Nintendo DS Coverage

Introduction

On Nov. 21, Nintendo will be releasing a new system, the Nintendo DS. This portable is compatible with GBA games, but is capable of 3-D graphics, has two screens (one of which is touch-sensitive), and has built-in wireless multiplayer capability. In this feature, I will be writing my thoughts of various aspects of the system, culminating in my impressions of the actual system when it releases

Nov. 18: Hands-On Demo Impressions

I have now had two opportunities to fiddle around with the demo units that are now floating about (see picture). I have sat down and messed with both applications that are available on these demo units, Picto Chat and the Metroid Prime demo. Picto Chat is an entertaining little function, but it is basically an IM with the added ability to draw pictures. One thing that I discovered about this program is that you can type in Japanese as well as English. Spiffy! The Metroid demo is by far more interesting, though. I have to say, the screenshots of this game don't do it justice. In motion, this game looks every bit as impressive as the GameCube version does.  I found that using the stylus to control the point of view was very intuitive, and I had no trouble playing the game. As a matter of fact, I think the stylus/D-pad control setup to be second only to the WASD-mouse configuration in terms of natural feel.

My experiences with the demo units have only whetted my anticipation for this system Just a few more days...I don't know if I can wait!

Nov. 10: Why I Want a DS From a Software Perspective

Let me say up front that I am generally under whelmed with the DS's launch titles. Nothing really jumps out at me as a must-have. However, the system comes with a couple of nifty pieces of software, PictoChat and the Metroid Prime demo. As I mentioned above, I am pretty enthusiastic about getting a hold of PictoChat, and I hear that the version of Metroid included with the system is a pretty solid FPS.

However, the games that really interest me either won't be out until Christmas or next year. DS Wars is looking really good, and considering how much I enjoyed the Advance Wars games, this should be one to watch. I'm also really curious to see how the dual screens of the system can be integrated into an RPG, but such a game might be closer to a year away. Then of course, there is the original Mario title that Nintendo has in store. I mean, come on, it's Mario!

But, such titles are still a ways off. This system has so much potential though, I have no doubt that great games are just around the corner for it. In the mean time, I will content myself with the bundled goodies and the GBA compatibility. 

Nov. 2: Why I Want a DS From a Hardware Perspective

In terms of the actual DS hardware, I want one because of its unique capabilities and potential as a gaming device. Take multiplayer gaming, for example. I think the DS stands to be the first portable system to make multiplayer portable gaming convenient and simple. I have rarely, if ever, linked my GameBoy to someone else's for a multiplayer round. The difficulty of getting two systems, two copies of a game, and a link cable together have sometimes seemed daunting. However, by cutting out the need for a cable (and even multiple copies of a game in some cases) Nintendo has seemingly made multiplayer portable gaming something to be exited about. On top of that, wireless communication via PictoChat looks to be pretty intriguing. I can easily see me and a few friends entertaining ourselves on a bus ride with that program.

Having dual screens that are lit simply opens up so many possibilities for game design that I won't even try to make a list of them here. Many possibilities spring easily to mind, such as a map or inventory screen in an RPG. The ability to run both these screens for about 10 hours on an internal rechargeable battery is pretty swell, too.

Finally, one of the real clinchers for me is the fact that the DS will be backwards compatible with GBA games. This is important for me, since I have gone through two (!) GBA SPs, both of which were lost/stolen. I think the small size of the SP had something to do with that. While I won't be able to use the multiplayer modes of my GBA games on the DS (due to a lack of a link cable port), as I mentioned above I rarely use that feature anyway.