Wow this year’s Nintendo DS conference had a bunch of huge announcements. Nintendo started out with its online strategy. Along side the sales of the first online games would be a USB WiFi adapter for gamers who don’t have a wireless network set up. A good move, since it will save gamers from shelling out for a new wireless hub. Online enabled titles to debut this year are Mario Kart DS and Animal Crossing Wild World. You will be able to play with anyone around the globe in Mario Kart DS, but in Animal Crossing you will have to add someone to your friend list before they can enter your village. Why? Because you don’t want random people running amuck stealing all your peaches and digging random holes. Future online titles can be set up either like Mario Kart DS where you can play with anyone or just with known buddies like in Animal Crossing.
The biggest announcements came from Square-Enix. They’re teaming up with Nintendo to create Mario Basket 3on3. This will be Square-Enix’s first basketball game and the first time using Mario since Super Mario RPG. It certainly looks interesting, but there isn’t any more information other than the game’s existence. Seiken Densetsu: Children of Mana is set for a 2006 release along with the long awaited Final Fantasy III remake. Instead of going for a shoddy sprite upgrade, Final Fantasy III moves to the third dimension and will include use of the DS’ touch screen. Since this will be the first time gamers outside of Japan will get to experience the title we’re eager to see what Square-Enix plans to bring to the table. Following the FFIII announcement we’ve learned that Final Fantasy 4-6 will all be brought over to the GBA. DS, Micro and SP owners will be able to trek out on the SNES classics once again. Only this time each game will feature “enhancements’. Does this mean new side stories or a just graphical polish? Time will tell.
Right behind Square-Enix was Sakaguchi-San with an announcement from Mistwalker. Mistwalker is creating a whole new RPG called Archaic Sealed Heat. The game promises new real graphics and with all the talent behind it, we’ll be watching Archaic Sealed Heat very closely.
Nintendo also announced all bunch of new games including:
Tenchu DS
Magical Vacation (developed by Brownie Brown from Sword of Mana fame)
Hamtaro DS
Gyakuten Saiban 4
Custom Robo
Detect Hacker
Legend of Stafi 4
Kaitou Wario
Bleach DS
Sudokou
And strangest of all a Tingle RPG.
We’ll keep you guys posted on any more DS announcements right here.
