon Fight®-themed take on Tetris really shows off the touch-screen capability of Nintendo DS. Players use a stylus to drag and move a giant stack of Tetriminos to make them fall into horizontal lines. In early levels, they can tap to spin them just the way they need them. Players have as much time as they need to carefully plan their moves.

Push: The goal of this multiplayer Donkey Kong®-themed mode is to clear two lines at a time to push the group of Tetriminos into an opponent’s red zone. Players can’t let their own Tetriminos build up too high, or it’s game over."

Source: Nintendo.com

-Falco8

Revolution SDK Update

After Engadget's interview with Reggie Fils-Aime about the Revolution's SDK, IGN Revolution had the chance to talk some of the developers and publishers who has gotten Nintendo's Revolution SDK.

Developers reports that Nintendo released three revised development kits to the developers. The first development kit was a Gamecube console with a wired Revolution controller, the second reversion was the about the same as the first development kits, but a few minor bugs were repaired, and finally the third reversion, which was released a month ago, has the same structure but has a CPU power boost.

Insiders tells IGN Revolution that Nintendo sent out a "three and a half" reversion, that has the complete internal hardware more next-gen like and it has a wireless Revolution controller, to the big named publishers. Developers that are getting their Revolution games playable at this E3 2006 will receive an almost completed Revolution SDK, which promises to be between 90%-95% to its final system performance.

Developers are saying if any other developers worked with the Gamecube, then they could get their Revolution titles running in no time. they say the structure is very similar, but the Revolution is twice as powerful. IGN asked a development source whether the Revolution is underpower or not, and he said, "At first, we were discouraged that it would be less powerful than Xbox 360, but once we got everything working with the controller, our concerns faded". Other developers had the same feeling, but with the emphasis on the Revolution's controller it simply didn't matter.

It is excepted that Nintendo will release the completed Revolution SDK this June. Furthermore, insiders believe that the Revolution will sell below $300 maybe as low as $150, and also the developers says that the SDK will sell at $2,000, which is alot cheaper than the PSP SDK.

Source: IGN Revolution

-Falco8

n-Space Joins the Revolution Bandwagon

According to Orlando Sentinel, n-Space, the developer for Duke Nukem and Geist, will be developing games for Nintendo's next-gen console, Revolution. Right now, n-Space has 50 staff members, but they are looking to recruit 20 art, production and designer types by this summer. The company is also doubling their space an additional 7,000 square feet in the Westwood Plaza near SeaWorld, and finally the n-Space will developing more than one title for the Revolution, but we might have to wait for confirmation at E3 2006.

Source: Revolution Report

-Falco8

Engadget Gets to Interview Reggie Fils-Aime

Engadget had a chance to interview Nintendo of America's main man, Reggie Fils-Aime before the Spike TV interview.


"Engadget: Where is Nintendo right now with the development of the Revolution?

Reggie Fils-Aime: We have been sharing the controller mechanics with developers across the world. We have shipped over a thousand controller dev kits to developers so that they can begin getting experience with the controller mechanics. The response to the controller has been fantastic. Developers are truly embracing the innovation. They're embracing the approach and quite frankly, they're embracing our vision; our vision of creating games that are as sophisticated as the core gamer wants it to be but could also be as straightforward and as accessible as brand new gamers. And that vision, that strategy is what Nintendo is all about. We want to create a system with Revolution that appeals to all types of gamers versus going down a path that, frankly, is a bit exclusionary.

Engadget: You mean in terms of the competition and what they're doing?

Fils-Aime: Exactly. They have gone down a path that is very expensive for consumers, very expensive for developers to create content against, and they're providing a level of horsepower technology that not many consumers want. We in providing to consumers and to developers an approach that is certainly high-tech and certainly powerful enough to create the most sophisticated games, but also has an approach that is open for developers to create whatever type of content they want.

Engadget: Do you think that not having support for high-definition will put the Revolution at a disadvantage with respect to the PS3 and the Xbox 360?

Fils-Aime: Not at all. Only a very small percentage of homes currently have high-definition televisions. All of the next-generation systems will look great, but HD games don't look as good on the majority of regular tv's. The question is which one will have amazing new kinds of games with innovative experience. The answer is Revolution.

You must be examining what Microsoft has done with Xbox Live and Xbox Live Arcade. At last year's E3 you announced that Nintendo was going to offer downloads of games from previous consoles directly to the Revolution, but what kind of support for the overall online experience are you building into the console?
Sure. In terms of the details of Virtual Console, how it will work, the titles available, the entire environment and experience, we plan on sharing much of that detail at E3.

I'm certainly not going to get into it today but, suffice it to say, the approach we've taken with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which is all about great game play, ease of access, total control in the hands of the consumer and a fantastic experience, all of those principles will be applied to the virtual console. We fully expect that consumers who are exposed to the approach will love it. And we'll be prepared to share that information at E3.

Engadget: So networking and all that other stuff will be built into the console?

Fils-Aime: Well, you'll see more at E3.

Engadget: Speaking of GameCube, if you play a GameCube game on the new Revolution console, will you be able to use the Revolution controller or will you have to use the older style of controller?

Fils-Aime: Well, all of the GameCube games will be compatible only with GameCube accessories, so whether it's a WaveBird or whether it's a wired controller, you'll only be able to play those titles with those accessories. Essentially what we're saying is that Revolution titles are the only ones that will leverage the new controller.

Engadget: Will we see some brand new franchises for the Revolution?

Fils-Aime: Yes we will.

Engadget: Something that will be as big as a Nintendogs or a Zelda?

Fils-Aime: That is certainly the goal, but you'll have to tell me when you see it at E3. We will be showing a lot of information about Revolution at E3. You know we've said publicly that this year's E3 will be Revolution's coming out party. Now, we've also been quite clear that there are innovations inherent in Revolution that we will be sharing ongoing. That it is simply not a one time event for us to share information about Revolution and all of its innovation. I have seen blog entries on your site and other sites that criticize us for that, but quite frankly, it's just good business. In terms of letting the consumer know what's involved and sharing that information all the way up until launch.

Engadget: Is Revolution going to be the final name or is it still a code name?

Fils-Aime: It is still a code name.

Engadget: Will you unveil the new name at E3?

Fils-Aime: Maybe."

Source: Engadget

-Falco8

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MechAssault Coming to the Nintendo DS

Article taken from Majesco.

"MechAssault: Phantom War for the Nintendo DS will ship to stores later this year. The first handheld installment of the critically acclaimed series, MechAssault: Phantom War features popular franchise elements while utilizing the Nintendo DS touch screen to deliver a new level of control and maneuverability.

"MechAssault: Phantom War fuses the best game play elements from the series with new features that take advantage of the unique mechanics of the Nintendo DS," said Ken Gold, vice president of Marketing for Majesco Entertainment. "The touch screen lets players intuitively 'touch' the cockpit controls to hack into giant 'Mechs, eject pilots, switch weapons and check battle techniques."

Developed by Backbone Entertainment, a division of Foundation 9 Entertainment, MechAssault: Phantom War brings the future of interstellar combat to today's handheld gamers in a third-person futuristic shooter. Players assume the role of a MechWarrior, an elite fighter trained to control the ultimate war machine of the 32nd century ... the BattleMech. Gamers experience fast-action, 3D 'Mech combat on the top screen, while the lower touch screen positions them inside the cockpit at the controls.

Exciting MechAssault: Phantom War features include:

* Commandeer over 20 types of vehicles, including 'Mechs, Tanks, Turret
and BattleArmor;

* Wreak havoc on the enemy and environment with an arsenal of powerful,
fully upgradeable weapons;

* Brand new story drawn from the popular BattleTech series which spawned
highly successful games like MechWarrior & MechCommander for the PC and
MechAssault & Crimson Skies for the Xbox® video game system.

* Use the touch screen to sneak into enemy territory, hijack enemy 'Mechs
and wield the most secret weapon in the Inner Sphere;

* Wireless multiplayer combat for up to four players simultaneously;

* Master 24 single player campaigns across four planets and three exciting
multiplayer game types;

* Unlockable 'Mechs, maps and cheats enhance gameplay"

Source: Majesco

-Falco8

New Web Browser Details

A reader from DS-X2 emailed Opera about the upcoming DS web browser application. The reader's first answer was whether the browser will have a feature that will censor inappropriate content, but the Opera spokeperson said that the user can browser the full internet and the user could censor it.

The Opera spokeperson also added that you will have the same functionality as Opera for Desktop. The built-in email client was already denied, but there's going to be a pop-up blocker installed with the apllication. When asked about Flash-based content, the spokeperson replied that there would need a flash plug-in for the DS browser, but the flash plug-in will not be available today.

Finally the question was asked if whether this application will be released outside Japan, the Opera spokeperson said that Nintendo is planning to release the application worldwide.

Source: DS-X2

-Falco8

Weekly Japanese Chart Sales

Here's the weekly Japanese chart sales for the week of February 2.


Software:
01. NDS - Eigo ga Nigate na Otona no DS Training: Eigo Zuke/English Training (Nintendo): 72,290 (424,214)
02. NDS - Motto Otona no DS Training/Brain Training 2 (Nintendo): 70,407 (1,213,603)
03. NDS - Oideyo Dobutsu no Mori/Animal Crossing DS (Nintendo): 57,335 (1,850,063)
04. PS2 - Siren 2 (SCE): 49,780 (*NEW*)
05. NDS - Otona no DS Training/Brain Training (Nintendo): 32,082 (1,520,843)
06. NDS - Right Brain Master! Machigai Museum (Namco): 21,000 (21,000)
07. PS2 - Tourist Trophy (SCE): 20,433 (80,087)
08. PSP - Monster Hunter Portable (Capcom): 20,126 (467,180)
09. PS2 - Shin Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams (Capcom): 19,916 (295,721)
10. NDS - Mario Kart DS (Nintendo): 18,304 (1,098,472)

Hardware:
PSP: 24,977 (310,253)
PS2: 23,383 (217,840)
NDS: 10,223 (351,802)
GBASP: 5,405 (52,337)
GBM: 2,934 (32,588)
GCN: 2,025 (30,577)
X360: 1,288 (22,657)
GBA: 150 (1478)
XBX: 84 (671)

Source: Media Create

Temco Develops a Golf Sim for Revolution

Temco, developer and publisher for Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden series, has announced that they will support Nintendo's next gen console and also they've announced their first Revolution title called Skatto Golf Pangya Revolution which is a golf sim. The game started out on the PC and is a sensation in Asia right now. Even though no info was given about online play, we most likely see the game on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.

Source: IGN Revolution

-Falco8

Media Player for the DS (4 GB!)

Datel has announced that they will be releasing a 4 GB Media Player device for the Nintendo DS. The device will use the GBA slot, and you can use the touch screen to move the progress bar, skipping through the media, and ect...

No details on the release date or price point for the US.

Source: Nintendojo

-Falco8

Winning Eleven DS goes Wi-Fi!

At their press conference yesterday, Nintendo announced that Konami's popular Winning Eleven soccer series will feature the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Winning Eleven for the Nintendo DS will be the first sports game that will use online play for the Nintendo DS. The game also has a traditional 3D view of the action will shown on the top screen,as the bottom screen shows a bird's eye view.

No details were announced.

Source: Nintendojo

-Falco8

DS Web Browser *Update*

The first image of the DS Web Browser has been released, showing a preaty good picture of the Japanese Nintendo website. You can see it here.

Source: DS-X2

-Secret322

New DS TV Tuner coming to Japan

At their press conference during Nintendo showing off their new redesigned DS lite, Nintendo made a surprising announcement that they will release a TV tuner card which will enable the DS to receive broadcasts of digital media.

Nintendo has partnered with 1seg, a mobile terrestrial digital audio/video broadcasting service for mobile devices. The device can fit fairly well into the DS card slot and comes with an antenna.


Source: Revolution Europe

-Falco8

Confirmed: A New DS Web Browser comes to Japan

After Reggie announced that Nintendo might make a web browser for the Nintendo DS, Nintendo has announced at their conference that a Nintendo DS specific web browser is under development by Opera. The DS browser will come with a DS card, and the user will only need power on the system and a wireless router to get on the web. The DS Opera based application will use both screens with the touch screen acting as the mouse. ATOK Kanji conversion will be supported out of the box. Priced at 3800 yen, the browser will be released in Japan come June. No announcements about the web browser going global, but we might see the application going to other terrotories soon.

"In Opera's agreement with Nintendo, Nintendo DS users will now be able to surf the full Internet from their systems using the Opera browser. The Opera browser for Nintendo DS will be sold as a DS card. Users simply insert the card into the Wi- Fi enabled Nintendo DS, connect to a network, and begin browsing on two screens.

Earlier this year, Nintendo reported that 13 million Nintendo DS systems were sold to consumers around the world within just 13 months of its debut in November 2004. Nintendo DS combines unique dual screens, touch screen, voice recognition and wireless and Wi-Fi communications capabilities. According to an independent market research company in Japan, Nintendo DS has become the fastest selling video games machine to top the six million sales mark in Japan in just over 14 months since its Japanese debut, breaking the old record held by Nintendo's Game Boy Advance.

'The incredibly popular Nintendo DS is already Wi-Fi enabled to support real time gaming, so adding Web browsing capabilities was a natural evolution for this device," says Scott Hedrick, Executive Vice President, Opera Software. "Gaming devices are growing more advanced and a great Web experience is becoming a product differentiator for gaming manufacturers. Opera is excited to work with Nintendo to deliver a unique dual screen, full Internet experience on Nintendo DS.'

With an on-screen keypad and stylus, users can easily navigate the Web from their Nintendo DS with PDA-like functionality. Based on the same core as the Opera desktop browser, Opera delivers superior speed and rendering of Web pages on the Nintendo DS.

'Within just five seconds of turning on the system, the Nintendo DS is already fully operational. This makes it the ideal device to enable people to swiftly obtain the latest information from the internet, wherever they are," says Masaru Shimomura, Deputy General Manager of Nintendo's R & D Department. "Opera exceeded our expectations with its user friendly interface, quick access to all your favorite sites, ease of use and, most importantly, in making the best use of the Nintendo DS system's unique double screens and touch screen features. Opera is an important partner for Nintendo in our efforts to further expand the users of the Nintendo DS.'

Nintendo Co., Ltd. held a presentation today in Tokyo, Japan, to announce updates for the Nintendo DS. Information on the availability of the Opera browser DS card has not yet been announced."

Source: Revolution Europe

-Falco8

Weekly Japanese Chart Sales

Here's the weekly Japanese chart sales for January 30.

Software:
01. NDS - Eigo ga Nigate na Otona no DS Training: Eigo Zuke/English Training (Nintendo): 109,481 (351,924)
02. NDS - Motto Otona no DS Training/Brain Training 2 (Nintendo): 86,234 (1,143,195)
03. NDS - Oideyo Dobutsu no Mori/Animal Crossing DS (Nintendo): 68,599 (1,792,728)
04. PS2 - Tourist Trophy (SCE): 59,654 (*NEW*)
05. PS2 - Shin Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams (Capcom): 49,472 (275,806)
06. NDS - Otona no DS Training/Brain Training (Nintendo): 47,701 (1,488,761)
07. PS2 - Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (Square-Enix): 44,947 (437,116)
08. NDS - EyeShield 21 Max Devil Power (Nintendo): 36,811 (*NEW*)
09. PS2 - Nobunaga no Yaboo (Koei): 36,675 (*NEW*)
10. NDS - Mario Kart DS (Nintendo): 22,613 (1,080,168)

Hardware:
PSP: 25,905 (285,276)
NDS: 25,321 (341,580)
PS2: 24,780 (195,456)
GBASP: 5,649 (46,933)
GBM: 3,199 (29,654)
X360: 2,194 (21,370)
GCN: 2,138 (28,552)
GBA: 115 (1328)
XBX: 101 (587)

Source: Media Create

-Falco8

Super Mega Happy Q&A Update Fun Time!

Q:I have a couple of questions about the Nintendo Revolution. Do I understand right, that you can download and have any of the games from the past of N64, NES, SNES and play on the Revolution? And will you be able to connect the DS to it OR will the games from DS be able to play on the Revolution also. And I would like to know if you have heard anything about a NEW "ANIMAL CROSSING" coming out for the Revolution.

Thank you for taking the time to read and answer my email. I really appreciate it.

Sheila


A: For your fist question, you can download past generation games onto the revolution, and play GCN disks. You cant play any game however, only the ones Nintendo selects to be part of the virtual console download list. This list will most likely be comprised of the more popular titles from each generation and they will all come at an induvidual fee. As far as Animal crossing revolution goes, rumor has it as a revolution launch game. Even if its not a launch game though, Nintendo has confirmed it’s exisitance which is always good news.

-Blackmajik

Q: Hi
Just found your very interesting site. I have not had a good look round yet but I was going to vote for best ds game 2005, but can not find Super Mario 64 ds? Has it been left off for a reason?

A: It came out in 2004.

-Blackmajik

Q: If you played the sequel to Paper Mario on the GameCube, can you tell me how to
get on top of
Bobbery's house?

A: I shouldn’t be answering questions like this as, A: it dosent apply to the ds or revolution. And, B: this isint gamefaqs. Im using you as an example. Don’t ask us questions like this. Go to www.gamefaqs.com

-Blackmajik

Q: if i had a us game in a pal ds and my mate had a pal ds could my mate dowload the info of my game

-Daniel Moon

A: Almost all DS games that are out at this point have no sort of region lock incompatibility( you can even download from US to JP or PAL to JP). So the answer is yes.

-Blackmajik

Q: Hi guys, here's a Revolution related ponder. I was wondering (and hoping) if the downloadable N64 classic games could be playable with the GCN controller. After reading that Nintendo is looking towards not having dual analog sticks for their next controller, I became worried for my favorite genre, the FPS. I would love to be playing a speedier, slightly prettier version of the N64's original Goldeneye and Perfect Dark games using dual analog sticks. Also I think Nintendo should let developers option the use of GCN/REV controllers thus making 3rd party ports more likely.Any possibility in any of this?

-microninja777


A: revolution is 100% compatible with GCN wired controllers and memory cards. The only unknown compatibility at this point is with the wave birds as the receiver plug may be too large for the ports on the side of the revolution.

-Blackmajik

Q: I am trying to download the DS demos to my DS, but I can't figure out how. I have a wireless Internet on my computer. Please send me an email to help me as soon as possible. Thank you.

A: you cant just download the DS demos out of thin air. You need to be in the local range of someone else with a game that supports the feature, or be in the local range of a ds download station. Download stations will be coming to local game retailers like EB games in the near future.

-Blackmajik

laptop replacement screen

Breaking News: Metroid Voice chat, DS Download in the US, and more!

Article taken from Nintendo.

"The video games industry's "story of the year" for 2005 is growing even more compelling early in 2006, as Nintendo today announced major new initiatives for its hot-selling Nintendo DSâ„¢ portable game system.

In a matter of weeks: DS owners will sample free games simply by visiting their local game retailers; players will enjoy live, real-time Wi-Fi voice interaction with their portable game play; the 1 millionth DS owner will log onto Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo's wireless gaming service; and a new lighter, brighter DS will make its debut in Japan.

Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing, announced the new DS features during his keynote address today at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' D.I.C.E. conference in Las Vegas.

"Nintendo DS was the only video game system that exceeded expectations in 2005, simply because it dared to be different," Fils-Aime said. "By further enriching the ways in which players can compete, play and sample new games, that process is accelerating in the opening weeks of 2006."

Here are the details announced at the D.I.C.E. conference:

DS Download Service: Starting next month, Nintendo will offer all DS owners free downloadable game demos and other downloadable content at thousands of participating retail locations around the United States. An in-store kiosk will beam wireless demo versions of games and other downloadable content into a players' Nintendo DS system. Users simply stop by the store with their Nintendo DS, click "DS Download Play" on their system and choose one of a variety of DS games they want to sample. The game will download automatically and users can play all they want (even if they leave the store) until the Nintendo DS is turned off.

Sequentially, players can try out as many games as they want, letting them test drive the wide array of games that can only be played on Nintendo DS. The first DS Download Service stations will include free demos of Tetris® DS, Brain Age™: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day, Mario Kart® DS, Meteos™, True Swing Golf and Pokémon® Trozei, along with a Metroid® Prime Hunters video clip. The selection of games and other downloadable content at DS Download Service kiosks will refresh quarterly.

Metroid Chat: The new Metroid Prime Hunters game for Nintendo DS will give gamers the ability to chat directly with one another before and after matches played via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Players in North America simply click the chat icon and say what they have to say. The microphone of the Nintendo DS picks up voice communication and transmits it to the people on their friend list. Players can use the chat function before a match to agree on settings or after a battle to relive their glories. This Teen-rated first-person adventure arrives March 20 and promises to open a dramatically fun new facet of gaming to Nintendo fans.

Nintendo DS Momentum: Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection now boasts more than 21 million different connections, representing more than 860,000 unique users worldwide. Nintendo DS has enjoyed extremely strong sales worldwide, selling more than 14.4 million units worldwide through December. The Japanese sell-through of the existing Nintendo DS hardware exceeded 5 million within 13 months, which made Nintendo DS there the fastest-selling video game launch ever. In addition to Metroid Prime Hunters, Tetris DS also launches March 20. Using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, up to four players can compete in wireless two- or four-player Tetris DS battles against friends or strangers, near or far.

Nintendo DS Lite: The lighter, brighter Nintendo DS system goes on sale in Japan next month. Nintendo DS Lite is about two-thirds the size of the original Nintendo DS and more than 20 percent lighter. Its availability in other regions will be announced at a later date."

Now this is great news for the Nintendo DS owners, as now Metroid Prime: Hunters will have voice chat abilities but too bad we won't be able to talk during gameplay, and also the DS Download service will be great.

Source: Nintendo.com

-Falco8

Perrin Kaplan talks with Forbes about Revolution

In our recent post, Reggie Fils-Aimes was interviewed by EGM about the possibilities and capabilities of Nintendo's next-gen console, Revolution. Now Perrin Kaplan is being interviewed by Forbes.com about the marketing stratagy, Vitual Console service, and their stance on HD.

"Forbes: What makes Nintendo's corporate culture and tactics different from its competitors?

Kaplan: Inside Nintendo, we call our strategy "Blue Ocean." This is in contrast to a "Red Ocean." Seeing a Blue Ocean is the notion of creating a market where there initially was none--going out where nobody has yet gone. Red Ocean is what our competitors do--heated competition where sales are finite and the product is fairly predictable. We're making games that are expanding our base of consumers in Japan and America. Yes, those who've always played games are still playing, but we've got people who've never played to start loving it with titles like Nintendogs, Animal Crossing and Brain Games. These games are Blue Ocean in action.

Forbes: So what aspects of the new Revolution are "Blue Ocean" and will create a new market?

Kaplan: Well, first there's this new controller. It is out of this world, literally! You can now move your hand, arm, wrist or body to control the game. If you were playing a fishing game, before you would just press buttons on a controller held in both hands in front of you. With this, you can move your arm back and forth and cast your bait. It senses depth. As someone who doesn't spend hours per day gaming, I was thrilled with the experience.

We're also offering what we call the "virtual console"--the ability to download nearly every kind of Nintendo game going back to the original Nintendo Entertainment System through the GameCube. We think there is an untapped nostalgia market: Gamers who grew up and cut their teeth on these older games could come back.

Forbes: How does the Revolution compare with other Nintendo products that have changed game-industry design standards?

Kaplan: We've launched product designs that our competitors adopt, such as the first directional pad, or wireless controllers or controllers with tactile feedback. One of the reasons we're not giving a lot of details about the design of the new console prior to its release is that there's no way we're going to let that happen again.

Forbes: All signs point to an aging gamer demographic--at least in the U.S. Isn't Nintendo ceding too much ground to Sony and Microsoft by not offering certain edgy, first-person-shooter (FPS) titles?

If you take a look at our library, you will find games in each genre, including FPS. That's not the core of what we want to develop, but we do offer them. You could argue we have the widest array of games of all the hardware companies.

Forbes: the "virtual console" effort represent Nintendo's entire online strategy?

Kaplan: No. More will be described soon. We will use the Wi-Fi component in a different way for each game, just like with the DS.

Forbes: Though the console won't include a high-definition disc player, how does the impending format war between Sony and Microsoft affect Nintendo?

Kaplan: For us, it's all about the experience, not if the technology allows you to play your game on the high-definition formats, which are now in such a small percentage of homes. Many independent sources tell us that experiencing current high-def games on a regular TV makes it near impossible to see everything clearly. That means the majority of homes are experiencing something lesser than what they bargained for."

Source: Revolution Report

-Falco8

Reggie-nator talks about Revolution

In a interview with EGM, Reggie Fils-Aimes talks about Nintendo's upcoming next-gen console, Revolution. He discuss about its online capabilities, connectivity, add-ons, and more.

"EGM: When Nintendo first showed the controller, it said there were other functions it wasn't talking about yet. Might those include a digital camera and microphone?

Fils-Aime: As much as I think [Nintendo President Mr. Satoru] Iwata likes me, if I shared that with you I probably wouldn't be here. [Laughs] You know, here are the facts: Come [this May], we'll disclose a lot more. After [that], we'll disclose even more, and right about the time of the launch, we'll disclose even more. There are certainly elements to everything we're doing about Revolution I'm talking beyond the controller, the virtual console, all the different element we'll be sharing all the way up to launch. And I believe as consumers understand the full range of benefits and the full functionality, the more and more they're going to get excited. I really do.

EGM: Given [Mario creator] Shigeru Miyamoto's outspoken admiration for Sony's EyeToy camera and the microphone function in the DS and recent GameCube games [like Odama and Mario Party 7], they seem like a natural fit for the Revolution controller.

F-A: Could certainly see all of that. Again, our orientation is, how do we push the gaming experience, the interplay between the player and the game? So all of the different elements that enhance that capability's use of a camera, use of the microphone, voice activation all of that certainly I believe is fair game.

EGM: How about online with the Revolution, how will it work? Will it be more like Xbox Live? Or more similar to how the DS is now, where you get a friend code that's different for every game and you exchange that like a phone number to find each other online?

F-A: I would think [it'll be similar to the DS]. Again, that's been part of our [plan] in creating an environment that is more friend and peer-to-peer based, versus simply, 'I wanna go take on everybody for certain types of games.'

EGM: You mentioned the virtual console where users can download old games to play on the Revolution. We know you're experimenting with revamping some games graphically, what about retrofitting them to use the Revolution controller?

F-A: [Long silence] Honestly, I don't know. If I look at this personally, given my own gaming experience, I would love to play my favorite game, whether it's Kid Icarus or it's Zelda: A Link to the Past. I'd like to play the original game in its original configuration. I don't know how I would feel as a fan to take that original game and to augment it in some way. I don't know what the technical challenges to do it are either. We'll find out.

EGM: Any chance we'll see a virtual console style online distribution of older Nintendo games for the Nintendo DS now that it's online?

F-A: We certainly never say never. The piece that we are learning as we work through our plans for a virtual console on Revolution is really working to understand the flow of content, how to manage that. That's a fairly large interface to do it effectively. So my concern would be, how do you embed that on a DS [cart] in addition to the game to really make it effective? But we've said from the start that Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is meant to be the service both for the DS as well as the Revolution. So could you see a merging of that technology at some point in the future? Certainly possible."

Source: Revolution Report

-Falco8

Iwata-san to talk at GDC

Article taken from Nintendo's website.

"Iconic game developer and president of Nintendo Co., Ltd. Satoru Iwata returns for the second consecutive year to deliver the keynote address of the 2006 Game Developers Conference (GDC). GDC, the world's largest event exclusively devoted to the art of game creation, will take place at the San Jose Convention Center Monday through Friday, March 20-24.

In his keynote, entitled "Disrupting Development," Iwata will inspire developers to take risks and mine the depths of their imaginations to create innovative games regardless of the size of teams or budgets. He will point to the Nintendo DS™ "brain-training" games and Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection to prove it is still possible to succeed at engaging new players and surprising existing players. Iwata will also share his thoughts on the role Nintendo's video game systems will play in expanding the market and widening the possibilities for developers.

"We are extremely honored to feature an experienced platform leader such as Satoru Iwata as a keynote speaker," said Jamil Moledina, director, Game Developers Conference. "As Nintendo reinvents the scope of what games can be, it is ever more crucial to share their creative and market-growing philosophies with the other leaders of the game creation industry."

Satoru Iwata's keynote, "Disrupting Development," is scheduled for Thursday, March 23, from 10:30 to11:30am.

The GDC is the largest and most important professional development event for the games industry. The conference will feature more than 300 lectures and workshops designed to provide inspiration and build skills. The annual event offers an independent forum for developers from around the world to set the agenda for the next stage of interactive tools.

The GDC will take place March 20-24 at the San Jose Convention Center. To secure early rate pricing, be sure to register by February 15. Learn more at www.gdconf.com."

Source: Nintendo.com

-Falco8

Activision on the Revolution Bandwagon

In their morning conference call, Activision has announced that they are fully supporting Nintendo's next-gen console, Revolution. They also announced that they are hard at work developing one new game that will use the Revolution's capabilities, and the new game might be a launch title or it'll be released after the Revolution's launch. The company didn't release any info about the new Revolution game, but you can expect more info on the game at this upcoming E3 2006 in May.

Source: GC Cafe

-Falco8

Weekly Japanese Chart Sales

Here's the weekly Japanese chart sales for the week of January 23.

Software:
01. PS2 - Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (Square-Enix): 392,169 (392,169)
02. NDS - Eigo ga Nigate na Otona no DS Training: Eigo Zuke/English Training (Nintendo): 242,443 (242,443)
03. PS2 - Shin Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams (Capcom): 226,334 (226,334)
04. NDS - Motto Otona no DS Training/Brain Training 2 (Nintendo): 110,539 (1,056,962)
05. NDS - Oideyo Dobutsu no Mori/Animal Crossing DS (Nintendo): 79,515 (1,724,129)
06. NDS - Otona no DS Training/Brain Training (Nintendo): 70,724 (1,441,060)
07. PS2 - Ar tonelico: Sekai no Owari de Utai Tsudukeru Shoujo (Banpresto): 54,289 (54,289)
08. NDS - Bleach DS: Souten ni Kakeru Unmei (Sega): 35,977 (35,977)
09. NDS - Mario Kart DS (Nintendo): 29,366 (1,057,556)
10. PS2 - Winning Eleven 9 Bonus Pack (Konami): 27,943 (27,943)

Hardware:
NDS - 106,081
PSP - 30,657
PS2 - 24,580
GBASP - 5,946
GBM - 3,042
GCN - 3,036
X360 - 1,976
GBA - 179
XBX - 128

Source: Media Create

-Falco8

Revolution Revelations

More information uncovering about the revolution slowly, but surely, As we come closer to may, we might get more information before E3 perhaps - We thought we’d have to wait until May’s Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) to hear any fresh concrete info on Nintendo’s long-awaited successor to the GameCube, but it seems that we could be treated some in-depth Revolution details in the very near future.

According to industry insiders, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata is set to unveil a series of key details – possibly related to pricing and a precise release date – at this year’s Games Developers Conference (GDC), which kicks off in San Jose, California on March 20, a full two months before E3. It is also possible that Iwata could go into detail about some of the Revolution’s mystery features – or even reveal if the console will actually be called the ‘Revolution’ or something else entirely.

It’s widely believed that the Revolution will get a worldwide launch this year, a la Xbox 360. All this puts more pressure on Sony, of course, which has not revealed its PlayStation 3 release plans yet. So could Sony be beaten to the next gen console punch by Nintendo as well as Microsoft? Things are getting interesting, that’s for sure.


Me, I hope so, I'm getting tired of looking at those same old revolution renders.

Source: T3

-Whiplash

Famitsu once again does a Next Gen Survey

Japanese magazine publication, Famitsu has conducted a survey, which were presented to 113 retailers, 47 developers, and 370 gamers. Here's the results of their survey.

Most anticipated gaming machine of 2006

1) PS3 - 53.7% of developers, 56.9% of retailers, 46.3% of gamers
2) Revolution - 41.4% of developers, 43.9% of retailers, 45.8% of gamers
3) Xbox 360 - 2.4% of developers, 1.7% of retailers, 7.9% of gamers


Number 1 gaming machine of 2006 (Developer's pick)

1) Nintendo DS - 49.9%
2) PS3 - 16.7%
3) Revolution - 10.0%
4) PSP - 5.0%
5) Xbox 360 - 1.7%


Number 1 gaming machine of 2006 (Retailer's pick)

1) Nintendo DS - 38.3%
2) PS3 - 31.5%
3) Revolution - 12.3%
4) (TIE) PSP/Xbox 360 - 1.7%


Overall Top Platform (gamer's pick)

1) PS3 - 40.3%
2) DS - 32.6%
3) PS2 - 11.8%
4) Revolution - 11.5%
5) Xbox 360 - 2.5%
6) PSP - 0.3%

Famitsu also asked retailers, developers, and gamers the release date and price point. Most retailers and developers says that the PS3 will be priced around 40,000 yen ($337.95 US), but most of the gamers thought the PS3 will be priced at a high 50,000 yen ($422.47). But when it was time to talk about the Revolution, almost everyone said that the system will be priced around 25,000 yen ($211.26).

Release date wise, the developers and retailers see the PS3 releasing around December, but the gamers want to the PS3 be released around May or July. For the Revolution, developers see the Revolution be released around December, but retailers and gamers see the system to come out around November.

Source: Revolution Report

-Falco8

*Update* Midway to utitlise Unreal Engine for the Revolution

A job listing has gone on the internet advertising for a Level Layout Designer for an unannounced first-person shooter for all the next gen home systems.

"Midway-Studios Austin has exciting opportunities for Level Layout Designers to apply their specialized skills on a high profile, next-generation first-person shooter using the Unreal 3 engine. You will be instrumental in visualizing game levels, and working under the direction of the Lead Level Designer. You will work within a level strike team, with a scripter, an audio implementer, and environment artists, to turn your dream into a reality."

If Epic Games' Unreal 3 Engine will be utitlise for the Revolution, then this must be great news for it's graphical capabilities.

*Update* It seems that Midway has changed their job listing and taken the Revolution off their listing. It looks like Midway has made a misprint, so no Unreal grarphics for the Revolution it seems.

Source:Revolution Report, Go Nintendo

-Falco8

Krome Studio talks about Revolution

In an interview made by the folks at Aussie-Nintendo, they talked to Steve Stamatiadis, Creative Director for Krome Studio, about when the next Ty game will be coming, and where will the game be released on what platform.

AA: According to an update on TY 3 Night of the Quinkan’s Australian Website, the game is due to be released in Australia in February. But, a GameCube release is no longer mentioned. Would you like to tell our Australian GameCube fans why this is the case?

SS: Well, Krome Studios obviously made a GameCube version, but unfortunately for all of us, Activision was unable to get enough interest in the GameCube version from local retailers and they had to make the tough decision not to release it on that platform.

AA: Does Krome Studios have any plans to develop TY games for the Nintendo DS, or any other games for that matter?

SS: At the moment Krome Studios is still looking into which next-gen hardware we’ll be developing. We’d love to take TY to DS, but I can’t say for sure if we’ll be doing so in the near future. We’ll also be considering Revolution hardware, but again, it’s too soon to make any announcements!

AA: Are you looking into development for Nintendo Revolution, and generally, what is the studio’s opinion on the console and its controller?

SS: We’re looking into the Nintendo Revolution as a possible target for future TY the Tasmanian Tiger games. A lot of it depends on a publisher and what platforms they think will sell. Personally I’m intrigued by the Revolution – I like that Nintendo is taking a different approach to how people play games and is aiming for a wider audience. Though, I don’t like the fact that it means cross platform games like the TY the Tasmanian Tiger series will be much harder to develop on Next Gen consoles. The Revolution’s new controller doesn’t help, even though I think it’s an awesome development – cooler even than Sony’s Eye Toy. I’d love to get the chance to do a Revolution only TY game – that would be awesome

Hope to see alot of third party games on the Revolution this year, whereas the Gamecube lacked third party game

Source: Go Nintendo

-Falco8