The DS Weekend Warrior: more R4 troubles and more helpings of Chocobo
Last week brought us news about epic game releases, and possible troubles for the DS homebrew community through the R4. This week isn’t that much different, however: just add a few more much-awaited (but some quite unexpected) sequels, and more bad news for the R4. Read this week’s Weekend Warrior for your dose of DS news round-up!
We were greeted with good tidings in last week’s Weekend Warrior, mostly consisting news of game releases that will no doubt fulfill some of the DS fans’ gaming wishlists, as well as some alarming news that may greatly affect those who are active in the DS homebrew community. This week, however, we’re treated to more game releases, lawsuits, rumors, and more news concerning the R4.
About new gaming releases, two franchises will give DS their love, adding two more ticks to every DS gamer’s list of fulfilled games. Square Enix, for one, has recently announced the coming of two new games starring their well-loved mascot, the Chocobo.The two games, Cid and Chocobo’s Mysterious Dungeon: Maze of Time DS+ and Chocobo and the Magic Storybook: The Witch and the Girl and the Five Heroes, will most probably end up being worthy additions to the DS gaming libraries of many Final Fantasy fans. Not only Final Fantasy fans would enjoy the advent of the new Mysterious Dungeon sequel, but fans of rogue-like games as well.
Link: Square Enix announces two new Chocobo games for the DS
Fans of the venerable Chorno Trigger were also treated this week to a look at the DS version of the game. Included in the video, which is off of Square Enix’s Japanese website for Chrono Trigger, are a character roster roundup, as well as some gameplay for you to enjoy.
Link: Now showing: the Chrono Trigger DS trailer
It’s not only Square Enix who will give some love, however. Konami also announced the sequel to their sleeper Wii hit Elebits (also known as Eledees in Europe), Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero, to be released within Fall of 2008. We’ve also received some info about Elebits/Eledees, and you should be pleased with what Konami has in store for you.
Link: Konami announces Elebits: Adventures of Zero and Kai for the DS
Link: Eledees: The Adventures of Kai and Zero coming to Europe this Winter
And now we move on to the grittier side of the Nintendo DS industry in general, including the sticky business of the thin line between homebrew gaming and piracy, rumors of new hardware, as well as the usual patent-slinging.UK‘s Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (better known as ELSPA) is now starting to take action against the spread and use of flashcarts/flashcards within the UK. Now, while this will most definitely curb the proliferation of gaming piracy on the DS, it will also hurt the homebrew gaming community as well. And we won’t like that, would we?
Link: ELSPA considering legal action for flashcart retailers
Perhaps Nintendo can appease their DS market by coming up with an official product that can encourage the creation and spread of homebrew applications and games…something like the DSvision, perhaps, but instead of storing and viewing media, users can create and use homebrewed applications just like flashcarts. How about that, Nintendo?
While we dream about an official homebrew accessory for the DS, let’s also toy with the possibility of getting a widescreen Nintendo DS unit. Okay, maybe just think about it, but not really bank on the actual possibility, at least, not right now – Nintendo just debunked the rumors concerning a widescreen DS.
Link: Nintendo: widescreen DS nothing but ‘rumor and speculation’
But of course, what are the actual benefits of having a DS with widescreen available in the market? No DS games support widescreen at this point, obviously, but the only thing that may even make use of a widescreen feature is the DSvision, which can be used to view videos in widescreen format. That’s something to ponder on, perhaps.
But before we get too serious about the subject, let’s take a look at the latest patent charge against big Ninty. This time, an Illinois native by the name of John Martin claims that Nintendo infringed on his patents for a touchscreen “electronic game device system.” Now, hearing that makes it seem that every other manufacturer of touchscreen devices stole his invention, but hear this guy out nonetheless by reading the related article.
Link: Nintendo gets lawsuit over the DS’s touchscreen capability
Well, that’s it for this week’s Weekend Warrior for the DS. Here’s to hoping that we get more news of awesome game releases, and that the squabbles over patents and flashcards will be over soon. Stick around for the next issue!