Which handheld games should jump to the Wii? What about console games that should jump to the DS? We investigate the possibilities.
Pikmin – GameCube
Pikmin is strategy and resource management for people who don't like strategy and resource management. Not to say it doesn't appeal to fans of the genre, but the games had the ability to draw new gamers with its unique style. Pikmin was always great to sit down and relax with and would perfectly fill those quiet moments when you can pull out your DS.
As the sort of game that you can keep coming back to over and over again, it is well suited to progressing little by little. The original Pikmin plays out day by day with each day taking only minutes to complete, while the sequel's dungeons allows you to play for as little or as much time as you wish. Either format would fit well with the time periods portable gaming provides.
The smaller resolution of the DS screen might necessitate a new control method—otherwise it could be difficult to see each individual Pikmin. However, with the loss of resolution comes a second screen. The touch screen adds more options for both direct and indirect control of the Pikmin. Apart from a map option, the top screen could be used to show animations of the Pikmin activities. For example, the player could control Captain Olimar with the stylus and an on-screen menu allowing a number of modes such as path and formation drawing for the Pikmin. Circle around an enemy, select the number of Pikmin to dispatch, see the action on the top screen. The scatter of objects following you then has no requirement for representing each Pikmin. To lead them over a bridge, you could draw a small, thin box to contain the Pikmin and drag them over so that no Pikmin will spill into the crevice.
Pikmin 2 style battle modes would be perfect for Wi-Fi. As a split screen display would no longer be required, multiplayer battle and competition could accommodate more players. Timed challenges for fetching the most treasure or races through an obstacle course could easily be expanded for four players. A cooperative mode could also be delivered over local wireless or Wi-Fi. With the DS allowing people all over the world to play together, the single player mode could even take second place. - Karlie Yeung
Super Smash Bros. – Series
If you think about it, it's a bit strange that Nintendo hasn't said a thing about the premier all-star game possibly coming to the premier handheld gaming system. The GameCube game, Super Smash Bros. Melee, was a perpetual top-seller throughout the system's troubled life. Brawl for the Wii will undoubtedly do even better, especially if it's online. Yet, little is said about any possible DS version.
Why is that? Is it because the multiplayer-focused SSB series wouldn't do as well on the DS? That's hogwash. Everyone who owns a DS knows someone else who owns a DS, so finding someone else to play with would not be a problem. Maybe the frantic four-player format would lose some of its pace by moving to the smaller screens? Poppycock! Jump Super Stars proved, without a doubt, that the smash style of multiplayer fighting could be done perfectly on the handheld. If a handheld Smash Bros. game were to become a reality, the 2D gameplay of JSS would be the best way to present the game on the small screens.
Jump Super Stars is proof of concept that Super Smash Bros. DS is possible. When, if ever, will we see it for real?
There would need to be a few more changes to the format for the transition to be smooth. The DS obviously lacks an analog stick, so movement would need to be simplified. The four face buttons on the DS could be used for regular attacks, smash attacks, special attacks and jumping. The shoulder buttons would handle shield and grab duties. If necessary, the touch screen could act as an extra “utility" button if the game were to include something like the Final Smash ability from SSB Brawl.
Still, the question remains whether or not the multiplayer action would survive over a sometimes spotty local wireless connection, let alone an online one. That may be the keystone to the whole operation, and if it can't work flawlessly then there is no hope for a DS Smash Bros. game. If Nintendo can get the Wii game working great online, then there's fair chance a handheld version may be waiting in the wings. And hey, Nintendo may be even working on the portable version as you read this, planning to have some sort of connectivity between the two. Nintendo has pulled plenty of surprises in the past. Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo DS would be one I'm sure a lot of people would want to see. - Steven Rodriguez
