DS: Underwhelming launch titles [Archive]

ianoid

12-12-2004, 03:07 AM

I guess launch titles are insignificant. You can sell a few million units without a single interesting title.

Aside from the N64 port/variant of SM64-DS, is there a DS title that is really worth playing above an equivalent GBA title? OK, so I'm happy that it has Mr. Driller with Time Attack, but that could have been done on GBC.

I am utterly underwhelmed by DS the titles out there. I suspect that this is a result of the hurried release schedule. Nintendo probably made a good move in getting it out for the Xmas season. The only real reason to get a DS at this time (aside from the early adopters like me) is that it makes a good gift.

I don't think they got anything on PSP aside from a leap on sales- certainly no lead on software.

Ed Oscuro

12-12-2004, 03:53 AM

I don't think they got anything on PSP aside from a leap on sales- certainly no lead on software.
That's given them the edge towards staying dominant, though. The lack of a software lead isn't that important (here in the U.S., that is) because it's going to be a little while longer before the PSP comes out.

JJNova

12-12-2004, 06:56 AM

Feel the Magic was a launch title. Mr. Driller wasn't. Animal Crossing is on the way, Metroid, Harvest Moon, and a new Super Mario Bros. game. W3rd

Mayhem

12-12-2004, 08:36 AM

By the time the PSP launches in the rest of the world (March), the DS will have a lead. Zookeeper, supposedly the scrolling new Super Mario Brothers, and WARIO WARE will all be out in the West before then.

Launches have never been great usually. Even the PSP in Japan hasn't got that stunning a line up, consisting of ports and board games quite a bit.

MarioAllStar2600

12-12-2004, 12:59 PM

Although it's not amazing, I have been pretty happy with it. There were 3 games that I bought on launch day, and was very happy with
- Super mario 64 DS
- Asphalt
- Feel the magic
I was happy with all 3 of these games. I don't think it was to bad for a launch. Your not the first person to say it though.

davidbrit2

12-12-2004, 01:25 PM

Yeah, I love the DS, but the launch lineup hasn't really blown me away so far. SM64 is great, since I never really played the original, and I'm a huge Mr. Driller fan, so having that one out fairly early is nice too. Prime Hunters is loads of fun, but we're stuck with just a demo until May. Feel the Magic looks bizarre enough that I'll pick it up. But Urbz, Madden, Asphalt, and Ridge Racer all look underwhelming at best. Nintendo needs to get cranking and get a few killer apps out the door so the PSP doesn't pummel them into the sand. Pokemon and Animal Crossing games would probably do wonders for market presence at this point.

Pedro Lambrini

12-12-2004, 01:42 PM

I agree. Nintendo really have to get killer games on the go and the more exclusives the better. I have a DS but I have no games at the mo. However, while looking for games to order I compared some footage of the DS Ridge Racer with the PSP version. The difference is night and day. Nintendo really have to differentiate themselves from their new competition...

JJNova

12-12-2004, 02:03 PM

Yeah. But Sony's tactics are old. Read about it here http://iiiperception.blogspot.com

shai hulud

12-12-2004, 05:04 PM

Yeah. But Sony's tactics are old. Read about it here http://iiiperception.blogspot.com

and Nintendo is revolutionary?

JJNova

12-12-2004, 05:53 PM

Not what I said. Just that the PSP isn't really a Gaming device. It's a pocket media contraption, and I ultimately think it's "all-in-one" features might be what breaks it. I'm a spectator that think the incumment will take it...once again.

petewhitley

12-12-2004, 06:33 PM

Not what I said. Just that the PSP isn't really a Gaming device. It's a pocket media contraption, and I ultimately think it's "all-in-one" features might be what breaks it. I'm a spectator that think the incumment will take it...once again.

This is speculation on my part, but I believe that due to the wild differences in the Japanese and North American markets, the PSP will be marketed much more specifically as a game machine over here. You see, those extra features make alot of sense to the Japanese, to many of us, they don't. Surely Sony execs understand this and will adjust their marketing accordingly.

Ed Oscuro

12-12-2004, 10:05 PM

Yeah. But Sony's tactics are old. Read about it here http://iiiperception.blogspot.com

Although this peice of equipment seems to be the largest ploy to step into the gaming arena since Nintendo released the E-Reader device for the GameBoy advance, it's apparent that it might just catch on.

A Motley Fool article mentioned that the PSP is for Hardcore gamers, but I must disagree with this. I like to think that the hardcore gamer is the person that wont pay $50.01 for a video game because he understands that the day he starts paying more than 50 US Dollars for a title, all games will start being released for whatever price they can get for it.
People actually read this shit?

davidbrit2

12-12-2004, 10:10 PM

A Motley Fool article mentioned that the PSP is for Hardcore gamers, but I must disagree with this. I like to think that the hardcore gamer is the person that wont pay $50.01 for a video game because he understands that the day he starts paying more than 50 US Dollars for a title, all games will start being released for whatever price they can get for it.
People actually read this shit?

Oh how quickly people forget about the $70 SNES game era. Heh.

Blendo75

12-12-2004, 11:40 PM

A Motley Fool article mentioned that the PSP is for Hardcore gamers, but I must disagree with this. I like to think that the hardcore gamer is the person that wont pay $50.01 for a video game because he understands that the day he starts paying more than 50 US Dollars for a title, all games will start being released for whatever price they can get for it.
People actually read this shit?

Oh how quickly people forget about the $70 SNES game era. Heh.

Yeah I remember paying that for Mario RPG. As far as a new DS game to get I would recommend Sprung. It's a lot more fun than I expected.

ianoid

12-13-2004, 03:39 AM

Let me summarize the Nintendo fanboys take on PSP:

Convergence = death.

Sony = death.

EOS.

The rest of us so called gamers not on the bandwagon are just happy to play the best games on whatever console, few if any are on the DS at this time. Passable games just ain good enough. Retreads? Yawn.

There may be some anticipated titles, but until we see those inevitably fantastic titles, I'll continue to feel like I could have waited to pick up this gadget. Ah, the woes of the early adopter.

le geek

12-13-2004, 08:19 AM

The rest of us so called gamers not on the bandwagon are just happy to play the best games on whatever console, few if any are on the DS at this time. Passable games just ain good enough. Retreads? Yawn.

There may be some anticipated titles, but until we see those inevitably fantastic titles, I'll continue to feel like I could have waited to pick up this gadget. Ah, the woes of the early adopter.

Hey Ian,

Did you play Feel the Magic? I really liked it when I first got it, but I've been playing SM64DS since so I can't comment on if it has any staying power...

Ah, the woes of the early adopter.

I here that. Ridge Racer 64 port. Rayman delayed. I feel the need to buy another game, but I'm trying to hold out until Zoo Keeper...

Cheers,
Ben