New Sim City DS screens

by Alisha Karabinus { Sep 21st 2006 at 2:45PM }

Some new Sim City DS screens have surfaced, and if we weren't dying for this game before, we're certainly in danger of perishing now. The DS just seems like such an incredible medium for this title, and the screens have a familiar, almost nostalgic feel that brings to mind the old SNES game Utopia, particularly in the shot to the right.

Our (Google) translation isn't perfect, but it looks like this build of the game is not a port, but was designed specifically for the DS, so we can tentatively expect some really fantastic functionality. Further, there are changes to the game made specifically for the Japanese version. Once we get more detail on what those are, we'll let you know -- and that makes us very curious if English-language versions will feature similar additions.

Check after the jump for a few more screens.

[Thanks, creamsugar!]

Tags: city, DS, EA, Electronic Arts, ElectronicArts, Nintendo, sim, Sim City, SimCity, simulation

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

THE_UNPOET @ Sep 21st 2006 3:04PM

"The DS just seems like such an incredible medium for this title, and the screens have a familiar, almost nostalgic feel"

Unless you've been playing Sim City on a PDA or Zodiac. Then it's just lower resolution with a smaller available touchscreen area. Be careful saying this isn't a port until you check the PDA/Palm/PPC versions.

chris w @ Sep 21st 2006 3:46PM

oh god, utopia was my fav. sim game for the SNES. the music, the gameplay, the aliens! w00t! I know what I'kk be playing on my emulator tonight!

beeper @ Sep 21st 2006 4:08PM

wow..this looks great, i remember how much i loved sim city games on my pc, and i cant wait to spend half my day on my ds with this...hurry up and finish it!

DSFANTAZY @ Sep 21st 2006 5:45PM

We need a Sims Ant remake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eyedunno @ Sep 21st 2006 8:58PM

I was bored at work, so I attempted my own translation of the article. Not 100% perfect, but probably better than a machine translation:

"Sim City DS" Release

Electronic Arts has announced "Sim City DS (tentative title)," the latest release in its "Sim City" series of city development simulation games. A winter release is currently planned.

"Sim City DS" will be based on the 2000 PC release "Sim City 3000." However, since this game will be produced by a Japanese company, it will not be a simple localization, but will be targeted at Japan and will incorporate added elements that take advantage of DS-exclusive features. In other words, it will be a complete remake,

The game itself will be controlled with the stylus, with the top screen serving as a scenery panel and the bottom screen as a control panel. It will also employ a character who will give advice necessary to developing one's city, correspondence containing complaints and demands from residents, the ability to sign documents with the stylus, and other features that will make the player feel more like a mayor than ever before in the series.

The game will feature several modes in order for players to get the most out of working on their cities. In the main mode, the player will become the city mayor, developing the city from the ground up. In the problem-solving mode, players will take measures against disasters and work to improve the environment in cities that use Japan as a motif. There will also be a mode that uses the DS's wireless features.

In addition, the release's graphics updates will aim for a feeling of being in Japan. The various elements that make up most architectural features will be modified, and such things as residences and farmhouses with tile roofs, post offices and train stations, and grass ballparks will adopt characteristics peculiar to Japanese buildings and institutions. Also, famous Japanese castles will make a reappearance in this game as symbolic landmarks. The inclusion of other surprising landmarks is planned as well.

In a press release, producer Takao Murakami is quoted as saying: "In 'Sim City DS (tentative),' players will be able to take a huge city in the palms of their hands, and will have the closest feeling to being an actual mayor they've experienced yet in the series. We hope to bring players their own little box garden that they can have fun working on.