Posts by Chris Greenhough at DS Fanboy

Nintendo DSi cheap* at Renchi

Posted Nov 18th 2008 4:30PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News, Imports, Sales

* cheaper.

Read into this what you will, but Renchi has slashed the price of a Japanese Nintendo DSi by $50 or, as its press release states (because it sounds more impressive), 17%. You can now pick one up there for $249.99. Fifty bucks is a generous cut, and makes the idea of buying a DSi a little more palatable. Unless you've already bought one for more than that, which just makes it annoying. Sorry.

For the record, Play-Asia and YesAsia still have the systems advertised at the laugh-out-loud price of $300. We'd wager that those sites will follow Renchi's example soon.

Gallery: Nintendo DSi

[Via press release]

Still undecided over importing a DSi? Head here for our hands-on impressions of the console. Note: article also contains cat pictures.

Mama has skills: Taito trademarks Pet Shop Mama

Posted Nov 17th 2008 7:30PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: Rumors

Oh Mama, is there nothing you can't turn your versatile hand to? With Mama cooking games now out on DS and Wii, and a gardening game due out this winter on the handheld, Japanese publisher Taito isn't done milking the money-printing franchise.

Last week, the company trademarked Pet Shop Mama, which seems self-explanatory. There's no hint of what platform this will release on, or even if it will end up being a real game (our bet: it will), but Mama's past cosy relationship with the DS makes it an obvious favorite. Our minds boggle at the potential minigames for this: will we be balancing hats on cats? Brushing dog teeth? Fending off fuming PETA campaigners armed with disturbing parody games?

Gallery: Show and Tell: Making Mama

GTA: Chinatown Wars has large map, obligatory microphone gimmick

Posted Nov 17th 2008 3:00PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will feature around three-quarters of the Liberty City map seen in Grand Theft Auto IV. That's according to a preview in Spanish magazine MarcaPlayer, which stated that Broker, Bohan, Dukes, and Algonquin (all of which are highlighted in yellow above) will be playable, with only Alderney missing. GTA IV's map might not be the biggest in the series, but this is further evidence that Rockstar is squeezing every last drop of juice from the DS.

Also bound and gagged in the trunk of MarcaPlayer's preview were a few new details. While the action plays out on the top screen, the touchscreen lets you control your PDA (which contains the map and mission goals), GPS (on which you can mark destinations to find the shortest legal route), and radio.

As you explore the city (with the help of a camera that can be swiveled 360 degrees), new landmarks and venues you discover are marked down on your map, and you'll see lots of nice little touches, such as trains that pass over the city. You'll also be able to whistle into the microphone to hail a cab; they just couldn't resist, could they? And now we wait!

Gallery: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

Mario & Luigi & A Japanese Release Date

Posted Nov 13th 2008 3:09PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News, Imports

February is the month of love and romantic obsessions, and next February is also the month that Mario & Luigi 3 will ship in Japan. Coincidence? WE THINK NOT. AlphaDream's quirky RPG will launch there on February 11th, complete with morbidly obese Toads and (what we guess will be) the usual irreverent dialog.

We're no clearer on a North American date, with "2009" still the closest official estimate we have, and that's barely an estimate but a statement of the bleeding obvious. So let's grasp a straw, shall we: previous Mario & Luigi titles came out in the States first, so maybe there's a sliiiiiiight chance that the same will happen in this case, and Nintendo will suddenly spring a January release on us? Sigh, a blogger can dream, right?

Gallery: Mario & Luigi 3

Shonen Jump spills Blood of Bahamut details

Posted Nov 13th 2008 11:30AM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News, Imports

Square Enix launched one of its beloved countdown sites recently, but was beaten to its own reveal by Shonen Jump magazine. The mystery game, as seen in this blurry screenshot, is Blood of Bahamut, an action RPG with four-player local co-op play and 2D sprites on 3D backgrounds. Oh, and it looks a bit like Shadow of the Colossus, though that's more of an observation than a criticism. We're not going to sling mud at any game that is inspired by Shadow of the Colossus, because Shadow of the Colossus is freakin' brilliant.

Anyhow, Shadow, sorry, Blood of Bahamut will feature two protagonists, Ibuki and Yui, who live in a city constructed on the back of a giant. On paper, that sounds great -- they'd get lovely views and lots of fresh air, for example -- but their giant keeps getting attacked by other hefty enemies, who they have to ward off. And to think the agent said such good things about the neighbors.

Ruliweb has the full scans, but we also recommend feasting your eyes on this exceptional concept art.

[Via Final Fantasy Union; Thanks, Darryl!]

DS Daily: Your Final choice?

Posted Nov 13th 2008 9:00AM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: DS Daily

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time‎ utilizes a specifically designed game engine that allows Wii and DS owners to play online together.

Both versions of the title will look, sound, and cost (¥5,040 in Japan) the same, but there are slight benefits to each. Even with its screen-within-a-screen design, the Wii game will still feature a larger viewing area when hooked up to your TV, while the DS edition obviously has the bonus of increased portability. If you are getting Echoes of Time, which platform will you be buying it for, and why?

Gallery: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time

Nintendo goes trademark crazy, Picross 3D and others heading west?

Posted Nov 12th 2008 6:00PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News

Nintendo recently filed a veritable smorgasboard of DS-related trademarks in Japan. How many is a smorgasboard? In this case, it's forty. All but three of the terms are preceded by either "DS" or "DSi," and the mind can only boggle at the potential of some of these: DSiMovie, DSiMusic, DSiMail, DSArcade, DSBook, DSCreator, DSLive, and DSPhone were among the names that excited us the most. A full list is after the break.

Siliconera dug all of these up from the Japanese trademark database, along with a couple of other interesting tidbits, including potential English names for Tomodachi Connection (in which players get to be friends with Mii versions of Miyamoto, Reggie, and Iwata!) and Ritai Picross (Picross 3D), which we definitely wouldn't rule out for a western release.

Obviously, none of these might mean a single damn thing. Companies indulge in trademarking all the time, simply to protect future ideas. Time, as always, will tell.

Gallery: Picross 3D

Continue reading Nintendo goes trademark crazy, Picross 3D and others heading west?

Valkyrie Profile: Localization of the Game [update]

Posted Nov 11th 2008 2:30PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News

Valkyrie Profile: The Accused One shipped in Japan just a few days ago, racking up 80,000 sales in its first week and finishing in second place in the charts (to, um, Grand Theft Auto IV).

With a triumphant Japanese launch under its belt, Square Enix is now turning its attention to us, and has opened an understated teaser site to announce the localization and release date of the game in the U.S. As previous evidence has hinted, it'll be known as Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume in North America, and will release on March 17th. Is the DS the greatest system for RPGs since the SNES or what? That's rhetorical, because it clearly is.

Also, the beautiful Japanese boxart would be welcome here, if anybody from Square Enix is reading!

[Update: A Square Enix press release informs us Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride will reach the States on February 17th! Too. Much. RPG. Goodness.]

Gallery: Valkyrie Profile: The Accused One

[Via Siliconera]

The Chase, a new platformer sprinting to DS

Posted Nov 10th 2008 5:15PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News, Screens

Chibi characters and an excessive use of pink may put you off the idea of liking The Chase: Felix Meets Felicity, but we'd advise against making snap judgements in this case. Despite first appearances, this is a platformer that has more in common with Yoshi Touch & Go, Kirby: Canvas Curse and Mister Slime, rather than being a vanilla run-and-jump formula.

The plot, which is also peculiar for a game of this ilk, introduces Felix and Felicity, who are both rushing across town to meet up for a romantic rendezvous. This is where a little player assistance is required. Specifically, you'll have to grab your stylus and draw the paths that Felix and Felicity will take on the touchscreen, all in the name of lurve. A dwindling clock and the threat of bad weather means you'll have to be quick, but NPCs with quirky advice on love will assist you on your journey.

Currently, The Chase is scheduled for a February release -- a Valentine's Day release would seem appropriate!

Gallery: The Chase: Felix Meets Felicity

[Via press release]

DS Daily: Buy? Or sell?

Posted Nov 6th 2008 9:00AM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: DS Daily

Yesterday, in the "lolwut?" moment of November so far, we heard that Nintendo is making a game that will teach John Q. Public the ins and outs of the economy. Because Nintendo knows a thing or two about making games, we trust it will be an engaging experience, and the economy is something we'd like to be better informed about.

Then again, the subject matter also seems random, and something that wouldn't be overly useful to many DS owners. We can understand stuff like Professor Kageyama's Math Training (most of us use math every day, and increased mental sharpness with numbers is handy) and My Japanese Coach (Japan and its language are fascinating, and many gamers have an interest in the culture), but would you regard an economy-based training game as practical to your needs? Would you purchase it?

Eh?: Nintendo developing game about the economy

Posted Nov 5th 2008 3:30PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News

Nintendo is teaming up with Tokyo stock market index Nikkei to develop a game that teaches us about the incomprehensible mystery that is the economy. Virtually nothing is known about the new title, except that it will make learning about the economy "fun," contain quizzes to test your newly acquired knowledge, and feature controls that are touchscreen-based. No longer will you have to make up awkward excuses to leave social gatherings early when the words "Dow Jones" pop up.

While obviously topical, the economy seems like an unusually dry subject for Nintendo to base a game on, even moreso than math. Still, if Sega can make a game about business fun, so can Nintendo. Also, is this a sign that Miyamoto's latest obsession is dabbling in shares?

[Via Eurogamer]

Nintendo DSi off to a flyer in Japan

Posted Nov 4th 2008 5:00PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News, Imports, Sales

Famitsu publisher Enterbrain has reeled in the first Nintendo DSi hardware sales figures, revealing that the console has gone down a storm in Japan, with 170,779 DSi handhelds sold over the first two days. So much for Japan not being hyped for the thing! As we mentioned in passing yesterday, the DS Lite took three days to sell 68,438 consoles, but it appears Nintendo has learned from Lite shortages, and shipped many more DSi units (200,000, to be precise). Our congratulations and barely concealed, envious glare to those who bagged themselves a console.

Even though Japan's public is evidently totally hot for the DSi, Siliconera reports that people aren't exactly panic-buying yet; one evil scalper purchased fifty of the consoles, and is now struggling to reap any profit whatsoever from them on Yahoo! Auctions. And that, my friends, is the beauty of karma. Har.

Source: 170,779 DSis sold ...
Source: ... including fifty to this guy.

Gallery: Nintendo DSi

Nintendo DSi floods Japanese market

Posted Nov 3rd 2008 5:00PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News, Imports

The Nintendo DSi launched on Saturday, and Ninty hasn't held back on manufacturing the console. While we westerners can only look on mournfully (or cough up petrifying amounts of cash for one of our own), Ninty shipped almost 200,000 DSi units for the launch in Japan, which has been lovingly photographed by Game Watch.

The official terminology for 200,000 is A Lot, but is it enough? Surprisingly, if the Lite is anything to go by, then it should be plenty. The DSi's predecessor sold 68,438 units during its first three days on sale, so 200,000 DSi consoles will probably keep Japan going for a while, though Nintendo will play it safe and release a further 100,000 this week. It's as though lessons have actually been learned from previous hardware shortages. In which case, bravo, Nintendo!

Gallery: Nintendo DSi

First look at Dragon Quest IX's Wi-Fi mode

Posted Oct 31st 2008 3:00PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: Nintendo Wi-Fi, Screens, Imports

Game Watch has a dozen new Dragon Quest IX screens, all of which are now ensconced in our gallery.

Besides revealing the obvious (the obvious being: Dragon Quest IX is totally beautiful), they include the first glimpse of the Wi-Fi cooperative multiplayer in action (right). It seems to work logically enough: players take turns to issue commands, with each human participant's choices marked out with color-coded symbols, so you can tell what your allies intend to do, and curse loudly when your mage friend neglects to save you with an antidotal herb and decides to attack instead.

Another nice touch is the way your on-screen character's appearance changes as you load him up with equipment and accessories. Just imagining you're wearing all that alchemical bling is soooo 2004.

Gallery: Dragon Quest IX

Start collecting rare weapons already in Phantasy Star Zero

Posted Oct 30th 2008 6:00PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News, Imports

Like other Sega games we could mention, Phantasy Star Online titles have a proud history of including cute and funny references to other Sega properties. Phantasy Star Zero will be no exception. Ahead of the game's Japanese release on December 25th, those who preorder will receive cards that unlock in-game items from other Sega games.

We were slightly disappointed (though not surprised) to hear the cards only grant weapons from more current Sega releases. These will include Valkyria Chronicles (PS3), Shining Wind (2007 ARPG for the PS2), Hatsune Miku Project Diva (PSP), and Blazer Drive, Sega's manga/RPG crossover that is also out in Japan in December. Sure, none of that stuff is going to be as funny as wielding Ulala's zapper or Samba's maracas or Chu Chu armor, but it's still fairly neat, right?

Gallery: Phantasy Star Zero

Next Page >

Name	Date
Bleach: Dark Souls	Oct 6
Legend of Kage 2	Oct 6
Crash: Mind Over Mutant	Oct 6
Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals	Oct 6
My Japanese Coach	Oct 14
Korg DS-10	Oct 14
Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2	Oct 14
FIFA Soccer 09	Oct 14
Populous	Oct 14
Rock Revolution	Oct 14
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia	Oct 21
Theresia	Oct 21
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows	Oct 21
Away: Shuffle Dungeon	Oct 21
Tornado	Oct 21
Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon	Oct 21
What's Cooking? With Jamie Oliver	Oct 21
MySims Kingdom	Oct 28
Ninjatown	Oct 28
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DS Fanboy Review: Kirby Super Star Ultra	Reviews
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Nintendo DSi cheap* at Renchi

Mama has skills: Taito trademarks Pet Shop Mama

GTA: Chinatown Wars has large map, obligatory microphone gimmick

Mario & Luigi & A Japanese Release Date

Shonen Jump spills Blood of Bahamut details

DS Daily: Your Final choice?

Nintendo goes trademark crazy, Picross 3D and others heading west?

Valkyrie Profile: Localization of the Game [update]

The Chase, a new platformer sprinting to DS

DS Daily: Buy? Or sell?

Eh?: Nintendo developing game about the economy

Nintendo DSi off to a flyer in Japan

Nintendo DSi floods Japanese market

First look at Dragon Quest IX's Wi-Fi mode

Start collecting rare weapons already in Phantasy Star Zero

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