Imagine using the touch
screen of Nintendo DS to call a secret audible at the line of scrimmage when your wireless
opponent threatens a blitz. Is your Sim feeling blue? Redesign her apartment or create a pet
with the touch of the screen. Can't find that last star? Use the second screen to track
down your nemesis in the vast worlds of Super Mario 64 DS.
From Mario to Madden and
The Urbz, familiar characters and well-known franchises will dominate the launch season for
Nintendo DS, while trying to convince users that the two screen innovation is a worthy
addition to the Nintendo arsenal and enough to compete with more powerful beasts such as
Sony's PSP. In the first 30 days of system availability, thanks to support from third-party
publishers, players can enjoy 10 to 12 DS games covering all genres. By the end of the first
quarter of 2005, the Nintendo DS library will grow to 20 to 25 games.
Nintendo DS
will launch in the United States on Nov. 21 at an MSRP of USD 149.99.
As part of an
incredibly strong launch offering, players will receive a free playable demo of Nintendo's
upcoming Metroid Prime Hunters game, titled Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt. Each system
also offers a built-in PictoChat feature, which lets users type text or draw pictures and
transmit them wirelessly to up to 15 other Nintendo DS users nearby.
In all, more
than 120 games are currently in development for Nintendo DS around the world. Titles
available in the launch window include Super Mario 64 DS from Nintendo, Madden NFL 2005,
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Golf and The Urbz : Sims in the City from EA, and a major title from
Activision. Other third-party titles available during the launch period include Ping Pals
from THQ, Feel the Magic: XY/XX from SEGA, Rayman DS and Asphalt Urban GT from Ubisoft and
Ridge Racer DS and Mr. DRILLER: Drill Spirits from Namco.
Players can expect
Nintendo-published games to retail for as low as USD 29.99.
In the coming months,
publishers will release a wide range of novel software. Nintendo's list of DS-specific
first-party franchises includes a multiplayer Mario Kart, as well as Metroid Prime Hunters,
WarioWare, Inc. DS, Animal Crossing, Yoshi's Touch & Go, Advance Wars DS and a new Super
Mario Bros., among others.
Third-party publishers will add GoldenEye: Rogue Agent and
Need for Speed Underground from EA, Viewtiful Joe from Capcom, Bomberman from Hudson Soft,
Frogger from Konami, a Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles title from Square Enix, and many
more.
Each title takes advantage of the unique Nintendo DS features. For example, in
Madden NFL 2005, one screen will show all 22 players on the field, while the other will
display the key action. Players also will be able to compete head-to-head wirelessly. In
Super Mario 64 DS, players choose one of four characters as they experience the
groundbreaking Mario game in completely news ways exclusive to Nintendo DS, such as
head-to-head wireless battling, new touch-sensitive mini-games and innovative control
options. In Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt, up to four players can compete wirelessly.
Multiple control schemes take full advantage of the touch screen, giving all gamers an ideal
way to play.
In addition to these upcoming titles, Nintendo DS already features
compatibility with more than 550 games. Its second game port allows users to play
single-player modes of games made for Game Boy Advance
SP.
