Slashdot Mirror
Nintendo DS Wireless Game Roundup
ImaNumber writes "Brittlefish has posted a nice roundup of the major multiplayer games currently available for the Nintendo DS. They make their picks on which ones have good wireless play and which ones just added it in as a gimmick." From the post: "If you have 2 Nintendo DS's or you know someone else who has one you've probably played some multiplayer games. And you want more. But which games are worth buying with the incentive of good multiplayer?"
At least Nintendogs is missing. What about PictoChat? There's more to wireless gaming on the DS than the few games that are listed in the article....
1. Write a few words about a Nintento DS Game.
2. Include link to Amazon.com with referral.
3. Post blog link to Slashdot.org
4. ???
5. Profit!
Well, they would be a lot easier to round up if they had wires in the first place, now wouldn't they?
Aren't there some sort of leash laws?
DS Wireless Roundup
August 29th, 2005
If you have 2 Nintendo DS's or you know someone else who has one you've probably played some multiplayer games. And you want more.
But which games are worth buying with the incentive of good multiplayer? Here are our notes on some of the most popular games out right now:
Advance Wars: Dual Strike
Advance Wars: Dual Strike Wireless Rating: 5 Bars!
Get this game. This is hands down the best game for the DS available right now. And with 8-way multiplayer it will satisfy your wifi hunger. Bonus: The ability to draw your own maps makes this a game that has a great replay value....draw a map and let your friends download it.
Wireless Rating: 5 out of 5 bars
Bomberman DS
Bomberman Wireless Rating: 4 Bars!
The first 8-way multiplayer game available for the DS. Loads of fun with lots of people, but if you are planning on only having a 2-way game most of the time it probably shouldn't be your first pick. However, with a lot of players this can be great fun. Especially if all the players are using the mic to call out battle commands.
Wireless Rating: 4 out of 5 bars
Meteos
Meteos Wireless Rating: 5 Bars!
This game makes for some great 4-way puzzle action. There is nothing finer than watching your Meteos launch and seeing them collide with someone else's planet. This game is great wireless fun, in addition to the loads of single player fun you'll have.
Wireless Rating: 5 out of 5 bars
Metriod
Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt Wireless Rating: 4 Bars!
The first console FPS that feels right. 4-way multiplayer action is very good on this demo, and with the recent announcement that the full version will have Internet play we can only expect more from the Samus Touch N' Kill department. My only beef with the multiplayer on this game is that the game is too dark. Of course, maybe that is just an excuse to why I am not any good at it. You probably already have this game, since it probably came with your DS, but after playing it in multiplayer mode it will make you want to buy the full version when it comes out.
Wireless Rating: 4 out of 5 bars
Nanostray
Nanostray Wireless Rating: 2 Bars!
2-way multiplayer and not terribly fun at that. Two players can play together to kill the bad guys, but not to help each other out...only to score points. The person with the most points wins. This is very limited and only huge fans of this genre will find any long-term playability in it. It would be nice to have a mode that allowed two or more players to play the main game together. It would also be nice to not have to use the download play if both players have the game.
Wireless Rating: 2 out of 5 bars
Polarium
Polarium Wireless Rating: 3 Bars!
A 2-way puzzle game that actually has a pretty fun multiplayer mode. If you can get past the plain graphics this game will have you and a friend swearing at each other in no time. Of course, if you have more than one friend with a DS you will probably want to look at other puzzle games like Meteos or Pop Puyo Fever instead.
Wireless Rating: 3 out of 5 bars
Puyo Pop Fever
Puyo Pop Fever Wireless Rating: 5 Bars!
This 8-way puzzler is the first DS game where you probably won't use the touchscreen at all. It is also the first DS game which appears to be marketed directly at girl gamers. If you can get past that (and you should try), you'll find an addictive puzzle game that has great wireless play. This is also a great game to play with your wife or girlfriend. They'll really love it when they start kicking your butt. And they will start kicking your butt.
Wireless Rating: 5 out of 5 bars
Super Mario 64 DS
Super Mario 64 Wireless Rating: 3 Bars!
4-way Yoshi action. Race against the other players to get as many stars as you can before the time runs out. And you can, uh, stick out your tongue and, uh, eat the other players. Then spit them out. Uh, yeah. Anyway, the multiplayer is fun, but not fun enough to j
Is it me, or does it seem like these nifty handheld things from (Sony and Nintendo) are not catching on very fast? I am a console owner, and plan to upgrade whenever the PS3 comes out and all that jazz, but I have felt pretty much zero interest in these new handhelds, at least among my friends and peers.
Maybe I'm just in the wrong demographic, but I remember when the Gameboy came out oh so many years ago and we all rushed to the store to grab one. It just doesn't seem like people are that excited about having one more handheld device to carry around.
Come see one of the world's oldest webcams: www.mitwebcam.com
Who is General Failure? And why is he reading my disk????
Did Homer Simpson review these games? Five thumbs up for everything!
That's always been my problem - finding someone else with the DS. I see them on "House" - but not in real life. One other guy I know has a PSP, but that's about it. I don't know if it's where I life, the fact I'm a 32 year old guy who's got three kids (who think that Daddy's DS is very cool, mainly because I won't let them come within 10 feet of it - that's what the GBA is for
Is this just an issue where I'm outside the age curve, and if I was back in college these portable systems would be "all the rage"? [sarcasm]I mean, I guess I could go troll the junior high schools looking for Pokemon opponents, but my wife tells me it's a little creepy to hand around the school asking the kids if they want to play a game with my pocket computer.[/sarcasm]
Ah, well - at least as my kids get older, they become more challenging gamers (my daughter almost beats me at chess now, and I think I can get her trained as a good 'Soul Calibur' competitor with more time - at least before she starts noticing boys or something.).
52 Weeks, 52 Religions with John Hummel
From TFA:
WarioWare: Touched Wireless Rating: 3 Bars!
An interesting 2-way fast-paced "party game". The first few times through this game will keep you on your toes as you try and figure out what to do in each mini game, but after you learn what to do on all the games it becomes simple recollection. If you own the game the multiplayer is nice, but with only 2 player capacity and limited replay value this isn't going to go to the top of many people's lists.
Wireless Rating: 3 out of 5 bars
Weird, even without ZERO multiplayer options (a shame, really), it still manages to get "3 out of 5 bars"?
Multiplayer updates to:
*MIDI Maze (aka "Faceball 2000") - the original multiplayer FPS that is still kid-friendly. Perfect for a DS.
*Todd's Adventure in Slimeworld - old multiplayer hit from the Atari Lynx and the Sega Genesis. Obviously, a FPS update would be needed on the PSP, but possibly the sidescrolling method might still be useful on the DS.
*Warbirds - great dogfighting game. Was really addicting playing against 8 other players on the Atari Lynx. Definitely worth updating yet still retaining the title's charm.
*Battlewheels. 'Nuff said.
And finally...
*Duke Nukem Forever - Considering the development at this point is probably so far behind for the current and nextgen consoles, why not sell the title as an exclusivity to either of the handheld platforms? C'mon, 3DRealms, Sony, and Nintendo.
"Right now, somewhere in this world, Scott Baio is plowing a woman he doesn't love," - Peter Griffin, *Family Guy*
It would really have been nice had they given a bit more information about these games - some can be played with only one copy of the game, others require each person having their own copy.
That, however, is by far the biggest strength of the DS, and the feature that, to me, puts it far above the PSP when it comes to multi-player gaming: multiple players off of one copy of a game. There are many times when your friends would play a game, but don't like it enough to own it. Or, the other way around, where you don't want to buy a specific game, but still enjoy playing it multi-player.
One of my friends picked up Bomberman, and now we can all play together off of his copy, and it is great fun. Sure, the PSP has fancy "console-quality" graphics and whatnot, but when I have a copy of X game and nobody else does I'm still just sitting there playing it by myself.
As well, while I'm certainly not the type to say things like "games used to be better in the old days!" and whatnot, most of the games for the DS are fun yet simple games that can easily be understood and played, and can be enjoyed by almost anybody, gamer or not. My girlfriend, for example, isn't overly thrilled by my PSP, but nearly every one of my DS games she's played she has loved.
I'm almost glad the system isn't a 3D powerhouse, because instead companies seem to be concerning themselves with making a game that is fun instead of a game that pushes the graphics but forgets about the gameplay. I think the PSP and DS actually compliment each other, instead of directly compete, and that's the best possible scenario in my opinion.
I think there's a simple reason why no one knows anyone a DS and especially a PSP. That is handhelds are designed for kids. Here's why:
1.Most adult gamers will go straight from home to work, then back again everyday, and you shouldn't play video games at work. Kid's have recess, and hang out away from home to avoid parents. And, if you're going to play games at home, you might as well use a console or PC on a larger screen.
2.Most kid gamers already have a GBA, so why would their parents shill out for another more expensive system?
The other demographic (of which I'm a part of) who would by a portable system is the gamer (any age) that likes innovative games. That's why I like the DS, and think PSP is a joke.
PS. I'm also in University, so when i'm stuck on campus, it's nice to pull out the portable system.
4-way Yoshi action.
Ok now that is just sick.
Never expected nintento to have a "hot coffee" style cheat on a Mario Game.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
it's all the buzz at primary, middle, and high school.
A lot of kids can't have - or aren't allowed to - raise puppies/dogs, so my guess is this one is going to really do well - to the point where people will sign up for "dog-walks" and "puppy training".
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
WARNING: Do not play multiplayer for this game - it is utterly pointless.
Ridge Racer's gameplay is really smooth, and while playing multiplayer, you do not ever see any lag (or screen skipping). BUT, for some reason or another, there seems to be a certain delay in the game. For instance, if I'm speeding past my opponent, he won't see it on his screen until a few seconds later. This means, there are certain times during the game where we both can be in first place. Additionally, sometimes I purposely bump my opponent but on their screen, they have a clear path.
I'd give the game a 1 out of 5 for multiplayer - as the races never reflects its true state... leading to confusion in real-time.
This needs to happen, the stylus makes it feasible at least.
...But I digress. TREMBLE PUNY HUMANS!ONE DAY MY SPECIES WILL DESTROY YOU ALL!
The first WiFi Internet DS title on the schedule is Animal Crossing and that one was pushed back recently - to November if I remember correctly.
This game is fantastic, I picked it up last week, and am moving through the campaign mode right now. I had to spend the weekend with the in-laws and was able to get some good play time in (yay for hand-helds). The two front war is a great use of the Dual Screens which really adds to the game-play. The Tag-Team CO Power is pretty important to wining a match, as it lets you get two turns in a row, plus both of your CO's Super powers. Make sure your CO's have complimentary skills and use them in the correct order (ie start with the missile attack, the follow up with the tank blitz) They even added a few new units to the game which fill in some gaps that were there nicely. Unfortunatly I don't know anyone who stuck with the DS after the PSP came out. Most of my gaming friends fell for the glitz of the package of the PSP rather than the proven track record of Nintendo mobile gaming. Hopefully as more and more great games like this one come out for the DS and well nothing continues to be released for the PSP, they will come back and I'll be able to try out the multiplay.
The list is not complete and there are more multiplayer games coming soon. Too bad I don't have the time to put an Amazon Japan referral site to make some profit from
- Otaku no naka no otaku, otaking da!!!
There isn't enough onboard memory on the DS :-\
It would be nice if somebody would release a PDA game cart with a browser and other PDA features, perhaps it could come with a GBA card that can be used only for extra memory. That would be kinda cool.
Even on the PSP I have a hard time surfing some sites or opening more than 2 tabs because of the amount of memory on it.