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Datel's Sound Speaker DSi eats handhelds for breakfast

by David Hinkle { Dec 11th 2009 at 3:00PM }

Nothing's ever going to top Nyko's crazy Zoom Case, but Datel Japan's bulky DSi speaker attachment thing -- the official title is the Sound Speaker DSi -- is definitely making a strong play for Most Crazy DSi Accessory Ever. As you can see, the accessory is not only meant to protect by consuming the handheld whole, but it also amplifies the DSi's audio ... because that's what you want from your DSi. The multitasking capabilities of Datel's device also allow you to charge your handheld (through an included AC adapter or some AA batteries) after you've spent hours being kind of a jerk.

The Datel Sound Speaker DSi runs 3,990 yen (about $45) and can be purchased here.

[Via GoNintendo]

NintendoWare Weekly: Rayman, Stop Stress, Shinobi, Street Fighter Alpha 2

by David Hinkle { Dec 7th 2009 at 10:30AM }

There's some classic platforming to be had in both Rayman and Shinobi in this week's Nintendo downloads, and even a way to deal with Jack's overabundance of stress in Stop Stress: A Day of Fury. There's over ten titles in all, so cruise past the break for the full list.

Continued →

Nintendo gives thanks for plenty of holiday week hardware sales

by JC Fletcher { Nov 30th 2009 at 10:00PM }

Nintendo announced that over 1.5 million of its various game systems were sold last week. Not last month, last week. Thanks to Black Friday and two new DSi bundles, Nintendo could afford all the trimmings for a resplendent company Thanksgiving. Not that we know whether or not Nintendo had one of those. The point is, Nintendo sold a bunch of stuff and made a lot of money.

According to Nintendo's estimates, more than 550,000 Wii systems were sold last week, and over 1 million DS and DSi systems. The release of two new DSi bundles (along with a few crazy prices) could have had something to do with that last statistic. By selling that many handhelds, Nintendo broke its own sales record for the holiday weekend! Though the company didn't manage to beat last year's 800,000 Wiis sold, which means that, despite still selling a huge number of Wiis, and despite all those DS sales, Nintendo is completely doomed, right?

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Jon Heder shows off Flipnote Studio

by David Hinkle { Nov 30th 2009 at 4:45PM }

Apparently, Jon Heder has been spending his downtime with Nintendo's Flipnote Studio. The video above shows the actor knows how to do a thing or two with Nintendo's software, though you'll find his doodlings are severely lacking in Ligers. Still, it's a neat video for some very neat -- and very free -- software for your DSi.

Head past the break for the full list of this week's Nintendo Channel content.

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Japanese Nintendo downloads: MSX games, Eco Shooter, and 16 more

by JC Fletcher { Nov 24th 2009 at 1:01PM }

There's an incredibly diverse selection of games on the Japanese Wii and DSi Shops today -- 12 different games on Wii, and 6 on DSi. Think of this as Nintendo's online version of the holiday rush.

Most interesting among the multifarious offerings: a few forgotten Konami MSX games on VC, and 530 Eco Shooter on WiiWare. That's ... an Intelligent Systems-developed shooting game about shooting cans. The cans are alive and move around. It's weird. Also weird: Nintendo's Neratte Spot! for DSiWare, which is about throwing bombs into the mouths of fish.

The whole list is after the break, because it's crazy long.

Continued →

Nintendo DSi LL gets DS-ected

by Randy Nelson { Nov 23rd 2009 at 11:00PM }

[Image Source]

The Nintendo DSi LL (DSi XL here in the West) may be big, but it's still susceptible to being dissected by anyone with the proper screwdriver and no qualms about potentially ruining a 200-plus-dollar piece of electronics. In this case, it's the daredevils at PC Watch who had the guts (and spare yen) to pop open the Big N's newest handheld offering.

The site has posted step-by-step photos documenting the teardown, the highlights of which include a look at the system's larger capacity battery and downright mammoth mainboard. Rumors that a member of the site's staff fell into the device and got lost during the process remain unsubstantiated.

[Via Andriasang]

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.