Posts tagged Apple at DS Fanboy

Posts with tag apple

If it looks like a DS and plays like a DS

Posted Jun 9th 2008 3:30PM by Candace Savino
Filed under: News

... then it must be a DS, right?

Wrong.

We've been buzzing about the App Store lately, which will allow iPhone and iPod Touch users to download games onto their devices. A few titles and prices have been announced today at Apple's WWDC '08, including Super Monkey Ball, Enigmo, and Cro-Mag Rally, each of which will cost $9.99.

All this talk about gaming on the iPod caused us to run across the iControlPad, which is an add-on for the iPhone that provides button and D-pad support. It makes the mobile look a little familiar, doesn't it -- perhaps like another handheld we know? Or maybe it even resembles a DS/PSP hybrid.

The iControlPad is still in production (aiming for a July release), but development kits are being given to developers interested in adding support for the peripheral to their games. With the iControlPad, not only will the iPhone utilize touchscreen play like the DS, but users could also play games with buttons ... like, uh, the DS.

Don't get us wrong -- we still don't think Apple can compete with the dominance of Nintendo's handheld. Yet, it does look like Steve Jobs and co. are really, really trying to get of piece of the handheld gaming pie, doesn't it? With the recently announced $200 3G iPhone, Apple is headed in the right direction. Now, if it wasn't for that silly AT&T tie-in plan, they might have a major threat on their hands.

[Via Gaming Angels]

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iPhone games priced cheaper than DS titles

Posted Jun 6th 2008 6:00PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

With the recent hubbub over Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch, many are wondering if it will threaten the market dominance that Nintendo enjoys with their DS handheld. Even though Forbes thinks Apple has a chance at dethroning the DS, we're realists and know that just isn't possible. But, then the price point for iPhone games was revealed and we got a tad bit worried.

Sure, games sell the system, but the titles available on the iPhone and iPod Touch will go for 17-18 Euros (which comes to about $25-$28, less than Nintendo's first-party titles), according to LemonQuest CEO Ignacio Cavero. It's not much, but it's something, and definitely a lot more noticeable when compared to Square Enix games, which often debut at a $34.99 price point. But, we could also see even cheaper stuff, because Apple is leaving the final pricing up to the publishers.

What do you all think? Will price play a big role here? Or, are you waiting on some games before you jump to any conclusions?

[Via CVG]

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iPhone and iPod Touch threaten DS dominance

Posted Jun 5th 2008 3:00PM by Candace Savino
Filed under: News

Forbes recently wrote an article entitled "Why Apple Could Kill the Nintendo DS." We could write a more convincing argument called "Why Apple Won't Kill the Nintendo DS," but we won't waste your time. Even in Japan, a country where mobile phone gaming isn't considered the bastard child of the video game industry, the DS has become its own mighty empire.

To say that the iPhone and iPod Touch could kill the DS is a bit alarmist, but that doesn't mean they won't offer Nintendo's handheld some healthy competition. Come Monday, the App Store will launch on iPhones and iPod Touches (via a firmware update), allowing users to download games and applications straight onto their devices.

Aside from the ease of getting games, the iPhone and iPod Touch utilize ~~a stylus~~ touchscreen play, like the Nintendo DS. Trying to one-up Nintendo, Apple even added motion-sensitivity into the two machines.

We're interested to see how the App store will affect the handheld gaming market, but is the DS in danger of dying off now? Not likely.

[Thanks, Racecar!]

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My Weight Loss Coach boxart: Lazy or fitting?

Posted Apr 15th 2008 4:00PM by Eric Caoili

We loaded up My Weight Loss Coach's product page on Amazon earlier today and received two surprises:

$39.99. We're used to seeing that sort of markup only on Square-Enix titles and almost never on casual titles, but we suppose that bundled pedometer comes at a price. That price being ten additional dollars.
Its stark, untraditional packaging art.

At first, the cover seemed like an apathetic production, reminiscent of the Konami's Best box design, but perhaps this simple, almost Apple-esque approach will draw in weight-concerned adult casuals, Ubisoft's target audience. If they really want to bring in the big bucks, they'll shoot a commercial of someone pulling the case out of a manila envelope while Yael Naim sings the lyrics to "New Soul."

If you're one of those strange people who like to judge a title by its actual content and not its cover, jump into our gallery below to see new screenshots of the get-in-shape software.

Gallery: My Weight Loss Coach

[Via NeoGAF]

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Promotional Consideration: Nintendo DS Air

Posted Feb 17th 2008 2:00PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Promotional Consideration

Promotional Consideration is a weekly feature about the Nintendo DS advertisements you usually flip past, change the channel on, or just tune out.

You don't have to try too hard to find similarities between the Nintendo DS Lite and Apple's Macbook Air -- they're both sleek, attractive devices, curves at every corner. Also, both of their designs place a heavy emphasis on their portability. And, most importantly, they both fit in an envelope!

Continue reading Promotional Consideration: Nintendo DS Air

WSJ asks: What's on your gift list?

Posted Nov 21st 2007 11:15PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Fan stuff

Someone needs to tell the WallStreet Journal what's up. While we love the DS, we're pretty sure it's not the gift that everyone wants this holiday season. Still, the folks at WSJ saw fit to add Nintendo's little handheld into its online arena of combat, to duke it out with other cool gadgets such as the iPhone and and Microsoft's Zune. Heck, if it were us, we'd want a Flat Panel TV. It costs a lot more money than a DS, that's for sure.

[Thanks, Steve!]

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Conjecture Countdown: 5 days to go

Posted Jul 6th 2007 10:40AM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Rumors

Even with a diminished E3, there's no controlling the wave of rumors that hit the Internet every year before the show. Why fight it? From now until E3 hits, we'll be posting one piece of wild speculation every day. Some may be patently ridiculous, and others just might turn out to be true. Even some of the ridiculous ones might turn out to be true! Rest assured, everything will be totally made-up and unfounded. Except, of course, when we speak about all the ass Reggie is going to kick. That part? Totally true.

Rumor: No Nintendo games on iPhone, but the iPhone menu will be released for DS. No programs, just a non-functioning menu interface.

Puzzling rumor has Nintendo supporting the iPhone

Posted Jun 20th 2007 10:50AM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Rumors

Imagine an alternate universe where the Atari Lynx, with its awesome color screen and arcade Ninja Gaiden port obliterated the original Game Boy in sales. Then Nintendo tried to come back with a color system, only to be humiliated by the Neo Geo Pocket Color. That is the the situation for which this rumor makes sense.

Noheat.com speculates that Nintendo will release "a limited amount of content" for Apple's iPhone, in the form of downloadable $29 games. There is so much wrong with this idea. First, and most obvious, Nintendo kind of has their own handheld system with a touch screen. Second, Nintendo does not release games for non-Nintendo consoles. They licensed Mario and Zelda out to Philips for CD-I games, but they didn't make those games (and it didn't really work out.) The last time Nintendo made a game for someone else's system was pre-NES, with stuff like Donkey Kong and Popeye. And back then, they didn't have a console out to compete with Coleco, Mattel, and Atari.

Here's the weirdest part of all: Noheat claims that "The logic is that because the licensed games will be exclusive and cater to an older audience they should not intrude into Nintendo's existing markets." Brain Age says hello! Of course, having said all that, now we're quite certain Nintendo will make the announcement later today, just to make us look foolish!

[Via Dot Matrix With Stereo Sound, TUAW]

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Konami makes iTunes useful

Posted May 16th 2007 3:00PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: News

For years, we've been crying bloody tears over the lack of availability of game soundtracks in the US. With the rise of music download services, that situation has changed. First we had some Final Fantasy soundtracks on iTunes, then the Mother 3 OST, and now the best news of all: Konami has made a deal with Sony BMG to make their entire music catalog available on download services.

Naturally, we'll be loading up with Castlevania music, but Konami has a very large collection of notable game soundtracks that at least deserve a previewing: the Metal Gear Solid series, Contra, Goemon/Mystical Ninja, and Akira Yamaoka's brilliant Silent Hill work. We don't know when Konami will start releasing music on iTunes/Rhapsody/your favorite download service, and we don't know what the order of releases will be. One thing we can confirm: this is hot.

[Via Dot Matrix with Stereo Sound]

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DS kiosks brighten up Korean mall

Posted Apr 26th 2007 11:00AM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: News, Imports

These photos from a Korean mall's Nintendo DS kiosks are from a month ago, but it's interesting to see how the handheld is being promoted in the East Asian country. The showroom's walls are lined with posters of celebrities playing with DS Lites, stylish-looking chairs and tables are available for idlers, and a glass divider separates the area from the rest of the shopping center while still attracting passer-bys with gaming treats.

It isn't clear if this is a permanent setup or if the kiosks are only there for the interim to accompany the DS' recent launch in Korea. The way Nintendo has put its games on display, encouraging people to try out titles like New Super Mario Bros., Brain Training, and English Training in an attractive space, reminds us a lot of Apple's brick and mortar stores and the old Xbox 360 Lounge in Japan. Do we have anything like this to advocate the Nintendo DS in the states? Check for more photos after the jump.

[Via Insert Credit]

Continue reading DS kiosks brighten up Korean mall

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Newsweek columnist analyzes the iPhone's threat to DS, PSP

Posted Jan 11th 2007 1:55PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Fan stuff

We like N'Gai Croal. His latest interview with the Criterion guys had him bringing up Nintendo fans, something we all are and love to hear about, and he usually asks some fairly tough questions. Now that news has hit concerning Apple and a certain iPhone, everyone is wondering if the platform could be a viable threat to Sony's Playstation Portable and the king of the handheld scene, the Nintendo DS.

N'Gai says the "iPhone won't stop the DS from selling like ice on a hot summer day, but it could cause a lot of casual DS owners to put it in a sock drawer and forget about it." Given the dual-input touch-screen controls the iPhone enjoys, can we honestly expect developers to ditch the DS for Apple's product? Probably not ...

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DS wi-fi and Apple Mac can be friends too

Posted Nov 7th 2006 12:30PM by Nikki Inderlied
Filed under: How-tos

The iPod craze is still at large and we have seen the Apple logo spread to some pretty unusual places. If you are one of the brave souls who tore yourself away from your PC and ventured into the world of Mac, but still want to play your pals in some online MP:H or Mario Kart, PocketGamer can help.

They have posted an easy to follow process in six simple steps that will help you plug back into gaming. This way, you won't have to hide your embarrassed face after finding out your Nintendo wi-fi connector doesn't work with OSX.

[Thanks HAZ!]

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iPod games "no substitute" for DS

Posted Sep 12th 2006 3:46PM by Alisha Karabinus
Filed under: News

We could have told you that, Macworld! Looks like the handheld powerhouse of the DS (and some other system) is tempting even Apple to get into the game. As part of Apple's huge Showtime event, they announced not only a new video iPod, but games that can be purchased from iTunes for it as well, priced at $4.99. "Apple's been hard at work on new games for the iPod -- while it still may not be a substitute for a Nintendo DS or Sony PSP, the new iPod can play versions of popular casual games including Bejeweled, Mahjong, mini-golf, Pac-Man, Tetris, Cubis, Texas Hold 'Em, Vortex and Zuma ...."

For DS owners, this can't really compare. Those of us who enjoy the occasional casual game already have a few on the system, and the more tech-savvy DS owners can cook up just about anything they want with their homebrew powers. It's hard to gauge exactly which market Apple is trying to snag here. We can only speculate that Apple is going to try to hit mobile gaming where it lives, by offering easy downloads and a better interface. We so often hit the five instead of the six, after all. And who knows -- for those folks out there who use their PSPs primarily for media and only the occasional game, this may tempt them out of the Sony camp.

So who's planning on snagging Bejeweled 2 or Pac-Man just to see how it plays? We're pretty sure Apple can't tempt us away from our Tetris, but some of the others may be worth a go.

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