Nintendo have trademarked two new gaming-related terms, one of which suggests that a motion-sensing add-on for the handheld DS is in the works. The trademark database refers to the "DS Houi Sensor Card", with houi meaning "direction" or "cardinal point" in Japanese, and has led to predictions of a new range of cartridges that would offer title-specific motion-sensing.
As to be expected Dssidia was number one on last week’s Media Create Japanese sales charts by selling 489,126 copies. This however was not the best debut week ever for a Japanese PSP release title, that honor goes to Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G with the absurdly high number of 820,000 sold in the first week.
Nintendo UK has just released a list of the upcoming DS and Wii titles for the first quarter of 2009. This list has plenty of interesting games on the way, including a game designed to help keep players fit called “Walk with me! Do you know your walking routine?” just in time for our quilt filled new years resolution to get healthy. Walk with me! Even brings the competitive nature of video games to keep players motivated to stay healthy.
Rockstar Games have announced the North American and Europan release dates for Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for Nintendo's DS handheld. As of March 17th, North American gamers will be able to pick up the title, with European availability following three days later on March 20th.
Japanese video game company Nintendo, has announced a deal with publisher HarperCollins to make classic books available to read on the Nintendo DS. This 100 Classic Book Collection initially will only be available in Britain for £20. Turning pages is made easy as brushing your finger across the screen.
Apparently the makers of Kingdom Hearts really like to name their games strangely. The Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories game just came out today but it seems another Kingdom Hearts game will be coming to the US as well. And it has a strange name, too.
The game is called Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and will be available for the Nintendo DS. In this new game, you will be able to portray the role of Roxas, a member of Organization XIII. Sure, this sounds completely unrelated to Mickey Mouse, but it does have a tie in.
According to the press release, Roxas as the "other" hero from Kingdom Hearts II and this new game focuses on what happened while Sora was asleep. Roxas travels across the Disney Worlds and you will then uncover the ties between him, Sora and the 14th member and why he left the organization. Sounds interesting. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days will also have a multiplayer mode.
Nintendo's DS Lite New Super Mario Bros. bundle might not be all that spectacular - it's a red DS Lite with an "M" logo, together with a game - but that doesn't mean it doesn't deserve its own unboxing. Engadget China have done the honors, stripping the colorful console from its plumber packaging.
Nintendo have announced two new limited edition DS bundles, that will launch on Black Friday. The Mario Red Nintendo DS bundle includes a red version of the DS handheld, complete with an 'M' logo, plus a copy of New Super Mario Bros. Meanwhile the Ice Blue Nintendo DS bundle comes with a custom carrying case and a copy of Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day.
If you're big into skating games, then you'll be pleased to know that EA Games has just announced their Skate It! game for the Wii and Nintendo DS is now available to buy at a store near you.
The game lets you perform all sorts of skateboard moves just by flicking around the Wii Remote or by using the stylus on the DS. One particularly cool thing about the Wii version, however, is that you can use the Wii Balance Board to control the skateboard within the game. That definitely brings an element of realism to it.
The object of the game is to become Thrasher Magazine's Skater of the Year. Sounds funny, but might also actually be kind of fun. At the very least, this skate-focused game further brings in a sporty feel to Nintendo consoles.
Nintendo have confirmed that the DSi will go on sale in Japan from Saturday, November 1st, and in overseas markets by the Summer of 2009. The news, from company president Satoru Iwata, clarifies Nintendo’s previous statements that the DSi would not reach the US until “well into 2009”. In Japan, the Nintendo DSi will retail for 18,900 Yen ($192).
Nintendo’s DSi has been a surprisingly controversial gaming launch, but something a whole lot of people agree is disappointing is that the handheld won’t reach the US until “well into” 2009. Of course, that’s nothing particularly new when it comes to slick Japanese games hardware (or software for that matter), but Nintendo have laid a trap for anyone turning the usual salvation, the importer: DSi titles will be region-locked.
Nintendo's DSi and DSi Shop aren't the only new things coming for avid gamers; they're also looking to bring some Wii-style "get off your fat cheeks and do some exercise" action courtesy of the new DSi Pedometer. Confirming the information gleaned from a trade document earlier this week, the Nintendo Pedometer will connect wirelessly with the DSi and be used initially with a new game title, "Your Life Rhythm".
