nintendo-dsi posts(Subscribe to this feed)

Nintendo gives thanks for plenty of holiday week hardware sales

by JC Fletcher { Nov 30th 2009 at 10:00PM }

Nintendo announced that over 1.5 million of its various game systems were sold last week. Not last month, last week. Thanks to Black Friday and two new DSi bundles, Nintendo could afford all the trimmings for a resplendent company Thanksgiving. Not that we know whether or not Nintendo had one of those. The point is, Nintendo sold a bunch of stuff and made a lot of money.

According to Nintendo's estimates, more than 550,000 Wii systems were sold last week, and over 1 million DS and DSi systems. The release of two new DSi bundles (along with a few crazy prices) could have had something to do with that last statistic. By selling that many handhelds, Nintendo broke its own sales record for the holiday weekend! Though the company didn't manage to beat last year's 800,000 Wiis sold, which means that, despite still selling a huge number of Wiis, and despite all those DS sales, Nintendo is completely doomed, right?

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Jon Heder shows off Flipnote Studio

by David Hinkle { Nov 30th 2009 at 4:45PM }

Apparently, Jon Heder has been spending his downtime with Nintendo's Flipnote Studio. The video above shows the actor knows how to do a thing or two with Nintendo's software, though you'll find his doodlings are severely lacking in Ligers. Still, it's a neat video for some very neat -- and very free -- software for your DSi.

Head past the break for the full list of this week's Nintendo Channel content.

Continued →

NintendoWare Weekly: Tales of Monkey Island, Bookworm, The Combatribes

by David Hinkle { Nov 30th 2009 at 12:00PM }

If you thought last week's NintendoWare Weekly update was huge, well ... you'll probably think the same thing about this week's update! That's mostly because Nintendo provides quite the overweight offering this time, with a total of ten new titles available for your post-Thanksgiving download. Loosen that belt and make some room for more by heading past the break for the full list of this week's releases.

Continued →

Iwata: DSi XL is a spectator system

by JC Fletcher { Oct 30th 2009 at 5:58PM }

The DSi LL (or XL) isn't just for the poorly sighted or hugely handed. In his financial results briefing, Satoru Iwata revealed another purpose for the jumbo system: playing with crowds. "Nintendo DSi LL features not only bigger monitor screens," Iwata said, "but an improved view angle on the screens to make it the first portable system that can be enjoyed with people surrounding the gamer."

He envisions the DSi XL as allowing for a "new play style where those who are surrounding the game player can also join in one way or the other to the game play." Tomodachi Collection, one of the best-selling DS games of the quarter in Japan, is named specifically as a game that already benefits from having friends nearby. "Because communications and interactions with other family members and your friends are one of the key elements of the game, the fun aspect is intensified when other people can watch how you play in comparison with when you are playing by yourself."

As a bonus, your friends can help you hold the system up.

DSi XL FAQ: Sized up

by JC Fletcher { Oct 30th 2009 at 9:22AM }

Early yesterday, Nintendo of Japan announced the DSi XL (DSi LL in Japan), a larger, larger-screened version of the DSi. It's a big system, and kind of a big mystery, given that the only advance notice we had of the thing was a Nikkei blurb two days prior. While we can't answer the big questions, like how long this idea has been in the works, and whether a bigger handheld is a good idea as an alternative to the DS's continual miniaturization, we can round up what we know and can reasonably speculate about the DSi XL -- right after the jump.

Gallery: DSi XL

Continued →

DSi LL coming to Europe in Q1 2010 as 'DSi XL'

by JC Fletcher { Oct 29th 2009 at 10:05AM }

Nintendo may have announced Japanese plans for the new DSi LL first, but it's not taking long for news about other regions to come out. Nintendo of Europe confirmed to Videogamer that the giant handheld will be released in that region as the DSi XL, in the already-packed Q1 time frame. "The retail price of the Nintendo DSi XL is expected to be higher than that of the Nintendo DSi," the statement reads. "Further details will be released soon."

The Japanese DSi LL will be available in Wine Red, Dark Brown (above), and Natural White, and will come preloaded with Easy Meikyo Kokugo Dictionary, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters and Brain Age Express: Math. There is no word yet about the color variation or preloaded software selection for the European version.

Nintendo of Japan: Nikkei reveal of new DSi is 'speculation'

by JC Fletcher { Oct 27th 2009 at 2:30PM }

As expected, Nintendo didn't openly announce the new, larger-screened DSi in response to a Nikkei article mentioning it. In a statement to Famitsu (as translated by Siliconera), Nintendo said, "Our company is not doing any interviews. We believe this article is speculation." Of course, that is merely a comment on how Nikkei arrived at that information, and not a denial of the information.

It's familiar, as well. Nintendo of America said almost exactly the same thing about Nikkei's early reveal of the DSi, so we wouldn't dismiss the possibility of a DSi upgrade yet. We're checking in with Nintendo of America to find out more.

[Via Siliconera]

Majesco publishing DSi augmented reality game 'Ghostwire' in late 2010

by JC Fletcher { Oct 27th 2009 at 1:30PM }

Ghostwire, A Different Game's DSi-only title that uses the camera to fill players' real surroundings with virtual ghosts, looked quite promising when it was unveiled. The only problem: without a publisher, it was nothing but an apparition of a game. Today, Majesco announced that it is publishing the augmented reality title (which was originally intended for Nokia phones) with a projected late 2010 release date, under the title Ghostwire: Link to the Paranormal.

Using the mic and camera on the DSi, as well as in-game tools like the "EMF tuner," players search around them for hidden ghosts, and then attempt to give them peace by solving puzzles. Some ghosts will require items before they appear and interact with you, and some will apparently be malevolent and less receptive to your efforts. At which point, we assume, you have to solve their problems despite their lack of help, instead of just leaving them to go about their ghostly business.

Report: Nintendo updating DSi with bigger screens this year

by JC Fletcher { Oct 26th 2009 at 6:41PM }

The Japanese Nikkei newspaper is reporting that, later this year, Nintendo will introduce a new version of the DSi that replaces the system's 3.25" screens with luxurious 4" screens. The new system will replace the current DSi and will retain the ¥18,900 ($205.50) price tag. According to GameLife's summary of the article, the screen size has been increased with older gamers in mind. The Nikkei article states that it'll be out in Japan sometime this year, but that plans for other countries have yet to be made.

We're inclined to believe Nikkei when it makes predictions like these. It's previously made shocking claims like the announcement of a DS system with a camera and music playback functions, and a Nintendo/Dentsu video service.

Update: Nikkei has now put the article online.

[Via NeoGAF]

Japanese Nintendo downloads: Fire Emblem Premake and Uno

by JC Fletcher { Oct 20th 2009 at 10:00AM }

Just like last week, the original version of a game remade on DS has been released on Virtual Console in Japan: last week it was Kirby Super Star, and this week it's Fire Emblem. We're guessing this is a coincidence, otherwise it's a really weird initiative. Also like last week, Namco Bandai releases a pair of arcade games in the same series, this time the more recognizable Dig Dug. And WiiWare returns! ... With Uno.

On DS, there's another chunk of The Tower DS, more Japanese city maps, and some English training.

Fire Emblem: Dragon of Darkness and Sword of Light (Famicom, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)
Dig Dug (Arcade, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Dig Dug II (Arcade, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Uno (WiiWare, 1-6 players, 800 Wii Points)
The Tower DS: Challenge in front of the suburban train station! Gigantic Shopping Center (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points)
Pocket Rurubu: Kamakura and Pocket Rurubu: Osaka (DSiWare, 1 player, 800 DSi Points each)
High School English Foundation 400 Word Master (DSiWare, 1 player, 800 DSi Points)

European Nintendo downloads: Surprises abound

by JC Fletcher { Oct 16th 2009 at 3:01PM }

We'd never heard of most of the games in this week's European Wii/DSi Shop update. While that could point to shovelware, we prefer to think of it as surprises. Until we find out for sure that it's all shovelware, at least.

Heron: Steam Machine is a really promising-sounding name for a game that turns out to be a pretty familiar puzzle trope, but with rubber ducks added. Not herons. Little Tournament Over Yonder is a cutesy strategy game. and Viking Invasion on DSiWare is tower defense. Wakugumi is an interesting puzzle game in which you move black and white squares around to create unbroken loops, capturing the opposite-color squares inside. And Super Return of the Jedi is a backgammon game. Or a side-scrolling action game based on the movie. One of those.

Heron: Steam Machine (WiiWare, 1-4 players, 500 Wii Points)
Little Tournament Over Yonder (WiiWare, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Super Return of the Jedi (SNES, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
Viking Invasion (DSiWare, 1 player, 800 DSi Points)
Wakugumi - Monochrome Puzzle (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points)

USK: Digital Leisure daring to put Dragon's Lair on DSiWare

by JC Fletcher { Oct 13th 2009 at 5:00PM }

If you like FMV games, the iPhone port of Space Ace is something of a revelation. It's the full laserdisc game, in much better visual quality than most ports, on a handheld platform for five bucks. If you don't, it's just another FMV game, and everyone knows those aren't real games anyway.

A German USK rating suggests that Digital Leisure is planning to port its predecessor, Dragon's Lair, to DSiWare. While we have no doubt that the DS hardware can run the game -- in fact, a Dragon's Lair conversion has been in progress for years by United Coders, and we wouldn't be surprised if that's what this is -- the file size is an issue. Space Ace on iPhone takes up 243MB, which is much larger than any DSiWare game. We hope Digital Leisure comes up with a solution for this issue other than porting the NES Dragon's Lair.

[Via GoNintendo]

Japanese Nintendo downloads: Kirby and Kissy

by JC Fletcher { Oct 13th 2009 at 11:30AM }

Despite the continued absence of WiiWare, there's plenty of stuff to download this week if you have a Japanese Wii or DSi. After giving the DS version most of the year to sell, Nintendo has released the original SNES version of Kirby Super Star to the Virtual Console. It's joined by a Namco shooter, Baraduke, and its sequel, in the rare case of an entire series being released to the Virtual Console at once. Baraduke stars Kissy, who, in Namco's weirdly cross-game universe, would go on to marry Dig Dug's Taizo Hori and give birth to Susumu Hori, Mr. Driller.

DSiWare has an especially full lineup this week, with two new cheapo G.G. Series games, one of which is some kind of ninja platformer, and the other a brawler. There's also 200-point tower defense and math training! For a little more cash, there's another Jinguuji Saburo/Jake Hunter mystery, as Arc System Works takes the Telltale path to releasing adventure games.

Kirby Super Star (Super Famicom, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Baraduke (Arcade, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Bakutotsu Kijuutei: Baraduke II (Arcade, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Amakuchi! Dairou Castle (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
Calculation 100 Barrage (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
G.G. Series Ninja Karakuri Den (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
G.G. Series Super Hero Ouga (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
Tantei Saburo Jinguuji: Drastic Move & Mysterious Case (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points)

Reggie Fils-Aime on PSP Go: 'What's the benefit?'

by JC Fletcher { Oct 12th 2009 at 11:30AM }

In an interview with The Washington Post's Mike Musgrove, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime handily dismissed the DS's competition, suggesting either that he doesn't feel threatened at all, or he feels really threatened (and the history of DS sales makes us more likely to believe the former interpretation).

He said that the newly launched, download-only PSP Go has a "fundamental concept problem in terms of 'Who's it for?' and 'What's the benefit?'" He added that he has the "utmost respect for all our competitors, but it's interesting to try and answer the consumer question of 'What's in it for me?' in that product."

As for the other major competition in the handheld space? When discussing the DS's advantages over the iPhone/iPod Touch platform, Fils-Aime made the surprising move of referring to a third-party game, namely Scribblenauts. "That's a fabulous experience that can only be brought to life on the DS." Honestly, it probably could be done on iPhone, but it hasn't and probably won't, which is just as good for Nintendo.

Nintendo sells 2.2 million DSis, says Walmart is biggest customer

by David Hinkle { Oct 6th 2009 at 12:15PM }

During a recent interview with CNBC, Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime addressed the Wii's recent price drop (surprise: it's seen positive results) and the company's strategy for the upcoming holiday season. The manufacturer is counting on a strong showing for its DSi handheld, with Reggie revealing that 2.2 million units have now been sold, presumably in North America alone.

Of course, Nintendo couldn't have possibly sold that many handhelds without the help of retailers and according to Reggie, Walmart has been the biggest customer. We're not surprised -- Walmart is supernatural, after all.

Continued →