Nintendo DS Lite

[MRW1215]

I'm on the fence with AW: DoR... I only played AW2 and AWDS, and I loved the idea of them, but once I got to the later half of both games, the only way I could ever beat any of the levels was by using a strategy guide or a walkthrough of some sort... And DoR looks really neat; I love the new style, setting, and characters, but I'm just afraid I'd get it, then end up needing a walkthrough/ guide for it...

[motosada]

So, anybody else looking forward to Professor Layton and the Curious Village?

[Slime]

Who?

[motosada]

Professor Layton.

It's a new adventure-style game for the DS. Looks pretty interesting. Puzzles, mysteries, and there's even a healthy amount of traditional animation in the game. I think it looks pretty neat.

[motosada]

HOLD IT!!1

[orochigeese]

Spore to launch, September 7th!

I still don't know what system I'd get this on. The DS is the easy solution but I feel it won't get the same features. But, my PC is kinda limited anyway and I rarely play enough PC games to warrant getting a new computer as it is. I guess I'll have to see if this comes out on the Wii or on the 360 (assuming i'm getting one by late this year/early next year for the SF revolution). This isn't a MUST buy for me but I really am interested in playing with it as it looks like a phenomenal and very in depth game. The "edit mode" of life ;D

[Joe Snack Road]

My DS bricked the other day. No, really.

I mean, I admire the hell out of Nintendo products and their durability - but, I bought it used, and it was pretty obviously USED TO HELL; scratched screen, broken mic, everything.

True story: I had a hiding place at work, setting it atop a vending machine. Well, I accidently dropped it from said vending machine at the end of the day, and it DENTED THE FUCKING FLOOR. There's a little blue dent in the break room of my former Wal-Mart, and I know I caused it.

So, I'm getting to the point where I brag about how awesome the McGirly is, because she bought me one of those spiffy Cobalt Black DSlites to replace it.

[motosada]

orochigeese said:

Spore to launch, September 7th!

I still don't know what system I'd get this on. The DS is the easy solution but I feel it won't get the same features. But, my PC is kinda limited anyway and I rarely play enough PC games to warrant getting a new computer as it is. I guess I'll have to see if this comes out on the Wii or on the 360 (assuming i'm getting one by late this year/early next year for the SF revolution). This isn't a MUST buy for me but I really am interested in playing with it as it looks like a phenomenal and very in depth game. The "edit mode" of life ;D

The DS version sounds like it's gonna be weird, graphically. The "cut-out/shadow box" style sounds very much like Patapon, actually. Not saying it'll be bad or anything, but I think I might have to gear up my PC for the game, because it just looks so goddamned awesome.

admin said:

My DS bricked the other day. No, really.

So, I'm getting to the point where I brag about how awesome the McGirly is, because she bought me one of those spiffy Cobalt Black DSlites to replace it.

Damn, son. That one's a keeper!

[orochigeese]

I'm hoping Spore makes it to the Wii. I just don't see myself playing a game SO deep on the DS. Likewise, I don't see myself getting a new PC just for this. I'm really hoping the Wii or 360 gets this.

And wow, the DS dented the f'n floor!? You have one of those special edition MECH-style DS's that are made of like titanium or adamantium or something!?

[orochigeese]

More Spore info on how it will play on systems besides the PC.

Damn it, I keep putting that link in but its not working. I know it's the right one too!

Anyway, here's the article:

Not content to simply bring you the news of Spore's release date (September 7th, 2008) or the reasons why the game has taken so long to develop (like numerous Facebook relationships, it's complicated), the staff of Level Up has brought you one more exclusive. When we found out yesterday that the PC edition of Spore would be accompanied by versions for the Nintendo DS, Macintosh computers and mobile phones, we again reached out to Electronic Arts to get the scoop. Maxis vice president and Spore executive producer Lucy Bradshaw was kind enough to promptly answer the questions we sent over via el--thanks!--and the answers demonstrate the amount of care that Maxis has put into trying to make sure that each instance of the game is worthy. Below, Brashaw tells us whether Mac and PC users will be able to share content with one another; which Japanese artistic tradition inspired the look of Spore for DS; and which single stage of the original game has been blown out for mobile phones. Intrigued? Keep reading.

What challenges have there been in developing a Mac version of Spore?

We're working with a company called Transgaming on our Mac version of Spore, and the effort is going very smoothly. When we set out to do this, it was to make sure that we have a simultaneous release on both the PC and Mac; too often our Mac versions ship months behind the PC. Just recently we were able to show the Creature Creator at MacWorld. We really feel that the creative nature of Spore will appeal to the Mac audience so we are excited to bring the game to both platforms.
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Will Mac and PC users be able to share content with one another?

And, yes, the content that players create on the Mac version can be shared with PC players as well as other Mac players. All of the building blocks that are available in Spore's Creature, Building, Vehicle and Spaceship Creators are the same for both the PC and Mac versions, so we can now populate the galaxies of both Mac and PC players with the content that other players create, which makes exploring your own personal galaxy always unique and surprising.

How do the features and gameplay in the Nintendo DS version of Spore differ from those of the PC and Mac versions? Will the DS version have any unique content?

Spore for the Nintendo DS is an entirely unique design. We focused on delivering the core features of Spore: creativity, exploration, sharing and collecting, while taking full advantage the unique aspects of the DS platform such as the stylus and connectivity. The result is a completely specialized version of the creature phase of the game complete with a Nintendo DS unique creature creator that we are calling Spore Creatures. Players will create their own creature in the Creature Creator and then evolve this creature by making friends, defeating enemies and exploring the galaxy on a quest to find new evolutionary paths and save their home world. Along the way, they can record all the species they've encountered using the Spore Species Guide, trade and collect custom created creatures and earn badges for accomplishing a variety of tasks.

We even decided to go with a custom look for Spore Creatures so the content is entirely unique to the DS. Our artistic inspiration came from Japanese flat rod puppets and shadow box art. The look feels great and lends to a more intuitive editing experience allowing for a huge amount of flexibility in the creatures a player can create. The greater simplicity enables the player to focus on the gameplay and their unique creations. We've also made unique abilities for the creatures of Spore Creatures. As you evolve your creation, you'll find special biopowers that can help you fight or socialize in order to succeed on your quest.

Will DS users be able to exchange content with each other via local or online Wi-Fi?

As players are creating creatures in their game, they can save their favorites. They can share, trade or simply show off these favorites with friends either locally or over Wi-Fi. If you share a creature with a friend, that creature can show up in your game as well, and they can battle or befriend them much like the PC and Mac game. Once traded, creatures will continue to spread to other players as they connect and trade.

What features and gameplay can we expect to see in the mobile phone version of Spore?

Just as Spore Creatures for the Nintendo DS is an offshoot of the creature phase, Spore Mobile revolves around the first phase featured in the PC game: the cell phase. You'll start out in the primordial ooze and work your way up through the food chain as you head for land avoiding predators and adapting to your environment. The mobile game features its own editor where you can customize your creature by adding parts like tails, eyes and mandibles, each with unique abilities that will help you overcome the challenges you'll face. The mobile editor also allows you to alter the size, shape and color of your creation in millions of different ways.

Will mobile phone users be able to exchange content with one another?

Yes, users will be able to trade their creations with each other--once you've finished the core game and you've created a creature, you can then take that creature online via a network connection or by trading alphanumeric codes manually. You'll even be able to battle other people's creations via an online Arena accessible from your handset or on the web.

[Joe Snack Road]

orochigeese said:

I'm hoping Spore makes it to the Wii. I just don't see myself playing a game SO deep on the DS. Likewise, I don't see myself getting a new PC just for this. I'm really hoping the Wii or 360 gets this.

And wow, the DS dented the f'n floor!? You have one of those special edition MECH-style DS's that are made of like titanium or adamantium or something!? :o

Remember all those pictures and complaints when the Wii released about how things were getting shattered, busted, broken? Like, TVs, windows, ceiling fans, bones?

The old DS is a fucking BRICK. Nintendo does not want to make shoddy equipment; and their definition of "sturdy" usually involves blunt force trauma and trips to the ER.

[motosada]

The DS lite is Tonka tuff, too, man. Even though the hinge on mine broke after a month of being under constant and extreme pressure (being in my front pocket during four weeks of AT while I was working, marching, carrying heavy equipment, conquering land navigation courses, riding in humvees and two-and-a-half-ton trucks, and not to mention playing the damned thing), a dab of super glue got it right back into shape. It's been nearly a year now, and the thing is still as beastly as ever, and still capable of causing my brother to scream like a girl when I throw it at his head. haha

[motosada]

IGN goes hands-on with Spore on dat dere DS.

Once again, it's sounding interesting.

[Joe Snack Road]

The joy is gone now.

I'm having problems trying to connect BlueTwo to the Nintendo USB Wi-Fi connector.

:-/

[orochigeese]

That sucks

I've never used the USB connector, but perhaps you need a software upgrade for it?

I have an old bookmark from before I even bought the DS. The link is about DS connectivity and it pretty much just sent me to the general Nintendo customer service site. But there is some DS-specific troubleshooting there so hopefully it can help. I wish i had something more specialized.

www.nintendo.com/consumer/index.jsp