TV add-on unveiled at Japanese Nintendo DS Press Conference
Full Report - Watch Telly on DS and more
Nintendo of Japan has at last officially unveiled the future of handheld videogaming at its DS press conference in Tokyo yesterday evening (or yesterday morning for those of you on Tokyo-time).
For the Japanese speakers amongst you, there is a full, lovingly detailed PowerPoint type presentation at Nintendo's website. Even if you don’t speak the lingo its still worth a gander, as the pictures tell a thousand words.
The conference was mainly about introducing the lovely new DS Lite to the assorted journos on hand, which is currently scheduled to launch in Japan on March 2nd, in the three beautiful color variations we reported on last Friday – Crystal White, Ice Blue, and Enamel Navy.
The second important announcement was the confirmation of the Opera web browser add-on for DS, as we reported yesterday. The Opera software will release in Japan in June at the price of 3800 yen ($30).
And if that wasn’t already enough, there’s more. Nintendo showcased plans for a DS TV tuner device, with a 1Seg Digital TV Card add-on to slide into the standard Nintendo DS game slot. You can see in the pics here how the actual TV Card will slot into your DS. It is still to be confirmed whether or not the US and Europe will get the TV Tuner. Should it see a UK release, it's sure to have limited appeal without support for digital terrestrial "freeview" channels.
Games wise, there are no disappointments either. SPOnG is mostly excited about the forthcoming fully online version of Winning Eleven Nine, which we covered earlier yesterday. And of course the New Super Mario Brothers title (down for a May Japan-release), Tetris DS, Super Robot Wars, Dynasty Warriors (online), Children of Mana, Xenosaga Episode 1-2 and much, much more.
There were a number of those funny ‘Japanesey’ titles also announced (you know, the ones like Nintendogs and Brain Training which everyone dismisses in the West until they go on to sell a gazillion copies), including a Calligraphy-writing trainer and an unnamed piece of cooking software. The mind boggles.
A beaming Mr. Iwata reminded the assembled press that over 900,000 unique individuals have accessed the Nintendo Wi-Fi online gaming network. He also reminded them that seven Nintendo DS titles have already exceeded the one million sales mark within Japan - including Animal Crossing: Wild World, Mario Kart DS, and the Brain Training titles.
Yet again, its hard to see what Sony can now pull out of their PSP bag to compete with the DS, which is just going from strength to strength. If you have any bright ideas, please tell us (and them) in the forums below.
For the Japanese speakers amongst you, there is a full, lovingly detailed PowerPoint type presentation at Nintendo's website. Even if you don’t speak the lingo its still worth a gander, as the pictures tell a thousand words.
The conference was mainly about introducing the lovely new DS Lite to the assorted journos on hand, which is currently scheduled to launch in Japan on March 2nd, in the three beautiful color variations we reported on last Friday – Crystal White, Ice Blue, and Enamel Navy.
The second important announcement was the confirmation of the Opera web browser add-on for DS, as we reported yesterday. The Opera software will release in Japan in June at the price of 3800 yen ($30).
And if that wasn’t already enough, there’s more. Nintendo showcased plans for a DS TV tuner device, with a 1Seg Digital TV Card add-on to slide into the standard Nintendo DS game slot. You can see in the pics here how the actual TV Card will slot into your DS. It is still to be confirmed whether or not the US and Europe will get the TV Tuner. Should it see a UK release, it's sure to have limited appeal without support for digital terrestrial "freeview" channels.
Games wise, there are no disappointments either. SPOnG is mostly excited about the forthcoming fully online version of Winning Eleven Nine, which we covered earlier yesterday. And of course the New Super Mario Brothers title (down for a May Japan-release), Tetris DS, Super Robot Wars, Dynasty Warriors (online), Children of Mana, Xenosaga Episode 1-2 and much, much more.
There were a number of those funny ‘Japanesey’ titles also announced (you know, the ones like Nintendogs and Brain Training which everyone dismisses in the West until they go on to sell a gazillion copies), including a Calligraphy-writing trainer and an unnamed piece of cooking software. The mind boggles.
A beaming Mr. Iwata reminded the assembled press that over 900,000 unique individuals have accessed the Nintendo Wi-Fi online gaming network. He also reminded them that seven Nintendo DS titles have already exceeded the one million sales mark within Japan - including Animal Crossing: Wild World, Mario Kart DS, and the Brain Training titles.
Yet again, its hard to see what Sony can now pull out of their PSP bag to compete with the DS, which is just going from strength to strength. If you have any bright ideas, please tell us (and them) in the forums below.
Read More Like This
Comments
I'll Eat Your Soul 16 Feb 2006 13:35
1/4
I had an idea... how about releasing one GREAT, original new game that doesn't take forever to load.
No really, it's a crazy idea, but it just might work.
No really, it's a crazy idea, but it just might work.
realvictory 16 Feb 2006 18:39
2/4
How about an add on which is an even bigger screen!
...Wait a minute! I think you overlooked something - Outrun 2006 is coming out on the PSP! Who even needs to watch TV or look at web pages anymore!!! All you need is to watch Outrun, look at Outrun, and listen to Outrun, whilst...maybe...driving a Ferrari! Awesome!!!
So, the question is, is Outrun 2006 coming out over here before any of that good DS stuff? I might have to buy a PSP after all - we'll have to wait and see.
...Wait a minute! I think you overlooked something - Outrun 2006 is coming out on the PSP! Who even needs to watch TV or look at web pages anymore!!! All you need is to watch Outrun, look at Outrun, and listen to Outrun, whilst...maybe...driving a Ferrari! Awesome!!!
So, the question is, is Outrun 2006 coming out over here before any of that good DS stuff? I might have to buy a PSP after all - we'll have to wait and see.
more comments below our sponsor's message
Joji 16 Feb 2006 21:01
3/4
A larger screen would turn DS into something that will struggle to stay in your jeans pocket. Fairplay to the PSP in its lovely design and large movie screen, but Nintendo tread their own path. Buy or don't buy a DS lite, it's up to you.
I like this petite tv tuner and if it hit's japan soon, i'll have a means of catching some World Cup games on it with luck.
I'm sure Outrun 2006 will be sweet, but I can have that on Xbox or PS2. This is what makes the DS so great, the fact that the majority of games you won't see anywhere else.
I like this petite tv tuner and if it hit's japan soon, i'll have a means of catching some World Cup games on it with luck.
I'm sure Outrun 2006 will be sweet, but I can have that on Xbox or PS2. This is what makes the DS so great, the fact that the majority of games you won't see anywhere else.
Hank 17 Feb 2006 01:38
4/4
I think an original game that can only be played on the PSP, not the PS2, PS3, DS, GBA, Xbox, GC, PC, N-Gage, Gizmondo would be a boost to Sony. A game console can not rest on selling movie titles.