New DS Games will Transcend Gaming ...

The DS will introduce a whole new generation of people to videogames, regardless of their age, gender and previous gaming experience. It's a statement we've heard before, but this time Nintendo's president Satoru Iwata has gone on record claiming that the touchscreen handheld will redefine gaming.[br]And when Iwata-san talks, we listen. Speaking to Japanese game website Hobo Nichi and translated by GameScience, Iwata-san discussed the development of upcoming DS title Jam With the Band (also known as Band Brothers) and stated that games of this type will change the way people look at videogaming.[br][br]He went on to mention several new DS titles that would stimulate players in new ways and "increase the brain's activity". Alongside the Tamagotchi-style dog training game Nintendogs, Iwata-san also mentioned unspecified games that would us an electronic dictionary (sounds, um, riveting) and games that would concentrate on the player interacting with light and sound.[br]In Jam With the Band multiple DS users can join together to form a rhythm action performance group using the handheld's wireless networking and Game Sharing, which lets multiple users play from one game card. Each player chooses and instrument and must play it at the right time to make the tune come to life. We've had a go and it's ruddy brilliant.[br][br]Similarly, Nintendogs lets you interact with three ridiculously cute wee dogs simply through touch. You can pet them, chuck balls and Frisbees for them to fetch, or make the little buggers skip a rope. You'll even be able to teach the dogs to react to your voice and teach them vocal commands like 'sit'.[br][br]Iwata-san spoke of how games like this transcended any knowledge of videogaming conventions and made the necessity for gaming experience redundant.[br][br]Iwata-san's comments come hot on the heels of speculation that Nintendo are planning to launch the successor to GBA before the end of this year. Check here for the rumours and rebuttals.[br][br]As the European launch of DS on March 11 looms ever closer we can't wait to see if British gamers agree with Iwata-san's views. And while opening up the videogaming citadel to those without knowledge or experience of games is a noble business, we hope Nintendo don't forget the hardcore gamers who've been buying their consoles for years.[br][br]Lots more DS coverage coming real soon.