wraggster
May 10th, 2006, 20:54
via cvg (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=139436)
While everyone's focus was firmly on the unveiling of the Wii and its games at this year's Nintendo media event here at E3, the company still managed to unleash a torrent of information on brand new games heading to its DS handheld over the coming months and further. Surprisingly, despite the quality on show, Nintendo didn't do much in the way of trumpeting their arrival, so it's entirely possibly you missed some of the gems buried in all that Wii hyperbole.
For your procrastinating pleasure, we've selected the very cream of the crop in our DS round-up below - you'll find all the information we currently know about these new games, alongside all the screens Nintendo has made available so far. Without further ado, let's get rolling!
Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol
Release: TBA
Type: Adventure
Players: 1-2
Developer: Skip
Eschewing the Sanderson household found in the brilliant GameCube game, this follow-up sees the diminuitive chore-bot taking to the great outdoors. Apparently, playground equipment is mysteriously vanishing and evil monsters have transformed the local flora into something unsavoury. It's up to you to restore the park to its former glory.
Apparently, you'll be able to ride buggies, cars and boats across lawns and ponds this time around, as well as using your squirter to vanquish foes, dance around to reinvigorate the plant life and build playground equipment to cheer everyone up.
Clubhouse Games
Release: Q4 2006
Type: Card, Board and Leisure games
Players: 1-8 (via Wi-fi Connection, DS Download Play or Multi-Card Play)
Developer: Agenda
This looks like one of those non-gamer games Nintendo's been churning out lately. Apparently, there's over 20 classic board, card and party games at your disposal - including checkers, darts, poker, bowling, backgammon, bridge and billiards. There's multiplayer functionality for up to eight players via online or DS to DS and it features a PictoChat-style conversation interface. Probably won't be top of your list, this one, but we thought we'd share anyway.
Custom Robo Arena
Release: Q4 2006
Type: Action RPG
Players: 1-2 (via DS Download Play, DS Multi Card Play and Wi-fi Connection)
Developer: Noise
Custom Robo comes to DS with Wi-fi Connection support! You'll explore a sci-fi universe in your bid to win the Custom Robo champonship, acquiring new parts and weapons for your Robos on your way. Nintendo says there are literally millions of possible part combinations available and you'll use the touchscreen to customise your charges. There's one-to-one multiplayer available too, either online or via DS LAN.
Diddy Kong Racing DS
Release: TBA
Type: Racing
Players: TBA
Developer: TBA
A bit of a mystery this one, thanks to a lack of official fact sheet. Although it's clearly based on the excellent Rare-developed N64 game, it's unclear if this is a simple port or a brand new racer featuring the most annoying monkey in the world. Either way, it looks like we can expect multiplayer action, including Mario Kart-style online racing.
DK: King of Swing DS
Release: TBA
Type: Action
Players: 1-4 (via DS LAN and Download Play)
Developer: Paon
By the sounds of it, this one's pretty much the same as King of Swing on the GBA - this time though, the pole swinging action is spread across both screens, meaning you'll have more play area to monkey around in. Apparently, there's a new sub-character, new moves, items and mini-games and you can go head-to-head with your mates in 1-4 player challenges via DS Download Play and DS LAN. Characters here, if you're interested, are Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong and Funky Kong.
DS Air
Release: TBA
Type: Flight Simulation
Players: 1-4 (via DS LAN and Wi-fi Connection TBC)
Developer: Nintendo
Hell's Bells! It's a realistic flight sim for DS developed by Nintendo, this one. It says you play a team of elite strike fighters here, and it's your job to bring down a mad dictator intent on taking over the world. You can customise your fighters with state of the art weapons, dogfight over land and sea and play co-operatively via DS LAN and online.
Elite Beat Agents
Release: Q4 2006
Type: Rhythm Action
Players: 1-4 (via DS Download Play)
Developer: iNiS
Okay, brace yourselves here. It's Ouenden, but not as you know it. It seems the absolutely amazing rhythm action title has undergone a complete overhaul for western audiences. The team of ninja cheerleaders from the Japanese version has been turned into secret-agent types (called Kahn, Derek, Morris and J, tentatively) and it looks like all the original situations, artwork and music has been redone as well. We can't say we much like the stuff we've seen - but as least the addictive underlying gameplay has been left in tact. Nintendo says you'll be able to assist a lost dog in finding his way home and help a babysitter charm her hunky football playing friend - we'd rather make pots and save the world from giant rats but hey.
Hotel Dusk: Room 215
Release: Q4 2006
Type: Graphic Adventure
Players: 1
Developer: Cing
The second DS from Cing, the team behind Another Code sees players taking on the roll of Kyle Hyde, an ex-cop turned salesman trying to track down a missing friend in 1979 Los Angeles. Apparently, you'll find yourself led to an old hotel with a strange room where wishes are granted - presumably the Room 215 of the title, eh? Holding the DS like a book, you'll use the touchscreen to question characters, search for clues and solve puzzle. We loved the old-skool charms of Another Code, so we're hoping for good things with this one.
Kirby
Release: TBA
Type: Action
Players: 1-4 (via DS LAN and Download Play)
Developer: HAL
Kirby's back on DS and this time you're looking for a strawberry shortcake thief, of all things. The pink one's floating, jumping and battling action is back, but his copying abilities have been massively upped - you'll be able to mix and match copy abilities using the stylus to drag them together on the touchscreen and these will all have an effect on your environments as well as your enemies. Trees and grass can be burned with the Fire ability and the Ice ability freezes water - there's probably a bunch more, but Nintendo isn't telling right now. Finally, there's also a sub-game mode where you'll be able to battle up to four friends.
Magical Vacation
Release: Q4 2006
Type: RPG
Players: 1 in single-player mode, 1-6 in multiplayer dungeons
Developer: Brownie Brown
We heard about this one ages ago back on the GBA and wondered where it had gone. It seems developer Brownie Brown has been fashioning its RPG into a new DS game where you'll explore strange planets in your hunt for your teacher at Will O' Wisp magical academy. Apparently, the stylus is used to control everything, including combat, conversation and outfitting allies. There's also a special dungeon to explore with up to five friends wirelessly, where unending challenges and incredible awards are yours for the taking.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Release: September 25
Type: Action Puzzle
Players: TBA
Developer: NST
It's the sequel to the engaging GBA puzzler, but this time there's a twist. Instead of hunting for Mini Marios, you'll be guiding them around stages and obstables using the stylus - which sounds a bit Pikmin-y to us. Interestingly, although ultimately probably not integral to the gameplay, Pauline - the original damsel in distress from Donkey Kong - is back, giving Peach a well-deserved break from all that kidnapping malarky.
Nintendo says you'll be able to create your own maps using the level editor and share them via the Wi-fi Connection service. There's also a player-ranking system in the works too. Super.
Star Fox DS
Release: August 21
Type: Sci-Fi Space Shooter
Players: 1-8 (via DS LAN and Download Play), 1-4 (via Wi-fi Connection)
Developer: Q-Games/Nintendo
Hooray! Star Fox is back! Hopefully too, this will lay the horrible memories of Rare's Star Fox Adventures and Namco's Star Fox Assault to rest forever. From what we've seen, it looks at least on par as the brilliant N64 version visually and Nintendo's promising new strategic elements with a commander's view of missions. You can use the touchscreen to draw the routes you and your teammates take, then battle through enemies, storm bases and advance through the map. There's also a promised multiplayer component using both LAN play and Nintendo's online service.
Tenchu: Dark Secret
Release: August 21
Type: Stealth Action
Players: 1-2 (via Wi-fi Connection and DS LAN)
Developer: From Software
You're a ninja assassin and you've got to protect the princess! You'll stalk enemies, sword fight, plant explosive traps in the shrubbery and use your formidable arsenal to overcome the odds. There're more than 40 single-player missions and you can build your own weapons and items. What's more, there's LAN-based multiplayer missions across three modes and you'll be able to buy, sell and trade items via the Nintendo Connection service.
Yoshi's Island 2
Release: Q4 2006
Type: Platformer
Players: TBA
Developer: Nintendo
Well, this one took us by complete surprise. It's the sequel to one of the finest platformers ever made and it's coming to a DS near you at the end of this year. This time around you'll get to play as Baby Mario, Baby Donkey Kong and Baby Peach - each giving your Yoshi special abilities. The platform action will be spread across both screens - a bit like Sonic Rush - and it's looking lovely.
While everyone's focus was firmly on the unveiling of the Wii and its games at this year's Nintendo media event here at E3, the company still managed to unleash a torrent of information on brand new games heading to its DS handheld over the coming months and further. Surprisingly, despite the quality on show, Nintendo didn't do much in the way of trumpeting their arrival, so it's entirely possibly you missed some of the gems buried in all that Wii hyperbole.
For your procrastinating pleasure, we've selected the very cream of the crop in our DS round-up below - you'll find all the information we currently know about these new games, alongside all the screens Nintendo has made available so far. Without further ado, let's get rolling!
Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol
Release: TBA
Type: Adventure
Players: 1-2
Developer: Skip
Eschewing the Sanderson household found in the brilliant GameCube game, this follow-up sees the diminuitive chore-bot taking to the great outdoors. Apparently, playground equipment is mysteriously vanishing and evil monsters have transformed the local flora into something unsavoury. It's up to you to restore the park to its former glory.
Apparently, you'll be able to ride buggies, cars and boats across lawns and ponds this time around, as well as using your squirter to vanquish foes, dance around to reinvigorate the plant life and build playground equipment to cheer everyone up.
Clubhouse Games
Release: Q4 2006
Type: Card, Board and Leisure games
Players: 1-8 (via Wi-fi Connection, DS Download Play or Multi-Card Play)
Developer: Agenda
This looks like one of those non-gamer games Nintendo's been churning out lately. Apparently, there's over 20 classic board, card and party games at your disposal - including checkers, darts, poker, bowling, backgammon, bridge and billiards. There's multiplayer functionality for up to eight players via online or DS to DS and it features a PictoChat-style conversation interface. Probably won't be top of your list, this one, but we thought we'd share anyway.
Custom Robo Arena
Release: Q4 2006
Type: Action RPG
Players: 1-2 (via DS Download Play, DS Multi Card Play and Wi-fi Connection)
Developer: Noise
Custom Robo comes to DS with Wi-fi Connection support! You'll explore a sci-fi universe in your bid to win the Custom Robo champonship, acquiring new parts and weapons for your Robos on your way. Nintendo says there are literally millions of possible part combinations available and you'll use the touchscreen to customise your charges. There's one-to-one multiplayer available too, either online or via DS LAN.
Diddy Kong Racing DS
Release: TBA
Type: Racing
Players: TBA
Developer: TBA
A bit of a mystery this one, thanks to a lack of official fact sheet. Although it's clearly based on the excellent Rare-developed N64 game, it's unclear if this is a simple port or a brand new racer featuring the most annoying monkey in the world. Either way, it looks like we can expect multiplayer action, including Mario Kart-style online racing.
DK: King of Swing DS
Release: TBA
Type: Action
Players: 1-4 (via DS LAN and Download Play)
Developer: Paon
By the sounds of it, this one's pretty much the same as King of Swing on the GBA - this time though, the pole swinging action is spread across both screens, meaning you'll have more play area to monkey around in. Apparently, there's a new sub-character, new moves, items and mini-games and you can go head-to-head with your mates in 1-4 player challenges via DS Download Play and DS LAN. Characters here, if you're interested, are Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong and Funky Kong.
DS Air
Release: TBA
Type: Flight Simulation
Players: 1-4 (via DS LAN and Wi-fi Connection TBC)
Developer: Nintendo
Hell's Bells! It's a realistic flight sim for DS developed by Nintendo, this one. It says you play a team of elite strike fighters here, and it's your job to bring down a mad dictator intent on taking over the world. You can customise your fighters with state of the art weapons, dogfight over land and sea and play co-operatively via DS LAN and online.
Elite Beat Agents
Release: Q4 2006
Type: Rhythm Action
Players: 1-4 (via DS Download Play)
Developer: iNiS
Okay, brace yourselves here. It's Ouenden, but not as you know it. It seems the absolutely amazing rhythm action title has undergone a complete overhaul for western audiences. The team of ninja cheerleaders from the Japanese version has been turned into secret-agent types (called Kahn, Derek, Morris and J, tentatively) and it looks like all the original situations, artwork and music has been redone as well. We can't say we much like the stuff we've seen - but as least the addictive underlying gameplay has been left in tact. Nintendo says you'll be able to assist a lost dog in finding his way home and help a babysitter charm her hunky football playing friend - we'd rather make pots and save the world from giant rats but hey.
Hotel Dusk: Room 215
Release: Q4 2006
Type: Graphic Adventure
Players: 1
Developer: Cing
The second DS from Cing, the team behind Another Code sees players taking on the roll of Kyle Hyde, an ex-cop turned salesman trying to track down a missing friend in 1979 Los Angeles. Apparently, you'll find yourself led to an old hotel with a strange room where wishes are granted - presumably the Room 215 of the title, eh? Holding the DS like a book, you'll use the touchscreen to question characters, search for clues and solve puzzle. We loved the old-skool charms of Another Code, so we're hoping for good things with this one.
Kirby
Release: TBA
Type: Action
Players: 1-4 (via DS LAN and Download Play)
Developer: HAL
Kirby's back on DS and this time you're looking for a strawberry shortcake thief, of all things. The pink one's floating, jumping and battling action is back, but his copying abilities have been massively upped - you'll be able to mix and match copy abilities using the stylus to drag them together on the touchscreen and these will all have an effect on your environments as well as your enemies. Trees and grass can be burned with the Fire ability and the Ice ability freezes water - there's probably a bunch more, but Nintendo isn't telling right now. Finally, there's also a sub-game mode where you'll be able to battle up to four friends.
Magical Vacation
Release: Q4 2006
Type: RPG
Players: 1 in single-player mode, 1-6 in multiplayer dungeons
Developer: Brownie Brown
We heard about this one ages ago back on the GBA and wondered where it had gone. It seems developer Brownie Brown has been fashioning its RPG into a new DS game where you'll explore strange planets in your hunt for your teacher at Will O' Wisp magical academy. Apparently, the stylus is used to control everything, including combat, conversation and outfitting allies. There's also a special dungeon to explore with up to five friends wirelessly, where unending challenges and incredible awards are yours for the taking.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Release: September 25
Type: Action Puzzle
Players: TBA
Developer: NST
It's the sequel to the engaging GBA puzzler, but this time there's a twist. Instead of hunting for Mini Marios, you'll be guiding them around stages and obstables using the stylus - which sounds a bit Pikmin-y to us. Interestingly, although ultimately probably not integral to the gameplay, Pauline - the original damsel in distress from Donkey Kong - is back, giving Peach a well-deserved break from all that kidnapping malarky.
Nintendo says you'll be able to create your own maps using the level editor and share them via the Wi-fi Connection service. There's also a player-ranking system in the works too. Super.
Star Fox DS
Release: August 21
Type: Sci-Fi Space Shooter
Players: 1-8 (via DS LAN and Download Play), 1-4 (via Wi-fi Connection)
Developer: Q-Games/Nintendo
Hooray! Star Fox is back! Hopefully too, this will lay the horrible memories of Rare's Star Fox Adventures and Namco's Star Fox Assault to rest forever. From what we've seen, it looks at least on par as the brilliant N64 version visually and Nintendo's promising new strategic elements with a commander's view of missions. You can use the touchscreen to draw the routes you and your teammates take, then battle through enemies, storm bases and advance through the map. There's also a promised multiplayer component using both LAN play and Nintendo's online service.
Tenchu: Dark Secret
Release: August 21
Type: Stealth Action
Players: 1-2 (via Wi-fi Connection and DS LAN)
Developer: From Software
You're a ninja assassin and you've got to protect the princess! You'll stalk enemies, sword fight, plant explosive traps in the shrubbery and use your formidable arsenal to overcome the odds. There're more than 40 single-player missions and you can build your own weapons and items. What's more, there's LAN-based multiplayer missions across three modes and you'll be able to buy, sell and trade items via the Nintendo Connection service.
Yoshi's Island 2
Release: Q4 2006
Type: Platformer
Players: TBA
Developer: Nintendo
Well, this one took us by complete surprise. It's the sequel to one of the finest platformers ever made and it's coming to a DS near you at the end of this year. This time around you'll get to play as Baby Mario, Baby Donkey Kong and Baby Peach - each giving your Yoshi special abilities. The platform action will be spread across both screens - a bit like Sonic Rush - and it's looking lovely.