Gizmodo: handheld gaming

Rumor: Nintendo Planning on Its Own Dsi App Store

Elaine Chow — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:31:23 EDT

Nintendo might be planning on taking on the iPhone and iPod Touch with an app download service of its own, and has been encouraging developers to come up with app-like content for the DSi.

The Dsi—at least the Japanese version—currently connects to the DS Shop and DSi Ware, Nintendo's bite-sized gaming store. But according to Developer, the company is allegedly hoping to get shorter-form non-gaming stuff on the device as well-things that could turn your Dsi into a personal lifestyle gadget, rather than just an entertainment one.

I guess it'd also be a way for the Dsi to really differentiate itself from the DS Lite. While the DSi is definitely more gadgety (what with camera and audio player), many were underwhelmed thanks to what they were losing.

There's only a week until Nintendo president Satoru Iwata's keynote, so we expect to hear more then. [Develop via Kotaku]

Ninendo DS In Red Mario Bros Limited Edition On Black Friday

Kit Eaton — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:20:18 EST

It's not a special Black Friday deal, but DS fans may think it's a bit special all the same: Nintendo's launching a limited edition Mario Red DS bearing the M logo this Friday. It'll also come with a bundled copy of New Super Mario Bros, and it'll set you back $150. There's another limited edition bundle too, mixing up the ice-blue DS with a custom matching-color carrying case and a copy of Brain Age, for the same price...but it sounds like way less fun than Mario. [NintendoDS]

Unnamed Developer Says DS Games Could Crash On DSi

Elaine Chow — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:45:00 EDT

Games that already play well with the DS could run into trouble on the DSi, causing many a developer headache, according to sources at Pocket Gamer. One unnamed developer told the publication that its studio is having problems getting one of its upcoming games compatible with the Dsi's new hardware. Though the game plays fine on the regular DS, it freezes up when played on the Dsi and so Nintendo won't certify it.

Nintendo's response to everything has been that “All DS titles are compatible with Dsi” (except those that utilize the GBA slot—like Guitar Hero). But if games that haven't been released are already running into trouble, does that mean that several games already out there won't play nice on the company's next handheld? [Pocket Gamer via Kotaku]

Firmware Update 2.5 For PS3, 5.0 For PSP Now Up For Download

Elaine Chow — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:14:32 EDT

Ready to finally watch internet television on your PS3? Are you ever! Head over to the console's Network, where firmware update 2.5 has just been released for download. Besides Flash 9 support, the update will also let players take in-game screenshots, view thumbnails of video scenes, voice chat and choose between several power saving options. Also out is PSP firmware 5.0, which allows you access to your account and the PlayStation Store directly from your PSP. [PSX Extreme]

Nintendo DSi Will Come Loaded With Extra RAM

Elaine Chow — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:00:00 EDT

Nintendo's DSi will be loaded with more RAM than the DS Lite, according to Opera CEO Jon von Tezchner. In an interview with TechTree, the man responsible for web surfing on Nintendo's handheld said that Opera would be sure to use the memory boost “efficiently.” That's great and all, but what does this mean for games?

While the possibility of a completely DSi-only game is probably pretty low, maybe the next Nintendo creations take advantage of the new hardware for some DSi-exclusive features (like picture taking or music making). What do you think the RAM will be used for? [Techtree via Destructoid]

Rumor: New Dual-Touchscreen Nintendo DS in Early '09

John Mahoney — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EDT

This is on the rumor-ier side, but Brian from Kotaku's man deep, deep in Japan has dropped him a tidbit about a new DS that might be in the works—one that bumps up screen sizes and finally replaces the top screen with a touch screen. The Nintendo DT, perhaps? Anyway, this certainly won't be hitting before Christmas, as Kotaku's source says "early next year" if true, which means a lot of DS-gifted kids' smiles may quickly turn to frowns in '09. It makes sense, given Nintendo's excitement-free showing at E3 this year, and how far touchscreen tech has come since the DS first hit, that something DS-related will be brewing for early 2009. [Kotaku]

HP's Fantasy Portable Gamer Is Actually Real... Vapor

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 11:04:44 EDT

If you ever saw the HP video Roku's Reward where a kid walks around with a PSP-ish handheld, playing a real-life video game, you might have wondered if HP will ever release the said gaming device. It is real, at least that's what HP Personal Systems CTO Phil McKinney claimed as he held it aloft. (Looked fake from here—what do you think?) Anyway, the Mscape may be real, but he says HP has no plans to introduce a handheld gaming platform. Not yet, at least. We'll be here when you do, Phil.