Hands On: Nintendo DS

DS Feature | PALGN goes hands on with our Nintendo DS. First impressions included.

PALGN recieved its Nintendo DS today after an extremely long wait. We now know that the Australian release of the Nintendo DS will be on February 24th, with the console retailing for $199.95 and the games retailing for $79.95.

We haven't played a game, haven't looked at the Metroid demo and have barely gone past the title screen, but already we're excited.

There was something extremely exciting about turning on the Nintendo DS for the first time, once we could navigate the language select screen. Confirm is on the right side of the selection and we kept selecting cancel. Of course, we're blaming this mistake on our high anticipation of the Nintendo DS, not lack of vision.

The Nintendo DS sales package comes with a copy of Metroid Hunters, an instruction book, a really small stylus (approximatly 5cm) and a thumbstick add-on.

The Nintendo DS comes half charged which allows for a couple of hours of gaming before having to charge for the fest time. The American power socket does not work in our outlet but a Gameboy Advance charger works just as well.

We must admit that we were surprised by how small the stylus was and how large the Nintendo DS itself is. It certainly feels a lot more bulky than the Gameboy Advance.

In the coming weeks PALGN will have a lot of features on the Nintendo DS leading up to its eventual release in Australia on February 24th. We're going to be doing a Q&A regarding the Nintendo DS, so if you have a question, email it to luke@palgn.com.au with the subject "DS Question" and we will post ALL the answers in an upcoming article in the next month.

There are six screenshots of the DS in the media panel for you to marvel at. Anyway, enough of this article - we must go spend some more time with the DS.

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16 Comments

onggie

8 years ago

I can't wait for a full review!

mangaman

8 years ago

i've actually had second thought's about the DS...

Hyperworm

8 years ago

Woo

Even though I already have one, it always pleases me to see an article like this

mrcivic

8 years ago

Those pictures are a little blurry. Get a better digitial camera.

But yeah, the package looks nice.

Gtpod

8 years ago

Hehe, 'tis..

(Damn the last 60 stars on 64 DS.. ><)

David

8 years ago

I've already played one for a few hours. It's heavier but not 'more bulky' then the original GBA mode: the footprint is almost identical, and it's about 2mm thicker when you factor in the GBA's buttons. The stylus's are more like 7 or 8 cm long.

The unit is really well made, sturdy and durable looking: like the construction of a GBASp crossed with a GBA. The touch screen works perfectly, and salso seems durable. You can see some transparent grid lines on it in the right light.

Metroid looks INCREDIBLE! While some parts look N64ish, most of it looks like it's running on a Dreamcast: Good, sharp textures, good colour depth, high poly's and a stable high framerate. So I'm saying it's DC level power, since some graphics certainly reach that level.

Controlling Metroid is sweet, just like a PC (except there's no inverse y axis in the demo, doh! It's in the full game though, apparently). Tapping to jump works well, and shooting with L does too. It's like a combination of N64 goldeneye and PC quake controlls.

mrcivic

8 years ago

What's the screen brightness like? Similar to GBA or much brighter?

Luke

8 years ago

brighter, noticably brighter.

Gtpod

8 years ago

Not incredible though, and not adjustable.. Either off or on. ><

Anonymous

8 years ago

mangaman

8 years ago

that's the problem with these nintendo remakes. You say to yourself, "now that was a great game" but aren't bothered to say anything more. Are there MAJOR changes that undergo the games when remade or just minor additions to the game itself?

Big Pete

8 years ago

Yeah besides from Mario 64 DS, there isn't too much (besides from the Wario game) to look forward to. I'm really after Animal Crossing DS though, that should be great and wouldn't mind to give Yoshi Touch n Go...a go.

mangaman

8 years ago

have the Wario games for the NGC and GBA had much success?

Big Pete

8 years ago

NGC one was shite.

GBA one was great.

NDS one is based on the GBA one.

Thus meaning that it should be great.

Hyperworm

8 years ago

I believe Wario Ware Touched! isn't developed by the same team that made the original Wario Ware game for GBA, but it's brilliant nevertheless

mangaman: I'd say Mario 64 is probably the most "remade" game Nintendo have released. What other remakes have they released that you're thinking about? I can't think of any except the GBA Mario games (which I don't think were improved at all, really). Memory failing...

As for DS games, I'm looking forward to Advance Wars DS, Another Code, Animal Crossing DS, Mario Kart, Touch! Kirby Mahou no Efude, maybe Pac-Pix (really not sure about that, need more info), Polarium, Metroid Prime Hunters, and possibly Yoshi.
Add to that Star Fox Assault, the new realistic Zelda, maybe a Super Mario 64 sequel for GameCube if we're lucky, Wario Ware Twisted!, any Pokémon games that might happen to come out in English this year (there's supposed to be a few), and any decent DS games that come out in the second half of 2005 (that list above was just the first half), and... it's probably going to be quite a busy Nintendo-game-buying year for me

Big Pete

8 years ago

My Nintendo DS has finally arrived and after a few hours of gameplay, I must say it's the best handheld I've played so far, I had my doubts, but they all went away.

Mario 64 DS is the only game I have at the moment, however it is definatly playable and enjoyable, though Yoshi kind of annoys me.

The touch screen is a great addition to it, although it's a bit hard to use it when playing Mario 64 DS, however I'll grow use to it.

So Congrats to Nintendo for making the best hand held and at last I can understand what GTPod and Hyperworm are talking about.

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