Samus Demonstrates DS Potential

Metroid Prime: Hunters DS is a conceptual demo that epitomises the direction of Metroid Prime 2’s multiplayer mode and helps define the as yet untapped potential of the DS console. At its heart, this will work as a standard FPS. Notably, the DS handles these three dimensional graphics without much bother, and that certainly bodes well for future releases. But it’s not just the DS graphical capabilities that MPH demonstrates: the touch screen controls should prove inspirational for third party developers.

Movement is achieved with the standard use of the D-Pad, but beyond this, the control mechanisms are styled specifically for the DS. Once the player has ‘locked’ onto an opponent, aiming can be honed further, by dragging or rotating the stylus over the screen. With the target in sight, Samus will fire her weapon as the player repeatedly taps the screen. The faster the tapping, the faster the rate of fire, and so on.

These Metroid-specific factors aside, MPH has also provided ample proof of the DS’s scope for wireless networking between four separate units, and this is sure to be an important feature in many DS titles to come.

Further DS information will follow shortly.