Circuit City seems to be the place to go for cheap Pokemon games this week. While a few stores are offering Pokemon related deals to celebrate the release of the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games, Circuit City has some of the better ones that we've seen.
This week sees the release of some interesting titles around the world, such as the latest in Pokémon for Europe, and Taiko Drum Master DS in Japan. American gamers get to contend with Dynasty Warriors DS. We know some of you are looking forward to it, and some ... well, aren't. But maybe it will surprise us!
As you may have heard, there's some serious Pokémon action this week, and the sheer magnitude of that spotlight has somewhat dwarfed everything else -- but fear not, there are other games for those who aren't Poké-fans. Note that we're not promising they're good ... we're just saying that they are, in fact, games. We're curious how SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters turns out, definitely, since we've heard mixed reports.
If you're, like, crazy obsessed with the Pokemon, then clearly this post is not for you. In fact, we suggest you head on out to the kitchen (or break room), grab yourself a popsicle and relax for a couple of minutes. You deserve it. You worked hard.
The Pokemon machine just doesn't stop. Pokemon Pearl was available at GDC on a pretty pink DS Lite, and while no one was looking, I got to get my hands on it. While the Pokemon franchise isn't known for its graphics, the first thing I noticed as a long-time Pokemon fan was how improved the graphics have become. The screens may not show it off too well, but the game features much better character sprites in the game world. Looking at the aliasing issues in the game, it appears that the world may even have a psuedo-3D engine behind it as well. Unfortunately, the battles haven't received as nice of a makeover: they still look incredibly primitive, even by GBA standards: the uninspired battle animations certainly don't leave a good impression.
If you've been on the fence about this whole Pokémon thing, just waiting to be convinced about the monster-collecting genre (thus giving away your rock-underside-located residential status) then Nintendo knows just how to tempt you: free junk. Preorder the new DS Poké-games, Diamond and Pearl, from the Gamestop -EB mega-retail conglomerate and you'll be rewarded with a stylus! Also included is a ... stylus ... holder! It's a holder for your stylus! (Back in our day, we had stylus holders too. We called them DSes.)
Some details about Pokemon Diamond/Pearl's battle and trading systems have been revealed for all of you chomping at the bit needing your daily Pokemon fix.
The Global Trading system sounds like it would be a worldwide type of thing but unfortunately its not. It's regional only. But, it is a great way to barter Pokemon. Trainers type in the Pokemon they are looking for and are shown a list of trainers that have that Pokemon in possession. They can approach a chosen trainer and either have their deal accepted or rejected.
The Battle Tower is pretty interesting and the best thing about it is that you are friend code free! Using the Battle Tower does not require you to use friend codes. You only have to use them in the basements of Pokemon Centers. You will use voice chat to communicate and talk all the trash your heart desires. In the Battle Tower your team is uploaded and only those trainers around your level will be chosen to battle with you.
Pokemon fans get ready! Sounds like Diamon and Pearl are going to be larger than life.
[Via QJ Net]
Pokemon, Pokemon, Pokemon. Seems like that's all you hear about today besides Final Fantasy.
Well, we have some more Pokemon stuff for you, loyal reader. If the thought of more Pokemon makes you want to regurgitate the last thing you ate, don't check this out.
If you are a true Pokemon fan and swear to stand by the series until the bitter end when Pikachu has to be admitted to rehab, this is for you...
The Pokemon Diamond/Pearl site is up! Yes, we know not many of you speak Japanese (neither do we) but you can check out some screens, character designs and observe a device that looks quite similar to your very own DS.
Who doesn't like inside men? They get you all sorts of good stuff including scans of the Pokemon Diamond/Pearl starters.
This particular inside man, who none of us know, got these scans out days before the Japanese magazine they are featured in (CoroCoro) goes up on the shelf for sale. That's some skill.
Some people have approached this with skepticism since there have been unconfirmed rumors floating around for a bit regarding the actual starters. Here is your evidence folks. The starting Pokemon are:
Yeah, we thought you'd like that.
[Via bulbagarden; Thanks Archaic!]
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
|
Bleach: Dark Souls |
Oct 6 |
|
Legend of Kage 2 |
Oct 6 |
| Crash: Mind Over Mutant |
Oct 6 |
|
Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals |
Oct 6 |
|
My Japanese Coach |
Oct 14 |
|
Korg DS-10 |
Oct 14 |
| Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2 | Oct 14 |
| FIFA Soccer 09 | Oct 14 |
| Populous | Oct 14 |
|
Rock Revolution |
Oct 14 |
|
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia |
Oct 21 |
|
Theresia |
Oct 21 |
| Spider-Man: Web of Shadows | Oct 21 |
|
Away: Shuffle Dungeon |
Oct 21 |
|
Tornado |
Oct 21 |
|
Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon |
Oct 21 |
| What's Cooking? With Jamie Oliver | Oct 21 |
|
MySims Kingdom |
Oct 28 |
| Ninjatown | Oct 28 |
| The story |
More like it |
|---|---|
|
Nintendo reveals the DSi |
News |
|
Lock's Quest review |
Reviews |
|
BTS: Cakemania |
BTS |
|
G2G: Clubhouse Games |
Gaming to Go |
|
Preview: Big Bang Mini |
Features |
Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:
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