Nintendo DS sees flurry of new announcements; more online details
At a press conference in Tokyo earlier this month, Nintendo (as well as Famitsu magazine) lifted the lid on a host of new, never-before-announced DS games; many of which are compatible with the companys brand-new WiFi Connection service, which was also elaborated on. Amongst the most intriguing titles announced include a new Wario platformer, new Castlevania, Archaic Sealed Heat, a new RPG from Mistwalker, a new Phoenix Wright title. Sudoku and jigsaw puzzles are also on the way - possibly as budget titles? Detect Hacker is a Nintendo title set with anime graphics set in modern-day Tokyo. Mario Basket 3 vs 3 is, surprisingly enough, a Mario basketball game, with three suprises - impressive 3D graphics, full online capability via the WiFi Connection, as well as reportedly being developed in conjunction with Square-Enix. Now that would be strange. A new Brain Training title was also confirmed for release this side of Christmas in Japan, which, given its predecessors stellar sales performance in recent months, is sure to light up the sales charts.
In a move sure to strike fear and loathing into the hearts of gamers everywhere, Nintendo have also announced the existence of, wait for it- a new RPG starring Tingle. Words fail me at this point, so in the absence of further information, well move ever-swiftly onwards. For all available details on the games revealed, see the news story we posted here.
Nintendo have also been talking a lot recently about their new online service. Nintendo have re-iterated that all their games will be free to play online, although third-parties may decide to charge a fee. As previously announced, Mario Kart will spearhead the companys first serious foray into online gaming- although it has seen its European release date slip back two weeks to November 25th. To improve access to their WiFi service, Nintendo are releasing a special USB dongle that simply plugs in to the USB port of a broadband-enabled computer. As if by magic, your computer become a WiFi hotspot. This nifty gadget will be released alongside Mario Kart and shouldnt cost any more than £30, although exact pricing remains unconfirmed. As for the actual online play, Nintendo are offering three connection methods to find players:
* Online, 2-4 players can play against each other (8 player not available).
* Online choice of opponents: Friends Only (players registered as Friends), Rivals (players with similar skills, found via an online matchmaker), Recent Opponents, Regional Racers (players in your country), World Racers (players anywhere in the world).
* Online, there's no limit to the choice of course, and it is chosen by players voting for a course. The track with the most votes wins (in the event of a tie, a random course is played).
Sounds good, eh? You can be sure that Revo-Europe will be organising a host of Mario Kart competitions in the very near future- let us know your ideas on the format it might take. Unfortunately, living in a non-broadband enabled area of Ireland, Ill have to watch on jealously.