DS means Dying Satisfied
The “DS” Stands for “Dieing Satisfied”
I was at school when I first heard the news. My friend came rushing over blurting out all he had seen on that morning’s Gamespot Live E3 broadcast, including what he knew of the DS. Instantly thrilled, we both ran up to the library to sift through Gamespot’s new E3 media. When I arrived home, still beaming with excitement, I began downloading the Nintendo Press Conference. The first thing I noticed when watching it, was the incredibly confident and charismatic speaker chosen to head the conference: Reggie Fils-Aime (NOA’s Executive VP, Sales and Marketing). He is exactly what Nintendo needed to promote their ideas of innovation and revolution and the perfect man to showcase their new handheld, codenamed: Nintendo DS.
For those who don’t know or are unsure (and because I just love repeating this stuff), the DS, or the Nintendo DS, was the code name (and has now been finalized as the permanent name) for Nintendo’s up-and-coming portable gaming system. What sets this system apart from past portable game systems is its numerous features. First of all, it has two screens (DS = Deul Screens), vertically aligned. This feature has attracted a lot of controversy as critics try to think of ways a second screen could come in handy. The second major feature is the bottom screen. What makes this screen so special is that it is a touch screen (similar to palm pilots) and allows developers to create different type of game play never witnessed on a portable gaming console. This, like the duel screens, has also been subject to criticism as its functionality seems minimal and useless to some. Probably the third most important feature is the system’s online capabilities: Nintendo branded bluetooth & wireless wi-fi capabilities. Critics, of course, have had no problem with this as most everyone has been disappointed with the Gamecube’s lack of online connectivity. The rest of the features are as follows: microphone, backwards compatibility with GBA games only (separate slot for GBA games), graphics surpassing that of the N64 (3D graphics capable on both screens simultaneously due to duel processors: ARM9 & ARM7) with a frame rate of 60fps, 16-channel stereo sound with or without headphones, superior battery power management with rechargeable batteries and sleep/standby modes, new media cards (greater than one gigabit of data), and…….prepare yourself…….a headphone jack! The final feature is one unique to the Game Boy trademark: the ability to play multiplayer games with one game pack. This time, game data is downloaded off the single game pack onto the other DS’s wirelessly so you are still able to play with your financially-stubborn friends.
I will now specify why I find these new features to be ever so promising…
Duel Screens:
At the very least, this feature allows a player to check inventory, stats, maps, etc without having to pause game play. Now, while this might not be a very creative way to use the second screen, it certainly shines functionality. One of the DS game demos showcased at E3 was Metroid Prime: Hunters used the top screen as a map. This, though simple, would make exploring a far easier and less tedious task as one wouldn’t have to watch a miniature map positioned in a corner of a single screen or pause every minute to make sure he/she was going in the right direction. The two screens can also be used to show two views of the action taking place. For example, while playing a baseball game, the bottom screen could show the normal third person view of you batting while the top screen could show a top-down view of the field so you could watch the game from above. I can see no cons with having another screen except for the added cost to the system and the power needed to run it.
Touch Screen:
The touch screen offers the possibility of new portable game play while simulating mouse-point accuracy found only in PC games. If you are like me, you spend a large part of your boring life on addictinggames.com playing the thousands of games they offer. Some of the most simple of games can be the most addictive (ZUMA!!!) needing only the mouse and a keen eye to play. Well, with the DS, Zuma and other such mouse-oriented games are possible. I think one of the most promising things about the touch screen capabilities (coupled with the duel screens) is the revolution of GOOD portable RTS games. I own an RTS game for the GBA (Mech Platoon), and let me tell you, using the d-pad to control the cursor is not much fun. The bottom (touch) screen could be the normal view of the game where you could easily control your units and manage your buildings with your stylus or finger. The top screen could be the map where the left shoulder button and d-pad (four face buttons and right trigger for leftys) could control map functions. The second (touch) screen could also come in handy in adventure games. The touch screen could be your character’s inventory where you could switch between items, tools, and weapons on the fly by simply touching them on the screen. Imagine swapping between bow and bombs on the fly during a heated battle against Gannon (they are making a Zelda DS game by the way). The one possible con with the touch screen is your hand could get in the way of the screen, crippling your view of the action.
Wireless/Online Capabilities:
Nintendo has made its own version of blue tooth, which has been guaranteed to reach 30 feet and possibly further. Not only does it reach farther than the tedius chords of present time, but it can support up to 16 players at any given time. You will also be able to chat to your friends using the touch screen capabilities, which could add a very fun dimension to an otherwise boring history lesson. Now, I would have been satisfied with just the blue tooth feature, but Nintendo went the extra mile when they included 802.11b wireless technology. This basically allows any DS user to connect to the internet via “hot spots” or wireless internet routers. This could theoretically allow players from all over the world to connect to an online server and play with/against each other. Image playing huge four swords tournaments where you and seven other links are pitted against eight other links in an all out battle (my heart just skipped a beat). This could also open doors to MMORPG’s as well, inviting in a whole other audience to the portable gaming market. It is not clear yet if the DS will allow users to surf the web, but personally, I could care less.
Microphone:
Nintendo representatives have been quoted saying that the microphone will allow for voice recognition, which opens up more doors as far as game play goes. I’m sure you’ve all seen an episode of Pokemon before and witnessed ash yelling at his Pokemon during battle to attack and defend. Well, with voice recognition it is plausible that a 3D third person Pokemon RPG could be released where you would actually command your Pokemon during battle. However, it would take some courage to play this game on the bus as you would probably draw a lot of attention (laughing and pointing). Voice recognition could also come in handy during online action games ala Socom. Finally the microphone could also be used to add audio to wireless chatting. I could be like “Hey Rich! Check out this sweet drawing I made on my DS!” and then await his onslaught of laughter after sending him a skillfully drawn portrait of my “piece.”
Graphics:
The graphics are the next logical step for the family of Nintendo Handhelds. The GBA sported graphics similar to the SNES and now the DS is sporting graphics similar to the N64 (only better). Of course, since the DS can pump out 3D graphics, the variety of games is instantly increased, much like the move from 2D to 3D in the home console market. It also allows Nintendo to port our favourite N64 games to the DS which we all hope they do.
GBA Game Compatibility:
This basically means I can sell my GBA SP for some money to put towards my DS and still be able to play my favourite GBA games. It’s a win win.
After that first month of excitement, I begin to check up less and less on the DS until I didn’t even think about it. Then a few days ago, I decided to check Gamespot for their latest news on the DS and low and be hold, there were screens of the finalized design! Now I’m back to where I was before, frantically searching forums for people with similar excitement for the DS and constantly waiting for that elusive fall release.
I was at school when I first heard the news. My friend came rushing over blurting out all he had seen on that morning’s Gamespot Live E3 broadcast, including what he knew of the DS. Instantly thrilled, we both ran up to the library to sift through Gamespot’s new E3 media. When I arrived home, still beaming with excitement, I began downloading the Nintendo Press Conference. The first thing I noticed when watching it, was the incredibly confident and charismatic speaker chosen to head the conference: Reggie Fils-Aime (NOA’s Executive VP, Sales and Marketing). He is exactly what Nintendo needed to promote their ideas of innovation and revolution and the perfect man to showcase their new handheld, codenamed: Nintendo DS.
For those who don’t know or are unsure (and because I just love repeating this stuff), the DS, or the Nintendo DS, was the code name (and has now been finalized as the permanent name) for Nintendo’s up-and-coming portable gaming system. What sets this system apart from past portable game systems is its numerous features. First of all, it has two screens (DS = Deul Screens), vertically aligned. This feature has attracted a lot of controversy as critics try to think of ways a second screen could come in handy. The second major feature is the bottom screen. What makes this screen so special is that it is a touch screen (similar to palm pilots) and allows developers to create different type of game play never witnessed on a portable gaming console. This, like the duel screens, has also been subject to criticism as its functionality seems minimal and useless to some. Probably the third most important feature is the system’s online capabilities: Nintendo branded bluetooth & wireless wi-fi capabilities. Critics, of course, have had no problem with this as most everyone has been disappointed with the Gamecube’s lack of online connectivity. The rest of the features are as follows: microphone, backwards compatibility with GBA games only (separate slot for GBA games), graphics surpassing that of the N64 (3D graphics capable on both screens simultaneously due to duel processors: ARM9 & ARM7) with a frame rate of 60fps, 16-channel stereo sound with or without headphones, superior battery power management with rechargeable batteries and sleep/standby modes, new media cards (greater than one gigabit of data), and…….prepare yourself…….a headphone jack! The final feature is one unique to the Game Boy trademark: the ability to play multiplayer games with one game pack. This time, game data is downloaded off the single game pack onto the other DS’s wirelessly so you are still able to play with your financially-stubborn friends.
I will now specify why I find these new features to be ever so promising…
Duel Screens:
At the very least, this feature allows a player to check inventory, stats, maps, etc without having to pause game play. Now, while this might not be a very creative way to use the second screen, it certainly shines functionality. One of the DS game demos showcased at E3 was Metroid Prime: Hunters used the top screen as a map. This, though simple, would make exploring a far easier and less tedious task as one wouldn’t have to watch a miniature map positioned in a corner of a single screen or pause every minute to make sure he/she was going in the right direction. The two screens can also be used to show two views of the action taking place. For example, while playing a baseball game, the bottom screen could show the normal third person view of you batting while the top screen could show a top-down view of the field so you could watch the game from above. I can see no cons with having another screen except for the added cost to the system and the power needed to run it.
Touch Screen:
The touch screen offers the possibility of new portable game play while simulating mouse-point accuracy found only in PC games. If you are like me, you spend a large part of your boring life on addictinggames.com playing the thousands of games they offer. Some of the most simple of games can be the most addictive (ZUMA!!!) needing only the mouse and a keen eye to play. Well, with the DS, Zuma and other such mouse-oriented games are possible. I think one of the most promising things about the touch screen capabilities (coupled with the duel screens) is the revolution of GOOD portable RTS games. I own an RTS game for the GBA (Mech Platoon), and let me tell you, using the d-pad to control the cursor is not much fun. The bottom (touch) screen could be the normal view of the game where you could easily control your units and manage your buildings with your stylus or finger. The top screen could be the map where the left shoulder button and d-pad (four face buttons and right trigger for leftys) could control map functions. The second (touch) screen could also come in handy in adventure games. The touch screen could be your character’s inventory where you could switch between items, tools, and weapons on the fly by simply touching them on the screen. Imagine swapping between bow and bombs on the fly during a heated battle against Gannon (they are making a Zelda DS game by the way). The one possible con with the touch screen is your hand could get in the way of the screen, crippling your view of the action.
Wireless/Online Capabilities:
Nintendo has made its own version of blue tooth, which has been guaranteed to reach 30 feet and possibly further. Not only does it reach farther than the tedius chords of present time, but it can support up to 16 players at any given time. You will also be able to chat to your friends using the touch screen capabilities, which could add a very fun dimension to an otherwise boring history lesson. Now, I would have been satisfied with just the blue tooth feature, but Nintendo went the extra mile when they included 802.11b wireless technology. This basically allows any DS user to connect to the internet via “hot spots” or wireless internet routers. This could theoretically allow players from all over the world to connect to an online server and play with/against each other. Image playing huge four swords tournaments where you and seven other links are pitted against eight other links in an all out battle (my heart just skipped a beat). This could also open doors to MMORPG’s as well, inviting in a whole other audience to the portable gaming market. It is not clear yet if the DS will allow users to surf the web, but personally, I could care less.
Microphone:
Nintendo representatives have been quoted saying that the microphone will allow for voice recognition, which opens up more doors as far as game play goes. I’m sure you’ve all seen an episode of Pokemon before and witnessed ash yelling at his Pokemon during battle to attack and defend. Well, with voice recognition it is plausible that a 3D third person Pokemon RPG could be released where you would actually command your Pokemon during battle. However, it would take some courage to play this game on the bus as you would probably draw a lot of attention (laughing and pointing). Voice recognition could also come in handy during online action games ala Socom. Finally the microphone could also be used to add audio to wireless chatting. I could be like “Hey Rich! Check out this sweet drawing I made on my DS!” and then await his onslaught of laughter after sending him a skillfully drawn portrait of my “piece.”
Graphics:
The graphics are the next logical step for the family of Nintendo Handhelds. The GBA sported graphics similar to the SNES and now the DS is sporting graphics similar to the N64 (only better). Of course, since the DS can pump out 3D graphics, the variety of games is instantly increased, much like the move from 2D to 3D in the home console market. It also allows Nintendo to port our favourite N64 games to the DS which we all hope they do.
GBA Game Compatibility:
This basically means I can sell my GBA SP for some money to put towards my DS and still be able to play my favourite GBA games. It’s a win win.
After that first month of excitement, I begin to check up less and less on the DS until I didn’t even think about it. Then a few days ago, I decided to check Gamespot for their latest news on the DS and low and be hold, there were screens of the finalized design! Now I’m back to where I was before, frantically searching forums for people with similar excitement for the DS and constantly waiting for that elusive fall release.