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Nintendo DS
Manufacturer: Nintendo
Product Type: Handheld
Connection Type: /
System Requirements: /
Extra: /
Retail Price: 150 euro
Date posted: 29 August 2005
Written By: Bjorn
Innovation is here!
The Nintendo DS. While it's already been out for some time here in Europe, released around March 2005 and while we already starting playing with it from around June with SuperMario64 some of you will say this hardware review is way too late.
Well I can't really argue with that, especially those Non-European and Asian gamers who probably already own a NDS (Nintendo DS) since it launched way back in the US and Japan. And believe me, that is a long time ago. Since Japan is always first with released hardware and software (heck, Nintendo headquarters is located in Japan), European customers always are last, in hardware and software.
This also happend with the DS and again with the PSP from Sony (which is due to be released in Europe in less then one week.
Anyway there isn't really something we can do about it, except importing it from Japan (check our our sponsor Lik-Sang who's offering FREE Shipping on all games and HARDWARE).
But for the people who doesn't like importing stuff, they have to wait until the hardware/sofware manufacturer decides its time to unleash , no not the beast , but the console and its games.
For those new gamers who aren't really sure wether the DS from Nintendo is something they will like and spend their money on, we decided that even after months of the European release, it was still right to do a hardware review, properly review the DS from Nintendo. Then we could finally open up our 'NDS software reviews'.
After all, it's a great piece of true innovation!
Two screens, one touch screen
The biggest innovation regarding the new handheld from Nintendo is of course its "Dual Screen" and the screen below is actually touch screen. Most of the released and upcoming NDS games are making use of the touch screen. And with a stylus which is coming with the console, you'll be able to actually touch the screen and play the game like that. That's basically totally new in handheld universe and this is the very first console that is offering such an innovation. For about 15 years Nintendo dominated the handheld market with its GameBoy line. They were the absolute king. And with the launch of the NDS it can only be better. Of course Sony's PSP have already been released too and this is the very first time that Nintendo will probably see a loss in profits.
Nevertheless, in terms of being innovative, the DS is the king and will remain the king as long as someone else (Sony or MS) doesn't comes up with a more innovative handheld console. But for the time being, it's the NDS.
Here's a packshot of the official NDS console:
There are 2 packshots for the DS available. One is the plain box, with only the console and a wristwrap, the other one is the same but is bundled with a demo version of the upcoming game "Metriod Prime: Hunters", developed exclusive for the NDS. When "Mario Kart DS" will be released, probably this December, we assume that different DS bundles will be put together with the game.
The OFFICIAL DS Specs
The DS from Nintendo does not only have 2 screens, which one is 'touch screen'. It also has some other innovative features under its 'sleeve'.
Here are the official specs from Nintendo regarding their latest console:
Nintendo DS Specifications:
- Size (when closed): 148.7mm (5.85 inches) wide, 84.7mm (3.33 inches) long, 28.9mm (1.13 inches) tall
- Top Screen: A backlit, 3-inch, semitransparent reflective TFT colour LCD with 256 x 192 pixel resolution and .24 mm dot pitch, capable of displaying 260,000 colours
- Touch Screen: Same specs as top screen, but with a transparent touch screen
- Wireless Communication: IEEE 802.11 and Nintendo's proprietary format; wireless range is 30 to 100 feet, depending on circumstances; multiple users can play multiplayer games using just one DS Game Card
- Controls: Touch screen, embedded microphone for voice input, A/B/X/Y face buttons, plus control pad, L/R shoulder buttons, Start and Select buttons
- Input/Output: Ports for both Nintendo DS Game Cards and Game Boy Advance Game cartridges, terminals for stereo headphones and microphone
- Other features: Embedded PictoChat software that allows up to 16 users to chat at once; embedded real-time clock; date, time and alarm
- CPUs: One ARM9 and one ARM7
- Sound: Stereo speakers providing virtual surround sound, depending on the software
- Battery: Lithium ion battery delivering six to 10 hours of play on a four-hour charge, depending on use; power-saving sleep mode; AC adapter
-Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese
- Colour: Silver and black
As of today, more coloured NDS units are in the works, such as the "blue" and "pink" version. So besides black and silver, these colours will be available in Europe around begin October and probably more colours will follow later on the year or in 2006.
More features
As you have read, the DS boots a number of interesting features. One of them is of course the build-in "microphone". This mic can and will be used during gameplay of several games. For example in "Warioware Touched", there is a game where you'll have to blow into the microphone to either sail your ship further, or pop up water into the air. It's very easy but oh so effective. And it adds a much great value to the actual game.
So we have touch-screen input, voice recognition and ... more on that later on in the review
First, this is how the DS looks once out of the box:
Doesn't it look sleek and nice? It sure does. The stylus, which is most of the time your guiding helping item, can be put back into its place, on the back of the NDS. So you don't have to carry it in another case.
The DS also have 2 slots. Two slots? For 2 NDS games? Well not really, the top slot is infact the NDS slot while the other one, found down is a gameboy (advance) slot.
So indeed, you can still play your favourite gameboy and gameboy advanced games on your NDS. There's no need to put them away. And I can already tell you that the second port (the one found below) can and will be used for future accessories. Such as a rumble pack for your NDS!! Doesn't that sounds exciting? Nintendo is already developing games that will make use of this "rumble pack" and the pack will also be released by Nintendo. Releasedate? We assume probably towards December, with the release of Mario Kart DS.
The Nintendo DS console also features 4 face buttons , A/B/X and Y, control pad and of course 2 L/R shoulder buttons. So more buttons for your games.
Of course the start and select buttons are also present.
Wireless communication!
One of the strongest and innovative ideas of the NDS is the ability to either chat WIRELESS with the build-in "Pictochat" from Nintendo. Up to 16 players or better chatters can chat together and you can also create or go in specific chat rooms. The software works very good since we have tested it already with another NDS but it is restricted to only around 30 metres.
When playing a game, lets say Mario64 DS and your friend with his DS wants to battle it out with you on multiplayer, does it work? It sure does and it works well, especially since you only need ONE game to play multiplayer with it. Indeed, the DS that hasn't got the game will make a connection to the other DS and will "download" (exactly wireless download!) all the needed information to get it up and running. So you can basically play Mario64 DS in multiplayer with 2 DS systems, wireless and with only ONE game cartridge. Are you drooling already? No, well wait until you hear this.
Nintendo has officially announced that they will be offering a FREE, yes FREE service SOON for the DS. This service will be a Wi-Fi based game center, where you can, once connected to it, play MULTIPLAYER games with people all over the world!
Either from a hotspot in the city (Nintendo will be creating such hotspots all over the world, no details yet for Europe) or through a wireless USB device on your PC.
The only thing you'll have to do is to buy the wireless USB device from Nintendo, hook it up on your computer and you're ready! The computer is already hooked on the internet and the DS will make a connection signal with the wireless usb device which will then transfer the signal to your pc and to the internet.
Imagine, playing a DS game that supports that service with people from the other side of the world! One thing if for sure, Mario Kart DS will support this service!
Nintendo won't charge anything at all, at least not if you are playing with one of their games, but it could be that other publishers charge your something to play a MP game. That's all to the publisher and Nintendo doesn't have a say about that.
Wireless play with 2 DS consoles. No need for any cables anymore. Total freedom.
Conclusion
Nintendo did a fine job in creating the "DS". It's a piece of art and they spend a lot of time in creating and adding interesting features to the console. It isn't just the follow up to the popular GB(A). It's a lot more. Playing games on your NDS will make a real impact on yourself. It's funnier to play with a stylus and touch the screen or blow into the microphone while playing a game.
Still with the European release of the PSP in sight, Nintendo will have to be careful in not losing its handheld domination. I do hope that a lot of gamers will see the "real" difference between the two consoles and not going for a console's graphics. It really depends on what you want and for everybody there is something.
For me and for a lot of the PlayDevil.com crew, The DS from Nintendo is a true innovative product, a joy to play with!
Stay tuned for our Massive DS accessory LINE-UP from several hardware manufacturers and also our reviews of various DS games.
-Bjorn
Thanks again to Nintendo Benelux for giving us a Nintendo DS.
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