Nintendo Okie

Major Launch Gathering at Nintendo World Store Highlights Social Fun of New Adventure Game for Nintendo DS Systems

WHAT: Nintendo will host a sensational social gathering to celebrate the July 11 launch of DRAGON QUEST® IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies for the portable Nintendo DS™ family of systems. Consumers of all ages and backgrounds are invited to the Nintendo World store in New York’s Rockefeller Plaza to experience the multiplayer fun and rich customization features of this epic new release. Multiple game demo stations will be placed throughout the store and Rockefeller Plaza for attendees. All guests will have the opportunity to buy the game in advance of launch and Yuji Horii, creator of the DRAGON QUEST series, will sign autographs for the first 30 fans in line at the Nintendo World store to purchase the game (limit two items per customer). All visitors also can have souvenir pictures snapped in a unique DRAGON QUEST photo booth, snack on treats from a DRAGON QUEST ice cream truck (while supplies last), and receive special DRAGON QUEST-themed prizes (while supplies last).
 
The latest installment in the popular DRAGON QUEST video game series, DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies has already attracted players of all ages and backgrounds in Japan, with 4.2 million copies sold. The game allows players to customize their own adventures by choosing their characters’ appearance, abilities, weapons and other items. Up to four players can connect via a local wireless connection to explore mysterious dungeons, tangle with fearsome creatures and complete challenges together. More information about DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies can be found at www.dqnine.com.
 
WHO: Teens, kids, adults, parents, video game fans and consumers of all kinds
 
WHEN: Saturday, July 10, 2010
1-4 p.m.
 
WHERE: Nintendo World store
10 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020
(Between 5th & 6th Ave.)
 
VISUALS:
– Fans lining up to be among the first to play DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies for Nintendo DS
– Players of all backgrounds using Nintendo DS systems to connect and play DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies together
– Players of all ages having fun creating their own customized DRAGON QUEST heroes
– Teens, kids and families enjoying treats from a special DRAGON QUEST ice cream truck
– Fans interacting with Yuji Horii, creator of the DRAGON QUEST series
– Game B-roll available

While we’re hearing talk from many people about the warnings for the 3DS and young people under the age of seven.  Doctors in England are proposing a radical treatment for helping people with vision problems; playing the DS.  Ben Michaels, six from Billericay in Sussex England, is one of 60 people taking part in a study conducted by the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. 

They’re saying that playing two hours of video games on Nintendo’s handheld is helping people with vision problems, especially things like “lazy eye syndrome”.  Researchers believe repetitive eye movement is encouraged, training the eye to focus correctly.  Ben’s mother believes that it’s working saying that his vision has improved 250% in one week since starting the treatment.

Here is a list of games announced by Nintendo, through a Press Release after their E3 Press Conference.  These games listed are for the DS family, currently in stores.

• Pokémon Ranger™: Guardian Signs: The third installment in the action-packed Pokémon Ranger series lets players take on the role of a Pokémon Ranger tasked with protecting Pokémon, people and nature. With new Ranger Signs to call powerful Pokémon, including Legendary Pokémon, and the addition of multiplayer missions, players investigate the nefarious actions of the Pokémon Pinchers, who have been disrupting the peace by chasing and catching Pokémon. The game is scheduled to launch this fall.
• Golden Sun™: Dark Dawn: A classic role-playing game branches out with a new look, countless adventures and heroic battles. The game picks up 30 years after the first two games in the series left off with amazing graphics and beautifully animated summoning abilities that span both Nintendo DS screens. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.
• Dragon Quest® IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies™: For the first time, this storied franchise is appearing exclusively on the Nintendo DS family of systems. Character customization, cooperative multiplayer adventuring and an epic story make for a one-of-a-kind experience. The game is scheduled to launch on July 11.
• Professor Layton and the Unwound Future™: This third installment in the series includes more than 165 puzzles and even more animated sequences and voice acting than the previous game. The game is scheduled to launch on Sept. 20.
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong™: Miniland Mayhem: Players use the stylus to draw red girders and control items like ladders, pipes, springs and conveyor belts. The goal is to bring the Mini Toys to the door. Using an intuitive tool kit, players can create new level maps and share them with the public. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.
• Super Scribblenauts™ from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment: The sequel to the smash-hit original includes 120 new levels, the ability to use more than 10,000 adjectives, a hint system and a level editor for players to create their own levels and objectives. The game is scheduled to launch in Q4.
• Ghost Trick™: Phantom Detective from Capcom: Players are transported into the spirit world of a murder victim who has lost his memory and returned as a ghost. Players must possess and manipulate objects to solve puzzles and the mystery. The game is scheduled to launch this fall.
• Rock Band® 3 from MTV Games: The franchise makes its first appearance on Nintendo DS with a stylish interface that puts players into the Rock Band universe like never before. Eight play modes challenge players in guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals, and both co-op and competitive multiplayer options are available. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.
• Okamiden™ from Capcom: Players use a brush to draw bridges into existence, traverse canyons and connect winding paths through space. This sequel to Okami follows the story of an adorable wolf pup that fights off a new threat that has drained vibrant colors from the world. The game is scheduled to launch in 2011.
• FINAL FANTASY®: THE 4 HEROES OF LIGHT™ from Square Enix: This first original FINAL FANTASY game for the Nintendo DS family of systems uses charming storybook visuals and a fun, intuitive combat system. Players can customize their characters and up to four players can join forces for cooperative play. The game is scheduled to launch on Oct. 5.
• Sonic Colors™ from SEGA: The portable version of the game doubles the excitement and action by using both screens as a giant, unified landscape. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.

SAN MATEO, Calif. — June 08, 2010 – Capcom^®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games announced today that the Mega Man^® ZERO Collection has shipped to North American retailers only on Nintendo DS^TM. Mega Man ZERO Collection is comprised of all four Mega Man^® ZERO titles previously released on GameBoy^® Advance system. Mega Man ZERO Collection is rated E for Everyone and will be available for a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Source: PR Email

We recently told about about a report that Mr. Iwata had said that Nintendo’s successor to the DS would feature motion control.  That seemed like a very unexpected thing for Nintendo to do as they’ve traditionally been very quiet about their hardware features until they were ready to unveil the hardware itself.  It turns out that might have been premature as late last week a Nintendo rep said that the information in the interview was mistranslated. 

Now in the battle between Michael Pachter and Jesse Divnich to see which analyst can spout the most stuff that might come true Mr. Divnich is saying that he thinks Nintendo will unveil the next handheld system within 15 months.

“We believe that due to the aging technology, the possibility of new competitors in 2011, [and] a decline in publisher support and piracy, Nintendo will launch a successor to the DS within the next 15 months, and likely announce such in the next eight months,”        -Jesse Divnich, Analyst EEDAR

So which is it?  It’s almost not worth even mentioning these things until we have an actual picture or press release from Nintendo on the matter.  Until then let’s just file it away under Nintendo will in fact release another system in the future. 

Source: Gamasutra

Video game systems in hotel rooms are nothing new.  Many different hotel chains across the country have been doing it for years now.  Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc have announced a partnership with Nintendo to provide a DS in every room.  They also come pre-loaded with Personal Trainer: Cooking giving each guest a virtual cook book in their rooms to help them prepare meals. 

Each guest that stays at their hotels have the option to check out a complimentary DS system that has the software already loaded onto it.  So if you are up in the middle of the night and you get a craving for something to eat, just turn on the DS and pick what you want.  The system will guide you step-by-step through the entire process.

“We know that many of our guests, especially our longer stay guests, don’t necessarily want to eat out every night of the week, but they also don’t have the time to come up with recipes and create shopping lists,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select brands for Starwood Hotels.  “Providing our guests with this best-selling hardware and intuitive software that serves up healthy meal options at the touch of a button makes it easy for travelers to customize meals that please the palate in their own kitchens.” 

This is not the first time we’ve heard Nintendo using their handheld system to enhance a stay somewhere.  Fans of the Seattle Mariners can bring their DS to the ballpark and access all kinds of information about the team and news from around the league while watching the game.  They also use the system at some Disney parks to give guests information about rides and even schedule a chance to get onto different rides around the park. 

Source: Organic Works Press Release