What do you prefer: games that use only the stylus and position the DS sideways, book-style, or traditional games with "normal" orientation (whether or not they use the buttons)? Personally, this blogger prefers the former, simply because it seems easier to hold the DS that way, but of course, it depends on the game. But overall, do you wish more games would employ the sideways style?
DS Daily: Sideways
What do you prefer: games that use only the stylus and position the DS sideways, book-style, or traditional games with "normal" orientation (whether or not they use the buttons)? Personally, this blogger prefers the former, simply because it seems easier to hold the DS that way, but of course, it depends on the game. But overall, do you wish more games would employ the sideways style?
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Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. It totally depends on the game. However, I would really like the option. In particular, I have been playing Pokemon Pearl and think that it would be much better suited to 'book-style' rather than 'laptop-style'.
Posted at 9:28AM on Jun 27th 2007 by wmesserle
3. I wish that every game would give the option of Vert or Horiz orientation, like Planet Puzzle League does. Buy the way, has anyone attempted to set the playing style in PPL to horizontal (it's an option in the menu)? It's absolutely terrible! The blocks are smaller....not nearly as cool.
Posted at 9:42AM on Jun 27th 2007 by Greg
4. There is a very small change, however, in how the screens look when held sideways versus normal. Has anyone else noticed this? It bothers me to the extent that I really don't like sideways games. Here's the problem: those little DS screens have a very precise viewing angle at which you get the best contrast/colors, and as you move your head to a different viewing angle, it alters a bit. When you hold the DS normally, they have constructed it so that the viewing angle is perfect. When holding it sideways, however, it is very difficult to find the perfect angle to view both screens without any subtle distortion.
Actually, to be more speculative, I believe the effect I dislike is due to each eye seeing a slightly different viewing angle and the two focusing to cause a 'flicker' like effect, although extremely subtle. It seems that the axis of the viewing angle must be horizontal to the screen as it is normally held, so that the distance between your eyes affects nothing, yet when held sideways, each eye is getting a slightly different angle and gets slightly different contrast/color, and it produces the strange effect.
Anyone else notice this? I guess I'm just overly obsessed with that kind of detail.
Posted at 1:25PM on Jun 27th 2007 by warioswoods
5. My first DS game was Hotel Dusk so I firt played it sideways. It is a lot more comfortable and the corners don't dig into your palms.
Posted at 1:41PM on Jun 27th 2007 by Michael Kingston
6. Depends on the game. I've only played one game sideways and that is the game pictured here, Hotel Dusk: Room 215. I loved it and it seemed completely appropriate for that gameplay style. Other games like Metroid Prime Hunters probably wouldn't work in that sideways book setup given that it's a fast paced FPS requiring precise sharp shooting. I've never played Brain Age, nor do I care to, but I can't wait to play the sideways Ninja Gaiden. Both ways feel comfortable to me.
Posted at 5:30PM on Jun 27th 2007 by L
7. I prefer the horizontal/normal orientation. The DS feels top-heavy and unstable when held sideways. It feels more balanced held horizontally. I've never dropped the DS playing horizontally; I have had the DS topple onto my chest a few times when playing Hotel Dusk.
Posted at 8:54PM on Jun 27th 2007 by Wayne
8. I liked the vertical orientation on Hotel Dusk and Planet Puzzle League, but not on Meteos: Disney Magic. The first Meteos was waaaay better, and I think it was for the long horizontal chains that could be done at some planets, like Meteo.
Posted at 10:21PM on Jun 27th 2007 by Wilerson
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1. Most definitely yes to the sideways way of holding the DS. However, it shouldn't be done for every new game being made right now. It should only be done for games that require a lot of writing and such, mainly because it just feels so natural like that.
Posted at 9:09AM on Jun 27th 2007 by JBGUY2K