Recently I decided to finally delve into the portable gaming market. I could choose between the Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) and the Nintendo DS (NDS). Lets just say there’s a lot of touching going on...
--- Enter the Nintendo DS ---
NDS stands for Nintendo Dual Screen (apparently also standing for Developer's System - due to the relative ease of developing software for it). The Nintendo DS is Nintendo's next generation portable gaming system which is their third tier console. This means that Nintendo now produces the Gamecube, the Gameboy Advance/SP and the NDS. Ignorance runs rampant in today's media and the majority have slated the DS as the successor of the Gameboy Advance SP despite the fact that Nintendo has repeatedly said that this is not the case. Gameboy "Evolution" will be the successor to the GBA SP, released later down the track.
FEATURES
--- Dual Screen ---
The DS has two screens. The top screen is the gaming screen, and the bottom screen is the touch sensitive one. Depending on the game the screens will have different functions. Example: Super Mario DS 64: Top screen is for game play Bottom screen is for map display and control.
For GBA games you can choose which screen you prefer to use for game play. I use the top screen in real SP fashion lol. Furthermore don't abuse the touch screen because apparently it scratches. Also some DSs and PSPs have dead pixels (due to LCD screens), this is usually apparent as soon as you get the system, so if you get a faulty console return it immediately as it is apart of the warranty.
--- Voice Microphone ---
I haven't used this microphone yet as it hasn't been utilised by most
games as of yet. In one game you blow into the mic to blow out candles and in another you can make little creatures dance on the screen by playing music and turning the mic on.
--- Graphics ---
The graphics are far superior to the GBA SP but not at the same level as the PSP. The DS's graphics have been described as being in between the N64 and the GameCube. Mario DS looks superb on this system and its unbelievable that this is actually a handheld system.
--- Pictochat ---
Pictochat is Nintendo's own MSN Messanger-esque program. It can support up to 16 users in a radius of 30 metres. So its excellent for a lecture theatre when you get bored. You can type your messages on a QWERTY style keyboard or alternatively draw using the stylus. It also supports Japanese characters, symbols etc. You can devise mini games to play with this like tic tac toe or hang the butcher among others.
--- Multiplayer Gaming ---
The NDS can support wireless multiplayer gaming. Up to 16 players (depending on the game). The range however is only 30 metres and thus all players need to be in the same area to play. To play multiplayer only one game cartridge is required, this cartridge acts as host and all other players download that game onto their DS and join the game. When a player disconnects from the multiplayer game, the downloaded game will be lost.
--- Backwards compatibility ---
The NDS can play GBA games as well. It will not however play any other gameboy games (ie- color, pocket etc). This is good for me since the only game I was interested in for the NDS (that has been released thus far) is Mario 64 DS, so I bought some second hand GBA games and have been playing those too.
Plays MPEG and MP3 formats on the NDS and GBA SP. Released only in Japan, no plans for European release. This additional adapter gives the DS pretty much all of PSP's capabilities.
--- Control buttons ---
Nintendo has kept with tradition and has reused the D-pad (4 way directional pad) and the usual four action buttons (just like the SNES) A,B,X,Y. The touch screen also acts as a control pad for many games. In Mario DS it is an optional control scheme. The mini games use it heavily.
--- Design ---
Nintendo has decided to keep their successful GBA SP-esque clamshell design for the DS. The DS looks much more mature than the SP does and comes in standard platinum/black colouring. Although 4 new colours will be soon released (white, black, blue, pink) in Japan. Chances are they will also be released in the other territories too. The Stylus also has its little compartment at the back of the unit and fits snugly in there. The build quality is excellent and it looks beautiful.
--- First Party Software Support ---
The most exciting thing about any Nintendo console is its exclusive content. Nintendo always supports its consoles and the DS is no exception. Nintendo has released Super Mario 64 DS and Warioware: Touched. In my opinion the best two games on the DS thus far. Mario DS also includes addictive mini games and extra characters.
--- Third Party Software Support --- The 3rd party games released thus far are pretty much lame. We have: - Asphalt Urban GT - Ping Pals (DO NOT BUY THIS "GAME" PICTOCHAT IS WAY BETTER AND FREE) - Spiderman 2 - Sprung - Zoo Keeper
--- Battery Life ---
Perhaps one of the most important criteria for any portable gaming console is battery life, since without a battery all you got is a blank screen. I'm pleased to announce that the NDS has battery life of at least 10 hours on each charge, this is fantastic when you consider that the Sony PSP has just over half of this battery life. Also its important to note that the batteries are more mobile-phone-esque and are completely rechargeable, they aren't t AA or AAA or anything that you'll find in a TV remote control. This means that you wont have to purchase any additional batteries. You may laugh and say "but Athan we knew that..." yeah well this is my first forey into the portable gaming world so please don’t mock poor defenseless motoathan lol..
Future titles I'm waiting for: - Super Mario Kart DS - can't wait for 8 player Mario Kart!!!! - Metroid Hunters - Castlevania DS - Yoshi Touch and Go - The New Super Mario Bros.
--- Release Dates and Pricing ---
United States of America - November 21 2004 US Price: $149.99 (about £80)
Japan - December 12 2004 JAP Price: ¥15,000 (about £77)
Australia - February 24 2005 AUS Price: AUS$199.95 (about £82)
Europe - March 11 2005 EURO Price: €149 (about £102) GBR Price: £99
Seems like Nintendo's Euro/GBR price is a bit steep however one must take into consideration taxes and purchasing power parity etc. What I found very surprising is that Nintendo decided to release the NDS in Australia before Europe. This is great for Australians since they are usually screwed over by Nintendo over and over again. Another useless fact is that this is the first Nintendo console to be released in the US before Japan.
--- "If you want questions...." (Quick comparisons with the PSP) ---
If you want innovative and easy to play games - DS If you want PS2 style games and graphics - PSP If you want good battery life - DS If you want poor battery life (LOL) - PSP If you want Mario and the gang - DS If you DON'T want to pay through the nose for a portable games system - DS If you want to pay through the nose - PSP If you want to play music and movies - PSP (Although use of the PlayYan adaptor allows the DS to do this also) If you want both then get both.
--- Future Modifications ---
- The Play-Yan lets you play music and videos (like the PSP) - Apparently Nintendo has bought the rights to make a Palm operating system for the DS, in effect making it a personal organiser too. - various colours. - online plans are in the works.
--- Conclusion ---
The Nintendo DS promises to be something very different and I applaud Nintendo for bringing to us something as innovative as the DS. The graphics are satisfactory and while the current library of DS games isn't very strong, many killer applications are on the way. I am very happy with the DS thus far. The backward compatibility is also a nice feature. The NDS is great because it does what the others can’t.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
(+) i don't think their is one unless you wanna save on the electricity bill a tiny percentage. (-) There's really not much point to it. but i still love playstation!
We are looking to get one of these each for the kids for Christmas. I found your review easy to read. Thanks.
Volvagia 19.10.2005 23:32
Great op. I used to be a Nintendo fan, but recently the company has lost my attention. For example, the DS has good exclusive games but the 3rd party games are nothing short of abysmal; you practically said so yourself. The problem now is that Sony are nciking the handheld market with the PSP, which is technically superior to the DS and, despite being more expensive, will have a broader appeal than the DS. Perhaps Nintendo will have to attract a biiger audience for their products. Once again, though, great op. Chris:)
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Dogbert 28.03.2005 (29.03.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Nintendo DS
Mar 7th, 2005
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