New Media Create Sales Figures - Over 200,000 DS Sales in One Week

[fitbabits]

Can you say over 200,000 Nintendo DS sales in ONE WEEK?

Nintendo DS/Lite - 201,298 (15.1 million)
Wii - 78,550 (1.5 million)
PSP - 32,175 (4.8 million)
PlayStation 3 - 23,431 (635,000)
PlayStation 2 - 16,033 (20.3 million)
Xbox 360 - 4,811 (315,000)
Game Boy Advance/SP/Micro - 1,900 (15.3 million)
GameCube - 383 (4.1 million)

[TrackZero]

Oh DS, you came from nothing, and now all of Japan loves you. Nice work.

[CaptStu]

Must be Japanese figures.

[fitbabits]

Must be Japanese figures.
Yep. I believe that's the only figures Media Create report.

[Blade]

Dragon Quest 9.

[TrackZero]

Though it's amusing to note that the 360 still has half the number that the PS3 does. Guess the PS3 ain't selling that fast....

[Heretic Machine]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/392343821_63b3ec32a6_o.gif

Pretty much sums up my thoughts on the DS.

[Xerxes]

All those Xbox 360, and Blue Dragons.
How many people in Japan DON'T have a DS?

[CrashCart]

All those Xbox 360, and Blue Dragons.
How many people in Japan DON'T have a DS?
I think the numbers are impressive as well, but.. Don't we go over this every time Media Create numbers look good for the system?

Approximately 110 million people people in Japan do not have a DS*.



*Japan — Population: 127,463,611 (July 2006 est.) Source (https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/ja.html)

[drakkarim]

wow, in a couple months the DS will spank even mighty ps2, i wonder what Sony will brag about after that?

[Kamalot]

Don't worry. The DS is nothing but a gimmick. It only caters to people who play Pokemon. I'm sure another handheld will come along and pull portable gaming out of the ghetto by bringing console-level graphics to the palm of your hand.

[fitbabits]

Don't worry. The DS is nothing but a gimmick. It only caters to people who play Pokemon. I'm sure another handheld will come along and pull portable gaming out of the ghetto by bringing console-level graphics to the palm of your hand.
And movies! Don't forget the movies.

[Kamalot]

I just realized that the DS is about to surpass the GBA/GBA SP/Micro in total units sold. That is un-freaking-believeable! :O

[Draconis]

The thing I want to know is, Where are the NPD Numbers for last Month?

[Kamalot]

And movies! Don't forget the movies.
No kidding. I see those 2 screens and say to myself, 'Damn. If only the DS had a built-in MP3 player that used an expensive removable memory card format, then it would be a real seller!' Or, 'If only the DS gave me ANOTHER chance to buy my movie collection again in a format that is completely incompatiable with everything else in the world.'

Then I remember that the system is built for _games_ and just roll my eyes in disgust.

Nothing screams 'doomed for obscourity and marginalization' like the gimmicky DS!

[Johan]

Laying it on a bit thick there, eh Kamalot? ;)

Impressive numbers for the DS, of course. Depressive numbers for the 360 in Japan (who woulda thunk it?)...

[Phades]

Wow, the DS sold about 50k more units than all the rest of the systems COMBINED!!! That's pretty crazy. Shows that portable gaming is where it's at in Japan. Also notice the PSP sold better than either the PS2 or PS3.

[Gorvi]

Don't worry. The DS is nothing but a gimmick. It only caters to people who play Pokemon. I'm sure another handheld will come along and pull portable gaming out of the ghetto by bringing console-level graphics to the palm of your hand.

I'm sure that other handheld won't ever come along and consistantly sell 6 times more than a home console that's been price cut to cost almost the same as this imaginary handheld. That'd just be crazy.

[DaXIthR]

And to think, the DS didn't even have any major release this week...

[rein]

This thread is a quick example of how much shit people give Sony without it being warranted in the thread. Thanks, Kam, Drakk? and Fits, this behavior is what is bringing the bias image to the site. It wouldn't be bad, but it is in almost every game related thread. Even the ones where Sony is not the focus. :(


Kudos to Nintendo for kicking ass. I am a tiny bit afraid of what the future holds for gaming. It looks like Nintendo might be on to the casual market and the casual market might be exactly where gaming is headed. It's probably a good thing for me because lately I find myself playing flash games and typical house wife games like Bejeweled. It's funny, whenever the question is asked what people are playing, I never even think of those titles as an answer even though I have spent more time with them than I have any other games in the last few months.

[DaedalusFolly]

[..] typical house wife games like Bejeweled.
WHAT? My house wives are a well respected Halo 2 clan.

[Goronmon]

This thread is a quick example of how much shit people give Sony without it being warranted in the thread. Thanks, Kam, Drakk?I thought Kam was targetting his sarcasm at Evil's famous remarks about how the DS will never sell and it just being a gimmick no one would want?

[Dag-Sabot]

Impressive numbers, I know I play my ds every day if only to check on the volitile turnip market. My psp? Not so much.

[BlackPete]

I thought Kam was targetting his sarcasm at Evil's famous remarks about how the DS will never sell and it just being a gimmick no one would want?

That was my take as well. This is one thread that Kam didn't bring Sony into the picture :)

[Kamalot]

I thought Kam was targetting his sarcasm at Evil's famous remarks about how the DS will never sell and it just being a gimmick no one would want?
It is't just Evil himself. Every major publication, online or in print, was ragging on the DS prior to its launch and even into the first year (with the probable exception being Nintendo Power).

It is refreshing to see the results of innovation and risk pay off. It is also nice to know that people are buying the DS to play games, not watch portable versions of UltraViolet or Stealth.

rein's a little sensitive about Sony's recent troubles, that's what makes him so paranoid. Cut him some slack, will ya?

[rein]

I thought Kam was targetting his sarcasm at Evil's famous remarks about how the DS will never sell and it just being a gimmick no one would want?

"I'm sure another handheld will come along and pull portable gaming out of the ghetto by bringing console-level graphics to the palm of your hand."

I would think that except he included this part in his post. Classic Kamalot.

Maybe the site isn't getting the rep for being bias and if I am wrong about that I apologize. Maybe I should have said that these kind of comments in almost every thread is the source of 95% of the constant, tired, bickering that has been going on in threads since just before the PS3 launch. It has been going on for a long time and it is getting really old. It makes the site a lot less enjoyable for people who don't care to bash Sony at every whim and sometimes just want to read news post. This post was great news for Nintendo.

Sorry to derail and I am aware that I have now started something I should not have. I will not touch on the subject again in this thread. You guys enjoy.

[gzsfrk]

Cripes... haven't they sold like 3 DS's for every 1 person in Japan by this point? Who in the world is buying these things in Anime-land?

[Nessus]

It's funny, whenever the question is asked what people are playing, I never even think of those titles as an answer even though I have spent more time with them than I have any other games in the last few months.

I've been playing Wii Play: Tanks!

It's just like that old Intellivision game.

So addictive. Can't wait to try 2 player.

[Tinderbox]

The thing I want to know is, Where are the NPD Numbers for last Month?

They were delayed until next Tuesday.

[Kamalot]

Cripes... haven't they sold like 3 DS's for every 1 person in Japan by this point? Who in the world is buying these things in Anime-land?
Well, people use the DS Lite to build furniture. They are small, modular and can be assembled in all kinds of ways to make new things. Think of them like a Japanese blend between Lego and Ikea.

[Evil Avatar]

I thought Kam was targetting his sarcasm at Evil's famous remarks about how the DS will never sell and it just being a gimmick no one would want?

Yes, it is important for him to continue to hold onto that one comment like a drowning man clinging to a waterlogged sliver of wood.

[Hemalin]

I thought Kam was targetting his sarcasm at Evil's famous remarks about how the DS will never sell and it just being a gimmick no one would want?
He was, then he continued on with:No kidding. I see those 2 screens and say to myself, 'Damn. If only the DS had a built-in MP3 player that used an expensive removable memory card format, then it would be a real seller!' Or, 'If only the DS gave me ANOTHER chance to buy my movie collection again in a format that is completely incompatiable with everything else in the world.'

Then I remember that the system is built for _games_ and just roll my eyes in disgust.

Nothing screams 'doomed for obscourity and marginalization' like the gimmicky DS!

[Evil Avatar]

It is refreshing to see the results of innovation and risk pay off. It is also nice to know that people are buying the DS to play games, not watch portable versions of UltraViolet or Stealth.

Could you take time to explain what is so innovative about a second screen? Could you name a game that uses the second screen in an innovative way?

There was a good reason people were bashing on the DS, it just doesn't offer any important features - it never really added anything to the Game Boy Advance - other than a difficult to hold design and a screen smaller than the PSP.

The fact that people buy them continues to amaze me to this day. I'm guessing people buy it because while it lacks innovation, it still continues the dominance of the GBA by having tons of games from every publisher and it is proof that you don't have to have an innovative design if you have the support of 3rd party developers/publishers.

In some ways, you could say that the success of the DS shows why the GameCube failed and why the Wii may be hurting a year from now.

[Vagabondllama]

"Japan: Population - 2005 estimate 128,085,000"

-Wiki

I know that Nintendo hasn't sold 128 million DSes there yet =)

[TrackZero]

How many people in Japan DON'T have a DS?

112,985,000 of them. Give or take.

[RMan]

Could you take time to explain what is so innovative about a second screen? Could you name a game that uses the second screen in an innovative way?
By your standard, no, I doubt anyone could name a game that uses the second screen in an innovative way. The DS is not just two screens, it’s the touch screen and the second screen which is crucial to it’s appeal.
The fact that people buy them continues to amaze me to this day.
Honestly, there’s no way to sugar-coat this, but if it truly amazes you then you do not understand gaming. The DS is a highly appealing system, in pretty much every way, and has a wide variety of games satisfying a wide range of tastes. It has very broad appeal, and offers far more than just “the same old games, but small enough to fit in your pocket”. Of course, if you think that’s all gaming is or should be, yea, you won’t get it.
In some ways, you could say that the success of the DS shows why the GameCube failed and why the Wii may be hurting a year from now.
Not sure how the DS relates to the GameCube, but you should make some more aggressively negative Wii comments, a year from now people around here may be bored with throwing the DS comments back at you :).

[Phades]

Could you take time to explain what is so innovative about a second screen? Could you name a game that uses the second screen in an innovative way?

There was a good reason people were bashing on the DS, it just doesn't offer any important features - it never really added anything to the Game Boy Advance - other than a difficult to hold design and a screen smaller than the PSP.

The fact that people buy them continues to amaze me to this day. I'm guessing people buy it because while it lacks innovation, it still continues the dominance of the GBA by having tons of games from every publisher and it is proof that you don't have to have an innovative design if you have the support of 3rd party developers/publishers.

In some ways, you could say that the success of the DS shows why the GameCube failed and why the Wii may be hurting a year from now.

I agree!! I constantly see all these "the DS is so innovative!!!" comments. And then we take a look at some of the best games on the DS and I just have to scratch my head. Not saying games like New Super Mario Bros, Castlevania, Advance Wars, Mario Kart, etc... aren't lots of fun but they're hardly innovative. I don't have any games that really NEED the touch screen and none that need two screens.

The DS is dominant because of:
1. Price (games/system)
2. Load times (or lack of) because of format (bad move by Sony)
3. Battery life (see #2)

By the way, this doesn't mean I don't like the DS, I just think that if the prices were the same and PSP games didn't have such horrible load times, the PSP would be selling much better.

[TrackZero]

Could you take time to explain what is so innovative about a second screen? Could you name a game that uses the second screen in an innovative way?

It's just more viewing space. There's nothing wrong about it for, it's not subjective from the experience, and has been useful for extra GUI space (maps, stats, inventory, etc). Though I agree, it's certainly not innovative. Merely different.

There was a good reason people were bashing on the DS, it just doesn't offer any important features - it never really added anything to the Game Boy Advance - other than a difficult to hold design and a screen smaller than the PSP..

It added a touch screen, local wireless play, internet play, microphone (and if we're speaking directly just to the GBA, a larger game size, better processor/3D capabilities). Not to mention a built in sub-OS to store settings cross-game. And a longer battery life.

Let's not even start comparing it to the PSP (considering the PSP came out after it). That's been done ad nausem, and it's totally subjective based upon what features/tradeoffs you want in a portable (and by sales, it's proven most people prefer the DS).

No, the reason people had bashed the DS was because it had a slow amount of games released in it's first half-year and bad lighting in the original system. Both of which are long since gone.

[31 Flavas]

The thing I want to know is, Where are the NPD Numbers for last Month?These numbers have no solid backing yet, but I pulled them from where I normally pull my numbers from (Nintendo World Report, formerly PlanetGamecube). Without further adieux:

Supposed January NPD:
Wii 431,550
Nintendo DS 389,901
PlayStation 3 288,636
PlayStation 2 253,456
Xbox 360 217,670
PSP 164,342
Game Boy Advance 146,667
GameCube 28,954
Xbox 1,099

[lpmiller]

i said it when the DS and PSP came out, it's the games, stupid.

Looks like I was right. If you don't have the games, no one is going to give a crap.

But I'm sorry, there are plenty of games that use both screens in innovative ways, and saying they don't is just sour grapes. Which is sad, because one should just enjoy gaming, not take sides like it's a war.

[jpublic]

Originally Posted by Evil Avatar
In some ways, you could say that the success of the DS shows why the GameCube failed and why the Wii may be hurting a year from now.

QFT, but let me extend this a little, for those of you who haven't picked it up be now:

The hardware *does not matter*, the *games* do.

Seriously, the DS as hardware isn't that special. It's not even a great idea - I mean, my PDA has the same total screen real estate in a single screen, and it's all touch-screen. What makes the DS is the fact that every innovative and high-quality game maker on the planet seems to want to make games for it.

The fact that both it *and* the games are cheap is just a magnifier.

[RMan]

I don't have any games that really NEED the touch screen and none that need two screens.
It occurs to me that this is where the argument gets confused for some of you guys. Innovation doesn’t require something to get more complicated, or deep, or anything of that nature. It doesn’t require the ‘need’ for said innovation in order to be innovative.

For instance, how does automatic transmission bring anything ‘new’ to driving? If anything, it takes away from driving, but the key is that it takes away something that people generally don’t want, so it’s a net positive. Automatic transmission isn’t needed in any way, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it was innovative.

With the DS, people don’t want to deal with mapping buttons to actions. In terms of menu driven games like Phoenix Wright, the menu doesn’t require the player to know what moves on the digital pad move to which menu option, or mentally map which button corresponds to a menu option. These are things we dealt with in past games because we had to, just like we had to use manual transmission to drive a car, but just because we liked the games that used these methods doesn’t mean we liked the methods. The DS’s touch-screen allows interaction unrivaled in a console system, and generally better than a mouse, allowing the navigation of such menu driven applications to reduce complication and annoyance to a minimum. Although these games can almost invariably be done without the DS’s innovative features, that doesn’t take away from said innovation (the vast majority of innovations are not, in fact, necessary).

[Hydroeric]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/392343821_63b3ec32a6_o.gif

Pretty much sums up my thoughts on the DS.

Gold! Gold, I tell you.

[Switcher]

Could you take time to explain what is so innovative about a second screen? Could you name a game that uses the second screen in an innovative way?

There was a good reason people were bashing on the DS, it just doesn't offer any important features - it never really added anything to the Game Boy Advance - other than a difficult to hold design and a screen smaller than the PSP.

The fact that people buy them continues to amaze me to this day. I'm guessing people buy it because while it lacks innovation, it still continues the dominance of the GBA by having tons of games from every publisher and it is proof that you don't have to have an innovative design if you have the support of 3rd party developers/publishers.

In some ways, you could say that the success of the DS shows why the GameCube failed and why the Wii may be hurting a year from now.


Jesus F. Christ! Everyone, look at the above POST! BASK in it's glory....the sheer aura of these statements need to be preserved! These words need to be hammered into huge mountains with a wrecking ball, so the entire world can see!

...

I'm literally breathless here! Please, for the love of god and all that is holy, we need to put this post in a time capsule, so future generations can at least get a GLIMMER of this startling example of 21st century idiocy.

[gojira]

Yeah I don't want to get involved in this penis measuring contest. I bought a DS last week, after much hunting around trying to find one.

There is no one single feature that I can point to that I could call innovative, but overall the design is excellent. It feels good in my hand, the stylus works well, there's plenty of battery life and the screens are bright and easy to read. And the games are fun.

I think sometimes people mistake flash and media hype for true innovation, and over look the appeal of a well executed product. It's like comparing a Toyota to a Ford; there is no comparison.

[AversionFX]

It occurs to me that this is where the argument gets confused for some of you guys. Innovation doesn’t require something to get more complicated, or deep, or anything of that nature. It doesn’t require the ‘need’ for said innovation in order to be innovative.

For instance, how does automatic transmission bring anything ‘new’ to driving? If anything, it takes away from driving, but the key is that it takes away something that people generally don’t want, so it’s a net positive. Automatic transmission isn’t needed in any way, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it was innovative.

With the DS, people don’t want to deal with mapping buttons to actions. In terms of menu driven games like Phoenix Wright, the menu doesn’t require the player to know what moves on the digital pad move to which menu option, or mentally map which button corresponds to a menu option. These are things we dealt with in past games because we had to, just like we had to use manual transmission to drive a car, but just because we liked the games that used these methods doesn’t mean we liked the methods. The DS’s touch-screen allows interaction unrivaled in a console system, and generally better than a mouse, allowing the navigation of such menu driven applications to reduce complication and annoyance to a minimum. Although these games can almost invariably be done without the DS’s innovative features, that doesn’t take away from said innovation (the vast majority of innovations are not, in fact, necessary).

Good post. I, too, have noticed that most of the people at Evil Avatar do not know what "innovative" means. And this post does a really good job of clarifying that, so kudos.

[Adam Blue]

Could you take time to explain what is so innovative about a second screen? Could you name a game that uses the second screen in an innovative way?

There was a good reason people were bashing on the DS, it just doesn't offer any important features - it never really added anything to the Game Boy Advance - other than a difficult to hold design and a screen smaller than the PSP.

It's a fantastic handheld, with a second screen. Not many games extraordianry use of it, but it does make use of it, and it's good. I was a non-believer too, but fuck if this thing isn't any fun. Having a dedicated HUD is one great aspect. Casino/Card/Board(portable games in fucking general) are perfect, along with sports. Any portable should be touch-screen enabled. THAT really makes a handheld a handheld.

In some ways, you could say that the success of the DS shows why the GameCube failed and why the Wii may be hurting a year from now.

The DS is portable and relatively inexpensive. It also has a much better library of games than the gamecube ever had. In regards to the Wii: I don't know why some still look at it in the same light as other consoles. It's its own damn thing. It's a family oriented enertainment device. Much like TiVo is one thing, a DVD player is another, and a game console is another.

[Midda]

Could you take time to explain what is so innovative about a second screen? Could you name a game that uses the second screen in an innovative way?
Could you cry some more? You act like the DS has personally insulted you.

[Hemalin]

It also has a much better library of games than the gamecube ever had.
That is the exact point he is trying to make. The GC had poor 3rd party support and was realativly a failure. The DS has excellent 3rd party support and is a huge success. We'll just have to see about the Wii.

[Xerxes]

Could you take time to explain what is so innovative about a second screen? Could you name a game that uses the second screen in an innovative way?

Well I think the Brain Games and Star Fox didn't play in the sense being overly gimmicky. Needed, no. Then there are games like FF3 that will give way to other games like ASH(by mistwalker) where the second screen gives you a totally different view of things. Something that could help sell to graphic whores and such I guess. I don't know but after getting my DS lite I see tons of room for innovation. Blame Nintendo? No. Developers? Maybe. I remember playing the Ultimate Spider-man game on DS. They just threw in some gimmicky bad controls for the sake of using the stylus. I was thinking why doesn't the Madden give me the option to draw my own plays. That is innovation. Or better yet, make a handle held Okami (ripoff since that's sony's pup).

The DS also bring wifi pokemon. That ain't a bad thing at all.

[DaXIthR]

There was a good reason people were bashing on the DS, it just doesn't offer any important features - it never really added anything to the Game Boy Advance - other than a difficult to hold design and a screen smaller than the PSP.

Now, that's just re-cock-ulous.

Nintendogs. Let me know how well it will work on the GBA. Oh yeah, you don't have to - we have Dogz for that.

Trauma Center
Phoenix Wright
Elite Beat Agents
Metroid Prime: Hunters

Stylus touch-recognition and microphone are huge. If Sony ever releases a PSP2 without both of those features, they'll prove themselves dumber than even I ever thought them.

[lockwoodx]

DS + Wii = WIN

[Tinderbox]

These numbers have no solid backing yet, but I pulled them from where I normally pull my numbers from (Nintendo World Report, formerly PlanetGamecube). Without further adieux:

Supposed January NPD:
Wii 431,550
Nintendo DS 389,901
PlayStation 3 288,636
PlayStation 2 253,456
Xbox 360 217,670
PSP 164,342
Game Boy Advance 146,667
GameCube 28,954
Xbox 1,099

Those aren't the real numbers. If you want to read something hilarious, there's a locked thread on gaf dealing w/ jan npd.

[kokyunage]

These numbers have no solid backing yet, but I pulled them from where I normally pull my numbers from (Nintendo World Report, formerly PlanetGamecube). Without further adieux:

Supposed January NPD:
Wii 431,550
Nintendo DS 389,901
PlayStation 3 288,636
PlayStation 2 253,456
Xbox 360 217,670
PSP 164,342
Game Boy Advance 146,667
GameCube 28,954
Xbox 1,099

Wow, those are pretty impressive numbers for all the nexgen consoles I think. I would have bet that January would have a huge drop off in sales and more doom and gloom theories.

[automaton]

I've never understood Evil's problem with Nintendo. It is like someone from Nintendo killed his puppy when he was a kid or something. He really has to hate the gaming scene right now with Nintendo on top in both console and handheld fronts with LESS powerful hardware.

The DS is really fresh. No, every single game does not use both screens and the touch sensitivity. But enough games use it to make it worth while.

Elite Beat Agents
Brain Age
Big Brain Academy
Metroid Prime Hunters
Kirby Canvas Curse
Advance Wars DS
Hotel Dusk
Meteos

Not a single handheld has been able to keep my attention like the DS and I've owned them all.

[BlackPete]

Could you take time to explain what is so innovative about a second screen? Could you name a game that uses the second screen in an innovative way?

Well let's see here... (taking a look through my DS library):

Nintendogs
Kirby's Canvas Curse
Brain Age
Clubhouse Games
Pac 'n' Roll
Elite Beat Agents

I cannot see how those would be done on the GBA without totally revamping the controls (especially for Kirby).

Then there are the games that benefitted from the touch screen:

Animal Crossing
Meteos
New Super Mario Bros (esp. the mini games)
Hotel Dusk
Phoenix Wright

I could keep going... but then it'd cut into my WoW time.

[OrangePulp]

That is the exact point he is trying to make. The GC had poor 3rd party support and was realativly a failure. The DS has excellent 3rd party support and is a huge success. We'll just have to see about the Wii.

His point being that DS had a lot of third party support because it's predecessor, the GBA, had a lot of third party support. As compared to the PSP, which doesn't have a lot of third party support, and thus less good games to play. In the console world, the positions are reversed (sort of; I think you get what I mean). Of course, the Wii is selling so well, I can't see it being anything but a success.

It's funny seeing how when Evil bashes on the DS (and nintendo in general, I guess? based on what some of you claim) everyone throws a hissy-fit. And yet there's all this sony bashing all over the site (see: Kamalot) and yet no one seems to care.

One of these days, I'm going to pick up a DS, and it will be awesome, because there'll be a ton of great games to play. Hard to believe it's creeping up on total PS2 sales (in japan).

[Adam Blue]

It's funny seeing how when Evil bashes on the DS (and nintendo in general, I guess? based on what some of you claim) everyone throws a hissy-fit. And yet there's all this sony bashing all over the site (see: Kamalot) and yet no one seems to care.


Dude. Sony deserves their bashing. I've had a grudge against them since the release fo the PS2. What a joke it was and it killed off the Dreamcast right away. There's a difference here man. I'm not a big Ninty fan, but they are doing good. Sony on the other hand, they are a sad fucking excuse for a video/console game manufacturer/producer. But we're all too fucking blind to see it, and look at all the fucking shit they get away with. A console shouldn't come out with promises to deliver, it should be delivering right off the bat. But like I said, we've all pussied down to Sony and expect far less from the gaming scene than back in the day.

[Kamalot]

I've never understood Evil's problem with Nintendo.
Evil loves the DS. He just wants everyone to come here and say it out loud. Its a whole reverse-psychology thing. Evil, like your crazy uncle Murphy, wakes up drunk in the corner, shouts something completely ridiculous, and everyone comes out of the woodwork to set things right. Uncle Murphy isn't really crazy, he's just good at pretending.

[phuebarr]

Evil loves the DS. He just wants everyone to come here and say it out loud. Its a whole reverse-psychology thing. Evil, like your crazy uncle Murphy, wakes up drunk in the corner, shouts something completely ridiculous, and everyone comes out of the woodwork to set things right. Uncle Murphy isn't really crazy, he's just good at pretending.

Oh, Uncle Murphy. You are the linchpin that keeps our family together. Christmas just wouldn't be the same without the stench of bourbon and your screaming fever dreams.

[saneman]

It's funny seeing how when Evil bashes on the DS (and nintendo in general, I guess? based on what some of you claim) everyone throws a hissy-fit. And yet there's all this sony bashing all over the site (see: Kamalot) and yet no one seems to care.


It's funny seeing how often people post about how when one "side" is being attacked "everyone" comes to their aid. But when this other "side" is being attacked "everyone" joins in the lynching! And nobody ever rises to their defence, ever. Nobody.

Seriously, to actually have that view, you have to take a fairly selective reading of the site. There's sony bashing all over the site because you want to see Sony bashing all over the site. What makes Kamalot more representative of "the site" than other posters? Maybe if Evil Avatar holds a view that might be considered more representative of "what the site thinks", but then he isn't the only one operating the site, and by far isn't the only one submitting/commenting on news. So there goes that idea.

You know what you're doing when you post something like "And yet there's all this sony bashing all over the site (see: Kamalot) and yet no one seems to care." ? You're 'caring'. You and the other people who post asking why nobody cares. You can sit back and act like the conversation is not something you're a part of and can only comment on from a distance, or you can get in there and represent the view you seem to think is unrepresented.

[31 Flavas]

Now, that's just re-cock-ulous.You don't even have to dignify Evil with a response any more. He just wants to remain ignorant about games that use both screens and/or touch screen.

We've been through this at least 3 times now. Just remember, he also swore up and down on "insider info" that Wii would only sell 1.2 million by the end of 2006.

[Vaginasaurus]

Just remember, he also swore up and down on "insider info" that Wii would only sell 1.2 million by the end of 2006.

This site is fast becoming well known for it's stellar insider information (e.g. Konami, Capcom, etc.) and it's impressive insight into any given console's success.

I say this half-jokingly and half-saddened.

[easi]

Could you take time to explain what is so innovative about a second screen? Could you name a game that uses the second screen in an innovative way?

Hotel Dusk.

BAM! Pwned.

[Achilles]

Could you take time to explain what is so innovative about a second screen? Could you name a game that uses the second screen in an innovative way?

There was a good reason people were bashing on the DS, it just doesn't offer any important features - it never really added anything to the Game Boy Advance - other than a difficult to hold design and a screen smaller than the PSP.

The fact that people buy them continues to amaze me to this day. I'm guessing people buy it because while it lacks innovation, it still continues the dominance of the GBA by having tons of games from every publisher and it is proof that you don't have to have an innovative design if you have the support of 3rd party developers/publishers.

In some ways, you could say that the success of the DS shows why the GameCube failed and why the Wii may be hurting a year from now.I agree with the first paragraph, the dual screen is a pretty useless feature. Essentially it allows for a bit more functional screen real-estate while keeping the clamshell design. However, not that useful for gaming, a larger screen would have allowed the games to do everything they do with the dual screen and been more generally useful as well.

I disagree with the second paragraph; it added a touch screen, which opens up new gameplay possibilities as well as the ability to run application software which we're seeing a lot of in Japan. Of the features that Nintendo haphazardly tossed into the unit, that’s the one that was a good idea and a needed improvement over the GBA. Though keep in mind that it also had built-in wireless, and a better screen than the GBA:SP of the day, which helped it sell in the months before there was any interesting software for it.

It seems Nintendo uses the shotgun approach when making both hardware and software so it's only expected that they're going to end up including, and even basing their initial marketing around features which turn out not to be that interesting.

I’d be curious to hear more on why you think that the success of the DS showed why the Game Cube failed and why the Wii might be hurting a year from now. I’m not quite getting the connection there.

Keep in mind though that the DS was said to be ‘our third pillar’ to run parallel to the GBA line, which wouldn’t be abandoned. The GBA:Micro, which has been a huge flop was their second pillar. So again, shotgun approach; ‘do people want small? Or do they want features in their handheld? Well let’s try both. Oh it looks like they want features.’

[Achilles]

We've been through this at least 3 times now. Just remember, he also swore up and down on "insider info" that Wii would only sell 1.2 million by the end of 2006.Worldwide? Because it sold like 1.1 million in the US, making that number far from wrong.

[MasterKwan]

We have 4-5 DS's here at my house and often buy multiple copy's of the same game (because we hate to share). While I agree with all the good things mentioned about the DS, the "instant off" feature most games have is the best feature for me. Being able to stop a game mid-turn/session is a huge winner for me. I'm never stuck looking for a save point.

[Tohoya]

Keep in mind though that the DS was said to be ‘our third pillar’ to run parallel to the GBA line, which wouldn’t be abandoned. The GBA:Micro, which has been a huge flop was their second pillar. So again, shotgun approach; ‘do people want small? Or do they want features in their handheld? Well let’s try both. Oh it looks like they want features.’

I'm pretty sure the "3rd pillar" was Nintendo covering its ass just in case the DS flopped.

That said, the DS allowed for the best platformer created since super Mario Word: Kirby Canvas Curse. As such, it owns.

[motor]

This thread is a quick example of how much shit people give Sony without it being warranted in the thread. Thanks, Kam, Drakk? and Fits, this behavior is what is bringing the bias image to the site. It wouldn't be bad, but it is in almost every game related thread. Even the ones where Sony is not the focus. :(


Kudos to Nintendo for kicking ass. I am a tiny bit afraid of what the future holds for gaming. It looks like Nintendo might be on to the casual market and the casual market might be exactly where gaming is headed. It's probably a good thing for me because lately I find myself playing flash games and typical house wife games like Bejeweled. It's funny, whenever the question is asked what people are playing, I never even think of those titles as an answer even though I have spent more time with them than I have any other games in the last few months.

Since the DS is relatively easier and cheaper to develop for compared to a console it has a much broader selection of hard-core games (advance wars, * tactics, tons or RPGS, etc...). Handhelds really don't hurt our ability to play hardcore games.

Just wait a gen or two when you can blue-tooth your handheld to your tv! If you're around a tv you have access to, you can play on that, otherwise your portable screen. That along with big increases in the power of handhelds and we'll see if people even buy standard consoles anymore! /hyperbole

[31 Flavas]

Worldwide? Because it sold like 1.1 million in the US, making that number far from wrong.Well, here is the quote I've got from Evil.

"Microsoft will have something like 10 Million sold by the end of the Holiday. Wii will have 1.2 Million and the PS3 only 500,000."

He doesn't specifically say worldwide, but he can't possibly mean 10 million 360 in the US. So I'm assuming worldwide.

The rhetoric was adjusted every so often though. Last I remember, Evil was chastising Nintendo for not shipping 2 million to the US alone by the end of '06. Which I guess means he abandoned his predictions all together.

[Jayo]

Gamegear > DS

[RMan]

I agree with the first paragraph, the dual screen is a pretty useless feature. Essentially it allows for a bit more functional screen real-estate while keeping the clamshell design. However, not that useful for gaming, a larger screen would have allowed the games to do everything they do with the dual screen and been more generally useful as well.
This is not true, the dual screen is a significant positive design feature. Although I’m not saying larger screens wouldn’t be nice, a larger single screen would still require you to be touching that screen. What that would mean for games is that you have a rather large thing (your hand) obscuring a significant portion of the screen-space nearly all the time. The touch-screen allows your hand to be over the touch screen only (as well as get oils and marks only on the TS), and games like Phoenix Wright use it for interface elements while keeping the visual elements that generally draw your eye on the top screen. Technically you could argue that this could be done with a larger screen, it’d still likely need to be a larger, elongated screen so that you had interface space, then visual space.

Even disregarding the cost of a larger touch screen, you then have to consider the ergonomics of the thing. If you had a larger (elongated or not) screen with the touch screen, that means that unlike traditional handhelds you’d still be holding the thing with one hand generally, rather than two. This means that the center of gravity of the machine matters, because fatigue would be more of a factor. If you had a horizontally elongated screen, then you’d have greater fatigue, and a vertically elongated screen wouldn’t be much different than what you have now. Anyway, I think the dual screen and touch screen compliment each other more than you give them credit for, and the overall design of the machine is excellent because of the way these elements are implemented. I think many of you guys are underestimating how elegantly these different design choices come together to make the whole, and how different and possibly inferior the whole would be if these elements were changed.

[Banacek]

I'll tell you this much; this has been the first week I've seen DS's in my area since a week or two before Christmas. People want them, and those sales numbers might not be North America, but we can't be far off.

[Chameleo]

the two screens are very necessary. they serve a very important purpose.

developers can clearly design their games around the two screens. if there was one large screen, there would be no clear cut place to put the interface/hud/map whatever. with the two screens developers can put whatever they want in the second screen/touch screen and toss ideas back and forth as to what to put in the 2nd screen.

now some devs dont come up with much, and the 2 screens just get merged to one (see guilty gear), but other devs split the screens up into two viewpoints (see hotel dusk) or a HUD (see phoenix wright) or something else entirely.

its this throwing of ideas back and forth, these different ideas as to what to fill the 2nd screen with, which breeds the innovation.

nintendo was just the enabler - the devs are the true innovators.

[easi]

nintendo was just the enabler - the devs are the true innovators.

That doesn't make any sense.

[Chameleo]

That doesn't make any sense.

nintendo did not step very far into the realm on "innovation" by adding another screen.

its like adding a 2nd speaker to the TV, or maybe even 3 more speakers! or adding 6 more strings to a guitar! or adding another button to the mouse! or adding another analog stick to the gamepad!

they're all just incremental improvements - what the people who receive this technology DO with it - thats where the innovation comes in....

if nothing had been done with the 2nd screen/mic/touch screen - it probably wouldn't have been hailed as innovation - but good things were done, therefore its innovative.

in this case nintendo was the console designer and developer at the same time (nintendogs/brain age/animal crossing/new smb) and can be regarded as very strong innovators.

[easi]

You're still trying too hard not to give credit where it's due. You're on notice.

[Ultima Thulian]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/392343821_63b3ec32a6_o.gif


Pretty much sums up my thoughts on the DS.

That gif rules. Do you mind if I photobucket it?

[easi]

He didn't make it.

[Ultima Thulian]

He didn't make it.

...good point. But it is so awesome I'd feel bad if I didn't ask someone! :D

[Montgomery_Python]

The only sore spot in my entire DS ownership remains Eragon.

I hope the numbers stay this strong and we (wii?) get strong 3rd party support for years to come!

[DaXIthR]

nintendo did not step very far into the realm on "innovation" by adding another screen.

its like adding a 2nd speaker to the TV, or maybe even 3 more speakers! or adding 6 more strings to a guitar! or adding another button to the mouse! or adding another analog stick to the gamepad!

they're all just incremental improvements - what the people who receive this technology DO with it - thats where the innovation comes in....

if nothing had been done with the 2nd screen/mic/touch screen - it probably wouldn't have been hailed as innovation - but good things were done, therefore its innovative.

If nothing was done, then it would have failed to realize its potential.

I find your argument wanting. At best, it's a Catch 22. Would these games ever be realized without Nintendo's foresight?

Would any hardware developer besides Nintendo ever have thought to make a DS Lite-like system? I don't think so. Look at what any other portable gaming device manufacturer has done...

Game Gear, Lynx, Turbo-Grafx, N-Gage, PSP...

Having developed the GameBoy brand, Nintendo tried to expand the features of its system..and voila!

[Ultima Thulian]

You know...I bet most of those DSs were pink. Valentines and all.

[H.Bogard]

Could you take time to explain what is so innovative about a second screen? Could you name a game that uses the second screen in an innovative way?


Ya can't look at part of the screen when yer pokin' it now can ye, cowboy?

[Achilles]

You know...I bet most of those DSs were pink. Valentines and all.Given that they're Japanese numbers, Valentines day would be the day when girls give chocolate to the guys they like (I believe that's the way it is anyway, and White Day is the reverse but it takes place a month later). Not sure that would be an occation for pink DS giving, though it might be for some guys around here.

[Ultima Thulian]

Given that they're Japanese numbers, Valentines day would be the day when girls give chocolate to the guys they like (I believe that's the way it is anyway, and White Day is the reverse but it takes place a month later). Not sure that would be an occation for pink DS giving, though it might be for some guys around here.

Ah that's right, I forgot they were Japanese numbers. There, it is the other way aorund. Though it is Japan...where even as a male, it is acceptable to have a pink Hello Kitty DS.