We've seen some very neat and useful DS homebrew applications over time -- to say nothing of useful retail titles -- and we can't help but admire those people who turn their handhelds into tools for every occasion. We admire it so much, in fact, that we've decided that this is a day for pretendy-fun-time. Imagine you're a super awesome programmer* who can craft any sort of (realistic) homebrew application for the DS. What would you do?*If you already happen to be a super awesome programmer, uh, pretend you're a panda or something. It'll be fun.
_cg_oct22_kjgfdhd_thumbnail.jpg "Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-19-2008 @ 9:09AM
jooozek said...
dsorganize with multitasking.
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9-19-2008 @ 9:18AM
T-Patch said...
I would make a Wi-Fi scanner. Not only would it show any Wi-Fi spots in the area, but it would also show what DS games people nearby are playing wirelessly. the latter would be almost impossible though... Still, it would be fun to see "Pokemon Diamond - Underground - [character/DS name] [signal bar]" pop up and just hop into the game.
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9-19-2008 @ 9:30AM
Ihar `Philips` Filipau said...
DS has too (two) little screen(s).
My top wish is video player which already exists. Problem is that screens are too small to fit anything widescreen (which is standard format for movies and anime).
My second top wish is eBook reader. Also exists. But again due to smallish screen it is rather unusable. :(
Wish off the "over the top": more RPG homebrew games. Unfortunately most of them are rogue-like. They are more rogue-like than what I generally perceive as RPG. To have some SRPG would also be nice (e.g. port of Battle for Wesnoth).
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9-19-2008 @ 9:59AM
WalkingCarpet said...
Smash Bros DS hands down. I've been waiting for them to make it since the thing came out.
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9-19-2008 @ 10:53AM
Armand Legge said...
A decent fruit (slot) machine emulator or simulator. My g/f is a fanatic and there are no good ones around
9-19-2008 @ 10:57AM
Matt Quinton said...
@4 WalkingCarpet - http://ssbrumble.blogspot.com/ - not finished yet (but then again, this IS homebrew!), but worth a look.
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9-19-2008 @ 11:07AM
Chad said...
Interactive character sheet/tools for table top roleplaying purposes, for either the player characters or the game master. Also, include the ability to connect over wifi with some kind of virtual whiteboard that all participants with a ds can take part in.
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9-20-2008 @ 2:35AM
Matdredalia said...
Amen! I like the way you think! This would be AMAZING.
9-19-2008 @ 11:20AM
damadfiddler said...
I would want a Palm virtual machine. The DS hardware could easily handle most iterations of Palm OS.
The DS hardware is very similar to what you would find in a Palm (ARM processor, speakers, microphone, low-res touchscreen, wifi, a directional pad, and 4 customizable quick-launch buttons).
Most homebrew carts are SD card-based, so storage would not be an issue.
Moreover, it would allow both young professionals and older gamers to not have to choose whether to put a gaming handheld or a business handheld in their pocket each morning to face the day; it could open a whole new business-class market up to the device, if a licensing arrangement could be reached with Palm. (Yes, they're old and on the out, but Palm still sees widespread use in lots of businesses--especially hospitals and schools).
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9-19-2008 @ 12:53PM
Kev said...
I second that. Even an older PalmOS would be fine, as most of the aps I still use frequently have been around for a while.
But if not a PalmOS emulator, I'd like to see a crossword puzzle (.puz) interface, a star chart database, or heck, even a program that will allow for a game of cribbage to be played wifi w/ another DS (not present on Clubhouse grr).
9-19-2008 @ 2:52PM
algarcia said...
I second that too (then I forth). I think it would be great. The thing is How do you hotsync?
9-19-2008 @ 11:43AM
kevin saunders said...
how about a Skype client for the DS. the DS is perfect for this, it already has a built in mic and wifi. I;m suprised you can't do this already. Then for 3 dollars a month I could use my DS as a phone with unlimited minutes whereever there is a wifi client. Not to mention free skype to skype calls. It's a no brainer.
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9-19-2008 @ 2:52PM
algarcia said...
this sounds great too! thats one of the things i'd love. there is a SIP homebrew thing, but is not Skype...
9-19-2008 @ 7:04PM
Doug said...
Ditto on the Skype Idea. I seriously thought of trying to do one myself, but I couldn't find sufficient resource code to do it.
9-19-2008 @ 12:02PM
moo said...
standalone googlemaps, even if just for my own city.
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9-21-2008 @ 7:44PM
Patrick said...
Try DSmaps: http://dsmaps.wordpress.com/
9-19-2008 @ 1:45PM
Sally said...
Indie point-and-click adventure games. An Editor as easy to use as AGS would spawn tons of classic adventure games on the DS.
Another thing would be a workout tracker. I take my DS to the gym (and look geeky while I play and bike at the same time...) so I have it with me anyway, but it just sits in my pocket for the rest of the workout.
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9-19-2008 @ 2:25PM
bryanmmc said...
I would love to see decent sampler program. Ideally, you would be able to edit samples, apply effects, and assign them to real time button/touch pad presses. I run all kinds of sources into a mixer and would love to add my DS as a tiny sampler.
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9-19-2008 @ 5:32PM
Mr Khan said...
A game where you serve the dark lord of fire, Cantido, and help him to burn down the city of Endsville
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_FLCL_episodes#2
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9-19-2008 @ 7:34PM
Rickshaw said...
agreed.
make top screen touch supported, then, with large brains, make homebrew games to support said top screen.
make rainbow laser pointer to entertain cat while playing ds in chair and/or bed, replace with (in my opinion, could be my woody allen-esque voice) terrible mic.
excrete digital pheromones to attract female, mobile computer systems