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Electroplankton makes weird noises on Japanese DSiWare this week

by JC Fletcher { Jul 6th 2009 at 2:00PM }

Nintendo continues to release bite-size portions of old DS games as DSiWare games, which may rankle some, but we think its latest broken-up DS game makes a lot of sense. The company plans to release Electroplankton in Japan as ten individual 200-point downloads, each consisting of one of the "plankton" instruments from the "game."

This Wednesday, Tracy, Hanenbon, Nanocarp, and Beatnes will be available on Japan's DSi Shop. On July 22, Rec Rec and Lumiloop will be released. Finally, in August, Sun Animalcule, Luminaria, Marine Snow, and Volvoice will be available.

This could be the perfect venue for creator Toshio Iwai to release future musical toys. Could Electroplankton continue this way, with new instruments being released periodically? It's probably not wise to hope for anything that isn't a segment of an existing game, but it's possible!

NintendoWare Weekly: Water Warfare in for a Reel Fishing Challenge

by David Hinkle { Jun 29th 2009 at 11:25AM }

It wouldn't be Monday without new games to download across Nintendo platforms. This week's highlight is definitely Hudson's first-person soaker, Water Warfare. It's a neat concept, but we really think Hudson could've spent some time tightening up the graphics on level three.

Gallery: Water Warfare

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One more thing: AQ Interactive announces Korg DS-10 Plus

by JC Fletcher { Jun 26th 2009 at 7:15PM }

How often is a publisher relaxed enough to announce a product with an extended joke? Usually, trailers are very carefully put together to attract the target market. None of that for AQ Interactive, however! The publisher revealed its new DSi-enhanced version of Korg DS-10 by having producer Nobuyoshi Sano give a fake Apple-style keynote presentation. And it's fantastic.

As for the program, it uses the extra processing capabilities of the DSi to double the number of analog synthesizers (to four) and drum synthesizers (to eight), allows the use of twelve tracks, and features real-time editing. Korg DS-10 Plus will be out in Japan on September 17. See the faux Stevenote after the break.

[Via Offworld]

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VC Friday: Hudson Powers Up

by JC Fletcher { Jun 26th 2009 at 6:15PM }

This week in Europe, Hudson Soft has one release on all three Wii download services. That's a pretty impressive feat, even if the individual games don't seem that exciting. We suppose 50 sudoku puzzles for 200 points is nice, and SimEarth is a good game.

The Hudson releases are joined by Taito's Puzzle Bobble/Bust a Move update and by Altered Beast. Now, we love Altered Beast more than most people (by which we mean we love it some), but 900 points for the arcade version? What's that about?

WiiWare:

Puzzle Bobble Plus! (1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Water Warfare (1-2 players offline, 2-8 online, 800 Wii Points)

Virtual Console:

Altered Beast (Arcade, 1-2 players, 900 Wii Points)
SimEarth (Turbografx-16 CD-ROM, 1 player,800 Wii Points)

DSiWare:

Sudoku 50 for Beginners (1 player, 200 DSi Points)

Preview the Flipnote Studio site

by JC Fletcher { Jun 23rd 2009 at 3:15PM }

The Japanese version of Flipnote Studio, called Ugoku Memo-Chou, integrates with a special version of Japan's Hatena blog site, allowing users to upload, share, and view videos made using the DSiWare animation app. Soon after the launch of the Japanese site, Hatena put up a partially translated version of the Ugomemo Hatena site as a preview of the eventual North American version.

The site has been somewhat of a work-in-progress since then, with some extra pages translated, including the explanation of the premium Ugomemo Hatena Plus service, and some content remaining in Japanese. It's a sign that we'll be able to share our insane sprite sheet flip books and cute Mario animations immediately after the service launches, whenever that happens.

[Via GoNintendo]

DSi replacement cases available to careful people

by JC Fletcher { Jun 22nd 2009 at 11:00AM }

Are you confident enough to crack open your DSi and expose its delicate internals to dust, fingerprints, and your cat? Or has your DSi already been cracked open by an unfortunate accident? In either case, you may be happy to learn that XCM has launched a line of DSi replacement cases that allow you to change the color of your system.

The Eye Candy Shell comes in two existing DSi colors: black and white (the second of which may be of interest to North American DSi owners, since that color has yet to launch here), as well as chrome and the pictured crystal -- perfect for, say, showing off added LEDs and engraving a unicycling llama onto. For those of you willing to risk the integrity of your $170 console for a cosmetic change, XCM offers instructions and a list of online retailers carrying its products.

[Via Kotaku]

DSi going on national tour

by Justin McElroy { Jun 22nd 2009 at 9:00AM }

Like Forrest Gump, who ran from coast to coast to help a nation believe in love, the DSi is going on a national tour to help spread the gospel. At special events across the country, you'll be able to give the system a spin as part of the Nintendo DSi Mobile Tour (so much better than last year's fatally flawed DSi Stationary Tour).

Look for the system at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisc. (June 25-29), the Rothbury Festival in Rothbury, Mich. (July 2-5), the All Good Music Festival in Masontown, W.Va. (July 9-12), and the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago (July 17-19). When more dates are slated, you'll be able to find them right here.

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Summer of DS

by David Hinkle { Jun 15th 2009 at 3:15PM }

Nintendo is planning a full-on assault of DS advertising this summer, evidence by this week's Nintendo Channel updates. In following around one family, the TV spots will show they they keep them from taking a detour into Boredsville during their vacation through use of the DS and DSi. Of course, as with just about any Nintendo DS advertising campaign, all we see them playing is some Brain Age and Mario Kart. But, hey, it's worth watching alone for the hilarious put-downs of one Garret Morris, trust us.

For the rest of this week's updates, head past the break.

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NintendoWare Weekly: Minis March Again, Swords & Soldiers

by David Hinkle { Jun 8th 2009 at 11:45AM }

With all of the excitement of E3 dying down, it's time we got back into the groove of things, and Nintendo knows that best. This week, the DSi gets some Mario vs Donkey Kong love, and WiiWare gets a pair of new titles. The Virtual Console isn't left out in the cold, either, as strategy fans will likely be interested in what Ghengis Khan is up to. So, head past the break and check out what's available for download from Nintendo this week.

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Nintendo releasing black Wii, red DSi this summer

by JC Fletcher { Jun 4th 2009 at 3:05AM }

Our bingo card was off by just a couple of days. Nintendo didn't bother to introduce a new color for the Wii system during its E3 press conference ... or anywhere else in North America, for that matter. Japan got its own mini-megaton tonight in the form of a new black Wii system, which will release in Japan on August 1. In addition, accessories including the Wiimote, Classic Controller, and Classic Controller Pro, will also be released in black to coordinate with the new system and extract money from people who already have Wiis.

In addition, Nintendo announced that a red DSi system will launch in the region on July 11. No announcements have been made for any other region.
[Via Kotaku]

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DSi photo sharing to Facebook coming this fall

by Randy Nelson { Jun 2nd 2009 at 12:58PM }

Nintendo has just announced that it is planning a way for sharing photos taken using the DSi's built-in cameras with the world. Beginning this fall (and presumably via a firmware update) the handheld will be able to send snapshots directly to its owner's Facebook page. Exactly how the transfer process will work hasn't been detailed, but it can't be that difficult, can it?

Make your own microgames in WarioWare DIY for DSi

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 2nd 2009 at 12:55PM }

If the frantic WarioWare franchise has begun to lose its place in your heart of hearts, it sounds like the next chapter should rejuvenate the franchise's luster. WarioWare DIY will let players use the DSi's camera (and a few basic photo modification tools) to create their own microgames. When you've finished, you'll then be able to share your creation with nearby players. This could be hilarious or -- based on our observations of the average genitalia-filled Pictochat session -- absolutely terrifying.

Square Enix announces Dragon Quest Wars for DSiWare

by JC Fletcher { May 18th 2009 at 10:29AM }

Square Enix has revealed the Dragon Quest Wars whose title was trademarked last month. Anyone expecting some kind of MMO tactics game will be disappointed, because while the new game does feature online play, it's nothing quite so grandiose. In fact, it's a 500-point DSiWare download.

Dragon Quest Wars is an online-capable board game for up to four players. Each player creates a team of four classic Dragon Quest monsters and participates in "simple battles" against up to three other AI or player teams. The small game has some decent strategy game cred: it's being developed by Intelligent Systems, the Nintendo second party responsible for both the Fire Emblem and Advance Wars series. Dragon Quest Wars will be out in Japan this June.

[Via 1UP]

Nintendo sold enough DS systems in Japan for one-fifth of the population

by JC Fletcher { May 11th 2009 at 6:00PM }

Nintendo's strategy for the DSi has evolved from "one DS per household" to "one DS per person." This slide from Satoru Iwata's fiscal year 2008 financial results briefing demonstrates just how frighteningly close Nintendo has come to that goal in Japan.

According to the chart, 26.1million DS systems have been purchased in Japan, or 20.5% of the population of the country. That means that if each DS belonged to one person, one fifth of Japan would own a DS. Of course, each DS doesn't belong to one person -- people who bought DS Phats re-bought Lites and then DSis; and no doubt many people bought second systems for a new color scheme or a limited-edition, or to replace a broken system. Regardless, the DS has undeniably made its mark on Japanese society.

The US and Europe, on the other hand, have almost reached ten percent market penetration each. Just ten percent? That's merely outstanding -- what a disappointment for Nintendo.

[Via Kotaku]

Intellivision DSi collection held back by Nintendo policy

by JC Fletcher { May 7th 2009 at 1:25PM }

Would you like to have a downloadable collection of vintage console games on the DSi? We would too! Oh well. When the DSi was announced, Intellivision president and IP holder Keith Robinson decided to move a stalled DS version of the Intellivision Lives compilation to DSiWare.

However, Nintendo rejected the project. Apparently, according to an email Robinson received from Nintendo, WiiWare and DSiWare games cannot "run under emulation."

Because of this rule, we're missing out on the most authentic presentation of Intellivision games yet. Look at that -- even the Intellivision keypad is emulated on the touch screen, with overlays and everything. Nintendo didn't respond to IGN's inquiry about the rule, so as of yet we don't have an explanation for the refusal. It's likely that Nintendo refuses emulated projects to avoid Virtual Console-style games on WiiWare. But there's no Virtual Console on DSi, so either that rule needs to be changed or there will be a VC soon. Scratch that -- the rule needs to be changed.