DS News
March2007
Review Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (DS)
A return to the text-based games of the past
Hotel Dusk is entirely a throwback to retro text based games with some gameplay that really shines. You play the game horizontally (Brain Age style) and only use the touch screen. By conversing with the local hotel guests, bits and pieces of the back story of the mysterious hotel come about, as well as...
Review Diddy Kong Racing DS (DS)
The Nintendo 64 classic returns on DS, but how does it compare to Mario Kart DS?
Ah Diddy Kong Racing, one of my old friends, how nice to see you again. How fitting is it that Diddy Kong Racing is Rare's first DS title. One of my favorite games for the Nintendo 64, the game that in my opinion took Mario Kart 64 and improved on it in every possible...
Review Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS)
Konami's evergreen vampire hunting series drops by for a second bite on the Nintendo DS, but can it maintain the blistering pace set by Dawn of Sorrow?
Those of you lucky enough to have experienced the sublime Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow will no doubt be very excited by this latest release for the Nintendo DS. Once again Konami have settled on the...
News Pokemon To Become First Wii Online Title
Nintendo have today announced that Pokemon Battle Revolution will be the first online game for the companies latest console, Wii.
Whilst everyone is enjoying the GDC we've learnt that Nintendo plans to release Pokemon Battle Revolution in the US this coming June. It's also the first title to link to DS and use the DS as a controller. "Wii™...
February2007
As I have already stated in my preview the concept for Cooking Mama is utterly fantastic. To think that there are still companies out there that want to be original, that want to make something new and that want make use of Nintendo’s technology is quite heart warming to me.
Cooking Mama might not be the best game you’ll ever play. In fact – I...
Elite Beat Agents are GOO!!! -Commander Kahn Tap, slide, and spin your way through awesome songs in this interactive rhythm action game for the DS!
Elite Beat Agents are GO! Elite Beat Agents is unique, to say the least. It’s a rhythm action game, and the closest comparison would be to the PS1 classic Parappa the Rappa. You only use the stylus...
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January2007
News Diddy Kong Racing Details
Possible Mario Kart beater with four all new tracks, six player online action AND a track builder.
One game has been sleeping, sleeping until now. Nintendo have finally revealed all the goods on their upcoming remake of the N64 classic Diddy Kong Racing, hitting the DS in the US next month. Fact Sheet:A bloated space pig has taken control of Diddy...
December2006
Review Densetsu no Stafi 4 (DS)
Starfish are so adorable... but hard to understand in Japanese
For many, this may be the first time of hearing the name Stafi. Over in the land of the rising sun the name is held in high regard, with several Stafi games out for the GBA/DS. Alas, all four of the Stafi games have never gone to retail outside of Japan, a huge shame. So without further...
Here is a little fact for you: Superman is shit. Why people choose him as their favourite superhero I will never know. How can you relate to an alien character that perfectly resembles a human and wears his underwear outside his tights? Oh and couple that with the fact he is perfectly invincible and it all gets a bit pointless really, doesn’t it?
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Crash landing on DS, mini games a plenty, but how does this measure up to previous Crash titles?
From what I remember Crash Bandicoot was pretty much written off from the first moment when he landed onto PlayStation consoles all those years ago, at least by the non-Sony crowd, he's no Mario or Sonic, right? To his credit, Crash re-appeared again and...
September2006
Review Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (DS)
Another handheld Castlevania?
Since the release of the absolute classic Symphony of the Night on the Playstation, the Castlevania series has metamorphasized from the original side scrolling action/platformers to sprawling adventures games, packed to bursting point with collectables, enemies and areas. Recent 3D incarnations have been incredibly hit...
August2006
Review Naruto: Saikyo Ninja Daikesshu 4 (DS)
Kage-Bunshin No-jutsu!
Naruto has become somewhat of a smash hit sensation over in Japan and now we find that its influence has made it to the West. The anime is airing in the US and UK (although the Japanese is far superior to the American version), but as of yet we haven't seen too many games outside of Japan.[screenshot=44ed88bce07ed]Frantic...
It's proven on consoles, but how will Burnout translate onto the handhelds?
The wonderful world of Burnout: easily my favourite racing series of the last decade. With Burnout: Revenge I'd even suggest that the series has surpassed the infamous Ridge Racer franchise. Each game in the series has developed further and always seems to improve. It's a...
Competition Mario Fanatics Competition
Nintendo have teamed up with Buzznet giving you the chance to win a DS Lite completed with New Super Mario Bros game.
Still not managed to go and treat yourself to a brand new DS Lite system? Nintendo are now offering you the chance to WIN one simply by showing your eternal love for Mario. "Remember the time you freaked out because the power...
For those of you who would love to play Breakout again.
If you've ever had an addiction for the game Breakout or Arkinoid, you may have interest in the DS game Break 'Em All, especially with the price tag of $19.99. There are 12 power ups you can gain, 50 pre-set levels to play, and a massive number of randomized levels. Unfortunately, this may not...
Review Trauma Centre: Under The Knife (DS)
Get prepped for surgery, stat!
Trauma Centre is one of those games that I never imagined would become a game. You play as a new, rookie surgeon. That's right, a doctor! Using the touch screen, you perform a variety of surgeries on all sorts of patients. From burning away tumors, to massaging someone's heart to resuscitate them. The game's...
July2006
It's actually not that bad...
Monster House, of course, is based on the movie that just got recently released. I must say that I'm quite surprised that the game isn't bad, for a movie tie-in game. The game is in the same style as Smash TV or Total Carnage, with great run and gun action, and a bird's eye view. I have not yet gotten a chance to see...
Touching is good!
Yoshi Touch & Go was an early title for the DS. The game centres on getting the highest score possible, making it feel like an arcade game. With other excellent selections for the DS with much more depth though, this game has been overlooked by many. However, it isn't all that bad. The game starts out with you controlling baby...
Review Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (DS)
Court is now in session! Will the defendant please take to the stand?
For everyone outside of Japan, Phoenix Wright is a bold and new concept for a game. Can Western gamers really appreciate a highly text driven game about a defence attorney? For the case against this game for being a waste of money, I plea with you, members of the jury, hear this...
Review The Urbz: Sims in the City (DS)
Boooorrrinnggg!
The Urbz: Sims in the City is a poorly made Sims experience. In fact, this is a completely different experience from the original Sims title. The Sims was a slow paced game where you could play God and control how people live their lives. Unfortunately, the Urbz doesn't give you the same freedom that the original Sims gave you. The...
Dr. Don & Dr. Dan return to our screens, breaking free from the PlayStation universe and emerging on the DS.
For those that don't know, Namco's Point Blank series originated as an arcade title back in 1994 along with its partner in crime, Time Crisis. Both games were ported over to the PlayStation using the fashionable G-Con 45 light gun. Point...
Review New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
New and improved?
Just a little over 20 years ago, Nintendo released their Nintendo Entertainment System onto the US gaming market and packaged with it, a game that would forever change the landscape of video games. This game was the original Super Mario Bros. and it single-handedly sold millions of NES systems. Over the next five years Nintendo...
June2006
Review WarioWare Touched! (DS)
You've got the touch
The biggest mistake you could possibly make with WarioWare Touched! is overlooking it due to the simplistic visuals. Until you play the game it isn't apparent that this simplicity is what keeps WarioWare so entertaining. If there ever was a DS game that can appeal to all ages, this surely is it. I must admit that the subset of...
May2006
Our favorite blue hedgehog returns in his first DS outing and along with that brings a new friend along for the ride: Blaze the cat.
So what does this mean for all those Sonic fans who still feel Sonic 3 and Knuckles was the last great Sonic game? Nothing because this is just as good if not better! No longer do we have bottomless pits from Sonic...
Pac's on a roll, with no self-control
Everyone knows Pac-man from his highly addictive debut arcade game, but for a while now Pac-man has been taking a walk on the wild side and venturing into the world of 3D. So it came as no surprise to see that the yellow gobbler has made it onto another DS game, this time 3D. And Thus starts the Pac 'n Roll...
"The Rub Rabbits help you to score with the girl, but how does the game itself score?"
Rub It! Touch it! Breathe on it! Yell at it! Are the best phrases to describe Project Rub (Feel the Magic). The game makes use of every feature that is individual to the DS. Making it one of the most exclusive and refreshing titles around. Quirky can not even...
Review Metroid Prime: Hunters (DS)
Prime pocket power
Retro Studios' highly regarded Metroid Prime games may only be available on home consoles, but that hasn't stopped Nintendo from bringing a slice of first-person Samus to the DS in the form of Metroid Prime: Hunters. In Hunters, you take the role of the female bounty hunter, Samus Aran, who seeks an "ultimate power." In...
Review Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old is Your Brain? (DS)
I can now add and subtract small numbers without using my fingers.
In the past, I have heard many things about how good video games are for you. I've heard that they help with hand-eye coordination and can even help increase knowledge. Of course, I never understood how, in anyway, it could really help. Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day...
April2006
Review Viewtiful Joe: Double Trouble (DS)
Superhero Joe returns for a portable adventure, but is it Henshin a good-good baby?...
Viewtiful Joe Double Trouble is yet another instalment in the classic Capcom series about the superhero who loves films, Viewtiful Joe. The DS outing had a lot to live up to in comparison to the console versions, maybe a bit too much was expected? For me the first...
Review Animal Crossing: Wild World (DS)
It's so cute!
To tell you the truth, I don't feel like Animal Crossing: Wild World is a video game. To me, it's more of a hangout. It's a fantasy world you can go to, to escape from reality…especially if you enjoy collecting furniture and planting pear trees. Wild World takes you away from your dull and boring life, to an alternate world full of...
Review Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan (DS)
Welcome to the world of quirky Japanese rhythm games. I hope you enjoy your stay...
As you may have guessed Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan (in English; Go! Fight! Cheer Squad) is a musical rhythm game for your Nintendo DS. As it is only available in Japan the game is host to many Japanese tunes (catchy ones at that) and the typical quirky scenarios you would...
News DS Lite To Launch June 1st?
Could the DS Lite be launching on June 1st for North America?
According to the Barnes and Noble website, the DS Lite will be launching June 1st in North America. I'm not exactly sure if this is true or not, and Nintendo has not yet confirmed it, but this does sound like a good date.
Ubisoft have released another snippet of information for the upcoming "Lost Magic" title for Nintendo DS.
Today, Ubisoft have published a fact sheet overview of its upcoming "Lost Magic" game for Nintendo DS set to release on April 28th. In a world after the "Creator" has passed away… He left humans 6 types of magic (earth, water, fire,...
Tetris DS is coming soon, classic gameplay with added Touch Control and Wi-Fi enabled.
Nintendo hype up the revamped "Tetris DS" with a press release, the game is set to feature 6 themed gaming modes and of course, online multiplayer action. Launching across Europe on 21st April, Tetris is ready to re-capture the hearts of millions once again...
Review Super Princess Peach (DS)
FINALLY, Princess Peach gets her own solo adventure to herself, and even gets a chance to save Mario!
It's been a long while since Nintendo has made a traditional 2-D Mario game, so you could imagine what excitement I had when I found Nintendo would be releasing one. To my surprise, Super Princess Peach was nothing I thought it would be like. Sure...
February2006
Review Mario & Luigi: Partners In Time (DS)
Just in time
If you are one of those lucky people to have played Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga on the GBA you will understand the hype behind this new game. Set after the events of their GBA adventure Mario and Luigi are once again called upon to restore peace to their beloved Mushroom kingdom. The previous instalment saw us play as both Mario and...
January2006
Draw Pac-Man, move him and gobble as many ghoulies as possible in this DS adventure.
We all remember Pac-Man as being one of those highly addictive early games that you still play to this day. Recently he has been going through some changes, there are now several 3D adventures and a Mrs Pac-Man ;). Pac-Pix sees Pac-Man back on a 2D plain but this...
Characters from Japanese manga Jump's franchise's all duke it out in a Smash Brothers style game.
Jump is a manga company/publisher in Japan who owns a large proportion to the rights of most Japanese cartoons that you have seen. These feature the likes of Dragon Ball, Naruto, One Piece, GTO and Rurouni Kenshin. In America they are under various...
December2005
News Japanese DS Sales Hit 5 Million
Just over 12 months were needed to sell over 5.4 million Nintendo DS units.
Reuters has today reported Nintendo's Satoru Iwata confirming that domestic sales of the DS portable game machine reached 5 million units in less than 13 months after its launch in early December 2004, becoming the fastest-ever pace in Japan's video game market. Whatever the...
