The Nintendo DS Thread

[Drev]

It came out, and I want one, but I don't have any cash right now to buy it with. :(

[DeadKennedys]

It's bulky to hold, unattractive, and the games other than Metroid: Hunters didn't really entertain me.

I pray it's not another Virtual Boy.

[AChimp]

How are you supposed to use the stylus and push the buttons at teh same time? Hold it with your teeth?

[Drunkenbrigade]

I got my D.S. on hold for me till tomorrow. I got to try metroid (they had a ds to sample at gamestop.) It had a control option to use the face bottons instead of the stylus for shooting and moving.

It looks like it'll take a while to get used to. :/

[FS]

I've heard people mention this and I have no idea what it is. Google just gives me a lot of images of people making fun of it. Is it just Nintendo's latest unnecessary Gameboy update?

[ItalianStereotype]

you haven't heard of the DS? it's the new handheld, a dual screen. I've heard good things, actually.

[Ninjavenom]

It's actually quite unique. My friend and i played the metroid prime demo on it at the local EB, and were both impressed. The bottom screen acts like a map, and you use the stylus in conjunction with that to perform all the tasks besides shooting (L and R) and strafing (ABXY). You tap the stylus on the screen twice to jump, you use it to move your cursor on the map to aim, and you use it to click on icons to use things like morph ball and missiles. I think the hardware is based on 64-bit technology, because prime looked very, very nice for a handheld game. It looked very similar to the first one, only not as crisp or shiny. Don't get me wrong, it's still a very nice looking game, and very impressive for a handheld. I don't think i'd ever really want one, however, as it seems a little active for a video game console. It takes some time getting used to the move & aim with the stylus and d-pad, but after a few minutes it can get to be quite responsive, albeit a little tiring to swing that pen at just the right angle to laser rape someone for so long.

[adept_ninja]

The metroid demo was good. I just coundnt figure out how to shoot missles. I might pick it up but right now there are only a couple of titles that intrest me (metroid, golden eye, and mario) My friend is getting it today so later on im gonna check out the mario. Ihope the jump isnt like the metroid jump.

[Immortal Goat]

Not at all. The jump is designated to a specific button, and the D-pad works surprisingly well for a 3d game. THis is one nice piece of machinery. It feels good in your hand, it responds well, and the graphics on it are just gorgeous for a handheld. Sure, PSP's graphics will be better, but battery life will suck. If anyone had any doubts as to which handheld will dominate, I think this clinches it for the DS. Great gameplay mechanics, innovative ideas, and nice graphics. I got Super Mario 64 DS on it, and it rocks. New levels, 30 new stars, and three new characters.

P.S. If you want to shoot missiles in the Metroid demo, you need to tap the missile icon on the bottom screen like you do for the morph ball. A little odd, but you get used to it.

[ArrowX]

Its gonna be hell for Us leftys because they stylus is like a pen and I'll have to use my left hand with it and warp my right hand to the D-Pad. I heard you could load roms and Snes emulators into them is that true?

[EverythingWillSuck]

i preordered one with super mario 64, but i have to pick it up tommorow

[eggyolk]

I heard you could load roms and Snes emulators into them is that true?

Very interesting. Where did you hear this?

[ArrowX]

gossip at the EB games

[HickMan]

That sounds fishy. I doubt that.

[ziggytrix]

Well, if you have a GBA rom cart, yeah, you can, since this DS is backwards compatible with GBA (but not GB or GBC) games. But they're pricey and you gotta mail order those things from Korea or China, so it's not like everyone will do that.

[DamnthatDavid]

Having just worked my first 5 hour shift at Gamestop... blah...

I can answer some questions that I was asked, and had to find out.

The download capabilites of the D.S. are amazing. Say, 2 people have a DS, but only one has Mario 64 DS, and they both want to play multiplayer. Well, get within 30ft (the game claims 30 feet, but active testing from the employees put it at about 100)
and you can download the game from their DS and play multiplayer.
I wasn't there for the testing, they had tried it out that morning.
It's like the old StarCraft Spawn. Speaking of StarCraft and RTS, I believe the DS is perfectly situated for RTS. And it's wireless capabilities allow you to get a bunch of people together and destroy it up for hours. Just imagine a road trip, 3 of you guys/girls battling it up, while the driver silently sulks at being left out.

[Schimid]

Arrow, you could do that with the GBA with those flash cards (as Ziggy said)...I have one myself.

I'm probably not gonna pick this up. I played a demo of Metroid Prime: Hunters and I really, REALLY disliked the control system.

[James]

I actually did find the system to be more intriguing, once I got to handle it. My only complaints are;

-I worry about the screen's resistance to scratches, when using the stylus or even your own finger.
-A D-pad for 3D games is just really awkward.
-Lack of titles that interest me right now. Though with the few titles that interest me for the GBA, that helps.
-Problems with the lighting. Is it backlit, because I found it looking very dark unless I held it at the right angle to catch the light.

I really would consider buying this system, though. But not until I see more. I'm glad I didn't break down and buy a GBA SP, though. I saved myself $100 which I can now use toward this... or the PSP, which I am still really interested in.

[Anonymous]

I say hold out in case they pull another stunt like they did with the original GBA. No backlighting, what the hell?

I'll bet the second DS has a more resilient screen, or something.



Ah, what the hell am I saying? If they had another Castlevania clone on it, I'd already own it.

[the_dudefather]

i would buy one in a second if that were the case (assuming it was as good as aria oif sorrow :) :) :))

[Immortal Goat]

I say hold out in case they pull another stunt like they did with the original GBA. No backlighting, what the hell?

I'll bet the second DS has a more resilient screen, or something.



Ah, what the hell am I saying? If they had another Castlevania clone on it, I'd already own it.

It has a very nice backlight, actually. Works perfectly.

There are things you can pick up for about 15 bucks that protect both screens, and buying those would probably be cheaper than buying a "new" DS, like the SP was more expensive than just backlighting your old GBA.

[James]

One more problem with the DS. The Power button turns the system on and off with a simple press. No holding it down for a certain amount of time is needed.

This was what many of us thought, considering how close it is to the D-pad. And, in my first play of the handheld, I did turn the system off by accident.

[Dr. V]

I love it, can't complain about anything. all my buddies at my work bought one and we're gonna do a 4 player mario fest later this week.

[Comrade Rocket]

Ah, i got one today and i have to say im really impressed. I love the use of both screens, and yes the whole stylus deal is a little akward but i was able to find a comfterble postion which i could use it effectively. I was only able to get the system since i get paid tomarrow. So my GBA games are going to have to hold me over till then.

Fighting the green samus at the end of the demo was a blast and i wanted to try the multi player and slapped myself realizing that i could have used the Display DS at the game store. Im the only one in my area with one, but im going to try to get some of my neighboors to get it too so i dont have to even leave my house to play some games.

It feels like im playing a fucking portible nintendo 64. The cartriges are like a freaking memory stick and i would be worried about losing them, of course i felt the same why when i got some of my first GBA games. Between this and the PSP i think the DS comes out on top. I hear things that the only thing the PSP has over it is better graphics but it suffers from being very expensive (i hear $300 for the system?!) a short battery life (3 hours comparied to the 10 on ds) and a lack of apealing launch titles (MGS card game? wtf) also i hear that there using mini disks.

[Dr. V]

I think psp plays mp3s too. But I was looking at it and the graphics aren't even close to DS. DS actually has better graphics than the 64. Mario is much more detailed in this one.

[Immortal Goat]

PSP uses UMD discs, a brand new format. THe problem with THAT is that nobody really knows this format, and they use it for everything. Not only do they release games on that format, but movies as well. So if you want to watch portable movies, you need to re-buy them in a new format.

[adept_ninja]

universal media disk
not so universal only sony products use it :/

[ArrowX]

the next DS will probab;y be some horrid Pekedex looking like thing with a web cam so you can send video over blue tooth.

[EverythingWillSuck]

'blue tooth'

[thebiggameover]

i think the ds lack of titles is because nintendo wanted to get the drop on sony and sped up the launch date. if i had the money, i get a ds right now...

[Sicktodeathmx]

I'm glad all of you could even get DS. They released them at the same time here and Japan, so some people had a hard time getting their hands on one. We stopped doing res for them about a month before they came out.

[the_dudefather]

to remix my last post, if the NDS has flash carts like the gba and the ability to use emulators (imagine the sweetness of a snes or genesis emulator on one) i would get one in a second.

however, the same is said for PSP

[EverythingWillSuck]

uhhh, you can use GBA flashcarts

[Stabby]

Best reason to get a DS:

http://gba.n64europe.com/specials/nintendogsflash4.html

[Dr. V]

That is the greatest thing on earth!

[the_dudefather]

uhhh, you can use GBA flashcarts

yeah but ds flashard....things, unless you can use the gba cards for ds applications, which i assume is unlikely

[pjalne]

Best reason to get a DS:

http://gba.n64europe.com/specials/nintendogsflash4.html

HOLY FUCKING SHIT!

[the_dudefather]

nintendogs: all the fun of being trapped in a white room with a 3 dogs, a skipping rope, a frisbee, a ball and your imagination....

[EisigerBiskuit]

it's more like dogs trapped in a white room while you try to keep yourself from crying :(

[Dr. V]

Jeeze thanks for sucking all the fun out of it and making it into something weird.

[GADZOOKS]

HALF-LIFE FAGS >:

[the_dudefather]

dont get me wrong it looks like a cool game, but your in a weird white room, wouldnt a park or something be more approprate?

[Dr. V]

yeah i guess a big white room is kinda creepy.

[pjalne]

Maybe you can choose your own wallpaper :o

[Dr. V]

yeah that'd be good.

[EisigerBiskuit]

it looks more like a white room with windows...
why the hell are we talking about a room, this looks spectacular

[Dr. V]

cuz we're the i-mockery gang.

[Jamesic]

Best reason to get a DS:

http://gba.n64europe.com/specials/nintendogsflash4.html

Looks like a realistic game! Probably just as good as having real dogs!

[Jamesic]

You people are very fortunite!! I live in the UK, and there I have to wait until early 2005! Looks like it will be worth the wait, though...

[Dr. V]

I have found 2 drawbacks to the DS. You can't connect it to the Gamecube and you can't use the e-reader. Bummer.

[Guitar Woman]

Well, at least it will have online play. EVENTUALLY.

[Dr. V]

If it only has a 30 foot range, how can they do online? You'd have to be standing next to the friggn server.

[Emu]

Can someone honestly straight out tell me: Is this thing worth getting? I already have an SP and I told myself I'd never buy another Gameboy after that, but damnit this thing is cool. :( :(

[Dr. V]

It's not a gameboy, it's a whole new system. Trust me, mario 64 is worth buying it for.

[Guitar Woman]

NO. IF YOU WANT TO PLAY MARIO 64, PLAY IT ON YOUR GODDAMNED N64, WITHOUT THAT FAGGY MULTIPLAYER MODE. BASTARD.

[Dr. V]

Jesus dude, get a grip.

[Guitar Woman]

NO.

[Dr. V]

Fine then, you don't have to buy it. Go play Yugioh.

[Guitar Woman]

If it only has a 30 foot range, how can they do online? You'd have to be standing next to the friggn server.

Oh, and did you read my post? I said "eventually." When the folks at Nintendo decide to get off their lazy asses, the DS will be able to hook up to a phone line and have online play. I also think the D pad might be replaced with some kind of joystick in future models.

[Guitar Woman]

And fuck you, I already got it.

[Dr. V]

And fuck you, I already got it.

The quit bitching about it and enjoy.

[Schimid]

Jesus Christ, Spaz, calm the fuck down.

[James]

I have found 2 drawbacks to the DS. You can't connect it to the Gamecube and you can't use the e-reader. Bummer.

You couldn't do those with the GBA either. BA-ZING!

[Dr. V]

Uh yeah you could...

[EisigerBiskuit]

BA-ZING!

[Dr. V]

Yeah!

[James]

Uh yeah you could...

HEY DR VOLSHURAWITZ BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR THE UPS TRUCK YOU SHOULD BE GETTING JOKES ANY DAY NOW :lol

[EisigerBiskuit]

I can sign it under James
he wasnt making a joke

[Dr. V]

Uh yeah you could...

HEY DR VOLSHURAWITZ BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR THE UPS TRUCK YOU SHOULD BE GETTING JOKES ANY DAY NOW :lol

I am completly lost here.

[Drev]

Try to draw mario with your penis! :X

[Comrade Rocket]

a round of lollers on james!

got Mario 64ds and damn... its awesome! they added 3 new characters, 30 more stars, an extra level (but i dont know what it is since i never got to play the 64 verson) and tons of mini-games that can be unlocked in the full game. Get this game, seriously.

the multiplayer game was lackluster. I played one round using my DS, the sample DS in the store and then one of the employees DS. mainly in was three yoshi's in an arena and each one runs around looking for stars. scattered around the level are three hats that will turn you into Mario, Luigi and Wario respectively.

The multiplayer for metroid was actually fun. We had a deathmatch and now that ive got the control scheme down i pretty much dominated. im prolly gonna get another game tomarrow because i want to play different games. i cant decide between urbs and spiderman. and im defentaly gonna get Wario ware DS when it comes out.

[GADZOOKS]

off-topic, i think lackluster is a great way to describe YOU.

[Goldensoldier]

Its gonna be hell for Us leftys

Looks like im not getting it, i just thought of that too :/

[Dr. V]

Most of the games have left handed controll schemes too.

[EverythingWillSuck]

y'know, anyone remember all the 'luigi in SM64' rumors going around back in 97/98? and that one 'unofficial' site based around it run by that ten year old kid?

i hope they're all happy now :(

[James]

In Japan, they did get a semi-sequel to SM64 with Luigi in it, compliments of the 64DD.

If they port Mother 3 to the DS, I'll buy it.

[EverythingWillSuck]

In Japan, they did get a semi-sequel to SM64 with Luigi in it, compliments of the 64DD.



I want proof >: .

[thebiggameover]

the ds is getting ff3j...
:eek