Blog FeedIt’s a Load of DS
It’s been about 10 days since I changed sides in the great handheld war. I swapped my PSP and four games for a DS and eight games. To call it anything but an unqualified success at this point would be understating the issue at the moment. The Nintendo DS has proven itself to be well worth its salt. That said I don’t really want to make this about the DS versus the PSP because they’re not entirely comparable. But the DS is a real surprise to me and it’s one that’s making me rethink some things.
For one thing, so far I’ve really only had time to play two games and only Kirby to the end. Advance Wars, Castlevania and Mario Kart are all off in the future but right now it’s been Kirby and Nintendogs. Those two games do prove something to me - when you do it right different is in and of itself a fun thing sometimes. These games are both highly entertaining versions of old game types. Kirby really isn’t anything more than a platforming game—you run around going from spot to spot collecting coins and finishing levels and you’ve got some bosses in there. But by changing out the interface from a d-pad to a stylus it really changes the feel of the game and this is just one of the most pleasant platforming games I’ve seen in a while. I just completed this game and it’s a good mix of “easy to pick up” and “hard to master”. I took a few days to beat the game as it’s about 8 hours long—but my mom who hasn’t played many games since the days of the Sega Genesis was also able to pick the game up and have a good time for a while the other day when I showed it to her.
Nintendogs is unique in another way. It’s really not like most other games I’ve played. It’s a pet simulation that really as they say isn’t a traditional game as you can’t win. That said people have done this for years with stuff like Neopets and Tamagotchi etc. But the stylus really makes for a interesting experience as it really becomes like playing with a dog. I don’t much care for dogs and got this one only because used games were Buy 2, Get One Free but this is an adorable game that’s like owning a dog without having to be outside at 2am. When your dog does exactly what you want there is a real satisfaction in that, just like there is in winning one of the game’s tournaments.
So what’s this all mean for the future? Well, for the first thing I’m pretty excited about the immediate future of the DS. I got a whole bunch of games with my system so I’m pretty interested in playing my current games, Advance Wars and Castlevania. Everyone is telling me about how awesome Mario Kart is and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next version of Animal Crossing. Metroid Prime Hunters is going to be online; that sounds awesome. The future for DS games looks bright as RPGs are sure to fill one of the few voids remaining on the system, and the unique games continue to come out. We’re well on our way to selling 4 million DS games this year. Basically everything looks fine and dandy here.
The other side of the coin is it’s making me really reconsider a Nintendo Revolution. I mean while Bioware’s presence still makes the Xbox 360 the most appealing console in the world, the Revolution now seems to definitely be something that I’m going to want to try. I mean it’s pretty clear I was pretty wrong about the DS. While I was right to wait since the launch lineup was pretty crappy, it’s really been one of the more interesting things I’ve added to my collection. I just started playing Advance Wars last night and wow that’s fun. While I’m not about to start earmarking $300+ for a Revolution and some games it certainly gets me quite interested in seeing the Revolution in ways I wasn’t before.
So, am I going to become a raving Nintendo fanboy now? Well probably not. But the awesomeness of the DS is pretty clear to me and it’s certainly making me interested in the Nintendo Revolution. If you’re still a skeptic; I can honestly say I never much cared for any of the other Nintendo products since the SNES but the DS is pretty cool and it’s definitely worth a try. It’s fun and a good mix of the old and the new.
23rd November | Reply
I’ll spare all of the readers the corny “welcome to the dark side” nonsense and get right into it: I think Vermouth has endorsed what many DS owners already knew, that the system itself is an unqualified success.
That may seem a bit presumptuous and I don’t mean to be putting words in Vermouth’s mouth, but here is a long time gamer who is, shall we say, pragmatically cynical about innovation of almost any kind, who really seems to like the DS. Including, mind you, two of the most unconventional games available for the system.
In any case, I also agree with Vermouth that the DS has really piqued my interest in the Revolution. Granted, I was already interested after getting over the initial shock of the controller design, but to see the new ways that we can play games if someone is brave enough to take a risk, makes me very excited for the Revolution.
In all honesty, I don’t want Nintendo to make another “regular” gaming device again.
I’ve come to believe in Nintendo’s theory that games have become too complicated to sustain the industry as it stands. I’m 24 years old, I have a job as well as significant academic responsibilites to attend to, as well as a host of other commitments on my life. I still have Shin Megami Tensei III, Shadow Hearts: Covenant, and Baten Kaitos in the wrapper next to my bed, and I bought them the week they were released. What have I spent my gaming time on, besides WoW? The Nintendo DS.
The whole experience seems new and fresh. I’ve been playing games since I was like 8 or 9 on an old Atari system, I’ve felt as though, up until now, that I’ve played all the games there are to play. Not specific titles mind you, but how many platformers, or RPGs, or *insert genre here* can you play before they are all old and stale?
With the DS, as Vermouth says, Kirby, essentially a platformer, is a new and interesting experience. I’ve spent more time drawing rainbow conveyor belt bridges in the last four months than I have playing my GameCube or PS2, or even thinking about regular console games.
If this is what Nintendo can do on the handheld front, I can’t wait to see the home front.
…Anyway, excellent article Vermouth, glad you are enjoying the DS and expanding your mind.
23rd November | Reply
The DS does, to me, look to be more interesting than the PSP because I still have fond memories of my GBA, the interface is novel, it plays “classic” Castlevania games, and is a fraction of the price of a PSP. I’m sure the PSP has some great hardware and all but it’s damned expensive and none of the games that I’ve seen (with the exception of Wipeout) really interest me, mostly because the just look like PlayStation games and I already have one of those. This said, I’m unlikely to ever buy one since my gaming time these days is limited/non-existent and I’d rather save the money.
In regards to the Revolution, I am highly interested to see how it turns out and it’s because of this that I refuse to consider buying either a 360 or PS3 until all 3 systems have been released. I’m not sold on any of the next-generation consoles yet since they need to show me a compelling reason to upgrade my current PS2 and Gamecube so it is possible that I won’t buy any of them, but if I do then it will only be the one and I want to make the right decision. The 360 is out the door now but I personally consider purchasing it now to be a stupid decision given that it will no doubt fall in price to compete with the PS3 when it is released, there’s not that many games and getting one would be difficult anyway. However, while I’m more interested in the PS3 at this moment I will wait for the Revolution to be released because the interface just seems to have so much promise. I expect the graphics to be improved over the Gamecube but, to be perfectly honest, I’d still give it the nod if it’s graphics were worse but it’s gameplay more interesting than the “traditional” racing, shooting and sports games that the 360 has initially released. Of course, if the controller turns out to be pish then it’ll probably be a PS3 if only because I can sell my wife on the Blu-Ray investment…
24th November | Reply
You know, I am really surprised by your switch in handhelds. Can’t say I blame you though, I absolutely love my DS.
As with you I have been playing mine constantly as of late. Mario Kart DS has made me go through 3 whole battery charges recently, and I’m not willing to stop. The game is utter perfection I feel. Perfect control, very good graphics, and an excellent audio. The game is just a blast to play any time of the day for me.
I plan on getting a wireless router for Christmas, so I will be up for some online action if you would like to test it at a later time >:)
25th November | Reply
I have been hearing so much about the greatness of the DS, and especially online Mario Kart, recently (moderating a Nintendo forum does not help) that I have really started considering getting one. Still, as Animal Crossing is not out until March, I may wait until then.
25th November | Reply
I agree. All my friends have been gettin DS’s lately, and I fell the need to fit in, and I need something to do in my spare time. I got to play Mario Kart DS, and it is so much fun, I am really considering buying the mario kart bundle.
26th November | Reply
pinches himself.
seriously… Vermouth… is that you? i came in expecting a well reasoned savaging of my favourite handheld… when you get mario kart online… let me know. i have a red shell right here with your name on it.
27th November | Reply
Fuckin’ A, brother.
I haven’t owned a handheld gaming device since my clunky original Gameboy circa ‘95, bought as a present with Tetris to boot, and no more than two additional games on it. Maybe it was the fact I was still a kid in school with no money until recently, but handheld games though fun just didn’t have that wow factor I need to get into games.
I don’t get off on graphics, and I don’t give a shit about novel-sized epics. I want plug-and-play and fun on the run, and I have bought more games for my DS in the last month or so than I ever thought I would. The idea of playing a Mario Kart game that’s technically superior to the N64 version (my personal favourite) and erases the (dis)taste of DoubleDash!! (I didn’t like the additions) on a portable device flips me the fuck out.
I cannot get over how fun videogames are becoming for me again, because of Nintendo as usual. Now I’ve always leaned more towards Mario than, say, Solid Snake… but the payoff for the DS has removed some of my fears about the Revolution. I usually end up betting on Nintendo, but it is very nice to see what they can still pull off — what only they can pull off — when everyone else is happy to follow.
P.S.: WarioWare Touched! is the fucking bomb!
27th November | Reply
I really started digging in to Advance Wars today. This is a possible Game of the Year candidate, I’m about 11 missions in or so, and aside from the fact that the dialogue sounds like it was written by a 12 year old at times, it’s a really exceptional game. I really would have preferred the writers have taken this material more seriously because it’s a sort of adult sort of game and guys yelling he peaced out when the enemy withdrew from the field is a real immersion buster. Still the game is a very compelling title thusfar.
29th November | Reply
Ah, I see you havd discovered the lurking horrors of Jake’s Attitude. He evokes in my mind the image of a 12-year-old gangsta rapper wannabe. The strange thing is that, in the japanese version, he is apparently extremely dour and serious.
Still, decent CO, though, at least until you get ahold of Jess and/or Hawke. As for the game itself, well, it’s pretty much stolen away most of the time I’d use for gaming on the PC instead. Advance Wars DS is one of the best strategy titles I’ve ever played, hands down, and it’s inspired me to go look for its prequels for the GBA as well. The only thing that is a pity is that it doesn’t support global play like Mario Kart DS.
Oh yeah, and the DS kicks ass. Bought it at launch day, never regretted it. Never gave the PSP as much as a thought.