Mario Kart DS and Trauma Center previews

[TomO]

Pro-G has hands on previews for two upcoming Nintendo DS titles: Mario Kart DS (http://www.pro-g.co.uk/previews/pid/108/77/) and Trauma Center - Under the Knife (http://www.pro-g.co.uk/previews/pid/955/76/).

Mario Kart DS
The game doesn't seem to use the touch screen at all, but the bottom screen is used to display a real-time map of the action. Even in the few races we took part in, the map proved to be very useful, helping us locate other racers behind us and to see what projectiles were being fired in our direction. With touch screen controls probably not being suitable (Ridge Racer DS, we are looking at you), the map is about the best use for the second screen that we could have hoped for.
Trauma Center - Under the Knife
The operation itself is now a bit of a blur, with the pressure of the situation really getting to me. I remember cleaning the wound, cutting into the skin (after marking it first), removing the glass, stopping the bleeding, stitching and dressing the wound and applying a bandage. All of these tasks were performed by selecting the tool from the menu surrounding the patient and then using the stylus. It really was very simple, but when you have a man's life in your hands (or on the end of your stylus), that is a good thing.Both games are set for release later this year and look very promising.

[TrackZero]

Always find it funny when review sites make a big point about the touch screen not being used, or the microphone, or the wireless, or other DS controls. The whole point of the system is that it's open and developers can choose to use or not use anything as is appropriate for their game.

I know Pro-G didn't make a big deal of it for Mario Kart, just stating this as something I often observe (I'm looking at you Gamespot!) and because this thread is so quiet.

[Redline]

Mario... Kart *begins frothing at the mouth*

[Kamalot]

Anyone have more details on release dates or videos of these games?

[netcraazzy]

Is Trauma Center a Japan only realease? I don't see that game doing too well in the US.

[Derwin]

Trauma Center was already released in Japan under the name "Nintendo Dokuta".

[Bone]

With touch screen controls probably not being suitable (Ridge Racer DS, we are looking at you)

Funny, I found the thumb pad controls in Ridge Racer DS gave me much more control than the stylus and D-pad. I guess that's the benefit of having choices?

[Kamalot]

Always find it funny when review sites make a big point about the touch screen not being used, or the microphone, or the wireless, or other DS controls. The whole point of the system is that it's open and developers can choose to use or not use anything as is appropriate for their game.

I shudder to think how other reviews would go for console games that don't use all 4 controller ports, progressive scan or full-screen anti-aliasing. Gawd forbid PC games that don't use every key on the keyboard!

It is silly to berate a game for not using each and every one of a console's features. Games should be judged on if they are fun or not.

[Blue]

Mario Kart might be the title that makes the DS a must-buy for me. I was never that excited about it just because it appeared to be a gimmick machine, but Nintendo is at least proving that they've got some of their triple A titles up their sleeves for the near future. And, as a gamer, it would be stupid for me not to try and get my hands on anything and everything fun. This and Animal Crossing could make me a very happy camper.

[outontheporch]

that junk is gonna be fun wireless

[Rone]

There's a reason people complain about DS games not using the system's featues: If a game doesn't need the DS's unique abilities, it's pointless to release that game on the DS. It makes much more sense to create it for the GBA, which is a much larger market. A DS game can only be played on a DS, but a GBA game can sell to a DS or GBA owner. Why limit your market if your game's design doesn't require a touch screen, two views, or a microphone?

[bobbler]

I miss that Donkey Kong racer game N64 had -- it was so much better than Mario Kart, yet it seems to have been completely ditched...

[jacob.armitage]

diddy kong racing? i thought it was awful.

[Kamalot]

There's a reason people complain about DS games not using the system's featues: If a game doesn't need the DS's unique abilities, it's pointless to release that game on the DS. It makes much more sense to create it for the GBA, which is a much larger market. A DS game can only be played on a DS, but a GBA game can sell to a DS or GBA owner. Why limit your market if your game's design doesn't require a touch screen, two views, or a microphone?
The DS has a lot more power than the GBA. Creating a great game for the DS should be just that, a great game for the DS. Nothing wrong with that.

[trip1eX]

Yeah you forget about the DS being more powerful than the GBA. If you don't consider that then you could also say why would developers create for the 360 and ps3 when the xbox and ps2 have a larger market share?

Hell you could say that regardless.

[bobbler]

diddy kong racing? i thought it was awful.

How so? it was essentially the Mario Kart game that was out at the time plus hovercrafts, planes, and lots more secret stuff. It also had far better tracks. Of course the game did come out after it, but it was still head and toes above it in terms of actual content.

[Kamalot]

...why would developers create for the 360 and ps3 when the xbox and ps2 have a larger market share?
Good point!

[DriveALW]

Yeah, I'm sick of PS2 games that don't use *both* analog sticks *and* the 'click' function of said sticks! Lazy developers! And what about those unused USB 2.0 ports? God of War, I'm looking at you! Worst game EVAR!

[Kamalot]

Yeah, I'm sick of PS2 games that don't use *both* analog sticks *and* the 'click' function of said sticks! Lazy developers! And what about those unused USB 2.0 ports? God of War, I'm looking at you! Worst game EVAR!
Or games that don't use the analog button mechanics on the Xbox or PS2?! I mean COME ON!

As you can see, the whole argument for not utilizing the new features of a console fall flat. A good game is a good game, even if they don't take full advantage of the specialized features of a console.

[Rone]

If you don't consider that then you could also say why would developers create for the 360 and ps3 when the xbox and ps2 have a larger market share?
Slight difference there. The 360 and PS3 are meant to replace the old systems (eventually), so of course you'd want to move on to making games for the newer consoles. The DS is supposed to be a "third pillar" for Nintendo, meaning that it coexists with the GBA, not supplants it. If a game doesn't require the DS's special features, why not make it a GBA game? That way you target two active systems instead of limiting yourself to just one (and the smaller market of the two, at that).

I did forget to mention in the other post that the DS has more power, true. But if you're making a 2D game on the DS and not using the system's features, it makes more sense rewrite it as a GBA game instead. With a 3D game, you're right. The GBA can't handle nearly as many polygons.

Don't misunderstand here. I've had a DS since the US launch. I'm just waiting for games that will really justify that purchase. But my point here is that the DS + GBA make a special situation: simultaneous systems that use the same cartridges. It wouldn't be as much of an issue if the DS couldn't play GBA games. Of course, if that were true, I'd be dusting mine off now for the first time this year (Kirby is fun, by the way).

[Kamalot]

I did forget to mention in the other post that the DS has more power, true. But if you're making a 2D game on the DS and not using the system's features, it makes more sense rewrite it as a GBA game instead. With a 3D game, you're right. The GBA can't handle nearly as many polygons.
Sounds to me like Mario Kart on the DS takes advantage of the hardware.

3D tracks and Wi-Fi play?

Oh Yeah!

[TrackZero]

Slight difference there. The 360 and PS3 are meant to replace the old systems (eventually), so of course you'd want to move on to making games for the newer consoles. The DS is supposed to be a "third pillar" for Nintendo, meaning that it coexists with the GBA, not supplants it. If a game doesn't require the DS's special features, why not make it a GBA game? That way you target two active systems instead of limiting yourself to just one (and the smaller market of the two, at that).

I did forget to mention in the other post that the DS has more power, true. But if you're making a 2D game on the DS and not using the system's features, it makes more sense rewrite it as a GBA game instead. With a 3D game, you're right. The GBA can't handle nearly as many polygons.

Don't misunderstand here. I've had a DS since the US launch. I'm just waiting for games that will really justify that purchase. But my point here is that the DS + GBA make a special situation: simultaneous systems that use the same cartridges. It wouldn't be as much of an issue if the DS couldn't play GBA games. Of course, if that were true, I'd be dusting mine off now for the first time this year (Kirby is fun, by the way).

Good points. That's a question to ask developers. However I still can't hold it against a game review just because certain features were left out. Hell, bare-bones you've got 2 screens and every game for the DS has them in use (with varying degrees of importance on the 2nd screen). Using the touch-screen feature is optional. Otherwise they'd have called the system the Nintendo TS. ;)

[mister_slim]

I did forget to mention in the other post that the DS has more power, true. But if you're making a 2D game on the DS and not using the system's features, it makes more sense rewrite it as a GBA game instead. With a 3D game, you're right. The GBA can't handle nearly as many polygons.

Don't misunderstand here. I've had a DS since the US launch. I'm just waiting for games that will really justify that purchase. But my point here is that the DS + GBA make a special situation: simultaneous systems that use the same cartridges. It wouldn't be as much of an issue if the DS couldn't play GBA games. Of course, if that were true, I'd be dusting mine off now for the first time this year (Kirby is fun, by the way).

The GBA has only very limited polygon capabilities. Look at the difference between Mario Kart (SNES) and Mario Kart 64. It may not seem like it, but MK64 uses 3D track layouts quite a bit. As far as the DS is concerned, there is already a GBA Mario Kart, and there's really not a lot they can add to justify another GBA MK. Also, the GBA doesn't have built in wi-fi.

[Rommel]

At this point, I would much rather have some regular old games rather than these silly touch toys that have been coming out. Draw the pacman! Yeah, swell.

[TrackZero]

Remember our EA slogan folks, "don't feed the trolls".

[mister_slim]

Remember our EA slogan folks, "don't feed the trolls".
I thought it was "devour the trolls". I guess I've been doing this all wrong.