More than a year ago, famed Japanese copywriter and creator of Earthbound, Shigesato Itoi interviewed Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, covering a plethora of topics ranging from Nintendo to Iwata’s philosophy on design and a brief history of how the two men met. To date, I still think it is one of the Iwata interviews I’ve read, owing largely to his relationship with Itoi and his website, “Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun.” If you’re an Iwata fan, I would highly recommend reading the piece.

Recently, Yasuhiro Nagata from “Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun” conducted a special edition of the popular “Iwata Asks” series of interviews, with Iwata once again taking the spotlight and being grilled on a number of Nintendo-related matters. Here’s the portion of the interview I found most interesting:

Iwata: I’ve heard complaints—some not entirely bad, such as about having to lug around a bunch of game cartridges, for example— and noticed that, even though we have changed the nature of gaming with the Nintendo DSi, the other Nintendo DS family systems hitherto has represented the same old concept centered around plugging in a single game cartridge.

Also, sometimes when using my cell phone, I’ve thought that adapting this or that service to the DS would make it much more convenient. And, above all, I’ve thought about what should be done so the DS platform will remain vibrant years down the road.

But I wonder if perhaps Nintendo DSi solves all these problems by allowing users to tailor their own unit and walk around with their personalized Nintendo DSi systems.

I’ll admit, that is easily my biggest gripe with the DS at the moment.

Iwata goes on to state that famous Miyamoto quote that a true idea is “something which solves multiple issues at once.” Well, making it possible to load your DS games to an SD card on DSi and carry them all with you would solve the inconvenience issue and might also help offset piracy to an extent. That sounds like a true solution to me.

Question is, does Iwata think so, too?

http://www.siliconera.com/2009/04/02...s-issue-on-ds/ ...

New from Divineo China



Video Formats: RM/ RMVB (720 x 576 maximum), AVI (800 x 480 maximum), WMV, DIVX, XVID, ASF, MP4, 3GP, MOV, MPG

Directly Plays Flash Video Formats
- FLV (Compatible with YouTube)
- Built-in High Speed Flash Memory
- 260,000 TFT True Color Display (LCD size: 3.0 inch)
- Built-in T-Flash/Micros Card Slot
- Built-in game
- Built-in high quality speaker

MP3
- Support MP3, WMA, ASF, WAV, ACT Music Formats
- Support ID3: The songs' titles and lyrics can be shown on screen (Software Included)
- 7 Playing Modes: Normal, Repeat One, Folder, Repeat Folder, Repeat All, Random, Intro
- 7 presets EQ for your music: Normal, Rock, Jazz, Classic, Soft, Pop, DBB

Support 16 Languages:
- English, Simple Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Czech, Polish, Russian, and Turkish
- Inter-changeable animated startup screens
- Icon display function: direct icon display, accompanied with icon/ text

Fm Radio:
- Built-In FM Radio: FM stereo radio
- Support stereo sound radios
- FM Frequency Range: 87-108MHz
- Powerful automatic channel search function
- Powerful FM recording function

E-Book Function:
- Support txt Format files
- Phone book support

Voice Recording:
- High Quality Voice Digital Recording, 3 Recording Mode: Fine REC, Long REC, Long VOX
- Up to 64 hours of high quality WAV format voice recording and up to 288 hours of ACT format voice recording, Recorded Messages can be saved in 9 Folders and 99 Files
- A-B repeater
- Built-in Microphone
- Built-in Speaker

Picture Viewer:
- Built-in Picture Viewer, support JPEG format pictures or JPEG photos downloaded from internet

USB Storage:
- Act as USB Flash Drive (Can store other data file), USB 2.0 high speed transferring, Plug and Play in Windows (no driver required) except Windows 98 or earlier

Others:
- Use rechargeable Li-ion Battery
- Output Frequency: 20 Hz to 20 KHz, MP3 Bit Rate: 8kbps-320kbps
- Fast Forward, Reverse, Skip and Back Track. Sleep mode, auto Power-Off, Power-Saving mode available
- Size: 90 x 50 x 13mm
- Weight: 60.5g
- Audio Connector: 3.5 mm headphone jack ...

New from Divineo China



Video Formats: RM/ RMVB (720 x 576 maximum), AVI (800 x 480 maximum), WMV, DIVX, XVID, ASF, MP4, 3GP, MOV, MPG

Directly Plays Flash Video Formats
- FLV (Compatible with YouTube)
- Built-in High Speed Flash Memory
- 260,000 TFT True Color Display (LCD size: 3.0 inch)
- Built-in T-Flash/Micros Card Slot
- Built-in game
- Built-in high quality speaker

MP3
- Support MP3, WMA, ASF, WAV, ACT Music Formats
- Support ID3: The songs' titles and lyrics can be shown on screen (Software Included)
- 7 Playing Modes: Normal, Repeat One, Folder, Repeat Folder, Repeat All, Random, Intro
- 7 presets EQ for your music: Normal, Rock, Jazz, Classic, Soft, Pop, DBB

Support 16 Languages:
- English, Simple Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Czech, Polish, Russian, and Turkish
- Inter-changeable animated startup screens
- Icon display function: direct icon display, accompanied with icon/ text

Fm Radio:
- Built-In FM Radio: FM stereo radio
- Support stereo sound radios
- FM Frequency Range: 87-108MHz
- Powerful automatic channel search function
- Powerful FM recording function

E-Book Function:
- Support txt Format files
- Phone book support

Voice Recording:
- High Quality Voice Digital Recording, 3 Recording Mode: Fine REC, Long REC, Long VOX
- Up to 64 hours of high quality WAV format voice recording and up to 288 hours of ACT format voice recording, Recorded Messages can be saved in 9 Folders and 99 Files
- A-B repeater
- Built-in Microphone
- Built-in Speaker

Picture Viewer:
- Built-in Picture Viewer, support JPEG format pictures or JPEG photos downloaded from internet

USB Storage:
- Act as USB Flash Drive (Can store other data file), USB 2.0 high speed transferring, Plug and Play in Windows (no driver required) except Windows 98 or earlier

Others:
- Use rechargeable Li-ion Battery
- Output Frequency: 20 Hz to 20 KHz, MP3 Bit Rate: 8kbps-320kbps
- Fast Forward, Reverse, Skip and Back Track. Sleep mode, auto Power-Off, Power-Saving mode available
- Size: 90 x 50 x 13mm
- Weight: 60.5g
- Audio Connector: 3.5 mm headphone jack ...

New from Divineo China



Video Formats: RM/ RMVB (720 x 576 maximum), AVI (800 x 480 maximum), WMV, DIVX, XVID, ASF, MP4, 3GP, MOV, MPG

Directly Plays Flash Video Formats
- FLV (Compatible with YouTube)
- Built-in High Speed Flash Memory
- 260,000 TFT True Color Display (LCD size: 3.0 inch)
- Built-in T-Flash/Micros Card Slot
- Built-in game
- Built-in high quality speaker

MP3
- Support MP3, WMA, ASF, WAV, ACT Music Formats
- Support ID3: The songs' titles and lyrics can be shown on screen (Software Included)
- 7 Playing Modes: Normal, Repeat One, Folder, Repeat Folder, Repeat All, Random, Intro
- 7 presets EQ for your music: Normal, Rock, Jazz, Classic, Soft, Pop, DBB

Support 16 Languages:
- English, Simple Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Czech, Polish, Russian, and Turkish
- Inter-changeable animated startup screens
- Icon display function: direct icon display, accompanied with icon/ text

Fm Radio:
- Built-In FM Radio: FM stereo radio
- Support stereo sound radios
- FM Frequency Range: 87-108MHz
- Powerful automatic channel search function
- Powerful FM recording function

E-Book Function:
- Support txt Format files
- Phone book support

Voice Recording:
- High Quality Voice Digital Recording, 3 Recording Mode: Fine REC, Long REC, Long VOX
- Up to 64 hours of high quality WAV format voice recording and up to 288 hours of ACT format voice recording, Recorded Messages can be saved in 9 Folders and 99 Files
- A-B repeater
- Built-in Microphone
- Built-in Speaker

Picture Viewer:
- Built-in Picture Viewer, support JPEG format pictures or JPEG photos downloaded from internet

USB Storage:
- Act as USB Flash Drive (Can store other data file), USB 2.0 high speed transferring, Plug and Play in Windows (no driver required) except Windows 98 or earlier

Others:
- Use rechargeable Li-ion Battery
- Output Frequency: 20 Hz to 20 KHz, MP3 Bit Rate: 8kbps-320kbps
- Fast Forward, Reverse, Skip and Back Track. Sleep mode, auto Power-Off, Power-Saving mode available
- Size: 90 x 50 x 13mm
- Weight: 60.5g
- Audio Connector: 3.5 mm headphone jack ...

When Apple announced the 3.0 iPhone firmware, they let us all know that MMS would FINALLY be allowed.

Until now, we weren't sure whether videos would be fair game as well in MMS - but the guys over at BGR have given it a try on 3.0, and it looks like its working great.

Good to know.

http://www.modmyi.com/forums/iphone-...-delivers.html ...

When Apple announced the 3.0 iPhone firmware, they let us all know that MMS would FINALLY be allowed.

Until now, we weren't sure whether videos would be fair game as well in MMS - but the guys over at BGR have given it a try on 3.0, and it looks like its working great.

Good to know.

http://www.modmyi.com/forums/iphone-...-delivers.html ...

Developer Curve has announced a downloadable game called Explodemon, headed for WiiWare, PC, and PlayStation Network this year. Described as a mix of classic platformers like Mario and Mega Man with a modern Halo or Half-Life 2 twist (!), Explodemon will be presented in 2.5D. Curve is apparently a big fan of Super Nintendo-era Japanese platformers. Explodemon himself looks like a super-deformed Iron Man.

The developer previously delivered Buzz! Master Quiz and Buzz! Brain Bender to the PSP. Screenshots of Explodemon have definitely caught our attention and we'll be keeping an eye on this one.



http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/969/969245p1.html ...

Developer Curve has announced a downloadable game called Explodemon, headed for WiiWare, PC, and PlayStation Network this year. Described as a mix of classic platformers like Mario and Mega Man with a modern Halo or Half-Life 2 twist (!), Explodemon will be presented in 2.5D. Curve is apparently a big fan of Super Nintendo-era Japanese platformers. Explodemon himself looks like a super-deformed Iron Man.

The developer previously delivered Buzz! Master Quiz and Buzz! Brain Bender to the PSP. Screenshots of Explodemon have definitely caught our attention and we'll be keeping an eye on this one.



http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/969/969245p1.html ...

If you've been disappointed by the level of calories burning from flailing wrists, Wii Jog can add the element of walking into almost any Wii title.

Spotted a few months back in a less polished form, Wii Jog is a small, pedometer-like box that plugs into the Wiimote. You simply walk in place and aim the Wiimote the direction you'd like to go. Your onscreen persona should follow suit.

It's a bit hard to believe that Jog works for each and every game. There's a list of only 100 compatible titles for the PS2 version of Jog—the company claims "jOG works with any video [Wii] game, but some work better than others. We think it works best with sports games, shooters, platform and adventure games and our favourite game is Lego Star Wars." But for about $37, it's not a huge risk.

http://i.gizmodo.com/5195488/wii-jog...e-into-wii-fit ...