via ign

So you've managed to rack up a ton of high scores on Electronic Arts' Pogo.com server playing all sorts of crazy little Flash-based games, huh? Care to take that experience on the road? Because five of the more popular games on Pogo.com are heading to the Nintendo DS, and everything you do in this compilation can benefit you if you've got a Pogo.com account using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. EA let us go hands-on with a near final version of Pogo Island for the handheld, and if you like casual games you'll probably find a lot to like in this collection.

Pogo Island takes five games popularized on the Pogo.com website and condenses them for play on the touchscreen, dual-screen handheld system. Poppit is a familiar puzzle game where you remove two or more balloons from a stack -- the rest of the stack shifts around when gaps are made, so it's strategic to pop balloons that will allow others to settle in for a bigger combo. Word Whomp is a "word scramble" where you try to form the set of three, four, five, and six letter words out of the six letters that are given to you. Squelchies is a cool puzzle game where you pull down colored critters from a stack on the upper screen and slide them into other columns to form bigger chains to remove them from play. Tri-Peaks Solitaire is a neat variation of the card game where you can only remove face up cards that are one value higher or lower than the face up card in the stack. And finally, Phlinx: a variation of Bust-a-Move that puts heavier emphasis on dropping stacks of colored gems instead of removing them with like-colored chains.

All of these games are tied together in what's called the Adventure Mode, where you wander a board game playing each of the mini-challenges. There are also smaller stand-alone games within Adventure Mode where you'll have to perform tasks like sorting nuts and bolts of like-color into the proper bin while they fall into play. All of these games use the Nintendo DS's touch screen function...even the spinner, where you find out how many spaces to move, is spun with a flick of the stylus.

The Nintendo DS version allows three different profiles to be saved to cartridge, which will come in handy because you'll probably have multiple people in your household playing to earn tokens which can then be applied to your attached Pogo.com account. By connecting your Nintendo DS to the internet via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service you can transfer tokens earned in the adventure mode as well as the individual challenges. But that's as far as the online support goes -- any competitive simultaneous multiplayer is handled locally, and it's only in one game: Word Whomp. The game has an alternating multipayer in the form of Party Play, where as many as four players share the system as the game dictates which game each person plays.

Pogo Island's developed to sort of fit the Pogo.com style like a glove, so most of the games and its interface have been designed with a minimalist appearance -- don't expect the game to floor you with elaborate 3D visuals. But simple works, and works well on the Nintendo DS. ...

via ign

Go into any dentist office and you can probably dig up one of those Highlights magazines that's chock full of "What's wrong with this picture" challenges. Most of them have already been defaced by the time you get your hands on the issue since your dentist is one of the more popular ones in the neighborhood, of course, but wouldn't it be great if you could get that experience on the Nintendo DS? That's apparently Namco's mindset as it's bringing a quirky, but admittedly surprisingly cool and addictive little game called QuickSpot to the system.

QuickSpot is Namco's continuation of its capitalization of Nintendo's "brain training" focus for DS products. This game pushes one type of theme: matching differences between an image on the upper screen and the same image on the lower screen. As fast as you can, spot the difference (or differences) and circle it with the stylus. Get it right and you'll move onto a different picture. After a set amount of time, you'll be graded on speed, circle accuracy, specific recognition of elements. That score will stay with you on the cartridge, and each day you can track your progress.

Namco clearly had a lot of fun coming up with images to display in the challenges. Some of them are random bits of art, some are parodies of anime and film, while others are based around Namco's enormous library of videogames, past and present. It's hard to say how many different images are in QuickSpot, but we've seen a ton. Many are reused and recycled, but even when you've seen an image, you might find at least ten different things that don't match up...so even if you know the picture, you won't know what's wrong with it.

Hey, we all laughed when Namco revealed a DS version of Point Blank, a game that's nothing but a bunch of challenges where you tap on the screen as quickly as possible. And believe it or not, that actually turned out pretty darn nice. Now here's a game where it's about looking at the upper screen and circling differences on the lower screen. And the same thing: it actually works as a full-on DS product.

It's a one-trick pony, but in our early playtime with the near-final game, Namco stretches this idea out pretty well: you've got challenges where you have to match differences that move, that are on the same image but upside down, and others where you have to scratch away a silver layer before you can see the image.. ...

via ign

SEGA's Virtua Tennis 3 could be the most accurate console-to-PSP port that we've seen so far. In fact, if you were to play it alongside the PS3 version (which we have in-house and previewed last week), it would be difficult to tell the difference between the two. Impossible as that may sound, it's because of the PlayStation Portable's small LCD screen -- it keeps the resolution and detail discrepancies from being immediately noticeable (they are there; they're just hard to spot.)

But when I say that Virtua Tennis 3 is an accurate port, it isn't in reference to the visuals. No, what it really means is that the game's PSP content is identical across the board. In fact, some could say that the handheld version is actually bigger than its PS3 counterpart because it allows people on four different machines to play each other (via ad hoc). Without an online feature, you can't do that on Sony's next-gen system.

Besides the ability to play human opponents, Virtua Tennis 3 also boasts every other feature that you've already heard of. All 12 mini-games (which are divided into "Training" and "Court" types) are included here with personal favorites like Alien Attack (pinpoint robot smashing), Avalanche (avoid giant tennis balls while collecting fruit) and several others stealing the show. Players can even create their own athlete and take them through the "World Tour" mode where they can earn better skills and stats, compete in tournaments and exhibition matches, and eventually become the undisputed world champion of net sports. It may sound traditional, but at least it's fun.

Now if you like a smidgen of realism in your arcade Tennis, don't worry -- you'll have around 20 different stars to choose from. Maria Sharipova, Andy Roddick, Gael Monfils, Roger Federer, and a bunch of other folks whose last names drive our spell-check programs crazy have made the cut. Each star has their own strengths and weaknesses too, so the person you choose will always affect your capabilities on the clay and on the grass at all times.

"Is there anything to worry about" you ask? Well, right now, I'd have to say not really. Though Virtua Tennis 3 doesn't blow us away with its features or add anything drastically new over its predecessors, it still does what it's always done, and that to play a monster game of tennis. Admittedly, the PSP analog nub is a little stiff, but it isn't anything we haven't run into before and it seems to work pretty well with the couple of guys we tried it with. The majority of this game is all about "pick up and Play" and being smart with your volleys / smashes / lobs anyway and blinding speed isn't really necessary.

Anyhow, we'll be back with more on the PSP version of Virtua Tennis 3 as we near its release in late March. Certainly, the good news for us all is that it's already fun to play and lends itself well to the portable market because of its coin-op nature and multitude of mini-games. ...

via ign

In 1987, Sega released an action packed science fiction title in the arcades with large scrolling levels, tons of malevolent monsters and two soldiers trying to survive. Alien Syndrome was a fast paced run and gun style game where players had to rescue captured humans from alien ships infested with creatures. Not only did players have to contend with the swarming beasts with flamethrowers, lasers or fireballs, but they had to defeat a boss once all the hostages had been saved. Now, twenty years later, the title is being resurrected for the PSP as an action RPG with shooter elements.

Taking place in the distant future, players take on the role of Aileen Harding, a lieutenant in the Earth Command forces. Aileen is dispatched to a ship which has ceased responding to any communications. Initially, she thinks that it's just a transport which has been disabled, but once she lands on the ship, Aileen discovers that things are much stranger than they appear: from the looks of the landing bay, a massive firefight broke out with the crew, although no bodies are visible. What's more, there's some kind of organic material covering the walls that appeared to have fused with the hull of the ship. As she travels across the 40 levels of the game, from ships to space stations and even alien planets, she discovers a looming threat to all humanity across the universe.

Fortunately, Aileen has the skills necessary to repel these creatures. At the start of the single player campaign, players will have the opportunity to define Aileen by choosing from one of five character classes: Demo Expert, Firebug, SEAL, Sharpshooter or Tank. The classes help determine the four primary stats for the character, such as strength and endurance, as well as starting equipment and abilities. Like many RPGs, Aileen's choice of character class will determine just what weapons and equipment she can and can't use in the field of battle. For instance, Demo Experts are good with explosives, so they start out with bomb launchers. However, her knowledge with detonators means that her skills with other firearms are probably a bit substandard.

Now, just because Aileen doesn't know how to use a weapon doesn't mean that she can't learn. Later on in the game, players can slowly teach Aileen how to use gear that isn't designed for her character class. But in the meantime, you can actually profit from miscellaneous equipment you come across during the infestation. Thanks to Aileen's personal robot who follows behind her every step, you always have a one stop shop to scrap items for ammunition or money to purchase new gear. More than 80 weapons and over 100 pieces of armor and other items are available in the game, so there should be plenty of ways to eliminate the dozens of alien species over the course of the adventure. More than 100 different aliens will slither, crawl and claw their way towards Aileen, not counting the numerous mini-bosses within the game.

Now while the game pays homage to the original title with gameplay elements like saving hostages and escaping a level before time runs out, the PSP version has definitely got a number of improved features. For one thing, players will have an complete auto-map to help them navigate the large levels without fear of the fog of war hampering their exploration. Another difference is the sheer size of the title. Whereas the original game featured 8 maps, Alien Syndrome for the PSP will feature at least 20 hours of play across three separate difficulty levels: Normal, Hard and Expert. What's more, character progress can be carried over from previous saved games, so you can develop high powered characters, although the aliens will scale up in power to match your skills. Fortunately, if things are getting too difficult, you can call in some friends and engage in 4 player co-op over ad hoc. ...

Word came in today that Sony plans on updating the PlayStation Store this Thursday, February 15. The update will include a demo of the already-released Full Auto 2: Battlelines for the PS3, as well as the classic PlayStation title, Destruction Derby. Like other classic PS1 games on the PlayStation Store, Destruction Derby is only playable on the PlayStation Portable.

Developed by Pseudo Interactive, Full Auto 2: Battlelines combines raw horsepower with devastating firepower. Gamers eager to obliterate whole city blocks without the commitment of a full game purchase will undoubtedly cherish the demo's addition to the store. Originally for the PS1, Destruction Derby charges players with a mission to smash, crash, and bash the snot out of their opponents in a madcap race to the finish line. Destruction Derby for the PSP is available for $5.99.

via ign ...

Word came in today that Sony plans on updating the PlayStation Store this Thursday, February 15. The update will include a demo of the already-released Full Auto 2: Battlelines for the PS3, as well as the classic PlayStation title, Destruction Derby. Like other classic PS1 games on the PlayStation Store, Destruction Derby is only playable on the PlayStation Portable.

Developed by Pseudo Interactive, Full Auto 2: Battlelines combines raw horsepower with devastating firepower. Gamers eager to obliterate whole city blocks without the commitment of a full game purchase will undoubtedly cherish the demo's addition to the store. Originally for the PS1, Destruction Derby charges players with a mission to smash, crash, and bash the snot out of their opponents in a madcap race to the finish line. Destruction Derby for the PSP is available for $5.99.

via ign ...

Via IGN

LucasArts officially announced its latest game in the Star Wars saga. Coming November for PS3, Xbox 360, PS2, PSP and Nintendo DS, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed explores one of the more interesting time periods in Star Wars lore. Set between the events of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Force Unleashed puts gamers in the role of Darth Vader's secret apprentice.

As Palpatine rises to power and the Empire begins its conquest of the galaxy, Vader sends his apprentice to help exterminate the remaining Jedi. Your character has four primary Force powers to develop during missions to eradicate the Jedi: Force push, grip, repulse and lightning. Powers can be used together to create unique combos and cause massive destruction to enemies and the environment.

The next-gen versions of Force Unleashed utilize some new technologies that promise realistic environmental reactions. Beyond having wood splinter and plants bend in the wind, non-player characters also act and react more realistically. Characters are said to adjust their behavior on the fly, based on the player's actions. It's unknown how the PS2, PSP and DS versions will differ.

Created under the direction of George Lucas, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed offers new insights into the Star Wars universe. And it let's you kick some Jedi ass. Look for eyes-on impressions of The Force Unleashed in a few weeks. ...

via dsfanboy

Now, a couple of things should be noted before you head on past the post break and check the video out. For one, the individual in question does not use the original NES controller, opting out for the arcade joystick controller instead. Also, he does use a warp to zip past a few worlds. Still though, it's an impressive display of skill.

Video Here ...

via dsfanboy



We have no idea how we missed this, but better late than never. See, the above was loving cross-stitched by flickr user CrystalPowell and presents just what we look for here at DS Fanboy: a rabid love of Nintendo. Proudly displaying such games as Tetris, Duck Hunt, Donkey Kong, and the Mario Bros. from Super Mario Bros. 3, with the icing on the cake being a bold red Nintendo logo dead center at the top, we find ourselves wishing that we could envelope our body in warm Nintendo love every night when we go to bed. ...