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Nintendo DS @ [H] Console

FrgMstr

FrgMstr

Just Plain Mean
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Nintendo DS fever is sweeping the country. The world’s number one selling handheld gaming device is now on the bench at [H] Console. Let’s see what all the fuss is about.

We would imagine that most people reading this article are on the fence about which handheld to buy. If you are looking for a dedicated gaming machine with a variety of titles the Nintendo DS is certainly something you’ll want to consider. The unit was extremely well designed and overall a completely satisfying gaming experience.
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http://console.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTA0MywxLCxoY29uc29sZQ
 
I bought my friend a DS for his birthday and I've been jealous ever since--I want one too!

Your article was informative and covered the bases as to the feature-set of the DS, although IMO there should have been more space devoted to gaming with the touch screen. The first time I played Mario 64 DS, I was amazed at how easy it was to control the character using that touch screen, and there are plenty of other games that are really easy to pick up and play thanks to this innovative technology. It all sounds great on paper, but an article on the DS should highlight how well it works in practice.

Given the choice between the DS and the PSP, I would choose the DS for its innovation and great games... but right now I'm holding out for the DS Lite. That might be another cool thing to mention in the article...

Another nice review, Kyle. Keep 'em coming :)
 
I have a PSP but will be getting the DS Lite when it comes out, especially for the new Mario Bros.
 
Another good review. One minor point, though: I don't believe that the metroid prime: hunters demo is being included anymore. I bought my DS last August and couldn't find one with the demo anywhere, and I have yet to see a unit that included it.

Of course, this is just a minor detail. I agree wholeheartedly with the review - the ds is a fantastic system with a plethora of great games. I play mine all the time, even when I'm at home and surrounded by consoles.
 
Great review! Though, I never had an issue with this:
The unit requires you to drop your router speed down to 1-2mbps.
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I never had to reconfigure my DI-624 or anything.
 
I heard on a few router models that you have to lower wireless speed(Linksys I think), I had no problems with my Belkin though, the auto config worked a treat.
 
When researching the wireless aspect of the DS I actually tried on three different routers. One was a linksys, one a DLink, and I honestly can't remember which one my friend had, but they all required adjustments to even get a connection.

In the case of the Linksys, which is what I own, I had to absolutely set it to 1Mb or it wouldn't allow me to connect to another game, the test would work ok, but then I got nothing.

In all of the tests the DS wasn't more than 2 or 3 feet from the router. The fact that you could have a wife breathing down your neck because her laptop was running slower than a 14.4 did merit mentioning however. ;)
 
Rich Tate said:
When researching the wireless aspect of the DS I actually tried on three different routers. One was a linksys, one a DLink, and I honestly can't remember which one my friend had, but they all required adjustments to even get a connection.

In the case of the Linksys, which is what I own, I had to absolutely set it to 1Mb or it wouldn't allow me to connect to another game, the test would work ok, but then I got nothing.

In all of the tests the DS wasn't more than 2 or 3 feet from the router. The fact that you could have a wife breathing down your neck because her laptop was running slower than a 14.4 did merit mentioning however. ;)
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I feel you pain on the wife issue. :)

As for the routers, Nintendo has a list of routers that they recommend on their website. I have a D-Link DGL-4300 and have not had to tweak anything with the exception of adding my DS' mac address to the filter. You might want to check the site and see if the routers that you tested were on the list. I'm sure any one will work but I am betting that the routers that they recommend are going to be the most hassle free of the bunch.
 
^^Agreed, as I said in my conclusion it was a very minor gripe.

You have to give Nintendo kudos for creating a massive proprietary system to play games with your buddies across the room or globe. Overall I felt the process was great, but as I said any issue we have is worth mentioning.
 
I picked up a DS a few months ago, and have been very happy.

Like most gamers, I have a fiancee that doesn't play many games. But, I always get her electronics stuff for her Bday / christmas. For the past 2 years, i had gotten her PDAs, so she loves using a stylus.

Well, After I got my nintendo DS, she liked it had a touch screen and started playing it as well. In about 2 weeks, she was better then me at Kirbys canvas curse and a few others. Shes hooked on Phoenix Wright, and was quite excited when I picked up Tetris when it came out.

For her birthday this week she asked for a blue nintendo DS. I picked one up for her, also grabbed Brain Age, and a yoshi game ( one similar to canvas curse .)

Well in 2 days she was already buying herself a few games. She picked up Yoshis Topsy turvey to go in the GBA slot, that games a lot of fun BTW.

Now we both play against each other, and she is always going on WIFI with tetris when she's at my apartment.

Brain Age seems to be the most addicting at this point. I have no family here in DFW area, but her entire family is hooked on brain age. Her mother asked to borrow my DS so she and her daughter can duke it out with calculation battles!

So as for gaming being for kids,I think nintendo DS is helping change tracks with some of its games. And to get your wife to play games with you, get her started on PDAs so she ends up liking the stylus, then push her onto a nintendo DS :)
 
Rich Tate said:
^^Agreed, as I said in my conclusion it was a very minor gripe.

You have to give Nintendo kudos for creating a massive proprietary system to play games with your buddies across the room or globe. Overall I felt the process was great, but as I said any issue we have is worth mentioning.
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Nintendo has done a fantastic job with their gaming service. The one thing you did not touch upon in your article is that the Friend Codes follw the game cartridge and not the user. This is the one and only gripe I have with the service. I would love to have an Xbox Live style roster that followed your name across the games. If they can improve on that they will give MS some competition.
 
Smiffy said:
I heard on a few router models that you have to lower wireless speed(Linksys I think), I had no problems with my Belkin though, the auto config worked a treat.
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i have a Linksys rouater.. no problems at all.. i don't have to drop any speeds
 
no2pencil said:
I picked up a DS a few months ago, and have been very happy.

Like most gamers, I have a fiancee that doesn't play many games. But, I always get her electronics stuff for her Bday / christmas. For the past 2 years, i had gotten her PDAs, so she loves using a stylus.

Well, After I got my nintendo DS, she liked it had a touch screen and started playing it as well. In about 2 weeks, she was better then me at Kirbys canvas curse and a few others. Shes hooked on Phoenix Wright, and was quite excited when I picked up Tetris when it came out.

For her birthday this week she asked for a blue nintendo DS. I picked one up for her, also grabbed Brain Age, and a yoshi game ( one similar to canvas curse .)

Well in 2 days she was already buying herself a few games. She picked up Yoshis Topsy turvey to go in the GBA slot, that games a lot of fun BTW.

Now we both play against each other, and she is always going on WIFI with tetris when she's at my apartment.

Brain Age seems to be the most addicting at this point. I have no family here in DFW area, but her entire family is hooked on brain age. Her mother asked to borrow my DS so she and her daughter can duke it out with calculation battles!

So as for gaming being for kids,I think nintendo DS is helping change tracks with some of its games. And to get your wife to play games with you, get her started on PDAs so she ends up liking the stylus, then push her onto a nintendo DS :)
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I have also had to buy my wife a DS, but that is because she is a Tetris addict. But I went a different route. I have used it as an excuse to import a DS Lite for myself and she can have my Blue DS. It should be here some time this week. :D
 
It is interesting that wives seem to love it as well. My wife, p[H]antom's wife, they all love to play it. Again, Nintendo does make quirky and very addictive games, we all know that. As Steve said in his thoughts he was skeptical about the adult content, but I think it just goes to show that a good many people are, then they play it and get sucked in. ;)


The one thing you have to remember about routers are that it could be a bit of a crapshoot. Not all devices function exactly identical, and different firmwares could also make quite a difference.
 
Rich Tate said:
It is interesting that wives seem to love it as well. My wife, p[H]antom's wife, they all love to play it. Again, Nintendo does make quirky and very addictive games, we all know that. As Steve said in his thoughts he was skeptical about the adult content, but I think it just goes to show that a good many people are, then they play it and get sucked in. ;)
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My gf has never been a gamer, but I got her a DS with animal crossing, and she played it 8 hours a day for a week straight :eek: She's toned down a bit, but still plays it all the time.
 
STANG22GT said:
I have a PSP but will be getting the DS Lite when it comes out, especially for the new Mario Bros.
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Same deal with me. I can't pass that game up.
 
I picked one up just yesterday (4/30). I bought Resident Evil Deadly Silence with it. I love the game. I love the system. If you liked RE: Director's Cut on Playstation then you will love RE: DS.
 
Rich Tate said:
It is interesting that wives seem to love it as well. My wife, p[H]antom's wife, they all love to play it. Again, Nintendo does make quirky and very addictive games, we all know that. As Steve said in his thoughts he was skeptical about the adult content, but I think it just goes to show that a good many people are, then they play it and get sucked in. ;)


The one thing you have to remember about routers are that it could be a bit of a crapshoot. Not all devices function exactly identical, and different firmwares could also make quite a difference.
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I forgot about older firmwares. If you are using a DS that came with the Metroid Prime Demo then you are using one of the first run units, since that game was only packaged in with the initial release of the system. Although you firmware should have been upgraded the first time you played a Wifi Game over the internet. If I remember correctly the DS does the same thing as the PSP and upgrades your firmware when necessary.

As for the appreciation of the system from spouses I am not too surprised. Nintendo has always held the belief that accessible games for everyone is a good thing and that is what you get with the DS. Although I can't comment too much on how my wife handles games, I lucked out and married the exception to the rule. She made me go out and buy Elderscrolls: Oblivion on its release date. I was going to wait until there was a sale. She has already stated that when Neverwinter Nights 2 comes out we will own it. :)
 
Zinn said:
Given the choice between the DS and the PSP, I would choose the DS for its innovation and great games... but right now I'm holding out for the DS Lite. That might be another cool thing to mention in the article...
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I am holding out for the DS Lite as well. I skimmed through the review, and I didn't see a mention of the DS Lite, so I think that should definitely be added since its due to be released somtime soon (hopefully). And if you did mention it, sorry I missed it ;) .
 
At the time of the article writing Nintendo had not announced the Lite version of the DS.

You can rest assured though that we'll have another evaluation up for it though. :)
 
Nice article, my brother has a DS, I was thinking of a PSP...not too sure now though. Touch screen and Warioware is just way too much fun.

Oh yeah, I noticed a really minor typo...in the dropdown at bottom of page, one of the pages was listed as "Seeper into the Nintendo DS". IIRC, it was the final page's dropdown I noticed it on. Seeeeper ;)
 
movax said:
Nice article, my brother has a DS, I was thinking of a PSP...not too sure now though. Touch screen and Warioware is just way too much fun.

Oh yeah, I noticed a really minor typo...in the dropdown at bottom of page, one of the pages was listed as "Seeper into the Nintendo DS". IIRC, it was the final page's dropdown I noticed it on. Seeeeper ;)
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rob a bank and get both!!!

ehehhe.. i have both.. both have their pros and cons...
 
RancidWAnnaRIot said:
rob a bank and get both!!!

ehehhe.. i have both.. both have their pros and cons...
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I think you really have to look at what you want to get out of it before you buy.

If someone was looking for a dedicated gaming platform with lots of fun titles I would certainly suggest a DS. Conversely, if they wanted some Multimedia function and a little less gaming, then the PSP is the choice.

All about what you want.
 
Played my buddies PSP, and I must say, the screen is very nice, but wasn't all that impressed. The PSP movies are just plain lame. Just buy the damn DVD and rip it to your PSP! Don't waste your time on PSP only media!

As for the router issue, I am using a Linksys Wireless router (only as an access point) and I just set the router as "B" mode. Don't know if I needed to, did it because I bought the router for my DS to get online. Other than that, getting online is quick and simplistic!

As for online Tetris, and Mario Kart, it is so much fun! Seems less people playing Mario Kart than Tetris, only because I can get into Tetris games much faster than Mario Kart games.

Been enjoying my DS for a month now. Castlevania, Tetris DS, and Mario Kart are pretty much have had a soft spot in my gaming heart for a while now. Looking at some other titles, but definetly have New Mario Bros on order (;^b...)

For those who havn't played online with their DS, it is so awsome to sit in a comfy chair, laid back, and handing down the smack-down (or enjoying ones self smackdown... LOL)
 
I just picked one up the other day for an upcoming flight to Japan (we're getting stationed there for three years). I bought Tiger Woods Golf and some Brain Trainer game. I love the DS, but am returning the golf for Tetris or something, and I might pick up Mario Cart too.

We just bought the kids GBA's, the DS has made us (me and CINCHOUSE) wish we had bought them the new unit.
 
great review , while maybe a lil late .

i never had any problem with my wrt54g from linksys , just plug and play.

great stuff hardocp!
 
I just hope that the Opera browser game cartridge thingy isn't too expensive and I'll still be able to browse and post on [H] :D

Anyhow, I have yet to see a release date on it. We will see.... Anyone know the date?
 
Its kinda interesting to see hard reviewing stuff they missed as the gaming section was not up when the stuff came out but for someone that doesn't have a ds yet a good review. I would have liked to see more info on the metroid demo as the unit comes with it though. Also this review didn't have that weird cartoon pic of steve at the end the game skins did. I though that was kinda funny and should have been left in. Anyway nice job guys.
 
I've swiped little my brothers DS and been playing it for a couple of months now, I'll definitely go snag the DS Lite when its comes out. I've had a blast playing Mario Kart and am going to go pickup the Castlevania game next, then probably the Mario Bros, and eventually Final Fantasy III. Damn, theres too many fun games for this thing :p I've got the WRT54GS Linksys router and have not experienced any issues between the two.
 
I'm thinking about getting the lite version. I have the original version but the lite looks so damn good.
 
Spootie said:
I just picked one up the other day for an upcoming flight to Japan (we're getting stationed there for three years).
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I picked up my PSP 5 days before flying to Germany, 3 years for me too :D I love it here
 
I've yet to try getting my DS online with my Linksys wireless router, but I did get online without any problems using the Nintendo wireless dongle that I bought a few months ago (before I had any intentions of getting a wireless router), so that may be an option for those who have connection problems using their existing wireless connections.
 
^^Which is exactly the reason we mentioned it bro, if you do have router issues, you have another alternative.
 
yeah, I read the article after posting, and noticed you'd said the same thing :eek:
 
Nice write-up. I didnt know much about the DS....I thought it was just some jazzed up Gameboy Advance. Wow.

Looks like one of my "children" will "need" one for their birthday!! :eek:
 
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