EA Brings The Urbz to the Nintendo DS

July 15, 2004, 9:18 am EDT
Total comments: 24

Another DS title is revealed, this time with a release date...

The Urbz Will Hit the Streets on the Nintendo DS; EA Announces Its First Game for the Highly-Anticipated Handheld Platform

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 15, 2004--Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS) today announced that The Urbz(TM): Sims in the City(TM), the latest franchise from the celebrated studio behind The Sims(TM), is in development for the Nintendo DS. EA, in conjunction with Griptonite Games, is developing the game in Redwood City, CA and will ship in November 2004 under the EA GAMES(TM) brand.

The Urbz(TM): Sims in the City (TM) will benefit from the unique Nintendo DS capabilities by offering players a wireless multi-player mode, touch-screen input a multitude of in-game features that are not available in any other version of the game. Exclusive features for the Nintendo DS version include 24 objects, a unique touch-screen menu system, 5 minigames, 7 characters and 8 pet species that players can create with the special in-game 'gene manipulator'.

These aren't your typical Sims. These are the Urbz - and they have a completely new look, attitude and outlook on life. Sims are living in the city and it's all about building, and improving, their reputation. For the first time, players will not only be able to create their own Sim, but in addition will also have the opportunity to create their own pet. Daddy Bigbucks is trying to take over the city of Miniopolis and keep Splicer Island a secret. It is up to you to uncover the truth by training your pet, increasing your reputation and keeping your crew on Splicer Island happy.

"We're thrilled that this new franchise is the first from Electronic Arts to illustrate the power of the Nintendo DS," said Sinjin Bain, Vice President and Executive Producer. "On the Nintendo DS, we are able to do things with The Urbz(TM): Sims in the City (TM) that we could not do with any other console. Like the system itself, this game is completely unique. Never before have Sims players been able to unleash their alter egos in an urban environment - complete with the sounds, scenes and settings of the city."

Talkback

SylJuly 15, 2004

just as you said, makes perfect sense.
but, nothing that interests me.

The OmenJuly 15, 2004

Well, thats confirmation that the DS will be available in November. I know it was rumored to be out this year, but its nice to see it come to fruition.

Jonnyboy117Jonathan Metts, Associate EditorJuly 15, 2004

I didn't see the Talkback comments until after updating the article, but yes, this basically confirms that Nintendo DS will be released in November at the latest. Good news for everyone who was worried about the delay rumors.

couchmonkeyJuly 15, 2004

Why must the Urbz be so hip? Hopefully I'm wrong, but it seems like EA is trying to inject a bunch of "cool" attitude into the games, and frankly, I'm not cool. Still, this is one DS title I will be looking for.

ThrakkerzogJuly 15, 2004

Quote
Originally posted by: Jonnyboy117
I didn't see the Talkback comments until after updating the article, but yes, this basically confirms that Nintendo DS will be released in November at the latest. Good news for everyone who was worried about the delay rumors.

Not exactly. Didn't some gamecube games get released a week or so before the gamecube? I seem to remember Super Monkey Ball being available before the cube.

Ian SaneJuly 15, 2004

Yeah but those Cube games were only about a week or so early. They wouldn't have come out then if the Cube was delayed to December or next year. If this game is released in November that means the DS will be too. If it comes out early it would like only a week to get a jump on competing launch titles. Anything earlier would be a waste of time. No one would buy it.

TheYoungerPlumberMichael Cole, Associate EditorJuly 15, 2004

Gee, a month-specific release date. Those always hold. Yes sir, DS in November at the latest.

Sorry for being cynical, but I just want to point out that a delay still isn't impossible. Heck, the GameCube and Xbox were delayed after exact dates!

nickmitchJuly 15, 2004

Ebgames.com has the DS due out for 11/29 while the all the games are due for 3/01.

SylJuly 15, 2004

Yesterday it was "announced" that the DS was coming out november 4th in Japan, november 11th in america.
19,000 yen and $180 respectively.

I saw this with multiple sources.

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusJuly 15, 2004

$180 for the DS ehh not bad of a price but it would of been better of 150 but hey console and game for 200 something not that bad it reminded me of cube price when i got it with games.

JaleJuly 15, 2004

Wonder what it will be over here.

RennyJuly 15, 2004

What was the GCN's launch MSRP in Japan?

Ian SaneJuly 15, 2004

$180 US is $238.19 Canadian. That will likely get rounded up to $240 (or down to $235 I hope). That's a little pricey. I'll probably wait for the first price cut. I don't want a situation like the Cube where I buy it at launch and then they drop the price right after the post-launch drought. Paying extra to play SSBM and Pikmin for six months was NOT worth it.

Uncle Rich AiAiJuly 15, 2004

Same with me, Ian. I've been thinking of buying a DS after the first price cut too. It really depends what games are available during the first few months.

USD$180 = AUD$250. A bit too pricey for a handheld to me.

MarioJuly 15, 2004

I'd be surprised if it was $250 AUD, I expect NAL to sell it for $300.

Yay for DS info. This game came out of nowhere, we still have no idea about what games the DS will launch with, this is exciting. An onslaught of DS news is approaching!

Good to see EA actually using the DS features too.

RennyJuly 15, 2004

After some digging... the GCN launched in Japan at ¥25,000. Which at the time was equivalent to $210.25 US. Which means they priced the Cube for the US at 95% of the JPN price to hit the $200 mark. My unnecessary and irrelevant calculations suggest a price at exactly $164.83, assuming the exchange rate is precisely the same as it is now. Yeah.

So is it possible to see it priced at $170 come a most assuredly November release ? Or even $160?

http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/fun.games/08/24/gamecube.release.idg/

http://www.oanda.com/convert/fxhistory

Infernal MonkeyJuly 15, 2004

It's cool because the PSP and DS will engage in a price war like three seconds after they're released.
"Nintendo DS, fourty five cents next month, get 100 games free!"
"Sony PSP, free! 7, 000 copies of Death Jr. bundled in!"

KDR_11kJuly 15, 2004

Currently 25kY equal 227USD, 19kY equal 173USD.

ThrakkerzogJuly 16, 2004

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
Yeah but those Cube games were only about a week or so early. They wouldn't have come out then if the Cube was delayed to December or next year. If this game is released in November that means the DS will be too. If it comes out early it would like only a week to get a jump on competing launch titles. Anything earlier would be a waste of time. No one would buy it.

What I am saying is.. if the same thing happens, the DS could actually be released the first week of December.

RennyJuly 16, 2004

Was that directed at me? I realize what the current exchange rate is. What I'm saying is that if they are as generous with the US market as they were for the GCN launch, then the price would be $164.83 . So isn't it certainly possible to see it for $170, which would be 97% of the JPN price?

mouse_clickerJuly 16, 2004

So, uh, where was the DS's price "announced"? Wouldn't Nintendo have a press conference for something like this? Or wouldn't I at least see it on different websites? This thread is the first I've heard of it.