Once upon a time when we were smaller than we are now, there was a movie theater nearby that had an arcade, and it was there that we got started gaming. Many an afternoon (and a fortune in quarters) disappeared in those dark corners. Later, when we got our original NES, that same joy moved to the living room, and it was a family affair. Some of that continues even to this day, as the mother unit keeps trying to jack the Wii since she can't find her own.
But we didn't always game. There were lapses in our interest and years when we did other things. Only now, in adulthood, has a true love of gaming flowered, a love that was born (for this blogger) with the N64 and the Playstation. But how has it been for you? Where (and how) did you get started? What's influenced your taste and habits as a gamer?
We love it when people makeartifacts to celebrate their love of games. We're fanboys (it's right there in the name!) so we totally understand DS fetishism. We're guilty of it ourselves!
One of the most practical ways to combine craft and gaming is thehomemadeDScase. Craftster member MariskaLovesCrafts designed this striking DS Lite pouch with a nice little pocket for games, and we love it. We love the pocket, we (unapologetically) love the floral design, and we love the colors.
Mariska went on to write up a tutorial for the pouch, which she then posted to her blog. Why not give it a try, if you're looking for a DS Lite case? We'll remind you that you aren't forced to use the color scheme and floral motif here, so feel free to make something more macho to keep your DS scratch-free. Perhaps an Elite Beat Agents theme?
As gamers, we are members of a very unique culture that permeates every fiber of our being. Odd gaming quotes and an insatiable desire to explode all barrels in sight are just a few of the things that come to mind when we think of gamers (the rest are just as nice, we assure you), and upon seeing this Rubix Cube, which is affixed with various pictures of Mario and Luigi from the game New Super Mario Bros., we knew that we had to have it. Do you share our desire?
Seriously, they have got to be with so much keychaincrap thrown around in that territory. But we really can't comment, as we do not live there and have never visited. Still though, they aren't the toy capital of the world because they're always peddling junk wares, as exhibited by the very tasteful and highly-desirable keychains pictured above.
We have no idea if those game cases actually open up, or if the DS hinges are functional, but we want them nonetheless. What about you?
Now we feel justified for all those times we were jumping up and down over new details on Professor Layton and the Mysterious Town (that may be a Village). Chris Kohler had nothing but love for this import over at Game|Life; he's praised everything from the animation to the story to the game's logic puzzles. We're expecting his homage to the box art any moment now.
If you want a sense of the level of challenge in Professor Layton, Kohler's put up the text of a few of the logic puzzlers that pepper the game, as well as one of the trailers. We've added it here as well, just in case you missed it the first time around. Check it out after the jump, and we're sure you'll join us in keeping our fingers crossed for an English translation.
For all of you that got a real kick out of the game, these figurines here might be right up your alley. With a total of seven available (with three of them pictured, natch), we imagine many a cubicle area or home desk could be spruced up (or even defended from ne'er-do-wells) by these awesome figurines. Play-Asia supposedly sells them, but they're currently sold out with no signs of replenished stock coming.
Now, we wouldn't do anything so childish as to rub this ad into the faces of our competition, but we will, however, make a post where you could comment and, in the process, make fun of them. It's OK, they never read this site anyway (we're pretty sure they can't read, which is why all the flashing colors and dumbed-down games on the PSP appeal to them so), so feel free to say why you hate the PSP.
For us? It's the battery life ... and lack of good games ... and basically everything else.
Just yesterday, we were reminded to check on one of the best and brightest of all the DS modders, and we weren't disappointed. The latest case mod from Kotomi prepares a DS Phat for the rigors of urban combat, because sometimes you need to keep your gaming on the DL. We'd turn the sound down, though. Nothing gives away your position like the musical stylings of Jamiroquai.
Ema Skye, the science-obsessed, Luminol-toting teen sidekick from Case 5 of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (Gyakuten Saiban: Yomigaeru Gyakuten) is making a return appearance in the new DS sequel, pink goggles and all. Her new character art portrays her as a little more grown-up, so maybe she'll be less annoying. Even if not, we really started to feel sympathetic to Phoenix's junior-detective friend in that case (Don't know what we're talking about? PLAY THE GAME!).
Speaking of return appearances, you know who else will be returning when this comes out? Us. Our frothing demand for this game increases. You might as well call us "Phoenix Wright Fanboy."
Click past the post break to scientifically investigate a few screenshots.
February must be the official month when we compile lists of DS Phat mods, since they're just busting out all over, continually tempting us to break out the sandpaper and the paint. Today's list, courtesy of TechEBlog, details their choices for the top five Phat mods ... but it's mostly the Kotomishow. Though most of these aren't new, the gorgeous Zelda mods always give us pause.
Are these the kind of mods you guys prefer, or do you like something with a little morelight or personality? Or are you into making your DS more useful instead of more attractive?
The Nintendo Power Awards 2006 have begun and its up to you to vote for the winners. That's right, Nintendo has unleashed the list, asking one and all to take a look (and more importantly, cast a vote) at all the categories. There certainly are plenty to choose from, including Game of the Year on the DS. The games up for this prestigious honor include:
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Elite Beat Agents
Final Fantasy III
Metroid Prime Hunters
New Super Mario Bros.
Star Fox Command
Be sure to let us know what you voted for in the comments section.
As if there weren't plenty of ways to mod that old DS Phat of yours already, someone has figured out a little trick that allows you to use it as an extra pair of speakers. Using a line-in cable and his DS Lite as an audio source, GameTrailers user (and avid site reader) MaHe1 manages to bust out the mp3s while playing a little Mario Kart DS. Hmm, we wonder where else he could play Mario Kart DS ...
It's been a while since we heard about the homebrew DS port of Quake. But now the coder, Simon Hall, has emerged from his Tower of Porting Ordeals and made his work available for public consumption! If you have a DS flash card and a copy of Quake for the PC (shareware or full version!) then in just a few short minutes you could be on your way to playing a flat-shaded, slow, imperfectly-emulated, but still undeniably QuakeyQuake!
We are willing to cut them some slack on the technical issues, since the release is still a work in progress, and the fact that it works at all is keen. They've also added touchscreen camera control and the ability to toggle god mode with the R button!
We have great memories of playing multiplayer Quake at one of those pay-by-the-hour LAN gaming centers at our 16th birthday party. We also have great memories of playing our DS earlier today. Seeing the two come together is just blissful. We love the ingenuity of the homebrew community.
We're going to crank up the Nine Inch Nails and get to installing.
Do you sit elegantly at your desk, legs crossed, sipping on a chilled Mountain Dew with your pinky ever-so-slightly pointed upward? That means you have class, buddy! And that also means this leather DS case might be for you (unless you're one of those folk who don't abide by how leather is made). It just screams sophistication and demands a classy individual such as yourself own it.
Just imagine: you could have your DS wrapped in leather and place it in your pocket next to that diamond-studded money clip and the keys to your Bentley. As for us, well we rarely even wear pants. What's the point of looking good in a dark dungeon? Our pants would only be ruined from the constant whippings we receive from our cruel overlords anyway.
As you can see, these "Slim Skins" are available to those who recently got their hands on a DS Lite for the first time in Korea. Who wouldn't want to dress their DS Lite up in such colorful skins? We sure as heck want to! Of course, the skin pictured above is by far our favorite.
Question: does that say Lamb or Lame on that submarine?
Once upon a time when we were smaller than we are now, there was a movie theater nearby that had an arcade, and it was there that we got started gaming. Many an afternoon (and a fortune in quarters) disappeared in those dark corners. Later, when we got our original NES, that same joy moved to the living room, and it was a family affair. Some of that continues even to this day, as the mother unit keeps trying to jack the Wii since she can't find her own.
As gamers, we are members of a very unique culture that permeates every fiber of our being. Odd gaming quotes and an insatiable desire to explode all barrels in sight are just a few of the things that come to mind when we think of gamers (the rest are just as nice, we assure you), and upon seeing this Rubix Cube, which is affixed with various pictures of Mario and Luigi from the game 
Now we feel justified for all those times we were jumping up and down over new details on Professor Layton and the Mysterious Town (that may be a Village). Chris Kohler had nothing but love for this import over at Game|Life; he's praised everything from the animation to the story to the game's logic puzzles. We're expecting his homage to the box art any moment now.
Ema Skye, the science-obsessed, Luminol-toting teen sidekick from Case 5 of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (Gyakuten Saiban: Yomigaeru Gyakuten) is making a return appearance in the new DS sequel, pink goggles and all. Her new character art portrays her as a little more grown-up, so maybe she'll be less annoying. Even if not, we really started to feel sympathetic to Phoenix's junior-detective friend in that case (Don't know what we're talking about? PLAY THE GAME!).
February must be the official month when we compile lists of DS Phat mods, since they're just 
