Category: Nintendo DS

This Week’s Videogame Releases

After a few slow weeks, May brings several interesting games to the table. Brink has been getting a lot of buzz — some of my reviewer friends are high on this game and some are meh on it. Virtua Tennis 4 looks to bring the series back to glory. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean serves up the cutest version of Captain Jack Sparrow ever. MX vs. ATV Live should keep motor sports fans happy. The First Templar is flying under the radar, but a few of my friends are digging this adventure game, saying that it nicely blends old and new.

Any of you guys and dolls picking up new games this week?

Nintendo of America Hires Dial Soap Guy as Executive VP

Normally I can’t be bothered to write about companies hiring new executives. For the most part, none of you care. Nintendo’s latest executive announcement was too good not to touch. The company has hired Scott Moffitt as the new executive vice president of sales & marketing for Nintendo of America. He’ll be reporting to NOA president Reggie Fils-Aime — you know, the guy that marketed Guiness beer, Pizza Hut, and Panda Express before taking Nintendo to new heights. How can Moffitt match up with Fils-Aime? Well, just look at this snippet from the press release:

Moffitt comes to Nintendo from Henkel Consumer Goods, where he oversaw North American operations for leading personal-care brands such as Dial, Right Guard, Tone and Pure & Natural. During his five years as senior vice president and general manager for the Personal Care division, he orchestrated an overhaul of the flagship Dial and Right Guard brands.

I love it! The dude sold soap and deodorant!!! That’s the perfect complement to the marketing strategies involved with selling stout beer, The Bigfoot Pizza (a Fils-Aime project), and mediocre Chinese food. Aren’t you glad you used Dial?!?

Coffee Talk #347: Your Least Favorite Console Launch

I’m late to the party on the Nintendo 3DS…and I’m trying to figure out where the party is. As a frequent flyer and huge portable gamer, the 3DS is off to a disappointing start. What was your…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, whether Derek Jeter is washed up, the brilliance of Hall & Oates, or your favorite Thundercat, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I’m late to the party on the Nintendo 3DS…and I’m trying to figure out where the party is. I loved the potential of Nintendo’s latest portable gaming system at E3 2010 and the handful of times I got to play it between then and launch. After a few weeks with the system, I’m completely underwhelmed.

I have five 3DS launch titles and the only one I’m regularly enjoying is Nintendogs + Cats. That game hardly pushes the 3DS’ capabilities and the charm is largely the same as the original’s. I know that the 3DS will have great games in the future and I’m sure I’ll eventually love the system. As a frequent flyer and huge portable gamer, I’m really disappointed in the 3DS’ weak start. Next time I fly, I’ll probably leave my 3DS at home and play games on my iPad 2.

I don’t remember the last time I was this underwhelmed by a console launch. A new system usually brings something new and exciting to the table. The 3DS only does half of that. Where there any console launches that left you feeling flat? Kindly name the console launch (or launches) that disappointed you the most.

Coffee Talk #343: Consoles, Personal Information, and You

With Sony’s revelation that user information — including credit card numbers — was compromised when PlayStation Network was hacked, I wanted to get your thoughts on tying your info to your consoles. I know that…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, President Obama’s birth certificate, the fate of SETI, or your favorite Britney song, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

With Sony’s revelation that user information — including credit card numbers — was compromised when PlayStation Network was hacked, I wanted to get your thoughts on tying your info to your consoles. I know that a few of you only make console purchases through gift cards and codes. Those of you that do are looking extra smart this week. For those of you that use your credit cards on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, are you wary of doing so now?

Personally, I’m not too worried about it. In my limited experience, my banks have been pretty good at alerting me about fraud attempts — if anything, they’ve been overly paranoid. Plus, it’s not like I have money or anything (ha!). In the particular case of PSN, I’m guessing that the hack was a result of Sony’s strong-arm stance against people like GeoHotz. I will, perhaps naively, assume that malice was intended towards Sony Computer Entertainment and not its customers.

Now it’s your turn! How do you feel about the issue? Are you paranoid? Are you carefree? Or somewhere in between?

Today’s Poll: Gaming or Phoning While on the Toilet

Today’s poll was inspired by RPadholic Sandrock323. He mentioned that he never uses his Nintendo DS while…uh…making a deposit in the bathroom. He believes that his DS is too sacred. Do you agree? Is it okay to play some DS or PSP while doing the #2? How about web browsing on your Android phone or iOS device? Kindly take today’s poll and elaborate (hopefully not in a gross way) in the comments section.

[poll id=”111″]

Coffee Talk #327: The Last Gen of Pure Gaming Portables?

Will the next generation of portable gaming systems be multifaceted devices? Or will a gaming-focused experience still dominate at the end of this decade? Is the future of portable gaming more…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Sin Cara debuting the day after WrestleMania, Angelina Jolie’s boobtastic comic book, or Stumptown’s Indonesia Sulawesi Toarco Peaberry, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Handheld gaming is at a crossroads. Largely due to the increased gaming capabilities of Apple iOS products, I don’t think it’s enough for a portable gaming system to be focused primarily on games. With that in mind, do you think that the Nintendo 3DS — which is almost all about gaming no matter what Nintendo claims — will be the last handheld system of its kind?

The original PlayStation Portable was, perhaps, ahead of its time. In addition to great games, it offered strong multimedia capabilities (music, movies, photos), web browsing, communication (Skype), and more. It’s too early to tell, but it looks like the upcoming NGP will bring it all together, offering gaming, social networking, streaming movies, Internet access, communications, and multimedia in a much tighter way than its predecessor.

Will the next generation of portable gaming systems be multifaceted devices? Or will a gaming-focused experience still dominate at the end of this decade? Is the future of portable gaming more NGP or more 3DS? Leave a comment and let me know (please)!

This Week’s Videogame Releases

It’s a pretty huge week in the videogame business. The Nintendo 3DS launched and is selling briskly, though it’s not nearly as hard to find as the Nintendo Wii was during launch week. Wrestling fans that want to set up dream matches pitting current WWE Superstars against old-school wrestlers will want to pick up WWE All Stars. As much as I’ll enjoy the gameplay, I think my favorite part will be hearing Jim Ross’ commentary. Racing fans have two styles of automotive action to choose from in Shift 2 and NASCAR The Game 2011. If you prefer motorcycles over cars then you might dig MotoGP 10/11. Fans of adulterers and golf will have a blast with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters. Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky looks like a great old-school RPG.

Last, but not least, is a PSP game that I’m incredibly psyched for: The 3rd Birthday. As a Parasite Eve fan, I’m really looking forward to Aya Brea’s next adventure.

Any of you picking up new games this week?

This Week’s Videogame Releases

There are lots of interesting games dropping this week, spanning a wide variety of genres. I’ve really gotten into this season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, so I’m curious about LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars. Graphics whores will want to keep an eye on Crysis 2. Koei is at it again with Dynasty Warriors 7. Do you miss Lara Croft? Well you can relive her greatest adventures in Tomb Raider Trilogy. Square Enix continues its quietly strong Q1 with Dissidia 012 [Duodecim] — it’s always cool to see characters from different Final Fantasy games hanging out together.

Any of you picking up new games this week?

Okamiden Launch Trailer

I completely forgot to include Okamiden in this week’s videogame releases. That’s just criminal. To make up for it, enjoy this launch trailer. I loved Okami and have been excited about Okamiden for a long time. The art and gameplay seem absolutely charming. Hopefully the little pup will forgive me for forgetting about him.

Any of you picking up Okamiden?

Today’s Poll: Apple iPad 2 Launch vs. Nintendo 3DS Launch

The Apple iPad 2 launched last Friday and some analysts believe that nearly one-million units were sold over the weekend. Later this month, the Nintendo 3DS will launch and demand is expected to be similarly crazy. Which product will have the more impressive launch week? On one hand, the iPad 2 has a broader appeal since it’s a multifaceted device that offers excellent browsing, decent gaming, and fantastic media consumption. The Nintendo 3DS is also multifaceted, but its focus is on gaming. It also has the allure of 3D and a lower price point. Which company will sell more in week one? Take today’s poll and state your case (please)!

[poll id=”106″]