Messages

[KDR_11k]

1776

General Gaming / RE:No Backwards Compatability for Xbox 2

« on: April 14, 2005, 08:32:21 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
They could try remapping the NVidia commands to ATi but that would mean a decrease in visual quality and potential bugs.

^ Understatement ^  

1777

General Chat / RE: Dear Mysterious Benefactor...

« on: April 13, 2005, 09:06:58 AM »

There are a few rare sites that will yeild birthday information, more that yeild age.  Was told about them once in a "hey check this link out" situation by friends.

I have never retained links for either.

1778

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Nintendo Pennant Chase Baseball

« on: April 12, 2005, 05:35:07 AM »

"Nintendo has a history with MLB too... the Ken Griffe Jr series."

I liked the first game of that series on the SNES... no other game to date has captured that spirit of play IMO.  An entire 9 innings played out in roughly 15 min.  Oh and the batting/pitching model was perfect, as was the effect of stats on players in the field (and field control).  Being able to throw out people from left field at first base.... priceless

[Mario]

1779

Nintendo Gaming / RE:DS: Online on April 11th?

« on: April 07, 2005, 05:51:52 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Mario
Is it possible they can add this extra stuff on the DS through a GBA cart?

That was my guess as well, way back before the DS even came out (see thread)  - and I still think it's the most likely.

Picture it this way... you pick up this "online kit" (or whatever you want to call it) for the DS.  I comes with a GBA cart and a headset.

You load both into the DS.  Now when you start up.... you pick the GBA slot not the DS game.
From this app on the GBA cart you can set up all kinds of wireless settings IF YOU WANT.  Knowing nintendo they probably want to keep it simple but they had better have something to handle those folks that have to enter WEP keys/etc... similar to what the PSP has currently if you power up and go to wireless settings (although you could do even better).  You should be also able to tell it to just dump out of infrastructure mode and go "ad-hoc" as most people like to call it.  

Now that's not it.

This handy cart also has your matchmaking service, to find other players - locally or online, depending on how your set up in the last step.  Once you find your opponents and agree on a game, your asked to insert that game into the DS slot if it's not already in there.  Then, your playing via wireless! Enjoy!  A key combo could even bring up a interface (provided by the GBA device) to let the user adjust, for example, voice settings - like muting certian ppl you no longer want to hear as they are spamming the voice channel.

Since this is a GBA cart - it's writable... Thus it could store all your settings, your game list, etc.... it could also be "upgraded" by the DS itself, say at a hotspot.

If your really hopeful, Nintendo has already released the standard API this cart will use and third parties have it already ....

And if you really, really, want to take a leap of faith, they're doing the same thing for a DS card, so that you can do the exact thing as above, except for GBA games.  

1780

General Chat / Billy cleans house in Seatle

« on: April 06, 2005, 05:53:19 PM »

Looks like Billy cleaned house in a baseball challenge from Nintendo, defeating the IGN folks in the final battle.

IGN Link

I was really hoping that the pennant chase baseball speed play thing was going to be baseball Griffy style (SNES original) but alas it is not

Edit: Learned how to spell Seattle

1781

General Chat / RE: Underappreciated NES classics

« on: April 05, 2005, 07:41:42 PM »

Oh, I'm not doubting the glitch ... I was just saying that the touch state of the NES would make it hard to play the game for that long of time and not have it freeze on us.  I also remember a few spots where you could litterally make it very difficult or even impossible to get back to your rover (the Sophia I think).

[darknight06]

1782

General Chat / RE:Underappreciated NES classics

« on: April 05, 2005, 07:30:16 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: darknight06
I've only beaten Blaster Master twice on the actual NES, any other time it was on an emulator with save states.  If that game at LEAST had a password feature, I'd beat it all the time, but otherwise unless you plan to do an 8 hour expedition you can hang it up.  BTW, I don't know if anyone else's cartridge was like this, but I remember a MAJOR glitch on Level 5 where if you were swimming in the wrong spot by a wall at one part the game would trap you into the wall and about 5 hours of gameplay was dead.

Well, being the twitchy kids we were back then, we couldn't seem to help but eventually jar the NES - just the slightest bit - as we got to the later levels... inevitably causing the NES cart to deviate from its prime position, causing the multiple colors screen of death (MuCSOD) There I just invented a term

Yes, being able to save would have helped that game.

Quote
"Oh what about Marble Madness, lol it's like the primal game-species of Super Monkey Ball. "
I had this game!!!  Imagine if they could do a DS remake with a TON more stages.

Marble Madness was on the NES?  Bah, I played it on the Amiga, with a trackball, they way it was meant to be played
(And Marble Madness would be the perfect game for the DS, given the control scheme... I don't remember who owns the rights to that game anymore though)

1783

General Chat / RE: Underappreciated NES classics

« on: April 03, 2005, 10:12:16 PM »

Blaster Master

[BiLdItUp1]

1784

General Chat / RE:Microsoft calls Firefox a "very high risk threat"

« on: April 03, 2005, 10:09:17 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: BiLdItUp1
Wow. That's pretty stupid. Why would they do something like that, as opposed to the sandbox way?

Good question!  Probably the same thing that prevented them from fixing a FTP bug with IE from it's early days (like ~version 3).  I believe they finally fixed it in the current version (6).  (I can elaborate on that reason but am not going to here)

In general, a lot of things would benefit by being run in a sandbox...

Especially certain email clients

[darknight06]

1785

Nintendo Gaming / RE:DS: Online on April 11th?

« on: April 03, 2005, 09:50:16 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: darknight06
You do know the firmware in the DS has been confirmed to be upgradable right?  Who says Pictochat can't be updated for online use with new firmware?

Link? Source?

It would be great if this were possible, but I was under the impression that it wasn't.

1786

Nintendo Gaming / Gamecube Component Cable

« on: March 27, 2005, 02:39:11 PM »

So I've finally picked up a progressive scan capable TV and want to get the corresponding cable for my Gamecube... issue is I only know of one source (Nintendo's own online store) and they currently state that it's on backorder till June.  3 months!  Jez, can't be that hard to make these things.  So are there any other means to land a official version of these cables?  I've already checked ebay, but they seem to key off the Nintendo lack of stock and charge significantly more that what you'd have to pay through Nintendo straight.

1787

General Gaming / RE: No Backwards Compatability for Xbox 2

« on: March 25, 2005, 03:20:00 PM »

Also, wasn't the new "Live" for Xbox 2 the one that's supposed to have support for micropayments...

example, want that upgraded weapon, it'll cost $1 (real cash).  I thought that was going to be incorporated into the next system generation for them.  

[Ian Sane]

1788

General Gaming / RE:No Backwards Compatability for Xbox 2

« on: March 25, 2005, 03:15:50 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
I figure it was because of the lack of a hard drive.

Not a chance... it's because of the complete change to IBM/ATI from Intel/Nvidia  

[Shecky]

1789

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Some new pics of Advance Wars DS

« on: March 25, 2005, 07:22:18 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Shecky
One of my gripes with AW in the past is how only land based APC could replenish supplies.

However I imagine that [the new bomber] may not be that strong against other aircraft (just a better than nothing that you get with a regular bomber, but hey it'll cost you more to make)

Wanted to add to my two points.  The cruiser in the past games could replenish fuel and ammo of chopper based units only (that were loaded).  It's easy to envision the carrier doing the same for jets/bombers.

Second, I take my point back about the new bomber being weak against other air units.  I suddenly remembered AW strength of weapon representation.  The circle means that weapon is strong against a particular type... while a triangle signifies a weaker relationship.  So with that in mind the new bomber really is a beast against everything... as it currently stands.

1790

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Some new pics of Advance Wars DS

« on: March 23, 2005, 05:33:34 PM »

Yeah cruisers were closer to destroyers in the past, but my guess is that they're not being replaced by the carrier.  If you look, carriers cannot fire on other navel units.  My hope is that it takes over the original cruisers capability to hold aircraft and at the same time replenishes their ammo and fuel (likely only if you load them onto the carrier).

One of my gripes with AW in the past is how only land based APC could replenish supplies.

Well that and that fog of war had absolutely no bearing on the computer.  Man I hope they fix that, although I can image it would be hard to do.

Also, my guess is that the B-2 type bomber is the equivalent of the neo-tanks -- combine fighter and bomber.  However I imagine that it may not be that strong against other aircraft (just a better than nothing that you get with a regular bomber, but hey it'll cost you more to make)

1791

General Gaming / God of War

« on: March 23, 2005, 04:48:32 PM »

So what's the deal with God of War?  Anyone play it?

At first glance I though of Eternal Darkness, but I get the impression that it's not at all similar.

1792

General Gaming / RE: PSP vs. DS ... Final Verdict (G4)

« on: March 22, 2005, 06:30:18 PM »

I want to see games that don't use the touchscreen for gameplay.  I get this impression that if a "PSP *like*" game were released for the DS, it would be dinged for not using the touchscreen.

Better example, think the next EA NFL title.  Picture a version for the PSP.  Say it has good looks, online play, etc, etc.  Now picture moving that to the DS.  Ok maybe the graphics get toned down a bit.  However what if everything else were exactly the same?  I say it's just as good a game then.  I'm sure though people will complain of how they can't pick their plays with the touch screen, or heck that they can't just "call out" their plays to the microphone.  If they are included as a bonus way of doing things, or interfacing, great!  Why ding it if it doesn't though.

<rant> Try pausing in SMB64 DS and navigating the pause menu with just the buttons... go ahead try.  I personally use the D-Pad to play that game and if I wan't to pause and use that menu... I need to change my method of input - gar!</rant>

In the Madden example I see 3 things roughly happening:
1) Normal Madden game, akin to what you'd get on the PSP
2) Normal Madden + "DS" features
3) Normal Madden + "DS" features - Online

What would be great is 2, what would be second best in my book is 1.  Unfortunately, what I see companies potentially doing is perhaps choosing 3.  

1793

Nintendo Gaming / RE: NES Tetris for Classic NES series on GBA

« on: March 19, 2005, 07:40:22 PM »

Sans for the original music, Tetris DX is spot on

1794

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Looks like Atari screwed up something that should've been elementary...

« on: March 18, 2005, 08:11:35 PM »

This is what happens when you let the interns code up these remakes (I'm convinced that's how these companies pump these things out )

1795

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Amazing Deals!

« on: March 13, 2005, 04:54:56 PM »

Even though I don't shop there, Target has RE4 adv for $39.99.  Local promotion only so check your ad.

"my area listing"

[RickPowers]

1796

TalkBack / RE:Iwata Keynote Tidbits

« on: March 10, 2005, 04:15:19 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: RickPowers
I think you misunderstood me.  I mean, they could use a totally different routable protocol to get the Revolution units talking with a central matchmaking server.  They wouldn't even have to re-create the wheel, just use an existing protocol that's not often used, to minimize crosstalk.  My point is that Nintendo stated quite assuredly that they were working on the "infrastructure", which to me sounds like more than just matchmaking servers, but I could be mistaken.

I have another reason for this assumption, though, and it has to do with Piracy control.  As soon as people figured out how to talk to the GameCube with the network adaptor, people found out how they could dump GCN ROMS.  Going with an obscure protocol means that it would be harder to get your Revolution talking with your computer.  It's not about making it foolproof, but just hard enough where people might give up before cracking it.  Frankly, they might even be able to do it with malformed TCP packets.

Shecky goes to cry on Jon Postel's grave.  Seriously though, security through obscurity is not security at all.  Nintendo would be shooting themselves in the foot by doing their own things, or malforming current ones.  I'm sure Nintendo will use standard security measures to protect what needs protecting (such as logging into the matchmaking server).  Most game data won't need it.

(I'm sure the rom thing you alluded to required more than just talking over the adapter - probably needed physical changes to the hardware, which from a security standpoint is a bear to protect against.   If it didn't, then that's Nintendo's fault b/c there's no good reason to be shipping that data over the adapter under any normal circumstance -- or it was b/c they banked on security through obscurity )

[RickPowers]

1797

TalkBack / RE:Iwata Keynote Tidbits

« on: March 10, 2005, 12:13:26 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: RickPowers
Wired Ethernet adaptor? I don't know about anyone else, but I'd rather go wired just for the higher throughput.

Come now, your not trying to convince me that I need a 100 Mbps connection between my console and ISP, when 90% of the ISP's services to home probably fall under 5Mbps from the outside world (even less to it).

Quote
That said, WiFi is the "marketing name" for the 802.11b wireless communication protocol. What WiFi is NOT is a network protocol, per se, like TCP/IP. That is the current problem the Nintendo DS has. It can connect to a wireless hotspot, but doesn't know how to communicate once it does. Think of it this way ... 802.11b is the type of phone you use to call people, TCP/IP is the language you use once they pick up the phone. That's an oversimplification, but I think it serves it's purpose.

802.11b is a link layer protocol, it allows information to flow from one side to the other (think your DS to your wireless router), IP gets you across multiple points, and TCP separates communication for end points...   That's probably a little better of an oversimplification.

Quote
The reason they keep saying WiFi is that they are being technically correct, as well as it being something people understand better than talking about 802.11b or TCP/IP. My guess is that it is up to the games to support the network language, and in this case, perhaps Nintendo is going with a different network standard? They talk about having to set up infrastructure, so it's not out of the realm of possibility, which is why they keep referring to "worldwide wireless play", and never mentioning Internet.

Different network standard?  First, Nintendo is not going to set up there own global infrastructure, or even national infrastructure.  That *IS* out the realm of possibility.  They couldn't afford it .  They likely mean that they'll sponsor hotspots or work with hotspot providers to make them compatible with the DS.  Right now the DS has no means to enter any kind of credentials.   There are a lot of airports with "WiFi coverage" for travelers... I don't know of many that will give it to you for free.  In order to work in that kind of environment, the DS, or it's software, would have to compensate (provide a way to interface, enter CC info, etc).  Either that or have open hotspots.

-Shecky ...  who's about ready to walk out of saag, where they're talking about all this security gunk, and get dinner.

[kingvudu]

1798

Nintendo Gaming / RE:DS Case

« on: March 04, 2005, 06:46:28 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: kingvudu
Shecky - What official Nintendo DS case are you referring to?  I haven't seen any available.

EDIT:  Nevermind.  I think you're referring to this one.  It seems nice enough, but I'd really prefer a hard case.

Actually that's not it.  The only link to a picture that I could find real fast is this one.  That's a bit expensive at that site though... I paid $10 USD when the DS launched and Circuit City had it on sale for $5 USD a few weeks ago (probably b/c they may have been selling out their stock....).  There's a larger version that's about double the size.  They're both quasi rigid, but not a hard case.  I'll find out how well it does in a few days when I take it on my first real trip.

What your specifically asking for is datapoints on the 2 hardcases you listed, but I figured I just throw in my datapoint as well in addition to the screen protector info.

1799

TalkBack / RE: Good Lord, Another Editorial: Can't Touch This

« on: March 03, 2005, 07:35:00 PM »

There should be more games on the DS that don't use the touch screen, and I refuse to buy any game that thinks switching between the buttons and the screen during game play is a good idea.  (This excludes multiple control schemes that use one or the other and are mutually exclusive)

Edit: Mutually exclusive over the entire play time... as in like an initial preference or control setup.

1800

Nintendo Gaming / RE:DS Case

« on: March 03, 2005, 07:44:24 AM »

I use the same madcatz case for my DS.  Works great, holds the system and 3 GBA games...  I used a separate soft pouch to hold any GBC games, power adapters, and headphones.

I use the official Nintendo DS case (smaller of the two version available).  It's the same size of the unit and holds the unit, 8 games, and has a pouch for things like the power adapter and headphones.

As for screen protectors, I found BoxWave Crystal Clear Touch to be *very* nice.  I use them on my digital camera and DS.  When there on, you can't even tell (when comparing the 2 screens they look identical)