Latest Wii, Nintendo DS, Game Boy, and GameCube news, screenshots, and game previews

Following Nintendo’s revision to its profit forecast, a move which some analysts are calling “too cautious“, Nintendo’s shares have since dropped by 12 per cent — the largest fall Nintendo has seen in 18 years. Company president Satoru Iwata yesterday attempted to address many concerns that the business may have peaked:

“I think it is true that new information penetrates through the Japanese market very quickly and that Japanese people tend to get tired of something new very quickly,” Iwata stated. “It is also true that the population is smaller when compared with that of other major markets, so it is inevitable that the market starts to feel saturated earlier than others.”

Citing previous hardware generations, he noted that the U.S. has twice the sales potential of Japan. Europe, where Nintendo’s marketing has improved since the GameCube days, also presents growth opportunities.

Iwata also mentioned that the Nintendo DSi was one method Nintendo used to “reactivate the Japanese DS market”. Regarding the Wii, he stated that it’s “not impossible for the Wii’s total sales to exceed the final installed base of PS2“.

Tags: Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, Recession, Sales, Satoru Iwata, Wii

Pokemon Platinum should be an instant seller. This game is similar to Pokemon Yellow, Crystal, Emerald in that it won’t be an entirely new adventure but an extension with added story elements and improved graphics. Also look forward to more Mario, Kirby, and Fire Emblem!

• Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir (Feb 2 Europe)
• Walk with me! Do you know your walking routine? (Feb 20 Europe, 2009 US as Personal Trainer: Walk with Me!)
• Pokemon Platinum (2009 Europe, March 22 US)
• Rhythm Paradise / Heaven (2009, Europe and US)
• Mario and Luigi RPG 3 (2009, Europe and US)
• Kirby Super Star Ultra (2009 Europe)
• Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (Feb 16 US)

Tags: Fire Emblem, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, Kirby, Kirby Super Star Ultra, Mario, Mario and Luigi RPG 3, Nintendo DS, Pokemon, Pokemon Platinum, Release dates

Square Enix today hinted that players might be able to go online to “expand” upon Dragon Quest IX. No details were given but many are hoping for downloadable content such as additional quests.

Dragon Quest IX is scheduled for a March 28th release in Japan, exclusively for Nintendo DS. A North American release date has yet to be announced.

Tags: DLC, Dragon Quest, Dragon Quest IX, Nintendo DS, Square Enix

Here’s an update on Brownie Brown, thanks to Siliconera:

Shinichi Kameoka, President of Brownie Brown, tells us, “I’d like to try making games for the Wii. We’re optimistic about it and looking into it.”

Brownie Brown’s history is entirely made up of portable titles like Sword of Mana, Magical Starsign, and the Japan-only Magical Vacation. On the prospect of downloadable games like WiiWare and DSiWare Kameoka-san explains, “we’re really interested.”

Brownie Brown also had a hand in developing Mother 3. While it’s way too late for Nintendo of America to backtrack and release Mother 3 as a Game Boy Advance game they could port it to the Nintendo DS. “If we were asked to make one [a DS version of Mother 3], then we would definitely like for fans abroad to play the game,” Kameoka-san said.

I know a lot of gamers were disappointed Mother 3 didn’t make it to North America for the Game Boy Advance. A rumor was printed in the August 2006 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly claiming that “Nintendo would release an EarthBound compilation for the DS, complete with touch-screen functionality”. Let’s hope the rumors are true!

Tags: Brownie Brown, DSiWare, EarthBound, Mother 3, Rumors, WiiWare

Moon for the Nintendo DS has been generating a lot of buzz lately. If you like first person shooters and you own a DS, you might want to look into Moon.

IGN DS
When it comes to making a purchase decision on Moon, I encourage anyone that loves FPS games on DS to check this one out, as its technical offering, story, design, style, and control are all amazingly well done.

DS Fanboy
For some, the action may drag on, and repetitive puzzles and battles won’t help. For others, the sense of isolation, the pressing, often eerie atmosphere, and the sinister music and effects will blend together into a seamless whole.

Modojo
We have mixed feelings with Moon. It’s a superb visual achievement with spectacular controls and fun shooting, but we grew tired of the old school “hit this switch to activate this door” gameplay. So long as you go into it expecting a slow-paced first person adventure instead of Doom, you’ll enjoy this lunar vacation.

Ars Technica
This is a great surprise this early in 2009, and it’s the sort of satisfying and well-designed experience that the Wii needs. Shooter fans, those who like adventure titles, or just anyone looking for a solid single-player experience on the DS should pick this up.

Tags: Moon, Nintendo DS, Reviews

ComputerAndVideoGames.com goes hands-on with the “brilliant” Nintendo DS exclusive, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, calling it their “most anticipated Nintendo DS game as of right now”.

The opening is cinematic, with the camera panning down a fully 3D street as the hip-hop begins and the game’s credits fade in and out. Our attention was quickly grabbed. During the intro alone we observed busy roads, vehicles with headlights, working indicators, reverse lights and their own physics. Buildings were detailed, as were trees, bins, boxes and lamp posts - all breakable. Pedestrians also littered the pavements going about their business. Attention to detail and overall level of bustle is incredible for a DS game.

Also check out another hand-on preview at IGN DS.

Tags: Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, GTA, Hands-on, Nintendo DS, Previews, RockStar Games

Here’s another juicy rumor! According to Go Nintendo, Seaman might be making its way to the Nintendo DS. Based on a rough translation from Yoot Saito’s blog, the game looks to be a port of the original Dreamcast version.

Siato, the developer behind Seaman, was last said to be developing a Nintendo DS game that would utilize the system’s wireless networking features and built-in microphone. Let’s hope it’s Seaman!

Tags: Dreamcast, Nintendo DS, Rumors, Seaman, Yoot Saito

Matt Casamassina from IGN.com recently posted an article claiming several reliable sources point to an April 4th North American launch for the Nintendo DSi. They also mentioned it will retail for US$179.99.

Multiple sources close to Nintendo tell IGN that the company is gearing up to debut the anticipated successor to its DS Lite handheld during the first half of this year in America. More specifically, the company has allegedly relayed to its partners that DSi will ship stateside in early April, most likely on April 4. Insiders assert that they have been told the system will retail for $179.99 when it launches domestically.

Read the full story.

Tags: Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, Rumors