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Nintendo DS News is a News and downloads site for All Nintendo Handhelds and Consoles including the Gameboy, NES, N64, Snes, Gamecube, Wii, WiiU, NDS, 3DS, GBA and Snes, We have all the latest emulators, hack, homebrew, commercial games and all the downloads on this site, the latest homebrew and releases, Part of the
DCEmu Homebrew & Gaming Network.
THE LATEST NEWS BELOW
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June 28th, 2006, 18:15 Posted By: wraggster
News from SuccessHK
MoSys' embedded memory will power Nintendo's Wii providing the console with high performance, high density 1T-SRAM. Three new trademarks registered by the company have also suggested a name for Wii's messaging service.
MoSys, a provider of high-density system-on-chip (SoC) embedded memory solutions, announced that Nintendo's Wii uses MoSys' patented 1T-SRAM technology to implement the very high performance memory within the Wii console's graphics system. As the launch date for Nintendo's new console approaches, we will gradually begin to discover exactly what is included under its hood. The Japanese video game giant has kept hardware specs vague and ha refused to discuss its new console's graphics potential, focusing, instead, on gameplay. This lack of hardware information has led to a multitude of rumors ranging from shadows of Project Reality to XBox comparisons. As we discover exactly what powers the Wii we will gradually begin to unravel the next-generation potential of Nintendo's little warrior.
The two companies have been working together for over six-years and previous generations of MoSys' 1T-SRAM technology were incorporated in Nintendo's GameCube in 1999. The newest 1T-SRAM implementations embedded within the Wii console are fabricated using NEC Electronics' advanced 90nm CMOS-compatible embedded DRAM process technology. These high speed and ultra low latency memories are used as the main embedded memory on the graphics chip and in an additional external memory chip.
In other Wii news, Nintendo has registered three new trademarks, WiiPointer, WiiCulture, and !!M. That last one is the console's name, Wii, upside down and may be the name carried by the messaging service. We are not sure about pronunciation although Eem might be a fair guess.
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June 28th, 2006, 17:58 Posted By: wraggster
New from Linkers4u.com
Product Features
MK4 can boot NDS & NDS lite all version,100% plug and play
MK4 supports NEOFlash/XG/SC/M3/G6/MP all flash cart
You can adjust the light level of NDS lite
Size of the MK4 is same with one nds cart
More Description
More features of MK4:
Mini - Just same with the original NDS cart size.
Support ALL NDS & Lite --- Support any version of NDS & NDS LITE.
Brightness adjust --- Can adjust the brightness level of NDS / NDS lite, keep all nds function with you.
EEPROM Save --- Build in the 2M EEPROM save chip,so can keep the nds game save through the right nds patcher.
Auto Sleep Mode --- 100% hardware support NDS power sleeping mode,you can close the nds case and open it in anytime, the game will keep to running, just same as one original NDS cart.
PLUG and PLAY --- 100% don't need modify your console,just need to plug in the MK4-mini,then can make all version of nds/nds-lite works immediately.
GBA/NDS Swap --- You can boot any flash cart (like the NEOFlash / XG / SC / M3 / EZ / MP / GBALink) form GBA slot,and you can boot MK2 / MK3 serial form NDS slot too.
R-S-A Secure --- 100% support R-S-A secure arithmetic.
Buy from Linkers4u.com
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June 28th, 2006, 17:56 Posted By: wraggster
New from Linkers4u.com
Product Features
Jumperless solution for Pal, US and Jap machines.
LED Indicator lights.
Low power design
Simple 6 wire installation points
Supports Multi games & AR
More Description
DuoQ is the latest low cost modchip for GameCube with all the basic features you need!
Features:
- Supports multi-disc and AR
- compatible with all regions & all versions
- region free loading
- low power design
- Simple 6 wire installation points
- super easy wireless install
- Jumperless solution for Pal, US and Jap machines
- no need to remove mainboard
- PAL/NTSC region force
- installation control LEDs
- switchable read setting adjustment / error retry (left joystick toggles upon booting)
- switchable audiofix (right joystick toggles upon booting)
- anti-static packaging
- THIS PRODUCT IS NOT UPGRADABLE
Buy from Linkers4u.com
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June 28th, 2006, 16:32 Posted By: wraggster
News from Lik Sang:
Nintendo of Japan today officially announced the release of a pink Nintendo DS Lite edition, officially called Nintendo DS Lite Noble Pink. The stylish system will ship on July 20 for Yen 16,800, which is the same as all other Nintendo DS Lite systems in Japan.
Preorders for the new system can be done via Lik Sang here --> http://www.lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3861&lsaid=219793
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June 28th, 2006, 16:10 Posted By: wraggster
Now Reduced at Divineo USA
The MagicKey 3 (MK3) by NeoFlash Team s a development tool for Nintendo DS. Instead of relying on cartridges like the Neo Flash 512, it uses the memory from an SD or MMC card (not included) that you plug in through the MK3 adapter. Because of the cheap price of SD and MMC memory, and the large capacity available (up 32GB!) the possibilities are endles!
This MK3 version includes 256M of flash mem on board for extra features.
Price reduced to 39.99$
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June 28th, 2006, 16:01 Posted By: wraggster
In the grand scheme of things at Nintendo, you probably won't be all that familiar with the name Takashi Tezuka. However, you'll definitely know his games, having worked with Shigeru Miyamoto since the original Super Mario Bros. on NES. These days, Tezuka is general manager of Nintendo's Entertainment Analysis and Development department - the group responsible for, among other things, Mario's major titles.
Now, in an interview with GameDaily.biz, Tezuka has hinted, amongst other things, that a new proper 3D Mario game could well be in the works for the DS. When asked whether Nintendo ever considered following up Mario 64 DS with another 3D platformer, Tezuka revealed that the 2D New Super Mario Bros. had been planned all along, admitting however that, "I'd love to [do another 3D Mario on DS]! I can't say anything more than that".
Moving onto Zelda, Tezuka gave his opinion of Twilight Princess - a game that NoA's Reggie Fils-Aime has described as "the best Zelda ever made". Offering his slightly more humble opinion, Tezuka stated that, "I think everybody's going to have a different opinion [on whether it's the best] depending on what you're looking at when you play...". He continued, "There are a lot of different factors that will influence or impact that decision. I think this is a game that [the team] has taken a lot of pain and a lot of care to make, and that's definitely evident from beginning to end that you can see the amount of work and detail that's been put into the project... Even to the point where I'm [sometimes] surprised and will go, 'Who's responsible for this amount of detail, for this one section?' This is amazing even to me".
As for the forthcoming DS Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass, Tezuka explained Nintendo's decision to resurrect the cel-shaded visuals of Wind Waker, "It's actually kind of a long story, but just to give you the original kernel of the idea, it was actually two years ago at E3, I was on the bus with some of the people on the Wind Waker staff and they were all saying how enamored they were with that graphical style and the Wind Waker Link model, and they were saying how they just want to use him more.
"One game wasn't enough because they liked it so much, and they were already talking about the DS at that time at Nintendo anyway. And they thought, 'Well wouldn't that be fun? Let's try it and see if we can do it on the handheld.' So it was actually two years ago that they started talking about doing this, and just because it came from a love of that art style." What's more, Tezuka assured fans of the style that, "If the fans want it, then we will keep making it."
Finally, Tezuka revealed a few nuggets regarding Nintendo's plans for the newly-announced Wiimote speaker, giving some insight in what we can expect from the feature. "If you're playing a game where you're taking turns, players 1-4," he explained, "if it's your turn your controller could go 'ding, da, da, ding!' and that's kind of a neat thing [...] I think [the speaker] strengthens the impact of the game for each individual player and some of the effects that we're conveying or the experiences that we're trying to convey to the individual player. This is one tool that we can use to heighten that."
Via CVG
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June 28th, 2006, 15:56 Posted By: wraggster
Reggie Fils-Aime, president and COO of Nintendo of America, has confirmed that the Wii will give publishers the option to charge consumers to download premium content.
Microsoft's Xbox Live service already offers downloadable content from publishers such as Ubisoft and Bethesda Softworks through microtransactions, and similar plans are in place for PlayStation 3. When asked by US magazine Game Informer whether publishers would be allowed to charge Wii owners for content, Fils-Aime responded in the affirmative.
However, he added that the decision ultimately rests with publishers, stating: "If our licensee partners want to go in that direction, it's certainly possible in our system."
Fils-Aime went on to reiterate the company's plans to allow for downloadable content. "If you've gotten to a particular part in a game, we could push content out to you, so you get to battle a new boss. Maybe you get a new artifact; maybe you get a new weapon," he said.
These items could be downloaded in the background using the console's WiiConnect24 service, which will also allow the system to function as a server of sorts, opening Animal Crossing towns and other player-specific content to friends without the console being fully turned on.
Via GIBiz
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June 28th, 2006, 15:44 Posted By: wraggster
The DS Lite has enjoyed a promising if unspectacular launch in the UK, shifting 35,000 units in its opening weekend at retail - with little to choose between the white and black models of Nintendo's redesigned handheld.
In the two days following launch, the system sold through approximately 40 per cent of the 87k start achieved by original DS in March 2005. While Lite did not prove to be a sell-out, Nintendo UK is likely to be encouraged by a solid early performance during a World Cup and without a heavy marketing push behind the hardware during the launch window.
“It didn't set the world on fire, but I don't think we were expecting it to,” ChartTrack's Dorian Bloch told GamesIndustry.biz.
“You can call it good as they've managed to sell 35,000 even though the football's on. I tend to think it doesn't make much difference to what the year total will be, because those who haven't bought it yet will buy it as soon as their attention has moved on from something else.”
ChartTrack confirmed that sales of the White and Black models were split 50/50 while, significantly, Lite's appearance did not impact on sales of either the original DS or Sony's rival PSP system.
“Original DS sold through the same as it did the previous week. Who's buying it? The answer is in the pink one - DS Pink made up half of original DS sales last week, bundled with Nintendogs Daschund," Bloch said.
“PSP sales are actually up - week 25 was actually up quite a lot anyway in terms of software and hardware, because we've gone past the really, really low point now. We're not going to have a week as low as the past couple of weeks. But that's the traditional low point anyway, which hasn't been helped by the football.”
The launch of the Lite also boosted sales of DS software, with eight DS-exclusive titles in the All Formats Top 40 this week - the same number as at the launch of the original system.
The original DS has an installed base of around 1.3 million in the UK. The older system currently retails for GBP 89, with the Lite at GBP 99. Lite has sold a massive 2.2m units in Japan since its March 2nd launch, with sales of 136,500 recorded for the first two days following its June 11th introduction in the US.
Via Gamesindustry
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June 28th, 2006, 13:28 Posted By: wraggster
Could it be that when Final Fantasy III comes to US shores it will be Wi-fi enabled? That'd be awesome!
So, we were psyched to see a post at Go Nintendo about the next issue of Nintendo Power hinting at the prospect.
IGN contacted Square Enix about the possiblity of FFIII going online. "I can confirm that Final Fantasy III contains Wi-Fi," a representative admitted, "but I can't reveal the details at this time."
Final Fantasy III has never been released in North America. What the US called Final Fantasy III for the Super Nintendo was actually Japan's Final Fantasy VI. FFIII is fifteen years old, but all the graphics are being rebuilt from scratch in glorious 3D for the port to Nintendo DS. Otherwise, Square Enix has been very secretive about other updates this classic RPG will have.
Of course, over the next few months leading up to the fall 2006 release of this title there will be more secrets revealed. Be sure to check back in to IGN for more scuttlebutt.
Via IGN
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June 28th, 2006, 13:26 Posted By: wraggster
News from Gonintendo
Experience espionage at its most thrilling as Nintendo announces a partnership with new teen spy movie, Stormbreaker.
The hot-selling Nintendo DS(TM) will make its motion picture debut in the upcoming teen spy thriller
Stormbreaker. Nintendo has signed an agreement with the film’s producers that will turn the Nintendo DS into the ultimate spy gadget. Stormbreaker is based on the first in the popular Alex Rider series of books by Anthony Horowitz, which have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.
After the murder of his uncle and guardian, the MI6 British spy agency recruits the reluctant 14-year-old Alex Rider to take over his uncle’s mission. Like any good spy, during training he receives his key piece of gadgetry: a Hot Rod Red Nintendo DS. He also gets several game cards that transform his DS into an eavesdropping device, a wiretap detector or a smoke bomb.
“Along with writer Anthony Horowitz, we asked ourselves how the Secret Service would get secret tools into the hands of a 14-year-old spy,” says Peter Samuelson, who, with his brother Marc, produced the film. “Nintendo DS is the perfect fit: Alex’s spyware hides in plain sight. Audiences will be thrilled to see how it helps Alex get out of a host of heart-pounding predicaments.”
Stormbreaker is scheduled for release in the United Kingdom on July 21 by Entertainment Film Distributors, in the United States on Oct. 6 by The Weinstein Company and worldwide from August by leading local distributors. The film stars Alex Pettyfer as Alex Rider, with Sarah Bolger, Robbie Coltrane, Stephen Fry, Damian Lewis, Ewan McGregor, Bill Nighy, Sophie
Okonedo, Missi Pyle, Andy Serkis, Alicia Silverstone, Ashley Walters and Mickey Rourke.
“The agreement is a perfect marriage of two hot entertainment properties,” explains George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. “And while the Nintendo DS is one of the most versatile gaming systems available, we unfortunately have no plans to make any DS spy-related functions available to the general
public.”
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June 28th, 2006, 13:25 Posted By: wraggster
In an effort to attract more gamers to the DS and especially Female Ones Nintendo are releasing a Pink Version of the DS Lite to be released on the 20th July.
Screenshot Via Comments
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June 28th, 2006, 13:22 Posted By: wraggster
With the redesigned Lite model launching across Europe today, Nintendo UK has moved to dismiss claims it is set to phase out the original DS, pledging to back the system "as long as there is demand".
The sleeker, more mass market friendly Lite retails for GBP 99, alongside the original model, priced at GBP 89. The original DS has already sold through an impressive 1.3 million units in the UK, with Lite expected to boost further the platform's fortunes, after impressive openings in the US and Japan.
But despite the focus on Lite, Nintendo UK was this week insistent that the older model still has a major part to play in its plans.
"We're still committed to the old DS as long as there's demand," a Nintendo UK spokesperson told GamesIndustry.biz. "Don't forget that the Pink and Blue DS units are only available in the old model, which account for a large percentage of our sales to girls. And like Japan we haven't seen any drop off in sales of the old model in the run-up to the launch of DS Lite."
How long demand will persist is open to question. In Japan, weekly sales of original DS did indeed remain steady around the 30-40k mark in the run up to Lite's launch, but have since dropped of spectacularly.
For the three weeks to June 11th, DS Lite sold through 285k, 135k and 132k units respectively, according to official Media Create data, compared with sales of 4.1k, 1.2k and 1.4k for the original model, with reports suggesting in-store supplies have dried up.
For UK retail, a separate problem is the lack of any meaningful price differentiation between the two systems - just GBP 10 separates original DS and Lite - with some retailers believing a further cut to the original is required to help maintain sales.
"With the old DS they'll need to do campaigns to keep unit sales up - but it depends what they've got left in the channel," said Don McCabe, joint MD of leading indie chain Chips. "GBP 10 isn't a great difference and I expect the vast majority to buy Lite."
Via GIBiz
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June 28th, 2006, 13:21 Posted By: wraggster
bob_fossil has updated his port of Quirky's Chaos Advance
Heres whats New etc:
New:
- Implemented spell casting/fire/weapon drawing. Colours not right yet though.
- Use touch screen to:
- move cursor in examine board
- move cursor / select creatures in game
- highlight/select spells
- select options in the game menu
- OK messages
- Enter your name on player screen.
- Fixed some more text colours.
- Fixed Magic Knife graphic.
- Options screen shouldn't crash DS anymore.
- Fixed entering text for wizard's name.
- Fixed missing sounds.
- You can now change the wizard colour in the player screen.
- Current wizard selection wasn't shown on player screen.
Still broken:
- Sleep mode option doesn't work.
- Some text still not drawn in the correct colour - text drawn in white by default.
- Wizard death routine.
- End game / game drawn messages.
Touch screen is a bit flakey still - runs fine on the emulator but behaves differently on the DS. To highlight a spell / move the cursor just tap the stylus To select a spell or select the content of the cursor, hold the stylus down.
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June 28th, 2006, 13:17 Posted By: wraggster
Octobinz posted this WIP news of his R-Type Clone for the DS:
Little Update for RType clone demo.
- Added main menu. Nothing great but it works.(in fact, it's ugly :/)
- Added rtype module !. Bug to correct here.
- Little bugs corrections and others added
Game is not currently under release, there are many bugs to correct. As usual, sourcecode is aviable.
More Info --> http://teamnnc.free.fr/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=6400#6400
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June 28th, 2006, 13:13 Posted By: wraggster
A New game for the Nintendo DS has been released, heres the info:
Andreas Seyfarth's Puerto Rico for the Nintendo DS
Here's the first release - there is now a menu that will allow you to select from two to four players - currently only the only available opponents are the dummy AI players (average score against eachother was about 26...), but as far as I can tell, the game logic is fully implemented. If the interface looks vaguely familiar, it's pretty much directly ripped from Ben Harrison's version.
The controls should be pretty self-explanatory - the stylus is the main controller, but there is limited support of the directional pad. Use the start button to pass.
Playing
The screenshots were taken from DeSmuME, the emulator I did most of the development with, although NO$GBA runs it without making my processor roar. To play it on your DS, you'll some extra hardware - I use the GBA Movie Player (GBAMP) with a Compact Flash card. There are a number of other solutions, but this is probably the least expensive.
Current limitations
° Still single player. Work on TCP/IP multiplayer will start soon.
° There's still that bug that'll let you get free colonists. It is convenient for testing, so I left it in. Enjoy!
° The AI is pitiful, and due to poor planning, may not get a whole lot better. I'm looking into this, and will probably work more on that before starting the multiplayer, since I only have one flashed DS.
° Please use the comment box at the bottom, or email me, or get in contact with me on BGG (johanb123) if you find more bugs (I know they're there...), have ideas for features, or whatever. This is still a work in progress, so adding/fixing is only going to get harder.
Future limitations
° At the present, I'm planning on having at least competent AI opponents, and multiplayer over the internet (hopefully compatible with benh's servers). However, there is currently no way for homebrew code to do the sort of single-cartridge multiplayer offered by licensed DS games, nor is there a way to do direct DS-DS linkage. Well, I'm sure there is a way, but I'm not working on it. Update: This guy has released a promising demo for doing exactly this - it still doesn't work, but it seems like just a matter of time before it will. Way cool.
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June 28th, 2006, 13:08 Posted By: wraggster
Bronto Posted this:
The ssl lib is currently in early bugfixing state, so I hope there will be a test version out soon.
Since the issue keeps coming up: gmail and other ssl-only mail providers are not be supported until the ssl lib is done (which will be soon)..
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June 28th, 2006, 13:03 Posted By: wraggster
DragonMinded has posted a new release of his app for the DS :
Added new fields to homebrew database: date, version, size of package.
Reverted from eabi back to r17 due to regresses:
Fixed .xm crash regress.
Fixed supercard boot failure crash.
Possibly fixed crash relating to ani gif files.
Improved key responsiveness on module player.
Fixed issue with shoutcast url's with no trailing / not loading properly.
Changed fat lib to rein r15 modified. Hopefully this works with M3 SD.
Fixed transparency issue with NDS file icons (Thanks LiraNuna).
Fixed issue with nds icon for dsorganize having bad transparency.
Changed file code to allow icons/descriptions for .sd.nds and .ds.gba files.
Fixed cursor bug in text editor with page down and files less than 11 lines long.
Homescreen highlights last app used when exiting back to it.
Fixed a bug relating to pressing y while hilighting a .ini file in browser.
Allowed homescreen customization, edit in the .ini for now.
Fixed minor bug with copying file then creating a new file without pasting.
Changed the way alternate browser modes function.
Added click to edit on calendar and day planner.
Fixed a weird bug with homebrew database scrolling.
Added setting for DD/MM/YY display.
Added setting to enable or disable second tap action.
Added setting to change the html renderer for better compatiblity.
Upgraded to latest tcplib, hopefully this fixes more issues.
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June 28th, 2006, 12:57 Posted By: wraggster
Sniper posted this news on his site:
It's summer, but I managed it to make an update with some nice new features:
It supports now the EABI gcc compiler which is used by the devkitARM R19. But it still supports the "old" ELF compiler. The plugin tries to recognise the installed compiler and enable/disable the related project type. Make sure that your devkitARM/bin is in the system path! The default toolchain is EABI.
It is compatible with the NDS Managedbuilder 1.1.1, so you do not have to recreate existing projects.
You can switch between the project types EABI and ELF by using a project converter. But this is only working with CDT3.1.0+. With CDT3.0.x it's not working correctly, sorry.
I added a binary parser "NDSBinaryParser" for the ROM files. This shows the ROM name + code, code size, destination addresses and program counters. Select it in the project properties. I think its helpful ( At least for me  ).
Get the plugin using Eclipse-Updater from: http://dev.snipah.com/nds/updater
If you have problems with the plugin or feature requests contact me via email at sniper --at-- thisdomain.
More info --> http://dev.snipah.com/index.php?id=5&type=1
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June 28th, 2006, 05:32 Posted By: shadowprophet
And the news just keeps on comeing in! In a related article to the EGM PS3 interview they managed to snag an interview with Reggie Fils-Aime Nintendo's Vice president of sales and marketing,
and Reggie had some interesting things to tell us, in this full interview below!
Live Via Wii-Mote
Reggie believes we will love the Wii
Is Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo's Execuative Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, worried about launching the Wii? He says no. Why? Because he believes in you-the gamers. Are you going to let him down? Read what Reggie thinks....
EGM: We have to talk about the name: "Wii" Why the change? Was "Revolution" that bad?
Reggie Fils-Aime: Nintendo knows our fans love the "Revolution" name. But the fact is, Revolution as a name is not idea; It's long, and in some cultures, it's hard to pronounce. So we wanted something that was short, to the point, easy to pronounce, and distinctive. That's how "Wii," as a console name, was created.
EGM: But couldn't you have chosen a name that still got your message across, only with fewer connotations to certain bodily substance?
RF: We had a number of different names we were evaluating. But in the end, "Wii" as a console name was, in our belief, the perfect choice. I do think the fans will accept it. And in terms of all the dirty jokes, frankly, we could have come up with a range of other names where that type of stuff would have happened anyhow.
EGM: Did you do any focus testing? Anyone hint "Wii" might not be such a good name for a console?
RF: There was no focus grouping, and quite frankly, focus groups are a little outmoded in terms of how to get good consumer feedback. But we did a range of things in the end, I think that some members of the media are getting more hung up on the name than the consumers or fans are. Believe me, I have walked the [E3 show] floor. And as I walked the floor, whether someone's wearing a Sony PlayStation shirt, a Microsoft shirt, or Nintendo paraphernalia-i'm talking to a lot of fans and asking them the question: How do you feel about the name? And i'm hearing a hell of alot more positives then negatives. I'm hearing acceptance-and support-for the decision we've settled in on. As we more forward, my expectation is we're going to hear more supportas people get comfortable with the name.
EGM: But could you have gotten the same support by choosing a more marketable name?
RF: I can create dozens of what-if scenarios, everything from the name to what I would have done differently to launch the Nintendo DS. The fact is, we have made the decision. We're moving on, and we are seeing alot of acceptance by the consumer. In the end, we feel that "Wii" as a console name is the right choice.
EGM: Did you give yourself a high five when Sony announcedthe price of the PlayStation 3?
RF: When I first heard their announcement, I was suprised. Arguably, you could say, shocked. When I heard the arrogance in their comments to support the price, I was even further shocked. They will do what they will do and we will do what we will do. The fact is, the Wii console will be the most affordable system. [Nintendo President Satoru Iwata] has gone on record that Wii will be priced less than $300, but certainly, I see a huge window of opportunity with our next home console. And we will take full advantage of that opportunity. [shortly after this interview, Nintendo announced the Wii will retail for less than $250-ed]
EGM: That's sure less than Sony's $600 PS3. Do you think you may have missed an opportunity by now announcing your price after hearing what Sony is charging?
RF: In our minds, the first step is the consumer making the decision by asking, "Will this remote feel good in my hand," "What types of games can I play," and "What can I invision Nintendo doing with this?" That's step one. And that's what we wanted to accomplish at this years E3. Step 2 is beginning to appeal to the more rational side, in terms of what 's the pricing and what's the launch date. Step 3 will be truely exciting the consumer by detailing the specific launch titles. We've announced Wii sports as a launch title, and Ubisoft has announced that Red Steel will be a launch title. and when the consumer sees all of that, I have no doubt that the excitement's going to be there for the Wii console.
EGM: Do you foresee the Wii being the No. 1 system this generation?
RF: I can certainly invision that. What gives me that confidence? A number of things. First, the fact that most of the show is dead except for our little corner of E3. And no disrespect to any publishers, No desrespect to Sony or Microsoft, but the fact is, the world is watching what we're doing, and people are having great experiences. The second thing that gives me confidence is the building and burgeoning third-party support we're receiving. Red Steel, Madden, Tony Hawks Down Hll Jam, Elebits,Sonic-we didn't have that type of support when we launched the GameCube. The third piece is our own first-party library. We're showing a great Mario game; we're showing Metroid. We are confident that we're going to have a fantastic run.
EGM: Is it possible to compete with the almighty PlayStation brand name?
RF: To directly answer your question, Can we do it? yes we can. What gives me that confidence? i've been receiving phone calls and e-mails from people I know personally who are saying, "Reggie, what's this Wii console all about?" These are people who are 35 to 45 years old: They're not core gamers, but thet're hearing that Nintendo's doing something different, and they're hearing about what it is that we're trying to do in the gaming market. So I think we're getting more and more buzz: We're getting more brand recognition, and I do think we are turning the industry on it's ear in a positive scense. So we certainly have every chance to come out of this generation with a significant increase in our market share.
EGM: How are you convincing third-party developers and publishers to come back to Nintendo after the GameCubes weak performance?
RF: It's three things. first, It's recognition of the innovation that we're bringing, and they're understanding of how innovation can make their games better. The second is the financial understanding that it's just a hell of a lot more profittable to develope on this platform than it is for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. The thrid part is that our relationships are better. They were always strong, but the publishers never believed. They never believed that what we were trying to do with the GameCube would be successful. I think, at first, they didn't believe in the DS. But they believe now. If you go talk to them, they believe in the Wii now.
EGM: You have to admit, the Wii's graphics don't look as nice as the PS3's or the Xbox 360's.
RF: In terms of the Wii console and processing power, we believe that the smart decisions have been made. We're not questioning whether or not high definition capability should be something to build toward. By the time HD penetration is at a substantial level, we will be ready for the next gen at that point.
EGM: But are you not going for the core gamers who expect HD-quality games from a next generation system now?
RF: We will have games and experiences for the core gamer like they've never seen. Zelda, Super Mario galaxy, Metroid Prime 3, Red Steel- those are core-gamer games that look great, play great, and have tremendous fun factor. and they're right in the sweet spot of the current gaming consumer base. The Wii as a console will also bring the mass market. It'll bring in both younger and older consumers. That's our strategy. We want both parts of the consumer base. And, certainly, the machine has the horsepower to make that happen.
EGM: It's an innovative console, yes. but it's hard to look at those games and not wonder what they'd look like on a more powerful system. Especially since those gamers expect a significant hardware upgrade every five to six years.
RF: I think the core gamer, once they see the games, will understand exactly what we're doing. I haven't talked to one disappointed consumer who said, "Boy, I'm not sure about the grapics." Not one. the fact is, the next iteration of games will probably look much better than what we are showing today. Probably the third iteration after that will look even better.
EGM: What are your thoughts on Sony unvailing a controller with motion sensativity?
RF: What I know is, i've gone over there, put the controller in my hand, and it's nothing like we're doing. Nothing like it. The full range of functionality, the use of infared for the pointer, the ability in the nunchuk device to also have a motion sensor-the games the Wii enables are nothing like [what Sony will] achieve on their own controller. Plus, we still have the rumble feature built in ours. We have the speaker that gives you another scence of game play. Sony's imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and that's all it is.
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