Today's newest input device video: Slide Adventure

by Zack Stern { Jul 25th 2007 at 12:30AM }

The nearly released (in Japan) DS game, Slide Adventure: Mag Kid must be seen in video to be appreciated. The DS mounts inside a baby-walker-style cradle and rolls around on a table, dictating in-game action. It basically turns the DS into a mouse. It's hard to tell if the game will be fun, but as always, we tip our hat to games that try new things.

See the Japanese commercial after the break.

Tags: accessories, accessory, controller, DS, HottestVideo, input, inputdevice, Japan, NDS, Nintendo, peripheral, slideadventure

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jess @ Jul 25th 2007 12:46AM

That looks damn cool. I would buy it if I had a DS. What about running out of table space though? It wouldn't go nuts if you picked it up, right?

Lijik @ Jul 25th 2007 1:26AM

Well I guess you could always play on the floor.

ZapDash @ Jul 25th 2007 2:26AM

eww, carpet lint

ThornedVenom @ Jul 25th 2007 4:29AM

I, for one, am intrigued by this control scheme: when I first heard about it, I thought that this was a joke. But designed that way, it got me brainstorming a bit on how innovative handheld games could be.

Think about it: what this device basically does is slide around a limited screen view so that the larger virtual space can be more easily imagined since you're physically moving the screen... it's like a moveable view hole on a 2D plane. Sure, almost all 2D games work that way (like any sidescrolling platformer), but instead of pressing the directional button, you're roaming freely.

If I were a DS developer, I would try to use that slider thing to create an awesome RTS: sliding to move the view, touch screen to select units, etc... usually, it's been done with directional buttons, but relative positioning is more accurate and intuitive, and most importantly breaks the 4th wall.

But too bad I'm just a little kid with too much imagination to spare. >_>

Tom @ Jul 25th 2007 6:18AM

"what this device basically does is slide around a limited screen view so that the larger virtual space can be more easily imagined since you're physically moving the screen"~ThornedVenom

What?! You're not making any sense. Maybe you can exchange some of that imagination for the ability to better articulate ideas.

bm @ Jul 25th 2007 7:20AM

Tom: don't see what's so hard to understand about that.

The RTS idea sounds great. I'm not sure if it would become tiresome after a while, but I'm sure as hell willing to try.

Ryuukuro @ Jul 25th 2007 9:22AM

Tom, you're the one with language issues. That idea was perfectly articulated.

ThornedVenom @ Jul 25th 2007 12:36PM

@Tom: I apologize for not being very clear with you, although I would appreciate it if you could be a little more constructive with your feedback.

But anyways, just for you, I'll gladly reiterate myself: imagine a table and a computer mouse. The table represents the entire 2D virtual world from an overhead view. The mouse is just the square or rectangle your screen views, because the mouse is like a camera. So, to discover the whole world, you can move the mouse around the table's surface to scan the whole area. =)

@bm and Ryukuro: Thank you for your support guys! Heavily appreciated. ^^

Tom @ Jul 25th 2007 7:43PM

"The mouse is just the square or rectangle your screen views, because the mouse is like a camera. So, to discover the whole world, you can move the mouse around the table's surface to scan the whole area."

Thanks, that makes more sense.

ALH @ Jul 25th 2007 7:03AM

aahh, but would the DS phat fit in there?

Burnt Meatloaf @ Jul 25th 2007 7:29AM

Didn't Phantom Hourglass do this better?

Ryuukuro @ Jul 25th 2007 9:26AM

I hope they bring that stateside. It looks very fun and I already know how to play it!

Matt @ Jul 25th 2007 9:54AM

curling rocks!

AmishPhysicist @ Jul 25th 2007 1:28PM

I coulda' sworn you could do the exact same thing with the stylus. What's the point of having a new interface if you instantly start pushing the next one? After the slider and the fitboard will come the pogo stick and the hammer. I'd rather see people continuing to expand our usage of the touchscreen and motion sensors instead of adding more dongles and peripherals.

Dennis @ Jul 25th 2007 5:44PM

The point my dear commenters is that there is no point. Yes it can be replaced my the stylus, yes the stylus can be replaced by buttons. yes the game can be replaced by pen and paper.
games are useless. they have not other purpose than to entertain us. If this device entertains someone, it will be good enough.