SimCity Coming to Nintendo DS

February 28, 2007, 9:49 am EST
Total comments: 15

Build cities while walking around in yours.

EA Brings SimCity to Nintendo DS Platform

SimCity DS Offers City Building Experience On-the-Go to Travelers around the World

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS) announced today that SimCity™ franchise is returning with SimCity™ DS, developed especially for the Nintendo DS™ platform. In addition to creating and growing their very own pocket sized city while being on-the-go, players will be able to leverage the unique action features of the Nintendo DS system, discovering an entirely new way to play this internationally acclaimed franchise. The product will make its debut to consumers worldwide in summer of this year.

True to the SimCity series, players will be able to create and control their city in the palm of their hands … and much more. Maximizing the stylus and built-in microphone controls of the Nintendo DS, SimCity DS brings to the franchise like never before the feeling of personal involvement with your city — from blowing into the microphone to put out fires in the city to signing off on mayoral proclamations with your stylus. By enabling the players to communicate with each other, the “wireless data exchange" feature brings additional interactivity into the game. As an added bonus to SimCity fans around the world, the game also offers a wide array of recognizable international landmarks to spice up your city.

“We are very excited to bring the SimCity experience to the Nintendo DS platform," said Takahiro Murakami, Producer of SimCity DS. “The unique Nintendo DS functionalities inspired us to incorporate many new features to delight the most dedicated SimCity fans. The game is filled with fun surprises that will appeal to new and existing fans of the franchise."

Talkback

Ian SaneFebruary 28, 2007

"SimCity DS brings to the franchise like never before the feeling of personal involvement with your city — from blowing into the microphone to put out fires in the city to signing off on mayoral proclamations with your stylus."

Blowing out fires? What are we supposed to be the god of the city or something? I would assume bringing Sim City to the DS could be done very easily without forced usage of the DS features. The game is usually controlled with a mouse. Transfering that to the touchscreen is like the most obvious and easy thing to do. But they have to add little g!mmick features like this. I don't get it. What's the point? I would assume Sim City with accurate control on a portable was good enough.

KDR_11kFebruary 28, 2007

I guess that allows you to save on the firefighter budget...

KaironCarmine Red, Associate EditorFebruary 28, 2007

Thank you. Thank you! THANK YOU!!!

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

P.S. Can we spit at our DS to make it rain too?

EntroperFebruary 28, 2007

I see we have YADSGWYBITM.

King of TwitchFebruary 28, 2007

Dream. come. true.

How in the world could any of those features be considered gimmicks yet, the thing was just announced. They sound awesome to me.

LuigiHannFebruary 28, 2007

I do think blowing into the microphone is overused, to say the least.

KDR_11kFebruary 28, 2007

I think it's entirely inappropriate for what is supposed to be a building and economy sim.

Smoke39February 28, 2007

Best use of blowing into the mic was dusting for finger prints in Phoenix Wright.

AManatee2February 28, 2007

Now how about bringing some excellent SimCity Wii?

PopeRealFebruary 28, 2007

Cool, this game will join The Settlers and Panzer Tactics DS on my "probably must get list".... you know what would be cool on the DS? A new Populous... I would even take an update of the original SNES game too I suppose.

On a side note, you know what gimmick I am sick of? Hitting the A button. Way over used.

KDR_11kFebruary 28, 2007

Wasn't the original Populous on a computer?

On a side note, you know what gimmick I am sick of? Hitting the A button. Way over used.

Buy a Playstation, you'll be hitting all kinds of strangely named buttons instead of boring old A buttons.

UltimatePartyBearMarch 01, 2007

The screenshot looks a lot like SimCity 3000 to me, especially the caricature style of the adviser. Incidentally, godlike power over the city is a hallmark of the series. You can set fires wherever you want, swat airplanes out of the sky, summon monsters and aliens, cause earthquakes, and direct tornadoes on their path of destruction. Godlike ability to stop disasters as well as start them doesn't seem so out of place, although blowing on the microphone is getting old.

KDR_11kMarch 01, 2007

Isn't the "cause desaster" menu more for "cheating"?

UltimatePartyBearMarch 01, 2007

It's more for "playing." The main game is for that part of the inner child that likes building sandcastles and block forts. The disaster menu is for that part of the inner child that likes knocking down sandcastles and block forts.

PopeRealMarch 01, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
Wasn't the original Populous on a computer?

On a side note, you know what gimmick I am sick of? Hitting the A button. Way over used.

Buy a Playstation, you'll be hitting all kinds of strangely named buttons instead of boring old A buttons.

I am sure you are right, I just never played it. The SNES one was pretty cool though! And I have been thinking about picking up a PS2, funny you mention that. "Square" button here I come!

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