Buena Vista Games planted a seed today which is sure to blossom into a full tree of DS Fanboy posts. This seed, the small announcement that the company will be publishing a sequel to the wildly-addictive Meteos, titled Meteos: Disney Edition, caused many a raised brow and slow, methodic stroke of the chin. Nothing else was said, but this hasn't stopped us from imagining Disney worlds needing saving from an onslaught of the evil falling blocks.
Meteos sequel coming
Buena Vista Games planted a seed today which is sure to blossom into a full tree of DS Fanboy posts. This seed, the small announcement that the company will be publishing a sequel to the wildly-addictive Meteos, titled Meteos: Disney Edition, caused many a raised brow and slow, methodic stroke of the chin. Nothing else was said, but this hasn't stopped us from imagining Disney worlds needing saving from an onslaught of the evil falling blocks.
Meteos discontinued?
Some pointing and clicking of your mouse toward the link at the bottom of this post will point you toward a page on Amazon.com to purchase Meteos, the block-rocketing, stylus-heavy puzzle game you already own by mastermind Tetsuya Mizuguchi. What's odd about this page is the fact that Amazon is stating that the game has been discontinued by the manufacturer. Other retailers fail to include this little tidbit on their page, so we're up in the air as to validity at the moment. Likely this post won't affect you, however, as like we said, you already own it.[Via Nintendo Gal]
Kiosk Hunting: Here and there, but mostly there
When you ask DS Fanboy readers to do something for you, they don't waste much time. This is a valuable lesson I've now learned after putting out a call to you guys to let us know where and when you stumble across one of the many Wi-Fi tendrils of Nintendo's download station network currently spreading across the world. My online persona was buried beneath an avalanche of tips, comments and the usual death threats, but it has now surfaced and is ready to start compiling the information in an epic list that's sure to inspire a major motion picture. This is just the second part of our ongoing quest and I hope to keep adding new locations on a weekly basis.A big, slightly overzealous "thank you" to everyone that contributed to this round. If you don't see your highlighted area in the list, be sure to check back later in the month. A few brave souls have also added some new locations to the Frappr map--quite a feat given that working with that application is about as pleasant as a sturdy kick in the head. The format of this list is probably far from optimal, so please let me know how you'd like me to change it in the future.
Also, the information from readers isn't always exact, but if you see that one Best Buy (or another store) has a download station in your region, chances are decent that others will have too. You'll know you're close to one by either recognizing a small banner and a DS set in wireless mode behind some plastic or experiencing a lightheaded sensation as Wi-Fi beams scramble your brains.
Keep the details (we want street names!), pictures and experiences coming! The full list is but a click away.
Continue reading Kiosk Hunting: Here and there, but mostly there
Over 500 download kiosks being placed in UK
Though our own efforts at finding the DS download kiosks that were supposedly hitting US retailers this month have thus far been rather abysmal, those living in the UK or Ireland will soon have a much easier time when attempting to do the same. Nintendo has declared that over 600 new Wi-Fi hotspots will be installed in GAME, Gamestation, HMV, Toys R US and Smyths Toys shops, along with a smattering of smaller retailers.Over 500 download stations will also be installed, with initial demos including Meteos and Polarium. Demos of Brain Age and Trauma Center: Under the Knife, some Animal Crossing goodies and a Metroid Prime Hunters video will follow shortly in April and May. Let us know when you spot one!
[Via CVG]
DS gets demo downloads, online voice chat
In an announcement that undoubtedly involved a lot of determined strutting, intimidating glances and overt hand pyramids, Reggie Fils-Aime revealed that there are some interesting things in store for DS owners this year. Speaking at the D.I.C.E. conference in Las Vegas, the name-taking, ass-kicking Nintendo marketing machine revealed that the ridiculously popular handheld would soon be privy to features more often associated with a Microsoft console--downloadable demos and online voice chat.As of next month, Nintendo will be placing Wi-Fi kiosks in retail locations all across the United States for the sole purpose of wirelessly providing gamers with demos and other content. When you're within range of these kiosks, all you have to do is open up your DS, hit "DS Download Play" and start downloading the goodness. Unfortunately, due to the lack of any permanent personal storage, you can only test out one game at a time. The data will also disappear as soon as you switch the system off. It would probably be a good idea to make use of the DS' sleep mode if you want to take something home with you and amaze your parents / siblings / pets / captors. The initial batch of demos include Mario Kart DS, Meteos, True Swing Golf, Pokemon Trozei, Tetris DS and Brain Age.
The Reggie also discussed the upcoming and highly anticipated Metroid Prime: Hunters. The game's online mode will support voice chat, allowing players to discuss matches, arrange settings and offer advice, all in a completely curteous manner. Or not. Brace yourself for a glut of trash-talking, n00bzor.
[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]
Metacritic's best games of 2005
Everyone's a critic, right? Well, we know you are, since you just voted Mario Kart DS as the best DS game on the planet, and the beings of Polymutania IX would be hard pressed to disagree as their planet only got Burnout Legends as an alternative. It really does suck to be them.
It is Metacritic's goal to gather the reviews from all the critics in the universe and provide a single point for you to view them and decide whether or not a game is worth your time. Using the information they've managed to gather this year, Metacritic has unleashed their list of the best video games of 2005. Here are the completely unsurprising DS winners:
Game of the Year: Mario Kart DS
Dud of the Year: Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects
Best Action Adventure: Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Best Fighting: Jump Superstars (According to those who imported it, anyway)
Best Platformer: Kirby Canvas Curse
Best Adventure: Animal Crossing: Wild World
Best Racing / Driving: Mario Kart DS
Best Puzzle / Rhythm: Meteos
Best RPG: Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
Best Sports (Traditional): Fifa Soccer '06
Best Sports (Alternative / Extreme): Tony Hawk's American Sk8land
Best Strategy: Advance Wars: Dual Strike
Best Simulation: Nintendogs
Agree? Disagree? Apathetic? Frightened?
[via Joystiq]
Gamespot's Best and Worst of 2005 Nominees
Gamespot has kicked off their Best and Worst of 2005 awards extravaganza by announcing a list of all the nominees and the awards they are eligible for. Of course, the DS wormed its way into several of the categories, only getting truly snubbed in the "Best Use of Sweat" section. Come on developers, get your act together! We want sweat!DS Nominations:
Funniest Game - Animal Crossing: Wild World (What? No Mario & Luigi?)
Best Multiplayer Game - Mario Kart DS (duh)
Most Innovative Game - Trauma Center: Under the Knife, Trace Memory
Flat-Out Worst Game - Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects, Peter Jackson's King Kong (note how both of these games lack realistic sweat)
Best Action Adventure Game - Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Best Platformer - Kirby Canvas Curse, Sonic Rush
Best Adventure Game - Trace Memory, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Best Driving Game - Mario Kart DS
Best Puzzle/Rhythm Game - Meteos
Best Strategy Game - Advance Wars: Dual Strike
Best Nintendo DS Game - Advance Wars: Dual Strike, Animal Crossing: Wild World, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, Mario Kart DS, Nintendogs
There you have it. What are your predictions? Is there a DS game you feel got left out or didn't deserve a nomination?
Top 10 DS Games
According to GameRankings.com, these are the top 10 games based on average ranking:
- Mario Kart DS
- Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
- Advance Wars: Duel Strike
- Meteos
- Kirby: Canvas Curse
- Super Mario 64 DS
- Nintendogs: Labrador and Friends
- Nintendogs: Dachshund and Friends
- Nintendogs: Chihuahua and Friends
- Sonic Rush
What games have you missed out on?
Nintendo DS Turns One!
That's right peeps, the Nintendo DS turns one today. What started off as a slow launch, now has become the de facto standard for handheld gamers. This fall alone, we've seen huge hits with the likes of Nintendogs, Kirby, Advance Wars DS, and most recently, Mario Kart DS. We've also seen our fair share of sleepers too including Phoenix Wright and Meteos.
So fire up your duel screen, and enjoy the ride next year. Big things await with more great games so have at it. Touching is definitely better.
_thumbnail.jpg "Dragon Quest IV")
