I just played the DS Kiosk @ EB!

[Jive3D]

I was grabbing lunch and stopped at the game store like always and to my great pleasure, there was a DS kiosk!

There were two DS units setup head to head so people could play against each other, but the other guy there didnt want to play 2 player. That bastard.

Picto chat is pretty cool. The user interface and menus are friendly and make nice sounds. The stylus makes the sound of a crayon scribbling when you "write" in picto chat. You can change all the manus to one of 6 languages (I have my iPod on all Japanese, so I like that option). Metroid Prime hunters demo was up and running as well. The game looks so good in action, much much better than the stillshots on the web. The control I must say is VERY strange with the stylus. I have been playing Prime on Gamecube for the last week straight, so I can do a direct comparison. Right now, I think that the cube is still better with control, but they didnt have the "thumb show"/ wrist strap available to check out, instad of using the stylus I used my thumb and I can say that shooting enemies is easier because you just touch the enemy and it shoots it. I'm not mentioned a bunch of things I guess. But, I was impressed and I cant wait to pick up my DS when they hit the streets.

[thehistorian]

Great mini review. As I've mentioned Nintendos board is a nightmare to get decent info from.

I had a sneaky feeling this was going to catch on a bit more than they thought. As it stands there are 2 million pre-orders in Japan, GameStop and EbGames have sold out of their first shipments and are only taking orders for the second shipment. Looks like we have another Nintedo "Shortage" on hand.

I know they've said they are marketing this to an older audiance but I'm afraid the younger masses don't see it that way. There seems to be an acroos the board interest in this system. Rest assured this will be no Virtual Boy, thus adding one more system to collect for. With any luck this will be the sysem that I will manage to complete the collection.

[The Manimal]

are those mini pstwo vertical stands out yet?

[Kilik Kurosawa]

are those mini pstwo vertical stands out yet?

LOL




I've got 4 pre-ordered (DSes) 2from GS and 2 from EB....I cant wait

[Jive3D]

are those mini pstwo vertical stands out yet?

WTF!?

On another note. When I was in there playing the demo unit, a little kid walked by, maybe he was 7. He glanced at the DS, and didnt show ANY interest at all. then he walked to the GBA SP rack, right next to the DS and said, "mom I want this." I wanted to yell at him Adam Sandler style, then pick him upside down and shake him and take his lunch money.

O'Doyle Rules! *Ahem*, I mean the DS Rules.

Honestly, since playing it at lunch, I want to go back and play it more after work.

Another thing I just thought of. Stores in malls, or gamestores that are in close proximity with each other would be PERFECT for DS multiplayer demos. Have a kiosk in KB and then one in EB in the same mall and pictochat and the hunters multiplayer demo would really shine!

Must go back and play more DS! :)

[The Manimal]

are those mini pstwo vertical stands out yet?

WTF!?


Just figured I'd ask since he was in one of those stores LOL

Why sell the system and a month later not have the friggin' stand that is pictured on the box...

Same with the multi-tap thing, though I would probably wait on that.

I need the stand to make it look bigger than it actually is. LOL Also, unless the flip lid loosens up, it needs to be on it's side because it doesn't pop open ALL THE WAY when it's laying flat. It's annoying to hit the lid open button and then still have to manually open it..

[Jive3D]

You Bastard! (said in Kyle / Southpark voice)

[Lady Jaye]

Cool about trying out the DS!!! I have to say that I like the idea of playing Animal Crossing on the go (is it just me, or does it seem like a better game to play on the go than at home?).

[FantasiaWHT]

I had a sneaky feeling this was going to catch on a bit more than they thought. As it stands there are 2 million pre-orders in Japan, GameStop and EbGames have sold out of their first shipments and are only taking orders for the second shipment. Looks like we have another Nintedo "Shortage" on hand

Wanted to point out that EB has not reached its allocation yet. At least, my region (Midcentral) hasn't.

[Kejoriv]

i might have to pre-order it. i have cash burning a hole in my pocket

[Jive3D]

Cool about trying out the DS!!! I have to say that I like the idea of playing Animal Crossing on the go (is it just me, or does it seem like a better game to play on the go than at home?).

I totally agree with you there. I really liked animal crossing on the Cube, but I just didnt have enough time to play it every day for an hour at home, but on the go, on the subway, taking a crap at work, lunch break etc, would be ideal. And with a little luck, someone will be nearby (physically) and I can visit his/her town, and leave the seat up after I leave! HAHA!

EDIT -
I wanted to note that I went back to the game store and played with the DS unit a little bit more. I messed around with MP Hunters demo again, but this time I used one of the other control schemes (I think there are 4 different ways you can control it). Anyway, this new one, which would take far too long to explain, was MUCH MUCH better than when I had initially tried it.

Oh and I did ask someone to play pictochat with me this time and they respecfully declined. Sheesh.

[potatobob]

This thing was awesome. I was playing mulitplayer with my friend. I couldn't get pictochat to work though. Graphics are good and the controls good. On one the touch pads was kind of cracking on one of the DS's though. I beat my freind 3-0. Single player was pretty good to. It was very easy to control too. It took me like five minutes to learn how to shoot because I didn't know there was L and R buttons on it. The only thing I didn't like about it was the game was kind of dark.

[petewhitley]

On one the touch pads was kind of cracking on one of the DS's though.

If only this were a Sony product, we'd get to hear endless speculation of it's poor craftsmanship. I suppose no-one's going to fault Nintendo however ... x_x

[FantasiaWHT]

What city is/are this/these DS interactive(s) in?

[Emily]

What did the kiosk look like? I dont want to miss it!!

[Duncan]

What city is/are this/these DS interactive(s) in?

Should be in all Target stores as of this week, assuming the signing team in each store isn't backed up with other work. It'll be right next to the GBA SP display, most likely.

About the cracking screen -- you mean the touch screen was actually coming apart? ALREADY? Hopefully they'll have that worked out for the production models... :/

[FantasiaWHT]

A lot of times interactive models run into problems... I remember MS had to replace thousands of Xbox interactives because they would overheat from being left on constantly. Happened to ours at EB heh.

[gamegirl79]

A lot of times interactive models run into problems... I remember MS had to replace thousands of Xbox interactives because they would overheat from being left on constantly. Happened to ours at EB heh.

That and then think of the abuse any portable console goes through by the public. I've seen some pretty banged up looking Game Boy's in kiosks before...

[NintendoMan]

On one the touch pads was kind of cracking on one of the DS's though.

If only this were a Sony product, we'd get to hear endless speculation of it's poor craftsmanship. I suppose no-one's going to fault Nintendo however ... x_x

I think Sony has great craftsmanship. My digital camera, stereo system, surround sound, TV, DVD Player, and Discman are all Sony Products. I just don't any of there videogame stuff.

I will say though that you can't expect the stands to be in good shape. I mean with all the damn kids that play those things. Escpcially in stores like Wal-Mart. Those things are dirty as all shit.

[ClubNinja]

I excitedly attached myself to a kiosk Thursday to give this sucker a try. I played Metroid and messed around with Pictochat a bit. I wasn't really impressed at all *shrug* I guess at least it's a nifty looking unit :/

[Jive3D]

What city is/are this/these DS interactive(s) in?

The one that I was playing after work was at en EB in the councourse underneath Rockafaller Center in NYC.

I'll get some images of it if I get a chance to hit my other often hit gamestore today...

I am however concerned with the durability of the touch screen, the one that I played with seemed very strong, and the one that someone said was cracked - well kids play to rough sometimes.

They had the system dispoly boxes on the shelf all over the store and one of the bullet points on the box said something to the effect of "durable touch screen."

[NintendoMan]

Yes, I played it a little while ago when I was a t Best Buy. And this was the first time seeing the system in person, running and all.

I have to say it's definatley AWESOME. And even though only the demo of Prime Hunters was in, it still gave you a taste of what is to come from the DS and how it plays.

I could easily write a whole page of stuff of HOW I LOVE THE DS SO FAR, but will spare every one the boring details. But will say that the whole touch screen idea works great (Which I definately had my doubts), and am really looking forward to playing and buying this. Of course I already reserved mine with 3 games a few weeks back.
I also was hesitate how good you would be able to play, with the 3-D games. This was only because of how little the screen is. But everything was great.

[gamegirl79]

So when IS the DS is being released? I've heard the 15th (Monday), the 21st (Sunday) and the 22nd (Monday). I pre-ordered one today at my local EB, but didn't think to ask when the release date was since it was so freakin' crowded in there. :embarrassed:

[Querjek]

So when IS the DS is being released? I've heard the 15th (Monday), the 21st (Sunday) and the 22nd (Monday). I pre-ordered one today at my local EB, but didn't think to ask when the release date was since it was so freakin' crowded in there. :embarrassed:
Technical "street" release date: 21st
-Official, from Nintendo themselves
Rumored Gamestop and EB ship date: 15th
-Gamestop sent and email that was later corrected, stating that the DS would ship on the 15th
-Some DS games shipping on the 15th has affected this rumor as well
I haven't heard anyone say the 22nd though.

[thehistorian]

I had a sneaky feeling this was going to catch on a bit more than they thought. As it stands there are 2 million pre-orders in Japan, GameStop and EbGames have sold out of their first shipments and are only taking orders for the second shipment. Looks like we have another Nintedo "Shortage" on hand

Wanted to point out that EB has not reached its allocation yet. At least, my region (Midcentral) hasn't.

Ah now that is good to know... Must be only the online ordering that has been locked down.

[FantasiaWHT]

We'll probably have them by Monday or Tuesday but nobody will be allowed (I'm sure it'll happen- a bunch of managers nationwide were fired for breaking either Halo 2 or Half-Life 2 streetdates) to sell them until Sunday the 21st.

And about Sony... yeah I find it really bizarre that their other electronic equipment is very durable but their video game consoles are such junk.

[petewhitley]

Yes, I played it a little while ago when I was a t Best Buy. And this was the first time seeing the system in person, running and all.

I have to say it's definatley AWESOME. And even though only the demo of Prime Hunters was in, it still gave you a taste of what is to come from the DS and how it plays.

I could easily write a whole page of stuff of HOW I LOVE THE DS SO FAR, but will spare every one the boring details. But will say that the whole touch screen idea works great (Which I definately had my doubts), and am really looking forward to playing and buying this. Of course I already reserved mine with 3 games a few weeks back.
I also was hesitate how good you would be able to play, with the 3-D games. This was only because of how little the screen is. But everything was great.

Thanks for your unbiased opinion NintendoMan ... LOL

[NintendoMan]

Yes, I played it a little while ago when I was a t Best Buy. And this was the first time seeing the system in person, running and all.

I have to say it's definatley AWESOME. And even though only the demo of Prime Hunters was in, it still gave you a taste of what is to come from the DS and how it plays.

I could easily write a whole page of stuff of HOW I LOVE THE DS SO FAR, but will spare every one the boring details. But will say that the whole touch screen idea works great (Which I definately had my doubts), and am really looking forward to playing and buying this. Of course I already reserved mine with 3 games a few weeks back.
I also was hesitate how good you would be able to play, with the 3-D games. This was only because of how little the screen is. But everything was great.

Thanks for your unbiased opinion NintendoMan ... LOL

Hey now, I would have said so if I didn't think it played good. :)

What I am basically saying above is that I had my doubts about how good the touch screen would work, as well as how good 3-D games would work on it. And after playing for about 10-15 minutes on it, everything was ALL GOOD!!

[davidleeroth]

If aren't fortunate enough to live near a Kiosk, Nintendo has a new video for you (56Kers take note):

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/nwt/dssoft/movie/dssoft.html

[Jive3D]

That movie was awesome. At first I didn't think that I would care at all (about whatever the Dog game is, Nintendogs?) But after seeing those little clips, I'm very interested. I really can't wait for the DS to come out.

Does anyone have Solid release date information? I know there was the Gamestop discrepancy regarding the release on 11.15 (today) - but apparently that was a shipping date. Nintendo's date is 11.21, but I just want to know of perhaps any gamestore employees are on the boards and can confirm that it will be available that very day (?).

[Mayhem]

It's the 21st. The earlier date was a hoax to my knowledge. So looks like Nintendo want everyone up bright and earlier on a Sunday to get their DS goodness LOL

My two @ LikSang are secure, but if I find any in the US going spare next week when I've over, they are mine too. To resell to nice people in the UK. Still, it does mean I can just pick up the games regardless for the proper price.

[FantasiaWHT]

Just verifying (for the second time :P) the 21st street date on the DS.

[slip81]

*sigh* I just bought a GBA SP and an Xbox so my funds are depleated and I'm gonna have to wait till the summer to get a DS :(

[Drexel923]

I got a chance to play it today and I'm pretty happy overall. MP Hunters looked fantastic...much better in person than on videos. Everything ran really smooth and the touch screen was responsive. The gameplay wasn't too great, but I assume once I get used to the controls it'll be fine. Good thing they are including the demo with the system. I tried a little of pictochat and was impressed of how easy it was to use. I like the design of the system and the size is perfect. Can't wait until Sunday :D

[Drexel923]

doh! double post

[Jive3D]

Can't wait until Sunday :D

It can't come soon enough my friend

[FantasiaWHT]

Finally got ours today :)

Aside from our manager deciding to put it up in a completely moronic space...

I had a blast with it! Pictochat was cute, and I can definitely see messing with little kids' heads when I get MY DS and start sending messages to them while they play with it heh.

Metroid Prime Hunter was very fun as well. Got used to the controls very quickly and was able to wipe the floor with any challengers in multiplayer.

I do have one concern tho... it's going to become at least a little strenuous to try and actually HOLD the entire system with only one hand if you are playing a stylus game.

[NintendoMan]

That movie was awesome. At first I didn't think that I would care at all (about whatever the Dog game is, Nintendogs?) But after seeing those little clips, I'm very interested. I really can't wait for the DS to come out.

Same here. At first when I heard "Nintendogs" I was like, "It just sounds stupid"
But after seeing it in action it looks very cool, and am definately more interested in it now. Actually about 20 times more interested in it.

[NintendoMan]

I do have one concern tho... it's going to become at least a little strenuous to try and actually HOLD the entire system with only one hand if you are playing a stylus game.

That's a great point that I didn't even think of. Well it isn't heavy, but you could put it on your lap, leg, etc.

[FantasiaWHT]

Yeah it isn't heavy, but holding it on one side is really off balance. Gonna have wrist strain even with a light weight trying to do that for a while.

Problem with your lap is it's so far down. Then you get a crink in your neck being all bent over and bad posture ;) hehe.

There is that thumb strap thingy. Be interesting to see how well that works to replace the stylus

[Jive3D]

Remember that it comes with the Thumb strap which has the "shoe" on it, that turns your thumb into a stylus kinda. This should improve the gameplay, too bad they dont have this at any of the kiosks. I hurt my neck trying to look at the screen on the kiosk units, b/c it's secured and hard to bend towards a better angle.

To anyone working in Game stores right now. how Limited are you with the way that you setup the kiosk? Also, how did the pieces come? already secured iun the metal, or did the DSs come in their retail boxes and you simply put it together, is it too much to ask to have a demo unit with the damn wrist strap/thumb shoe?

Sunday!! ^_^

[pixelsnpolygons]

I personally wasn't impressed - which upsets me.

[NintendoMan]

*sigh* I just bought a GBA SP and an Xbox so my funds are depleated and I'm gonna have to wait till the summer to get a DS :(

Damn, not until summer. That's an aweful long wait between getting systems. (Maybe you have a job were you only work a certain time of year, that's what I do)

[NintendoMan]

are those mini pstwo vertical stands out yet?

LOL




I've got 4 pre-ordered (DSes) 2from GS and 2 from EB....I cant wait

WOW, why so many?? Giving some as present, or are you going to put them on ebay right away?

[PoserOnBoy]

Why doubt the DS when u know its gonna pwn?

[FantasiaWHT]

To anyone working in Game stores right now. how Limited are you with the way that you setup the kiosk? Also, how did the pieces come? already secured iun the metal, or did the DSs come in their retail boxes and you simply put it together, is it too much to ask to have a demo unit with the damn wrist strap/thumb shoe?

Sunday!! ^_^

Ours was wall mount only (sucks) and had to fit in our slotted walls (sucks more) which, btw, sucked because it severely limited where we could put it without messing up either product or marketing.

The DS's were already completely secured in the metal. There were no thumb straps. The only thing we had to assemble was getting the brackets in the back to clamp to the slotted walls.

[Jive3D]

Since the units were already secured in the metal casing, does that mean that the metroid demo was already in there too / the cartridge slot is inaccessible to you? It would have been nice if they let us play, say, Mario 64DS or Mr Driller, just for some variety - Maybe a demo cart that has, a level of metroid, a level of mr driller and one multiplayer arena in Mario 64Ds.

I've read that the control is very strange (at first) with Mario 64DS, I just hope that the control issue is not the reason that they chose to not have a demo of it. I'm buying the game blindly anyway, and I know I'll enjoy it. The Kiosks are awesome, but I think that Nintendo should have offered a little more with them. Also, if you work in a store, particularly in a mall, you should ifnd out if there are DS units in another store close by/ within multiplayer range. That way you could maybe put up a sign that indicates that 2 MORE players can be picked up or something.

I really hope that I'll be able to "find" other DS units with mine when I rip open that Box! (no, I wont rip it, I'll keep it in great display condition)

[FantasiaWHT]

Yeah, we couldn't access the cartridge slot. I'm assuming that there isn't an actual cartridge in there, that pictochat and the Metroid demo are just built in (like the SMS and Alex Kidd. Wow that's been awhile...)

What I'm wondering is exactly how we're supposed to hold our Madden tournament on the DS... hehe

[Jive3D]

SMS, Ha. Now That's showing our age (but not THAT much). The control of Alex Kidd always kinda bothered me.

I really want to know more about the "finding" other DS units. If I'm playing a game, will a menu pop up mid game and say "Other DS detected, switch to picto-chat?" or something like that. Or would I have to shut my system off and boot into picto chat. I just noticed that the demo units make you shut the system off in order to switch from playing MPH:FH to using pictochat. You can't just back out into the menu. I guess they did this to hinder piracy efforts or something... but does anyone know the details on How DS units will "find" each other if they are NOT "sleeping"?

[dethink]

i played the prime demo the other morning at target...once i figured out what all the buttons did, using my thumb on the to aim screen was pretty natural.

jumping and shooting were both kind of akward though.

[Jasoco]

Why doubt the DS when u know its gonna pwn?Okay, whose Alter Ego is this? C'mon, fess up. I can wait all day.

[digitalpress]

Why doubt the DS when u know its gonna pwn?

Excuse me, Neonsolid... why are you using this alternate ID?

[Jive3D]

Why doubt the DS when u know its gonna pwn?

Excuse me, Neonsolid... why are you using this alternate ID?

The MODs know all! AH! It's the Thought Police!

[Emily]

Im going to reserve mine tommorow!!! The 20th is this deal called Home Town Christmas, its sort of like a pre christmas festival where locals sell their wares( Food,art, crafts, stuffed animals, and from me and my boyfriend , blown glass stuff) It pays off Big Time! Hopefully no rare NES games pop up I HAVE to get... ^^;

:cheers: :drinking:

[Jasoco]

I played one today for the first time as well. And set my copies aside for Sunday too. I can't wait.. My experiences are in the other DS thread.. No, not that one.. no.. a little further.. yeah, that's the one (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=484278#484278).

Anyway, when I got to work today, the first thing I did was glance around for them.. Hoping that they came in. Nowhere to be seen.. so I asked Chuck. He pointed to the drawer, I opened it and inside were a dozen or so boxes of DS's. I was shocked at the smallness of the box. Wow.. I didn't actually expect it to be that small for some resaon.

After Lunch I checked again and Chuck was taking Mario 64's out of the boxes that had just come in. Whoo! So I grabbed one of the DS's and a game and put them aside for myself with a note saying "Jason will buy first thing Sunday!" Can't wait!

Then I saw them at GS and saw how small it really was.. still reeling from the sheer smallness.

TWO MORE DAYS!

[XxMe2NiKxX]

I've had my DS preordered for a long time, I think I'm the second person of 44,200 on my local list (WTF?!!). I don't think we have the DS kiosks up here in Canada, so I'm stuck with videos that just mount my ever-building anticipation. What games are you guys looking forward to? Personally, I'm looking forward to the mario games, Yoshi's Touch n' go, and Animal Crossing DS.

[Zing]

After Lunch I checked again and Chuck was taking Mario 64's out of the boxes that had just come in.

Ah yes. The Nintendo formula. Take console games from years ago, tweak a little, crank out carts for the current portable and rake in the cash selling the same games over and over. Anyone else miss the days when there were original first party Nintendo games. :P

[NintendoMan]

today, the first thing I did was glance around for them.. Hoping that they came in. Nowhere to be seen.. so I asked Chuck. He pointed to the drawer, I opened it and inside were a dozen or so boxes of DS's. I was shocked at the smallness of the box. Wow.. I didn't actually expect it to be that small for some resaon.

After Lunch I checked again and Chuck was taking Mario 64's out of the boxes that had just come in. Whoo! So I grabbed one of the DS's and a game and put them aside for myself with a note saying "Jason will buy first thing Sunday!" Can't wait!

I was just reading this and waiting for you to say that you got to take yours home today. I would have been so damn jealous of you!!!!

I am sure you guys (Or any workers of games stores) have to wait for the 21st too.

Any store opening early or having any kind of special promotion for the DS??

[kai123]

After Lunch I checked again and Chuck was taking Mario 64's out of the boxes that had just come in.

Ah yes. The Nintendo formula. Take console games from years ago, tweak a little, crank out carts for the current portable and rake in the cash selling the same games over and over. Anyone else miss the days when there were original first party Nintendo games. :P

Wait Nintendo used to make original games? :eek 2: :D

[Jasoco]

I was just reading this and waiting for you to say that you got to take yours home today. I would have been so damn jealous of you!!!!And I was looking foward to making you jealous, but no could do. Kmart/Sears smartly and rightly entered the systems and games into the computer as "Before Sell Date". Not that I was willing to take that risk actually. Not with the big wigs from the Kmart/Sears merger wandering the store. Don't want to get fired on the first day the company is starting to shape up. I can wait two more days.

P.S. Anyone think there's a chance I can convince them to change the name of both stores to "S-Mart"? LOL

BTW, Zing and just about everyone else.. Not counting all the old games I've bought since last year, I've never ever bought a game for myself! (Didn't have a job until 1998. The first games I actually spent my own money on were a PSX ang games, a GBC and games, GBA games and a Cube and games.) Yeah! They were always presents. Lucky me. So I'm actually buying these remakes for the FIRST TIME thankyouverymuch. For most of my life I had the games given to me. So I don't feel so bad buying the remakes. Especially since most are cheaper than the originals were and much better anyway.

[mitmoe]

I got to play a DS at Target today. The game was Metroid and I loved it!! I really liked the stylus for aiming.....accurate like a computer mouse. If I wasn't a broke bastard I would get one. :/

[NintendoMan]

Someone else on hear said they went to a Target and played a DS that some idiot stole or broke off the stylus pen and only the broken steel wire was there. And the DS screen was scratched to shit!!!

I found one exactly like that at the TARGET I went to today. It sucked because I was wanting to play it more. But on the upside, the touchscreen still worked perfect, even though there was about 10 deep scratches all OVER IT!

[kainemaxwell]

We've got a couple DS' up and running in my gamestop now. most popular thing kids come in and play with there now. I was playing around with it earlier, and loved the style and the graphics on it, and Metroid's fun too!

[Emily]

They were actually still taking reserves today at one store in Chico!And each store is only sellin between 2!!! and 8 DSs that werent reserved! I thought I was going to have to fight for one!!! :D :D

[Jive3D]

We should do something to the effect of helping DP DS owners find each other for some sick multiplayer. Anyone intrested in that?