The Nintendo DS: Thoughts?

[Ghost]

I haven't seen much talk about the DS as I have of the PSP. I picked up this system last year when it was just released, and I have to say I'm having more of a blast with this system then with the PSP. I know the PSP isn't out yet, but there's obvious ways of getting your hands on it. But that's to be discussed in another thread. This is all about DS.

Post your thoughts, ideas, gripes, and what you expect/expected from it. So far the game library for the DS is slowly growing and their games are nothing short of fun. Granted every system always has a few that are rotten but the ones that are good are extremely great.

The Metroid Prime demo was a good example of things to come. Since then I have played Mario DS (Awesome), Feel the Magic (Very very fun for all) and just recently picked up Wario Ware: Touched! I have to say thus far Wario Ware as taken full advantage of the DS' capabilities and is extremely fun that the whole family, (and by that I don't mean it's not hardcore enough for the big gamers) and anyone can get into it, being extremely addicting. You all should try this before you go out and pick up a PSP. Unless of course you get both. :D

I have nothing against the other systems, (I normally get all of them), I just feel this is the right one to be with at the moment. With more great games on the horizon like a new Mario Bros DS game, a Sonic Game, Animal Crossing, Metroid Hunters, Ray Man, Animal Crossing, Balloon Trip, Mario Kart and more, I'm sure it'll have a long life. Check it out.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/HumanCHAOS/265x190_ds.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">


<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/HumanCHAOS/wario.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

[bigjohn550]

I haven't really payed much attention to this one. What is the deal with the touchscreen?

[Ghost]

I haven't really payed much attention to this one. What is the deal with the touchscreen?


It does seem to have come out of nowhere even with the usual coverage done by the magazines and websites. Basically it acts as another way to interact with the games you have. Pretty much almost every game out is tailored to be used by the touch screen. There are 3 ways of using the screen. The stylus pen, a thumb pad that's attached to the wrist band, and your fingers. It's prefered that you don't use them though, that's why you're given 2 pens and the one thumb pad.

A good example of the uses for the touch screen would be controlling Samus in Metroid Prime Hunters. With the thumb pad attached, you basically control, your aim and where you are facing while the dpad controls going back and forth, and strafing. It's the equivalent to using a mouse and a keyboard on a PC game. Believe me it works brilliantly. After a few practice rounds you'll be a pro.

Another method of controlling the characters, is using the touch screen with the thumb pad as if it was the analog controller on any controller. This one is a bit awkward and so far I believe only Mario DS uses this to move around the character, because you have to keep reseting your thumb to the middle of the screen to begin walking again. It's not terrible and it plays smoothly once you get it down pat.

With games like Feel the Magic and WarioWare:Touched! You use the touch screen and the mic to interact with the minigames. From dragging things around, pulling, pushing stuff, tossing them somewhere else, cutting stuff, drawing, colouring, every little aspect of what you can do with the touch screen, is intertwined with each game. Sometimes you'll have to yell at the screen, high and low, and as crazy as you'll look doing it, it's fun. You'll be blowing as well, and all this because of the mic.

Then to top it off, it also offers Wireless connectivity up to 30 feet away, with certain games. Also used to chat with others, that have a DS. Practically anyone can get in a chatroom and begin chatting with the keyboard or scribbling messages to each other. Fun stuff. Some games you'll need 2 cartridges others just one to host a game session. At the moment you can have deathmatches in Metroid and minigames in Mario DS. Also backwards compatible with the Advance games, and the backlit screen is much better since the SP is front lit. The colour is much more richer. I gotta say I love this little thing so far.

Hope that's not too much to read, but well worth it if you're interested! And there's so much more info you'll have to check out ign.com for more details that I just couldn't possibly fit in. Enjoy!

[bigjohn550]

I may have to check it out.

[MONSTER]

I'm waiting for the Playstation handheld which comes out March 24th!

[bigjohn550]

There's no doubt I will be getting that too. Or you can go on ebay and get them direct from Japan now. But you pay out the ass.

[Ghost]

I'm waiting for the Playstation handheld which comes out March 24th!


Hey, no PSP talk here! All DS!!! :P

If it's possible make sure you take out a warranty with that thing. It's Sony, and alot of early models had some flaws. Not all is great. So far I can only see myself getting Gran Turismo. Who would ever buy a Metal Gear Solid Card based game? that idea just sucks. All other games aren't very appealing. Yet.

Not to mention they're developing movies on the UMD discs that they use for the system. I can't see anyone buying the same movies over again just to watch on your PSP. That's what portable dvd players are for. They might have gone a bit to far with this, but only time will tell. Kick ass industrial design for sure.

[valemeister]

I just bought one of these today and am anxiously waiting for it to complete it's initial charge. :D I bought Zoo Keeper, Mr Driller & Polarium for it.

*giggles giddily and stares maniacally at the little orange charging light*

-Angie :p

[Zurbaran1]

I'm waiting for the Playstation handheld which comes out March 24th!

I'm agreeing with you way too much lately. The DS did nothing for me but in all fairness I'm don't really know anything about it. We've got a mess of Gameboy SPs around the house and this one didn't seem that much of a leap. Give me my PSP!

[Ghost]

I just bought one of these today and am anxiously waiting for it to complete it's initial charge. :D I bought Zoo Keeper, Mr Driller & Polarium for it.

*giggles giddily and stares maniacally at the little orange charging light*

-Angie :p

You're gonna have to tell me how Zoo Keeper and Mr. Driller are. I've not heard of Polarium I'll have to look that one up. I'm having way to much fun with WarioWare Touched right now though. You should also check out Feel the Magic by SEGA!

[Ghost]

I'm agreeing with you way too much lately. The DS did nothing for me but in all fairness I'm don't really know anything about it. We've got a mess of Gameboy SPs around the house and this one didn't seem that much of a leap. Give me my PSP!


Haha, a mess of SPs that's great! Zurb if I could, I'd let you borrow mine, just to make you a believer! If you've ever get a chance to stop by a Gamestop, Best Buy or whatever check out the display, (if it hasn't been destroyed by millions of kids yet) and check it out. You'll be surprised.

[valemeister]

You're gonna have to tell me how Zoo Keeper and Mr. Driller are. I've not heard of Polarium I'll have to look that one up. I'm having way to much fun with WarioWare Touched right now though. You should also check out Feel the Magic by SEGA! Well I'm having fun with my DS! :D The Polarium game is my fave out of the 3 I bought, but then I'm a nut for puzzle games. The Zoo Keeper is very simple and fun, but I've played games like this before. Still it's cute and fun if you like mindless fun puzzle games. I've not really played too much of Mr Driller to give you a quick review, but I'll get back to you on that when I've played a bit more.

I've also just ordered the WarioWare Touched as I've read reviews and it seems like silly fun. :) I've not seen the Feel the Magic game you mentioned...allthough some of the games aren't out over here yet. I'm looking forward to Bomberman and a few others due out soon. :D

-Angie :p

[Ghost]

Well I'm having fun with my DS! :D The Polarium game is my fave out of the 3 I bought, but then I'm a nut for puzzle games. The Zoo Keeper is very simple and fun, but I've played games like this before. Still it's cute and fun if you like mindless fun puzzle games. I've not really played too much of Mr Driller to give you a quick review, but I'll get back to you on that when I've played a bit more.

I've also just ordered the WarioWare Touched as I've read reviews and it seems like silly fun. :) I've not seen the Feel the Magic game you mentioned...allthough some of the games aren't out over here yet. I'm looking forward to Bomberman and a few others due out soon. :D

-Angie :p


Heh Wario is alot of silly fun, where you hardly have enough time to say WTf...when the next wierd game comes up! I'll have to check those out then. Feel the Magic is alot like WarioWare only with some story but hardly thrilling. The games are all anyone goes for. I'm interested in seeing multiplayer for Metroid as well, and Mario Kart! I can't wait to see Bomberman too!

[Gruson]

I thought the DS was just a bad idea.

Who wants to use the touch pad to play games? Sorry but it's cheesy and not fun. It will not last.

The portable PS should be great. It will also work as a video playback devive too.

[Ghost]

I thought the DS was just a bad idea.

Who wants to use the touch pad to play games? Sorry but it's cheesy and not fun. It will not last.

The portable PS should be great. It will also work as a video playback devive too.


That's what alot of ppl are saying. Though so far I'm having a blast with each game that has been released. As for a video playback device I have a 100gig Archos portable video player, that you could record dvds straight from a player, record video from pc, record tv shows, and use it for pics and mp3s and what not. PsP can't do that.

Plus you have to keep buying memory sticks for it. The Duos I believe. If I want a certain item to do something I'd want it to do it all. I'd buy this only for the games not for the rest of it's options. It's like ppl that have camera phones, gimmicky, but I have a real digital camera that can do it all rather then take shoddy pics on my phone just cause it's all in one you know?

But don't get me wrong, I would only use it for gaming. Just like the DS is really only meant for gaming though it's also going to have a tv tuner soon as wel.

[valemeister]

OKay, just so you know, Mr Driller is poop. It's very repetative and boring. It looks cute and that's about it. I can't see whay this is a popular game, frankly. I think I'm going to try taking it back to the shop.

-Angie :p

[Ghost]

OKay, just so you know, Mr Driller is poop. It's very repetative and boring. It looks cute and that's about it. I can't see whay this is a popular game, frankly. I think I'm going to try taking it back to the shop.

-Angie :p


Haha, that's what I thought. I never really got into the originals back when it came out. Thanks for telling me! :) Hope you can take it back!

[Zurbaran1]

Haha, a mess of SPs that's great! Zurb if I could, I'd let you borrow mine, just to make you a believer! If you've ever get a chance to stop by a Gamestop, Best Buy or whatever check out the display, (if it hasn't been destroyed by millions of kids yet) and check it out. You'll be surprised.

Ghost, I'm sure it's cool and all but at this point I'm gonna pass on it and wait for my PSP. It wil be cool to po in the Spiderman 2 movie UMD and watch it on what I hear is a phenomenal quality screen.

[Ghost]

Ghost, I'm sure it's cool and all but at this point I'm gonna pass on it and wait for my PSP. It wil be cool to po in the Spiderman 2 movie UMD and watch it on what I hear is a phenomenal quality screen.


It does have a gorgeous display. I saw it playing and hardly any skipping or slow down. Though I'd stick to the games on this and not so much movies. Though giving us Spidey 2 is a nice touch!

[valemeister]

Haha, that's what I thought. I never really got into the originals back when it came out. Thanks for telling me! :) Hope you can take it back! No prob. :) I took it back with no problems (YAY!) and I swapped it for Feel the Magic, which is called "Project Rub" over here...probably the most dodgy assed title for a game ever. LOL. But it's got loads of mini games like you said, so I'm a lot happier now.

Nintendo DS has been so popular since it's release this past weekend that there weren't many games left in the shop! I think the guy in the shop was actually very pelased to take Mr Driller off me as they'd ran out. LOL! Also, I'm looking forward to Mario Ware coming in the mail this week. :D

As for the PSP Vs DS thing, well I have a Playstaion 2 and am happy to keep p[laying games on that and have no desire to pick up the handheld version. I also don't see the point in playing movies on something that tiny. Now I've never owned a Nintendo in any form ever before and I'm really quite into this little DS machine. The little light pen is a great idea. I'm loving it anyway! :D

-Angie

[Ghost]

No prob. :) I took it back with no problems (YAY!) and I swapped it for Feel the Magic, which is called "Project Rub" over here...probably the most dodgy assed title for a game ever. LOL. But it's got loads of mini games like you said, so I'm a lot happier now.

Nintendo DS has been so popular since it's release this past weekend that there weren't many games left in the shop! I think the guy in the shop was actually very pelased to take Mr Driller off me as they'd ran out. LOL! Also, I'm looking forward to Mario Ware coming in the mail this week. :D

As for the PSP Vs DS thing, well I have a Playstaion 2 and am happy to keep p[laying games on that and have no desire to pick up the handheld version. I also don't see the point in playing movies on something that tiny. Now I've never owned a Nintendo in any form ever before and I'm really quite into this little DS machine. The little light pen is a great idea. I'm loving it anyway! :D

-Angie

Great that you got to swap it for Project Rub! It's a wacky storyline, and the games even wackier but it just gets better and better. There are games that I still haven't beaten in the archives. I agree about the PsP right now. I'm more interested in a portable gaming system, not an all in one. I have other devices to do those tricks. And it's just a tad bigger then the DS, though not as big as the Sega Game Gear which was huuuuge, but I wish it was something more logical to actually carry around to make it portable. I usually need my pack to carry games and systems. I heard Mario Kart DS is looking great and it's fast just like the SNES and N64 versions. Can't wait for that one!

[VenoM]

Just picked up this system today and I have to say I'm very impressed! :thumbs2: Just like some people I was very hesitant on getting this since the "HIGH & MIGHTY" PSP is due out soon but I have to say I am lovin' this DS! Tried Metroid and I like the way it looks and plays even though you have to use the pen to be able to turn so it took awhile to get used to. Now the MAIN reason I got this was for Mario DS, now you won't see this on the PSP! What a GREAT game, took me back to the N64 days. The games I am looking forward to are Castlevania & Mario Cart. I am pleased about the purchase, just waiting for more games! :buttrock:

[Ghost]

Just picked up this system today and I have to say I'm very impressed! :thumbs2: Just like some people I was very hesitant on getting this since the "HIGH & MIGHTY" PSP is due out soon but I have to say I am lovin' this DS! Tried Metroid and I like the way it looks and plays even though you have to use the pen to be able to turn so it took awhile to get used to. Now the MAIN reason I got this was for Mario DS, now you won't see this on the PSP! What a GREAT game, took me back to the N64 days. The games I am looking forward to are Castlevania & Mario Cart. I am pleased about the purchase, just waiting for more games! :buttrock:


Glad you liked it V! It's good to be winning converts as I keep feeling the DS will fall the way of the Dreamcast, when it was such a great system and not many ppl gave it a chance. You don't need to use the stylus pen to look around in Metroid. You see that wrist strap that came with the system? It has a little plastic tab at the end. You slide your thumb into it, secure it well and use your thumb to look around on the touch screen, it works like a mouse for any computer games! Believe me it works alot better, but for games like Feel The Magic and WarioWare you'll need the pen. I can't wait for Mario Kart either, just wait till we get to go online with it wirelessly!!!

[VenoM]

Hey Ghost, thanks for the tip. Metroid plays a little easier with the "thumb pad". Well I'm playing Mario but I just got Yoshi, should start that soon. Has anyone played Madden 2005 or Tiger Woods 2005 on the DS? I am considering getting Madden, just wanted to see if anyone has played them and what they think. Rayman is the next release and that one I will be picking up!

[Ghost]

Hey Ghost, thanks for the tip. Metroid plays a little easier with the "thumb pad". Well I'm playing Mario but I just got Yoshi, should start that soon. Has anyone played Madden 2005 or Tiger Woods 2005 on the DS? I am considering getting Madden, just wanted to see if anyone has played them and what they think. Rayman is the next release and that one I will be picking up!


Glad that helped. As for Madden or Tiger, check out www.ign.com they have reviews on all the released games thus far. I think Madden got a so so score, actually they gave it a decent score saying next year knowing full well how to use the DS's capabilities it will be much better. As for Tiger I don't remember. I'll have to check out Ray Man as well.

[Primal]

My bro got the DS when it first came out. I play it from time to time and i gotta tell you, the pen feature is great! Especially on the Mario 64 when you play one of the microgames...u can use the pen to pull back the slingshots to take down the parachuting Bomb-ombs! Coolness!

[Ghost]

My bro got the DS when it first came out. I play it from time to time and i gotta tell you, the pen feature is great! Especially on the Mario 64 when you play one of the microgames...u can use the pen to pull back the slingshots to take down the parachuting Bomb-ombs! Coolness!


I've yet to play Mario DS, I'm wondering if I should get it, even though it's a direct port from the 64 version, but those mini games sound fun! Not to mention trying to save up for statues and stuff!

[Primal]

I think some small changes were made. U start out the game as Yoshi rather than Mario. I think Mario started the game in 64 right?

[Ghost]

I think some small changes were made. U start out the game as Yoshi rather than Mario. I think Mario started the game in 64 right?


Yeah in the original you could only play as Mario, but I read in this you get to use different characters to do certain things which sounds kewl.

[ButtonsKitsune]

I think the Nintendo DS is pretty cool! I onley have 4 games for the one I own right now so I'll talk about them.

Sonic Rush
This game is pretty cool! Just like the Sonic the Hedgehog games on the GBA, it's alot like the classic Sonic games onley with more attacks, today's look of Sonic and other stuff. The onley thing I don't like about the game is the voices. Ever sinse the game 'Shadow the Hedgehog', Sonic and his friends have had horrible voices. Sonic now sounds deeper and more sarcastic, Sonic's friend Tails sounds more like a girl but he's supposed to be a boy and worst of all the cutest charactor Cream the Rabbit now has a very squiky voice that can give you a headach.

Nintendogs
This is a very cute game! In it, you raze little puppies on the DS the same way you raze them in real life (onley with lesser trouble). You buy can them toys and important things, you can sell some of their stuff you don't need to get more money in the game, you can win money by taking them to Dog shows, you can take them for walks, etc.

Kirby Canvas Curse (Japanese name: Kirby's Magic Paintbrush)
I think this is a pretty fun game! Ofcaurse, every Kirby game I've played so far has alot of fun in it. In this game instead of controling Kirby with the arrow keys, you guide him with limited amounts of lines with your DS pen thing. I think this game is fun! The onley thing I don't really like is that Nintendo didn't need to change the game title for the US.

Kirby's Squik Squad
Unlike the previos Kirby game I mentioned, you control Kirby the same way you control him in the GBA games. Bubble Kirby (Kirby's new copy abillity) is very cool! You blow bubbles with him and any enemies near by get trapped in the bubbles and you see the icon their ability appear instead of the enemies themselves.

That's all!