An unlicensed stylus will Ruin your Portrait — Nintendo DS thread

[ADC]

But who cares! Nintendo gives you two with every DS! (Used to be three, though, back in the day … cutbacks, they said.)

Right, continuing from here (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=1414428&page=0&view=c ollapsed&sb=5&o=7&vc=1), and the big news is that Castlevania Portrait of Ruin will, from select retailers, be available in a pretty sweet collectors' set (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6160362.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6160362) which includes yet another stylus!

But don't get your knickers in too much of a twist over Castlevania because there are still a bunch of games between now and then, including Seiken Densetsu: Children of Mana and Final Fantasy III DS, both of which are being released in the States for the first time!

Yes, I know it's the first time at the rodeo for Children. /images/graemlins/relief1.gif

[Kaikou]

[ QUOTE ]
ADC said:
But who cares! Nintendo gives you two with every DS! (Used to be three, though, back in the day … cutbacks, they said.)


[/ QUOTE ]

I got a original DS right on launch day and there were only two stylus.

[ADC]

[ QUOTE ]
Smashingblue said:
I got a original DS right on launch day and there were only two stylus.

[/ QUOTE ]
I got three with my Mario Kart DS, all the standard small dark gray. Maybe I'm just living correctly?

[Kaikou]

[ QUOTE ]
ADC said:
[ QUOTE ]
Smashingblue said:
I got a original DS right on launch day and there were only two stylus.

[/ QUOTE ]
I got three with my Mario Kart DS, all the standard small dark gray. Maybe I'm just living correctly?

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe they added more after launch and then took the extra one away again at some later point in time? Maybe you got lucky? /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

My DS was the launch one that came with a demo of Metroid Prime Hunters.

Ultimately the original DS stylus pales in comparison to the Lite's, yet neither I would think cost Nintendo much of anything to make.

[Chacranajxy]

[ QUOTE ]
ADC said:
[ QUOTE ]
Smashingblue said:
I got a original DS right on launch day and there were only two stylus.

[/ QUOTE ]
I got three with my Mario Kart DS, all the standard small dark gray. Maybe I'm just living correctly?

[/ QUOTE ]

False.

[ADC]

[ QUOTE ]
Chacranajxy said:
False.

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm not living correctly? That just seems wrong, man. You don't sell your soul for an extra stylus; you should get three MVP-caliber seasons and a Super Bowl win as an NFL quarterback in that bargain.

[BoogiepopLain]

Man, I don't want to pre-order and not get the goodies. I wish you got that stuff when you pre-ordered.

[SpaceButler]

I'm picking up Touch Detective and Contact tomorrow. I'll prolly post some first impressions if anyone cares.

I really have high hopes for both these games. I hope they don't dissapoint me.

And on the topic of Portrait of Ruin, I just read the impressions on Gamespot. Sounds like the online boss rush mode and online shops are going to be pretty cool. But as they said in the preveiw, I too am going to miss the soul collecting from Dawn of Sorrows. Thats one of my favorite parts of it.

[Azumangaman]

I only have 4 DS games, but I love each of them dearly.

I've been sick today, and It's given me a bucketload of fun.

Still on the fence about a DS lite. *Prays for a friggin awesome deal this holiday season*

If anyone cares, I have:
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
New Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario 64 DS
Mario Kart DS

Does anyone know where I can buy Super Princess Peach, Rocket Slime, FFIII or Contact for good prices? I'm interested in those the most right now.

[Consignia]

I just beat Ready Steady go in Ouendan on Normal, after being horribly stuck on it for a month. I've never felt such a sense of a achievement. Damn, I love this game.

[ADC]

[ QUOTE ]
Azumangaman said:
Does anyone know where I can buy Super Princess Peach, Rocket Slime, FFIII or Contact for good prices? I'm interested in those the most right now.

[/ QUOTE ]
Check TRU before the end of the week while they still have their B2G1 going. Won't help you for FF3 because it's not out until November 14, but the TRUs around here have Peach and Rocket Slime (didn't see Contact but wasn't really looking for it).

[BoogiepopLain]

[ QUOTE ]
ADC said:
[ QUOTE ]
Azumangaman said:
Does anyone know where I can buy Super Princess Peach, Rocket Slime, FFIII or Contact for good prices? I'm interested in those the most right now.

[/ QUOTE ]
Check TRU before the end of the week while they still have their B2G1 going. Won't help you for FF3 because it's not out until November 14, but the TRUs around here have Peach and Rocket Slime (didn't see Contact but wasn't really looking for it).

[/ QUOTE ]

No one has seen Contact at TRU, but you should go there and buy Peach and Rocket Slime, and then claim Clubhouse Games as your free game.

[Azumangaman]

[ QUOTE ]
ADC said:
[ QUOTE ]
Azumangaman said:
Does anyone know where I can buy Super Princess Peach, Rocket Slime, FFIII or Contact for good prices? I'm interested in those the most right now.

[/ QUOTE ]
Check TRU before the end of the week while they still have their B2G1 going. Won't help you for FF3 because it's not out until November 14, but the TRUs around here have Peach and Rocket Slime (didn't see Contact but wasn't really looking for it).

[/ QUOTE ]

I would, but I live in Canada. However occaisionally we have B1G1 which is even better. One time it was GBA games, the next was Platinum Hits/Gamers Choice/Players choice.

When thers a DS one I'll definetly do that.

Thanks for mentioning TRU, as this brought that into mind.

[ADC]

[ QUOTE ]
Azumangaman said:
I would, but I live in Canada. However occaisionally we have B1G1 which is even better. One time it was GBA games, the next was Platinum Hits/Gamers Choice/Players choice.

[/ QUOTE ]
TRU is a States-only entity? Ye gods, I thought just about everything nowadays was US+Canada. (I used to piss off my manager at SG, who was born in Quebec, by calling Canada "The 51st." She smacked me for it just about every time.)

Still, love the B1G1s, but I'm perfectly happy with the B2G1s. B3G1 is a bit of a stretch, but better than nothing.

[Azumangaman]

[ QUOTE ]
ADC said:
[ QUOTE ]
Azumangaman said:
I would, but I live in Canada. However occaisionally we have B1G1 which is even better. One time it was GBA games, the next was Platinum Hits/Gamers Choice/Players choice.

[/ QUOTE ]
TRU is a States-only entity? Ye gods, I thought just about everything nowadays was US+Canada. (I used to piss off my manager at SG, who was born in Quebec, by calling Canada "The 51st." She smacked me for it just about every time.)

Still, love the B1G1s, but I'm perfectly happy with the B2G1s. B3G1 is a bit of a stretch, but better than nothing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, of course it isn't. I meant that the B2G1 sale is only in the US.

[ColoradoJim]

I've been using my local Gamecrazy store to preorder and pick up most of my DS and GBA games this month. Alone this month I either have on preorder for Oct or picked up:

Rocket Slime (DS)
Summon Night 2 (GBA)
Clubhouse Games (DS)
Magical Starsign (DS)
Contact (DS)
Touch Detective (DS)
Children of Mana (DS preorder)
Super Robot Taisen OG2 (GBA Oct preorder pushed back to Nov)
SNK vs Capcom Card Fighters (GBA Oct preorder pushed back to Jan)

And one non GBA/DS game preordered and supposedly to be released this month Chulip for the PS2.

I also have some stuff preordered for the Nov/Dec window but not going to list them although I do admit that I had to preorder the Castlevania DS game today after hearing about the goodies. It does make me wonder what one would do with the older Castlevania case if you optioned to use the one that comes with the preorder that allows you to collect both DS games in a single case.

I've decided to pretty much preorder every Atlus game for the GBA and DS since they can be so tough to find later on if you miss the window.

[jecca-neko]

Anyone have and started playing Touch Detective yet? How is it? It is a DS game that tempts me.

[SpaceButler]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
Anyone have and started playing Touch Detective yet? How is it? It is a DS game that tempts me.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was going to post some first impressions today, but alas the EBgames near me didn't have it. I guess they only got a few copies, cause it's a really small store. Maybe tomorrow though. I'll head over to Rhino games and see if they have it.

[ADC]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
Anyone have and started playing Touch Detective yet? How is it? It is a DS game that tempts me.

[/ QUOTE ]
Interesting so far. I love the artwork and the sort of wack mood of the game after playing for about an hour. Similar structure to Phoenix Wright but not as collimated, I think.

[Sugei]

[ QUOTE ]
Boogiepop Lain said:
[ QUOTE ]
ADC said:
[ QUOTE ]
Azumangaman said:
Does anyone know where I can buy Super Princess Peach, Rocket Slime, FFIII or Contact for good prices? I'm interested in those the most right now.

[/ QUOTE ]
Check TRU before the end of the week while they still have their B2G1 going. Won't help you for FF3 because it's not out until November 14, but the TRUs around here have Peach and Rocket Slime (didn't see Contact but wasn't really looking for it).

[/ QUOTE ]

No one has seen Contact at TRU, but you should go there and buy Peach and Rocket Slime, and then claim Clubhouse Games as your free game.

[/ QUOTE ]

I visited my local TRU today and seen Contact for sale. They also had Super Princess Peach, Rocket Slime, Touch Detective, and CLubhouse games.

[Sugei]

Well I sold my copy of Lego Star Wars II to GameStop for 25 bucks since it's a buggy P.O.S. and bought their last copy of Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow and put in a pre-order for Portrait of Ruin.

Right now I have Super Mario from GameFly and I don't like it too much. I am going to send it back and rent Megaman ZX next to tide me over until FFIII.

[jecca-neko]

Nintendo DS, the handheld of the quirky games. We have seen many quirky games in the DS' time. However, I'm starting to think we're getting to the REALLY weird point. Why?

Konami and Capcom are both releasing stock trading games (http://ds.ign.com/articles/742/742271p1.html)
[ QUOTE ]

Capcom has announced Kabu Trader Shun (Stock Trader Shun) for the DS. Picture the Phoenix Wright series with stock trading instead of the courtroom drama, and you'll have the basic idea behind this unique adventure title.

In Kabu Trader, you play as Shun Aiba, an 18-year old who's always dreamed of being a stock trader. Shun has just been summoned by his father's sole pupil, Toru Narasaki, who promises to teach Shun the tricks of the trade.


[/ QUOTE ]

Don't believe IGN? Here (http://www.capcom.co.jp/shun/) is Capcom's web site for Kabu Trader Shun. /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

[Johnny]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
Nintendo DS, the handheld of the quirky games. We have seen many quirky games in the DS' time. However, I'm starting to think we're getting to the REALLY weird point. Why?

Konami and Capcom are both releasing stock trading games (http://ds.ign.com/articles/742/742271p1.html)
[ QUOTE ]

Capcom has announced Kabu Trader Shun (Stock Trader Shun) for the DS. Picture the Phoenix Wright series with stock trading instead of the courtroom drama, and you'll have the basic idea behind this unique adventure title.

In Kabu Trader, you play as Shun Aiba, an 18-year old who's always dreamed of being a stock trader. Shun has just been summoned by his father's sole pupil, Toru Narasaki, who promises to teach Shun the tricks of the trade.


[/ QUOTE ]

Don't believe IGN? Here (http://www.capcom.co.jp/shun/) is Capcom's web site for Kabu Trader Shun. /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Hadn't seen that yet. I say bring it on. The DS is really getting an incredibly diverse library of not only 'normal' games but weird ones, cooking guide books, brain training games and now this.
There's also an unofficial Tokyo underground map that has been released by fans which is supposedly very useful.

[Mateo_home]

That doesn't look too bad actually. I'll give it points for originality and something I may consider. Even though I don't know how to set it up, It would be fun if it had Nintendo Wifi function so you could trade stocks with someone else. If it does make a US release, I'll say it's great to see these type of games getting getting some great recognition from American gamers.

Now if only Nintendo would bring Project Hacker: Kakusei to the states.... /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Azumangaman]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
Nintendo DS, the handheld of the quirky games. We have seen many quirky games in the DS' time. However, I'm starting to think we're getting to the REALLY weird point. Why?

Konami and Capcom are both releasing stock trading games (http://ds.ign.com/articles/742/742271p1.html)
[ QUOTE ]

Capcom has announced Kabu Trader Shun (Stock Trader Shun) for the DS. Picture the Phoenix Wright series with stock trading instead of the courtroom drama, and you'll have the basic idea behind this unique adventure title.

In Kabu Trader, you play as Shun Aiba, an 18-year old who's always dreamed of being a stock trader. Shun has just been summoned by his father's sole pupil, Toru Narasaki, who promises to teach Shun the tricks of the trade.


[/ QUOTE ]

Don't believe IGN? Here (http://www.capcom.co.jp/shun/) is Capcom's web site for Kabu Trader Shun. /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

That game looks like a really intense chore.

EDIT: Of course, I'll wait till some information, but still...

[Johnny]

[ QUOTE ]
Mateo said:

Now if only Nintendo would bring Project Hacker: Kakusei to the states.... /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it's only a matter of time. It's one of, if not top of my list of games I most want translated.
Normally on any other console I wouldn't hold out much hope but when stuff like Rocket Slime, Phoenix Wright, Cooking Mama and Ouendan (amongst others) are being brought over, things look good.

[jecca-neko]

[ QUOTE ]
johnny said:
[ QUOTE ]
Mateo said:

Now if only Nintendo would bring Project Hacker: Kakusei to the states.... /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it's only a matter of time. It's one of, if not top of my list of games I most want translated.
Normally on any other console I wouldn't hold out much hope but when stuff like Rocket Slime, Phoenix Wright, Cooking Mama and Ouendan (amongst others) are being brought over, things look good.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what I keep telling myself. I want Project Hacker too.

You mentioned the Tokyo underground map. I didn't know about that one. I'm all for weird stuff. My boyfriend bought a kanji dictionary for the DS and it has been incredibly useful.

[ADC]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
Konami and Capcom are both releasing stock trading games (http://ds.ign.com/articles/742/742271p1.html)

[/ QUOTE ]
Sold, I think. Oddball games like this rock.

[ColoradoJim]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
Anyone have and started playing Touch Detective yet? How is it? It is a DS game that tempts me.

[/ QUOTE ]

I decided to take a break from the stamp mode of Clubhouse Games and just finished the first case of Touch Detective. It's pretty good so far but it isn't as brilliantly written as the first Phoenix Wright DS game. I like the character designs and the characters so far but the scripting feels like it is geared to at least a slightly younger audience.

It's not quite the Tim Burton feel that I thought I might get based on the graphical designs. I'd say it was more of a cross between Tim Burton and Rhapsody for the PS1 as to how the characters are portrayed.

It did take me several hours to clear the first case so the 4 cases and the bonus case (mini cases) should give you decent playing time. Even after you complete the main cases, you still have the bonus case which sounds like mini case fetch quests and the touch album which adds some replayability. I do think that for the main cases, Phoenix Wright has a bit more replay value.

One thing that was amusing is seeing what she is thinking on the top screen while the action and dialogue is going on in the bottom screen. They are often very different!

As I continue the game, I'll try to post more impressions about it. I suspect that the cases will get more complex and take more time to complete as in the first Phoenix Wright DS game.

[ADC]

[ QUOTE ]
Colorado Jim said:
stamp mode of Clubhouse Games

[/ QUOTE ]
I just started this and have reached the second level; so far, Easy has meant Easy. What's really awesome, though, is that I'm learning how to play dominos because of this game. Nobody else in my family knows how to play, which is sort of strange because my grandfather knows just about every card game known to man.

Still, I'd like to have a better gambling card game collection on the DS, something with a Career Mode so that I could keep track of how well I play at Blackjack and the various Pokers. Maybe some Baccarat, too. The poker selection on CHG is limited (Texas Hold'em, 5-card Draw), and the blackjack is incomplete (no splitting?).

The real challenge? Juggling Touch Detective, Megaman ZX, Trace Memory, and CHG all at once, to say nothing of Disgaea 2 and FFs 6 and 8. Trace Memory is actually pretty cool, sort of like Phoenix Wright mashed up with Myst. It doesn't get much love or publicity, though.

[ColoradoJim]

[ QUOTE ]
ADC said:
[ QUOTE ]
Colorado Jim said:
stamp mode of Clubhouse Games

[/ QUOTE ]
The real challenge? Juggling Touch Detective, Megaman ZX, Trace Memory, and CHG all at once, to say nothing of Disgaea 2 and FFs 6 and 8. Trace Memory is actually pretty cool, sort of like Phoenix Wright mashed up with Myst. It doesn't get much love or publicity, though.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll have to pick up Trace Memory sometime because of several comments made on the boards here. What I'd love to see is some sort of accessory that lets you switch between DS games on a single DS Lite without the need to carry a game case/wallet. It's exactly because of all the juggling between games and it would be nice to test out a wireless game that you aren't actively playing if you happen to be at a hotspot for a meal or something like that.

Here's an accessory like that for the GBA SP so it should be possible for the DS as well. http://www.amazon.com/GAMESTER-USA-SP-GameChanger/dp/B00009IM2I

A dual DS slot DS Lite would be awesome. Just replace the GBA slot with a DS slot or have some sort of DS slot adaptor to fit in there.

[jecca-neko]

[ QUOTE ]
ADC said:
Trace Memory is actually pretty cool, sort of like Phoenix Wright mashed up with Myst. It doesn't get much love or publicity, though.

[/ QUOTE ]

It doesn't get much love because it's a bit short. I still think it's a very worthwhile game though and uses the DS in all sorts of creative ways.

[Johnny]

Agh, how could I have forgotten?! /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif
Another DS cooking game, Emoto Honami no Shiawase Kitchen (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-cl-49-en-70-1l0p.html) (catchy, huh?) was released in Japan yesterday.
I posted pics and stuff ages ago and when I was preordering my stuf for last week, mistook it for one of those cooking recipe books that are out for the DS in Japan, but this is an actual game similar to Cooking Mama. So anyone who enjoyed that game, go buy this now! /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[Johnny]

It's made it possible to feel like you are a chef, Defence Attorney, surgeon, pet owner and (in the future) a perv while you "examine" young girls to find out whether or not they are witches (ZOMG! the controvery!!1! (http://news.softpedia.com/news/Is-039-Dokidoki-Majosaiban-039-a-Porn-Game-With-Children-37527.shtml)) but now even you can pretend to be a rockstar without even owning a guitar using your humble DS.
Introducing...M-06 (http://www.gamebrink.com/news/672-Turn_Your_Nintendo_DS_Into_A_Guitar.html). I'm buying for sure! (assuming you don't actually need the amp for it to sound decent /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif)...anyone else?

[Chacranajxy]

[ QUOTE ]
johnny said:
It's made it possible to feel like you are a chef, Defence Attorney, surgeon, pet owner and (in the future) a perv while you "examine" young girls to find out whether or not they are witches (ZOMG! the controvery!!1! (http://news.softpedia.com/news/Is-039-Dokidoki-Majosaiban-039-a-Porn-Game-With-Children-37527.shtml)) but now even you can pretend to be a rockstar without even owning a guitar using your humble DS.
Introducing...M-06 (http://www.gamebrink.com/news/672-Turn_Your_Nintendo_DS_Into_A_Guitar.html). I'm buying for sure! (assuming you don't actually need the amp for it to sound decent /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif)...anyone else?

[/ QUOTE ]

I have to see more of M-06 since the premise is interesting, but there's very little real info...

when's that perv game come out anyway?

[Johnny]

[ QUOTE ]
Chacranajxy said:

when's that perv game come out anyway?

[/ QUOTE ]

Can't come soon enough! Err I mean apparently it's January but I don't think anything has been confirmed. Sometime in early 2007 though.
The problem is that it has been overhyped (no one bats an eyelid to ecchi PC/PS2 etc games but when it's on an easy-to-import console like the DS, people who wouldn't normally import start to hear of it) and a lot of people still think it features sex scenes and/or nudity when in fact it's much tamer than that and most (actually pretty much all) of the explicit shots have been faked.

[Azumangaman]

Just snatched a complete, near mint condition copy of Star Fox Command (used) at a local shop for 17.99(20 bucks with tax).

Hows the game? I've heard good things, and'll give this one a try this weekend (or sooner).

[Johnny]

[ QUOTE ]
Azumangaman said:
Just snatched a complete, near mint condition copy of Star Fox Command (used) at a local shop for 17.99(20 bucks with tax).

Hows the game? I've heard good things, and'll give this one a try this weekend (or sooner).

[/ QUOTE ]

It's good...just don't compare it to previous highlights in the Star Fox series.
It's short and easy/frustrating depending on how you look at it. The strategy element feels a bit tacked on to be honest and is really there to break up the continuous gameplay but when you're in a 4-way dogfight and you get used to the controls (they're tricky at first, but not Metroid Prime Hunters sytle tricky) you'll be barrel rolling and shooting enemies down with a big smile.

[Johnny]

Just a heads up for fellow DS owners. Like the limited edition Mario coin released a while back, if you own Animal Crossing DS and go online during the week 17th - 24th November, you will receive another special item in your mailbox from Nintendo, this time a Zelda one (http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/animal-crossing/twilight-princess-goodies-to-hit-animal-crossing-213208.php) to commemorate the launch of the Wii and Twilight Princess /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

Now, which AoDers didn't I visit last time everyone was playing online (read: everyone except Aniki21 /images/graemlins/depresse.gif). AoD AC meetups FTW! (hint, hint) /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Jarred]

So did anyone pick up the Ouendan "sequel", Elite Beat Agents?

Picked it up yesterday when I got a copy for my friend's b-day, and once again I'm playing this game like a crack addict. Everything that was fun and unique in the Japanese version seems to be recreated in the US version, and because of the new songs and stories, I feel like I'm playing a sequel rather than just a translated import. They even threw in the sappy slow Level 12, this time using "You're the Inspiration" by Chicago. I know a lot of people questioned the track list, but I have to say they all so far work really well with the goofy stories, especially "Material Girl". /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

I think my favorite so far is Jamiroquai's "Canned Heat" level. The one thing I miss though is the flames that grew as you combo more and more bubbles together. They don't seem to be in this version.

Anyway, if you were a fan of Ouendan, I think you'll immediately get addicted once again to that same game play. And if you didn't play Ouendan, you need to pick this game up for truly a unique and addictive gaming experience.

[Azumangaman]

Thats #1 on my list of games to get. It looks like this:

1)Elite Beat Agents
2)Final Fantasy III
3)Princess Peach
4)Pokemon Ranger
5)Trauma Surgeon (or is it Center? I don't know)
6)Castlevania:DOS

If anyone noticed Rocket Slime is off the list, its because I bought it today! I'll try it out over the next few days.

[Kikuchiyo]

I just bought a DS, and the game I'm most looking forward to is Castlevania:Portrait of Ruin. I can't wait to get those pre-order goodies. /images/graemlins/happy.gif The main reason I bought the DS was to play Castlevania and Metroid games.

[Kikuchiyo]

Anybody play Children of Mana or Scurge:Hive yet? Mana looks fantastic graphically, and Scurge looked pretty fun. Anybody play either of these?

[GyBaNO]

[ QUOTE ]
ADC said:

Right, continuing from here (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=1414428&page=0&view=c ollapsed&sb=5&o=7&vc=1), and the big news is that Castlevania Portrait of Ruin will, from select retailers, be available in a pretty sweet collectors' set (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6160362.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6160362) which includes yet another stylus!



[/ QUOTE ]

Passed on it. Found out my buddy will be ordering a copy of the game for me just after it comes out (sans the goodies) for Xmas. I hope he likes Cooking Mama and Elite Beat Agents. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[Johnny]

Hopefully it's not just me who is getting all excited by this news, but Atlus are bringing Gouma Reifu Den Izuna to the US as Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja (http://www.siliconera.com/index.php/2006/11/14/introducing-izuna-the-unemployed-ninja/#more-2264). It's down for a February 2007 release.
I had been keeping track of this one from its Japanese launch earlier in the year but decided against importing due to it being very text heavy so this is great news for me anyway /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[Randall Flagg]

Sounds like it could be pretty interesting. I'd probably check it out.

[Johnny]

I've been meaning to ask, did anyone pick up Final Fantasy III yet?
With all the PS3, Wii and other games excitement I sorta forgot myself until I got my shipping notice but I'd appreciate a few first impressions if anyone grabbed it. Or are y'all playin' FF XII?

[jecca-neko]

[ QUOTE ]
johnny said:
I've been meaning to ask, did anyone pick up Final Fantasy III yet?
With all the PS3, Wii and other games excitement I sorta forgot myself until I got my shipping notice but I'd appreciate a few first impressions if anyone grabbed it. Or are y'all playin' FF XII?

[/ QUOTE ]

I want FFIII bad, but I've bought a lot of games very recently, plus it's Wii weekend. I'll be buying it at some point. Soon, maybe. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[tuffy]

[ QUOTE ]
johnny said:
I've been meaning to ask, did anyone pick up Final Fantasy III yet?

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm planning to pick up a copy tonight now that it's currently in-stock locally. The only Final Fantasy game I've played is the first one (on the NES and then on the GBA) so it should be fun to see how FFIII compares.

[Johnny]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
[ QUOTE ]
johnny said:
I've been meaning to ask, did anyone pick up Final Fantasy III yet?
With all the PS3, Wii and other games excitement I sorta forgot myself until I got my shipping notice but I'd appreciate a few first impressions if anyone grabbed it. Or are y'all playin' FF XII?

[/ QUOTE ]

I want FFIII bad, but I've bought a lot of games very recently, plus it's Wii weekend. I'll be buying it at some point. Soon, maybe. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh believe me, I know what you mean /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif The fact that I will have FF III and Gears of War (i.e. two of my most ZOMG! games this year) in a few days and probably won't even have them opened (PS3, Wii, backlog of doom) speaks volumes.

[jecca-neko]

[ QUOTE ]
johnny said:
Oh believe me, I know what you mean /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif The fact that I will have FF III and Gears of War (i.e. two of my most ZOMG! games this year) in a few days and probably won't even have them opened (PS3, Wii, backlog of doom) speaks volumes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't even mention backlogs. I think my oldest backlog game is Chrono Cross for PS1. /images/graemlins/shy00000.gif

[Chacranajxy]

[ QUOTE ]
johnny said:
I've been meaning to ask, did anyone pick up Final Fantasy III yet?
With all the PS3, Wii and other games excitement I sorta forgot myself until I got my shipping notice but I'd appreciate a few first impressions if anyone grabbed it. Or are y'all playin' FF XII?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I'm busy with Final Fantasy XII and I don't intend to stop for really... anything. Even Zelda comes after FFXII. I've been playing for 5 days and I'm 18-20 hours in... and I don't play games that often. I don't necessarily have the time to play that much -- I'm making time by blowing off social obligations and stuff like that.

[ADC]

[ QUOTE ]
johnny said:
I've been meaning to ask, did anyone pick up Final Fantasy III yet?
With all the PS3, Wii and other games excitement I sorta forgot myself until I got my shipping notice but I'd appreciate a few first impressions if anyone grabbed it. Or are y'all playin' FF XII?

[/ QUOTE ]
Got it yesterday, will probably get started on it today. Still have the FF12 jones, though, after 75 hours, even though the Marks level 5 and above are real bastards.

[Suwako Moriya]

[ QUOTE ]
ADC said:
Got it yesterday, will probably get started on it today.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah so you're the first to get it. FF3 has yet to be gotten, but then I still need to get a DS myself. I'm not sure when the eldest brother plans to get it. Yeah I'm a leech that's slow about things. Speaking of portable, I need to start playing the GBA again soon.

In any case will you be approaching this as someone with experience in the original version of FF3? Or will you be playing the thing with a fresher perspective? Although I guess having played the older FFs may help as well even if they are not FF3 itself.

Speaking of which if/when I do play this remake of FF3, I'll be one that is playing the remake with the experience of the original. Although my memory on some of the exact details and such may be off. Although that may be a good thing for all I know.

Oh yeah the final boss is quite evil. Simply because just like the original, you'll need to complete the entire dungeon without dying. Which is real evil if you don't know the secret to make the thing beatable. I can just imagine a bunch of people screaming in frustration. Although maybe that aspect got changed for all I know. I wonder if I should say or keep it a secret and laugh with evil glee.

[ADC]

[ QUOTE ]
Yuzu Hieda said:
In any case will you be approaching this as someone with experience in the original version of FF3? Or will you be playing the thing with a fresher perspective? Although I guess having played the older FFs may help as well even if they are not FF3 itself.

[/ QUOTE ]
Because I never got more than 10 minutes into the ROM I used to have of FF3 (this was before I started taking Japanese at university), it's still a blank slate to me. And that's fine. Still, I have to balance it against the sheer amount of time taken up by FF12. I'm not sure which is whiter: my DS Lite, or my skin.

Edit: Okay, here's the first word on AoD.
• Graphics are a little better than FF7 overall but not near the level of FF9. So that's pretty good for the DS, which is generally about PSX-level for graphics. There are some minor graphics glitches in text boxes while text is drawing, but that goes away once the text is done.
• It only took about 40 minutes to fill my party. You only get Luneth at the beginning, including one fairly easy boss battle. Arc, Refia, and the other guy whose name I've already forgotten join pretty quickly after.
• I already have an Airship. 40 minutes. After 75 hours in FF12 I still have to hoof it, pay for transit, or use Teleport Stones.
• I have not yet been introduced to the Job System, so all of my people are Freelancers. They can use any weapon, armor, or magic (so far), but they're not particularly good or bad at anything.
• The battle system is traditional turn-based, presented in the old style from the early FFs and DQs, but you do have front and back rows and ranged weapons.
• Story's about what you'd expect for a game closing in on 20 years old. Nothing so far on the level of, say, Xenogears. Basic 'save the world' premise (minus the cheerleader).
• Pretty good FMV at the start, using both screens.
• Gameplay is carried almost entirely on the touchscreen, and you control your character with the stylus. You place the stylus where you want to go and just hold it down, then slide it around when you want to turn. This is actually a great mechanic for replacing the analog stick on the consoles. Tapping on a character makes you go talk to the character, tapping on a chest opens the chest, making it play rather like Diablo. Took me about five minutes to get used to it. I have not used the control cross to move around.
• In battle, I already prefer, though, to do the traditional fighting, using the control cross and the action buttons. It's just a bit more accurate using the menus that way rather than tapping with the stylus. Almost everything can be done with the stylus; it's up to the gamer to decide what s/he prefers.
• I have not tried the WiFi functionality or run across Mognet within the game.

Overall, good stuff so far. I'm still more likely to spend several hours on FF12, but this is good portable FF. I kind of wish they'd change their minds on FF6/gba and delay it so they can put it on DS.

[jecca-neko]

http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B180139A

Apparently it comes with a pre-order for the Death Jr. game. That's an awesome stylus. Too bad you can't buy it separate. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[Suwako Moriya]

It won't be long before you get your first set of Jobs. The main purpose to Free Lancer is to tide you over until that happens. It should be noted that some of the Jobs have been switched to different crystals. This is according to posts I've read in the past at Gamefaqs and such. As for why, I'm not sure myself. It's possible they felt it would make things more balanced.

In any case it will be interesting to see how well the changes to balance the Jobs actually works out in this version. A major problem with the original is many classes just seemed to be there to fill space. Several of them boiled down to "I equip X instead of Y".

Regardless if/when I finally play FF3DS, I'll probably try my best to make sure each person is a different Job class. This would be kind of like what I did in Final Fantasy 5 and Final Fantasy Tactics. It's a lot more fun that way, but I suppose depending on the situation, I may cave in and make multiple people the same class.

[ADC]

[ QUOTE ]
Yuzu Hieda said:
Regardless if/when I finally play FF3DS, I'll probably try my best to make sure each person is a different Job class. This would be kind of like what I did in Final Fantasy 5 and Final Fantasy Tactics. It's a lot more fun that way, but I suppose depending on the situation, I may cave in and make multiple people the same class.

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm just wondering if there's a part of FF3 which can't be done with a magic-heavy group. I heard a blasphemous rumour that (<span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>God's got a sick sense of humour, and when I die I expect to find him laughing</span>) there are some bosses in FF5, for example, which require a firm physical attack and stand tall against the magic-users. That's a real bummer because I like getting burly with the magics. (This, by the way, is the flaw of FF12's battle system, which is largely a hack-fest.) If the spell has 'ga' at the end of it, I'm pretty much down with it.

FFT played magic-heavy is big fun. Nothing like watching your Black Mage use Holy for 999 damage.

[Suwako Moriya]

To be honest, I'm not sure partially because it has been awhile. There were points in the original where if you used class X instead of class Y that particular event would be easier. In general my party was a mixture of warrior and mages. I felt that was for the best over all. Although the first time I faced the final boss, I had a party of three Sages which are Mages.

[Aiia]

[ QUOTE ]
Kikuchiyo said:
Anybody play Children of Mana or Scurge:Hive yet? Mana looks fantastic graphically, and Scurge looked pretty fun. Anybody play either of these?

[/ QUOTE ]

I bought and played Children of Mana in Japanese and I really enjoy the game. But its the first game of this kind that I've played since the old Nintendo that I played as a kid so its possible that a real gamer wouldn't be much impressed. I read some more or less negative reviews as well. The animation sequences are extremely pretty and I like the character designs a lot. But the character tends to be kind of tedious when they are talking. Sometimes you'll have to klick through a lot of dialogue to get anywhere. I only tried playing with one character yet so I'm not sure if the story changes depending on character. I didn't try multiplay either so I can't comment on that.

Overall, the game and the story reminds me of a classical anime plot. You get cute girls, brave boys, evil enemies and very predictable plot twists. Still, I think its a fun game and I've definitely spent a lot of time with it (ok so I'm a slow player...). /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Johnny]

[ QUOTE ]
johnny said:
Just a heads up for fellow DS owners. Like the limited edition Mario coin released a while back, if you own Animal Crossing DS and go online during the week 17th - 24th November, you will receive another special item in your mailbox from Nintendo, this time a Zelda one (http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/animal-crossing/twilight-princess-goodies-to-hit-animal-crossing-213208.php) to commemorate the launch of the Wii and Twilight Princess /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif



[/ QUOTE ]

Anyone get this? I forgot but jumped online earlier and got it - it's the Zelda sword /images/graemlins/happy.gif
Comes with a letter from Nintendo marking the Wii launch.

Goes nicely with my Mario coin from the last exclusive item.

[Kikuchiyo]

[ QUOTE ]
Aiia said:
[ QUOTE ]
Kikuchiyo said:
Anybody play Children of Mana or Scurge:Hive yet? Mana looks fantastic graphically, and Scurge looked pretty fun. Anybody play either of these?

[/ QUOTE ]

I bought and played Children of Mana in Japanese and I really enjoy the game. But its the first game of this kind that I've played since the old Nintendo that I played as a kid so its possible that a real gamer wouldn't be much impressed. I read some more or less negative reviews as well. The animation sequences are extremely pretty and I like the character designs a lot. But the character tends to be kind of tedious when they are talking. Sometimes you'll have to klick through a lot of dialogue to get anywhere. I only tried playing with one character yet so I'm not sure if the story changes depending on character. I didn't try multiplay either so I can't comment on that.

Overall, the game and the story reminds me of a classical anime plot. You get cute girls, brave boys, evil enemies and very predictable plot twists. Still, I think its a fun game and I've definitely spent a lot of time with it (ok so I'm a slow player...). /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]I actually haven't played any game like this in years either! /images/graemlins/happy.gif I just got a DS because I really missed the simpler types of games like those on NES. From the way you describe it, I think I will probably have a lot of fun with it. Thanks! /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[Loafy]

I don't own a DS but I figure I'll be picking up a game or 2 as a X-Mas gift for a very good friend of mine. So recommend me the killer game(s) to get this X-Mas so I choose wisely. He's a big fan of Mario games and just fun games in general. Also a really big fan of FF7. Now recommend away AoD peeps!

[tuffy]

So recommend me the killer game(s) to get this X-Mas so I choose wisely. He's a big fan of Mario games and just fun games in general. Also a really big fan of FF7. Now recommend away AoD peeps!
Sounds like New Super Mario Bros. is a no-brainer. It's the best side-scroller in the series since 3 - complete with spot-on controls, a beautiful mix of 2D and 3D graphics, excellent audio and enough challenge to keep one coming back for more.

[Jarred]

So recommend me ... just fun games in general.
Elite Beat Agents. It's a music rhythm game that is unbelievably fun and more addictive than crack. I've enjoyed it just as much as the original Japanese version, Ouendan.

[DiGiKerot]

So recommend me ... just fun games in general.
Elite Beat Agents. It's a music rhythm game that is unbelievably fun and more addictive than crack. I've enjoyed it just as much as the original Japanese version, Ouendan.


Seconded, except that being able to skip the song intros in EBA makes it far, far less annoying that Ouendan.

[Randall Flagg]

I don't own a DS but I figure I'll be picking up a game or 2 as a X-Mas gift for a very good friend of mine. So recommend me the killer game(s) to get this X-Mas so I choose wisely. He's a big fan of Mario games and just fun games in general. Also a really big fan of FF7. Now recommend away AoD peeps!

If he likes Mario games, I'd recommend Super Princess Peach. This time, it's her turn to rescue Mario. It's a bit on the easy side, but it's also a lot of fun. There are plenty of extra things to find, and some extra boards on the second play.

[Loafy]

I think he has that unless a new one is out in time for X-mas but if it's the one thats been out for awhile then he's got it.

[Johnny]

I don't own a DS but I figure I'll be picking up a game or 2 as a X-Mas gift for a very good friend of mine. So recommend me the killer game(s) to get this X-Mas so I choose wisely. He's a big fan of Mario games and just fun games in general. Also a really big fan of FF7. Now recommend away AoD peeps!

If he likes Mario games, I'd recommend Super Princess Peach. This time, it's her turn to rescue Mario. It's a bit on the easy side, but it's also a lot of fun. There are plenty of extra things to find, and some extra boards on the second play.


Plus, if he's a homo like you Loafy he'll love it even more as it's all girly and stuff :D Although I loved it too so I'm not sure what I'm saying about myself...

Anyway, yeah definitely go for New Super Mario Bros. Maybe Mario Kart too as that is an amazingly good game.
If he likes FF VII then it could be a no brainer to pick up the FF III remake for him. Even if he's played the old version, this one is completely updated in terms of graphics and so on.

That's probably enough but for fun games, I'd say Cooking Mama would be a great choice.

[Loafy]

This sounds promising. Fun for him and his boyfriend who's not a gamer was having fun playing Mario but found it a tad frustrating but if it's easier he could get into it too.

[Loafy]

Plus, if he's a homo like you Loafy he'll love it even more as it's all girly and stuff Although I loved it too so I'm not sure what I'm saying about myself...

He is but manly, like myself. So maybe your "manly" too...

Anyway, yeah definitely go for New Super Mario Bros. Maybe Mario Kart too as that is an amazingly good game.
If he likes FF VII then it could be a no brainer to pick up the FF III remake for him. Even if he's played the old version, this one is completely updated in terms of graphics and so on.

I'm guessing he has the mario game your all talking 'bout. FF3 is a possibility.

That's probably enough but for fun games, I'd say Cooking Mama would be a great choice.

OMG we may have a winner. He watches practically nothing but the food network. A fun cooking game sounds right up his alley so to speak. Tell me more about this.

[Randall Flagg]

That's probably enough but for fun games, I'd say Cooking Mama would be a great choice.

OMG we may have a winner. He watches practically nothing but the food network. A fun cooking game sounds right up his alley so to speak. Tell me more about this.

Man, if he loves the food network, he would more than likely love Cooking Mama. I'm sure Johnny has already chimed in (or will soon) with a much better review of the game than I could, so I'll leave that to him.

[Johnny]

That's probably enough but for fun games, I'd say Cooking Mama would be a great choice.

OMG we may have a winner. He watches practically nothing but the food network. A fun cooking game sounds right up his alley so to speak. Tell me more about this.

Man, if he loves the food network, he would more than likely love Cooking Mama. I'm sure Johnny has already chimed in (or will soon) with a much better review of the game than I could, so I'll leave that to him.


That was a nice little intro, thanks :D
Anyway, yeah it's basically a cooking game where you use the stylus to cut, chop, flip and so on different pieces of food to make a certain dish.
It's fairly easy and short, but there are a lot of recipes to choose from and it's so enjoyable that if he is anything like me he'll want to play it over and over.

If he's a food fan I guarantee that he will love it. Plus, IIRC the US version is only something like $20.

[Loafy]

Perfect! I knew you'd come through johnny and friends. And it's cheap enough that I can get him another game too. So don't stop with the suggestions if there are any others but so far this cooking game and the Princess Peach game are likely candidates.

[Azumangaman]

I don't own a DS but I figure I'll be picking up a game or 2 as a X-Mas gift for a very good friend of mine. So recommend me the killer game(s) to get this X-Mas so I choose wisely. He's a big fan of Mario games and just fun games in general. Also a really big fan of FF7. Now recommend away AoD peeps!

A game or 2? Then I'll throw in a reccomendation for New Super Mario Bros. but I'll add a rec for the most addictingly awesometastic game I've played in a LONG TIME...

Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime!

About 9hours into the game, and it feels like I still have lots more to play. If your friend gets frustrated from difficulty, than Rocket Slime should be fine for him, as its easy, but freaking ADDICTIVE. I'm absolutley hooked on the game (but don't worry, I'm sure he can find time for his boyfriend still! Heck, he'd love it too!) so I highly reccomend it. Theres also a bunch of fun extra crap to do in the game besides rescuing other Slimes.
GO BUY NOW!

[Johnny]

Perfect! I knew you'd come through johnny and friends. And it's cheap enough that I can get him another game too. So don't stop with the suggestions if there are any others but so far this cooking game and the Princess Peach game are likely candidates.

How about Tetris? Classic game updated with new modes and online play.
The DS library is full of amazing games. Any specific genres he likes? If he wants more Mario related stuff, Yoshi's Island would be a good choice. It's a platformer like Mario only it stars Yoshi (but baby Mario, Peach, Donkey Kong etc all ride him. And as this is you we're talking about, no not ride in that way :tongue:) but has similar gameplay.
Kirby Squeak Squad is another Nintendo platformer which is a lot of fun.

[ADC]

Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime!
GO BUY NOW!
Make it so, Mister Data! (/tmq) This is one of the awesomest, winningest, rockin'est games I've played in years, so ridiculously fun!

[Loafy]

That's 2 votes. I'll look into this one too.

[Johnny]

That's 2 votes. I'll look into this one too.

I'd give it a vote too FWIW.

[Jarred]

So recommend me ... just fun games in general.
Elite Beat Agents. It's a music rhythm game that is unbelievably fun and more addictive than crack. I've enjoyed it just as much as the original Japanese version, Ouendan.


Seconded, except that being able to skip the song intros in EBA makes it far, far less annoying that Ouendan.
Oh, I should also add that right now EBGames and Gamestop locations have had Elite Beat Agents on their demo units in the stores. I think you can also download a demo if the stores have the DS Download Station.

[Johnny]

Not sure if anyone is aware of the "other" DS surgery sim (not counting Black Jack), Kenshuui Tendo Dokuta and it's sequel, but the first one was out before Trauma Centre in Japan and Atlus have picked up the sequel for US release.
The official site (it's now known as Life Signs) can be found here (http://www.lifesigns-game.com/?lang=en)

[AdyHart]

OK Im mulling over getting a DS. Firstly is it worth it? is there enough decent games to justify getting one? and Im wondering except for cosmetic looks is there anything difference/improvements between the two, as if its just cosmetic, a regular DS is cheaper.
Also just because Im paranoid is the DSlite region free as Im in the UK "Black Hole" of gaming so it would be good to know.
Sorry for my stupid question and thanks for any info :)

[ADC]

OK Im mulling over getting a DS. Firstly is it worth it? is there enough decent games to justify getting one? and Im wondering except for cosmetic looks is there anything difference/improvements between the two, as if its just cosmetic, a regular DS is cheaper.
I may be biased because I've purchased 17 DS games in the past six months, but I think the answer is yes, it's worth it. I generally don't buy a new hardware until I can pick out five games I want for it, so 17 games in six months qualifies for me. The DS Lite, by the way, has four different screen brightness settings, with the lowest (I think) being about the same as the fat DS; and it weighs significantly less and is easier to hold, which is important when playing stylus-based games like Trauma Center or Clubhouse Games or Big Brain Academy.

[Azumangaman]

OK Im mulling over getting a DS. Firstly is it worth it? is there enough decent games to justify getting one? and Im wondering except for cosmetic looks is there anything difference/improvements between the two, as if its just cosmetic, a regular DS is cheaper.
Also just because Im paranoid is the DSlite region free as Im in the UK "Black Hole" of gaming so it would be good to know.
Sorry for my stupid question and thanks for any info :)

You! Go buy now!

I just have 7 games for the DS and have had it for 11 Months.
They are:
Mario Kart DS
Super Mario 64 DS
New Super Mario Bros.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Pokemon Trozei
Starfox: Command
Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime

These are why I love the DS.

GO BUY NOW!

[jecca-neko]

Not sure if anyone is aware of the "other" DS surgery sim (not counting Black Jack), Kenshuui Tendo Dokuta and it's sequel, but the first one was out before Trauma Centre in Japan and Atlus have picked up the sequel for US release.
The official site (it's now known as Life Signs) can be found here (http://www.lifesigns-game.com/?lang=en)

So those games, unlike Trauma Center, are surgery/dating sim then? At least, that's what it looks like. Some of those shots of the middle of a surgery look like bad hentai too. It's kinda... weird. Have you played these games johnny?

[ADC]

So those games, unlike Trauma Center, are surgery/dating sim then? At least, that's what it looks like. Some of those shots of the middle of a surgery look like bad hentai too. It's kinda... weird. Have you played these games johnny?
I think I'm interested after looking at the bad hentai screenshots. The hope is that they don't make it impossible to progress (I still suck dingo balls at Trauma Center).

[Johnny]

Not sure if anyone is aware of the "other" DS surgery sim (not counting Black Jack), Kenshuui Tendo Dokuta and it's sequel, but the first one was out before Trauma Centre in Japan and Atlus have picked up the sequel for US release.
The official site (it's now known as Life Signs) can be found here (http://www.lifesigns-game.com/?lang=en)

So those games, unlike Trauma Center, are surgery/dating sim then? At least, that's what it looks like. Some of those shots of the middle of a surgery look like bad hentai too. It's kinda... weird. Have you played these games johnny?


From what I've read, the "Hentai" bits are basically reflecting the fact that the game is supposed to be more risque than Trauma Centre (you don't get actual nudity or anything but you'll have to "undress" patients to get a better look) but it's not meant to be a dating/sex sim or anything.
And nope, I haven't played either of the games. I've always mulled over adding them to a Playasia order sometime but never did. I'll be buying the first game on JPN import ASAP though and waiting for the Atlus version of the sequel.

[Loafy]

So I picked up Cooking Mama today for $25 CAN and I think he's gonna love it. The game was a tad bit hard to find as it doesn't seem to be carried by the bigguns like ToyRus and FutureShop so I had to go to an actual little video game store. I was worried about the return policy that a smaller store might have but I can exhange it up till 2 weeks after X-Mas for store credit so its all good. I'll probably pick up Rocket Slime or something else when one of the big stores puts soemthing good on sale in the next couple of weeks. Thanks again guys for all the help.

[Randall Flagg]

So I picked up Cooking Mama today for $25 CAN and I think he's gonna love it.

I'll be surprised if he doesn't. It's ridiculous amounts of fun.

[Chacranajxy]

Not sure if anyone is aware of the "other" DS surgery sim (not counting Black Jack), Kenshuui Tendo Dokuta and it's sequel, but the first one was out before Trauma Centre in Japan and Atlus have picked up the sequel for US release.
The official site (it's now known as Life Signs) can be found here (http://www.lifesigns-game.com/?lang=en)

So those games, unlike Trauma Center, are surgery/dating sim then? At least, that's what it looks like. Some of those shots of the middle of a surgery look like bad hentai too. It's kinda... weird. Have you played these games johnny?


From what I've read, the "Hentai" bits are basically reflecting the fact that the game is supposed to be more risque than Trauma Centre (you don't get actual nudity or anything but you'll have to "undress" patients to get a better look)

Awesome

but it's not meant to be a dating/sex sim or anything.

Fuck.


Oh, and the poster who asked if the system is worth buying... yes, it definitely is. It's got a good amount of original, extremely solid games and the system is only looking to improve in the next year.

[AdyHart]

WOW! it looks like Ill be picking one up as soon as I can then after all the recommendations for it (all though in a DS thread your not going to get hate for the system :neko: ). Ill probably get the obvious games like Phoenix Wright, Trauma Centre and a few Marios and Ill be back asking for suggestions for new games in the future to get some of the more obscure titles.

Thanks!

[Azumangaman]

WOW! it looks like Ill be picking one up as soon as I can then after all the recommendations for it (all though in a DS thread your not going to get hate for the system :neko: ). Ill probably get the obvious games like Phoenix Wright, Trauma Centre and a few Marios and Ill be back asking for suggestions for new games in the future to get some of the more obscure titles.

Thanks!


Hooray! I'm happy to here this. I'll be glad to give you a rec for the most fun DS game I've played yet!

[jecca-neko]

Everyone who doesn't have it should buy Phoenix Wright. Because I said so.

[sedorna]

Well, I do have a DS, and I do enjoy it. However, I have a rather silly question. Is it possible to play wi-fi games, like Animal Crossing, without wi-fi? I do hope so.

[Jaynin]

Well, I do have a DS, and I do enjoy it. However, I have a rather silly question. Is it possible to play wi-fi games, like Animal Crossing, without wi-fi? I do hope so.
If you mean playing over the internet with your wired internet connection, then that will require buying Nintendo's Wi-Fi USB Connector to plug into your computer. Or playing at places with an open Wi-Fi hotspot (such as supposedly at participating McDonald's, etc.) The DS will also play wirelessly with other DS within close wireless range. If you mean not over a network at all, then I don't believe there are any games that force you to hook to a network to play.

[Azumangaman]

Well, I do have a DS, and I do enjoy it. However, I have a rather silly question. Is it possible to play wi-fi games, like Animal Crossing, without wi-fi? I do hope so.

If you want to do this at home, if you have a wireless network theres no problem. No need to spend an extra 30 bucks or so.

[Johnny]

The latest DS sales figures have been revealed and it turns out that 1 in every 30 people in the UK now own a DS. (http://ngc.boomtown.net/en_uk/articles/art.view.php?id=12935)

There is more here (http://www.cubed3.com/news/6375/1/Massive_Success_for_Handheld_in_UK).

Obviously great news but, looking at the latest UK DS chart, I can't help but think how much better those figures would be if there were more Japanese/US only releases available here.

I mean number one is a Bratz game, followed by The Sims 2. If the number one reflects anything, it's that the DS is, like the GBA, still considered primarily a "kiddie" console here.
The rest of the top 10 is pretty much as uninspiring. 3 Nintendogs entries (I like the game, but all 3 versions in the top 10?) and Brain Training are there along with stuff like Sonic Rush, Animal Crossing and New Super Mario Bros.

It'll definitely be interesting to see how the Wii does here. My predictions would be quite well (better than the GC at least) but nowhere near the 360 or PS3.
I expect it will also feature kids movie tie ins and the like in the top 10 moreso than the 360/PS3.

[kaiyouske]

Well, I picked up my copy from GameCrazy today. The bonus thing is kinda smaller than what I had expected but still cool. Probably won't be able to play it until my lunch break.... <sigh>

[ADC]

Holy cow, that's out already! I didn't get the recorded message from Gamestop last night, so I'd better get out there myself and get my President Reggie on.Remember, he's about kicking ass and taking names.

[Johnny]

Holy cow, that's out already! I didn't get the recorded message from Gamestop last night, so I'd better get out there myself and get my President Reggie on.Remember, he's about kicking ass and taking names.

Yeah, it slipped my mind too. It was also the last game shipped to me as VG+ attempted to charge my CC and send MGS Portable Ops PSP to me but with the purchase of PoR, I hit my limit :nervous:

On the plus side, I'm now (sort of) seeing sense and cancelling a load of preorders until January when I can firstly, find the time to play them and secondly, actually afford them :D

[ADC]

Okay, so I got CPoR and started playing, and it feels pretty good. Using both characters at once is a bit tricky, but I'm used to it now and, if you're good at the evasion tactics that have been part of Castlevania these 20 years, the power boost of having both in the fight at the same time is very nice. Having said that, I ran into the first boss and he scragged my ass without much of a struggle. Ye gods, I haven't seen a boss go to work that quickly since … maybe Culex in Mario RPG. And this is the first boss!

I might just suck. :sad:

[kaiyouske]

Wow....I thought I was being a n00b or something...but you too? I completely agree with you on the feel on this game as well. It almost seemed that this game should have been the first DS Castlevania....with it having 2 characters and all. Ah well. Did you get to pick up the preorder goodies? The soundtrack is actually pretty darn good. It has the original 8 bit NES tracks.

[Fieri]

Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Deals-Nintendo-DS/lm/R3CYWCUVN110OW/) is having a lil sale on some of their DS games. ;)

[dunno001]

Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Deals-Nintendo-DS/lm/R3CYWCUVN110OW/) is having a lil sale on some of their DS games. ;)

I'd bite if they let FF3 ship to a PO box...

EDIT: Just for the record, 21 of the 29 sale items won't ship to a POB.

[ADC]

Wow....I thought I was being a n00b or something...but you too? I completely agree with you on the feel on this game as well. It almost seemed that this game should have been the first DS Castlevania....with it having 2 characters and all. Ah well. Did you get to pick up the preorder goodies? The soundtrack is actually pretty darn good. It has the original 8 bit NES tracks.
I think it's a pretty sad commentary on how challenging modern games aren't; this game seems unusually tough, but I don't think it's actually any harder than, say, Castlevania III or Metroid. I would wager that, just like in the Megaman games, each boss has a trick or weakness.

I did get the pre-order goodies, and they sort of disappointed me. I'd expected a real box for the DS games in their keepcases, but what was there was a pillbox for the DS cards only. L-A-M-E. The stylus feels cheap, particularly in comparison to the solid stylus included with the DS Lite. (Mine even came with a little bend in it! :cry:) The book and timeline are pretty good stuff, though. I'll listen to the CD later tonight, I think.

[kaiyouske]

Agreed. It's kind of sad to see how easy games are nowadays. I think the hardest game I have played recently was Megaman ZX. I'm actually kind of glad that the 1st boss in this Castlevania wasted me so fast. I can't wait to play more tonight! :p

[ADC]

Agreed. It's kind of sad to see how easy games are nowadays. I think the hardest game I have played recently was Megaman ZX. I'm actually kind of glad that the 1st boss in this Castlevania wasted me so fast. I can't wait to play more tonight! :p
Concur re MMZX, which is pretty tough at times but a hell of a lot of fun. CPoR will probably turn out the same way, and I'll be playing it a lot this evening and in the days to come.

[Leon_Belmont]

Agreed. It's kind of sad to see how easy games are nowadays. I think the hardest game I have played recently was Megaman ZX. I'm actually kind of glad that the 1st boss in this Castlevania wasted me so fast. I can't wait to play more tonight! :p

Don't agree. I remember the olden days. Games were hard for stupid reasons, like bad controls and infrequent spawn points, or even starting the whole thing over again.

I'm not gonna fall for the delusion of nostalgia from the olden days. I loved gaming more then, but that probably had more to do with my life then than it did quality, especially in terms of difficulty.

There were plenty of difficult games that were outright cheap.

[ADC]

Don't agree. I remember the olden days. Games were hard for stupid reasons, like bad controls and infrequent spawn points, or even starting the whole thing over again.

I'm not gonna fall for the delusion of nostalgia from the olden days. I loved gaming more then, but that probably had more to do with my life then than it did quality, especially in terms of difficulty.

There were plenty of difficult games that were outright cheap.
But there were also a whole pile of difficult games which were legitimately difficult without resorting to cheap tactics. Did you ever play Megaman 2 on Hard? Or Megaman 4? (Just to name two.) Those games had tricks to them and were still hard without resorting to things like the Gradius/R-Type 1 Million Dots Tactic. You don't see that very often anymore.

Indeed, I have to say that wack controls are more of a problem today than they were in the NES days, sometimes artifact of there being 10 action buttons and three manipulators on the modern Playstation 1/2/3 controller, for example, but also because 3D control mechanics are inherently more difficult to translate on a 2D surface (the TV screen). This does not even take into account control mechanics which are broken as conceived (Resident Evil; Parasite Eve 2) and hard because the control interface is ridiculously counter-intuitive. Bad control is far more prevalent today than it was in the 2D era.

I have no true problem with getting kicked back to a semi-distant spawn point (start of level, mid-level, save point, whatever). I have no true problem with GAME OVER. Indeed, I think I prefer those things to infinite lives and immediate re-spawn just because it means there are consequences for failure. The only consequence for getting fragged in Unreal Tournament is that 13-year-old illiterate jackass whose idea of an insult is, "I pwn3d ur @$$, d00d." If you can't beat Jaquio in three tries, you deserve to go back to the beginning of Stage 6-1.

[CuriouslySane]

I think the cart case is pretty neat. It's good marketing too since it makes you want to buy Dawn of Sorrow.

The other pack-ins were mostly forgettable except the CD which is a great bit of nostalgia.

[BoogiepopLain]

Holy fuck you guys are jaded. The pre-order bonus for C:PoR is awesome!

The CD rocks, the stylus is really nice, I LOVE the game case (since it's been in the press photo for the items I knew what I was getting) because it's small and perfect for my man-purse.

The artbook, oh man the artbook. Some of the older art seemed to be oddly fuzzy, but the art from Symphony onward is gorgeous. The timeline was nice as well!

[Sugei]

Holy fuck you guys are jaded. The pre-order bonus for C:PoR is awesome!

The CD rocks, the stylus is really nice, I LOVE the game case (since it's been in the press photo for the items I knew what I was getting) because it's small and perfect for my man-purse.

The artbook, oh man the artbook. Some of the older art seemed to be oddly fuzzy, but the art from Symphony onward is gorgeous. The timeline was nice as well!

Sounds awesome! Coudln't pick my copy up yesterday as I had to work all day so I am picking mine up later today from Gamestop.

Anyways, how can you really complain about the pre-order goodies when it costed the same as what the game is selling for now by itself.

Sounds like the game kicks major ass to boot. Can't wait until finals are over in school then I can spend some major time with this game during winter break.

[flammie]

Strange, I thought the first boss was pretty easy. Of course you die the first time you face him because you don't know how to react to any of his moves, but after that, it gets pretty easy. It was actually pretty disappointing, because he only died in a couple of hits.

So far, after getting through the first portrait, the game doesn't seem as good as COTM, AOS, or even DOS, since it is TOO EASY, the need to switch characters or use 2 characters is minimal, and the stages are depressingly linear. I don't mind linear stages, but they need to be about 3x harder to be interesting. Otherwise you are just moving forward and attacking every once in a while without really being in any danger, which is boring.

Hopefully, the game gets much better later, like Mega Man ZX, which I thought was terrible at first, but ended up being really fun once you get past the terrible map/exploration system.

I'm really surprised at the quality of the preorder bonus though. The cd has a lot of classic tracks, the timeline is a great reference tool for fans, and the artbook is awesome. The game case is nice, but the stylus is pretty useless since I haven't upgraded to the lite (yet). I'm surprised Konami didn't just make it a special edition and charged $5 more for it.

[kaiyouske]

Ok, I take back what I said about this game being hard. Once you have it figured out, this game is cake. Haven't had any problems yet and I'm on the 4th painting. Still an awesome game though. :)

[ADC]

Ok, I take back what I said about this game being hard. Once you have it figured out, this game is cake. Haven't had any problems yet and I'm on the 4th painting. Still an awesome game though. :)
I must not be leveling correctly or getting lucky on item drops because I'm struggling. I've found three paintings and completed one, but I'm getting all kinds of smacked around. The bosses are easier once you learn the pattern (the slime boss actually had a safe spot!), but I got hit by a crossbow knight for over 100 damage points! That was a spectacular death.

[kaiyouske]

Hmm...not sure if you know this, but are you using both of your characters at the same time? I'm actually not really leveling all that much. I would say that this game has about the same difficulty as Dawn of Sorrow.

[ADC]

Hmm...not sure if you know this, but are you using both of your characters at the same time? I'm actually not really leveling all that much. I would say that this game has about the same difficulty as Dawn of Sorrow.
I'm, and I'm starting to figure out when it's best to switch to Charlotte — such as when running into that damn'd crossbow knight. He can do all the MP damage he wants; he'll be dead before he touches that girlie with the über-MDef.

I've also found a couple of the secret rooms, which is good times.

[Sugei]

Ugh, went to Gamestop today to pick up my pre-order and the store only got 5 copies with the pre-order goodies (They had 20 pre-orders) and so they gave me a regular copy of the game.

They told me that I would have to call them next week to see when they get another shipment in of the pre-order extras and if they do then they will give it to me.

Isn't this kind of odd?

So they gave me a regular copy of the game in a regular DS case and then they are going to give me the pre-order stuff later?

For those that know, Doesn't the game come packaged inside the Special Edition box? Are they going to make me open the SE box and remove the game and give it to them? Weird.

[ColoradoJim]

Actually the preorder stuff is in a different package. When I picked up my preorder today, I got the normal DS game case with the game and instructions like every other DS game and a separate package for the preorder goodies. So there isn't some sort of combined package that would cause headaches when you get your preorder goodies.

For the record the separate package is a black softcase with a fake wax seal that has velcro under the seal to keep it closed. What I found rather interesting is the method to keep the music CD attached to the packaging. Think of a round dense foam insert in place of the usual DVD attachment gizmo. It's a rather clever idea and I think I will make similar inserts for my burned CDs and put those into a binder as I don't like the idea of sleeves that can cause scratches.

[kaiyouske]

Sweet. I really like some of the twists that they put in with the dual character gameplay. Game Spoilers
I especially liked the boss where Jonathan can get charmed and they force you to not use him when the boss casts the charm spell. I thought that was very clever.

[juliant59]

Okay everyone I am finally getting a DS and should get it within this coming week. Already got Castlevania for the preorder incentive :). Now I have thinking about getting these games but any other ones anyone would recommend?

Mega Man ZX
Cooking Mama
Yoshi's Island DS
Phoenix Wright
Phoenix Wright 2 (when it comes out)
Children of Mana

Now I know your saying where's Trauma Center but when I get my Wii I will get that, so don't want to get the DS version. Also no FF III for my friend already got it and I saw it and it looks okay but I don't know. Any other games I'm missing? Also no New Super Mario Bros game either :P Now I also have to get that Wi Fi connection. Doh.

[ADC]

Get these:

• Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
• Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime
• Mario Kart DS
• Super Princess Peach

And keep your eyes open for some upcoming games, such as:

• Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
• The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

[Chacranajxy]

Okay everyone I am finally getting a DS and should get it within this coming week. Already got Castlevania for the preorder incentive :). Now I have thinking about getting these games but any other ones anyone would recommend?

Mega Man ZX
Cooking Mama
Yoshi's Island DS
Phoenix Wright
Phoenix Wright 2 (when it comes out)
Children of Mana

Now I know your saying where's Trauma Center but when I get my Wii I will get that, so don't want to get the DS version. Also no FF III for my friend already got it and I saw it and it looks okay but I don't know. Any other games I'm missing? Also no New Super Mario Bros game either :P Now I also have to get that Wi Fi connection. Doh.

First, I'd recommend against Children of Mana. It's a dungeon crawler and it's mediocre. I'd look into Mario Kart DS since it was surprisingly good and I'd also pick up Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow for sure. I'm playing through the new Castlevania right now and while it's excellent, I do think that the first DS game was better.

[Azumangaman]

Mega Man ZX
Cooking Mama
Yoshi's Island DS
Phoenix Wright
Phoenix Wright 2 (when it comes out)
Children of Mana

.

I only have one to comment on on that particular list you've got, and its:

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney- When I first heard of it, I thought "this might be interesting, but I bet it'll be a real snoozer".
Good lord was I wrong or what!
Phoenix Wright really feels like a "must have" for the DS, as it really showcases the uniqueness of the DS game library. While it can feel linear (aka: you really don't have a bunch of options, as there isn't a lot of freedom) its so unique and entertaining that the linear plot really doesn't matter anymore.

Now for other reccomendations, I have 3 for you:

Mario Kart DS: (unless of course you aren't a Mario Kart kind of person) Wi-Fi cabability. Endless fun. Can get pretty tricky when you get to the 150cc races (I for one am still stuck on them). Unlockables. Probably the best game to buy for the DS as of now (although the next game I'm about to list could just be better...)

Dragon Quest: Rocket Slime I was GONNA give you an explanation, but I really don't need too. Best DS game of '06. 'Nuff said.

Pokemon: Trozei Well first off, it's basically tetris with a really fun and artsy Pokemon style thrown into it. Extremley addictive gameplay, and if you can find a good bargain (I did for new and sealed at 9.89 at EB Games) its worth it. I wouldn't say its worth full retail, but thats debateable.

Games to Avoid:
Yoshi Touch & Go: Blech. Waste of time and money. No real single player mode. Boooring.
Animal Crossing: Wild World: Just so you know, don't listen to me about this one. If you like Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon or stuff like that, go for it. I just couldn't freaking stand it.

[ADC]

First off, yes, I bought my birthday cake for $3000. Second, I did this after starting over from the top. Why would I do such a thing? Because there are skills which become available later in the game which require items you find earlier in the game and might have already sold! And there's no way to get those items again! That's teh suxxorz, as the kids say.

[kaiyouske]

Well, I managed to beat PoR over the weekend. It was a very enjoyable game. Now, I'm trying to SPOILER
beat the game with Richter/Maria and the Sisters. Boy, are the sisters fun to use....I never thought they would do something like this....

[TnAdct1]

Two more games that I definitely reccommend getting:

1. Elite Beat Agents (a fun music game that utilizes the stylus).

2. Jump Superstars (yes, it's an import game, but you can play Japanese games on any DS system no matter which country it's meant to be sold at).

[GyBaNO]

Wow, just WOW! I didn't expect that at all. (http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=12543)

If there was ever a good use for this little gif (http://www.3dnews.ru/documents/12933/ds-prints-money.gif) now would be a pretty damn good time IMO.

[ADC]

Wow, just WOW! I didn't expect that at all. (http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=12543)
I think that qualifies for a HOLY COW. Never in a million years did I see that coming. (But when I sit down and think it over, it kind of makes sense, given that there are more DSs out there than Wiis, PS3s, and Xbox 360s combined.)

[quenelf]

The new Zelda game is not so upcoming any more; last I heard, it's been delayed until next autumn/winter. (Those who have followed any previous Zelda games should not be surprised by this news. :) )

--quen

[Johnny]

Wow, just WOW! I didn't expect that at all. (http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=12543)
I think that qualifies for a HOLY COW. Never in a million years did I see that coming. (But when I sit down and think it over, it kind of makes sense, given that there are more DSs out there than Wiis, PS3s, and Xbox 360s combined.)

What the hell? The Wii maybe, but the DS? Surely there will be a Wii port at some stage (didn't SE say they were waiting to see how sales for the PS3 and Wii were before they announced if it was a Wii exclusive?).

At any rate, Level 5 + Koichi Sugiyama + Yuuji Horii + Akira Toriyama = fuck.yes.

The "Notably departing from the standard J-RPG formula, gameplay in Dragon Quest IX will be more action oriented and will feature four-player online cooperative play. The top screen is used as a map, while the bottom screen contains the action" has me a little concerned but I cannot wait for this :)

[GHardin]

Wow, just WOW! I didn't expect that at all. (http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=12543)

I didn't give it much thought until I read it again. That is one hell of a stunner, to put the next entry on a handheld system...but that's not a bad thing...not by a long shot. :) Emphasis on action, huh? 4-player online cooperative play? Interesting.

If there was ever a good use for this little gif (http://www.3dnews.ru/documents/12933/ds-prints-money.gif) now would be a pretty damn good time IMO.

:D Priceless.

[Johnny]

The new Zelda game is not so upcoming any more; last I heard, it's been delayed until next autumn/winter. (Those who have followed any previous Zelda games should not be surprised by this news. :) )



Yeah, I was reading that. Annoying how it went from Winter 06 to early 07 and now the end of 07.
Oh well, at least it's coming at some stage I guess.

[kaiyouske]

Next thing you know, it'll be delayed until the Nintendo QS and will be a launch title with it. (The Nintendo Quad-Screen) :D

[GyBaNO]

At any rate, Level 5 + Koichi Sugiyama + Yuuji Horii + Akira Toriyama = fuck.yes.


You left out the kickass 4-player online multiplayer part (but QFE+bolded nonetheless).

I'm in it for the single-player but having multiplayer added in like that ups the replay value quite a bit for me.

Now all we have to do is wait and find out what it plays like.

:)

[Azumangaman]

Wow, just WOW! I didn't expect that at all. (http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=12543)

If there was ever a good use for this little gif (http://www.3dnews.ru/documents/12933/ds-prints-money.gif) now would be a pretty damn good time IMO.


I really had no idea what was so shocking until I read it.
The last place I expected DQ9 to be was the DS (well, I expected it over GBA!). 4-player online co-op? AMAZING!

Is anyone else starting to think that the DS is one of the best systems you can own (not just handheld)?

[Johnny]

Is anyone else starting to think that the DS is one of the best systems you can own (not just handheld)?

Starting to? It's been known for quite a while that the DS is "da shit" ;)

[ADC]

The "Notably departing from the standard J-RPG formula, gameplay in Dragon Quest IX will be more action oriented and will feature four-player online cooperative play. The top screen is used as a map, while the bottom screen contains the action" has me a little concerned but I cannot wait for this :)
So the question is: Will it play like Radiata Stories or Kingdom Hearts (control one, hope the others aren't abominably stupid); Final Fantasy XII (the game plays itself until you decide to step in for any character); or Brave Fencer Musashi (who needs a menu anyway? I can kill monsters on my own)?

I've already put it in the wishlist.

[sedorna]

Hi. I've been playing Animal Crossing: Wild World for a few days and it's been fun. However, I seem to have run into a snag. Earlier, I designed some patterns and put them on a hat. Now, sadly, I can't figure out how to take off my hat. I really want to. It's a dunce cap style hat, and I do *not* like the way it looks. Could somebody help me?

[Chacranajxy]

Finished Portrait of Ruin just now. Excellent game as expected. I finished with the good ending in around 6 hours, so it's about as long as past Castlevania games. It's worth noting that PoR wasn't quite as good as DoS... though I think that's mainly because I preferred the darker setting of Dawn of Sorrow. Still, you'd be very, very stupid to not pick up PoR at some point.

[Mateo_home]

The new Zelda game is not so upcoming any more; last I heard, it's been delayed until next autumn/winter. (Those who have followed any previous Zelda games should not be surprised by this news. :) )

--quen

Is the game even done in development? Considering it's in as late as autumn next year, I'd say yes or no. They prbably couldn't get it out in time for Christmas this year and wait for Christmas next year, or because they had too many of thier first party titles this season and don't want to overdo it.

Sorry about the rant because I know a delay could be for the best, but it just annoys me with the marketing decisions game companies make sometime. :P

[ADC]

I finished with the good ending in around 6 hours, so it's about as long as past Castlevania games.
So what the seven hells am I doing wrong? I got the crappy ending and can't figure out where to go from here, so I've been going around doing Wind's little quests. (Got myself a pretty sweet sword for so doing, which is good.) Has it to do with the room at the top of the castle that I can't enter because the spiritual wind is too stroong? Am I retarded or am I just overjoyed?

[Chacranajxy]

I finished with the good ending in around 6 hours, so it's about as long as past Castlevania games.
So what the seven hells am I doing wrong? I got the crappy ending and can't figure out where to go from here, so I've been going around doing Wind's little quests. (Got myself a pretty sweet sword for so doing, which is good.) Has it to do with the room at the top of the castle that I can't enter because the spiritual wind is too stroong? Am I retarded or am I just overjoyed?

I'm not really sure what the answer to that last question is, but if you wanna get to the good ending, You've gotta un-brainwash those sisters. How on earth could you do that? Why, go to the pyramid level again. Then, somewhere on the far right side of that map, there's a room where boulders roll down at you. You know the one. Well, at the bottom of the hill in that room, there's a small opening that you couldn't get into before. Have that bitch turn into a frog and jump in there and you'll get the technique that'll let you heal people that're fucked up. Use that spell in the fight against the sister bitches, and a winner will be you.

Easy, no?

[ADC]

Easy, no?
Not so much, no. I tried that but couldn't get the spell off because it's too damn'd slow! I'll experiment with it and see what I can figure out. I did think that was the answer, but I couldn't make it work. But my mind is racing now and I'll see what I can do.

[Chacranajxy]

Easy, no?
Not so much, no. I tried that but couldn't get the spell off because it's too damn'd slow! I'll experiment with it and see what I can figure out. I did think that was the answer, but I couldn't make it work. But my mind is racing now and I'll see what I can do.

Oh yeah, it was kinda a pain in the ass. What I did was I had the ho start casting the spell and then I switched over the Jonathan and had him whip the ice the sisters try to drop or at least try to distract them a bit. It's kind of difficult to get it off, but you'll manage it eventually.

[ADC]

the ho
The ho! The ho! Too awesome! :D

[kaiyouske]

I think there's a spell that you can cast to have the enemies focus attacks on you.

[Fieri]

Hi. I've been playing Animal Crossing: Wild World for a few days and it's been fun. However, I seem to have run into a snag. Earlier, I designed some patterns and put them on a hat. Now, sadly, I can't figure out how to take off my hat. I really want to. It's a dunce cap style hat, and I do *not* like the way it looks. Could somebody help me?

Just put another hat on your head. ;)

[dunno001]

Wow, just WOW! I didn't expect that at all. (http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=12543)

If there was ever a good use for this little gif (http://www.3dnews.ru/documents/12933/ds-prints-money.gif) now would be a pretty damn good time IMO.

I can see it now...

*spoof news article to follow*

TOKYO, Japan: To commemorate the release of Dragon Quest IX, on release day, all schools in Japan will become huge networking hubs, with the lesson being Wi-Fi connections for the DS. Parents who would also like to learn about this are invited to come to any school, but must bring their own DS and copy of Dragon Quest IX which will be needed for the curriculum.

"I'm glad to see that they're going to learning something and interacting today, instead of schools closing like a prior release of the Dragon Quest series.", said Random Nihonjin. "It's things like this that will help keep our children on top of the world."

Square-Enix was also very happy to hear about this news. "We are pleased to be able to do our part in helping teach our children. This extra educational benefit shows the added value of our effort, and reaffirms our commitment to the DS platform." President-sama stated.

Unfortunately, no gaming site was availiable to comment on this news, presumably because they were busy with their demo copies.

[flammie]

So far, after getting through the first portrait, the game doesn't seem as good as COTM, AOS, or even DOS, since it is TOO EASY, the need to switch characters or use 2 characters is minimal, and the stages are depressingly linear. I don't mind linear stages, but they need to be about 3x harder to be interesting. Otherwise you are just moving forward and attacking every once in a while without really being in any danger, which is boring.


Just wanted to say that after beating the game, I think this is my second favorite Castlevania game ever outside of COTM. After I realized it isn't really a metroidvania, but more like a Simon's Quest type game with tons of extra things to do and tons of fanservice, it became a lot more fun. And the replay value seems fantastic.

[ADC]

Just wanted to say that after beating the game, I think this is my second favorite Castlevania game ever outside of COTM. After I realized it isn't really a metroidvania, but more like a Simon's Quest type game with tons of extra things to do and tons of fanservice, it became a lot more fun. And the replay value seems fantastic.
Ye gods, thank you for crystalising this point for me. It really does feel more like Simon's Quest (which was one of my favorite NES games). I do still think I like Dawn of Sorrow a little bit better (and neither reach the dizzying heights of Symphony), but now that I finally got to the second half of the game, I'm having a blast.

I have hit 100 percent discovery on all four of the first-half paintings, too. Some of the hidden rooms are easy to find, but some are just dastardly.

[Chacranajxy]

So far, after getting through the first portrait, the game doesn't seem as good as COTM, AOS, or even DOS, since it is TOO EASY, the need to switch characters or use 2 characters is minimal, and the stages are depressingly linear. I don't mind linear stages, but they need to be about 3x harder to be interesting. Otherwise you are just moving forward and attacking every once in a while without really being in any danger, which is boring.


Just wanted to say that after beating the game, I think this is my second favorite Castlevania game ever outside of COTM. After I realized it isn't really a metroidvania, but more like a Simon's Quest type game with tons of extra things to do and tons of fanservice, it became a lot more fun. And the replay value seems fantastic.

Yep, the devs said from the start that they were going to model this after Simon's Quest to an extent... I think they did a good job of blending the formulas, though if they do it again for the next game, I'd like to see darker environments. None of this Indiana Jones-esque tomfoolery.

[Kurou]

I hope this is true, but I'll kinda hate Nintendo if it is.

My brother (works at Gamestop) said there will be a Blue DS Lite released after the first of the year sometime. Yes, I know there's a Japanese one already, but I didn't want to pay that much.

Crap. The only reason I bought the Black Lite was because there was no blue color. :realanger:

[Jarred]

GoNintendo - Screenshots (http://gonintendo.com/?p=10456)

Looks like a DS game adapted from the very popular classical music manga/drama Nodame Cantabile is in the works. That's definitely Chiaki and it looks like it is using the same type of gameplay as Ouendan/EBA. A classic music rhythm game? Could be fun!

[Elana]

Looks like Nintendo is recalling DS power adapters. I assume you can find out if you qualify on nintendo.com, but I can't check because my company has blocked it.

[Jarred]

Looks like Nintendo is recalling DS power adapters. I assume you can find out if you qualify on nintendo.com, but I can't check because my company has blocked it.
Nothing about it there, but I think it's only for Japanese DS or DS Lites (http://gonintendo.com/?p=10453)

The issue came from one production plant in particular. The recall is split between 80,000 DS adapters, and 120,000 DS Lite adapters. The DS adapters were sold from Jan-June 2006, and the DS Lite were sold from July-Oct 2006.

[Johnny]

GoNintendo - Screenshots (http://gonintendo.com/?p=10456)

Looks like a DS game adapted from the very popular classical music manga/drama Nodame Cantabile is in the works. That's definitely Chiaki and it looks like it is using the same type of gameplay as Ouendan/EBA. A classic music rhythm game? Could be fun!

Yeah, I posted that link in the news thread yesterday. At least now I have a name to go with the game though. I'd no idea it was based on a manga...

[Jarred]

GoNintendo - Screenshots (http://gonintendo.com/?p=10456)

Looks like a DS game adapted from the very popular classical music manga/drama Nodame Cantabile is in the works. That's definitely Chiaki and it looks like it is using the same type of gameplay as Ouendan/EBA. A classic music rhythm game? Could be fun!

Yeah, I posted that link in the news thread yesterday. At least now I have a name to go with the game though. I'd no idea it was based on a manga...
Gah! I knew I should have never tried to compete with posting gaming news. *bows down*

[Iridium]

My DS Lite has developed the dreaded hinge crack (http://pics.livejournal.com/iridium753/pic/0000p8g9/) problem.

Is there anything else I should be doing other than contacting Nintendo for a warranty repair?