Joystiq

Brain Age: Concentration Training delayed to February

Jessica Conditt — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 12:35:00 EST

The US localization of Brain Age: Concentration Training for 3DS is now due out on February 10, 2013, pushed back from the original release date of December 3, 2012.

Brain Age: Concentration Training has players perform mental gymnastics designed to improve "working memory." Some tasks have players answer problems on a delay, forcing them to wait and see the next problem before writing the solution to the previous one. It's like a backflip for your amygdala.

Brain Age: Concentration Training delayed to February originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fill your head with Brain Training info in next Nintendo Direct

JC Fletcher — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:25:00 EST

The next Nintendo Direct for Japan, airing July 18, is a ten-minute special all about "Onitore," the demonic new 3DS Brain Training game. The presentation has yet to be given a specific time but, being for the Japanese audience, expect it to be really late at night in our time zones.

In the segment, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata will meet with Brain Age inventor-slash-mascot Ryuta Kawashima, who we're desperately hoping will show up in demon makeup.

Fill your head with Brain Training info in next Nintendo Direct originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brain Age returns with devilishly difficult training

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST

Nintendo has been criticized for not getting edgy with some of its franchises. Well, it's about to do just that in the most unexpected way. Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata announced a follow-up to the Brain Age series this morning with a devilish Dr. Ryuta Kawashima.

As translated by Andriasang, the new title focuses on concentration and working memory, with some of the challenges so tough they are referred to as "Oni Training," which you can translate as devil or demon training.

The normal Kawashima will now be replaced by a devil form. Yup, this is going to go over well in the States with the firebrand crowd. Somehow we have a hard time imagining Nicole Kidman giggling through this Brain Age.

Brain Age returns with devilishly difficult training originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo looking to develop 'new genres' again

JC Fletcher — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 06:00:00 EST

Much of Nintendo's success in the DS/Wii era came from games in unusual, previously unpopular, or brand new genres -- like, say, the daily math minigame genre invented for Brain Age. During an investor presentation, president Satoru Iwata said that Nintendo is wisely working on inventing some new kinds of games to get the wide appeal that Brain Age and Wii Fit achieved, planning to release some games in new genres over the next fiscal year.

Iwata noted that it is more difficult now to invent surprising new styles of game with smartphone developers doing weird stuff by the boatload. "However," he said, "the company will aim to develop and launch products that can provide meaningful surprises to the public by taking advantage of the company's position of being able to make new proposals that integrate both hardware and software, and of its ability to develop products that can be accepted by a wide variety of consumers, irrespective of age, gender or past gaming experience."

After all, you can't bundle an iPhone game with a balance board or something like that. Well, you could, but wouldn't. Nintendo still has that advantage.

Nintendo looking to develop 'new genres' again originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dr. Kawashima's Body and Brain Connection preview: Brain Age meets Kinect

Andrew Yoon — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:00:00 EST

What if Nintendo made a game for Kinect? Namco Bandai does its best to answer that question with Dr. Kawashima's Body and Brain Connection, a "Brain Age" game for Microsoft's motion-control peripheral. This family-oriented minigame collection, featuring Xbox Avatars alongside the ever-digitized Dr. Kawashima, makes for an experience that seems more than inspired by Nintendo's recent efforts -- it's a total knockoff. The UI, the music and the gameplay all feel ripped from the Brain Age series and Nintendo's Wii Fit games.

In some respects that's a compliment, but gamers who have already written off edutainment and exergames won't find much reason to give Body and Brain Connection a try. You know exactly what to expect from this game.

Gallery: Dr. Kawashima's Body and Brain Exercises (TGS 2010)

Continue reading Dr. Kawashima's Body and Brain Connection preview: Brain Age meets Kinect

Dr. Kawashima's Body and Brain Connection preview: Brain Age meets Kinect originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Three plus eight equals Yoshi: How to cheat at Brain Age

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:00:00 EST

If you're having some trouble whittling your Brain Age down to that elusive 20-year-old benchmark, a clever player named Ryuto has developed a sure-fire method of lowering that all important number: Cheat. Or, better yet, cheat while drawing fun doodles of Nintendo trademarks.

Continue reading Three plus eight equals Yoshi: How to cheat at Brain Age

Three plus eight equals Yoshi: How to cheat at Brain Age originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo launching Limited Edition DSi bundles featuring Mario, 'brain teaser' DSiWare packs

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:33:00 EST

This Black Friday, November 27, Nintendo will release DSi bundles containing pre-installed software to the value of $20. The metallic blue DSi bundle (a new color for the States) will feature Mario-themed DSiWare, while the white is for those with "a passion for brain teasers."

Blue version: Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, Dr. Mario Express, WarioWare: Snapped!, Mario Calculator and Mario Clock.
White version: Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Sudoku, Brain Age Express: Math, Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics, Photo Clock.

There is no altered price to go with the announcement of these bundles, so we're guessing the units will retail at the normal $170 price. Of course, it is Black Friday, so check various retailers for the best deals.

Check out Joystiq's Black Friday Game Deals Hub or jump to a retailer guide below:

For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday Sales,
And other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com

Nintendo launching Limited Edition DSi bundles featuring Mario, 'brain teaser' DSiWare packs originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NintendoWare Weekly: NyxQuest, Super Star Wars, Brain Age Express

David Hinkle — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST

This week starts an initiative to bring classic LucasArts titles to the Virtual Console for the next month. Today, Super Star Wars for the SNES is available, however Nintendo also promises its sequels, Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, in the coming weeks. Considering these are among the top Star Wars experiences out there, you can bet we're pretty pumped. It feels kind of like when you bullseye a womp rat in your T-16!

Gallery: NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits (WiiWare)

Continue reading NintendoWare Weekly: NyxQuest, Super Star Wars, Brain Age Express

NintendoWare Weekly: NyxQuest, Super Star Wars, Brain Age Express originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VC/WiiWare Friday: Cute Overload

JC Fletcher — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST

The latest Hanabi Festival on the European Wii Shop is ending in just about the most aww-inducing, candy-colored way possible: with Kirby's Dream Land 3 and Detana!! Twinbee.

These two cute classics are joined by a WiiWare game called ColorZ, which features a color-shifting mechanic similar to Treasure's Ikaruga in a sort of maze-navigating game. Also on WiiWare this week: Heracles Chariot Racing. And on DSiWare, A Little Bit of ... Brain Training Sudoku, which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like.

Detana!! Twinbee (Turbografx, 1-2 players, 700 Wii Points)
Kirby's Dream Land 3 (Super NES, 900 Wii Points)
ColorZ (WiiWare, 1-3 players, 700 Wii Points)
Heracles Chariot Racing (WiiWare, 1-4 players, 800 Wii Points)
A Little Bit of ... Dr Kawashima's Brain Training Sudoku (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points)

VC/WiiWare Friday: Cute Overload originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo sponsors British game show

JC Fletcher — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:15:00 EST

Nintendo has made a deal with UK TV station Five to fully fund one of its new shows, MCV reports. The Advertiser-Funded Programming deal means that Nintendo will pay for eight episodes of the new Britain's Best Brain show, which subjects contestants to five tasks, each designed to test a different brain function: "memory, co-ordination, numeracy, recognition and risk."

Obviously, we suspect Nintendo will use this opportunity as a promotional platform for the Brain Training series. If it were, say, Capcom looking for Britain's best brain, there would be cause for concern. MCV notes that in-show product placement is illegal, meaning that Nintendo will have to relegate the DS mentions to ads.

Nintendo sponsors British game show originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VC Friday: Let's Catch a Kindred Spirit

JC Fletcher — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:40:00 EST

This week, the European Wii Shop is granted with a somewhat anticipated new title, and one we're glad is launching there before it does here. We're intensely curious about the platform action title Icarian: Kindred Spirits, and the fact that it's coming out in Europe first means we'll get to read reviews. We hope those 100 soundtrack downloads are claimed by now, by the way!

Also available for download this week: Let's Catch on WiiWare, and some more Brain Training on DSiWare.

WiiWare:

Icarian: Kindred Spirits
Let's Catch

DSiWare:

A Little Bit of ... Brain Training: Maths Edition

VC Friday: Let's Catch a Kindred Spirit originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Life-to-date sales of the biggest Nintendo games

JC Fletcher — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:00:00 EST

We know that Nintendo is doing very well financially as of the end of fiscal 2008. And, of course, we know that hardware sales play a major role in that windfall. But how is Nintendo doing in terms of software sales? Very well, thank you! The company released a list of every million-selling first-party title on the Wii and DS as a supplement (PDF link) to its financial report, with no real surprises other than, perhaps, the monolithic bigness of some of the numbers.

The best-selling Wii title, of course, is Wii Sports, which sold 45.7 million copies across North American and European bundle sales and standalone Japanese sales.The best-selling DS game: Nintendogs, at 22.3 million copies!

We're just happy to see the wonderful Rhythm Heaven on the list, though there is something odd about it: according to the data, Rhythm Heaven sold 140,000 copies outside of Japan -- but the game didn't even come out in the West until April 5, after the end of the fiscal year.

The full list is after the break. Spoiler alert: if you are the type of person who gets angry about Nintendo's success in the expanded market, this will anger you.

[Via Kotaku]

Continue reading Life-to-date sales of the biggest Nintendo games

Life-to-date sales of the biggest Nintendo games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DSi Shop's American lineup is ... diverse

Justin McElroy — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:15:00 EST

So, Nintendo has announced all the games you'll be able to purchase for your brand new DSi in the online DSi Shop on April 5. The list is ... well, we were going to say "eclectic", but it's just plain weird. You can Nintendo's full descriptions after the break, but here are the titles:

WarioWare: Snapped!
Bird & Beans
Brain Age Express: Math
Master of Illusion Express: Funny Face
Art Style: AQUIA

You can level a lot of complaints at Nintendo and be well within reason, but you can't say that it's not trying some different stuff. As previously announced, you'll also get $10 in credit (1,000 DSi Points) if you log on to the store by October 5, which leads us to ask: Which game will you be picking up?

Continue reading DSi Shop's American lineup is ... diverse

DSi Shop's American lineup is ... diverse originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DSiWare Master of Illusion, Brain Age, Art Style rated by OFLC

JC Fletcher — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST

While we can't be sure what the launch lineup for the DSiWare shop outside of Japan will look like, we can guess that the Australian shop will feature at least one of these games, thanks to OFLC ratings:

Master of Illusion Express: Shuffle Games
Master of Illusion Express: Funny Face
Master of Illusion Express: Deep Psyche
A Little Bit Of ... Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: Maths Edition
D-Code (probably Art Style: Decode)

The standard ratings board disclaimer applies: we don't know when these will be out, or if this release implies other regions. But if you wanted to know if Nintendo planned to localize any of its Japanese DSiWare lineup, here is evidence that yes, it is.

Also found on the OFLC: The WiiWare version of Rainbow Islands (yay!) and Adventure Island: The Beginning. Also, Karate Phants.

Gallery: Art Style Decode

DSiWare Master of Illusion, Brain Age, Art Style rated by OFLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watchdog group: Brain Age doesn't help

JC Fletcher — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:10:00 EST

Another organization is blowing an imaginary whistle on Brain Age and other similar products designed to sharpen minds. Consumer group Which assembled a panel of three neuroscientists to test the ideas that brain training games improve memory and help prevent dementia. The panel found "weak" or no evidence to support the claims.

"There is no evidence that using this product will have any functional impact on your life whatsoever," Dr. Chris Bird, one of the scientists involved with the study, said. The panel concluded that "surfing the internet or chatting to friends" would have the same prefrontal cortex blood flow effect as doing DS-based math. Basically, it means that, in terms of brain activity, Brain Age seems to work about as well as any other mentally-stimulating pastime.

"If people enjoy using these games, then they should continue to do so -- that's a no-brainer," said Which's Martyn Hocking (perhaps with pun intended -- emphasis ours). "But if people are under the illusion that these devices are scientifically proven to keep their minds in shape, they need to think again" (Hocking is just full of puns, isn't he?).

Nintendo responded, saying that it has never claimed scientific proof of Brain Age's effectiveness: "What we claim is the Brain Training series of games, like playing sudoku, are enjoyable and fun. These exercises can also help keep the brain sharp." It also helps your organization make the news!

Watchdog group: Brain Age doesn't help originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Professor: suggesting Brain Age helps is 'charlatanism'

Chris Greenhough — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Brain Age games don't necessarily make you smarter, and it is "charlatanism" to make such a claim. Those are the conclusions drawn by one Alain Lieury, professor of cognitive psychology at the University of Rennes. The professor's findings were picked up by The Times, which loves itself a good story (from 2006).

Lieury surveyed 67 ten-year-old kids in his study, which compared the impact of Brain Age on intelligence with pencil and paper-based puzzles and going to school (in case anybody was seriously entertaining the thought of homeschooling their child with a DS).

The Times covers the precise results of the study in its article, but the long and short of it is: Brain Age won't help you raise an army of miniature geniuses and take over the free world. Boo. "The Nintendo DS is a technological jewel. As a game it's fine," writes Lieury in his new book, Stimulate Your Neurones. "But it is charlatanism to claim that it is a scientific test."

Which is great and all, but is anybody terribly surprised by this?

[Via GamePolitics]

Professor: suggesting Brain Age helps is 'charlatanism' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Fanboy's DSiWare screen round-up

Chris Greenhough — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Screens

Thirteen DSiWare titles will be released to Japan's DSi Shop on December 24, so we thought we'd construct a one-stop post where you can gawk at games most of us can't have. Past the jump, you'll find screens for all launch titles, as well as the price and size of each. How would you spend the free 1,000 DSi Points you get with the system?

Because we love the series, we'll kick proceedings off with a look at A Little Dr. Mario (500 DSi Ware Points, 29 blocks required):

Continue reading DS Fanboy's DSiWare screen round-up

DS Fanboy's DSiWare screen round-up originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DSi Ware launching Dec. 24 in Japan, WarioWare and Brain Age top offerings

Randy Nelson — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:23:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Action, Casual

Nintendo DSi's answer to WiiWare - called, would you believe, DSi Ware - will launch on December 24, according to IGN. The initial software lineup will include 11 downloadable titles, headlined by the new camera-based Utsusu Made in Wario (WarioWare) and, as promised at the system's announcement, two Brain Age versions: Word and Logic. Our sister site, DS Fanboy, has posted trailers for the lineup.

Those with imported DSi systems will be able to access the service from the US when it goes live. And, since DSi comes with a 1,000 Nintendo DS Points voucher, they'll be able to purchase a couple of titles without going through the hassle of buying more DS Points in yen.

DSi Ware launching Dec. 24 in Japan, WarioWare and Brain Age top offerings originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DSi Shop opens Christmas Eve, new trailers available right now

JC Fletcher — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Video, Imports

Nintendo has released a new video advertising the downloadable offerings on the Japanese DSi Shop, which will become available starting December 24. This new trailer gives us a better look at a few of the games we knew about, and introduces a few we didn't.

Thrillingly, we now have names for two of the Art Style games: Aquario and the very cool-looking Decode. There's a brief look at the Brain Age DSiWare games; Utsusu! Made in Wario, the 500-point WarioWare game that uses the DSi camera; and the separate WarioWare minigames like Paper Plane and Bird and Bean.

Awesome new stuff includes Chotto Dr. Mario (A Little Dr. Mario), a 500 Point downloadable Dr. Mario game; single magic tricks from Magic Taisen/Master of Illusion; and Chotto Asobi Taisen Odegaru Trumps, which contains a small variety of card games from Clubhouse Games. Combined with the known offerings, this is the whole launch lineup, and it's all Nintendo!

After the break, you can see a longer trailer for the downloadable Brain Ages, and a really, really cool look at Ugoku Memo-chou, the flipbook/notepad software.

Continue reading DSi Shop opens Christmas Eve, new trailers available right now

DSi Shop opens Christmas Eve, new trailers available right now originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Daily: Expanded worldview

JC Fletcher — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: DS Daily

The DS is purportedly bringing in new gamers who wouldn't traditionally care about video games at all, with stuff like Nintendogs, Brain Age, and Personal Trainer: Cooking (as seen in the above ad). We're happy to see Nintendo capturing the interest of people who previously would have seen our hobby as either too kid-oriented or too teenage-dude-oriented.

Have you seen it work? Have you encountered the "expanded audience" out in the world? Become acquainted with any new DS owners lured in by language training or math? For our part, we seem to be meeting more late-to-the-party gamers than ever these days (in our limited capacity as socially inept shut-ins to meet people).

DS Daily: Expanded worldview originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo adding Mario Red, Ice Blue DS bundles this week

Justin McElroy — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

In what has become a holiday tradition as beloved and predictable as your Uncle Jack tipping a few (or 17) back and daring you to punch him in the stomach, Nintendo is releasing two new DS bundles just in time for the shopping season.

Beginning on Black Friday, you can look for a red DS emblazoned with Mario's trademark "M" and packaged with New Super Mario Bros., as well as an Ice Blue model that's packing Brain Age and a custom carrying case. Well, you can look for the $149.99 bundles beginning on Black Friday, but don't be surprised if it's mid-February by the time a soccer mom decides against cutting your brake lines for buying one out from under her.

Nintendo adding Mario Red, Ice Blue DS bundles this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New DS Lites add color to Black Friday

Chris Greenhough — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

In 2007, Sears offered ravenous Black Friday shoppers a pink Nintendogs Lite and an eye-catching gold Phantom Hourglass console.

This year, to help you forget the fact that you're not rich enough to import a DSi, two further hardware bundles will be made available: an Ice Blue Lite with Brain Age and a case that looks like a Filofax, and a Mario Red model with an "M" stamped on it that ships with New Super Mario Bros., both priced at $149.99. It prints money, etc. If you take away that "M," these are basically two of Nintendo's newest European Lites. We admit to harboring mixed feelings about the "M." Would anyone else just prefer the plain red Lite?

Gallery: Limited Edition Lites: A History of Sadness

[Via Kotaku]

New DS Lites add color to Black Friday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DSi Shop to open with Brain Age 1 & 2

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS

At its media summit today, Nintendo announced that the DSi Shop, a digital distribution vendor compatible with the new DS model, will launch with two capable titles: Brain Age 1 and ... Brain Age 2. "Retooled," of course, Reggie promised. With combined sales of well over 10 million units, the pair was an easy choice to lead the new service. Risky business this is not.

DSi Shop to open with Brain Age 1 & 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brain Age getting retooled for DSi launch

Chris Greenhough — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: News

Rejigged versions of both Brain Age games will be available for the Nintendo DSi when the upgraded handheld launches. Brain Age 1 and 2 will be the first titles available from the DSi shop, according to Nintendo name-taker Reggie Fils-Aime, who also revealed that each will feature DSi functionality of some kind.

In truth, Nintendo couldn't have settled on a safer two titles to launch the DSi store, with both games having sold a quite obscene number of copies in all regions (particularly Europe). The lack of risk-taking involved on Nintendo's part is disappointing to us, though there's plenty of time for innovative games to follow. Bet they don't fix the voice recognition, though.

Brain Age getting retooled for DSi launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Nintendo Channel DS demos feature Arkanoid

David Hinkle — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Downloads, News

While it's likely to be the same demo featured before (meaning there's no paddle support), it doesn't deserve to be ignored. Those of you who didn't check out Taito's revival of the classic on the DS should be heading over to your Wii (or, if you fail to own one, a friend's house) to give the demo a download now. Seriously, we thought it was a pretty decent game.

Head past the break for the details on all of the demos available this week.

Continue reading New Nintendo Channel DS demos feature Arkanoid

New Nintendo Channel DS demos feature Arkanoid originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bury the Shovelware: Best of Tests DS

Kaes Delgrego — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bury the Shovelware

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but in the world of gaming it often comes across as a slap in the face. Let us distinguish between inspiration and outright mimicry. It's not at all uncommon for a good game to have strong roots in a previously-released title. Descendants of popular titles are acceptable and standard, as many early popular arcade games including Galaxian and Centipede were heavily based on the groundbreaking Space Invaders. Even the industry-revolutionizing Super Mario Bros can be seen as the prototype for nearly every side-scrolling game since, itself having traces of Pitfall.

But in order to avoid being a cheap imitation, the inspired game must expand upon or branch the formula in a new direction. Before its release, the excellent Banjo-Kazooie was seen by some gaming journalists as nothing more than a Super Mario 64 clone. In hindsight, that's an amazingly foolish indictment. But there's the trick: while they do share similarities, they are very different games. Banjo-Kazooie did what a good game inspired by another should do: use a solid foundation and build upon it. Some titles, like Best of Tests DS, takes the solid Brain Age foundation, but instead cuts it open and squeezes lemon juice inside.

Continue reading Bury the Shovelware: Best of Tests DS

Bury the Shovelware: Best of Tests DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Practice crashing planes in latest downloadable demos

Chris Greenhough — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Nintendo Wi-Fi

DS demo updates on the Nintendo Channel often get a disappointed reaction from us, but this week's batch does contain at least one interesting addition: Sonic Powered's Air Traffic Chaos, as localized (complete with generic and terrible boxart) by Majesco. At the very least, we're hopeful that the game can replicate the frenzied, panicked pace of a Trauma Center game.

The rest of this week's update is fairly humdrum, consisting of a Crosswords DS wordsearch, a Pictoimage demo, and a chance to try out Carnival Games, which has stuck around like a bad smell. The full list of both old and new demos is past the break!

Gallery: Air Traffic Chaos

Continue reading Practice crashing planes in latest downloadable demos

Practice crashing planes in latest downloadable demos originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo Channel video updates plus one mom's Brain Age 2 experience

David Hinkle — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, Video

This week's video updates had a pretty interesting inclusion. The above video follows a mom and how much she loves that DS game, Brain Age 2. Along with this video, there are a bunch of other things you might want to watch. Head past the break for the full list.

Continue reading Nintendo Channel video updates plus one mom's Brain Age 2 experience

Nintendo Channel video updates plus one mom's Brain Age 2 experience originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Carnival Games makes its return to the DS Download Service

Candace Savino — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: News

For people longing to play new demos via the Nintendo Channel, the frustration continues. All we saw on the channel today was the return of two demos that we never really missed in the first place (we're looking at you, Carnival Games and Crosswords DS Wordsearch).

Nintendo also extended the availability dates on three of the existing demos, probably because offering three new ones would have been too satisfying (/bitter). The good news is, you have another week to try out Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 and Contra 4 if you haven't done so already.

Click past the break to see yet another underwhelming list of demos.

Continue reading Carnival Games makes its return to the DS Download Service

Carnival Games makes its return to the DS Download Service originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Download Service updates with old demos

David Hinkle — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Downloads, News

For those of you looking to play something brand new this week, you're out of luck. Instead, Nintendo offers us a chance to catch up with some demos me might have missed in the past, allowing folks to download these up until next week. So, if you missed out last time, get on it!

Continue reading DS Download Service updates with old demos

DS Download Service updates with old demos originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another unimpressive week of Nintendo Channel demos

Candace Savino — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

With Trauma Center 2 and Contra 4 on the Nintendo Channel's demos list, you may wonder why exactly we're unimpressed. Perhaps it's because there's nothing new offered this week, unless you count the reappearance of certain demos on the list as "new." We don't.

To see why we're thoroughly uninspired, check past the break for the full list of "been there, done that" demos.

Continue reading Another unimpressive week of Nintendo Channel demos

Another unimpressive week of Nintendo Channel demos originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japanese adult film takes Brain Age approach

David Hinkle — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Imports

We're not ones to peruse the seedy underbelly of the adult film industry (hard to believe, with us working on the internet and all), but this story is too much to pass up. Does the above cover remind you of anything? Well, if it doesn't, you probably never played the Japanese title Brain Training (also known as Brain Age). Look at the game's boxart. See what we mean?

If you want to know more, you can check out Hikaru Wakana's blog (NSFW linkage), who is the film's star.

Japanese adult film takes Brain Age approach originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Survey: Casual games keep the vices at bay

David Hinkle — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: News

According to a recent survey conducted by Information Solutions Group (on behalf of casual games company RealGames) shows that casual gaming might be more than just a quick diversion (or frustration, if the game refuses to understand your speech). Other than providing a quick round of Sudoku, that copy of Brain Age 2 could have other health benefits.

The survey asked 4,537 respondents between December 28, 2007 and January 11, 2008 about casual gaming. Of the 4,537 individuals, 2,784 of them said they watched their weight and 60% of those individuals said they use games as a way to keep from snacking and overeating. That's not all, though.

Of the 1,324 survey respondents that said they were smokers, 42% said that gaming provided a distraction from smoking. While the focus of the survey is more about casual games, we do know one title that's pretty good with helping smokers quit. Any of you trying to curb your bad habits with some gaming?

Survey: Casual games keep the vices at bay originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Searching for more than words in Nintendo's latest demo offerings

Candace Savino — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

This week was a bit of a let down in terms of demos -- then again, it's hard to follow up the excitement of Arkanoid. It seems like Nintendo didn't even try, though. While we were interested in the demo the first time around, Cake Mania 2 already had its heyday. Then, there's Rayman Raving Rabbids 2, which we can't help but be underwhelmed by. Last and maybe least, the only other new demo is from Crosswords DS, which now offers the wordsearch game in addition to crossword puzzles. We guess beggars can't be choosers.

Since things always look better in list form, check out the full list of demos available for download after the break.

Continue reading Searching for more than words in Nintendo's latest demo offerings

Searching for more than words in Nintendo's latest demo offerings originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Promotional Consideration: The Usual Suspects

Eric Caoili — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Promotional Consideration

This week's creative but confusing installment comes from Leo Burnett Milan, the same advertising firm behind "Communion Day," the first Promotional Consideration ad (and one of the smartest) we ever featured. The print piece presents a police lineup of criminals and ne'er-do-wells, suspects for an unspecified crime -- really, it's less of a "whodunit" than it is a "what does it mean?" Step past the post break and peer through this one-way mirror to solve the mystery yourself!

Continue reading Promotional Consideration: The Usual Suspects

Promotional Consideration: The Usual Suspects originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The DS Life: Going out to eat

Eric Caoili — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: The DS Life

Have you ever gone out to a restaurant for dinner with a group of friends, only to find yourself completely uninterested with your company's conversation, their tired stories and trivial grievances?

Your eyes drift to nearby tables, hoping to find something else that better deserves your attention. You chew on the ice cubes in your drink, crunching out the chatter around you. You nod your head absentmindedly to agree with your companions whilst reflecting on the reality television shows you plan to watch when you get home -- "I wonder if Greg is gonna knock out that sucka Will for kissing his girl?"

When you're stuck in situations like this, don't you wish you could just pull out your Nintendo DS until someone brings out the food?

Continue reading The DS Life: Going out to eat

The DS Life: Going out to eat originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 May 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo Channel: New week, new demos

Alisha Karabinus — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

Will the line-up of DS demos available on the Wii's Nintendo Channel change every week? We're not sure, but it's starting to look like it; at least, some of the demos available have been rotated out in favor of fresh meat. If you were looking for something that was previously available, it might just be gone. Lesson? Download quickly rather than putting it off, because the demo you want may just disappear!

Peek past the break for the current list of available demos -- you may be surprised at what you'll find!

Continue reading Nintendo Channel: New week, new demos

Nintendo Channel: New week, new demos originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 May 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Germany: Give Mom some smarts this Mother's Day

David Hinkle — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: News

Flower service Fleurop in Germany is suggesting something other than the usual bouquet and pleasant card for your mom this Mother's Day. It would seem they're teaming up with Nintendo to suggest your mom get some good old Brain Training in. And buy some flowers, of course.

For 199 Euros, customers can get a nice floral arrangement with a DS Lite and Brain Training. Sadly, we have no idea what DS Lite model consumers will be getting in this bundle.

Germany: Give Mom some smarts this Mother's Day originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 May 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why Crisis Core is on PSP, not DS

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Final Fantasy

Square Enix is a firm supporter of both handhelds, with a number of great titles available on both Sony PSP and Nintendo DS. However, why was (arguably) their biggest game developed exclusively for PSP, instead of the more-popular DS? Pocket Gamer talked to producer Hideki Imaizumi and executive producer Yoshinori Kitase about exactly that: "Yes, there are a lot of DSs out there - but does that mean that our products sell in relation to that? That our sales grow with how many DSs or PSPs there are out there? It's not really the case."

The PSP seemed appropriate for a number a reasons, one being the more adult age group the PSP seems to attract: "the demographic was higher teens to young adults as opposed to small children. The PSP seemed closer to that demographic than DS in general. So we feel we really made the right choice."

As a joke, he added "We'll make a DS game called Brain Age: Final Fantasy for DS [laughs]." To be honest, we wouldn't mind trying that out.

Why Crisis Core is on PSP, not DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japan snaps up 100,000,000 DS games

Chris Greenhough — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Sales

In what is yet another statistical landmark for the DS in its homeland, the data gatherers at Media Create have revealed that Japanese consumers have purchased their 100,000,000th Nintendo DS game.* Considering the handheld itself hit the twenty million mark only last November, we calculate that to be ... a pretty good attachment rate! In total, 922 titles have appeared in the region, 21 of which have been million-sellers. Hit the break for the top ten best-selling games to date.

* Rumors that the 100,000,000th game sold was Bangai-O Spirits are yet to be verified, and are suspected to have originated at popular Nintendo DS blog "DS Fanboy."

Continue reading Japan snaps up 100,000,000 DS games

Japan snaps up 100,000,000 DS games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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