In an attempt to build some hype for the soon-to-be-released Orcs & Elves, EA has unveiled this limited edition stylus. And why not? It worked for another game you may have heard of.
You won't have to pre-order Orcs to get your hands on this stylus, which was designed to match the wand used in the game. However, since it is limited, those of you wanting the game should pick up your copy sooner rather than later. The editions of Orcs with the pack-in will cost the same as regular copies, but they'll only be available at specific retailers. Unfortunately, they'll only be sold in the US, too. Sorry, PALs!
Don't worry about it scratching up your DS, though. This stylus is Nintendo approved. It's also DS Fanboy approved, which is all that really matters, right?
Did you know that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Mad Catz does, as they've decided to turn over 10% of their profits on their Joytech Nintendo DS Lite Pink Tech Pack. The accessory pack, which can be found at Circuit City, hasn't turned up for us in an online search, but we do know it includes a carrying case, in-car power adapter, USB charger, 2 stylii and two game cases. And it only costs $19.99.
Yesterday's stylus featured in our DIY-recycling round-up looked so sweet, we thought we'd talk about it a little more. We use a variety of styli for interacting with our favorite touchscreens; sometimes (when we can find it) we use an extendable stylus, but it's still awfully skinny. That pen-width notion may be worth looking into. Of course, there are other options, but most are lacking a wonderful magic word: free.
Would you prefer a fat stylus? Do you already use one? Or is the skinny version just fine with you?
One of the more fun, crafty trends that has come up in DS fan culture is the homemade DS case. Clever fans are always looking for unusual materials from which they can make cute DS Lite cases. The results are often eye-catching and whimsical, and, on occasion, turn out to be useful as well. The crafters save money on materials, and waste less not only by not buying a new DS case (with disposable packaging) but by opting not to throw away something that has outlived its original usefulness.
We're going to look at some of the recycled-material DS cases we've featured in the past, as well as a couple that we haven't. Then, finally, we'll present our own craft project, which is more on the 'silly' end of the DS case spectrum. It totally holds a DS, though!
Nintendo really wants to know how you feel about The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Or, rather, if this survey is anything like the Brain Age 2 survey, they want to know if there are any non-gamers in the house to whom you can evangelize the game. In any case, they're willing to pay handsomely in single pieces of plastic for the information.
Registering your game and filling out the survey will make you eligible for this cute "Feather Pen Stylus." Really, it's a free thing requiring minimal effort, so why not? You can choose whether or not to poke at your DS with it.
The stylus included in the package was released before for purchase, but is also now included in this new accessory bundle. Including another stylus and cartridge cases, as well as a case for the whole package, this new kit from Hori looks like it gets the job done.
Isn't that the pain about cases, though? Once you think you've found your ideal case or organizer, another is released, perhaps looking more tempting or functional than that you already own?
GayGamer's Fruit Brute just posted a picture of the styli he picked up in Tokyo while in town for TGS. Of special interest is the promotional Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword stylus, which he received at a Tecmo party. It's a little sword! With a scabbard and everything.
Sure, poking at the touch screen with a plastic finger is okay, but the idea that we could advance through Elite Beat Agents by repeatedly stabbing and slicing at the title characters is disturbingly irresistible. Wait, that came out wrong. We can, and quite frequently do, resist the urge to stab fictional characters.
Even if you don't preorder the game from Wal-Mart (in the U.S.) or EBGames (in Australia), Nintendo-- or whichever unidentified accessory maker this is-- still wants your DS to look all Zelda-y. The latest option for giving your DS an air of high-seas adventure requires no preorder at all, and is (in our opinion) the nicest one yet. The Zelda Phantom Hourglass Kit includes a DS skin, a "modified Zelda pocket" which appears to be a DS case, two silicone game sleeves made to be attached to the system, and three styli.
All of this is emblazoned with the vivid, colorful art that so many people hated about Wind Waker, and which we happen to enjoy. The skin has a bit of a black/red scheme going, which would go well with the new DS Lite color scheme.
We haven't seen this for sale anywhere but Canadian retailer Future Shop, which is a bit inconvenient for us. Canadian gamers can Link up their DS Lites for CAD$18, while all we can do is dream.
Most of the DS Lite skins we've come across in the past made our eyes want to commit suicide -- you could literally see them darting around, panicked, struggling in vain to grow arms and grab anything in reach to stab themselves blind with.
These Phantom Hourglass decals, however, won't disfigure your handheld; they could even by considered somewhat appealing. Wal-Mart will include them, as well as a Link-green stylus, with every $34.82 preorder. The only downside we can see in reserving the game through Wal-Mart is that the retail giant won't ship it out until October 5th, four days after Phantom Hourglass' release. Do you think these extras are worth holding off your Zelda playtime?
The little hole in the side of the DS is nominally designed for the wrist strap, to keep your DS safe from slippery-hand syndrome. In addition, for the original DS, it provides access to the thumb-stick thing for Super Mario 64 DS.
However, that little indentation also provides another outlet for self-expression. There's no end to the junk you can dangle from your DS: cell phone charms, screen cleaners, extra styli, preorder-bonusstuff, homemade beadwork-- whatever you can imagine, you can tether it to the side of your console. Are you rocking any charms?
This rainbow of DS Lite styli can be yours for the low, low price of a few minutes on Nintendo's website. Brain Age 2 owners can register on my.nintendo.com (which we should all do anyway for the extremely sporadic bonuses like this) and take a short survey about how awesome the game is, and in return they'll get a "gift box" containing these seven styli!
Unfortunately, while our brains may be well-trained, our browsers may not all be in such great condition: some would-be applicants are reporting technical difficulties with the site-- specifically that the survey doesn't pop up. Maybe it's a training exercise for Nintendo's IT team.
When it comes to your stylus of choice, do you prefer a regular-sized model, or something with a little more length? Does it depend on the game, or is the comfort and usability the same for you with any touchscreen-enabled title? If you prefer extendable, did you purchase your solution or simply rig something up?
Paddles, drum sticks -- and that's just lately. Who knows what the future could hold for special DS styli and controllers? That's where you come in, dear readers. What would you like to see? What ideas do you have? Share them with us ... we live to hear your weirdest and wildest notions, especially when it comes to offbeat DS fun.
Who needs a stylus? Or even a pair of styli? Pfft. Real gamers don't even need them to play Taiko Drum Master DS -- though we admit, it probably makes things a lot easier. Bring on the "pair of finger" in this week's video spotlight! Check out the action after the post break.
We're curious what happened to this fellow's free styli-drumsticks, though. Did he just cast them aside in favor of going natural? How would you play?
Are you still waffling over whether or not you should hug your big ol' original DS goodbye and pick up a DS Lite? We know some of you are still clinging to the old ways, but never fear -- we're here to help! This week, we're going to look at ten reasons to make the switch ... and ten reasons to stick with what you've got. Oh, we never said we'd make the decision easy.
Of course, the minute we convince you, Nintendo's apt to completely redesign the hardware all over again! But don't worry -- you'll be armed with a list of reasons to wait on anything new ... at least, until we decide to start convincing you to upgrade again. It's the circle of Nintenfandom; you know you're used to it by now.
Did you know that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Mad Catz does, as they've decided to turn over 10% of their profits on their Joytech Nintendo DS Lite Pink Tech Pack. The accessory pack, which can be found at Circuit City, hasn't turned up for us in an online search, but we do know it includes a carrying case, in-car power adapter, USB charger, 2 stylii and two game cases. And it only costs $19.99.
Nintendo 
This rainbow of DS Lite styli can be yours for the low, low price of a few minutes on Nintendo's website. 
When it comes to your stylus of choice, do you prefer a regular-sized model, or something with a little more length? Does it depend on the game, or is the comfort and usability the same for you with any touchscreen-enabled title? If you prefer extendable, did you purchase your solution or simply rig something up?
Who needs a stylus? Or even a pair of styli? Pfft. Real gamers don't even need them to play 
