via DS Fanboy


Puchi Puchi Virus is a puzzle game from Keys Factory, a company that generally sticks to game accessories. It's published in Japan by JALECO, who published things like the NES port of Maniac Mansion and Irritating Stick for the Playstation-- we didn't even know they still existed.

The gameplay looks like a slightly novel puzzle game based around capturing same-colored items inside a wide beam. But the art is stunning. The DS can do some excellent 2D in the right hands, and Puchi Puchi Virus has some of the best we've seen recently. The characters are vibrant and presented in an anime style, while the backgrounds are more in the whimsical, highly-stylized form of modern Western animation like Dexter's Laboratory.


Screenshots can be viewed here. Leave feedback via comments. ...

via DS Fanboy


Next-Generation's Eric-Jon Rössel Waugh acknowledges that the Nintendo DS is an industry-changing system, but still sees the portable console as an "unfinished project." He wrote up a wishlist of improvements that he feels would fulfill the handheld's potential, extending its shelf-life. And while we've already seen dozens of message board topics filled with wild-eyed suggestions and what-they-should-really-do ideas in the past, Eric's revisions actually sound half-way sane.

So what are some of his seven steps for making a better Nintendo DS? Slap on some internal flash memory, paving the way for firmware updates and a Virtual Console setup for handheld games (GB/GBA/NGPC/etc.). Allow for an expandable, customizable system interface. Flesh out its WiFi support by integrating Pictochat and developing a unified online service.

They're all great recommendations, but one has to wonder how implementing those changes would affect the portable's retail price. The DS probably wouldn't have been such a success if it weren't for its impulse-buy pricing. Still, we would love to see Eric's suggestions make it into the handheld's next revision.

We're sure that our readers have their own ideas on what the next Nintendo DS should have. VoIP capabilities? A flux capacitor? Maybe just throw some Ds on it? Drop us a comment and let us know what you think would make a better Nintendo DS!


Leave feedback via comments. ...

via DS Fanboy




If the official Nintendo headset isn't to your liking, Turtle Beach offers its own solution with the Ear Force D2 headset. Retailing for $19.95 US, the headset is a little chunkier than it's official Nintendo cousin, however it looks as if in the long run the D2 could be a bit more comfortable. Not only that, but it comes in a few different colors (black, white and pink), allowing those of you with a need for matching colors to have the headset that goes with your DS Lite. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Don't let anyone else fool you; this is the reason we do what we do - free beer, and lots of it.

Wheeled into our office this afternoon by a special ops team of beer couriers was this £146 pile of Fosters on behalf of one Microsoft Corporation. Was it because of our gushing GDC coverage? No, apparently MS has a more specific reason for its generous gift.

"What would you purchase for £146...? (The price difference between an Xbox 360 and a PlayStaion 3)", asks the included Xbox 360-headed notice. "Well, for a start we thought you might like £146 worth of beer to kick start your weekend early."

Signed, "Jump in. Xbox 360. The Leader in the next generation of gaming and entertainment."

Sony - we need £146 worth of pork scratchings and kebabs. PRONTO!


Screenshots in source link above or here. Leave feedback via comments. ...

via PS3 Fanboy



While the PS3 won't bring about world peace or solve world hunger, there's a good chance that it can help cure cancer. But your PS3 can't to it without you. With firmware update 1.6 just around the corner, it's time to do your part for humanity. This week marks the first ever Sunday Night Foldathon in support of Stanford's cancer research efforts.

"The S.N.F event is simple. On Sunday Night (March. 25th 2007) everyone who wants to participate in the S.N.F event simply turn there PS3 on and start the folding program, could be anytime you want or when you goto bed, you may let the program run as long as you want but would be great if it could atleast last till 7am Monday morning, its all up to you since anything helps. This is to see how much help we (the playstation community) can be for this program and to show them that the feature is being widely used and maybe saving lives in the process."

Let's use the comments section as a virtual "pledge card." Let everyone know that your committed to leaving your PS3 on Sunday night in support of this great initiative and to help make the world a better place. Truly, this is a time for fanboys to unite!


Leave feedback via comments. ...

via PSP Fanboy


We were told to expect Advanced Remote Play functionality in today's big PS3 update (version 1.6). Looks like we were played the fool: you will not be able to access your PS3's content from any wi-fi point: once again, you must be in wireless range of your PS3. Until they correct this, the Remote Play functionality loses a lot of its purpose: what's the point of being tethered so close to the system?

There are some improvements made in this firmware revision, but they are very subtle. You'll be able to easily register a PSP for Remote Play use by accessing Remote Play from System Settings on PS3. Also, you'll be able to connect a wi-fi bridge to 20GB PS3s, allowing them to interface with PSP like the 60GB versions do.

While these incremental advances are appreciated, it's disappointing nonetheless to see Sony back down on a promised feature. We're expecting Advanced Remote Play to work, eventually. The question is: when? ...

via IGN


Leading videogames publisher and developer Namco Bandai Games America Inc. announced today that Eureka Seven Vol. 2: The New Vision has received gold status and will hit retail shelves on April 17. Available exclusively for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Eureka Seven Vol. 2 brings to life the second prequel leading up to the popular animated series with gorgeous environments, multiple game-play modes, and addictive futuristic combat.

Players take on the role of Sumner Sturgeon, a deserter of a corrupt military organization and star of a futuristic sport called "lifting" where participants ride futuristic "ref-boards" that float on atmospheric particles. After becoming disillusioned with the life of professional lifting, Sumner embarks on a quest to locate and destroy the CFS (Compact Feedback System) a new and dangerous technology. Staying true to the anime series' roots, Eureka Seven Vol. 2 utilizes a unique combination of "lifting" (ref-board racing) and futuristic combat while offering up compelling gameplay.

Featuring the ability to pilot 17 massive robots known as LFOs (Light Finding Operations) each with its own look, attacks and weapons, Eureka Seven Vol. 2 gives players an incredibly unique experience during combat and cut scenes. Gamers can also sharpen their skills by fending off waves of enemies in Survival mode or take on special missions that require the use of new combat techniques in Conflict mode.

Eureka Seven Vol. 2: The New Vision is rated 'T' for Teen by the ESRB and carries an MSRP of $39.99. For more information on Eureka Seven Vol. 2: The New Vision and all other exciting Namco Bandai Games' products, please visit Namco Bandai Games' official website at www.namcobandaigames.com. ...

via DS Fanboy


Nintendo sent out an avalanche of Nintendo DS handhelds and games to the Penny Arcade headquarters last week, donating the towering collection to Child's Play. The gamer-run charity has been donating toys, games, and other gifts to children's hospitals since 2003. Since then, the altruistic group has raised millions of dollars for its partner hospitals.

Nintendo made sure to provide something for everyone with its donation, delivering DS systems in every color and handing out hundreds of copies of Nintendogs, Big Brain Academy, Mario Kart DS, and many other titles. Gabe posted photos of the mountainous shipment and assured readers that the DS Lites will find their way to the gracious hands of kids in children's hospitals soon.



Learn about how you can contribute to the charity at http://www.childsplaycharity.org/ . ...

via PSP Fanboy


Don't throw out your handhelds: there's a lot of life left in them. According to an analyst at DFC Intelligence, the ever-expanding market for both DS and PSP will help allow it to beat the current generation systems: "Under the right scenario, by 2011 the combined installed base of the DS and PSP could exceed that for the Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360," noted David Cole.

While Nintendo will be responsible for much of the growth of the handheld industry, Sony is certainly not out of the game--they will "establish a solid position in the marketplace" (if they haven't already). Cole reminds investors that "existing console game publishers have found it is possible to make over $100 million in revenue from a single PSP title based on the right franchise," a figure that's not to be scoffed at.

Ultimately, PSP's success will be determined by a number of factors, with Sony's support for the platform being key. Sony said they're working on exciting new things for the platform at GDC--hopefully, it's true. ...