Above is apparently a picture direct from the Leipzig Games Convention brochure. This seems to be an official Nintendo product, though I cannot find anything else about it anywhere!
Loosly translated, the German text says:
Use your mobile nintendo to the complete appareled MP3- playback. Lower grade become SD cards at up to 2GB capacity. With it you can store up to 500 songs and in crystal clear quality. The graphic interface shows all vital information to the title.
It was once said that with great power, comes great responsibility (or something), and with a games convention, comes lots of news. With the Leipzig Games Convention in progress, many companies have been releasing information about their upcoming titles.
Here are a few of the things that have caught my attention:
I came accross this title today, and it looks intriguing. Dead 'n' Furious is being developed by Dream On Studio. It is an on-the-rails shoot-em-up (hyphen overload) reminiscent of the arcade classic "House of the Dead". I was a great fan of that, and pretty much all arcade shooters. Having played "Point Blank DS", however, I'm really not sure if they can be converted successfully to the DS console.
The details of Dead 'n' Furious is as follows:
The main objective of Dead & Furious is to recreate the gameplay and atmosphere made famous in arcade games. The gun controller is replaced by the stylus or your finger on the NDS Touch Screen. Shoot the zombies by aiming and tapping the screen. When the gun is out of ammo, simply drag’n drop ammo to your gun to reload. Don't forget to look closely at finer details in the scene (i.e breakable objects which will reveal bonus items, enemies attacking from the ceiling, etc). Players are guided around the 3D world, however the game features several paths for the player to choose.
Key Features
* Innovation - On-Rails Tactile Shooter for the Nintendo DS. * DS Specific - Action orientated arcade style gameplay using DS specific features, tactile gameplay, double screen HUD and inventory. * Multiplayer Mode - Story mode available in co-op via Wireless connection. * Replay Value - Hidden secrets, unlockable items. * Terrifying Levels - Four chapters of horror, suspense and action lurking around every corner.
The bottom screen shows all the action, whilst the top screen shows your health and various weapons available.
I'll certainly be keeping my eye on this title, and am keen to see some gameplay footage.
The game's site can be found here. Pictures from Dream On Studios and DS-X2.com
Nintendo® The Official Magazine have reported that Nintendo-Europe have announced a new schedule for the release of a whole host of DS games. This list is as follows:
NINTENDO DS SOFTWARE
Madden NFL 07 (EA) Aug 2006
Disney's American Dragon: Jake Long (Buena Vista Games) Sep 2006
Brick’em All DS (Digital Bros) Sep 2006
LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (Lucas Arts/Activision) Sep 2006
Bratz: Forever Diamondz (THQ) Sep 2006
Super Fruit Fall (System 3) Sep 2006
Tennis Masters (System 3) Sep 2006
Sudoku Mania (ZOO Digital) 8 Sep 2006
FIFA 07 (EA) 29 Sep 2006
42 All-Time Classics (Nintendo) 29 Sept 2006
Hardcore Pool (ZOO Digital) 29 Sep 2006
Alexandra Ledermann (Ubisoft) Q3 2006
Asphalt 2 Urban GT(Ubisoft) Q3 2006
Catz (Ubisoft) Q3 2006
Over The Hedge (Activision) Jun/Jul/Oct 2006
Beetle King (Digital Bros) Oct 2006
Deep Labyrinth (Digital Bros) Oct 2006
Guru Guru Naget (Digital Bros) Oct 2006
My Vet Practice (dtp) Oct 2006
The Little Mermaid: Special Edition (Buena Vista Games) Oct 2006
Labyrinth (Digital Bros) Oct 2006
Biker Mice From Mars (Game Factory/K.E. Media) Oct 2006
Cartoon Network Racing (Game Factory/K.E. Media) Oct 2006
Disney's Chicken Little 2: Ace in Action (/Buena Vista Games) Oct 2006
Avatar: The Legend of Aang (THQ) Oct 2006
Ages of Empires II: Age of Kings (Majesco/THQ) Oct 2006
Dino Master (Majesco) Oct 2006
Contact (Marvelous/Rising Star Games) Oct 2006
New Zealand Story Revolution (Rising Star Games) Oct 2006
Y’s Strategy (Rising Star Games) Oct 2006
Spyro – The Legend (Vivendi) Oct 2006
Scooby Doo! Who's Watching Who? (THQ) Oct 2006
Crash Boom Bang (Vivendi) Oct 2006
Barnyard (THQ) Oct 2006/Feb 2007
Nintendo DS Browser (Nintendo) 6 Oct 2006
English Training: Have Fun Improving Your Skills (Nintendo) 13 Oct 2006
Some bright spark (who goes by the name of rawmeatcowboy!?!) has loaded footage of Nibris's game for the DS entitled Raid Over The River onto YouTube. Nibris is a new developer, and if ROTR is anything to go by, it looks like they are set to produce some good looking games.
The game is a scolling shoot-em-up, that utilises both DS screens to put you in the thick of the action. The game plays through 3 different periods in time (medieval, WWII, and near future), each with a unique craft that you can control. There are different weapons to equip, and tactics to take. It is a game that Nibris describe as "easy to master, extremely demanding to finish".
Nibris's official site can be found here. Be warned however - there be some infectious music on that thar site (which you can handily download here! Bargain.
The clip has no sound, in case you're wondering if your speakers are broken...
IGN reports that Square Enix has set a release date for Final Fantasy III. The RPG will be released in the US on the 14th November, and will cost around $40.00 (source: Famitsu).
From IGN, details of the game are as follows:
Final Fantasy III takes place in a world thrown out of balance when an earthquake pulls protective crystals from the earth. To restore order, four adventurers must find the crystals and fight a battle against darkness. The game comes to the DS with remodeled 3D graphics and a touch screen interface. Players can communicate with others and uncover hidden dungeons, quests, and items using a Wi-Fi connection.
Brain Training Wins Award
Gamespot have reported that Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training (known as Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day in the United States) has won Edge Magazine's annual award for innovation in gaming. Apparently it was a near unanimous decision.
The Nintendo rep who picked up the prize said that Brain Training represented the different direction in which the company is headed, one which aims to expand the market and ultimately benefit gaming as a whole. Robertson, summing up the success of the grey-cell-testing game, said that "only Nintendo could make mental arithmetic this year's 'must have' [title]".
Want A Pink DS For £4.50?
If you have a DS Lite, but fancy giving it an appearance change, then Japanese company Gametech are selling 4 different silicon protectors. The protectors come in Black, Blue, Pink, and White, so if you have a DS Lite, and you fancy sprucing it up, these may well be your answer!
Atlus, the company behind "Trauma Centre", release their new DS title "Touch Detective" in October 2006 (US).
Nintendo® The Official Magazine have new screenshots, which can be found here.
The game looks lush, and is made up of four episodes. You control Rina (or Mackenzie - there seems to be a bit of confusion about this. Rina is the name of the heroine in the Japanese version of the game, which is known as "Osawari Tantei"), who must solve each mystery by talking to people, and searching for objects. Not doubt there will be lots of puzzles to solve too. Throughout the main game, the top screen is only apparently used to display a picture of Rina/Mackenzie. She will, however, give you clues via speech/thought bubbles and expressions. To me this seems a waste, but then, what else would you use it for?
The official site can be found here, and the details of the game are as follows:
GAME SUMMARY:
After her father unexpectedly passes away, Mackenzie inherits the family business: a renowned detective agency in a fantastic world of mystery and intrigue. With the aid of her investigative assistant Funghi and her faithful servant Cromwell, Mackenzie sets off to prove herself worthy of being called... the Touch Detective!
FEATURES:
* Gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and use items to further the investigation! * Four bizarre cases! Find a missing person, track down a stolen dream, and more! * Touch-screen, dual-screen puzzle-solving that takes full advantage of the Nintendo DS!
The Japanese site is here, and it gives a good impression of the style of the game (complete with a wierd mushroom fella - presumably Funghi - that you just can't catch!). A video taster can be found here (eventually...)
Lexicon Entertainment and EnjoyUP are releasing an interesting time travel game for the DS game called “Chronos Twin”. The game is set to be released in early 2007 in Europe (no US release scheduled as yet), and sees you take control of an inhabitant of the planet Skyla. When an alien from the past attacks the planet, it is up to you to travel through time to defend your home. The novel twist in this game, however, is that you exist in both the past and present simultaneously.
The top screen of the DS is used to display the present, and the bottom screen displays the past. This seems an interesting concept that could lead to some decent puzzle elements to the game.
Ubisoft have announced details of a new Star Wars game for the DS. Star Wars: Lethal Alliance is set to be released in December, on both the DS and Sony's PSP. Although both games are being developed by Ubisoft, the two versions of the game will differ in many ways.
Gamespot state:
Although Lethal Alliance will appear on the DS and the PSP at the same time, the two versions weren't made by the same developer: Ubisoft's Montreal division handled the PSP game, while the publisher's Casablanca studio produced the DS version. Each game will be tailored to take advantage of its host system, but Ubisoft didn't say how.
Along with the story mode, there will be a mutliplayer feature too, although Ubisoft have not yet released details of this.
In an interview with Gamespot, Bertrand Helias (Senior Producer) stated that:
The game takes place just a few months before Episode IV. You will play a Twi'lek mercenary named Rianna Saren. The game marks her first appearance in the Star Wars universe. Early in the game, she is recruited by the alliance to infiltrate Empire-controlled planets and ultimately steal the plans of the Empire's most powerful weapon: the Death Star. I suggest gamers watch the beginning of Episode IV again to understand the link between this game and the saga.
There is an official site of StarFox Command which I have only just come across. In the site there are new clips along with details of the different ships available. At this time there are three on show, with a fourth to be revealed later. Each ship has different attributes. Fox’s seem to be the all-rounder, Slippy’s is slow, but has a powerful cannon, and Falco’s can fire on multiple targets.
The game itself is a mixture of turn based combat, and real time flight sim action. The idea on each level is to protect the mother ship, and you take turns, trying to defeat the enemy (in the style of Advance Wars). If you engage them, however, the action moves to the cockpit.
You use the stylus to control the ships, and fire using the shoulder buttons. Apparently this will make the ship more manoeuvrable, but I am unsure. I guess I’ll find out when the game is released (28th August in US).
Natsume have released a flight sim for the DS. The creators of "Harvest Moon: DS", bring you "Freedom Wings". The story and details are as follows:
It was the age of aircraft. Due to the necessity of travel between the great many islands of the South Sea, aircrafts were the main choice of transportation. Some flew for adventure...Some flew for wealth...For whatever the reason many took to the air.
And there were those that used aircraft to prey upon them...
The government had to put a stop to these evil pirates. They selected the world's top pilots and set up the Air Patrol Association (A.P.A) in hopes of making the skies safe once again.
* Innovative combat system – beginning players can use AI COMBAT where the system will help lock on and fly the various planes or experienced players can use the MANUAL COMBAT where they control all the action! * Use the Touch Screen to control your plane, lock-on to various enemies or plan your flight path! * An assortment of aircraft to purchase! * Upgrade your plane with new parts and weapons! * Tons of missions and submissions to complete! * Up to 4 players can play in the ultimate dog-fight!
It doesn't look too bad, but with the lack of WiFi, I can't see it competing with the likes of StarFox Command, or the forthcoming DS Air.
There are screenshots below, and a teeny tiny clip can be found here
Famitsu has released new screenshots of Hudson Entertainment's new version of Lode Runner for the DS. The new game boasts not only updated graphics, but also different game types to play. Along with the original NES version, the DS game will include a new "Championship" version, and also a puzzle section. As you can see from the screenshots below, the top screen shows the whole level, and the bottom screen shows a close up view of the action.
The official Japanese site can be found here, and the game is scheduled for a Japanese release in October 2006.
The lastest top 10 for DS games in the UK has been released. The chart looks like this:
DS Charts 1. (1) New Super Mario Bros. 2. (2) Dr Kawashima's Brain Training 3. (3) Cars 4. (5) Animal Crossing: Wild World 5. (4) Big Brain Academy 6. (6) Nintendogs: Dalmatian & Friends 7. (7) Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest 8. (9) Zoo Tycoon DS 9. (10) The Sims 2 10. (8) Mario Kart DS
Nintendo-Europe have released new screenshots of the upcoming game "Hotel Dusk: Room 215". The game itself is an adventure game similar to the excellent "Another Code: Two Memories". The game is set in 1979 and revolves around Kyle Hyde, an ex-cop turned salesman trying to track down a missing friend. As you can see from the screenshots, it has a very unique style.
If it uses the DS in the same innovative ways as Two Memories did, this too should be an enjoyable gaming experience. Hopefully the story will be as involving, and slighty longer than Two Memories.
