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[Minecraft Pocket Edition adds simplified, touch-based crafting]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/minecraft-pocket-edition-adds-simplifed-touch-based-crafting/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/minecraft-pocket-edition-adds-simplifed-touch-based-crafting/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/minecraft-pocket-edition-adds-simplifed-touch-based-crafting/#comments ImageThe world of Minecraft - Pocket Edition was pretty boring up to this point - just mines and mines, everywhere, as far as the eye can see. But finally, the other half of the game has been added in an update: Crafting is now available on the iOS and Android mobile versions of the popular sandbox title.

The crafting system for the mobile interface is called MATTIS, as in the Minecraft Advanced Touch Technology Interface System. All you need to do is open your inventory, choose what you want to make, and as long as you have the necessary components, it's made. Other additions in this update include better AI for zombies, cows and ducks, and descriptions of items in your inventory. We're really looking forward to the next update, though: Hopefully Mojang will put Pockets or Editions in the game next.

JoystiqMinecraft Pocket Edition adds simplified, touch-based crafting originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcraftingiosiphonemattisMinecraftmobilesystemtouchupdateWed, 25 Apr 2012 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy to be torn apart, rebuilt for touchscreen devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/super-meat-boy-to-be-torn-apart-rebuilt-for-touchscreen-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/super-meat-boy-to-be-torn-apart-rebuilt-for-touchscreen-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/super-meat-boy-to-be-torn-apart-rebuilt-for-touchscreen-devices/#comments Super Meat Boy has seen success on Xbox Live, PC and Mac, but as is often the case while playing SMB, Team Meat have decided that's not good enough. Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes of Team Meat announced via Twitter today that they're rebuilding Super Meat Boy from scratch for a potential launch on mobile touch devices.

In a six-part tweetfest, Team Meat disclosed the following details: The touch title will be remade from scratch and won't play like Super Meat Boy; it will be a larger, more traditional game, unlike titles such as Doodle Jump; and they promised it won't use "shitty touch controls."

"if you liked SMB im sure you will enjoy this (if its good enough to continue on :) ) we just had a few cool ideas and wanted a challange," one of Team Meat's tweets reads.

Team Meat said that if the project fails and turns out to not be any fun, they'll scrap it and move on to the next idea, which we can only assume is a Super Meat Boy live-action point-and-click adventure title in 3D. Those adventure things are all the rage these days, we're told.

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy to be torn apart, rebuilt for touchscreen devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edmund-mcmillenmacmicrosoftmobilepcprototypesuper-meat-boyteam-meattommy-refenestouchtwitterxboxThu, 09 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How UMvC3's Vita touch controls work]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/how-umvc3s-vita-touch-controls-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/how-umvc3s-vita-touch-controls-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/how-umvc3s-vita-touch-controls-work/#comments Portable versions of fighting games have a long and storied history of using alternate control schemes, although it's primarily been more out of necessity than for the sake of innovation. These days, however, modern handheld systems (like Sony's upcoming Vita) offer just as much input dexterity as their shelf-based counterparts, if not more so, to the point where developers are able to expand and experiment with their control paradigms.

The Vita port of Marvel vs. Capcom 3, for example, makes use of both the device's touch screen and its rear capacitive touch panel for movement and attacks. Moving your finger horizontally along the back panel moves your character left or right, moving it down makes them duck and moving it up makes them jump. Attacks are initiated by tapping the screen, and hyper-combos are triggered by tapping the hyper meter; assists are called in by tapping the respective character's icon.

It sounds like an awful lot of furious tapping and awkwardly loving strokes along the back of the device, and considering that all of your characters' meters could be on the left or right side of the screen, a bit of ambidextrousness may be required as well. Fear not, however: Conventional control methods will be included at no extra charge.

JoystiqHow UMvC3's Vita touch controls work originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcommvc3playstationplaystation-vitatouchtouch-controlstouchscreenultimate-marvel-vs-capcom-3umvc3vitaSat, 10 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony files series of patents for two-finger touch devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/sony-files-series-of-patents-for-two-finger-touch-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/sony-files-series-of-patents-for-two-finger-touch-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/sony-files-series-of-patents-for-two-finger-touch-devices/#commentsAkihabara News has discovered a series of patent applications from Sony Computer Entertainment America, all dealing with touch interfaces. One (#20100299595), for example, specifies an interface that uses "two-fingered touch" gestures for data manipulation, and even specifies that the touch interface may be separate from the main display -- like the "trackpad" thing on the back of the rumored PSP2.

Other suggested layouts in that application include a hypothetical design "wherein the first and second case portions are slidably connected to each other" and one "wherein the visual display and touch pad are disposed on the same side of the case." In fact, Sony covered its bases, listing every possible combination of screen and touch interface as a possibility.

Other patents deal with specifying a "buffer" region on the touch interface between active input areas, using touch on one input to activate zoom on the screen, and highlighting information on one screen in response to a touch, in order to disambiguate. It sounds like Sony is most interested in using touchscreen input to affect a separate display, which would suggest the rear-touchpad interface from that purported PSP2.

JoystiqSony files series of patents for two-finger touch devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>patentplaystationpsppsp2sonytouchtouchscreenusptoTue, 30 Nov 2010 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Fable 3 art team working on a menagerie of animals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/fable-3-art-team-working-on-a-menagerie-of-animals/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/fable-3-art-team-working-on-a-menagerie-of-animals/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/fable-3-art-team-working-on-a-menagerie-of-animals/#comments You may not have been too disappointed by Fable 2's lack of animals (filthy, stinking animals), but Lionhead's Lead Artist John McCormack was, and he tells Beauty of Games that he's making up for it with the next game. "The lack of animals in the Fable franchise is always something that has bothered me," he says, and so in Fable 3, "we've built bats, crows, rabbits, ducks, robins, vultures, lizards, rats, butterflies, moths, insect swarms, dogs, fireflies, geese and we even started on a cow."

Rest assured that animals won't be the only new part of the experience, though -- McCormack also says his team is hard at work on incorporating the new Industrial aesthetic into the game's buildings, morphed weapons and NPCs as well. He's not sure whether all of those animals will eventually make it into the finished product, but we hope so -- vultures need to be Touched, too.

JoystiqFable 3 art team working on a menagerie of animals originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 May 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalsartbeauty-of-gamesconcept-artfablefable-3industrialjohn-mccormacklead-artistlionheadLionhead-Studiosmicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiostouchXbox-360Mon, 10 May 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Revolutionary: Dreaming of Wii 1.5]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/revolutionary-dreaming-of-wii-1-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/revolutionary-dreaming-of-wii-1-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/revolutionary-dreaming-of-wii-1-5/#commentsFiled under: , ,

With both E3 '08 and the midpoint of this generation fast approaching, while it may be a bit premature, we wouldn't mind seeing a few changes in the Wii hardware. Within their lifetimes, the PS2 slimmed down, the Gamecube parted with a port, and the DS shed its baby phat, so it's not unreasonable to expect some sort of alterations to the Wii.

A compact box that's already inexpensive to produce (and continuously remains in greater demand than supply can keep up with) may not cry out for revision, but there are a few bits that can be nipped and tucked to enhance the appeal and value of the Wii. This week Revolutionary goes Revisionary.

Continue reading Revolutionary: Dreaming of Wii 1.5

JoystiqRevolutionary: Dreaming of Wii 1.5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 May 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dvd playerDvdPlayerflashflash driveflash memoryflashdriveFlashMemoryhard driveHardDrivejoystiqfeaturesRevolutionarytouchWed, 07 May 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's most Microsoft Surface-y video: Firefly demo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/todays-most-microsoft-surface-y-video-firefly/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/todays-most-microsoft-surface-y-video-firefly/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/todays-most-microsoft-surface-y-video-firefly/#commentsFiled under:

It's been a while since we first speculated on the gaming potential of Microsoft's Surface multi-touch tabletop computer -- long enough, in fact, that that potential has now become somewhat more actual. Sarcastic Gamer has the video of a Carbonated Games demo for Firefly, a simple game that, appropriately enough, involves gathering fireflies into jars (sorry Whedon fans, no Reavers here).

The multi-touch abilities of the Surface are put to good use in the video -- even with three hands and up to 15 fingers pushing the little flies around, the Surface doesn't seem to miss a beat. Our favorite part, though, has to be the ability to squash opposing players bugs with your actual fingers. Try doing that with one of today's consoles. We dare ya.

Continue reading to see why the future of gaming is as bright as a squished firefly's bottom.

Continue reading Today's most Microsoft Surface-y video: Firefly demo

JoystiqToday's most Microsoft Surface-y video: Firefly demo originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demoFireflyfuturegameMicrosoftMicrosoft surfaceMicrosoft-SurfaceMicrosoftSurfaceMSmulti-touchPCtouchThu, 28 Feb 2008 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Buffering ... Buffering ... Majo Shinpan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/02/buffering-buffering-majo-shinpan/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/02/buffering-buffering-majo-shinpan/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/02/buffering-buffering-majo-shinpan/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you've been following Doki Doki Majo Shinpan with the same level of interest as we somehow have developed, then you probably saw our first video footage of the game, taken from a store demo. But that was in a noisy store, shot with a handheld camera, and not really the ideal presentation for game video.

Well, this is significantly more ideal. It's a Windows Media stream of that same video, in much better quality. The only problem-- like we said, it's a Windows Media stream. Expect to wait a bit.

[Link goes to a streaming .WMV video.]

[Via Dengeki]

JoystiqBuffering ... Buffering ... Majo Shinpan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddmsdokidoki doki majo shinpanDokiDokiMajoShinpandokimajodsds liteDsLitelitemajonintendoshinpansnktouchvideowitchwitchesMon, 02 Jul 2007 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Touch Darts with ... a dart]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/touch-darts-with-a-dart/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/touch-darts-with-a-dart/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/touch-darts-with-a-dart/#commentsFiled under:

Some promotional items don't require much thought at all. The game's about darts, and the system uses a stylus, so here's a stylus that looks like a dart. You can pretend you're poking a dart board very softly!

The real fun here is using this stylus with other games. You can pretend you're being a total sadist to your Nintendogs, for example. And Dream Skincare? More like Dream Acupuncture. Or, if you prefer, Dream Shredding Someone's Face with a Dart.
[Via GoNintendo]

JoystiqTouch Darts with ... a dart originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dartsdslitenintendosegastylustouchtouch dartsTouchDartsFri, 15 Jun 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tons of Doki Doki Majo Shinpan screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/tons-of-doki-doki-majo-shinpan-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/tons-of-doki-doki-majo-shinpan-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/tons-of-doki-doki-majo-shinpan-screens/#commentsFiled under: ,

We've just updated our gallery of screenshots and art from SNK's Doki Doki Majo Shinpan. As is the norm for this game, there's a lot of weird stuff to enjoy.

We'd like to point out the character seen here, who is a retro game freak and therefore totally not a witch so leave her alone. Oh, wait ... is that Athena? Hmm. Either she is a witch and she uses awful games as weapons, or she's proudly displaying a copy of Athena and something is terribly wrong with her. In either case, should you encounter this character in the game, just put your DS on the ground and run away from it until you pass out.

There's also a boy witch, apparently. Good to know SNK is providing equal opportunity for everyone, regardless of sex or sexual orientation, to be uncomfortable. Gotta grope 'em all!

JoystiqTons of Doki Doki Majo Shinpan screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>athenaddmsdokidokidokidokidokimajoshinpandsds liteDsLitelitenintendonintendo dsNintendoDsshinpansnktouchwitchThu, 31 May 2007 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bug-hunting game looks like edutainment done right]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/28/bug-hunting-game-looks-like-edutainment-done-right/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/28/bug-hunting-game-looks-like-edutainment-done-right/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/28/bug-hunting-game-looks-like-edutainment-done-right/#commentsFiled under: ,

Insects are huge in Japan. We don't mean in the Mothra kaiju sense, but in that they're very popular. Kids like to collect and battle stag beetles (sound like another popular Japanese form of entertainment?) Therefore, a bug reference guide on the DS seems like a pretty good decision.

Quiz & Touch Kensaku Mushi Sukan (Quiz & Touch Insect Encyclopedia) is our kind of non-game: not only does it provide visual and sound information about many species of bugs, but it also has quizzes and minigames about the bugs, including games based on identifying particular insects by sound and color. Librarians and those training to be librarians will probably agree: more reference books should have games in them.

JoystiqBug-hunting game looks like edutainment done right originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 May 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugdsds liteDsLiteinsectkensakumushinintendonintendo dsNintendoDsnongamenongamesquizreferencesuccesssukantouchMon, 28 May 2007 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The witch hunt goes international]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/15/the-witch-groping-phenomenon-goes-international/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/15/the-witch-groping-phenomenon-goes-international/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/15/the-witch-groping-phenomenon-goes-international/#commentsFiled under: ,


SNK's Doki Doki Majo Shinpan has been doing great business in preorder, and seems to be getting a lot of attention. Now it looks like SNK is responding to this success by marketing the game in ... China! A new translated version of the website has appeared, offering the same content in Chinese. No, it doesn't help us any, but at least they're thinking about some international marketing. That's one baby step closer to an English localization, right?

The Japanese page has been updated too, with the screen cleaner shown above (which some Japan-based reader should really think about securing for us) and new screens of the first-person Magic Battle Mode. Apparently, somehow, you can do something to upset the girls. Just touch the "Read" button to determine if it's a witch check out the screens.

[Via Canned Dogs]

Continue reading The witch hunt goes international

JoystiqThe witch hunt goes international originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinachineseddmsdokidoki dokidoki doki majo saibandoki doki majo shinpanDokiDokiDokiDokiMajoSaibanDokiDokiMajoShinpandsds liteDsLitelitemajonintendonintendo dsNintendoDssaibanshinpansnkstraptouchtouchingwitchwitchesTue, 15 May 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon.co.jp shoppers are crazy about witch-hunting]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/02/amazon-co-jp-shoppers-are-crazy-about-witch-hunting/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/02/amazon-co-jp-shoppers-are-crazy-about-witch-hunting/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/02/amazon-co-jp-shoppers-are-crazy-about-witch-hunting/#commentsFiled under:


SNK's Doki Doki Majo Shinpan, the already-infamous adventure game about examining young girls for evidence of witchery, seems to have gotten Japanese gamers' hearts beating. The preorder listing for DDMS is now the top-listed video game on Amazon.com's Japan store.

It's currently ahead of the Final Fantasy Tactics PSP remake, Vanillaware's rather delicious-looking Odin Sphere, and even Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. We have to admit, we're happy to see SNK experiencing such success, though it's weird that we think of SNK as underdogs now when they used to charge people $300+ for their games.

[Via NeoGAF]

JoystiqAmazon.co.jp shoppers are crazy about witch-hunting originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 May 2007 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureddmsdokidokidokidokidokimajosaibandsds liteDsLitehentaimajonintendonintendo dsNintendoDsshinpansnktouchwitchwitchesWed, 02 May 2007 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Doki Doki Majo Saiban gets C rating]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/13/doki-doki-majo-saiban-gets-c-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/13/doki-doki-majo-saiban-gets-c-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/13/doki-doki-majo-saiban-gets-c-rating/#commentsFiled under: ,


Whew. The official Doki Doki Majo Saiban website has been updated, and it looks like SNK's troubling game isn't as troubling as it ... could be. CERO, Japan's equivalent to the ESRB, rated its content a C, which means it is appropriate for ages 15 and up. At least we know it's definitely not full-on pornography, and that following the development of this game is somewhat less like watching a train wreck in slow motion than it was when we thought it was going to get a Z rating (18 and up).

The website also corroborates our idea of the story and gameplay; the player, as a high-school boy, is compelled by an "angel" called Lulu to hunt witches by staring and prodding at girls to make their hearts beat quickly; their facial expressions and the background indicate their level of tension.

[Via NeoGAF]

Continue reading Doki Doki Majo Saiban gets C rating

JoystiqDoki Doki Majo Saiban gets C rating originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Apr 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddmsdokidokidokidsds liteDsLitehentaijudgmentlitemajonintendonintendo dsNintendoDssaibansnktouchwitchFri, 13 Apr 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Europe gets Picross DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/europe-gets-picross-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/europe-gets-picross-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/europe-gets-picross-ds/#commentsFiled under: ,

We didn't think the awesome Picross DS would ever find its way out of Japan. But Nintendo surprised us, as they tend to do now and then, by announcing that the puzzler will get a European release on May 11th.

They're branding this as part of the Touch Generations series, and mention that it will include 300 puzzles, and features like a "Daily Picross" mode, puzzle creation (with Wi-Fi sharing),and unlockable minigames. For the Americans out there who feel left out-- don't worry! Even if Nintendo doesn't release Picross DS, this European version will have English text, so it's still good news for you, if you don't mind importing!

JoystiqEurope gets Picross DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Mar 2007 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsds liteDsLitegenerationsnintendonintendo dsNintendoDspicrosspicross dspicrossdspuzzletouchtouchgenerationsThu, 29 Mar 2007 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[A few Touch Detective Season 2 1/2 screens, and one creepy wallpaper]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/16/a-few-touch-detective-season-2-1-2-screens-and-one-creepy-wallp/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/16/a-few-touch-detective-season-2-1-2-screens-and-one-creepy-wallp/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/16/a-few-touch-detective-season-2-1-2-screens-and-one-creepy-wallp/#commentsFiled under: , ,


More news from Success today! Famitsu posted a few screens of Touch Detective Season 2 1/2 (Osawari Tantei Ozawa Rina Season 2/12). It turns out that the "Season" appelation is not just being clever; the game looks identical to its predecessor, meaning that the new content is limited to story, rather than graphics or gameplay. This is fine! We can appreciate restraint.

Also, over at the Japanese home page, a "download" section has popped up with a weird, weird March calendar wallpaper. Feel free to browse around the home page and read the developer blog if you can. Just in case you don't feel like messing around with kanji or Flash, we've provided the wallpaper, and the Famitsu screens, after the break.

Continue reading A few Touch Detective Season 2 1/2 screens, and one creepy wallpaper

JoystiqA few Touch Detective Season 2 1/2 screens, and one creepy wallpaper originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Mar 2007 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1/22atlusdetectivedsds litedslitelitenintendonintendo dsnintendodsosawariseasonsuccesstanteitouchtouchdetectiveFri, 16 Mar 2007 17:50:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Multi-touch?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/20/ds-daily-multi-touch/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/20/ds-daily-multi-touch/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/20/ds-daily-multi-touch/#commentsFiled under:

SexycoolTouch-screens have been around for quite some time; why, we can nary remember a time when our fancy high-tech bowling alley didn't use such contraptions as input devices. Attaching one to a portable game system was certainly innovative, but not exactly ground-breaking in terms of new technologies. Multi-touch, on the other hand, is a relatively new and possibly exciting feature that might find its way quite soon to the PC consumer market. For an excellent demo of its capabilities, check out this video.

Our topic today is purely hypothetical: do you think a device like the DS could have benefited from such a technology? Certainly it would have driven the cost higher, but is the touch screen too small to effectively make use of dual inputs at the same time? Can you think of any situations where you sought such magical wonders?

JoystiqDS Daily: Multi-touch? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Feb 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdMultitouchtouchscreenTue, 20 Feb 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Unfulfilled potential]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/26/ds-daily-missed-potential/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/26/ds-daily-missed-potential/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/26/ds-daily-missed-potential/#commentsFiled under:

Pretty...potential.The DS has a myriad of unique features, and as developers quickly learned, it isn't necessarily wise to throw them all into a game as cheap gimmicks. Many titles have used these features as essential elements of gameplay (see: Trauma Center, Kirby's Canvas Curse), but in many cases, we can't help but feel that developers are missing out on the some of the opportunities afforded them by the DS.

Where is our hockey game, in which the stylus is used as a mini-hockey stick to accurately handle the puck? Why don't games with magically-based battle systems allow you to shout a short incantation to activate a spell? Lost Magic had a player draw runes, which was creative, but we've been wanting to bust out dramatic Latin phrases for quite some time.

Do you have any ideas that you think developers should implement? Has the true potential of the DS been fully reached? Only time (and your comments) will tell.

JoystiqDS Daily: Unfulfilled potential originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Jan 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdFeatureMicrophoneMissedOpportunityPotentialScreenTouchFri, 26 Jan 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS phone, not by Nintendo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/ds-phone-not-by-nintendo/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/ds-phone-not-by-nintendo/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/ds-phone-not-by-nintendo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

D800iDS Imitation is the best form of flattery: Japanese mobile phone operator NTT DoCoMo has unveiled the Mitsubishi-built D800iDS, yes, a dual-screened celly that features a touch screen in place of a keypad. The D800i will even include a PictoChat-like utility, allowing users to exchange hand-written messages and crude drawings. As pictured, games will also be a key component of the new phone, which will debut in white, just as DS Lite did.

DS Lite has owned Japanese sales charts since its launch (the thing prints money, really). But can Nintendo's success be so easily duplicated in the mobile phone market?

JoystiqDS phone, not by Nintendo originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CellCell PhoneCellPhoneD800iDSDoCoMoDSDS LiteDsLiteJapanMitsubishiMobilePictoChatTouchTouch ScreenTouchScreenWed, 17 Jan 2007 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Touch Generations reach out and touch greatness]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/13/touch-generations-reach-out-and-touch-greatness/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/13/touch-generations-reach-out-and-touch-greatness/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/13/touch-generations-reach-out-and-touch-greatness/#commentsFiled under:

The amount of greatness Nintendo's Touch Generations line of games has touched in the US can only be conveyed through numbers. Around 3.5 million numbers, to be exact.

Yes, you read that correctly, Nintendo's Touch Generations brand, which is shared by numerous titles such as Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!, Magnetica and True Swing Golf, has sold close to 3.5 million copies in the US. Clearly, Nintendo's philosophy of making games "meant for anyone to pick up and play, regardless of their prior gaming experience" is working out for them.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqTouch Generations reach out and touch greatness originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Oct 2006 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsgenerationsnintendonintendodstouchtouchgenerationsFri, 13 Oct 2006 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[A quartet of new Touch Detective videos touch our heart]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/26/a-quartet-of-new-touch-detective-videos-touch-our-heart/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/26/a-quartet-of-new-touch-detective-videos-touch-our-heart/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/26/a-quartet-of-new-touch-detective-videos-touch-our-heart/#commentsFiled under:

When we aren't busy touching our DS (and Joystiq isn't busy touching on disgusting topics during interviews), we like to casually daydream about Touch Detective. Atlus always does such a bang-up job on their localizations, we feel compelled to seek out their projects and make them our own. Touch Detective is no exception.

It brings us great amounts of joy to report that IGN has put up 4 new videos of the game. You may find them all conveniently located right here.

JoystiqA quartet of new Touch Detective videos touch our heart originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Sep 2006 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlusdetectivedsnintendonintendodstouchtouchdetectiveTue, 26 Sep 2006 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Get your drool on with some Bomberman screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/get-your-drool-on-with-some-bomberman-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/get-your-drool-on-with-some-bomberman-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/get-your-drool-on-with-some-bomberman-screens/#commentsFiled under:

Pirates LIVE for booty.Set to release this November thanks to Atlus, Bomberman Land Touch contains three modes of gameplay and will support Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection service. The three modes of gameplay, which are Story, Attraction, and Battle, hope to keep gamers-on-the-go busy for quite some time. No doubt the Wi-Fi gameplay will offer plenty, in that regard.

These 20 screenshots are the first from the English localization of the game.

JoystiqGet your drool on with some Bomberman screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bombermanboomcap'ndslandlitenintendotouchTue, 29 Aug 2006 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Touch Generations slogan ideas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/07/touch-generations-slogan-ideas/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/07/touch-generations-slogan-ideas/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/07/touch-generations-slogan-ideas/#commentsFiled under:


We don't normally post about advertisements, instead leaving that up to the ad critics, but this Touch Generations ad just brought some hilarious commentary to our mind. We envision a nice evening out, maybe the couple's 23rd anniversary, and after a few glasses of wine, the husband is feeling a bit frisky once the couple arrive home. "Not right now," she says, shouting "brew" into her DS Lite during an intense round of Brain Age. "I have to get my brain's age down," she quickly follows with. The husband, upset, rolls over and firmly fixes a frown upon his face, falling asleep.

In the spirit of cruelty, we decided we'd come up with our own ad slogans for the Touch Generations brand. Here goes:
  • Touch Generations: Now having a headache doesn't have to be your only excuse.
  • Touch Generations: Because you're too old for most stuff anyway.
  • Touch Generations: "Paddles" are too complicated nowadays.
  • Touch Generations: You'll be damned if you're paying for another dog from the pound. 6 is quite enough!
  • Touch Generations: Because reading is for dummies.
  • Touch Generations: Because you should at least be able to kick your kid's ass in one game.
What kind of brilliant marketing ideas are swimming around in your noggin?

JoystiqTouch Generations slogan ideas originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Aug 2006 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agebraindsgenerationslitenintendotouchMon, 07 Aug 2006 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo takes classic games to Wi-Fi]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/28/nintendo-takes-classic-games-to-wi-fi/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/28/nintendo-takes-classic-games-to-wi-fi/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/28/nintendo-takes-classic-games-to-wi-fi/#commentsFiled under:

European Nintendo lovers (Nintendites?) get some pretty sweet perks. First they get their hands on a model DS Lite we Americans don't get, now this?! Dubbed 42 All-Time Classics, this Wi-Fi-enabled title seeks to bring all the classic card, board, and parlour games to the DS with added touchscreen controls.

Featuring games such as chess, draughts, darts, poker, backgammon, bridge, billiards and bowling, the game will also be releasing soon after in the US under the title Clubhouse Games. We'll also be getting the Wi-Fi functionality. So basically we're getting the same package, it's just that we're petty and can't let well enough alone sometimes.

42 All-Time Classics is set to release in Europe on September the 29th for around £20 and Clubhouse Games is set to release in the United States on October the 9th.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqNintendo takes classic games to Wi-Fi originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Jul 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsgenerationslitenintendotouchFri, 28 Jul 2006 14:30:00 EST