Support NeoGAF

[Memles]

I'm waiting for the quadfecta of Viewtiful Joe, Harvest Moon, Mario Kart and Advance Wars are revealed with release dates before jumping on a DS, at which point I'll pick up SM64DS and Wario Ware, maybe Yoshi if it turns out well.

Figure, by the time the system's titles that interest me come out, some of the cool little third party titles might be cheap, too.

But enjoy launch, folks.

 

[borghe]

Mouselook and stylus-look is different.

Have you ever seen someone play Counter Strike with this ?

umm.. horrible point.. it is mouselook. you move the controller across the surface, have no snap to center, control the velocity at which you turn, etc. despite your nitpicking on the actual control being used, it is mouselook.

ANYONE who uses a mouse and keyboard for FPS' will be at home on Metroid Prime, and tthat's an indisputable fact.

 

[radioheadrule83]

Mario 64 is worth owning alone for a month or two, so I want one as soon to US launch as I can get (I'm in the UK). The game is huge by default, and then you factor in all the different ways you can do levels with different characters, and getting used to their new abilities - not to mention the reportedly addictive minigames... I've read more than one set of impressions that said those minigames could have stood alone as their own title. There's also the hope that I'll run into someone else who has a DS, whether they have the game or not - and immediately Pictochat and platform about the mushroom kingdom with them.

The Metroid Prime First Hunt demo should be awesome too. I'll be picking up Feel the Magic XY/XX (I can live with it being a short game if its fun), and waiting to hear more on other titles. Edge magazine were really glowing about Tiger Woods believe it or not. The Nintendo titles I'm looking foreward to are Yoshi's Touch & Go (the best impressions in virtually every publication I've read), Wario Ware and Mario Kart.

 

[ManaByte]

Rayman DS

Publisher:Ubisoft
Developer:Ubisoft

Well, if you've played the other 3D versions of Rayman in the past, you know what to expect. Technically it's pretty nice to look at, and is comparable to a N64 version of Rayman.

And how exactly do you know "it's pretty nice to look at, and is comparable to a N64 version of Rayman."? NO ONE has seen the game yet. No one. UBI-SOFT has yet to release a real screenshot of the game. That is a mock-up made with a N64 screenshot stolen from a fansite (look at the fucking watermark in the corner).

 

[IAmtheFMan]

Somebody call up Blizzard and tell them to make a Starcraft DS wi-fi capable ASAP.

 

[seismologist]

I'm ok with playing Mario, Madden and a few others for the next couple months. If I get bored I'll go back to playing GBA games. I still want to play FF 1& 2. I hear GBA games look great on the DS.

 

[Tritroid]

Awesome thread Serico

Personally, I'm not as hyped about the DS as I should be. Don't get me wrong though, I'll still be picking one up come Monday...I think it's just that the launch lineup is pretty weak to me. I guess I'll end up getting Mario 64 just to have something, but I'll be a lot more interested when some really innovative games start releasing.

 

[Amir0x]

And how exactly do you know "it's pretty nice to look at, and is comparable to a N64 version of Rayman."? NO ONE has seen the game yet. No one. UBI-SOFT has yet to release a real screenshot of the game. That is a mock-up made with a N64 screenshot stolen from a fansite (look at the fucking watermark in the corner).

I don't know. All I have -heard- about it was that it would be technically similar to the N64 version, and that was why I assumed they were using the N64 screen as a placeholder. I was saying that if that screen was a good indication of the direction and quality of the visuals, it is [would] be "pretty nice to look at." Maybe I worded it inappropriately, but jeebus. You don't need to get so uppity about it.

 

[Amir0x]

umm.. horrible point.. it is mouselook. you move the controller across the surface, have no snap to center, control the velocity at which you turn, etc. despite your nitpicking on the actual control being used, it is mouselook.

ANYONE who uses a mouse and keyboard for FPS' will be at home on Metroid Prime, and tthat's an indisputable fact.

Ok, I have to take issue with this.

I love mouse and keyboard in FPS'. Love it. And I have played Metroid First Hunt for a fairly decent amount of time, and tested the multiplayer aspect of it... and I will say right now that the difference in control is considerable, and it still does NOT compare in any sense of the word with a mouse/keyboard. Don't fool yourself there, bro.

That's not to say it's bad, because it's not. I was impressed for what it was, if that's worth anything to you. But as someone who constantly plays FPS' on the PC I was not immediately at home on the touch screen, even after a lot of playtime. And after after I was more comfortable with it, I could tell it could not be as quick and accurate as a keyboard/mouse combo.

 

[Chony]

Somebody call up Blizzard and tell them to make a Starcraft DS wi-fi capable ASAP.

Quoted for emphasis. This would sell 1 million extra DS's at least.

 

[shibbs]

Goddamn that would rock.

 

[Amir0x]

Goddamn that would rock.

A lot. A whole lot!

Also, your avatar is deliciously perverted!

 

[Ninja Scooter]

well there already was a Starcraft 64, so a port could come easy.

 

[lexi]

A million is a conservative estimate, unless that's sales from South Korea alone, and even then, it's still conservative.

 

[Spiritreaver]

hah, I would love to relive Starcraft on a portable. I should reinstall it sometime, so so fun.

 

[borghe]

Ok, I have to take issue with this.

I love mouse and keyboard in FPS'. Love it. And I have played Metroid First Hunt for a fairly decent amount of time, and tested the multiplayer aspect of it... and I will say right now that the difference in control is considerable, and it still does NOT compare in any sense of the word with a mouse/keyboard. Don't fool yourself there, bro.

That's not to say it's bad, because it's not. I was impressed for what it was, if that's worth anything to you. But as someone who constantly plays FPS' on the PC I was not immediately at home on the touch screen, even after a lot of playtime. And after after I was more comfortable with it, I could tell it could not be as quick and accurate as a keyboard/mouse combo.

ok, please explain to me.. I am just lost..

mouse/keyboard: you drag the control (mouse) across a surface (mousepad)
touchscree: you drag the control (stylus) across a surface (mousepad)

really, I just can't comprehend.. the first time I checked out metroid prime, I couldn't believe it.. within like a minute I was circle strafing, spinning around and running backwards "emergency brake" style.. about the only thing that is inadequate with this scheme is jumping in combat is kind of odd.. double tap but then go back to mouselook.. kind of weird but I didn't give much time to that (combat jumping).

you guys will have to explain to me how it is any different than mouse, because I'm just not following it. it just seems the fact that you are moving a stylus instead of a mouse is hanging you up...

 

[Mirk]

Somebody call up Blizzard and tell them to make a Starcraft DS wi-fi capable ASAP.

I would love Starcraft but WoW owns my life now so I want that on the DS.
I know it will not look as good but If its a fun...

Here is a rude Idea of what I have in mind.

And yes its a bad photoshop but you get the idea.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

IN MOTION:
____________________________________________________________________


Not convinced you need a Nintendo DS? Can't afford it? Want to wait for a PSP (hey, that's cool)? Well, before you make your final decision... check out this baby in MOTION. An awesome video compiling most of the major releases and upcoming releases for the Nintendo DS, this is your one stop for everything you need to know:

VIDEO HERE!

At the end of that video, you can see a Advance Wars clip with a kick ass plane. I can't wait.

 

[Hellraizah]

umm.. horrible point.. it is mouselook. you move the controller across the surface, have no snap to center, control the velocity at which you turn, etc. despite your nitpicking on the actual control being used, it is mouselook.

ANYONE who uses a mouse and keyboard for FPS' will be at home on Metroid Prime, and tthat's an indisputable fact.

Yeah, but I don't know anybody who's playing PC games on such a little screen. Don't fool yourself, the control is not bad, in fact, it's IMO a lot better than Metroid Prime on GameCube. But it's still NEVER as precise as playing with a mouse on a PC FPS or dual analog sticks on a console FPS. The way you must hold the console is a little weird and it's not very comfortable. I'll have to try to put the DS on a table to see if more balance would help with accuracy.

You can change the control to a type of "dual analog" style, using the four buttons as the "second d-pad" but of course, it sucks since the control is not analog.

I know that I'm a known Nintendo hater around here, but I truly like the DS. As I said, I would love to have a RTS game on it. It's a very cool machine. But, for Metroid Prime Hunters, the control interface isn't good, quite simply. It doesn't work well, and it's not very intuitive. And I really don't understand why the "Metroid Prime control is perfect, dual analog would ruin it" people haven't jumped on this and made a crybabies party out of Hunters, since it's kinda dual analog control. Oh, wait a second...... it's made by Nintendo, so we'll just get used to it......

 

[Sriram]

And I really don't understand why the "Metroid Prime control is perfect, dual analog would ruin it" people haven't jumped on this and made a crybabies party out of Hunters, since it's kinda dual analog control

I havnt played hunters, but its quite obvious thats its a very different type of game compared to prime. Hunters is basically a metroid themed unreal tournament.

 

[krypt0nian]

But, for Metroid Prime Hunters, the control interface isn't good, quite simply. It doesn't work well, and it's not very intuitive. And I really don't understand why the "Metroid Prime control is perfect, dual analog would ruin it" people haven't jumped on this and made a crybabies party out of Hunters, since it's kinda dual analog control. Oh, wait a second...... it's made by Nintendo, so we'll just get used to it......

Actually the control interface is brilliant.....mouse/key paradise.

 

[Mrbob]

Actually the control interface is brilliant.....mouse/key paradise.

Except for the mouse and the keyboard.

It's laughable to suggest DS can recreate mouse/keyboard style gameplay. Two factors:

1) You aren't using a keyboard which gives you a vast array of extra buttons to hit

2) Stylus is not nearly as responsive as a mouse

Anyway don't let me derail this thread. I actually wasn't going to say anything until I read a comment that DS is even remotely comparable to a mouse and keyboard setup.

 

[krypt0nian]

Except for the mouse and the keyboard.

You're right the touch screen takes care of that nicely.

Good call, Mrbob!

 

[Grubdog]

That's a fucking disgrace for a a new handheld they're launching. Absolutely pathetic.

TheGreenGiant
I hate video games

They also have Pictochat and Metroid Hunters First Hunt. If you can't find enough software to keep you busy until Wario Ware DS comes out then you aren't looking hard enough.

I'm all for RTS games on DS, one small concern I have is that the screen might be a bit small to be able to see 100+ units of things clearly. Why not a Diablo game on DS too? That would work well.

 

[Kon Tiki]

Except for the mouse and the keyboard.

It's laughable to suggest DS can recreate mouse/keyboard style gameplay. Two factors:

1) You aren't using a keyboard which gives you a vast array of extra buttons to hit

Not for a FPS. WASD, reload, weapon changes, jump, (lean if needed). Touch screen can handle a weapon bar, jump and reload.

For anything else, you use more keys.

Also aiming and firing with the mouse is better than aiiming with one hand firing with the other.

 

[Hellraizah]

I havnt played hunters, but its quite obvious thats its a very different type of game compared to prime. Hunters is basically a metroid themed unreal tournament.

It's still in first person.
You still shoot.
You can still morph into a ball.
It's still called Metroid.

Yeah, it's a "different" kind of game, but it still retains the core elements of what Metroid Prime is, thus the name, Metroid Prime Hunters.

The control is exactly what dual analog is, minus 2 analog sticks. And while acceptable (not good), this type of control is not precise enough. The control pad, while not being as good as an analog stick for movement, is fine. The problem lies with the stylus screen, which is perfectly suitable for some types of games, but not others, and FPS takes a place in the "not others".

 

[Kon Tiki]

It's still in first person.
You still shoot.
You can still morph into a ball.
It's still called Metroid.

There is nothing else to it tho. Hunters has no story, SP mode or anything realted to Metroid franchise. Hunter is not a mini version of Prime.

 

[Hellraizah]

I'm all for RTS games on DS, one small concern I have is that the screen might be a bit small to be able to see 100+ units of things clearly. Why not a Diablo game on DS too? That would work well.

The screen is ok for a Dune type RTS. Trust me, if you have a PDA, try out Warfare Incorporated, that game rocks so much, I would love to see something like this on the DS. You could use the upper screen to keep an eye to something important in your base, and use the bottom screen to direct troops and vehicules *drool*

*goes back to Warfare Incorporated*
*dreams about the game on DS*
*fap fap fap*

 

[Hellraizah]

There is nothing else to it tho. Hunters has no story, SP mode or anything realted to Metroid franchise. Hunter is not a mini version of Prime.

Ok, so you think that the full game will be story-less ? This is only a demo we're speaking about, and from the look of things, it really seems like Metroid Prime 2 mini, yeah, with the multiplayer and all.

 

[Mrbob]

Not for a FPS. WASD, reload, weapon changes, jump, (lean if needed). Touch screen can handle a weapon bar, jump and reload.

For anything else, you use more keys.

Also aiming and firing with the mouse is better than aiiming with one hand firing with the other.

Really?

Lets break this down. And I'll make it easy too. Nothing complicated

In a PC FPS, I CAN USE MY LEFT HAND:

1) WASD for movement
2) QE for leaning
3) Shift for sprinting
4) Z for zooming
5) C or CTRL for crouching
6)Reach the 1-8 buttons easily on my keyboard to switch weapons
7) Hit G for grenade or throwable weapon
8) R for reloading

In a PC FPS, I CAN USE MY RIGHT HAND:

1) To move the character screen
2) To fire a primary weapon with the left mouse button
3) To fire a secondary weapon or attach another move to the right mouse button
4) Use the scroll bar in the middle of my mouse to use as easy access to switch weapons if I don't want to use the keyboard

The great thing is, I can do all of this at one time. DS can handle this just as easily as a mouse and keyboard? Well I'll be darrrrrrned. You can program any program to do any thing, that's not that the problem. Insinuating that the DS is even remotely as effective as a mouse and keyboard is a total joke. If you gotta take your stylus off the movement screen to hit another button to do any of these other functions you are hindering the playability. Especially if the game is twitch action.

 

[Kon Tiki]

Only think I can see being a problem is leaning and crouching. Everything else can be assigned to an area on the touchscreen. I am not saying stylus is better than KB/m. I am saying it a step closer to kb/m. Which is to say, better than what is used now to emulate FPS on PC.

 

[Hellraizah]

Insinuating that the DS is even remotely as effective as a mouse and keyboard is a total joke.

While I agree with this, the point was really about accuracy, and the stylus control method for a FPS is never as accurate as a mouse.

 

[Kon Tiki]

Ok, so you think that the full game will be story-less ? This is only a demo we're speaking about, and from the look of things, it really seems like Metroid Prime 2 mini, yeah, with the multiplayer and all.

The Prime name is there to show people it is not a 2d metroid but one that looks like the Prime series. I mean the Japnese name is Metroid Prime Hunters Tournament.

It is not made by Retro, EAD or IS. IT WILL BE SHIT. Go listens to the Gamer's Summit, an NST employee who is working on the games said the main focus is MP, it will be a departure from regular Metroid games. You can change samus with the doom guy and noone will notice.

 

[Mrbob]

The Prime name is there to show people it is not a 2d metroid but one that looks like the Prime series. I mean the Japnese name is Metroid Prime Hunters Tournament.

It is not made by Retro, EAD or IS. IT WILL BE SHIT. Go listens to the Gamer's Summit, an NST employee who is working on the games said the main focus is MP, it will be a departure from regular Metroid games. You can change samus with the doom guy and noone will notice.

Yeah I saw an interview with an employee of NST about this game. I almost cried when he started talking about how they were bringing Metroid into this new tournament style direction. It's bad enough MP2:E has multiplayer, but to base your whole game around tournament style action, IN A METROID game, makes me sad. This will probably be the first Metroid game I don't buy. Actually, I think a lot of my bitterness towards the DS comes from the fact that Nintendo sees fit to ruin my one and favorite Nintendo franchise on the system. :lol

 

[Hellraizah]

IT WILL BE SHIT.

Finally, we agree on something.

 

[Kon Tiki]

Finally, we agree on something.

The only reason I am interested in the game is I would like to see other developers use the control method as a standard for fps on NDS. (even if they look like shit)

 

[0wn3d]

To those with a DS:

How big is the unit? Is it roughly the same size as a GameBoy Color? Can you easily fit it in a pocket?

 

[Grubdog]

I don't think i've ever heard such a contrasting array of impressions from anything in my life than I have with the stylus controls of the DS. Some people claim it works so well that Metroid Hunters will be Nintendo's next Goldeneye, while others hate it and dismiss the entire console because it has no analog stick, while there are people in the middle who think it's "ok" or "pretty good". I guess it's something you have to try for yourself before making up your mind.

 

[Kon Tiki]

To those with a DS:

How big is the unit? Is it roughly the same size as a GameBoy Color? Can you easily fit it in a pocket?

 

[Mama Smurf]

Is there some sort of problem with manufacturing DS carts? I'm trying to work out why Nintendo wouldn't give us something like Pokemon Dash until March (surely the game doesn't need that much localisation) when it's launching in December in Japan. And as I understand it, they aren't even making as many Mario 64's as DS systems, not for launch at least.

Not that I'm actually interested in Pokemon Dash (good reviews could change my mind of course), but a lot of people would be and it'd fill that gap between Ridge Racer (Dec 7th) and Wario Ware (Feb 14th).

 

[Memles]

Is there some sort of problem with manufacturing DS carts? I'm trying to work out why Nintendo wouldn't give us something like Pokemon Dash until March (surely the game doesn't need that much localisation) when it's launching in December in Japan. And as I understand it, they aren't even making as many Mario 64's as DS systems, not for launch at least.

Not that I'm actually interested in Pokemon Dash (good reviews could change my mind of course), but a lot of people would be and it'd fill that gap between Ridge Racer (Dec 7th) and Wario Ware (Feb 14th).

It's called spacing out releases to ensure strong sales. It's a Nintendo thing, I can't explain the logic either.

 

[Kobun Heat]

Actually it's about giving third parties a greater slice of the pie in order to attract their business to the DS. (It's working so far.)

 

[Bigfoot]

you guys will have to explain to me how it is any different than mouse, because I'm just not following it. it just seems the fact that you are moving a stylus instead of a mouse is hanging you up...

My guess is they are just not used to it, but that's a poor excuse for saying it controls worse. The first time I used a mouse for an FPS, it took me some time to get used to it as well. It's just that we have used a mouse for so long that it seems better. I have a friend that uses a trackball mouse for gaming, and it felt wierd to me when I tried it, but my friend is the best CS player I know.

 

[Mama Smurf]

It's called spacing out releases to ensure strong sales. It's a Nintendo thing, I can't explain the logic either.

But we just had an interview with Perrin Kaplan where she claimed Nintendo's worst mistake with the GC was not keeping the quality software coming after launch. And now they're going to do it with the DS too?

Actually it's about giving third parties a greater slice of the pie in order to attract their business to the DS. (It's working so far.)

Well that would make sense if we were seeing a lot of third party games releading between now and when the Nintendo games start coming, but we're not. At least, we're not January and February next year.

 

[Grubdog]

But we just had an interview with Perrin Kaplan where she claimed Nintendo's worst mistake with the GC was not keeping the quality software coming after launch. And now they're going to do it with the DS too?

Well GC didn't really have any major first party games for 8 months between SSBM/Pikmin and Super Mario Sunshine, two months to wait for Wario Ware DS doesn't seem so bad.

Well that would make sense if we were seeing a lot of third party games releading between now and when the Nintendo games start coming, but we're not. At least, we're not January and February next year.

Feel the Magic wouldn't sell as well if people could buy Wario Ware instead.

 

[Mama Smurf]

Well yeah, but what's Pokemon Dash going to sell in place of if it releases in January? Need For Speed?

 

[krypt0nian]

Just want to point out that coming into a Hype thread to shit on everyone makes you an asshole.

Apply that to yourself as needed 3 times a day until launch.

 

[Grubdog]

Well yeah, but what's Pokemon Dash going to sell in place of if it releases in January? Need For Speed?

Yeah, I don't really understand why they're waiting so long to release that, but then Pokemon titles have always taken pretty long to come out of Japan.

Do Meteos, One Line Puzzle or Band Brothers have a release date in the US yet?

 

[explodet]

EBGames.com is shipping DS units.

Thank you for ordering from EBgames.com. Your order has been shipped completely. The status and/or ship date for each item on your order is detailed below.

Here is the status of the item(s) you have ordered:
Nintendo DS (orders taken after 11-11-04 will not ship on 11-20-04) Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1

 

[Mama Smurf]

Worryingly, no. I'm sure Band Bros. will come over, there's a lot more localisation needed for that one than the others is all (plus it has a US name already).

I expect Meteos will too, I'm just not sure about One Line puzzle. That has a US name, so maybe, it's just...it's a simple puzzle game. Why no release date yet?

Ah well, puzzle games have ever been import friendly. NOE occasionaly translates games NOA don't too. Of course, then you have to find someone else who's imported if you want to play multiplayer (actually, given the nature of these games, maybe they'll work fine with only one cart).