Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[DS Daily: Keeping it pricey]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/ds-daily-keeping-it-pricey/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/ds-daily-keeping-it-pricey/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/ds-daily-keeping-it-pricey/#commentsFiled under:

We're always talking about bargains, and with good reason, but today we want to discuss the other end of the scale: your most outrageous, costly gaming buys.

We're talking about the $980 you dropped for that rare Hot Summer Phat, or the $90+ you put on your flatmate's credit card for Electroplankton. Obviously, it'd be nice if you could keep this DS-related, but you're welcome to mention non-DS rarities you forked out for.

JoystiqDS Daily: Keeping it pricey originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdebayrareThu, 22 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Where in the World ...]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/ds-daily-where-in-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/ds-daily-where-in-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/ds-daily-where-in-the-world/#commentsFiled under:

... has your DS been?

Your DS likes to travel, you know! It enjoys seeing new cultures, and meeting new people. We know because it told us.

So today's question: where in the World have you taken your DS? Has anybody's handheld travelled with them to all seven continents? Well, okay, Antarctica is probably a tricky one, but ... has your portable seen the other six? If so, it's seen more of this planet than us!

JoystiqDS Daily: Where in the World ... originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdtravelWed, 21 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Your maximum playload]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/ds-daily-your-maximum-playload/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/ds-daily-your-maximum-playload/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/ds-daily-your-maximum-playload/#commentsFiled under:

Are you the kind of gamer who takes on games one at a time, or can you happily play several titles concurrently?

For what it's worth, this blogger's personal limit appears to be three. Currently, the list includes World of Goo, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (after a decade away), and Fallout 3 (my dirty secret: I also own a Xbox 360). Meanwhile, an imported copy of Chrono Trigger DS is being neglected, simply because I couldn't cope with another game where I need to keep close tabs on the story. Yes, I am ashamed.

What's your maximum playload?

JoystiqDS Daily: Your maximum playload originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdThu, 15 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Fluent yet?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/ds-daily-fluent-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/ds-daily-fluent-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/ds-daily-fluent-yet/#commentsFiled under:

A few months have passed since the last language trainer, My Japanese Coach, debuted on the DS, so now seems like an apt time to ask: if you bought one of the DS's numerous language titles, are you still returning each day to learn new lessons? Has the DS made you feel confident enough to converse with real people on the streets of Paris/Tokyo/Madrid?

Oh, and as this is sort of related, did anybody ever pick up the hilariously inappropriate Spanish for Everyone?

JoystiqDS Daily: Fluent yet? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coachdsdlanguagemy-japanese-coachtrainertrainingubisoftThu, 08 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Winners and losers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/ds-daily-winners-and-losers/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/ds-daily-winners-and-losers/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/ds-daily-winners-and-losers/#commentsFiled under:

There's a lot to love about multiplayer gaming on the DS, but playing nicely is also important, reader!

With this in mind, how do you, as a gamer, take winning and losing? Are you a gracious victor, full of consoling statements for the vanquished, or do you love nothing more than gloating in the faces of the fallen?

Likewise, are you capable of losing with grace, or do you get stroppy and sulky?

Gallery: Show and Tell: The more the merrier

JoystiqDS Daily: Winners and losers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdmultiplayerTue, 06 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Kickin' ass, takin' names]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/ds-daily-kickin-ass-takin-names/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/ds-daily-kickin-ass-takin-names/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/ds-daily-kickin-ass-takin-names/#commentsFiled under:

Today's DS Daily discussion is reserved for only the hardest of games. In all the time you've owned a DS, what's the one game for the system that has repeatedly kicked your ass with its unpunishing difficulty?

Would your choice be a title already renowned for being tricky, such as Contra 4, or did you struggle with a game with a less fearsome reputation? Did you eventually vanquish your foe, or does it still sit in your collection, uncompleted and sneering at you? And if you did emerge victorious, how long did it take you to beat it?

JoystiqDS Daily: Kickin' ass, takin' names originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdThu, 01 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Feet up? Let's chat!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/25/ds-daily-feet-up-lets-chat/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/25/ds-daily-feet-up-lets-chat/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/25/ds-daily-feet-up-lets-chat/#commentsFiled under:

For today's DS Daily, we're, like, totally tearing up the rulebook, maaan. That's right: today's daily topic is open for you to chat about ... whatever the hell you want. Just keep it clean, and let us thank you again for being awesome and reading DS Fanboy! Have a fun day, everyone, and enjoy all of your new gifts (but particularly the DS-related stuff)!

JoystiqDS Daily: Feet up? Let's chat! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdholidayThu, 25 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Pinching pennies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/ds-daily-pinching-pennies/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/ds-daily-pinching-pennies/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/ds-daily-pinching-pennies/#commentsFiled under:

Nintendo announced a ton of new releases for Q1 yesterday. As line-ups go, it's packed full of goodness -- frankly, it blows the Wii selection out of the water. There are at least ten or eleven games in this list that we would typically buy on day one. Alas, our painfully slim blogging wages are going to be stretched if we buy even half of them, so we're going to have to revise where our pennies go. Have your spending plans changed with the release of the Q1 schedule?

JoystiqDS Daily: Pinching pennies originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdmoneyq1-2009Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: On preventing piracy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/ds-daily-on-preventing-piracy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/ds-daily-on-preventing-piracy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/ds-daily-on-preventing-piracy/#commentsFiled under:

Piracy, me hearties, has become a prominent issue for the DS, and one that is probably here to stay -- indeed, illegally downloading games to play on a flashcart has become almost socially acceptable in some places. And here's the biggest problem: it's not very hard at all to indulge in the practice. (Perfectly legal) flashcarts are available widely and cheaply, and ROM sites are a single Google search away.

In other words, finding solutions is difficult, to say the least. Chrono Trigger demonstrated that built-in piracy checks don't exactly last long, though Level 5 might have hit upon a semi-solution with Ni no Kuni: The Another World: deny the pirates the awesome spellbook that is required to play. Put yourselves in the shoes of a videogame publisher on the verge of releasing a major title: what anti-piracy measures would you take to try and protect your game?

JoystiqDS Daily: On preventing piracy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrono-triggerdsdpiracyyarrThu, 11 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Cover story]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/ds-daily-cover-story/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/ds-daily-cover-story/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/ds-daily-cover-story/#commentsFiled under:

The Chase: Felix Meets Felicity sounds like our kind of game: cute storyline, fourth wall-busting gags, great platforming mechanics, and fairly unique visuals.

But lordy, what is up with that cover? We're pretty shameless people (seriously, you should see what we don't wear while blogging), but even we would probably avoid eye contact with the sales clerk while buying this at our local emporium. It seems odd that a game with so much to offer older players could sport such kid-oriented boxart; if we knew nothing about The Chase, we wouldn't even notice this in a store.

Today's subject, then: to what degree does boxart influence your buying decisions? Ever purchased a game solely because it has an awesome box? Or have you been torn over whether to get a game, only to be put off by a crummy cover?

JoystiqDS Daily: Cover story originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataridsdplatformrazorback-studiosthe-chasethe-chase-felix-meets-felicityThu, 04 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Your Thanksgiving plans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/ds-daily-your-thanksgiving-plans/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/ds-daily-your-thanksgiving-plans/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/ds-daily-your-thanksgiving-plans/#commentsFiled under:

Morning folks, and a happy Thanksgiving, y'all! Today, rather than dedicate this space to talking about some DS-related minutiae, we're leaving it open for discussion about your Thanksgiving plans, and how the DS slots into your Turkey Day schedule. Do you plan to spend a quiet moment getting further through Chrono Trigger? Converting Granny to Brain Age? Playing a spot of wireless Mario Kart DS with cousins?

Maybe you don't plan to pick up your beloved handheld at all. To which we say: hey, Thanksgiving is a time for coming together, and that extends to people and their DSes as well! Er, probably. I don't know, I'm British. This is all one big mystery to me.

By the way, we'll still be posting today, so if you do get bored at any point, feel free to poke your head in. Have a grand day, everybody!

JoystiqDS Daily: Your Thanksgiving plans originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdthanksgivingThu, 27 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: What's left to master?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/20/ds-daily-whats-left-to-master/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/20/ds-daily-whats-left-to-master/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/20/ds-daily-whats-left-to-master/#commentsFiled under:

Atlus delighted us yesterday by confirming it will release TrackMania DS in North America next March. Some of us around these parts like a good racing game, and that's something the DS has sorely lacked since its launch (Mario Kart DS being the exception).

Like every platform, the little handheld excels at certain genres -- we're practically suffocating in brilliant RPGs (of both the "A" and "S" variety), text adventures owe their entire comeback to the DS, and great puzzle games are ten-a-penny on the system -- but what genres does the DS struggle with? Are there any types of game it will never master?

JoystiqDS Daily: What's left to master? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdtrackmania-dsThu, 20 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Your Final choice?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/ds-daily-your-final-choice/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/ds-daily-your-final-choice/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/ds-daily-your-final-choice/#commentsFiled under:

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time‎ utilizes a specifically designed game engine that allows Wii and DS owners to play online together.

Both versions of the title will look, sound, and cost (¥5,040 in Japan) the same, but there are slight benefits to each. Even with its screen-within-a-screen design, the Wii game will still feature a larger viewing area when hooked up to your TV, while the DS edition obviously has the bonus of increased portability. If you are getting Echoes of Time, which platform will you be buying it for, and why?

Gallery: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time (DS)

JoystiqDS Daily: Your Final choice? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdechoes-of-timeffccfinal-fantasyrpgsquare-enixwiiThu, 13 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Buy? Or sell?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/ds-daily-buy-or-sell/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/ds-daily-buy-or-sell/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/ds-daily-buy-or-sell/#commentsFiled under:

Yesterday, in the "lolwut?" moment of November so far, we heard that Nintendo is making a game that will teach John Q. Public the ins and outs of the economy. Because Nintendo knows a thing or two about making games, we trust it will be an engaging experience, and the economy is something we'd like to be better informed about.

Then again, the subject matter also seems random, and something that wouldn't be overly useful to many DS owners. We can understand stuff like Professor Kageyama's Math Training (most of us use math every day, and increased mental sharpness with numbers is handy) and My Japanese Coach (Japan and its language are fascinating, and many gamers have an interest in the culture), but would you regard an economy-based training game as practical to your needs? Would you purchase it?

JoystiqDS Daily: Buy? Or sell? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdeconomytrainingThu, 06 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: On 'i']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/ds-daily-on-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/ds-daily-on-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/ds-daily-on-i/#commentsFiled under:


Only one letter separates the Nintendo DSi from the original Nintendo DS, but what does that letter, an inconspicuous "i," mean, readers? Hm?

Is it DSimproved? DSinnovation? DSinternet? Maybe it's just DS I, as in "this is my DS, a DS for me." Actually, that last argument could be supported by a Miyamoto quote from a recent MTV Multiplayer interview: "With DSi we've really tried to create in a way that makes the system feels much more personal to you."

Alternatively, maybe it means nothing at all, but is an attempt by Nintendo to Apple-ize its handheld. Believe it or not, this kind of stuff keeps us up at night.

JoystiqDS Daily: On 'i' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsddsinintendo-dsiThu, 30 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: DSindifference]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/ds-daily-dsindifference/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/ds-daily-dsindifference/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/ds-daily-dsindifference/#commentsFiled under:

Here's an unthinkable thought: could the DSi actually flop? Earlier this week, GamePro speculated that there was a distinct lack of buzz around the upgraded handheld. This viewpoint was based on the fact that DSi reservation tickets (essentially guarantees that you'll get your desired product on launch day without the need to queue for hours) have hardly been setting Japanese auction sites alight.

We'd personally offer one of our limbs for a Japanese DSi at launch, but we also know that our reader's views on the DSi vary from wildly excited to massively underwhelmed. For what it's worth, we fully expect DSi to be a rip-roaring success, but it hasn't been that long since another upgraded Nintendo handheld met a frosty reaction at market. Could the DSi also fail?

JoystiqDS Daily: DSindifference originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsddsinintendo-dsiThu, 23 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Most anticipated]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/ds-daily-most-anticipated/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/ds-daily-most-anticipated/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/ds-daily-most-anticipated/#commentsFiled under:


Since the first footage of Ni no Kuni: The Another World appeared at the Tokyo Game Show last week, it has become the DS game I'm most looking forward to. A Level 5/Studio Ghibli collaboration is the stuff dreams are made of. The animation, predictably, looks wonderful. I already just want to hold the included spellbook. Maybe stroke it. Is that wrong?

Plenty of other titles were showcased last week in Tokyo, so now seems like an appropriate time to see which made the most impact on each of you. Are you crazy about Chrono Trigger? Giddy about Gyakuten Kenji? Cuckoo for Castlevania? If you could have one upcoming DS title in your hands right now, what would it be?

JoystiqDS Daily: Most anticipated originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdlevel-5ninokunininokuni-the-another-worldrpgspellbookstudio-ghiblitgs-2008tgs08the-another-worldThu, 16 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: The price is right?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/ds-daily-the-price-is-right/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/ds-daily-the-price-is-right/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/ds-daily-the-price-is-right/#commentsFiled under:

¥18,900, or roughly $180. That's how much the Nintendo DSi will cost when it launches on November 1st in Japan. For North American importers, that's a $50 hike for a system with a few extra functions, but also with its GBA compatibility removed. At the same time, it's not a dramatic leap for Japanese consumers -- ¥18,900 is just ¥2,100 ($14) more than what a Lite costs there.

In your view, is the DSi fairly priced? And what's the highest price you would be prepared to pay when it arrives in your region next year?

JoystiqDS Daily: The price is right? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsddsinintendo-dsiThu, 09 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: What has Nintendo got planned?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/ds-daily-what-has-nintendo-got-planned/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/ds-daily-what-has-nintendo-got-planned/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/ds-daily-what-has-nintendo-got-planned/#commentsFiled under:

Folks, it's time to whip out your crystal ball and join us in a bit of pointless (but hopefully fun) speculating about what MEGATONS will be announced tomorrow at Nintendo's Media Summit. We know there's compelling evidence that we'll see a DS redesign, and while that does seem very plausible, it's far from the only possibility.

A quick poll of the DS Fanboy team revealed quite diverse expectations. I'm banking on Professor Layton dates for not-Japan, JC reckons there'll be a bunch of stuff about Cooking Guide, while Dave thinks there could be an iPhone-style apps store for downloading titles directly to the handheld, and/or a new Channel to go along with the new DS (or a revision to the Nintendo Channel to support it).

Oh, and we all predicted a DS redesign. But to heck with what we think: what bombs do you expect to drop in the next 24 hours?

JoystiqDS Daily: What has Nintendo got planned? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdmegatonsnintendo-media-summitnmsnms08Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Has Chinatown Wars surprised you?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/ds-daily-has-chinatown-wars-surprised-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/ds-daily-has-chinatown-wars-surprised-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/ds-daily-has-chinatown-wars-surprised-you/#commentsFiled under:

A bunch of new Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars details appeared yesterday, specifically the kind that would make the Daily Mail's hair stand on end. According to various magazine spreads, you'll be able to sell drugs (with their real names), tattoo fellow gang members, and hotwire cars. Rockstar itself has said Nintendo ruled out a GTA game for a younger audience.

As opponents of censorship in most cases, we were delighted that Rockstar has been granted such artistic freedom in Chinatown Wars, but also rather surprised. Anyone else with us, or did you expect such controversial content all along from Rockstar, even on the DS?

JoystiqDS Daily: Has Chinatown Wars surprised you? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinatown-warscontroversydsdgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsThu, 25 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Ongoing costs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/ds-daily-ongoing-costs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/ds-daily-ongoing-costs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/ds-daily-ongoing-costs/#commentsFiled under:

While DS games are mercifully cheaper than software on the home consoles, the sheer volume of must-have titles can make owning the handheld an expensive pastime.

So we've got a bit of math for you this morning, to keep that DS Fanboy-reading brain of yours sharp: on average, how much cash do you lavish on your DS per month, in terms of games, accessories, and other DS-related stuff? Is it more or less than you spend on other consoles? Have you just frightened yourself?

JoystiqDS Daily: Ongoing costs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdThu, 18 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Phantasy Star ZOMG]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/11/ds-daily-phantasy-star-zomg/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/11/ds-daily-phantasy-star-zomg/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/11/ds-daily-phantasy-star-zomg/#commentsFiled under:


Despite it only existing in scan form, we're already absolutely ga-ga about Phantasy Star Zero, Sonic Team's new online RPG that will use an ingenious, Pictochat-style chat system. If you're as ridiculously excited as we are, then you've probably played one of the glorious Phantasy Star Online titles on the Dreamcast, GameCube, or PC.

So today, because we just can (and because we can't think of a decent question), we're opening the floor to Phantasy Star Online chat in general -- feel free to regale us with your favorite memories of previous PSO games, your hopes for the DS version, or, if you want to be a total spoilsport, how the online games ruined the series for you.

JoystiqDS Daily: Phantasy Star ZOMG originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdphantasy-star-onlinephantasy-star-zerorpgsegasonic-teamThu, 11 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Celebrating villainy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/ds-daily-celebrating-villainy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/ds-daily-celebrating-villainy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/ds-daily-celebrating-villainy/#commentsFiled under:


Villains: easily some of the most interesting characters in the gaming kingdom, more often or not thanks to their megalomaniacal tendencies, difficult relationships with fathers, and the plain, simple fact that being evil pretty much rules, man. But who's the best bad dude on the DS for you? The devious Don Paolo? The crooked Caulder? The hard-to-take-seriously Bowser?

And no picking Dracula. 'Cause we totally just did. Ha!

JoystiqDS Daily: Celebrating villainy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advance-warscastlevaniadraculadsdmarioprofessor-laytonvillainThu, 04 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: In the public eye]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/ds-daily-in-the-public-eye/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/ds-daily-in-the-public-eye/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/ds-daily-in-the-public-eye/#commentsFiled under:

As portable gaming reaches more and more people, so an increasing number of DSes and other gaming devices begin to appear in public areas. Nowadays, it's perfectly typical to spot at least a couple of gamers on the morning commute to work, or in your local Starbucks.

It wasn't always like this. Years ago, this blogger can recall how whipping out a gaming device in public would occasionally prompt odd looks, or even smirks from others. It's not quite as noticeable nowadays, but it does occur now and again, and there are still places I probably wouldn't play my DS -- in a bar, for example.

So here's what we want to know: what sort of reactions do you get from playing your DS in public? Where would you still not play it? And are you left frustrated by such reactions, or do you simply not care?

JoystiqDS Daily: In the public eye originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdpublictrainSat, 23 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Do you plan on catching this?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/ds-daily-do-you-plan-on-catching-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/ds-daily-do-you-plan-on-catching-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/ds-daily-do-you-plan-on-catching-this/#commentsFiled under:

Click to embiggen.

Pokémon Platinum will hopefully be arriving in the States at ... some point later this year, but until then Nintendo needs to get us in the right frame of mind for parting with our monies. To this end, the company is releasing the above limited edition Onyx DS Lite with Dialga and Palkia art, along with a pile of appropriately themed freebies.

Our Pokémon-branded calendar confirms that this is launching tomorrow in the States, so who's picking it up? And has anybody else managed to pick it up early, like jammy DS Fanboy reader Tom?

JoystiqDS Daily: Do you plan on catching this? originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundledsdlimited-editionpokemonSat, 16 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Revisiting old friends]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/09/ds-daily-revisiting-old-friends/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/09/ds-daily-revisiting-old-friends/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/09/ds-daily-revisiting-old-friends/#commentsFiled under:



When was the last time you returned to a DS game that long sat neglected in your collection? (Okay, so the answer to this probably isn't Ping Pals; and if it is, consider yourself a buffoon.)

Had you already completed the game in question, or did you purchase it and get immediately sidetracked by something else? Are there any older games you plan to return to in the near future? This blogger is currently on his third trip through the Yggdrasil Labyrinth in Etrian Odyssey (hence this topic) -- I never completed the title in two previous attempts, but I'm determined to not get distracted this time!

Gallery: Etrian Odyssey


JoystiqDS Daily: Revisiting old friends originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdetrian-odysseyping-palsSat, 09 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: 'Is ... that it?']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/07/ds-daily-is-that-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/07/ds-daily-is-that-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/07/ds-daily-is-that-it/#commentsFiled under:

As gamers, we've all experienced it: the slightly crushing disappointment of finishing that special game, the one we wished was just a few hours longer, or simply more replayable.

What was your defining "Is ... that it?" game on the DS? For this blogger, there can be only one: Professor Layton and the Curious Village. Ten hours of glorious puzzling, a charming, twisty storyline, and barely any replay value to speak of (apart from the weekly downloadable puzzles, though it isn't the same!).

JoystiqDS Daily: 'Is ... that it?' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdprofessor-laytonThu, 07 Aug 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: License to thrill]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/ds-daily-license-to-thrill/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/ds-daily-license-to-thrill/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/ds-daily-license-to-thrill/#commentsFiled under:


In yesterday's edition of Bury the Shovelware, Kaes dug a shallow grave for Sensory Sweep's atrocious game adaptation of Jackass. Nobody here was surprised. Throughout pretty much all of gaming's history, licensed spinoffs of anything -- be they movies, TV shows, comics, or any other non-game property -- have turned out to be utter dreck.

There are exceptions to the rule however, and it's those we want to ask you about today. Which license-based games really struck a chord with you and defied your expectations of what a movie/TV show/comic tie-in could offer? We know the DS is short on these, so we'll let you choose titles from the GBA library if you so wish -- such as this, for example.

JoystiqDS Daily: License to thrill originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astro-boydsdiphonejackasspspThu, 24 Jul 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/ds-daily-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/ds-daily-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/ds-daily-e3/#commentsFiled under:

As the sun sets on another E3, we thought today's DS Daily would be the ideal spot to round up all of your thoughts on the DS-related happenings of the last three days.

The biggest news -- insofar that it will probably interest the most people, anyway -- is the announcement of a Grand Theft Auto game for the handheld, a genuine bolt from the blue. Another Guitar Hero is relatively big (if totally predictable) news also, and we were personally delighted by the announcement of Wii-to-DS connectivity for Animal Crossing: Wild World, and the localization of Rhythm Tengoku.

What about you? Highlights? Lowlights? Favorite moments? Most shocking omissions? We like numbers, so give the DS's E3 a mark out of ten if you like!

JoystiqDS Daily: E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinatown-warsdsde3-2008e308grand-theft-autogtaFri, 18 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Taking it in]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/ds-daily-taking-it-all-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/ds-daily-taking-it-all-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/ds-daily-taking-it-all-in/#commentsFiled under:

E3 is simultaneously the most chaotic and thrilling date in the gaming calendar, a relentless whirl of news, soundbites, speculation, and even megatons.

But how do you, as a reader, absorb it all? Are you the sort of individual who pores over live feeds of conferences and refreshes the DS Fanboy page every ten minutes as the outside world ceases to exist? Or are you a more chilled consumer, the kind who likes to kick back and simply check up at the end of each day? Exactly how much do these gigantic, massively hyped industry events drag you in?

JoystiqDS Daily: Taking it in originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsde3e3-2008e308Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Hitting the streets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/ds-daily-hitting-the-streets/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/ds-daily-hitting-the-streets/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/ds-daily-hitting-the-streets/#commentsFiled under:


My aversion to communicating face-to-face with other people means that I've rarely seen the inside of a bricks 'n mortar videogame store since ... well, since I worked in one last year! I also have a keenness to keep as much of my money as possible -- we all know that shopping online can guarantee excellent bargains.

On the other hand, I occasionally miss the days of rooting around in GAME's bargain bin and finding F-Zero X incorrectly priced at £0.99. I used to find some enjoyment in collecting loyalty points, of scooping neat pre-order bonuses that were exclusive to high street stores, and of having new stuff in my hands instantly.

Do any of you fine folk still prefer shopping at your local games emporium? If so, what are the perks for you? Are there perhaps specific products you will only buy at said stores? And a broader question: what do you think high street retailers could do to combat the growing threat from their online rivals?

JoystiqDS Daily: Hitting the streets originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdretailershoppingstoreThu, 10 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: FPS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/04/ds-daily-fps/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/04/ds-daily-fps/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/04/ds-daily-fps/#commentsFiled under:

The latest footage of Renegade Kid's Moon convinced us (and IGN's Matt Casamassina) that the game could be something special, though a few of you evidently still need some encouragement. In the comments, reader John B. argued that no matter how much impressive technology Renegade Kid throws at Moon, it wouldn't be enough, because first-person shooters just don't work as well on the DS.

We're of the opinion that the handheld currently lacks a great FPS, but do you think the DS will ever see a triple-A game in this genre, given its obvious technical limitations?

JoystiqDS Daily: FPS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdfirst-person-shooterfpshuntersmetroidmetroid-primemoonFri, 04 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Near-death experiences]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/ds-daily-near-death-experiences/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/ds-daily-near-death-experiences/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/ds-daily-near-death-experiences/#commentsFiled under:

After spilling half a bottle of Coke across my DS earlier this week, this blogger immediately feared the worst. I need not have fretted, however. History has shown that Nintendo makes some pretty hardy, um, hardware, and after a frantic mopping and drying operation involving half the towels in the house and a hairdryer, the console functions perfectly. The R button is slightly sticky, but nothing major. It was a close call, mind you -- I very nearly had an excuse to buy one of the new red DS Lites! Bah.

What's the worst you've put your DS through, only for the tough little blighter to keep on going?

JoystiqDS Daily: Near-death experiences originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentdamagedsdfallThu, 26 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Importing from Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/19/ds-daily-importing-from-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/19/ds-daily-importing-from-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/19/ds-daily-importing-from-europe/#commentsFiled under:

U.S.-based reader Sandy recently contacted us with a quandary: s/he (sorry, Sandy, we weren't sure!) is desperately attempting to track down a new copy of Billiard Action. Unfortunately, there appears to be one major obstacle: the game is only available in the UK and Europe, and Sandy is struggling to find anywhere that will send European games to the States. Ebay is one obvious answer, we suppose, but it has its downsides. Can any of our fantastically wise readers help out?

Incidentally, we feel Sandy's pain here -- it doesn't happen often, but occasionally a Europe-only release will be cruelly out of our grasp. Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland is one recent example of this, and Cooking Guide: Can't Decide What to Eat? will become another, when it launches tomorrow.

For the rest of you, where do you import your DS gear and games from? We all know about the likes of Play-Asia and NCSX, and as excellent as they are, are there any smaller sites you feel are just as worth buying from?

JoystiqDS Daily: Importing from Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cooking-guidecooking-navidsdtingletingles-rosy-rupeelandThu, 19 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Gaming merchandise]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/12/ds-daily-gaming-merchandise/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/12/ds-daily-gaming-merchandise/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/12/ds-daily-gaming-merchandise/#commentsFiled under:


Because we're all massive, shameless nerds here at Fanboy Towers, we like to bang on about gaming merchandise, be it plushes, gashapon, game soundtracks, figurines, or inflatable Slimes. We're not feigning enthusiasm for much of this, either -- our cluttered shelves are a testament to our love for non-game gaming items. We accept that so much of it is pointless, yet we find the desire to own a plush in the shape of a cartoon lawyer is not one that can be resisted by most mortal men.

Are you similarly hooked on gaming merchandise? Tell us about your collections, and make us feel better about ourselves.

JoystiqDS Daily: Gaming merchandise originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdfigurinesgashaponmerchandiseplushplushieThu, 12 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Keeping it clean]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/ds-daily-keeping-it-clean/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/ds-daily-keeping-it-clean/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/ds-daily-keeping-it-clean/#commentsFiled under:

Although this blogger personally prefers the cool, Mac-esque appearance of the Polar White DS (it is, after all, the perfect match for the Wii), there's a good reason I don't own one: it gets hella dirty, hella quickly. It's just fairly unavoidable -- the thing is called a handheld. Hands aren't always clean.

Not that DSes of a different shade are much better. Indeed, as beautiful as the DS Lite is, they all have their fair share of grooves for dirt to creep into. Fingerprints on the glossy casing and grime that accumulates around the edges of the screens are particular culprits.

So today's question is simple: what's your cleaning routine for keeping your DS sparkling and muck-free? How often do you give it a clean (you do clean it, right?), and are there any useful techniques you'd like to share for those of us who'd prefer to keep our DSes skinless?

JoystiqDS Daily: Keeping it clean originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cleandirtdsdmaintenanceThu, 05 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Local laughs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/ds-daily-local-laughs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/ds-daily-local-laughs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/ds-daily-local-laughs/#commentsFiled under: ,


It goes without saying that all of the DS Fanboy team are colossally (some would say inexplicably) popular. However, despite the fact that we're swimming in chums, here's something not a lot of us have: DS-owning friends who will play games against us on a regular basis. Like, in the flesh.

What about you lot? Do you have a large crowd of friends who are equipped with a DS and regularly indulge in local multiplayer? Or are you like most of us, sadly limited to battling over Force Gems and taking out tank units with strangers from afar?

JoystiqDS Daily: Local laughs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 May 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advance-warsdsdfriendsmultiplayerphantom-hourglassThu, 29 May 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Something extra]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/ds-daily-something-extra/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/ds-daily-something-extra/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/ds-daily-something-extra/#commentsFiled under:

Like some sort of delicious extra content jam, Nippon Ichi is spreading exclusive content all over the DS edition of Disgaea: Prince of the Demon World and the Red Moon, hoping to reel in those who have already played previous versions.

Will what has been announced so far -- multiplayer, new characters, and touchscreen controls -- be enough for you hardened Disgaea veterans to pick up the DS game? And, speaking more broadly, how effective is extra, DS-only content at luring you into purchasing a game you've played extensively elsewhere?

JoystiqDS Daily: Something extra originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 May 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdThu, 22 May 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Playing catch-up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/ds-daily-playing-catch-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/ds-daily-playing-catch-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/ds-daily-playing-catch-up/#commentsFiled under:

We're convinced that nobody finishes absolutely every game they buy, so which titles in your collection have you not yet completed? Do you have plans to return to them, or is your gaming schedule (or, heavens forbid, life) just too crammed right now?

Personally speaking, this blogger must be a good 80% through The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, but I suspect it was another blasted visit to the Ocean King's Temple that finally put me off. I've had my copy for around a year, and now it simply sits on my shelf, sneering at me. For shame.

JoystiqDS Daily: Playing catch-up originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 May 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventuredsdlegend-of-zeldaphantom-hourglasszeldaThu, 15 May 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: That tricky extra dimension]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/ds-daily-that-tricky-extra-dimension/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/ds-daily-that-tricky-extra-dimension/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/ds-daily-that-tricky-extra-dimension/#commentsFiled under:

Tecmo's announcement that Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff would be a "classic 2D game" cheered us no end. Too often for our liking, developers seem desperate to recreate the kind of 3D games we'd find on beefier home consoles, and the results are rarely pretty. This blogger recently got around to trying out Brothers in Arms (on the advice that the game was a technical marvel), and found it to be a mess of treacly frame rates and choppy visuals. If World War II had moved at this pace, we'd still be fighting.

Occasionally, however, 3D on the DS does work, and quite splendidly in some instances. It may sound odd, but I still consider Nintendogs to be one of the best uses of 3D on the platform, simply because it wouldn't have been a tenth as engaging in 2D. How about you, dear reader? What do you consider to be the finest 3D offerings on our humble handheld?

JoystiqDS Daily: That tricky extra dimension originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 May 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brothers-in-armsdsdfootballnintendogssportstecmotecmo-bowltecmo-bowl-kickoffThu, 08 May 2008 09:00:00 EST