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Iwata: DSi XL is a spectator system

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

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

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

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

DSi XL dated for Q1 2010 release, Nintendo confirms

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 29th 2009 at 4:30PM }

Not only will the first few months of 2010 play host to the release dates of a squadron of delayed aught-nine blockbusters, it's also when we can expect to see the recently announced, seriously embiggened DSi XL hit North American and European store shelves. According to a Nintendo spokesperson, the new model of the handheld will be released stateside (and ... union-side?) in the first quarter of 2010.

That just leaves us with one final, appropriately oversized question: How much is it going to cost? Don't get us wrong, we love the idea of buying a bigger version of a smaller version of a smaller version of an originally bulky handheld -- but based on the sheer number of titles we'll be buying in the dawn of next year, we're probably going to be kinda strapped.

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

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

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

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

Nintendo officially announces large-screen DSi LL, hits Japan Nov. 21

by Randy Nelson { Oct 29th 2009 at 4:01AM }

It's huuuuge: Nintendo DSi LL (red) versus Nintendo DSi (white)

Well, that didn't take long. Just two days after Japan's Nikkei newspaper reported that Nintendo was planning a new variant of the DSi sporting larger 4" screens (which it called "speculation"), the Big N has gone and announced it -- for Japan, at least. Called the Nintendo DSi LL, the hefty handheld will be released in Japan on November 21 for a price of ¥20,000 ($221).

The device has so far been shown only in a burnt red finish and features a full pen-sized stylus. The whole kit's big -- just look at the above comparison image from Nintendo's site -- and really does appear well-suited for an older audience. We'll have more on the DSi LL soon.

[Thanks, Dr. NOGAMES!]

Nyko Zoom Case for DSi unleashed upon the world

by James Ransom-Wiley { Oct 29th 2009 at 3:00AM }

Click for 2x ZOOM!

The last of Nyko's Big Three from E3 has hit the marketplace, and it's a doozy. The "Zoom Case" is, uh, well, it's a protective case for the DSi with, yep -- that's a gigantic camera lens attached to it. And would you look at that? Nyko saved up enough for a real-life model. She really helps to sell the image of a social networking enthusiast. Don't you think?

No, seriously, the Zoom Case "improves upon one of the landmark features of the DSi, enabling gamers to take higher quality images, which is perfect for the growing suite of social networking capabilities available on the platform," says Nyko marketing director Chris Arbogast.

Ohhh ... that explains it!

Gallery: Nyko Zoom Case (DSi)

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

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

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

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

[Via Siliconera]

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

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

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

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

Report: Nintendo updating DSi with bigger screens this year

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

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

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

Update: Nikkei has now put the article online.

[Via NeoGAF]

GameFly lists first DSi-exclusive game for US release

by Randy Nelson { Oct 20th 2009 at 5:15PM }

According to online game rental service GameFly, Monster Finder (note: totally not Monster Hunter), the first DSi-only game announced in Japan, will be headed to the US thanks to Konami. Siliconera notes that the game is listed for a January 2010 release.

As we've previously reported, the game -- which sounds similar in concept to the PSP's Invizimals -- utilizes one of the DSi's two cameras to create an augmented reality adventure where players must "find" monsters in the real world. We find ourselves wondering if its creator, Alpha Unit, just wasn't feeling all that creative when naming the game ... or if it really wanted that tenuous Monster Hunter connection after all.

Hands-on: Konami's DSiWare 'Reflection'

by Kevin Kelly { Oct 14th 2009 at 5:15PM }

With concept art and a logo that look like they were ripped straight out of a Mirror's Edge anime fansite, it's not surprising that Konami's first DSiWare title Reflection is all about the gameplay and not the graphics. The game features an extremely innovative use of the DSi's second screen as a literal reflection (get it?) of the game, turning an otherwise pedestrian platformer into a challenging puzzler.

You play as Kirra, a thief for hire who has been tasked with retrieving an ancient mirror from some similarly ancient ruins. When she finds the mirror, it does what all ancient mirrors do: it breaks. And in doing so, the mirror shatters her reality as well. She now has to reassemble the mirror if there is any hope of restoring her world, and she does this by traveling through both her world and the mirror world, reflected in the DSi's bottom screen.

Gallery: Reflection (DSiWare)

Continued →

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

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

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

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

[Via GoNintendo]

Japanese Nintendo downloads: Kirby and Kissy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nintendo sells 2.2 million DSis, says Walmart is biggest customer

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

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

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

Continued →

DSiWare purchases locked to hardware, only Nintendo can transfer

by Randy Nelson { Sep 30th 2009 at 10:30PM }

If you're bored with your black or electric blue DSi and looking to trade-over to one of the newly released white or pink models, your DSiWare purchases won't be able to make the journey. UK site Nintendo Life has confirmed that, with the exception of a broken handheld, purchases made from the DSi Shop are permanently "locked" to the system they're downloaded onto.

Unlike Xbox 360, PS3 and PSP there's no method for transferring the rights to downloaded software from one machine to another by the end user. In fact, Nintendo Australia informed the site that, should a DSi break and its owner want its DSiWare moved to a new unit, both must be mailed in to Nintendo, which will perform the process.

We've asked Nintendo of America if it has a similar policy for what should be a matter of a simple phone call to de-authorize one DSi and authorize another to download content you've already paid for. We're anticipating a "yes" in response. Then again, as GameSpot points out, NOA's end user license states "software downloaded from Nintendo DSi Shop is licensed to you, not sold." Pays to read the fine print.

[Via GameSpot]