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• 8Apr 09

  Beginning thoughts on the Nintendo DSi

  Hello everyone, Brad Wiswall here. While me and Bryan are putting the finishing (erm...starting) touches on the new website, I thought I might give my two cents on the most recent gaming acquisition I just made: Nintendo's newest DS redesign, the Nintendo DSi.

  To keep it short, I'm enjoying my time with the new DS. The design is very sleek and sexy looking (even though the Matte color choice makes it look a little cheap).

  Streamlined seems to be the key word that comes across when handling the DSi: Everything feels like the fat has been cut off. That's a good and a bad thing, however.

  It's good because switches and holding tabs no longer plague the DS. Volume is not done on a slider, like the DSLite (which was sensitive since the slightest touch would change the volume altogether), it's done via the buttons on the Left Side, much like a cell phone or MP3 player. The power buttons is also not on a slider; it's on the inside of the DSi via a power button.

  When you turn on the system for the first time, you'll configure it (like you've done with any of the other systems) and then head to the main menu. The menu is easy to understand with big logos and an intuitive touch interface for accessing everything. The internal storage space and the surprisingly powerful Wi-Fi detector also give more to do on the system itself.

  When playing a game, the first thing you may notice is the improved resolution and more accurate reading of the touch stylus. When playing games such as Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy III, the letters and words come in much clearer and are less of a strain to read. Also, thanks to the slightly bigger screen, the stylus touch recognition from games like Kirby Canvas Curse and Planet Puzzle League is even more responsive and sensitive to slight movements.

  On the D-Pad and Button front, it's a matter of preference. In games that require accurate motions on the D-Pad (Fighting games such Bleach: Dark Souls) seem to have abetter feel to the game. However, I felt the buttons squishy yet firm feel hindered my performance slightly on such tap heavy games like Space Invaders Xtreme.

  Now, onwards to the new features: The camera, although it is a scant resolution, actually looks very well on the DSi. It's when you convert it to a file on your computer when the pixelization shows its ugly head. Still, the video and photo capabilities are nice and they may prove useful in key games coming in a year.

  The other new feature is the DSiShop. Much like the Wii Shop Channel, DSiShop downloads are proprietary to the console itself: there's no "clouding" system that registers a username. So, once you break or lose the system, you lose the games. That being said, the look and simplicity of the shop is very appealing, although I find it hard to think this will be ideal when more games will show up on the system.

  If there's one fault I have thus far with the new system redesign, it's the weight and feel of the system. Most new technology (such as the iPhone and iPod Touch) are light but still have a sturdy, weighty feel to it. The DSi however feels like and somewhat flimsy, making it feel more delicate than the previous iterations. This is probably due to the lack of GBA hardware in the system, but the lack of any tangibility with weight seems to be a problem as of right now.

  After only having the system for a couple of daysand playing games like Art Style: AQUIA and Henry Hatsworth and the Puzzling Adventure is like playing the old DS systems. However, if you want to upgrade, you can't go wrong with the DSi, especially if you're going to download games. Mind you, check back if you want to hear more impressions on old games and how they play on the system. And feel free to e-mail me with recommendations or requests.

  • Posted Apr 8, 2009 2:00 pm PT
  • Category: Games
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• 2Apr 09

  Highlights from the First Quarter of 2009

  Not sure where the next quarter is going to go, but the news is bound to be huge coming into E3. Let's hope some big announcements come in the pike.

  Flower- PSN/$9.99 - You've heard all of the artistic psychobabble ("It's a dream-like poem!", "It will move you and stir your senses!" "Females will love this game!" "It will get you laid!"), but the most important part of the game is that it gives you an experience that few games can ever give. With spot-on Sixaxis controls and simplistic movement, Flower is a game that simply any and every type of gamer must try.

  Noby Noby Boy- PSN/$4.99 - Aside from the explanations that lead to a disturbing amount of sexual innuendo ("You stretch Boy out really far to feed girl and...ok, eww"), Noby Noby Boy succeeds in having one of the oddest and enjoyable experiences on a download service thus far this year.

  Street Fighter IV - 360-PS3/$59.99 - Down to its beaten, downtrodden core, fighting games can only really be defined by the fighting series that popularized it: Street Fighter. With the fourth in the series finally being released, not only did Capcom meet expectations of making a comparable, fun fighter for fighting game fans, it also redefined what a quality 2D fighter will have to be in the years to come. The sheer fun and intense multiplayer fights are only a few of the highlights of one of the few classics of this generation.

  Killzone 2 - PS3/$59.99 - With the slight disappointment that was Resistance 2, the PS3 absolutely needed a top quality 1st-Person Shooter on it's console. It recieved one in spades: Killzone 2 features the most beautiful graphics and the most intense firefights that 1st person shooter fans will love. The multiplayer, as well, is a fun and intense team affair.

  50 Cent: Blood on the Sand - 360-PS3/$59.99 - We can talk all you want about the ludicrous/awesome story and the moronic/hilarious dialogue, but you can't deny that Blood on the Sand is a highly competent, incredibly fun co-op squad based shooter. Hey 50!

  Halo Wars- 360/$59.99 - This is a game that this writer has abolished in the past because of the lack of word of mouth surrounding it. The pleasant surprise of this RTS-Lite game that is actually very fun and controls well bodes well for any RTS that wants to make a stab at console release. Please Blizzard?

  MLB 09: The Show - PS3/$59.99 - The only quality baseball simulation is on PS3 and it's The Show. Gorgeous graphics, excellent fielding controls and an easy to use interface for both pitching and hitting makes The Show one of the better sports games out.

  MadWorld - Wii/$49.99 - It's bloody, it's hysterical, it's short and it's brilliant. As a social commentary and a hilarious and disgustingly violent action romp, MadWorld gives the mature Wii audience a game they can sink their sadistic and creative teeth into.

  Henry Hatsworth and the Puzzling Adventure - DS/$29.99 - You are English and you turn into a robot. Seriously, you need another reason to play this? OK, here a few others: It's humorous, got great platforming and an excellent blend of puzzle solving (by a Panel de Pon like puzzle interface) that gives the game a unique blend of quality gaming.

  • Posted Apr 2, 2009 12:08 pm PT
  • Category: Games
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• 31Mar 09

  Podcast: Opinion Unlocked Q1 Wrap-Up

  Heading towards the end of rhe 1st Quarter, Brad and Bryan discuss the highlights, low depths and the stories that shaped the first quarter of 2009.

  You can download the podcastHERE

  Tune in next week for the Opinion Unlocked Showdown, where Brad and Bryan duke it out to find who is the better gamer between the two of them!

  • Posted Mar 31, 2009 9:12 am PT
  • Category: Games
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