Happy Birthday Nintendo DS!

[Kamalot]

One year ago today, Nintendo unleashed a bizarre little creation upon an unsuspecting world, the Nintendo DS.

The DS threw convention to the wind on a good number of fronts. It was the first system from Japanese developers to launch outside of Japan. It was the first game console with Wi-Fi, a built-in microphone, a touch screen and two displays.

Many claimed that this was the end of the road for Nintendo in the face of Sony’s looming juggernaut, the PSP; that the DS was nothing but a gimmick and could never be a real game system. Yet over the past year, something happened. Sony’s PSP that was supposed to take handheld gaming out of the ghetto (http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3142637&did=1), never picked up steam.

In fact, in the year since launch, the Nintendo DS has been pushing boundaries in all directions. It inspires non-gamers to try something new (http://games.kikizo.com/news/200510/034.asp) with games like Brain Training for Adults and Nintendogs. It provides a home to great traditional types of games such as Castlevania (http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/castlevaniads) and Advance Wars (http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/advancewarsdualstrike). The DS even forges ahead with a unified online gaming service, the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection launching Mario Kart into the stratosphere.

In the face of all the opposition presented by gaming magazines and blogs, somehow the Nintendo DS has come out on top in the first year. Only time will tell what next year will look like, but if current trends (http://nintendo.about.com/library/ipodpsp/blipodpsp1.htm) and upcoming titles (http://www.ga-forum.com/showthread.php?t=70449) are any indication, the DS is here to stay.

What are your favorite things about the Nintendo DS' first year and what are you most looking forward to before the DS turns 2? If you haven't already, check out this MONDO LIST OF UPCOMING GAMES (http://www.ga-forum.com/showthread.php?t=70449)!

Happy Birthday Nintendo DS!

[xxBlackCrossxx]

Feel The Magic 2, I love the first one. Very unique and hilarious. Also, I would love a kick ass sequel to Metroid Pinball. Hunters looks fun as well. Meteos is fun as hell as well as mario kart. I play this little thing more than my pc and console.

[UnderHero5]

Well, I actually bought a PSP on launch and later bought a DS. I gotta say I play my DS a hell of a lot more than my PSP. I don't really care about the media features of the PSP, I was looking forward to great games on it. While it did launch with some very decent titles, there's literally been nothing of interest to me since then. Burnout Legends came close, but I had already played the hell out of all the previous Burnouts and Revenge came out at the same time, so I got that instead.

Been having a great time with my DS. Nintendongs, Yoshi's Touch and Molest, Meteos, an recently Mario Kart, just to name a few of the games I own and play on it. It's a virtual playground of sexual delights!

Seriously though. I love my DS. I honestly didn't think I would like it much when I bought it, but I had to have it for ElectroPlankton and Animal Crossing (imported ElectroPlankton)... since then I have discovered some truly fun games on the thing.
Best of all, I'm not afraid to bring it out of my house, like I am with my PSP. I'm so paranoid of breaking my fragile PSP (even in it's Logitech case) I rarely muster the courage to bring it out with me. My DS goes to my friends house with me, and I've even brought it to work a few times and kept it in my pocket while doing heavy lifting.

Overall it's not the perfect handheld, but I'd say it's damn close. It does what I want it to do (plays games) and it does it well. I don't care so much about graphics. I was excited about the PSP at the time because I've never much liked the standard portable games (the classic sidescrollers. etc) and I was excited to have "next gen" portable games. The PSP so far has been a big let down for me and I've considered selling it on a few occasions. Then I remember Worms and Lemmings are coming out for it and I smile : )

But yeah, I enjoy my DS more on the whole. I think the PSP could be great if some decent games came out for it.

I also like the fact that there are no load times on the DS. That really gets in the way when playing the PSP if you're just looking for a quick fix.

I'm looking forward to Animal Crossing the most in the upcoming year (well, a few weeks!). After that I haven't really looked into what's coming out.
I'll be picking up Animal Crossing, Mario and Luigi 2, and possibly the new Mario sidescroller when it comes out. Other than that, not sure what's coming out.
As for my PSP, as of right now there's still only Worms and Lemmings to look forward to. Hopefully that will change soon. Worms better have online play, hehe.

Edit: Oh yeah, forgot about Metroid Prime: Hunters. I'll be getting that too.

[Heretic Machine]

I think my favorite thing was playing Mario Kart against a friend last week...

[dr_wily]

nice the one and only kamalot

love your blog dude.

[Double T]

I love my PSP. I really have no interested in a DS, but my sister wants one for Xmas, so I'll probably pick up one for her.

I for one love the media possibilites of the PSP, I already have 3 different DVD's on my PSP and I love it. Plus when I play a game on it (NBA or GTA) I don't feel like I'm playing a handheld. I feel like I'm playing a console. No other handheld has ever done that for me. That is huge in my book. The Graphics are amazing and the things you can do with it are crazy. It was money (and trade ins) well spent.

[DaXIthR]

Happy birthday, indeed.

I play the hell out of my friend's DS. As hard as it's becoming, I am going to persevere and wait until the redesign issue is available.

[Cubfan]

Bought a DS on a whim when I happened to see one left in stock at Costco the second or third day of release. I really enjoyed the Mario 64 port, but wasn't impressed with much else until this fall, when the releases started pouring in. I've had a lot of fun with it since.

I'm still a little iffy on the touch screen though. It's been implemented well in a handful of games, but in most others it's utilized via some tacked on gameplay element that doesn't quite work or add much to the overall experience. Though I will say when the touchscreen interface is incorporated succesfully into a game, I've enjoyed it immensely (i.e. Kirby, which I thought was excellent)

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I really, really, really want one of these babies, but I need to hold off for a few more months. Hopefully by then a redesign comes out - I'd hate to buy it and have them release a better version shortly thereafter.

My biggest fear is that I will miss out on some titles. I bought the original GBA on launch day (June 15th baby!) but missed a few games because I held off on getting them for too long, and then they were just gone. Damn handhelds and their limited runs!

[Bydo_Empire]

The DS is the first handheld system I've really thoroughly enjoyed, and I'm glad to see it doing well. It's given me an awful lot of entertainment over the last six months or so (didn't get one until Kirby & Meteos). I would like to see a redesigned DS that's lighter and more comfortable to hold, but the stellar games make it worth a few hand cramps here and there. :)

[Kagger]

I never owned a GBA, so the fact that it was also a GBA was a huge bonus for me.

I just love the machine. It gave me an opportunity to play Super Mario 64, and I think games like Mario and Luigi will be a blast once I finally get around to playing them (gotta beat the first first). It's just an ingenious little machine, and games like Meteos that take advantage of it are just awesome.

I want Final Fantasy 3 next year. For Christmas this year I have Mario Kart on my list.

[Imelman]

I traditionally don't like handhelds at all but I'm looking foward to picking up a DS around Christmas. The press has just been to good for me to ignore it.

I really, really, really want one of these babies, but I need to hold off for a few more months. Hopefully by then a redesign comes out - I'd hate to buy it and have them release a better version shortly thereafter.

Don't worry, I'll buy it soon and then they'll release the redesign right after I get mine as is what usually happens to me.

[Chagrinful]

Mario Kart DS is amazingly fun, I'm thinking of maybe getting another game soon, is the sonic one worth the money? Either that or SM64 ds, I love mine Wallymart is supposed to get the wifi ds thingy here but they've still yet to arrive :/ so its a waiting game.

[Kamalot]

If you think about it, the redesign won't come for a while. The system has been out 1 year. At the 2 year mark, they MAY sell a redesign, but more likely, you'll see a new GBA before the redesigned DS. Don't let the redesign keep you from all of the great games.

This is a $150 gaming extravaganza, not a $400 Xbox 360. It isn't like if you wait, you'll get one with an HDDVD player. If a year from now, they DO release a DS with a new design, sell your old one, or give it to a nephew who is too poor to afford a DS. Then kick his ass over Wi-Fi. ;-)

[pacmanfever]

Advance Wars DS is an obsession for me. It's one of the best games I've ever played. I don't see it coming out of my DS until Animal Crossing is released.

[MaiXu]

Happy Birthday Nintendo DS!

Gotta say, I was a huge skeptic about the DS. Still am, in many ways, in that I feel it's a step backward for Nintendo, ONLY in the sense that it didn't implement some kind of analog stick.

But other than that, I gotta say, I am impressed as hell with the machine. I personally don't own one, but I have played extensivly on my brother's. A lot of really interesting games that could never be done on another system (Canvas Curse), a lot of great games that probably could but benefit from the DS's horsepower ... shit, I'm going out of my way to buy Metroid: Fusion and Metroid: Zero Mission, just to play on the DS, so it's opening me up to some GBA classics that I missed.

And Mario Kart online is just so right!!![B]

Just when I thought Nintendo had finally lost it with the DS, it goes and trumps the PSP where it counts: games.

I'm forced to keep an open mind now about the Revolution and its controller. We'll see if lightening can strike again for the Big N.

[jacktion]

The DS is kicking my ass. It is having an amazing fall. Mario Kart ds has got so much value built into it. I've been playing online with fools and have had some really good competition.
Animal Crossing looks like a must-buy. You can send emails to friends who are not currently connected so it basically has its own email protocol. Messaging on the go!
The 3d remake of Final Fantasy looks amazing.
Sonic 3d has been called the best sonic 2d game yet.
Mario and Luigi 2 is looking fun.
Castlevania was one of the best.
Metroid, Hunters is looking like a close cousin of the GC version. And online deathmatches?!
I was skeptical when this system came out but I am loving it. There are TOO many good games for it. My wallet cannot handle it. But I guess that is a good problem to have.

oh yeah, Advance Wars DS? Get it.

[The Iron Weasel]

I got the DS a PSP for its birthday...should I not have done that?

[Dabombpizza]

I got the DS a PSP for its birthday...should I not have done that?
That's fine. I'm sure it will enjoy watching movies, listening to mp3s, and emulating the NES.

[Kamalot]

I got the DS a PSP for its birthday...should I not have done that?
Only do that if you are ready for the guilty feeling of neglecting an expensive shiny screen due to lack of compelling games.

[Carnisaur]

Happy birthday, indeed.

I play the hell out of my friend's DS. As hard as it's becoming, I am going to persevere and wait until the redesign issue is available.

I wouldn't count on a redesign. I mean, there really isn't much you can do considering the screens have to be on top of eachother than a clamshell design, and it can't really get much saller. The sharp edges annoy me but I don't think they'll redesign it just for that.

[Metal Jesus]

I own the DS...and really tried to get into games like Feel the Tragic and Mario 64, but those just aren't the kind of games I want to play. Hopefully something will come out soon for it that will actually prompt me to open the wallet.

(Back to SOCOM on the PSP)

[divinechaos]

I got mine at launch, and i gotta say, i was about to trade it back. After a year it began to get really good games. Im glad i kept it, best decision ever. I Love my DS.

[The Iron Weasel]

I got mine at launch, and i gotta say, i was about to trade it back. After a year it began to get really good games. Im glad i kept it, best decision ever. I Love my DS.

You love your DS!?!?! I never would have thought dsfreak87. :D

[Xaerin]

I wouldn't count on a redesign. I mean, there really isn't much you can do considering the screens have to be on top of eachother than a clamshell design, and it can't really get much saller. The sharp edges annoy me but I don't think they'll redesign it just for that.

If Nintendo have taught us anything it's that you can always make existing devices progressively smaller.

[Phades]

Seriously though. I love my DS. I honestly didn't think I would like it much when I bought it, but I had to have it for ElectroPlankton and Animal Crossing (imported ElectroPlankton)... since then I have discovered some truly fun games on the thing.


Not knocking the DS at all but I find that line hilarious. How many things do you purchase that you don't think you're going to like?

[valkyrie_cs]

ah the DS: our relationship started out so tentatively, I'd never gone out with a console so ugly and awkward before, you had all the right buttons and a beautiful display, but it was sometimes painful holding you for long. You tended to give me cramps in bad places and there wasn't much we could do together. I tried to communicate to you but it seemed you were'nt listening to anything I said/yelled. I even tried writing you some poems and drawing you some rude things... it was fun for a while of course... then I bought MarioDS... who knew you had that in you, you responded to every slight caress of the pen, you blossomed into a heady delight of sensual wonder.. ok I'll stop now !

Best DS Games Ever (actually the top ten on gamerankings is a great list):

1. Mario Kart DS 92.5%
2. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow 90.7%
3. Advance Wars: Dual Strike 90.5%
4. Meteos 88.8%
5. Kirby: Canvas Curse 88.6%
6. Super Mario 64 DS 86.3%
7. Nintendogs: Labrador and Friends 85.1%
10. WarioWare: Touched! 83.0%

Apart from the appearance in 7-9 of Nintendogs and the underating of MarioDS that list is must have must buy gaming goodness... I'm really looking forward to some of the Japanese RPG's being mentioned but I really think that the Metroid game will be amazing. My dream game not being made would be Paper Mario DS.

[Dabombpizza]

I wouldn't count on a redesign. I mean, there really isn't much you can do considering the screens have to be on top of eachother than a clamshell design, and it can't really get much saller. The sharp edges annoy me but I don't think they'll redesign it just for that.
I disagree. The DS is freakin' ugly to look at. I mean, if you look at the big sections of unused space to the top left and right of the top screeen, and ugly space bottom left and right, not to mentio bulky. I wouldn't suprised to see a DS:SP, prbly in a couple years. Oh, and it hurts my giant panda hands when I play because they get cramped (I was one of the few people that like the original xbox controller). Maybe they'll have DS:Ergo.

Oh, and I'm not ripping on my lovely DS, I think it's amazing. Currently I play more games on it than anything else, just love it.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I love my DS, it's pretty much my only gaming platform that is in constant use. Quick fixes are all I ever seem to need lately and it's perfect.

[Jazzercide]

regarding the redesign, at least the screen has got to stay the same size since that affects gameplay; It would be a controller redesign. If they do it I hope they make it easier to hold in 1 hand, meaning bigger maybe.

Anyway, it wouldn't be an sp-type difference.

[outontheporch]

The only psp games ive really enjoyed have been metal gear acid and MVP 2005. GTA is alright.

For DS, I love nintendogs, mario 64, nanostray (even though it was hecka short), pheonix wright, and mariokart. And the list of games comming out is nuts. I really want to play advance wars as well.

[Spigot]

The second I find one of these things used or when the price drops, I'm getting one. There are far too many offbeat and interesting games that I haven't been able to play because of my lack of DS ownership. I am very glad to hear that the DS is actually hitting its stride now.

[mister_slim]

My dream game not being made would be Paper Mario DS.
It's called Mario & Luigi 2.

[Nessus]

Y'know, I never thought I'd say it, but I don't really have time for console games anymore. But I play my DS quite a bit, especially now that Mario Kart is out. It seems the bite-size play sessions handhelds are designed for fit well within my schedule.

Another thing I absolutely love about the DS is that it is taking up the GBA's torch and continuing 2D games well into 2007 and beyond.

[Harlan Hoyt]

I haven't bought a DS game since Lost In Blue (ah, lovely grad student pay ... how I loathe you), but I can't wait to pick up Metroid Pinball and MarioKart DS, which looks awesome. Oh sweet, December 1st, you glorious payday ... I love you so.

But seriously, by the way, with all the DS love being tossed around here, you guys should check out Lost In Blue. I think it's one of the best games out there for the DS. The discovery and exploration are a total blast. If you like adventure games at all, it's well worth checking out.