archives 2004-10-29 2004-09-23 2004-09-09 2004-09-01 2004-08-26 2004-08-24

I read Craig's thoughts about the DS and PSP's prices. What do you make of it, Matt?

Sony is going for Nintendo's throat. There's really no doubt about that now. My feeling is that Nintendo is in quite a situation because of Sony's move to position PSP at roughly $186 USD in Japan. (By the way, some folks believe that the company may try to go even further and drop the price again to $150 in the US in order to go toe-to-toe with DS). Craig's absolutely right in that gamers are getting a far meatier machine technology-wise with the PSP and I think Nintendo would do wise to recognize that fact. And respond. I'd like to see DS drop to $99 early next year. It's the mass-market price and Nintendo has always been about the mass-market. Meanwhile, if it does that it can still claim a significantly cheaper price as one of the main selling points for its handheld.

We aren't talking about the WonderSwan anymore. Nintendo's going to have some serious competition this time around. It's going to have to get serious, too.

-- Matt

Hey. I know this is kind of a stupid question since it comes with DS, but can people buy Metroid Prime Hunters if they don't get the system? Also, is it just a demo?

The only way to get Metroid Prime: Hunters demo for the time being is to pick up a Nintendo DS. Shouldn't be too difficult given that the game is packed with the system. And yes, it's just a demo, by Nintendo's own admission. It's got a sample single-player level and several multiplayer arenas optimized for two, three and even four-player matches. But you'll have to wait for Q1 of 2005 to get the full version of the game, which is currently under development by the folks at Nintendo Software Technology in Seattle.

-- Matt

Will Madden DS be online?

Nope. None of the DS launch titles will take advantage of the system's WiFi capabilities. Perhaps next year's version of the game will, but I can't say with any amount of certainty at this point in time.

I did contact Chad Paulson, founder of Warp Pipe and head of Demasked, a mystery upstart that could be working on products related to this very question, for further insight. Here's what he had to say:

Gamers must realize that, with any console, things evolve. I wouldn't expect many, if any, first generation DS games to contain any online functionality. What gamers also should realize is that there is a conscious effort to make portable online gaming a reality, and in a bright new context unlike traditional console gaming. This evolution will eventually change the landscape of traditional online gaming as we know it.

-- Matt

Have any Zelda games been confirmed for DS?

Yes. A DS version of Legend of Zelda: Four Swords is under development. Nintendo's own Eiji Aonuma confirmed it back in July. Although no screenshots or videos of the game have yet been released, we do know that it'll expand upon the four-player GameCube title with more connectivity -- wireless, no doubt -- and two-screen play. This should be one of the DS handheld's stand out games. Look out for more next year.

-- Matt

How does the DS battery life compare to the PSP's battery life?
Omega1

Well, it's better, plain and simple. It'll last longer. The DS features a lithium ion battery that delivers from six to 10 hours of play on a four-hour charge. Sony is promising between four and six hours of battery life for PSP and even less than that for graphic intensive games. In a recent Japanese interview, Sony's Ken Kutaragi said about PSP's battery life: "A puzzle game will last longer [than four to six hours, but Ridge Racer will probably be shorter than that."

-- Matt