SHODAN LIVES
Notes and links from @colemanm.
Treasure World »
Offworld post about a new DS treasure hunting game. Finding the “treasure” requires you to roam the real world while your DS scans for wi-fi hotspots, which act as treasure locations, I guess. Sounds fun.
Earth Surfer uses the Wii balance board and the Google Earth API to allow you to “surf” over the earth’s surface.
Nintendo announces the DSi.
No more GBA slot, 3.25” screen, two cameras (3-megapixel and 0.3-megapixel), photo editing with touch screen, improved speakers, SD card slot, and the DSi Shop — for downloadable games.
Most of the features are sort of cosmetic, obvious improvements to the hardware. A camera is clutch, especially for kids who may enjoy taking Photobooth-esque crazy pics. Downloadable games are the key announcement here. If I could make $5-$10 impulse purchases via WiFi on a handheld, I’d be poor.
(link)
Chrono Trigger DS Hits Retailers on November 28, Includes New Dungeons, Arena Mode »
I’m kind of glad I never played Chrono Trigger back in the day. Playing on the DS sounds like a lot more fun than a console.
Madworld looks so raw.
Curved roads in Sim City?? Curved roads?!
A shot of Sim City Creator for Wii. I’d definitely like to try it out.
In The Stocks Article // Wii /// Eurogamer »
Well-written editorial published on Next-Gen about Nintendo’s mismanagement of their supply.
Guitar Hero: On Tour — How to Rock Out.
Would you be caught dead playing this on a bus? I certainly wouldn’t.
I’m glad to hear Sam and Max: Season 1 is making its way to the console on the Wii. I haven’t played anything in the series since the original Hit the Road game.
I’m pretty sure I’ll buy Viva Pinata DS. Seems well suited to my handheld play style.
I just saw the original Viva Pinata in the bargain bin at Target for like $6. Someone should go buy it. It’s a gem of a little game with some unfortunate issues. Maybe the upcoming sequel will improve upon its quirks.
Games For Lunch: The World Ends With You »
Kyle Orland spends an hour with a game I’m pretty excited about trying: The World Ends With You on DS.
Madworld — new game from the guys from Clover Studios.
FINALLY, another hyperviolent game on the Wii.
Skate series heads to Wii, DS »
Balance board support?
Pixelly goodness —
A map of Onett from Earthbound.
The Making Of ‘Wii Fit’ — The Complexity Of Creating Simplicity »
The MTV Multiplayer blog has written up a nice article on the creation of Wii Fit and the Wii Balance Board.
Some of the more interesting points:
- Early prototypes of the Wii Balance board included rumble and a connection to the Wii remote.
- That definitely would’ve been interesting, but they claimed that the rumble motor wasn’t strong enough to feel it in the feet.
- The program includes a Body Test, where you can measure BMI, weight and your “Wii Fit” age quickly and easily without inserting the disc. After the first time the game is inserted it will install the “Wii Fit” channel via the game disc.
- I love this feature. It’s better than a regular scale since it’ll log your progress over time (so you don’t have to!).
- In the Aerobics section, you can choose running courses that don’t require use the Wii Balance Board; instead the player holds the Wii remote in hand or in pocket and runs in place. You can be joined by another person with a second Wii remote.
- Foot races in the house? Brings back memories of old school Track and Field on the NES.
- Also in Aerobics, players can change to the TV using the Wii remote and the speaker still counts for you as you exercise and watch TV.
- What an awesome use of the Wii-mote’s built in speaker.
