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Millennium · Oct 4, 2006, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

Ok but those are all for touch screen. The DS is called DS for Dual Screen. So how has that made anything better?

Now you're reaching, SWG. Even the bad DS games have found novel uses for the increased screen space.

- - e r i k - - · Oct 4, 2006, 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

Ok but those are all for touch screen. The DS is called DS for Dual Screen. So how has that made anything better?

Dual screens is good in the way that dual screens are good for the computer. You have your most important information on one screen and the auxiliary on the second. Palettes on one screen, working canvas on the other. In a game you have your game that you focus on one screen and your map, weapons, other non-critical information on the other. That way you can still focus on the game and you won't have to interrupt it to get up map-information etc.

In that way I think most games for the DS make excellent use of the secondary screen.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Oct 4, 2006, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by Millennium

Now you're reaching, SWG. Even the bad DS games have found novel uses for the increased screen space.

So 2 small screens separated by a large hunk of plastic and the second screen at a different angle is BETTER than one large widescreen?

starman · Oct 4, 2006, 11:36 PM

The thing is, I've been playing MMOs for years and I found that one LARGER (wider) screen is better then two small ones.

It all depends on how you arrange what it is you need to look at.

paul w · Oct 4, 2006, 11:43 PM

I have both the DS and the PSP. I prefer one larger screen by a lot to 2 smaller ones. In a game things often occur too fast to have the time to look at two different screens. I find it to be a nuisance.

BTW I still am looking forward to the Wii.

starman · Oct 4, 2006, 11:45 PM

I went to my local Gamestop today and they're STILL not taking preorders on either system.

/sigh

ort888 · Oct 5, 2006, 12:52 AM

Word on the street is that none of the specialty shops are going to take pre-orders on either system. Ever.

Gamoe · Oct 5, 2006, 12:55 AM

Originally Posted by starman

I went to my local Gamestop today and they're STILL not taking preorders on either system.

/sigh

Hopefully that won't be necessary in case of the Wii, though.

- - e r i k - - · Oct 5, 2006, 12:56 AM

EB Games has taken pre-orders on both systems for a long time here.

starman · Oct 5, 2006, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

EB Games has taken pre-orders on both systems for a long time here.

I don't see how since Gamestop bought EB Games a year ago, and they aren't taking preorders since they don't even know their allotment yet. You sure about that?

- - e r i k - - · Oct 5, 2006, 01:20 AM

Originally Posted by starman

I don't see how since Gamestop bought EB Games a year ago, and they aren't taking preorders since they don't even know their allotment yet. You sure about that?

As sure as my receipt for the Wii and my friend's for the PS3 are.

MOTHERWELL · Oct 5, 2006, 03:24 AM

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

As sure as my receipt for the Wii and my friend's for the PS3 are.

...better get there early to be sure you get yours in case they oversold.

brokenjago · Oct 5, 2006, 03:29 AM

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

Ok but those are all for touch screen. The DS is called DS for Dual Screen. So how has that made anything better?

I agree with Millenium, now you're reaching here. I guess that means that because Apple calls their Wifi Airport and most people don't use it mainly in Airports, that means it sucks. Is that what you're trying to say?

I personally think the Dual screens are not the greatest of the four or so innovations Nintendo introduced with the DS. However, I still think they're pretty cool, and usually, people find useful information to put on them.

But no, it hasn't made anything in particular amazingly better. Definite improvements, but no revolution in gaming just because we have two screens now instead of one. It's just a nice feature. Your Mileage May Vary.

Dark Helmet · Oct 5, 2006, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by brokenjago

I agree with Millenium, now you're reaching here.

Then prove me wrong. Show me how those 2 small screens are better than one large one.

For these popular games it would be much better widescreen over tall:

Mario Cart
Mario World
Yoshi Touch and go

And those are 3 out of the 4 games I own.

The DS is popular because Nintendo hasn't had any real competition in the handheld space and the regular gameboy is pretty much on the back-burner and the micro bombed. So anyone who had a gameboy pretty much got a DS because it is backwards compatible and the future of the gameboy.

icruise · Oct 5, 2006, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

The DS is popular because Nintendo hasn't had any real competition in the handheld space

Yes, if only there was a portable system with a nice widescreen display to compete with the DS. Oh wait... As I said, I think the main benefit of the 2 screens over one large screen is actually cost.

and the regular gameboy is pretty much on the back-burner and the micro bombed.

The regular game boy is dead, and the micro IS a regular game boy. I don't think it was intended to revitalize the game boy. If anything, it was a last attempt at making some money off of dated game boy hardware. (That said, I have one that I got fairly cheaply and it's very nice.)

You may be referring to Nintendo's original comments that the DS wasn't meant to be the GBA's replacement, that it was to be a second portable system and that there would be another game boy system on the way. I think these comments were basically Nintendo's way of covering its ass. If the DS was a flop, they could bring out the GBA2 or whatever and not look like they had failed. I think the DS's success took them somewhat by surprise (and me too for that matter -- I actually like the PSP better in many ways).

ink · Oct 5, 2006, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

Then prove me wrong. Show me how those 2 small screens are better than one large one.

One thing comes to mind: You don't get the primary screen all scratched up by using the stylus on it all the time.

Gamoe · Oct 6, 2006, 09:40 PM

And back to the Wii again...

According to this Ars brief about the Wii, Nintendo will ship:

at least 7 million and potentially as many as 9 million consoles are in the production pipeline and will be ready by year-end.

So, I'm guessing there won't be any major shortage problems at all, which is a good thing-- particularly considering I haven't pre-ordered.

icruise · Oct 6, 2006, 10:11 PM

I have to say that sounds kind of optimistic. I wonder what kind of sales figures the Gamecube had.

zro · Oct 7, 2006, 12:49 AM

Seems japanese developers are liking the Wii.

Japan's game gods weigh in - News at GameSpot

and easy to read chart (see below) Go Nintendo � Blog Archive � Guess what? Japanese developers dig the Wii!- What are you waiting for?

What are your expectations for next-gen consoles?

PS3 - 48% Extremely high expectations
32% High expectations
18% Low expectations

Xbox 360 - 13% Extremely high expectations
40% High expectations and
45% Low expectations

Wii - 63% Extremely high expectations
36% High expectations
1% Low expectations

For each next gen system, what software are you looking forward to the most?

PS3’s lineup - Metal Gear Solid 4 (12 votes)
Final Fantasy XIII (10 votes)
The Eye of Judgment (7 votes)
Afrika (6 votes)
Heavenly Sword (4 votes)

Xbox 360 - Blue Dragon (18 votes)
Lost Odyssey (14 votes)
Culdecept Saga (8 votes)
Dead Rising (4 votes)
Gundam Operation Troy (4 votes)

Wii - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (26 votes)
Super Mario Galaxy (8 votes)
Wii Sports (5 votes)
Animal Crossing (3 votes)
Super Smash Brothers Brawl (3 votes)

What is your favorite part of each next-gen system?

PS3 - Visual power took the top spot on (19 votes)
Overall hardware specs (10 votes)
Cell’s computation abilities (9 votes)
Built-in hard disk (3 votes)
Blu-Ray (3 votes)

Xbox 360 - Xbox Live (18 votes)
Ease of development (13 votes)
Connectivity with Windows Vista (12 votes)
Visual power (6 votes)
Overall hardware balance (4 votes)

Wii - Wiimote (34 votes).
Wii Connect 24 (9 votes)
Virtual Console (6 votes)
Ease of development (4 votes)
Console price (3 votes)

What next-gen console do you believe will sell the most?

Wii - 60%
PS3 - 37%
Xbox 360 - 3%

What next-gen console would you like to develop for the most?

Wii - 63%
PS3 - 32%
Xbox 360 - 5%.

What next-gen console are you most looking forward to owning?

Wii - 49%
PS3 - 42%
Xbox 360 - 9%

Weezer · Oct 7, 2006, 01:02 AM

http://www.EBgames.com/gs/wii/wii_signup.asp
http://www.GameStop.com/gs/wii/wii_signup.asp

angelmb · Oct 7, 2006, 03:22 AM

The DS is called DS for Dual Screen.

It is also stands for Developers' System.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Oct 9, 2006, 04:24 PM

Hope your rooms have no sunlight! Nintendo's Wii demo was shut down for an hour when the sun touched it:

Sunlight disables Wii sensor bar? - Engadget

Jawbone54 · Oct 9, 2006, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

Hope your rooms have no sunlight! Nintendo's Wii demo was shut down for an hour when the sun touched it:

Sunlight disables Wii sensor bar? - Engadget

I forsook this "sun" thing years ago. No problems here.

Dakar · Oct 9, 2006, 04:43 PM

I guess Nintendo really is targeting hard core gamers after all.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Oct 9, 2006, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

I forsook this "sun" thing years ago. No problems here.

Actually it doesn't like halogen lights either.

"Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - this is where I had the most problems. This game is definitely going to take the biggest learning curve of all the Wii games, and I'm sure Red Steel will be the same way. It doesn't help that I'm lefty either, since I had to hold the Wii-mote in my left hand, nunchaku in my right. Moving with the analog stick and turning/aiming with the remote was a hard concept to grasp at first. I very slowly got the hang of it but still couldn't quite get it. Sometimes when I was trying to turn, the sensor bar just completely lost the Wii-mote cursor, even when I was pointing right back at it again. But thankfully, it eventually righted itself. Aiming is a little hard since the cursor is so shaky due to the high sensitivity, but I'm sure it's high for quick turns... which wound up not being so quick."

http://forums.nintendo.com/nintendo/...age.id=2065592

zro · Oct 10, 2006, 02:01 AM

What are you afraid of? I wasn't planning on playing it under retail display lighting conditions. Imagine that.

Wii Preview: Wii Remote: An in-depth analysis - ComputerAndVideoGames.com

Gamoe · Oct 10, 2006, 07:11 AM

I'm not aware that this particular type of technology has ever been planned for such wide use as a precise, general controller. So there are bound to be some bugs to work out. I for one am somewhat concerned about this, because I plan to get a Wii for a room which is open to windows on one side, so sunlight would hit the sensor bar at least by one side, and it can get pretty sunny here.

So I think some concern is merited, but bashing the Wii because of it is rather immature and silly.

starman · Oct 10, 2006, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

I'm not aware that this particular type of technology has ever been planned for such wide use as a precise, general controller. So there are bound to be some bugs to work out. I for one am somewhat concerned about this, because I plan to get a Wii for a room which is open to windows on one side, so sunlight would hit the sensor bar at least by one side, and it can get pretty sunny here.

So I think some concern is merited, but bashing the Wii because of it is rather immature and silly.

Why? When you spend $250 on something, don't you want it to WORK?

zro · Oct 10, 2006, 10:41 AM

It will work. Don't be so scared of it.

Dark Helmet · Oct 10, 2006, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by zro

It will work. Don't be so scared of it.

What makes you so sure?

Chuckit · Oct 10, 2006, 11:33 AM

Didn't people have trouble with the N64 analog sticks initially, too?

Dakar · Oct 10, 2006, 11:35 AM

That depends what you mean. I bought a blue one for myself and ended up returning it for a new one twice because after a day or twos use (playing GoldenEye) it'd start making a grinding sound when I used the joystick.

angelmb · Oct 10, 2006, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by starman

Why? When you spend $250 on something, don't you want it to WORK?

So sorry but someone has to do it

ort888 · Oct 10, 2006, 05:19 PM

Screw the Wii. Motion sensitivity is old news. Give me this...

Teenager moves video icons just by imagination

Adam Betts · Oct 10, 2006, 09:47 PM

Nintendo responds to rumors that direct sunlight can interfere with the reliability of the Wii sensor bar:

"Our testing thus far shows no great risk of light interference when playing a game that relies on the pointer and sensor bar."

goMac · Oct 10, 2006, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by Adam Betts

Nintendo responds to rumors that direct sunlight can interfere with the reliability of the Wii sensor bar:

"Our testing thus far shows no great risk of light interference when playing a game that relies on the pointer and sensor bar."

Sunlight and infared are on completely different spectrums of light. This makes sense. The whole sunlight interference thing made about as much sense as sunlight interfering with your tv remote.

icruise · Oct 10, 2006, 10:02 PM

Actually, sunlight can interfere to some degree with TV remotes and other things that make use of infrared light. Still, I don't think it's going to be an issue. If there is enough sun to interfere with the wiimote, it would probably make seeing the TV screen a problem too.

JHromadka · Oct 10, 2006, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

Hope your rooms have no sunlight! Nintendo's Wii demo was shut down for an hour when the sun touched it:

Sunlight disables Wii sensor bar? - Engadget

Not according to Nintendo

starman · Oct 10, 2006, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by goMac

Sunlight and infared are on completely different spectrums of light. This makes sense. The whole sunlight interference thing made about as much sense as sunlight interfering with your tv remote.

The sun emits IR radiation. The atmosphere absorbs SOME, but not all of it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunlight

goMac · Oct 10, 2006, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by starman

The sun emits IR radiation. The atmosphere absorbs SOME, but not all of it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunlight

My TV remote tells me the sun doesn't emit enough IR to interfere with my TV remote, so the Wiimote should be ok.

zro · Oct 10, 2006, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

What makes you so sure?

I have faith in Nintendo's abilities.

Why do you want so awfully bad for it to not work?

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Oct 10, 2006, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by JHromadka

Not according to Nintendo

I was totally expected them to say otherwise.

Demonhood · Oct 11, 2006, 12:11 AM

i don't know about anyone else, but i arranged my living room so that sunlight never hits the tv. doesn't everyone do that?

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Oct 11, 2006, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by Demonhood

i don't know about anyone else, but i arranged my living room so that sunlight never hits the tv. doesn't everyone do that?

You'd think so but on most casual users (the ones Nintendo is targeting remember) I see so many people that have light hit the TV face on at some part of the day at least.

JHromadka · Oct 11, 2006, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

I was totally expected them to say otherwise.

Yeah OMBRENOIR17 is the epitome of trusted reporting

Severed Hand of Skywalker · 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by JHromadka

Yeah OMBRENOIR17 is the epitome of trusted reporting

Just do what GoMac does everyime something negative about Nintendo is mentioned.

And tell me this sounds like professional reporting to you....

"Although we couldn't possibly care less about this non-issue, we contacted Nintendo of America for some clarification, and the subsidiary downplayed any interference problems."

So to them sunlight is a non-issue but they thought they would call Nintendo anyway as they are concerned with people who might want to play the Wii in a "greenhouse or the surface of the moon".

""Our testing thus far shows no great risk of light interference when playing a game that relies on the pointer and sensor bar.""

What does "No great risk" mean anyway? It won't kill you or only XX% will have a problem with XX brightness?

Chuckit · Oct 11, 2006, 04:00 AM

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

You'd think so but on most casual users (the ones Nintendo is targeting remember) I see so many people that have light hit the TV face on at some part of the day at least.

With how many windows there are in this place, it's impossible not to have sunlight touch anything at some part of the day. The trick is just to make it a part of the day you didn't want to watch TV anyway.

Gamoe · Oct 11, 2006, 05:08 AM

Originally Posted by starman

Why? When you spend $250 on something, don't you want it to WORK?

I agree. And like I said previously, I am concerned because I plan to use the Wii in a room where one side is open to sunlight. But, I think it's a little premature to make judgements on a report from one blogger/poster before the public has its hands on it and can test it out.

Honestly, this issue might "break" the Wii for me, because I want to use it in this room because it is a common room, not a bedroom, so everyone can share in the play. I suppose I'm buying into the whole "all the family" idea Nintendo is trying to sell, because that's the way I'd really like to use the console.-- Not just in my bedroom.

So, I'm not ignoring this issue at all. But I'm hoping for the best-- after all Nintendo will have a lot of disappointed gamers (particularly the new non-gamer and casual-gamer audience Nintendo wants to attract) if any old light bulb or sunlight can spoil a game-- and I'm reserving judgement till I read more independent reports on it from the public or till I have one myself.

BTW, angelmb: Nice one.

angelmb · Oct 11, 2006, 02:15 PM

shameless freshman question: how could I download this video? it seems like a streaming though, I am in front of a windows pc right now, so far I have only tried it with keepvid.com

JF Player V1

icruise · Oct 11, 2006, 10:56 PM

Don't know about windows, but on my mac with Flip4mac installed, I just selected "save as quicktime movie." I had to wait for the whole thing to download in the browser first, though, or only part of the video got saved. It looks MUCH better when played at full resolution in quicktime than when played on the web page.