DSi One Year Later

Roughly a year ago I decided to make the move from the original Nintendo DS to the new Nintendo DSi. Okay, it hasn't actually been a year, but I think I've had the new Nintendo DSi long enough to comment on the experience.

The best thing about this new machine is the new menu system, very simular to that of the Wii, that allows you to easily move from one application to another. And unless you have a very uninteresting life and never, ever take advantage of free things, you'll soon find out how useful this is.

For one reason or another, my old DS would frequently lose the wireless signal, making even getting the smallest of updates a challenge. Fortunately this is not a problem with the new DSi. When it finds a signal, it hangs on to it until your business is done.

What's cool about this is that when I'm stuck in a game, I can save my progress, open up the internet browser, and look for hints that'll help me get past my problem - without removing my game from the slot. Admittedly, the Opera browser on the DSi is not much better than the one made available for the DS. But it's free and whenever a better one becomes available, I'll easily be able to upgrade.

Because built into the DSi menu is access to Nintendo's online store where 3-4 new applications are added each week. These little add-ons range in cost from $2 - $8 each and reside in the system's memory. In other words, there is no need to get in your car and go to the store to spend $20 or more for a new game. You can purchase it from the comfort of your home. And since it's in the system memory, you don't have to fumble for cartridges - you can just browse the selections you've added and decide what you're in the mood for at that moment.

Speaking of cartridges, the DSi does not have a port for old Nintendo Gameboy Advance games. Rather, it has a slot for an SD memory card. I've not missed the GBA slot. I've found the extra memory very useful.

The DSi also has two cameras which I've had high hopes for, but have yet to deliver. Yes, you can use the cameras in exactly the same situations you've used a cell phone for, and you can use your pictures to customize your system, etc. But I'm still waiting for a game that really takes advantage of the cameras to create a new experience. There is a clever game that uses input from the camera to sense if you're moving the unit, but I've not tried it yet.

It also has an audio system that can be used like an MP3 player, but as it relies on an audio format that would require me to manually convert all of my files, I haven't even touched it.

The bottom line is, if you don't own a DS or (like me) your old DS system is getting a bit worn out, then you'll be very happy with the new Nintendo DSi.

The Dark Brotherhood

Hey, sometimes when you're stuck, you should go out and get some air, you know what I mean?



I know it's been a while since I've posted some game reviews, but I've been busy with the move and everything. I do have some new games to talk about, so I'll start with Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood for the Nintendo DS. The game was developed by Bioware, the folks who single-handedly brought back good old computer role-playing games from the brink of extinction with Star Wars, Knights of the Old Republic. This time around, they apply their design expertise to everybody's favorite blue hedgehog and put it on the Nintendo DS so you can take it with you. If you liked Knights of the Old Republic, you'll feel right at home here. While concessions have been made to adapt to the hardware limitations of the DS, Dark Brotherhood has the same feel of Bioware's more robust offerings on the XBox and Xbox 360. You feel like you have some freedom to explore Sonic's world, instead of putting your head down and running as fast as you can from one checkpoint to the next. Indeed, if you're looking for typical Sonic gameplay here, keep looking. Sure, there are gold rings to collect, but this game is about as far removed from the typical, twitchy, push-the-button-combos-at-just-the-right-second as one can get. Sonic's zipping around ramps and through loops is only triggered at special circumstances, and you have no control of the characters when they make their special moves.

As one would expect from a role playing game, you have choices to make when the characters gain experience, improving their attack, defense and special combat moves. Some combat moves are tied to other characters and can only be used when those characters are in your party. There are a total of 10 characters to choose from, and Sonic can only add 3 extra friends with him when he explores. Choose your friends carefully, as you'll need some of their special moves to get past obstacles - Tails can fly, Knuckles can climb, and so on.

If you've got to collect everything Sonic, you're probably already enjoying this game. If you're a fan of Bioware, but you're afraid the game may be too fast for you, worry not. This game is just the right speed for you. Sonic moves!

Like strategy games? Own a DS? Read on.

I have heard good things about the Advance Wars series, but copies of the game have always been scarce. So when Advance Wars: Days of Ruin came out, I rushed to the store to pick up a copy. If you like strategy games and have access to a DS, you must get this game. I'll give you folks a full review when I've played more, but suffice it to say that it is great, great fun.

Withdrawl

The story continues. What happens when you take away GC's game machine? The result isn't pretty.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you know that the much anticipated Halo 3 is coming out this week. To be honest, I've never played the halo series, and really have no desire to do so. I think the last FPS (first person shooter) I played was Star Wars Jedi Knight II. Halo seems to appeal to a demographic younger than myself. However, if anyone's interested, I'll bite the bullet and tell you what I've learned about the game. Let me know.



Personally, I'm interested in the latest Zelda game, the Phantom Hourglass, due out next week for the Nintendo DS. I know I didn't start out liking the Zelda games, but then I started playing them and really liked the orderly way the world was laid out - the puzzles were logical, an you knew that any obstacle you encountered was only temporary and you would eventually make your way past it. The same went for the creatures you encountered. Even the toughest monsters had some chink in their armor you could exploit. Winning a major battle was an accomplishment. By the time Minnish Cap came out, I was hooked on Zelda. The Phantom Hourglass promises to take advantage of the DS touchscreen interface, adding a new level to the popular series.

One of the things I like about handheld games is that you should be able to pick them up and play them or leave them at any time. Picross is one of those games - you can save a game in progress at any time and come back to it later. The perfect diversion for those long commercial breaks. I've solved over 300 of the avialable puzzles in the game and there's only a few more to go. By then I hope there will be some decent puzzles available for download via the internet.

Dungeon Explorer

New game for the DS, recently announced at the Tokyo Game Show. I have no idea what the features are and I certainly don't know how deep the game is. But it's got WiFi and evidently you can play cooperatively with a friend. So hell yeah, I want this dungeon crawler. Sadly, I have no idea if it will ever be available over here. Sigh.