Post by: Djunknown on November 19, 2004, 05:12:23 PM
Here-we-go
Also, he talks to Mrs.Kaplan on the DS n Stuff.
Link-Get!
Blab away!
Post by: NWR_Lindy on November 19, 2004, 06:29:58 PM
As for the launch, I agree with Billy for the most part - the DS launch is pretty underwhelming. I'm buying a DS this weekend, but I don't plan on getting any DS games with it. I'll probably wait until the new year because there's nothing out there right now that really interests me. Super Mario 64 without full-on analog control? No thanks.
silks
Post by: Bill Aurion on November 19, 2004, 06:47:03 PM
Touchscreen? HELLO!?
Post by: Lost101 on November 19, 2004, 06:47:33 PM
Billy brings some good points against the DS but I would go as far as to say he sounds a bit bitter towards Nintendo in general. This isnt an absolutely stellar launch but it is a decent one and it does have fun games...
Post by: Ian Sane on November 19, 2004, 06:56:11 PM
Yeah. And what's one of the main places to use a portable? I can't believe Nintendo overlooked that. I hate it when they miss stuff that we, who aren't paid to design hardware, can spot right away.
I'm noticing two major problems that come up in virtually every DS impressions I read. The first is that the launch lineup sucks. That's a bummer but at the very least it's not a permanent problem. Eventually the DS will have some games worth buying the system for. If this was what the Revolution's launch was like then it WOULD be a really huge problem because a good first impression is very important for a console following two "failures". Since Nintendo's so strong in the portable market the DS will probably survive this initially weak lineup. It's already sold a few million systems already.
The other major problem is the more severe. It's the one that can't be fixed. The DS controls are severely flawed. First there's the small buttons. It's not a total deal breaker but it is an example of Nintendo once again designing the controller for themselves without thinking of anyone else. They want lefties to use it as a d-pad so they designed it primarily with that in mind, completely ignoring the fact that some games will use those buttons for something more complicated. The second is much worse: no analog stick. Every impression indicates that the touchscreen is a poor substitute for an analog stick. This is especially bad to have on a portable. With consoles you can at least release a new controller. It's not very nice but it's doable. But with the DS the only way they can add an analog stick is if they release a new model. And they can't realistically do that or half the userbase can't play any games that use the analog stick.
The thing that really scares me about the DS controls is that it suggests Nintendo hasn't learned anything. They're still designing controllers for them and now I'm worried that the Revolution controller is going to have the same controller problems the Cube had where certain games do not work at all because Nintendo can't or refuses to think outside of their own needs.
Post by: Deguello on November 19, 2004, 07:07:48 PM
How so? The DS's control scheme without the stylus is the most generic SNES thing ever.
Post by: KDR_11k on November 19, 2004, 07:10:39 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on November 19, 2004, 07:16:57 PM
I explained how, I think. The buttons are designed as a secondary d-pad much like the N64 C buttons instead of action buttons. And there's no analog stick despite the fact that a lot of the launch titles are designed as if there is. Since Nintendo's lone launch title is designed for an analog maybe it isn't exactly designed for them.
Maybe it's just poorly designed.
Post by: Mario on November 19, 2004, 07:26:51 PM
Also, I think if Super Mario 64 DS had everything taken out of it except the mini-games, and it was renamed something new, it would be getting much more positive impressions and reviews. Just a feeling.
I disagree that the launch lineup sucks but maybe that's because I have a weird obsession with how awesome Spider-Man 2 DS looks.
But seriously, Feel the Magic, Super Mario 64 DS, the MP Hunters demo and Pictochat should be more than enough to keep any DS owner busy until the next wave of games start arriving. I also found that interview very amusing, it was like Kapplin was getting GI back for something, perhaps a certain review for Paper Mario 2.
Post by: ActorJ on November 19, 2004, 07:55:56 PM
;-);-)
Post by: VideoGamerJ on November 19, 2004, 08:18:09 PM
Post by: Michael8983 on November 19, 2004, 11:41:12 PM
However annoying it will be playing Mario 64 with a D-Pad or touch-screen, it would have been more annoying to have to pay more for a handheld with an analog stick only to have it get worn out or broken within the first few months. If Nintendo had somehow come up with a "special" analog stick that would have been durable, cheap, and compact enough to suit the DS, people would just be complaining about it too - just because it wouldn't feel as good as the Gamecube's analog stick.
Post by: WuTangTurtle on November 20, 2004, 12:45:47 AM
I've already played mario 64 ds, and it's not completly different, and if the psp's nub stick analog wannabe is where its at, then i don't want any part of it. That nub is laughable, unless they changed it from the e3 model that i used, then it is terrible, it seems to sensitive and it feels very weird seeing how it is pressed against the psp system.
Post by: Deguello on November 20, 2004, 01:12:41 AM
Post by: ruby_onix on November 20, 2004, 01:45:45 AM
Quote
However annoying it will be playing Mario 64 with a D-Pad or touch-screen, it would have been more annoying to have to pay more for a handheld with an analog stick only to have it get worn out or broken within the first few months.
Do you want to know what I've been saying since people first started complaining about "needing three hands" to play the N64?
Modular.
Make it so you can pop the D-pad out as a small "module" unit (make sure that the clip is durable), include a matching "analog" module with the system (store it in a film container or something), and sell replacement analog modules.
Both the PS2/PSone and GameCube controllers could probably benefit from an idea like that, but it really seems to fit with handheld consoles (especially ones that decided to sacrifice analog control).
But, most companies have that stupid "we don't listen to unsolicited ideas, la la la, we can't hear you" policy whenever you email them.
Post by: NWR_Lindy on November 20, 2004, 03:58:45 AM
The main problem with Mario 64 DS is the fact that we already know how good the analog control SHOULD be, so we instantly compare it against how it played on the N64 and complain about the controls. Once we see some good new games that are SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED for the DS, I think we'll have a better idea of whether or not control will really be an issue down the line.
While I don't think Mario 64 DS was the best launch flagship title, it was chosen for several reasons:
1) Always good to have a Mario title at launch
2) Time - fairly quick to port over
3) Shows that the DS can do some decent 3-D
4) Popular game will draw people in and get them to at least try the DS
In an ideal world, these are the three titles I would have had for launch:
1) Zelda Four Swords
2) Wario Ware
3) Advance Wars DS
If these three titles would have been available I would have bought all three.
silks
Post by: MaleficentOgre on November 20, 2004, 05:14:08 AM
Post by: KDR_11k on November 20, 2004, 06:10:03 AM
Billy got the languages wrong (it's German, not Dutch, Dutch is called Nederlands in Dutch, German is called Deutsch in German) and someone please get him a copy of Spiderman DS, that is hailed as the best DS game out there and Billy didn't even have it! But he tested The Urbz...
Post by: Djunknown on November 20, 2004, 07:08:48 AM
It seems whatever Reggie-magic that was cast on Kaplan was rubbed off as she returns to her defensive, bullish self.
I'm holding off on the DS until there at least 5 must-gets, or the price drops. For me, Mario 64 and Feel the Magic would be the only 2 I'd get right away. I'm hoping the tentative list they have for 2k5 gets bigger.
I was impressed with the stylus controller for Hunters, but I can see where they're coming from for Mario 64 DS.
P.S KDR_11k, so Dutch isn't Deutsch? I always got confused about that...
Post by: kirby_killer_dedede on November 20, 2004, 08:14:30 AM
Kaplin: I'm sorry, I'd tell you, but I'm getting old, you know, so I'd have to look that up for you.
GI: Um...look, now you're just being silly.
Kaplin: Silly? I'm being silly?? Look at you, you need a freaking analog stick to play Super Mario 64 DS! I've never heard that before! *breaks into uncontrollable laughter and burns down GI building*
Post by: VideoGamerJ on November 20, 2004, 08:19:21 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: kirby_killer_dedede
GI: How do you think the DS will fare against the PSP?
Kaplin: I'm sorry, I'd tell you, but I'm getting old, you know, so I'd have to look that up for you.
GI: Um...look, now you're just being silly.
Kaplin: Silly? I'm being silly?? Look at you, you need a freaking analog stick to play Super Mario 64 DS! I've never heard that before! *breaks into uncontrollable laughter and burns down GI building*
Oh man, that's the funniest thing I've heard all day. That was the exact tension I had in mind while reading that interview too!
Post by: DS_dude1o1 on November 20, 2004, 08:25:34 AM
Post by: Bill Aurion on November 20, 2004, 08:27:24 AM
That would be some heavy-duty hypocrisy there... >=P
Post by: Perfect Cell on November 20, 2004, 10:36:10 AM
Post by: Lost101 on November 20, 2004, 11:03:33 AM
Post by: kirby_killer_dedede on November 20, 2004, 11:45:06 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Bill Aurion
GI: Um...look, now you're just being silly.
That would be some heavy-duty hypocrisy there... >=P
Haha...
Post by: louiesezwhat on November 20, 2004, 12:51:30 PM
Just to clear a few things up:
1. I had all of the launch titles. I did have Spider-Man 2 - it wasn't good. It looks fantastic, but the level and game design was poor. Too bad because VV is a great dev. I featured the games that I thought were the best of the bunch. Out of that group, I singled out two that I felt worth personally getting.
2. Sorry about the language thing. It said Deutch (SP?) on my unit. I assumed that was dutch. It was a long week.
3. Perrin was really nice, and it's always fun talking to her. It wasn't an angry interview by any means. We joked around during the whole thing. I just had a lot of questions
4. The PSP's analog stick works - I don't see why Nintendo couldn't have gotten one on the DS.
5. I like the concept of the unit, I just haven't seen much done with it outside of a few titles.
Hope that helps!
Word.
Post by: The Omen on November 20, 2004, 01:08:31 PM
Quote
I don't like this piece of info: "since the wireless aspect of the Nintendo DS is always on, it should not be used on airplanes since the FAA does not allow wireless devices to be used while in the air."
Couldn't you just take the battery out? I'm fairly certain you CAN use wireless once the plane is enroute. Just not on takeoff and landing. Aren't laptops the same type of wireless? I really can't see not being able to use it on a plane.
Post by: Perfect Cell on November 20, 2004, 01:09:48 PM
Heck I would have liked an digital stick like on the Neo Geo Pocket.
Post by: Mario on November 20, 2004, 01:23:14 PM
Post by: VideoGamerJ on November 20, 2004, 08:48:35 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: AgentCooper
Hey everyone...
Just to clear a few things up:
1. I had all of the launch titles. I did have Spider-Man 2 - it wasn't good. It looks fantastic, but the level and game design was poor. Too bad because VV is a great dev. I featured the games that I thought were the best of the bunch. Out of that group, I singled out two that I felt worth personally getting.
2. Sorry about the language thing. It said Deutch (SP?) on my unit. I assumed that was dutch. It was a long week.
3. Perrin was really nice, and it's always fun talking to her. It wasn't an angry interview by any means. We joked around during the whole thing. I just had a lot of questions
4. The PSP's analog stick works - I don't see why Nintendo couldn't have gotten one on the DS.
5. I like the concept of the unit, I just haven't seen much done with it outside of a few titles.
Hope that helps!
Word.
Awesome, answered a lot of my questions.
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on November 21, 2004, 12:46:03 AM
Post by: kirby_killer_dedede on November 21, 2004, 03:30:54 AM
