DS Library

[Avatard]

Well, I bought a DS at release. I must say its an incredible piece of hardware. It works perfectly with Mario64 DS and the mini-games are great. Its also the best way to play GBA games IMO, (I hate the SPs form factor).

Now, all this power and so far every other game has been lame. There is nothing to buy and the PSP is already rolling. I know Mario Kart and the new Castlevania are comming out soon, but I think the Castlevania will be out a YEAR after the DS release date. So my question is, when are they going to make use of such a great platform? And are the rumors of PDA software true? What can I do and what should I look forward to in the future? I've seen the release lists for the rest of the year and I'm not completly impressed. If Goldeneye: Rogue Agent is going to be a GCN port its going to suck hardcore too, grrrrr.

So far what I see is a great piece of hardware that had almost zero hype/advertising to begin with and seemingly little development support. Is it the Dreamcast all over again? Atleast I have a first class GBA game player.
(Sony fanboys need not reply LOL )

[Mayhem]

Hmmm... lame? Catch Touch Yoshi, Wario Ware, Feel the Magic, Polarium (coming to the US shop in 2 weeks time), Zoo Keeper for starters.

[PapaStu]

MR. Driller!!!!!!

Crack in DS form it is.

[Jive3D]

This conversation has been had before - but I do agree. the DS library is meager at best. There are some fun games, but other than Mario 64, there's nothing with any true depth. Yoshi Touch&Go is a lot of fun - and it's the best that the DS has to offer IMHO, But Yoshi is easily trumped by many of the releases on Sony's handheld.

I feel that both systems were a little rushed out the gates, the DS more so than the PSP, but they were both released prematurely from a standpoint of manufacturing and game library - The DS has very few games/the psp has more, but there won't be any new titles for a while now.

Theres so many great possibilities that can become real with the current state of hardware and gaming. The only thing that sucks about it is that developers costs and production time can't move quick enough to keep up with our thirst for games. If you are a multiplatform gamer, then you'll be fine. I still have Metroid Prime 2 & MGS3 to get through after I finish RE4. There are plenty of games to play - but for that guy that spent his 'game budget' on a DS in hopes of a great experience - it's going to be a little bit more of a wait before he/she get's the gratification that's due to them.

If MarioKart DS is not online, and I mean in the infratstructure way of being online (it should be Ad Hoc too) - but if Mario Kart DS is not really online, then I'm going to jump the [nintendo fandom] ship altogether.

[Avatard]

Thanks for proving my point =P . I haven't tried Yoshi's yet, but I'm going to. However I hear its just a gimmicky game like Wario and Feel the Magic, which I am not interested in even the least little bit. I want Goldeneye, platformers, Metroids, Zeldas, Castlevanias, not farming, car driving, and blowing on my DS to watch a sailboat move.

[Daria]

Good news then. Zelda Four Swords was announced for a DS release. Wonder if it's a port or a new entry to the series?

And "feel the Magic" is easily hands down the best title the DS has to offer at the moment, it's in no way "gimmicky", it's just fun to play and completely offbeat, but if you aren't going for the whole stylus gameplay, why on earth did you buy the system? Sounds like a PSP would have been more your thing.


Regarding Touch and Go... not to threadjack, but can anyone tell me if there's more to the game then the two levels and the different modes of playing them? One down scrolling, the other side scrolling. My boyfriend just picked up a DS this weekend, and while he loves the game so far it seems like a $30 mini game. Which is well... bit of a rip off. Or is he just compleatly over looking something?

[Jumpman Jr.]

Crack in DS form it is

You talk like the man in my avatar.

[zmweasel]

Regarding Touch and Go... not to threadjack, but can anyone tell me if there's more to the game then the two levels and the different modes of playing them? One down scrolling, the other side scrolling. My boyfriend just picked up a DS this weekend, and while he loves the game so far it seems like a $30 mini game. Which is well... bit of a rip off. Or is he just compleatly over looking something?

Nope, he's not overlooking anything. It's a very shallow game.

-- Z.

[Daria]

Regarding Touch and Go... not to threadjack, but can anyone tell me if there's more to the game then the two levels and the different modes of playing them? One down scrolling, the other side scrolling. My boyfriend just picked up a DS this weekend, and while he loves the game so far it seems like a $30 mini game. Which is well... bit of a rip off. Or is he just compleatly over looking something?

Nope, he's not overlooking anything. It's a very shallow game.

-- Z.

What the fuck? That should have been the system pack in. Not the Metroid demo. Or fuck it both. >.<

[Lady Jaye]

Import Daigasso! Band Brothers. (it's supposed to come out here as Jam with the Band, but who knows when that will be, and the songlist would definitely change anyway).

It's DDR for the fingers, a portable Frequency/Amplitude-style of game. In other words, if Bemani games are your thing, and you have a DS, Daigasso is for you.

Edit: Here are some screenshots of the game:

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/screen0/924899_20041007_screen004.jpg http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/screen0/924899_20041007_screen008.jpg http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/screen0/924899_20041007_screen009.jpg

As you can see, the game's look is anything but kiddie. In fact, Barbara the Bat (the girl mascot of the game) could very well become the Nintendo DS mascot (you know, the whole "targeting an older audience" thing)...

[stevec1636]

I'm sorry to all the nintendo fan boys out there but the amount of games thats out for the DS right now sucks! Mario and Wario touched are the only games worth playing and for $150.00 it's just not worth it.

And as for it's using it to play GBA games, that's what my Gamecube is for.

[Avatard]

I would never buy a system just cause it has a touchpad, that just doesn't make sense. I didn't buy my PDA just cause it had a touch screen, it was for the software and portability. In my opinion the touch screen is a conversion of a joystick from 3D to 2D. I don't want them to treat the system like it centers around some pad. I want it centered around good games using the pad well. That said I've also had a ton of fun with stylus games on Mario64. I've played Feel The Magic and didn't like it, there is no way I"d even spend $5 on it. I work for my money and I only buy games I have fun playing, so I'm a very picky person. Besides, I'm over with puberty, I can do without Feel the Magic or a DDR. As for the PSP, thats right out IMO, I hate Sony's library for the most part.
However, if it only turns out to be a glorified GBA platform I'm ok with that too, I still think it was worth the money for that and the games I have now.

[Zubiac666]

And as for it's using it to play GBA games, that's what my Gamecube is for.

agrees
*puts gamecube plus gameboyplayer plus TV plus generator plus can of diesel in his pocket´and walks away* x_x

@ topiccreator
There's a great thread with all the awesome upcoming DS games somewhere but I couldn't find it...oh well

anyways...
Alone "MarioKart DS" (http://ds.ign.com/objects/682/682877.html) and (especialy) "Castlevania DS" (http://ds.ign.com/objects/695/695639.html)(you should REALLY watch this video (http://media.ds.ign.com/media/695/695639/vids_1.html)!2D goodness in perfection) justify the purchase of a DS.
Don't forget the upcoming Zelda and "Nintendogs"( :D ) too!

Oh
How could I forget "Lost in Blue (http://ds.ign.com/objects/695/695633.html)" (Video (http://media.ds.ign.com/media/695/695633/vids_1.html))

and I hoping too that the PDA software rumor is true.
How is it called? I guess it was "V-Pocket"

[Jive3D]

PDA feature should have been built in from the get go - there's no way that I'm buying a PDA program for my game system.

That's like Nintendo saying that Pictochat is a game.

[Daria]

I don't want them to treat the system like it centers around some pad.

... but it does. Well that and the wireless multiplayer. O.o

[Daft Punk]

Import Daigasso! Band Brothers. (it's supposed to come out here as Jam with the Band, but who knows when that will be, and the songlist would definitely change anyway).

It's DDR for the fingers, a portable Frequency/Amplitude-style of game. In other words, if Bemani games are your thing, and you have a DS, Daigasso is for you.

Edit: Here are some screenshots of the game:

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/screen0/924899_20041007_screen004.jpg http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/screen0/924899_20041007_screen008.jpg http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/screen0/924899_20041007_screen009.jpg

As you can see, the game's look is anything but kiddie. In fact, Barbara the Bat (the girl mascot of the game) could very well become the Nintendo DS (you know, the whole "targeting an older audience" thing)...

This is soooooo mine when it coes out.

I would LOVE to see DDR on the ds .

[joshnickerson]

You could do what I'm doing and just wait. I'm a big Nintendo fan, but I still don't own a DS. I usually don't buy systems at launch anyway; I prefer to wait a year or so for the chance of a price drop and for the library to build up.

I say, if you're not happy with what the DS has to offer, just don't buy one. Wait until the end of the year, when we'll really start seeing some games that really push the DS's features, as well as new system colors. I honestly think that the best games for this system, aren't going to be the platformers or as Avatard put it, "Metroids, Zeldas, Castlevanias and Goldeneyes", but rather games that are specifically designed for use with the unique features. Another Code is a game that's actually captured my attention more than anything else so far, and if Animal Crossing DS is pulled off right with the WIFI connection, it could be even bigger and better than the original.
I think the DS is really an experiemental system... to see what kind of weird things developers will come up with when they've got all these input options at their disposal (microphone, touch screen, buttons), but sadly most are just making GBA "PLUS" games that hardly utilize them. Of course, Nintendo's not innocent from this either... I'd rather have a new Mario game than a port of the 64 title. In fact, for all the effort they put into extra areas and characters and minigames for Mario 64 DS, why didn't they just go ahead and make a brand new game using the engine?

I will agree that Nintendo REALLY should've delayed the DS until perhaps this summer, when more games would be available. But honestly, it's a lose-lose situation no matter what... either launch before the PSP with few games, or launch later with more games, but already overshadowed by the PSP's pretty looks.

[Kilik Kurosawa]

http://media.ds.ign.com/media/682/682877/vid_1067132.html?mu=http%3A%2F%2Fstreamingmovies.i gn.com%2Fds%2Farticle%2F595%2F595106%2Fmariokart_0 31005_01_wmvlow.wmv

may take awhile to load but worth it

[Avatard]

Well I already own one, so waiting doesn't matter. And as for ports I'd be thrilled for the market to be flooded by n64 ports. Its not like it takes much work and they coudl still put out the new games. Look at how they are porting NES to GBA, and you don't see any decrease in the number of GBA games being released.

Now as for the touch screen, I'm loving it, don't get me wrong. In fact I'd love to see some kooky fun games that I like, as in games that meet my tastes(opinion). Mario Paint comes to mind, that would really rock. But the current games just don't do it for me. Plus I think a DDR on DS would be a sign of the apocolypse, who the hell is going to step all over their DS? Because pressing "up" "down" "up" "down" "right" all day to music is not my idea of fun. And buying retro arcade carts? Forget it, I own all the originals already. And the Sims, don't get me started on that one.

I guess I'll just look at a thing in a bag or play more mario mini games untill some good ones come out.

Hmm, maybe a DDR on the DS would be sweet, I'd so play it in public if I could stomp on it over and over and have people staring. LOL

[frodo2968]

Plus I think a DDR on DS would be a sign of the apocolypse, who the hell is going to step all over their DS? Because pressing "up" "down" "up" "down" "right" all day to music is not my idea of fun.

I enjoyed the DDR-type minigame in the GBA version of Donkey Kong Country. It's fun just trying to beat your high score...

So in my opinion, a DDR game on the DS would be cool (not that I own a DS anymore, though :evil:).

[Lady Jaye]

Well, Daigasso Band Brothers is actually quite engrossing. (well, ok, just like in Donkey Konga, I could go without the royalty-free junk songs like "When The Saints are Marching in"..., but the good songs on the card definitely outnumber the not-so-great).

Each song in the game is divided into instruments. So you play it once for the guitar, once for the bass, once for the drum, etc. Each section's difficulty level is indicated by the number of stars (the higher the number, the more difficult it is).

Daigasso also has a very nifty score edit mode, whereas you can create your own song. When you start the game you have access to a basic editor (that captures sound via the mike), and there's a pro version unlockable in "studio recording" (ie. career) mode.

[ClubNinja]

Well, Daigasso Band Brothers is actually quite engrossing. (well, ok, just like in Donkey Konga, I could go without the royalty-free junk songs like "When The Saints are Marching in"..., but the good songs on the card definitely outnumber the not-so-great).

Each song in the game is divided into instruments. So you play it once for the guitar, once for the bass, once for the drum, etc. Each section's difficulty level is indicated by the number of stars (the higher the number, the more difficult it is).

Daigasso also has a very nifty score edit mode, whereas you can create your own song. When you start the game you have access to a basic editor (that captures sound via the mike), and there's a pro version unlockable in "studio recording" (ie. career) mode.

How ignorant-English-speaking-gamer friendly is this one? Looks very appealing.

[Lady Jaye]

Well, there is plenty of Japanese katakana in the game, but I've heard that it's mostly the Edit mode that's most difficult to navigate. The rest, you can figure out where to go by pressing here and there. For instance, pretty soon you know that, when pressing Start on Practice mode, that the top option is "Resume", the second one is "Restart song" and the third one is "Return to song menu".

The image below is the main menu for solo play. In practice mode (that's the one on the image below that says "1 hour, 1,000 yens on the left), you have three buttons accessible on the touch screen. The left-hand button is autoplay (the game plays the song with the notes to show you. You can play along). The top-right button is Play selection (you play for a score of up to 100. You unlock harder difficulty via the recording studio mode). The lower-right button is return to song menu.

Anyway, I have no knowledge of Japanese whatsoever, and I'm still really enjoying it. However, I admit that, once Jam with the Band is released, I'll probably like it even more since I'll know exactly what is what in the game (that supposes that the game will be identical, save for the localization the song selection).

[Jasoco]

I bought a DS at launch day, and while I knew all the good games wouldn't be out until the end of the next year, I still feem bad ofr all the kids whose parents bought them one for Christmas only to find out the games would be few and far between for a while. Not too many goodies IMHO. I have 3 games so far for it, and only one is actually worth the $30. I have a PSP and the three games I bought were $40 each and have far more fun factor. (Well, not really as fun as Mario 64. Ape Escape is no Mario 64. What the PSP needs is a Crash Trilogy, Spyro Trilogy or a new Jak game.)

Nintendo, I love my DS, but lately I've been sleeping with the enemy because you don't seem to care as much as Sony does. Sony came into the handheld market arms flailing with all weapons ready. There were like 20 games available days BEFORE the system. And a good chunk was top teir. Especially Lumines and Ridge Racer. And more are coming out every month in droves. (Tomorrow if I'm lucky, Mercury.) What happened to you, Nintendo? (In case you didn't gather, my dream of collecting all DS games went out the window the second I bought the PSP.)

[suppafly]

I sold my Ds with 3 games. I saved a little more money and now im looking for a PSP...

[Sebastian]

Now, all this power and so far every other game has been lame.

Well for me it is like this:

1. If I buy a DS, I would buy it for the interesting gameplay that the touch screen offers
2. If I were to buy a PSP, I would buy it because it offeres more advanced graphics for a handheld

In other words I would buy the DS for the touch screen options, and NOT for the graphisc improvement over the SP

and sadly so far not many games use the touch screen option to its full potential. actually in many DS games the aproach to the touch screen is "we didn't really know what to do with the seconds touch screen so we decided do this [insert lame and usless option here]"

Naturally not saying that all DS games are like that. But this shoulc truly be a system of new games (hell maybe even new genres) designed for the use of the touch screen.

And giving me stuff like a Map or a menu on the second screen just makes me go " x_x "

anyone agrees?

[dbiersdorf]

Thanks for proving my point =P . I haven't tried Yoshi's yet, but I'm going to. However I hear its just a gimmicky game like Wario and Feel the Magic, which I am not interested in even the least little bit. I want Goldeneye, platformers, Metroids, Zeldas, Castlevanias, not farming, car driving, and blowing on my DS to watch a sailboat move.

Let me ask you something, when has Nintendo ever been out of the gate with those games? They take time for christ sake. Guess what, the DS has been on the market for a measly 6 months. Now I realize your antsy to get your piece of hardware rolling, but it's called patience. You fail to understand that it takes time for systems to get games worth noticing, aside from maybe one or two (in this case Super Mario 64 DS).

Remember the GameCube? We had Smash Bros., that's about it up until Super Mario Sunshine the following August. Remember the Nintendo 64? We had just about Super Mario 64 to hold us off for a year until we had anything really worth paying attention to. PS2? Same problem. Xbox? Yup. The Nintendo DS is doing just like almost every system has done when it's launched, and before you know it you'll be palying Meteos, Kirby, and much, much more by summer time.

Patience is a vritue, ever heard that saying? Use it.

[Lady Jaye]

One DS game that's about to be released (this month, according to Nintendo Power), is Need for Speed Underground 2 DS. I don't know whether it's a good game or not, but at least it's not just another collection of mini-games.

[Jasoco]

Yeah, instead it's just another crappy overpriced EA title. bah.

[suppafly]

Yeah, instead it's just another crappy overpriced EA title. bah.

And it doesnt take advantage of the DS´s touchscreen. And when it comes to graphics, anyone will agree the PSP will have a version with better graphics.

I´d love to see a Zelda on DS...now THAT would be cool

[Avatard]

Actually I think using the touch screen as a map in Castlevania is going to be the best thing since, well, since SSBM. LOL So I won't complain if it doesn't take advantage of a touch screen.

[boatofcar]

Remember the GameCube? We had Smash Bros., that's about it up until Super Mario Sunshine the following August. Remember the Nintendo 64? We had just about Super Mario 64 to hold us off for a year until we had anything really worth paying attention to. PS2? Same problem. Xbox? Yup. The Nintendo DS is doing just like almost every system has done when it's launched, and before you know it you'll be palying Meteos, Kirby, and much, much more by summer time.



Or you can sell your DS and get a PSP, wait for the DS price to drop to $100, pick it up again and this time have some games to play with it. I promised myself I wouldn't fight the next gen portables war, but the PSP has just about won me over.

[cue picture of 3 PSPs and one DS]

[le geek]

I bought a DS too early. Oh well! Part of me wants to sell it and part of me wants to wait it out. At least my girlfriend can play the urbs while I play Neo Geo!

Cheers,
Ben

[Lady Jaye]

Actually I think using the touch screen as a map in Castlevania is going to be the best thing since, well, since SSBM. LOL So I won't complain if it doesn't take advantage of a touch screen.

Actually, there were screenshots of Castlevania DS in the latest Nintendo Power, and the actual game screen will be the touch screen, while the top screen contains the map/item menu.

BTW, the charadesign of Castlevania DS, even though it's a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow (it's set one year after the end of AoS), replaces the usual androgenous look by an anime-style design. It doesn't really affect the gameplay look, although it's supposed to be lighter-looking than the GBA Castlevania (fear not, it doesn't look all that cartoony at all, from what I've seen).

[Zubiac666]

just wanted to add some new screens from some upcoming games.

Goldeneye Rouge Agent DS : INFO (http://www.cube-europe.com/news.php?nid=7598) and SCREENS (http://www.cube-europe.com/screenshot.php?gid=goldends&nr=1)(you have to admit that they look great for DS'ses 3D capilities)

Shogun Warrior :The lost Army: INFO (http://www.cube-europe.com/news.php?nid=7594) and SCREENS (http://www.cube-europe.com/screenshot.php?gid=shogunwds&nr=1)
wow!just wow! it makes perfect use of the DS touchscreen and it looks graphicly impressing too

Jissen Pachislo Hisshohou! Fist of the North Star
Now that's weird!Packinko meets fighter(?). :hmm:
http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/589/589897/fist-of-the-north-star-20050222051724266.jpg

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
This IS the US version of the jap. lawyer-game "Gyakuten Saiban"
Screens from the US build:
http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/600/600891/phoenix-wright-ace-attorney-20050401033814741.jpg
http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/600/600891/phoenix-wright-ace-attorney-20050401033812991.jpg

:)

[Sylentwulf]

Just my 5 cents.

I got a DS for my birthday, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten either, handhelds aren't my thing.

Feel the magic is great and probly worth the $30. Wario Ware is a complete and utter disaster waste compared to the first one.

My complaint about the DS? Yes, it has a touch screen, that doesn't mean every game HAS TO USE IT. I haven't played ANYTHING with the control pad or buttones yet, which is just stupid. Use the touch screen as an ADDED FEATURE, not the main way to control everything.

Reason not to get the PSP? Price, not only the ridiculous console price, but the unbelievable $40 per game price. Honestly, I am pretty well off right now, and I can't even fathom spending the money some (of you) people spent on this thing, that's just nuts :) Of course, I get flamed to hell for spending money on a cable modem, and monthly payment MMORPGS, but $310 on a handheld with one game is kosher eh?

[Lady Jaye]

Mario 64 DS is mainly controlled with either the pad/buttons (actually, I only use the stylus in M64DS for the mini-games, not the main game).

Daigasso/Jam with the Band uses mostly the d-pad and buttons (you do sometimes have to hit the shoulder buttons or the touch screen, but not as often). In fact, the touch screen is mostly used for menu navigation, not so much for gameplay control.

[zmweasel]

My complaint about the DS? Yes, it has a touch screen, that doesn't mean every game HAS TO USE IT. I haven't played ANYTHING with the control pad or buttones yet, which is just stupid. Use the touch screen as an ADDED FEATURE, not the main way to control everything.

But every DS game *does* have to use it--else, why have it in the first place? Nintendo has to justify that touch-screen's existence.

The silliest-looking parts of Castlevania DS are the touch-screen aspects in which you rub away blocks or draw "seals" to defeat bosses, but without those aspects, it'd be a GBA title (and was, before Konami decided to release it on the DS instead).

-- Z.

[Sylentwulf]

But every DS game *does* have to use it--else, why have it in the first place? Nintendo has to justify that touch-screen's existence.



If you're serious, that's like saying every PS2 game needs to use the R3 and L3 button, else why have it? Hell, most games don't even use the right analog stick at all, and it still serves it's purpose fine.

[ClubNinja]

But every DS game *does* have to use it--else, why have it in the first place? Nintendo has to justify that touch-screen's existence.



If you're serious, that's like saying every PS2 game needs to use the R3 and L3 button, else why have it? Hell, most games don't even use the right analog stick at all, and it still serves it's purpose fine.

I agree. Instead of worrying about the touch screen, I'd rather developers concern themselves with the dual screen aspect of the device. Loads and loads of fine games could take advantage of that, yet never use the touch screen. I see the "touch" aspect as a feature, not a necessity. Just like R3 and L3. And the right analog stick on the XBox controller, which I've personally never used. It's just another control option. (I don't think they should be marketing based on the touch screen, either. Just to cover my bases there.)

[zmweasel]

But every DS game *does* have to use it--else, why have it in the first place? Nintendo has to justify that touch-screen's existence.



If you're serious, that's like saying every PS2 game needs to use the R3 and L3 button, else why have it? Hell, most games don't even use the right analog stick at all, and it still serves it's purpose fine.

The L3 and R3 buttons aren't the Dual Shock 2's primary controls, nor are they used as a hardware selling point, nor are they touted as a "revolutionary" way to control games. The DS is built around its dual screens and touch-screen; the Dual Shock 2 isn't built around the L3 and R3 buttons.

A fairer comparison would be to the DS's built-in microphone. Like the L3 and R3 buttons, it's a secondary control option, not a central aspect of the hardware.

Again, if DS games don't use the second/touch-screen, there's no point in having that second screen to begin with. If you're going to develop a game that doesn't use the touch-screen, you might as well develop it for the PSP, which has superior hardware and superior controls for conventional (analog/D-pad) games.

-- Z.

[boatofcar]

If you're serious, that's like saying every PS2 game needs to use the R3 and L3 button, else why have it? Hell, most games don't even use the right analog stick at all, and it still serves it's purpose fine.

The L3 and R3 buttons aren't the Dual Shock 2's primary controls, nor are they used as a hardware selling point, nor are they touted as a "revolutionary" way to control games. The DS is built around its dual screens and touch-screen; the Dual Shock 2 isn't built around the L3 and R3 buttons.

A fairer comparison would be to the DS's built-in microphone. Like the L3 and R3 buttons, it's a secondary control option, not a central aspect of the hardware.

Again, if DS games don't use the second/touch-screen, there's no point in having that second screen to begin with. If you're going to develop a game that doesn't use the touch-screen, you might as well develop it for the PSP, which has superior hardware and superior controls for conventional (analog/D-pad) games.

-- Z.

I completely agree. The whole ad campaign around the DS was built around the touch screen--can you imagine a Sony ad campaign around R3 and L3? ROFL

[Sylentwulf]

Wow, I really didn't think you were serious heh. I never interpreted the touch screen as being anything more than a nifty feature/gimmick.

[Daria]

Wow, I really didn't think you were serious heh. I never interpreted the touch screen as being anything more than a nifty feature/gimmick.

It's only a gimmick if the games aren't developed to use it properly. Like the GBA to GC connection was a "gimmick" until Four Swords tooks proper advatage of it.

[Avatard]

Back on my frist post when I said "Sony fanboys need not post" you were the one I was talking about zmweasle. LOL You're a little too biased for me.

Superior hardware means squat, its all about the games. Nintendo has the games I like, Sony does not. However I think Nintendo is making HUGE mistakes as you do, the DS shoulda been an IP device, Sony made the PSP an IP device, kudos to them. Nintendo really needs to get down off of its high horse and make what we want.

However what you said about Castlevania does sound pretty lame, do you really have to draw seals to defeat bosses? I personally view the touchscreen as nothing more than a 2D joystick as noted before, thats how I play my games. I wish Nintendo wouldn't focus so hard on the touch screen gimmick. If it were dual screen with no touch screen I still would have bought it, so they don't have to justify it to me. However I am not sorry I bought the DS at all, I'm loving it, but Nintendo is capable of much better. We'll have to see where they take it.

[Lady Jaye]

One thing I can ask of Namco: since the DS has two screens, would it be possible to release a no-gimmick, budget-priced port of Namco museum using the dual screens to keep the games in their original ratio? Imagine playing Pac-Man at a decent image size with no scrolling... (the extra remaining space on the card could be used to make it a true North American museum instead of the Japan-centric museum of the PS collection. Or just include more games (ie. most Pac-Man games, plus Galaga, Galaxian, Pole Position 1 and 2, etc.).

[Jasoco]

That's what the PSP is for. I don't think I could stand the bar down the middle. Frankly, if the screen were all one vertical screen, I'd kill for a good game of Tetris played at the aspect ratio it was meant to be played in.

[zmweasel]

One thing I can ask of Namco: since the DS has two screens, would it be possible to release a no-gimmick, budget-priced port of Namco museum using the dual screens to keep the games in their original ratio? Imagine playing Pac-Man at a decent image size with no scrolling... (the extra remaining space on the card could be used to make it a true North American museum instead of the Japan-centric museum of the PS collection. Or just include more games (ie. most Pac-Man games, plus Galaga, Galaxian, Pole Position 1 and 2, etc.).

You've seen screens of PSP Namco Museum, right? It has a cocktail mode in which you rotate the PSP for vertical play. No aspect-ratio tweaking required. (The PSP has enough vertical resolution--272 pixels--so that aspect-tweaking is very mild without using the cocktail display.)

-- Z.

[AlexKidd]

I don't have a ds yet though i've played it and I think it's a nice system. I havn't got one yet because Mario and Mr. Driller are the only games out that interest me. However I plan on buying one in August when Metroid and Castlevania are coming out(i would buy just about anything if there's a castlevania for it) For now i'm very satisfied with my psp and gba.

[Lady Jaye]

One thing I can ask of Namco: since the DS has two screens, would it be possible to release a no-gimmick, budget-priced port of Namco museum using the dual screens to keep the games in their original ratio? Imagine playing Pac-Man at a decent image size with no scrolling... (the extra remaining space on the card could be used to make it a true North American museum instead of the Japan-centric museum of the PS collection. Or just include more games (ie. most Pac-Man games, plus Galaga, Galaxian, Pole Position 1 and 2, etc.).

You've seen screens of PSP Namco Museum, right? It has a cocktail mode in which you rotate the PSP for vertical play. No aspect-ratio tweaking required. (The PSP has enough vertical resolution--272 pixels--so that aspect-tweaking is very mild without using the cocktail display.)

-- Z.

Oh. Thanks for the info, Zach. I didn't know that Namco Museum was actually coming out for the PSP with a vertical switch. :D One day...

[Jasoco]

Check out some of the videos of Namco Museum PSP in action, it kicks ass. Why can't it come to the US sooner? If at all.

They're on GameSpot.

[Avatard]

Yea, scrolling pac-man is the crime of the century, or last century, whatever. Like that horrific sega genisis 2p pacman game. ARGH.

Pac-man Vs. however is good enough to warrant buying an older GBA and connector cord just for that. I don't even own a GCN and yet I own Pac-man Vs. and a connector cable.

[Jive3D]

Pac-man Vs. however is good enough to warrant buying an older GBA and connector cord just for that. I don't even own a GCN and yet I own Pac-man Vs. and a connector cable.

I agree, Pac-Man vs is one of the coolest games ever. I have a sweet spot for Pac since it's the first game I ever played, and being able to play with 3 other people was a dream. It's too bad that the game didn't have just a little bit more depth though (adjustable highscore goals, etc) rather than having to conform to the pre-set goals.


One thing I can ask of Namco: since the DS has two screens, would it be possible to release a no-gimmick, budget-priced port of Namco museum using the dual screens to keep the games in their original ratio? Imagine playing Pac-Man at a decent image size with no scrolling....

YEAH! And they could make a Pac-Man museum that contained a DS version of the Baby Pacman arcade game (the lower screen would be a digital version of the pinball portion of the machine, while the top would be the maze screen). Would be a very cool addition to a 'Pac-Man Museum' but would not warrant a $30+ purchase on its own.

Ooh and while I'm at it, wouldn't the PSP be perfect for Pac-Man Jr. with it's wide screen?!

[Captain Wrong]

Ooh. The thought of Baby Pac on the DS is interesting, but the screen sizes are still wrong. Granted, it's been 20+ years since I played it, but I'm pretty sure you couldn't do it without scrolling or seriously shrunken playfield.

[Lady Jaye]

You're right, the screen ratio isn't quite right for Baby Pac. I played 3 years ago at PhillyClassic 3, so that's how I know. :)