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[AniHawk]

Well, the system is really popular with the casuals, I've noticed. Went to EB today and talked to a Junior in high school as we were playing each other in Madden.

He said:
"Man, I don't have to play this on the TV anymore, Xbox has NOTHIN' on this."

"It's gonna be a competition between this and PSP. The PSP has a touch screen too and folds in half AND looks like PS2 graphics."

He thought Pictochat was pretty cool as well.

Then I went to Gamestop to check out the scene there, and two kids were playing Metroid Prime Hunters. I finally got a go at it, and the mouselook-type controls really worked well. It's nice to see a variety of controls included in games.

At both places, the bottom screens were scratched to hell, but it turns out that it hadn't actually scratched the screen permanently- they were easily wiped away. I wonder how sturdy the touch screen really is..

And last thing- I got SM64 DS today, so I can wait and see what happens in the coming days... If not, I'll keep it. Even if the controls are shoddier, SM64 is always fun.

 

[cvxfreak]

EB called me and said I could pick my pre-order up tomorrow! Neato!

 

[Mama Smurf]

Has anyone found out when second shipments will be coming in yet? I haven't bothered asking, I'm going to try and get one tomorrow, but if I can't it'd be useful to know.

Some places I asked (places less dedicated to games) aren't getting the first shipment of system in until later in the week sometime anyway, so hopefully I'll manage to get one sometime this week.

 

[Tabris]

I don't know if anyone asked this yet...

...but is there any worries about that bottom screen getting scratched up easily with all the touch use? did nintendo do anything to prevent this?

 

[AniHawk]

I don't know if anyone asked this yet...

...but is there any worries about that bottom screen getting scratched up easily with all the touch use? did nintendo do anything to prevent this?

Look at post #101.

 

[Mama Smurf]

There's worries, sure. But I tend to trust Nintendo products. Just don't play it with your keys or something.

If you're that worried, get a screen protector, third parties will sell them. Someone on ths forum posted that at their store, the DS display still isn't scratched desipte being played all the time (and you know what some of the morons are like who play these things).

 

[cvxfreak]

Psst... AniHawk is king.

 

[borghe]

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.

and why not? while a mouse probably has an effectively higher sample rate, the DS has an effectively lower resolution thus eliminating that difference. response time on the DS was instantaneous, like a mouse, and positioning and relative motion was precise as well.. you have offered up nothing on how a mouse is more precise.

mrbob - you misunderstood me.. they KEYBOARD part is certainly superior to the dpad part, nor did I try to ever argue that. my point was control.. movement... the dpad is identical to awsd and the touchscreen and stylus are identical to a mouse and mouse pad. yes you have all sorts of extra keys on a keyboard.. no duuhh.. but for control, there isn't one of you guys here who have offered why a mouse and keyboard on a computer FPS is relatively more precise that the mouselook setup on Hunters.

the ONE thing I will give you (hellraizah to be exact) is holding the unit with the stylus, and I thought I said that.. that could be rather cumbersome and to play with the actual stylus probably would require the unit to be set down.. but now having had a chance to play it with the thumb nub (a friend got his.... bastard) I can say that holding the unit isn't an issue at all. hell, jumping is even a little less problematic than it was before (but still would like to see jump be put on the other shoulder button). you can tell that the thumb nub was specifically designed for metroid (and likely mario).

anyway, your positions on this seem clear, so I will bow out. I still stand by the statement that anyone PC gamer picking up Metroid Hunters with the mouselook control enabled will take to the game like a fish to water... dual analog people will have to reset back to mouse/keyboard though.....

anyway, 14 more hours til I finally get mine.......

 

[lexi]

I still stand by the statement that anyone PC gamer picking up Metroid Hunters with the mouselook control enabled will take to the game like a fish to water...

I will see tommorow if you are indeed correct. I certainly hope so, I'm a big PC FPS player, a console successfully mimicking mouse+wasd would be excellent.

 

[Mama Smurf]

What does NSF stand for anyway? Need Speed For?

 

[AniHawk]

What does NSF stand for anyway? Need Speed For?

No Soup For

 

[radioheadrule83]

What does NSF stand for anyway? Need Speed For?

I thought it was Not So Fast!

 

[lexi]

Non Strafing FPS

 

[Spike]

I was out doing some early christmas shopping today, and the Zellers I visited had the DS games in the display stands. They only had 2 copies of each title and I was told that was all they had!!

 

[N Coward Parody]

I saw one of these things sitting in Sam Goody today. It was the first time I'd seen hardware sitting in a store the day before it was released and had ZERO impulse to ask the sales clerk if I could buy it.

Odd. Odd, indeed...


*Noel Coward Parody

 

[Wario64]

What does NSF stand for anyway? Need Speed For?

"Not safe for"

Usually used for "NSFW", when posting images in chat that are "not safe for work"

 

[Memles]

I was out doing some early christmas shopping today, and the Zellers I visited had the DS games in the display stands. They only had 2 copies of each title and I was told that was all they had!!

It's fucking ZELLERS!

Go into Future Shop or Wal-Mart and come back with such a tale, and then I'll be concerned for the good folks of this nation.

 

[Kon Tiki]

Zellers does not carry new Nintendo titles.

 

[Memles]

Zellers does not carry new Nintendo titles.

Huh?

Either way, the only thing Zellers is good for is selling me the Viewtiful Joe demo disc for $15 Canadian. Sealed a purchase of VJ. Other than that, they can go to hell. Them and their wannabe GAP ads.

 

[lexi]

As an impartial Australian living in Canada, Zellers suck beyond belief.

 

[Kon Tiki]

I have never seen any new nintendo titles at either Zellers in my city.

 

[Memles]

I have never seen any new nintendo titles at either Zellers in my city.

Really? How odd. I've seen some.

 

[neptunes]

I hope target buys everything Hudson bay and fast.

 

[TheGreenGiant]

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.

a) PICTOchat is not a game. It might be cool but its not a game

b) FH is a Demo.

I'm talking Nintendo's own releases and if you read my post instead of taking my tag and insinating that I hate videogames... grow up. I'll be happy if there were games in the first place to hate.

This is worse than GC. 3 months and 1 title? I mean are you cubers so deranged that this is okay? They've had how long to work on the DS and they can't get the titles (a lot of ports at that) to be released on time / early?

Like i've already stated. beyond maybe SM64x4 + xxyy + drill spirits - the NDS has not much on the horizon. A lot of the stuff being released like sprung/urbz you don't want to own anyhow. It needs a big hitter and so far.. no killer software. I don't consider a port of a N64 title for launch (and one that's been scoring 8's) to be a great thing moving forward.

 

[Kon Tiki]

Some more scores

Asphalt Urban GT GameSpot 7.5/10
Asphalt Urban GT IGN 5.5/10
Asphalt Urban GT Gaming Horizon 7.8/10

Feel the Magic: XY/XX IGN 7.8/10
Feel the Magic: XY/XX GameSpot 7.7/10
Feel the Magic: XY/XX Gamerz Edge 8.1/10
Feel the Magic: XY/XX Gaming Horizon 7.8/10

Madden NFL 2005 GameSpot 7.2/10
Madden NFL 2005 Gaming Horizon 5.9/10
Madden NFL 2005 Nintendojo 7.7/10

Spider-Man 2 Console Gold 87/100
Spider-Man 2 Game Chronicles 9.2/10
Spider-Man 2 Gaming Nexus 8.7/10
Spider-Man 2 Nintendojo 8.5/10
Spider-Man 2 Gaming Illustrated 84/100
Spider-Man 2 eToyChest 87/100
Spider-Man 2 IGN 7.5/10
Spider-Man 2 GameSpot 6/10
Spider-Man 2 Gamerz Edge 7.7/10

Super Mario 64 DS Gamerz Edge 9.3/10
Super Mario 64 DS GameSpot 8.4/10
Super Mario 64 DS eToyChest 89/100
Super Mario 64 DS Gaming Horizon 9.3/10
Super Mario 64 DS DS Nintendojo 9.2/10

The Urbz: Sims in the City Nintendojo 7.5/10

 

[lexi]

I don't consider a port of a N64 title for launch (and one that's been scoring 8's) to be a great thing moving forward.

I got an 89% on an exam once and I was so bummed!

 

[UtadaBarkley]

I don't know if I'm just caught into the hype or what, but I'm really diggin the DS as of late. Especially that Feel the Magic game... That looks tight. Plus you can't go wrong with Mario 64 DS. Hmmm, I might have to get one. Hopefully I won't turn around and sell it like I did the GCN... Mario Sunshine dissapointed me to a point that I didn't think was possible for a Mario Title, so i've been quite disgusted with Nintendo lately... Hopefully the DS will be a redeeming factor. I like it because it finally feels like an UPGRADE rather than just "make it smaller", "add color" etc.

 

[seismologist]

Like i've already stated. beyond maybe SM64x4 + xxyy + drill spirits - the NDS has not much on the horizon. .

kind of like all systems just after launch.

Metroid Hunters will be good.

 

[krypt0nian]

This is worse than GC. 3 months and 1 title? I mean are you cubers so deranged that this is okay? They've had how long to work on the DS and they can't get the titles (a lot of ports at that) to be released on time / early?

Like i've already stated. beyond maybe SM64x4 + xxyy + drill spirits - the NDS has not much on the horizon. A lot of the stuff being released like sprung/urbz you don't want to own anyhow. It needs a big hitter and so far.. no killer software. I don't consider a port of a N64 title for launch (and one that's been scoring 8's) to be a great thing moving forward.

After having lived though the N64 and PS2 launches....and oh yeah the xbox and Cube launches.......droughts are not surprising.

 

[atomsk]

not looking forward to opening the rzone tomorrow, because it means i'm stuck waiting for my DS till after work.

and my manager really expects us to get a 'buyer protection plan' on "EVERY UNIT"

she's out of her fucking mind.

 

[cvxfreak]

The DS is officially out on the east coast!

EDIT: Shit GAF's clock is three minutes behind my computer clock.

 

[mumu]

"It's gonna be a competition between this and PSP. The PSP has a touch screen too and folds in half AND looks like PS2 graphics."

Hehe, SONY marketing sure works in mysterious ways sometimes.

 

[xsarien]

This is worse than GC. 3 months and 1 title? I mean are you cubers so deranged that this is okay? They've had how long to work on the DS and they can't get the titles (a lot of ports at that) to be released on time / early?

You do realize that other companies, aside from Nintendo, are making games for the DS, right?

 

[lexi]

Hehe, SONY marketing sure works in mysterious ways sometimes.

Where does misinformation like that come from? I'm thinking EB/Gamestop clerks.

 

[AirBrian]

Just got back (kinda) from Wal-Mart. I wasn't planning on it, but I was up and bored so...

I got there a little after 12 AM and there were a few people standing outside playing Metroid. I went to Electronics and payed for it and Mario. The lady said they got in around 30 -- after my purchase, there was 2 left.

System is sexy, but everyone knows that. It also comes with an extra stylus, not sure if anyone mentioned that. Metroid looks surprisingly well, and I'm loving the control setup.

I stopped by the people playing Metroid on the way out and joined. System linked up right away and had no problems. We all were sucking pretty bad, but it was still fun.

I also played SM64 DS for a bit (20 minutes). Controls are not as bad as some make it out to be. Sure it's not like having a control stick, but it's very do-able.

Good luck to those who didn't pre-order!

 

[lexi]

The lady said they got in around 30 -- after my purchase, there was 2 left.

Woah, impressive. Can't wait till EB opens.

 

[Minotauro]

Just got back (kinda) from Wal-Mart. I wasn't planning on it, but I was up and bored so...

Same here. I actually have one reserved at Gamestop but I thought I could sidestep having to get up and fight the crowd at the mall tomorrow. While I was able to get the system, the Wal-Mart I went to didn't have any of the games! So, now, I still have to go up to Gamestop so I have something to play other than Metroid. Oh, well.

By the way, the Wal-Mart I went to have like six systems and I was the only one there buying one. In fact, I may have been the only customer in the store.

One thing, the ease of control with the morph ball in Metroid with the d-pad has me feeling a bit more hopeful about SM64. Fingers crossed.

 

[AirBrian]

Woah, impressive. Can't wait till EB opens.

Yeah, honestly I was kinda shocked so many had sold. There hasn't been much hype for it outside the gaming community. Good to see though, this thing has tons of potential.

 

[Mejilan]

I hope my store will hold mine until Monday. I don't see myself getting the DS this weekend. Too busy preparing for a midterm I have on Monday. It's an EB. Anyone know how long they'll hold a preorder?

 

[lexi]

I hope my store will hold mine until Monday. I don't see myself getting the DS this weekend. Too busy preparing for a midterm I have on Monday. It's an EB. Anyone know how long they'll hold a preorder?

They'll hold it forever. Not only that, they'll pre-order some stuff for you that you didn't even pre-order. When I went to pre-pay Mario 64 DS they asked me if I wanted to pick up my Halo 2 pre-order :lol

 

[Mejilan]

Hey, I wouldn't mind it if they added XX/XY to my preorder list. I'd like to pick up a Nintendo AND a Sega game with the DS launch, but I only preordered the system and Mario initially!

 

[Mama Smurf]

I wonder how much earlier I should try stores tomorrow than their actual opening times. I mean, I don't want to walk into a store when it's meant to open only to find I could have got in half an hour earlier and everything's gone.

 

[Minotauro]

I think technically-speaking their policy is that they'll only hold items for 24 hours. You'll still get it of course but if you wait that long they're able to sell the specific one they're holding for you to someone else.

 

[UtadaBarkley]

Since Nintendo seems to be aiming at an older audience with the DS, it seems like they definitely missed out on a golden oppurtunity. Considering the DS is Wi-Fi capable, why didn't Nintendo include a built in web browser so that users at home could tap into their Wi-Fi network?

How cool would it have been to be able to lay in bed with the backlit DS, and browse the web using your home network? Plus, you could have the bottom touch screen act as they keyboard. That would blow any PDA away on the market, and with the cheap price, it would be hard to pass up for those who just want to browse the web but don't want to be in front of their desktop or bulky laptop... I mean I guess its' still possible for them to release a browser, but it would have been extremely thoughtful if they could have included it in the box.

That way I could post on GA while I'm supposed to be resting up for work in the morning. :lol

Needless to say I'm still going to buy the device ASAIGSEC. (as soon as I get sme extra cash)

 

[Amir0x]

anyway, your positions on this seem clear, so I will bow out. I still stand by the statement that anyone PC gamer picking up Metroid Hunters with the mouselook control enabled will take to the game like a fish to water... dual analog people will have to reset back to mouse/keyboard though.....

We already established that you're factually wrong since I am a PC gamer, and one who plays FPS' all the time, and I was neither at home with the controls nor was I able to find a situation where it was on par with a mouse/keyboard. Therefore, you are wrong in this regard and should move on.

You're acting like if it's not on par with a mouse/keyboard that it's an insult. Metroid Prime controls aren't on par with a mouse/keyboard, yet that game is still incredible. Neither is any console FPS for that matter, and there are a few gems in there. Stop trying so hard to hold such a ridiculous position as it only degrades your viewpoint. If you honestly think that if you had a stylus and connected online to compete with someone in, say, Return to Castle Wolfenstein that you wouldn't get raped, then I can't go any further because that's too hilarious for words.

 

[borghe]

We already established that you're factually wrong since I am a PC gamer, and one who plays FPS' all the time, and I was neither at home with the controls nor was I able to find a situation where it was on par with a mouse/keyboard. Therefore, you are wrong in this regard and should move on.

and here is where YOU are wrong. FACTUALLY it is on par with mouse and keyboard. I have already been over this. digital control for forward/backward/strafing? Check. Control across a surface for mouselook? Check. You and like one other PC FPS gamer might not be able to take to it, but MOST will because it is IDENTICAL to mouse/keyboard.. I don't get what your hangup is and that is EXACTLY what I want to find out. The touchscreen tracks virtually the same as an optical mouse. Aside from having to hold the demo system (before you buy it with the thumb stylus) I can understand some awkwardness, but with the thumb stylus (or with the normal stylus and the system resting on a surface) I can't see what is so inadequate about the mouselook controls.

You're acting like if it's not on par with a mouse/keyboard that it's an insult.

No, I'm acting as if it is confusing, doesn't make sense, and nobody is offering up a reason why.

Metroid Prime controls aren't on par with a mouse/keyboard, yet that game is still incredible.

Metroid Prime never intended nor was it ever a FPS. Metroid played like Zelda OoT/MM/TWW in first person.

Neither is any console FPS for that matter, and there are a few gems in there. Stop trying so hard to hold such a ridiculous position as it only degrades your viewpoint. If you honestly think that if you had a stylus and connected online to compete with someone in, say, Return to Castle Wolfenstein that you wouldn't get raped, then I can't go any further because that's too hilarious for words.

ok, now I see where we are going here.. gotcha.. well, you've obviously never used a wacom in an FPS.. guess what.. it gives you the exact same control as a mouse. technically I will say that in some cases (a 9x12 for example) it gives you GREATER control than a mouse simply because you have quite a bit more travel space than your typical mouse setup will..

the only person (hellraizah) who has actually given a REASON why it is insufficient (having to hold the unit with one hand when using the actual pen/stylus) I agreed with. That part is awkward.. but either setting it down or using the thumb stylus fixes that.

So I say now that I am done again, but what that really means is "done until someone actually offers up a real reason why it is so woefully short of mouse and keyboard (the wasd part of the keyboard control that is) or gives me a reason of why the DS somehow physically limits that control."

 

[borghe]

on a non-metroid related note, it seems that gspots madden review is comparing the game against the console versions.. while that is probably more apt (I suppose) than comparing it to GB(A) versions, it is a tad unfair IMHO to expect a handheld football game to compare to it's console brethren.

the question from me isn't whether madden is as good as the console games but whether it is better than the GBA games, which they really didn't answer.

though at $40 it really is a rather moot point.

 

[Amir0x]

ok, now I see where we are going here.. gotcha.. well, you've obviously never used a wacom in an FPS.. guess what.. it gives you the exact same control as a mouse. technically I will say that in some cases (a 9x12 for example) it gives you GREATER control than a mouse simply because you have quite a bit more travel space than your typical mouse setup will..

This is going to seem like a cop out, and maybe it is, but if you really think this then I can go no further because I won't be able to stop laughing as I type.

 

[borghe]

This is going to seem like a cop out, and maybe it is, but if you really think this then I can go no further because I won't be able to stop laughing as I type.

as I've said.. obviously you've never used one. your bias makes this a losing debate because you will just respond with baseless, inaccurate, and wrong information. or just baseless smarmy comments that I can't really respond to.

have fun.

 

[Amir0x]

as I've said.. obviously you've never used one. your bias makes this a losing debate because you will just respond with baseless, inaccurate, and wrong information. or just baseless smarmy comments that I can't really respond to.

have fun.

Except I now own one, have played it before that point, and I love it.

I just know that the controls, nor any console method really, competes with a mouse/keyboard.

That simple. As a PC gamer, this is not even debatable. You're acting as if that's an insult to the DS. It's not. I love the DS. The DS just doesn't happens to have a control scheme as good as keyboard/mouse. Nor does any system. How this makes me biased, I don't know.

But hey, you can continue to go around making true baseless statements like "WACOM CONTROLZ CAN EVEN BE BETTAR THAN MOUSE/KEYBOARD" and I'll just continue to laugh.

But I'm biased against something, so what do I know!`