Post by HLOCKE on Dec 12, 2004 2:16:44 GMT -5
Wow... it's been a while since I've made a post of this magnitude on these message boards, since moving on to write semi- professionally for other websites and running my High School's technology column in the monthly newspaper, things have been quite hectic. Well, leave all that behind because the Boss has not forgotten his roots right here on the DBZ boards and with that I bring the lowdown on one of the hottest gaming items this year...the Nintendo DS.This post will be filled to the max with pictures from gaming sites as well as my own personal pics for this post (including 1 very good pic of yours truly!) So sit back and relax as I define the Nintendo DS and inform you on whether this portable is right for you.
History of the DS
E3 2005 will perhaps go down as one of the strongest Nintendo E3's in the companies history. In addition to unveiling killer apps such as Metroid Prime 2, Starfox 2, and the sure to be showstoppa Legend of Zelda, Nintendo's new voice, Reginald Fils Aime, spoke of a new beginning for Nintendo and most importantly...the Nintendo DS.
The DS has been given the burden of carrying a revolution in the field of portable gaming. With advanced graphics, Wi-Fi gameplay, Built in Microphone, Touch Screen gameplay, and internal features that just scream awesome. The DS most certainly has the capability to do so, but does it actually come through. Here's the smackdown:
This right here is the Nintendo DS along with my copy of Super Mario 64 DS, one of the 12 DS titles to come out this year. Total package price: $179.00 (not including tax)
With the purchase of the Nintendo DS at $149.99 you will receive everything in this picture:
That would be a Nintendo DS, AC Rechargeable Adapter, 2 Styluses, Thumb pad, DS literature, and a demo of the upcoming Metroid Prime: Hunters for the Nintendo DS. This is an incredible deal, one of the best I've seen for any console. Once again Nintendo comes through in the field of pricing and offerings.
The system itself is surprisingly heavy and doesn't fit into the pocket as easily as it's other brother the Gameboy Advance would, unless of course you wear cargo pants...alot. The system is also relatively wide for a handheld and depending on what style of control you use, you could walk away with a sore hand after heavy usage. Speaking of usage, the battery longevity for the system seems to run at a max 8 hours, depending on what kind of games you are playing it could go even longer. Straight play of Mario 64 gave me somewhere arround 71/2- 8 hours, while LoZ: ALTTP for the GBA gave me around 9-10 hours. Bottom line: Battery power is no problem.
Moving on to the visuals of the DS, while the system is said to run on 64 bits, like the N64. They are often surprised to be informed it actually runs on 32 bit graphics running on an Arm9 GPU which is actually the meat of the system. Add that with 2 compressed screens, and you get the effec that DS has better graphics than the n64...nice. The 2 screens are brightly lit and Mario 64 has never looked better, even without the lack of filtering most gamers will never notice. While Metroid Hunters is absolutely stunning, the beginning FMV will give you the illusion that the system could pull of PS2 or Gamecube level FMV's. It's absolutely awesome. GBA games are also displayed magnificently, the colors are more vibrant and colorful, as a matter of fact I have become completely addicted to Final Fantasy: TTA all over again. After playing GBA games on the DS you won't want to go back to the GBA, unless you're capable of playing multiplayer on it.
The media of the DS are played on game cards, which look similar to the cards used in digital cameras. The cards are quite small, especially compared to media used of other portables in the past.Take a look at this pic for example:
There are 2 slots on the DS, 1 for it's own games which is located on the top and another for GBA games which is located at the bottom next to the headphone jack and across from the volume knob. The sound on the DS is phenomenal for both medias, the GBA and DS. All around astonishing package.
Now to the main part, gameplay. While there still may be doubt in people's minds that the DS will actually revolutionize gaming. It does offer a new level of feel and conrtol that is unprecedented. In the beginning gameplay will feel awkward and unique, which is exactly what Nintendo wanted. Just like the first time you picked up a regular game controller until you got the feel for it. However the lack of an analog stick does pose minor problems in titles such as SM64 where controls get a little wacky due to no analog stick. However, the overall package does not suffer and in the end is a conquerable quibble. On the other hand Metroid Hunters renders itself flawlessly to touch screen. Here it is exactly like playing and FPS on the PC with a mouse and keyboard. It is truly awesome and I hope more FPS's come to the DS soon.
The Future
While the most ominous entity in DS's future is Sony's anti-DS the PSP. Software and options for the DS look absolutely mouth-watering day by day. With more support from Square-Enix and other 3rd parties, by next-year the DS should be rolling in quality. Here's a top 10 list of the titles you should be on the lookout for next year.
1. Metroid Prime: Hunters
Metroids...Samus...Portable...Wi-Fi multiplayer...nuff said.
2. Mario Kart DS
The classic Mario Kart franchise goes portable next January along with a boat load of new features is sure to make this one a killer app.
3. Final Fantasy III
(NOT DS SCREENSHOT) This is the NES version of the original FF3, expect a version like this to come to the DS with revemped graphics and usage of the DS's features.
4. Rayman DS
The classic Rayman franchise will make a run on the DS, and rumor has it it will be a port of the classic 2nd insstallment of the series, sweet!
5. Xenosaga DS/ 6. Baten Kaitos DS
While these screens were taken from there big brother counterparts, both these titles will be seeing DS versions thanks to Namco. All so don't be surprised if the FMV's for the DS version don't look so far off from the pics above.
7. Shonen Jump Sumperstars
Dragonball Z, Naruto, and One Piece all in one fighting game that runs off of the Super Smash Bros. engine. Yes, you may drool.
8. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles DS
Similar to the Gamecube version, but is rumored to have online play. Since Square has confirmed to be working with Nintendo on online for the DS, this title could turn out to be what it's console version should have been.
9. Viewtiful Joe DS
Henshin-a-go-go will be on the go on the Nintendo DS next year when Capcom ports Joe and friends over to the dual screens.
10. Advance Wars DS
Nintendo brings its popular handheld strategy game for the GBA over to the DS next year along with major improvements in control and the probability of online gameplay.
So there we have my look at the DS. While this year is sluggish in the software department, next year looks to rock! With the addition of rumored works such as Fire Embelm DS, Donkey Kong DS, F-Zero Pressure, and the highly wanted Zelda and Super Smash Bros. DS this portable is posed to own the handheld market and with almost 1.5 million units sold in less than a month, it's certainly on the right track. Nintendo also has announced a lot of soon to be introduced features to the DS such as the "Wake up" system, which will turn on or wakeup your system and notify you that their is another DS near you that wants some action. As well as the much touted online play which according to Nintendo officials will come into fruition "sooner than we all think". Either way the DS is a phenomenal piece of hardware, this definitely is a must buy and I have no doubt this system will be perfect comptetion for the PSP. Overall: Must buy!
Highly Recommended (at $149.99 with free demo, this package is a steal!)
Hope you enjoyed the post...
Thanks for reading...
The Boss Advanced, yes that's me
History of the DS
E3 2005 will perhaps go down as one of the strongest Nintendo E3's in the companies history. In addition to unveiling killer apps such as Metroid Prime 2, Starfox 2, and the sure to be showstoppa Legend of Zelda, Nintendo's new voice, Reginald Fils Aime, spoke of a new beginning for Nintendo and most importantly...the Nintendo DS.
The DS has been given the burden of carrying a revolution in the field of portable gaming. With advanced graphics, Wi-Fi gameplay, Built in Microphone, Touch Screen gameplay, and internal features that just scream awesome. The DS most certainly has the capability to do so, but does it actually come through. Here's the smackdown:
This right here is the Nintendo DS along with my copy of Super Mario 64 DS, one of the 12 DS titles to come out this year. Total package price: $179.00 (not including tax)
With the purchase of the Nintendo DS at $149.99 you will receive everything in this picture:
That would be a Nintendo DS, AC Rechargeable Adapter, 2 Styluses, Thumb pad, DS literature, and a demo of the upcoming Metroid Prime: Hunters for the Nintendo DS. This is an incredible deal, one of the best I've seen for any console. Once again Nintendo comes through in the field of pricing and offerings.
The system itself is surprisingly heavy and doesn't fit into the pocket as easily as it's other brother the Gameboy Advance would, unless of course you wear cargo pants...alot. The system is also relatively wide for a handheld and depending on what style of control you use, you could walk away with a sore hand after heavy usage. Speaking of usage, the battery longevity for the system seems to run at a max 8 hours, depending on what kind of games you are playing it could go even longer. Straight play of Mario 64 gave me somewhere arround 71/2- 8 hours, while LoZ: ALTTP for the GBA gave me around 9-10 hours. Bottom line: Battery power is no problem.
Moving on to the visuals of the DS, while the system is said to run on 64 bits, like the N64. They are often surprised to be informed it actually runs on 32 bit graphics running on an Arm9 GPU which is actually the meat of the system. Add that with 2 compressed screens, and you get the effec that DS has better graphics than the n64...nice. The 2 screens are brightly lit and Mario 64 has never looked better, even without the lack of filtering most gamers will never notice. While Metroid Hunters is absolutely stunning, the beginning FMV will give you the illusion that the system could pull of PS2 or Gamecube level FMV's. It's absolutely awesome. GBA games are also displayed magnificently, the colors are more vibrant and colorful, as a matter of fact I have become completely addicted to Final Fantasy: TTA all over again. After playing GBA games on the DS you won't want to go back to the GBA, unless you're capable of playing multiplayer on it.
The media of the DS are played on game cards, which look similar to the cards used in digital cameras. The cards are quite small, especially compared to media used of other portables in the past.Take a look at this pic for example:
There are 2 slots on the DS, 1 for it's own games which is located on the top and another for GBA games which is located at the bottom next to the headphone jack and across from the volume knob. The sound on the DS is phenomenal for both medias, the GBA and DS. All around astonishing package.
Now to the main part, gameplay. While there still may be doubt in people's minds that the DS will actually revolutionize gaming. It does offer a new level of feel and conrtol that is unprecedented. In the beginning gameplay will feel awkward and unique, which is exactly what Nintendo wanted. Just like the first time you picked up a regular game controller until you got the feel for it. However the lack of an analog stick does pose minor problems in titles such as SM64 where controls get a little wacky due to no analog stick. However, the overall package does not suffer and in the end is a conquerable quibble. On the other hand Metroid Hunters renders itself flawlessly to touch screen. Here it is exactly like playing and FPS on the PC with a mouse and keyboard. It is truly awesome and I hope more FPS's come to the DS soon.
The Future
While the most ominous entity in DS's future is Sony's anti-DS the PSP. Software and options for the DS look absolutely mouth-watering day by day. With more support from Square-Enix and other 3rd parties, by next-year the DS should be rolling in quality. Here's a top 10 list of the titles you should be on the lookout for next year.
1. Metroid Prime: Hunters
Metroids...Samus...Portable...Wi-Fi multiplayer...nuff said.
2. Mario Kart DS
The classic Mario Kart franchise goes portable next January along with a boat load of new features is sure to make this one a killer app.
3. Final Fantasy III
(NOT DS SCREENSHOT) This is the NES version of the original FF3, expect a version like this to come to the DS with revemped graphics and usage of the DS's features.
4. Rayman DS
The classic Rayman franchise will make a run on the DS, and rumor has it it will be a port of the classic 2nd insstallment of the series, sweet!
5. Xenosaga DS/ 6. Baten Kaitos DS
While these screens were taken from there big brother counterparts, both these titles will be seeing DS versions thanks to Namco. All so don't be surprised if the FMV's for the DS version don't look so far off from the pics above.
7. Shonen Jump Sumperstars
Dragonball Z, Naruto, and One Piece all in one fighting game that runs off of the Super Smash Bros. engine. Yes, you may drool.
8. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles DS
Similar to the Gamecube version, but is rumored to have online play. Since Square has confirmed to be working with Nintendo on online for the DS, this title could turn out to be what it's console version should have been.9. Viewtiful Joe DS
Henshin-a-go-go will be on the go on the Nintendo DS next year when Capcom ports Joe and friends over to the dual screens.
10. Advance Wars DS
Nintendo brings its popular handheld strategy game for the GBA over to the DS next year along with major improvements in control and the probability of online gameplay.
So there we have my look at the DS. While this year is sluggish in the software department, next year looks to rock! With the addition of rumored works such as Fire Embelm DS, Donkey Kong DS, F-Zero Pressure, and the highly wanted Zelda and Super Smash Bros. DS this portable is posed to own the handheld market and with almost 1.5 million units sold in less than a month, it's certainly on the right track. Nintendo also has announced a lot of soon to be introduced features to the DS such as the "Wake up" system, which will turn on or wakeup your system and notify you that their is another DS near you that wants some action. As well as the much touted online play which according to Nintendo officials will come into fruition "sooner than we all think". Either way the DS is a phenomenal piece of hardware, this definitely is a must buy and I have no doubt this system will be perfect comptetion for the PSP. Overall: Must buy!
Highly Recommended (at $149.99 with free demo, this package is a steal!)
Hope you enjoyed the post...
Thanks for reading...
The Boss Advanced, yes that's me
