“Well, when we use a DS game system ourselves or when we see others using theirs, we always think about what might be done to allow more people to enjoy it. When we made the Wii console, our guiding motivation was finding a way to make it fun, and our actions seemed to hit home with users, so afterwards there was an intense interest in what would happen if we applied the same philosophy to the DS. So one factor for our timing was our desire as creators to try out our ideas. That’s why we made what we did when we did…We’re presenting this as the third iteration in the Nintendo DS platform series. It isn’t a next-generation game system. It is merely a minor change. Basically, we have just picked out those areas where users wish the DS were different and made improvements. We increased the size of the LCD slightly, improved the audio, and slimmed it down because there was a strong desire out there for such changes…At root, it is still a DS. It isn’t a completely new hardware. (laughs) I do think, however, that in order to ask our consumers to buy it, adding value they’ve never seen before, giving it newness, is necessary. If all we had done was change the design a little, it would be hard to bring out

…That’s why this time we added the cameras, SD memory card functionality and Nintendo DSi Shop feature, which allows users to download software. If those features stimulate the DS market and many people use their Nintendo DSi systems more often, and add packaged software, our business opportunities will expand, and chances for new customers to play our games will increase. Certainly, however, the choice we have made does stray from the traditional platform release cycle. However, even though the cycle to present—by which in a five year cycle, a piece of hardware is released, its price gradually falls, and its demand disappears—has been the standard, there is no need to say we must continue on with this cycle. In my personal opinion, when prices fall as time passes, it’s like manufacturers are saying to consumers that they should wait. I’ve always thought something was wrong with that. Of course, I don’t mean to rule out lowering prices no matter what happens, but I’ve always wanted to find a way to avoid disappointing those who try the hardest to support our newest products by purchasing them during the launch periods. I don’t want them to think it was a waste for them to do so.” – Iwata

Even though there had been rumors that a new DS would be on the way, it still was a little surprising when Iwata announced the DSi. The sales of the system didn’t seen to be slowing down too much – especially in North America.

Top 5 game sales worldwide (Amazon)

Posted on 15 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in DS, News, Wii | 2 Comments

Nintendo Wii

North America:
1. Wii Fit (Nintendo)
2. My Fitness Coach (Ubisoft)
3. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo)
4. Wii Play (Nintendo)
5. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (LucasArts)

Japan:
1. Wii Fit (Nintendo)
2. Wii de Asobu: Pikmin 2 (Nintendo)
3. Suzumiya Haruhi no Heiretsu — Chou SOS Danhiro Collection (Sega)
4. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo)
5. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu NEXT (Konami)

UK:
1. Wii Fit (Nintendo)
2. Wii Play (Nintendo)
3. My Fitness Coach (Ubisoft)
4. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Sega)
5. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo)

Nintendo DS

North America:
1. Professor Layton and the Curious Village (Nintendo)
2. Pokemon Platinum (Nintendo)
3. My Word Coach (Ubisoft)
4. Mario Kart DS (Nintendo)
5. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (Rockstar)

Japan:
1. Rittai Picross (Nintendo)
2. Mario & Luigi RPG 3 (Nintendo)
3. Super Robot Taisen K — Special Edition (Bandai)
4. Gakken Hangul Sanmai DS (Gakken)
5. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Stardust Accelerator: World Championship 2009 (Konami)

UK:
1. Professor Layton and the Curious Village (Nintendo)
2. Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force (Disney)
3. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (Rockstar)
4. Mario Kart DS (Nintendo)
5. 42 All-Time Classics (Nintendo)

Source

Feel the heat and pitch yourself against the best with PDC World Championship Darts 2009

Posted on 15 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in DS, News, Wii | 0 comments

The Most Realistic Darts Game Yet!
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, UK Friday 27th March 2009 – “You’ll be throwing for the match!” Using real-life player averages and incorporating professional player character traits, playing against the top talent in PDC Darts Tournaments couldn’t feel more realistic.
Immerse yourself in the experience: You’ll be able to match or beat their stamina, anticipate their strategies, hit the doubles and the triples, then go in for the kill and check out when they’re close to the wire!
PDC World Championship Darts 2009 on Wii™ gives you the feel of the true darts physics, providing a more natural throwing experience, realistic dart collisions and bed bouncing sound FX – “It’s back to back maximum magic”!

Japanese hardware sales (3/16 – 3/22)

Posted on 15 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in DS, News, Wii | 0 comments

DSi 71,233
PSP 65,765
PS3 25,435
Wii 18,095
DS Lite 8,948
Xbox 360 5,441
PS2 5,067

Source

Japanese software sales (3/16 – 3/22)

Posted on 15 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in DS, News, Wii | 0 comments

01. [NDS] Super Robot Taisen K (Namco Bandai) 117,000 / NEW
02. [PS2] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2009 (Konami) 50,000 / NEW
03. [PS2] Amagami (Enterbrain) 42,000 / NEW
04. [NDS] Mario & Luigi RPG 3 (Nintendo) 39,000 / 428,000
05. [PS3] Musou Orochi Z (KOEI) 36,000 / 148,000
06. [PS3] Resident Evil 5 (Capcom) 29,000 / 410,000
07. [NDS] Rittai Picross 3D (Nintendo) 24,000 / 62,000
08. [PSP] Monster Hunter Portable 2 G (PSP the Best) (Capcom) 23,000 / 506,000
09. [WII] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu Next (Konami) 22,000 / NEW
10. [PSP] Shin Sangoku Musou: Multi Raid (KOEI) 19,000 / 335,000

Source

Dementium: The War set to terrify the UK on April 17th

Posted on 15 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in DS, News | 0 comments

SouthPeak Games Not Responsible for Replacing Any Underwear Soiled as a Result of Playing this Shocking Nintendo DSTM Title
Leicester, March 27th – SouthPeak Interactive Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: SOPK; SOPKU; SOPKW; SOPKZ) has today announced that Dementium: The Ward from critically-acclaimed developer Renegade Kid, is due to launch on April 17th in the UK. This terrifying survival horror title pushes the Nintendo DS – and your sanity – to its limits with incredible graphics and eerie audio.
After receiving great reviews on its release in America, Dementium is now ready to shock the UK with a thrilling story that sees the player trapped in a spooky derelict hospital, with no memory of how they got there. You must explore the dark corridors and battle against the hospital’s horrific inhabitants… in a bid to uncover the terrible truth of your mysterious past.

Wii-kly updates are no more, say hello to Nintendo Download

Posted on 15 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in DS, News, Wii | 4 Comments

Frequent users of the Wii Shop Channel have come to know and love the “Wii-kly update” – a press release issued by Nintendo every Monday describing new WiiWare and Virtual Console titles that become available on a particular week. Due to the launch of the DSi and Virtual Console Arcade, however, the “Nintendo Download” report will be replacing the “Wii-kly update.” This isn’t a huge deal aside from the name change, but Wii and DSi owners can now expect DSiWare and Virtual Console Arcade titles to be included in the new press releases beginning on April 6.

Source

Broken Sword Launch Trailer

Posted on 15 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in DS, News, Wii | 0 comments

GDC Developer’s Choice Awards

Posted on 15 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in DS, News, Wii | 0 comments

Best New Debut: LittleBigPlanet
Beating out Braid, Sins of a Solar Empire, World of Goo and Soul Bubbles

Best Audio: Dead Space
Beating out L4D, MGS4, Gears of War 2

Best Game Design: LittleBigPlanet
Beating out Fallout 3, L4D, Braid and Far Cry 2

Best Downloadable Game: World of Goo
Beating out Braid, N+, PixelJunk Eden, Castle Crashers

“Secret Files 2 – Puritas Cordis”: A new adventure coming to PC, Nintendo DSTM and WiiTM in May

Posted on 15 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in DS, News, Wii | 1 Comment

Deep Silver, the games label of Koch Media, a leading producer and distributor of digital entertainment products, announced that “Secret Files 2 – Puritas Cordis” is on its way into production. So players can look forward to May 8th when the game will be released for PC, Wii and Nintendo DS.
About “Secret Files 2 – Puritas Cordis”:
Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis… the world is on the brink of disaster. By the time Nina Kalenkow realizes that the recent catastrophes were caused not by nature, but by an unscrupulous secret society known as Puritas Cordis, it is almost too late.