Hi, bought my daughter a Nintendo DS in the UK over Christmas and now that we are back in Namibia, I cannot find anywhere in Namibia to buy new games. She is getting a bit tired of Nintendogs! Please advise of the nearest agency.

Thanks

- Toni
Windhoek, Namibia

Oh boy, Namibia. That's pretty far out there, isn't it? Well, I poked around Nintendo's list of international distributors and found that it doesn't look like it does business in your neck of the woods. I think your best chance to find games in the shops is to head down to South Africa, where Nintendo's presence is the largest in Africa. There's also the possibility of finding an online retailer who can ship anywhere in the world. Play-Asia may be an option, although I'm not entirely sure.

Remember, DS games from anywhere in the world will work on any DS unit, so you can get games from any region. I wish you good luck in your attempts to find a new game!

I'm pretty sure you guys are getting tried of question that compare Xbox live to Nintendo's online service but will we ever see VC games with online multiplayer like Xbox live? Maybe Highscore boards at least?

- Thaneros

Virtual Console games? Probably not. Nintendo seems content to just slap an old ROM on the service and leave it at that. However, it has previously said that there is the possibility of seeing older games re-tooled to have some neat new features, which could include online play. I think that such games would be Wii Ware games instead of true VC titles.

Regardless of how exactly the games show up on Nintendo's service, and I think they will eventually, I would very much prefer they have the some of the stuff that Xbox Live Arcade users have been enjoying for some time. Online multiplayer, leaderboards and a friends list that doesn't require another 12-digit friend code. Given Nintendo's current track record with this stuff, I don't like the chances of it happening. We'll see, though.

Nintendo Power's latest issue has screen shots of Madden 08. They look horrible, but the magazine states that they have tried to up the graphics. Does Nintendo Power just use crappy screen capture technology, or do you think the game looks that bad?

Finally, have you heard if the Wii version is going to get the player "status" achievements that the two other next-gen versions are getting? By status achievements I am talking about people like Ray Lewis earning defensive leader, run stuffer, and hard hitter.

- archaic20

I haven't see the new NP, so I can't comment on that specifically. It would be safe to assume that the new Madden game will look at least as good as the old one. Probably better, in fact. I think it's unfair to assume a game will look good or bad based on only a handful of screenshots, anyway.

"Achievements" in the Wii version of Madden should be included, because EA has been awarding such things in most of its own games for a while now through the Madden Cards system. It realized that it could apply the Xbox 360 feature to all the versions in its own way, so expect to see something along the lines of the Achievement system in the Wii version, as well as every version of Madden 08.

Do you have a reason why Nintendo hasn't done firmware updates to the Wii that really needs some.

I have an SDcard and yet I can't read gamedata from it or copy gamecube memory card data to it. WHY NOT? Not to mention Forecast channel would be allot better if they had hourly updates using wii connect 24 or whatever instead of every few random hours. Ability to use classic controller for gamecube games etc etc etc

What about DS ? I thought Reggie said that firmware updates were possible and likely to happen yet I fail to see a single one. Seriously pictochat is totally worthless I want online version badly.

Simple things like switching power consumption automatically if low power. If your DS goes to red light than it will automatically go down a brightness level until it finally reaches lowest level than dies.

It just seems that firmware updates are so damn rare for Nintendo. I don't want to do updates constantly but damn Nintendo is totally neglecting a number of small things that really would make a world of difference for DS/Wii.

It just doesn't make any sense. Please when you go to E3 discuss this to Nintendo these little things are really annoying and should be fixed.

- adv2k1

Firmware updates can really change what a system can do. If you compare what the Xbox 360 did when it launched to what it can do now, the difference is quite large. The functionality of the dashboard has improved considerably. It can even output in 1080p now, something it didn't do at launch!

Enabling HD output on Wii would be nice to have, but that's not going to happen. Instead, smaller changes would be nice. For example, nowhere on the Wii Menu does it tell you what time it is. Wouldn't it be handy to press the Home button during gameplay if you wanted to know the current time? How about adding more channel screens? People are running out of them, you know. And hey, I know it's possible for the Wii to read what GameCube game is currently inserted. Why can't the system display something as simple as a game's title?

Of course, the Wii and DS work just fine with their current firmware, which is probably why Nintendo isn't going to bother doing anything. And that really sucks. It also sucks that Nintendo doesn't bother informing people what their previous firmware updates did to the console. If the changes were internal, it could have at least told us that much. I don't want to miss out on a new feature if one of these firmware updates implements one!

Hey guys,

I want to get the Component cables. Have you tested and compared the various, cheaper 3rd party cables (Nyko, MadCatz, etc) vs the official Nintendo component cables? Is the higher price-point for the official cables because of higher quality or simply because it's Nintendo? Is there one brand you recommend? Thanks!

- ryanro

It's Nintendo. Our very own Michael Cole has a set of third party component cables and has reported no problems using them. I have an official set of cables and they are working as advertised. I prefer the official cables just because I'm paranoid, but honestly there shouldn't be a difference in picture quality. There could be issues with actual cable construction, but unless you plan on constantly moving the cables around there I don't foresee any issues using them.

Hello NWR Bag!

I have one of the cracked hinge DS lites. One of the shoulder buttons ("L") does not work anymore. The system for some reason was not registered at date of purchase. My relatives, who gave as a gift to me, have since now, lost the original receipt. It was given to me as a birthday gift, a few days after June 10. Any ideas on what to do?

P.S. How interchangeable are European and American Wiis? I know there are NTSC and PAL regions. What is required to switch a home console between these two regions?

Long Time Fan,

- Isaac_weckle
Germany

With a bad system you should contact Nintendo directly. Even if the warranty period has expired, it may offer a repair service or refer you one to fix your system, or more likely, offer you a replacement. It's not going to be free, but it should be cheaper than buying a new system.

P.S. Not at all. The video signal (PAL vs. NTSC) and system voltage requirements (110v vs. 220v) mean that you usually need a lot of stuff to get a foreign system going. The video issue likely won't be one if you have a display that can handle NSTC 60Hz modes, but I do not recommend plugging a U.S. Wii into your fancy German wall sockets without a voltage converter. Games from your region will not work with systems from other regions, also.

What do you think of the Wii game library so far? How does it compare to the first several Months of the DS or the Cube?

- ShyGuy

By the numbers, the Wii is definitely doing better than the GameCube. Around 53 games were released for the lunch box between its November 2001 release and the following June. Wii will have around 68 titles come the end of this month. The DS only had 30, which is actually quite pathetic considering how easy it is to make handheld games.

Comparing the Wii and GameCube, I think it's safe to say that the overall Wii lineup is better, although the GameCube had some very strong launch titles that the Wii hasn't yet matched. Rogue Leader, Super Monkey Ball, Pikmin and Super Smash Bros. all hit within the first couple of months on GameCube. That's four of the GameCube's Greatest Games right there. The only Wii game with the stuff to be considered one of the Wii's greatest is Twilight Princess, but even that's a GameCube game. Excite Truck and Super Paper Mario are great, but outside of those there aren't any barn-burning Wii titles out of Nintendo.

Third party games are a different story, obviously. After the flood of mostly-crap Ubisoft delivered at launch, Electronic Arts starting coming with very good ports of its existing games. As we speak, EA is releasing and developing games that can be considered the cream of the third party crop, such as The Godfather: Blackhand Edition. There's a pretty good variety of other third party games, although it must be said that there plenty of bad games out there too. More than the GameCube saw, actually.

Comparing Wii and DS, the clear winner is Wii. In the early months, DS games were nothing more than extended tech demos. It wasn't until Meteos hit in June of '05 until people started to see what kind of awesome games were possible on the handheld. By that holiday period, developers were beginning to understand what needed to be done on the DS, and as a result the games that came out for it were starting to get really good. That goes for Nintendo, too, because most of its early DS games were rather shallow.

Even with the late start, third party developers and publishers are already "getting it" with Wii development. I've already mentioned what EA is doing. Konami, who barely showed up on GameCube, already has a Wii game out—the first online Wii game, no less—and is working on another major title, Dewy's Adventure. Capcom is making the definitive version of RE4 and then a new RE game designed with Wii in mind, Umbrella Chronicles. Other publishers are giving the Wii version of multiplatform games equal billing with other systems. Once Wii games start going online later this year, the floodgates should open up even more.

I'm interested in the Legend of Zelda: For Swords Adventures, but am discouraged to think that I would need a Game Boy. The only handheld I've ever owned is a Game Gear, and I don't plan on ever getting anything else. I can't seem to find any concrete source or statement as to whether or not the Game Boy(s) are REQUIRED to play the game or not. Some would lead me to believe one way, while others differ while still not conveying anything precise. I passed on Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles because of it's handheld requirement, despite sounding as if it added quite a bit of appeal.

- dev/null

It is possible to play through Four Swords Adventures without a Game Boy Advance or a GBA-GC link cable. A small screen will pop up on your TV every time you enter a cave, replacing the GBA screen that would have been there. The trade-off is that the game can only be played in single-player mode.

Crystal Chronicles is the same way. You can play the game without any GBA equipment, but by doing so the game becomes a single-player affair. That means the game is terrible, because the solo mode is pretty much garbage.

You are really and truly missing out by not playing through the connectivity games with GBAs. Crystal Chronicles is one of my favorite GC multiplayer games. A lot of people on staff think that Four Swords is one of the best GameCube games (as evidenced here), again because of connectivity. The equipment requirements really turned off a lot of people, which is unfortunate. Hopefully the DS versions of these games will show everyone what they were missing out on.

I notice when you talk about NPD sales in the podcast someone always mentions 'what about game boy micro?' Now more interesting question is how many are DS PHAT?

Do you think the DS would be as popular if DS lite never became a reality? Any idea how many older model DS are being sold? Yes DS has some great games but would the casual market still be attracted to DS if it wasn't shiny and ipod in appearance?

- adv2k1

I would be shocked if Nintendo was still manufacturing the original DS model, and a quick survey of online retailers is telling me that the original isn't even being offered anymore. There are still probably unsold units floating around the retail channel, but it shouldn't be long before they are flushed out completely.

You're completely right about the appearance of the system. When the final DS model was revealed, people commented on how much better it looked than the original original. After the PSP launched, however, the DS instantly looked like a cheap kid's toy. The DS Lite's smooth and sexy look makes it something that people wouldn't mind using in public, which can be an important factor for some people when making a purchase.

For the record, I own the original DS model. I also own a Game Boy Micro. Yeah, there's a sucker born every minute.

Hello Nintendo World Report!

I am still using my old DS but have been thinking of getting a white DS Lite to match my Wii. I am worried that some of my games won't work properly since a lot of them ask you to register that particular DS unit with the game data, saying that you have to use that particular DS every time you play using that cartridge.

So, my question is, how difficult will it be to switch over to a new unit? Will I still be able to play my saved files, or will I be forced to start over again in those games?

Thanks!

- Calbretto
Toronto, Ontario

All saved game data is stored on the game cartridge. If you put a DS game card into another DS system, all the saved data goes with it. The one exception to this is if you're playing your DS games online. Friend codes are generated based on your DS card/hardware combo, and if you change the DS you'll lose your Wi-Fi data (but not your game save data).

This can be prevented by transferring your Wi-Fi data to another DS. Inside the Wi-Fi connection settings area within a game, there is an option to transfer settings to another DS. If you do that, you can keep your online information within all your games.

Ok, so I see you need some new questions so heres one! How come Nintendo doesn't make anymore arcade games like the once did? I know in past years they have made a few collaborations in the arcades, Mario Kart, Cruis N games and even when the had Rare the Killer Instinct games, but they were put out by like Namco or Midway etc. So why aren't we seeing them go back to their roots, Arcades may not be as popular as they were in the past but I remember playing games in them and then wanting to have them in my home later. It is like free advertising and gets people to know your franchises better?

- Anthony

The arcade industry is dead. There is money to be made in it, but the resources needed to turn a profit by manufacturing arcade games are only available to those already involved in the arcade industry. Sega Sammy, Bandai Namco and Konami are the big three in arcade gaming (you will note that two of the three are companies that merged; think there's a reason for that?) and because they've been doing it for so long, they can afford to keep doing it...albeit at a much smaller capacity than how things used to be in the 80s and into the early 90s.

Now that the Wii is here, the last stand of the arcades may be coming to an end. What's the point of spending a few million dollars to develop a game and its manufacture its custom machine (not quite the "free advertising" you made it out to be) that will produce a one-time profit when you can make a console game that sees income for several months, or even years? Especially now that the Wii can reproduce many styles of gameplay that were once exclusive to the arcades? The home versions of light gun games could never match the presentation of those found in the arcades, and you needed a gun peripheral on top of it. The Wii can play light gun games by default, and Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles will be a telling sign if more arcade-style light gun games will come to the Wii instead of the arcades.

Music games were also deeply rooted in the arcades, but the genre has caught on big time at home. Maybe you've heard of a game called Guitar Hero? Five years ago, a guitar controller for a home console would have been unheard of. Now people are clamoring for more games that use it. Activision is coming out with Guitar Hero III and the 80s Edition; EA is going a step further and making Rock Band, which includes a drum kit of all things. Even the champion of arcade gaming, Dance Dance Revolution, is beginning to favor the home console. Konami went full-out with DDR Supernova for the arcades (bless them), making it the second official U.S. release, but the fact is that the PS2 series is one of the company's big-time money makers. DDR Hottest Party for Wii is coming soon, and it by itself will probably make Konami more money than its most recent DDR arcade release.

The arcades used to be where new games could be launched to major fanfare (Mortal Kombat), but now the big games need to come out on the big consoles. If Nintendo announced that it would be making an arcade version of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, what would you say? Yeah, it'd be cool. But chances are high that there wouldn't be a machine in your area. You would likely need to drive several dozen miles to play it. And why would you play it more than five or six times before going back to the Wii version, which will likely (read: hopefully) be online? Even if you did play it regularly in the arcades, it's going to cost you $0.25 a game.

F-Zero AX is proof that even Nintendo franchise arcade games can't save the industry, or get you to care. When the game came out in the arcades, people far and wide searched for units just to try it out. The closest one to me was 40 minutes away. I did go play it numerous times, but I'm a hardcore arcade junkie. The casual fan is not going to drive for more than an hour just to play F-Zero, especially when the GameCube version is in the next room.

Arcade games in America survive today because they complement other forms of entertainment. If you go see a movie, there's usually an arcade next to or inside the place. They are no longer the sole reason you go out. The few true arcades left in the country, like this one in Southern California, are there because of a loyal and dedicated group of people, usually those who play fighting games and look for local competition. I'm one of those people. I try to make it out to the arcade once every week or two, but with rising gas prices I'm starting to feel the pinch in the wallet. In a perfect world I would be playing against people in the arcades every day, but in the real world it doesn't work that way.

Game companies live in the real world, too. That's why there will never be an arcade revival again in America. If you know of a real-life local arcade, continue supporting it. You never know when they may join a similar entertainment relic, the drive-in movie theater. I really miss those things.