Nintendo oddly silent on Pokemon DS online
by Justin Murray 
{ Dec 22nd 2006 at 9:40AM }
With the new era of Pokemon coming out to savage the time of millions of DS owners worldwide, there is one feature we're not hearing much about. That feature? Online play via the DS WiFi feature.
With the Wii version of Pokemon getting a serious amount of attention about online play, the lack of DS information is puzzling. Many think that Pearl/Diamond will be completely without online compatibility. However, Nintendo quashed that rumor, saying the online play is there; they prefer the fan base to create their own buzz.
Being mum on the next big Pokemon's key feature isn't quite surprising. Nintendo has never had a problem moving handheld Pokemon titles. Nintendo is most likely choosing to focus their efforts on promoting the console version of the franchise, which will have an additional benefit of moving more Wii consoles in the process. Don't worry, Pokemon fans, you'll be throwing down with people around the nation in Pearl/Diamond.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
White Rose Duelist @ Dec 22nd 2006 10:02AM
Nintendo hasn't announced much other than a release date for the US. However, the game is already out and online in Japan. I'd imagine it will work exactly the same way.
Since there are Pokémon with alternate-language Pokémon entries, I am hoping all versions of the game are fully compatible this time. Prior titles could be played in any region's version of the appropriate handheld, but you could only trade or battle between carts in the same language.
FSK405K @ Dec 22nd 2006 12:04PM
Ya, just what I want to be doing online with my Wii, collecting Nintendo-themed Beanie Babies. Why couldn't COD3 be the first online? Or Wii Sports?
Dave @ Dec 22nd 2006 10:52AM
Anyone know of a UK relise date
calthaer @ Dec 22nd 2006 11:02AM
I just hope those stupid promo Pokemon are easier to get this time around. If the game's online this time, then they should be able to dole out the goodies online, too.
Dark-Pen @ Dec 22nd 2006 11:27AM
...i just think that its neat you can talk through wifi on it D:
White Rose Duelist @ Dec 22nd 2006 12:40PM
calthaer - Looks like Nintendo still hates the US. There was a mission in Ranger that would unlock Manaphy, but it isn't available in the US version without a cheat device.
On the other hand, the advance generation finally got Mew and Celebi at events, so maybe they will do more tours to promote the DS games. Also, if you can trade any Pokémon cross language (rather than just the ones with specific alternate entries), they might be obtainable by making a Japanese friend.
/has the ugly blue T-shirt from the last tournament
Donald @ Dec 22nd 2006 1:07PM
Apparently, there's a code that you can enter into Ranger that will unlock the Manaphy (Manafi?) event. It's to be released next month.
BPM? @ Dec 22nd 2006 3:03PM
White Rose Duelist, the Advance Generation games CAN battle and trade with each other, regardless of language.
... With one exception. The games that used the Wireless Adapter (FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald) could only be in the same Union Room with other games in the same language. Wireless battles and trading (through the Direct Connect room) still worked, though.
And I know this for a fact, too. Before FireRed and LeafGreen were available in English, I met with the webmaster of the now-defunct Pokémon Forever, Meowth346, and I got some Kanto Pokémon from his Japanese FireRed transferred into my English Sapphire.
Here's a screenshot of it:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/BPMdotEXE/Screenshots/Games/KantoPokemon.jpg
Note that two of them have Japanese names, and two of them have them in a wider, fixed-width font (which the Japanese version uses for Roman letters). The other two came from his English Ruby (which came from Eggs from his Japanese FireRed).
yacjuman @ Dec 22nd 2006 3:37PM
lots of the Online Functions have been posted on various news sites from Translations from Japanses magazines, or imppressions from the Japanese Versions. They sound rather good ala Inspired trading system / online battles
Firemouse @ Dec 22nd 2006 3:48PM
I would be astounded if they removed such a core feature from the Japanese version when performing the localization. It doesn't make any sense. Slow news day?