Topic: Nintendo Touts Voice Chat in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

[Bloodworth]

Official DS headset confirmed for US release.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=13142

ON APRIL 22, TWO NEW POKÉMON JEWELS WILL HAVE PEOPLE TALKING

   

Wireless and Chat Abilities of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl Act Like a Cell Phone for Kids

   

REDMOND, Wash., March 15, 2007 - For a decade, fans of Pokémon® video games have been entertained by exciting adventures, dramatic battles and hundreds of new Pokémon. Now the record-setting franchise is evolving with Pokémon® Diamond Version and Pokémon® Pearl Version, two new games available April 22 for the top-selling Nintendo DS™. The in-depth games feature enhanced graphics that make Pokémon jump off the screen like never before. In addition to the 380 Pokémon available in previous versions, players can collect, train and battle more than 100 new Pokémon. After completing certain objectives, they can also import Pokémon from their Game Boy® Advance games. Starting March 18, fans who pre-order a copy of either game will receive one of two collectible Pokémon styluses (retailer may require pre-order deposit).

   

But the game's wireless abilities are what will have everyone talking - literally. Using a local wireless connection, up to eight trainers can connect and play. Both Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl are fully Wi-Fi compatible, meaning players can log onto Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo's wireless gaming service, and compete with players all around the world. The microphone built into the Nintendo DS even lets players talk with friends before, during and after battles. Only players who have entered one another's Friend Codes can communicate using this Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, feature so players can control with whom they communicate. For kids, it's like having a cell phone that can only connect with their friends. The Nintendo DS Headset, sold separately, makes these conversations a breeze.

   

"The amazing wireless and voice chat features of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl offer gamers something completely new," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "We make games for everybody, and these Pokémon titles are sure to be a hit with new and returning players."

   

Players can trade Pokémon or battle with players anywhere in the world, even without voice communication. The Global Trade Station allows players to post Pokémon they want to trade on a board and browse through Pokémon other players have posted. The Battle Tower allows players to battle with seven Trainers who have registered their player data in the Wi-Fi Battle Dome. After the battle, players can upload their data so other Trainers can battle them virtually. The more games a player wins, the higher his or her ranking.

   

Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl feature the ability for players to control their Pokédex using the touch screen controls of Nintendo DS. As time passes in the real world, the look of the games changes. The Pokémon characters that appear change, and the evolution of some Pokémon is affected.

   

More than 155 million Pokémon games have been sold worldwide. When Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl were released in Japan, they became the fastest-selling Pokémon games ever, with 5 million units shipped to retailers in their first three months of availability. For more information about these games, visit www.Pokemon.com.

[Pale]

Now we wait for the "Pokemon will get your kids molested" news article.

[UltimatePartyBear]

How does multiplayer pokemon work with eight players?

[Pale]

Partybear, I believe the 8 player portions of multiplayer take place in an underground maze.  There you can look at each other's bases and play silly mini games like capture the flag.  I am still researching it all.  Expect a Preview to go up on the site early next week.  

[Plugabugz]

Pokemon will molest your kids, you mean.

[MaryJane]

Hopefully Nintendo finds a way to have battles between the Wii and DS games like how Microsoft is doing with Vista and X360. That would be hawt.

[Ian Sane]

If there's a voice chat then that would mean swearing in a Pokemon game!  The DS would allow your child to pick up profanity from THIN AIR on the school ground!  It's like giving your kid a George Carlin CD!

[Bill Aurion]

Well if the kids use the friend codes correctly (as in, the friends codes they share are with their actual friends) then any profanity would probably be something they've heard already... =)

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Bingo, asshat!

[NWR_pap64]

Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
Now we wait for the "Pokemon will get your kids molested" news article.

QFT...That's all I have to say.

[NeoThunder]

I hope this voice-over-IP is DURING gameplay and not at some idle screen

[Bloodworth]

Ummm... it says you can.

Quote
The microphone built into the Nintendo DS even lets players talk with friends before, during and after battles.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

I'll counter your SHOE with my LAMBTRON, asshat!

[Khushrenada]

Quote
For kids, it's like having a cell phone that can only connect with their friends.

Awesome! I can finally have a cell phone! Only one that requires having internet access and an already prior agreement to being online at the same time. But still, I'll have a cell phone.


Actually though, I do hope that Nintendo follows up this idea on to the Wii so we can get the WiiPhone that had been talked about before.  

[18 Days]

It's not like a phone. This thing wont ring for you.

[Shecky]

Back on topic... what if you were playing online and battling against a pikachu, when your opponent was Ikue Otani?

Wouldn't that voice chat be interesting...  

[KDR_11k]

[NeoThunder]

Do you think you'll be able to talk threw your DS, while your playing the Wii version.  Thats what I want....voice chat on a Wii game

[Smash_Brother]

The first words I'd say to everyone would be "LET ME SHOW YOU MY POKEMANS!!!" in a very high pitched voice.