10/06 Update: Since we no longer write for the Edmond Sun, this section is temporarily housing our podcast links for our iTunes feed. All of the columns are in the archives menu if you feel like exploring.

These columns (as well as the 'releases') come from weekly content that we write for the Edmond Sun, out of Edmond, OK (though we live in Chicago). This page contains the archives for said column, many of which are in their pre-published, unedited state. Some titles and editing by Brendan Sinclair.

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Twice the screens, half the fun
Saturday, October 16, 2004

What would happen if Nintendo released a new system and no one cared? Obviously, a video game giant like Nintendo would never need to worry about something like that happening, but as the release date for their new portable inches ever closer, I'm beginning to question just how far off that reality is.

Since Nintendo hasn't even begun to market this system that is launching at the end of November, I bet some of you haven't even heard about it yet. Real quick summary: it's called the Nintendo DS because it has two screens. One normal, 3" screen similar to what you would find on the GBA. The other is the same size but offers the ability to control games by touching it. The system does have a directional pad and 6 buttons, but developers are finding a way to incorporate the two new features in just about every game.

While the system also has wireless capabilities and a built in microphone, those features clearly will take a back seat to the dual screen, touch screen features. As no company has every attempted something like this before, it will be Nintendo's job to create games that both take advantage of this interesting new setup and are good enough that gamers will do anything to get their hands on a copy. While they seem to be doing alright with the former, I'm not sure about the latter.

Nintendo's biggest launch title is a remake of the N64 classic, Super Mario 64. Using the Nintendo staple of naming titles, Super Mario 64 DS offers a few improvements over the title released 8 years ago. The most notable is the ability to play with up to 3 friends and your choice of controlling either Yoshi, Wario or Luigi as well as Mario. Also, Nintendo has included a new world to explore and 30 new stars to nab.

The new features seem fun, but the control takes a major step backwards. Nintendo equipped the N64 with an analog stick because they realized controlling characters in a 3D environment with anything else would be quite cumbersome. It is with some surprise, then, that they left an analog stick off the DS, forcing players to control Mario using a directional pad. I have no idea why Nintendo would create a 3D system but stick to a control mechanism best suited for 2D games. And while there is the option to control Mario using the touch screen, this seems like an even worse idea than using the pad.

Other titles take a more novel approach to the new control method. In Feel the Magic XY/XX, you play a young fellow courting a girl. This is not your average date, though. Instead, you must proceed through a plethora of mini games, including cleaning your date when she gets dirty and extracting fish from the belly of an overzealous eater. One game has you blowing out candles on a birthday cake. Using the built in microphone, the game registers the duration and power of your breath. Blow too lightly and the flames will only flicker. Blow too strong and watch your on screen character become dizzy.

Nintendogs is another game that strays far from the video game norm. This is more a dog simulation than standard game, as you train, pet and play with a bunch of puppies. You can give them commands using the microphone and play catch using the touch screen.

Admitedly, these games seem genuinely fun and give me hope that later releases on the system will eventually be worth purchasing. I just don't see the average gamer jumping at the chance to blow out virtual candles or praise a pretend dog for catching a ball.

The one genre that could see improvement in control is first person shooters. With Metroid Prime: Hunters, Nintendo has created a control system that mimics what you would find on the PC using a keyboard and mouse setup. However, as good as this control scheme appears, it may be neutralized by the chore of trying to shoot enemies on such a tiny screen. I have yet to see a first person shooter done justice on a portable system, and, despite a cool control scheme, I really don't think that will change.

While the first few months of DS gaming should offer a variety of titles that bare little resemblance to anything else on the market, I'm just not sure if they are worth my time or money. With such a focus on utilizing the features that separate the DS from the crowd, I fear the days of simple platforming and role playing adventures will go the way of the Virtual Boy. Hopefully Nintendo can create mindblowing games that fully ulilize these oddball features and maybe even some games that ignore the alure and go back to the traditional roots of gaming. Until that happens, I am going to be standing on the sidelines for this one.

- Tom


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