Playing on the Go

A recent posting at a message board that I frequent begs the question. Can and will the newly redesigned PSP bring about new sales for the quickly fading system? Further investigation on the same message board thread would go to show that the majority of users say yes. But by looking deeper into said thread, that majority seems to be infatuated with the system by way of homebrew. Which would seemingly go to show that perhaps the system is popular, but in ways that Sony doesn’t primarily intend.

My hypothesis is that there are two main audiences that Sony should focus on. Whether they have already or not is up to debate, but these are the groups that are actually pushing sales of the PSP at a modest pace, despite the fact that game sales and publications are slow. The first are the comparably uneducated when it comes to consumer technology. These are the parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents who will buy their kid the latest and greatest technology simply because of that. The actual technical specifications or products available for the system are irrelevant, simply because little Johnny across the street has one and their brat kid doesn’t. The second group are the tech elite. These are the guys who buy a PSP for a few Final Fantasy games, but then spend the rest of their time with the system experimenting with homebrew.

Now, Sony has done the smart thing to do when it comes to business and has forced the issue on the first group. However, they’ve severely neglected the second. Anti-homebrew measures via firmware upgrades have caused annoyances for the homebrew community, but it stops there. Further attempts at blocking this sort of modification simply creates challenge for the community that does little more than tempt them into doing what Sony claims is impossible. Why not embrace this? Why does Sony continually intend to shoot themselves in the foot by playing a game of tag that they can never win? Despite the fact that they continue to try to bar this activity, promises of homebrew push sales. More so than a redesign does.

The redesign will ultimately give PSP sales at least a slight push. Consumers are infatuated with sexy technology. Why do you think so many people buy a new iPod each year, regardless of the fact that what they have is fine? The new PSP is sexy, which will do just that. For a time. Should Sony intend to truly drive sales in the long term, they would do well to focus more on the tech elite crowd and pleasing them instead of pushing and pulling on a game of tug of war that gets them nowhere.

psp, redesign, pspslim, playstation, sony

While not exactly earth breaking, I wasn’t exactly expecting any shocking announcements concerning any of the hand helds at Comic Con, but indeed it seems as if that has happened. Keep in mind that this game announcement is much deeper than it would seem on the surface, and portrays something that might be far more than what it seems. During a panel at the convention this past weekend, Rare announced that they would be returning “home” to develop and publish (in connection with Microsoft) a Viva Pinata game for Nintendo DS.

To the layman, this may possibly seem like so-so news, and possibly even good business on both the sides of Nintendo, Rare, and Microsoft. But to the veteran who has been around during the SNES and N64 days, this could be seen as a monumental first step. Not only for future Rare or Microsoft published games to appear on the Nintendo DS, but also other possibilities such as Goldeneye on the Wii Virtual Console or even the fabled Halo DS. Matt Casamassina of IGN has still yet to back up his big talk of said game, but you probably will hear himself singing his own praises soon after this announcement.

rare, microsoft, nintendo, nintendods, vivapinata

[image via joystiq, story via shacknews]

The second podcast that I’d like to feature here is DS:Life, which is quite a bit different than what had previously been featured. While not containing the high production values and glam of an NPR podcast, DS:Life is much more narrow in focus. Which in this case, is a great thing. The podcast crew here takes a much more smaller approach instead of the broader ones presented in other gaming podcasts. Here, the crew often takes on topic or game and spends the entirety of the program on it. It’s also more intimate in how they allow for a toll free number that listeners can call to leave comments or questions.

Currently, they seem to be experiencing technical difficulties and haven’t updated with a new show since the release of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. In the meantime, be sure to sample them out.

nintendods, podcast, pokemon

As pointed out just a few days ago, the Nintendo DS is selling like crazy. I’d normally insert some ambitiously witty comment here to help demonstrate how well the handheld is truly selling, but there’s nothing that can be said to fully explain it. Should the sell rate continue as it is, there shall be no man, woman or child on the planet without the Nintendo DS. Okay, well maybe that is stretching it a little, but you get the idea.

But here’s the thing. If you were to ask any DS owner who has also been a loyal Nintendo customer of many years as to how Nintendo is utilizing the system and its capabilities, they would likely prefix the answer with the “under” qualifier. While the company has at times tried new things with the system such as DS Download Stations, the DS Browser, and a downloadable kiosk at Seattle Mariners games, the system hasn’t had the extras that past Nintendo portables have. The Game Boy Color actually had a digital camera and a printer that you could buy. It was cheap technology, but technology that was far ahead of the curve at the time. Sadly, Nintendo has yet to really explore truly innovative ideas with the system.

Nintendo fans aren’t really looking for true innovation, however. Plow around on the web concerning the subject and you’ll quickly find that what is most commonly demanded is an equal of the DS Download Station in Wii form. Or a way to play Wii Virtual Console games on the DS. During the early stages of the introduction of the Wii, Nintendo vaguely hinted at these sorts of possibilities. But aside from that, there’s been no indication of when to expect such a thing or even if it will actually exist someday. Given the enormous sell rate of both the Wii and the DS, you’d think that this would be inevitable. The combination of the PSP and PS3 is able to do exactly this. Yet, the combination of DS and Wii is only around three hundred dollars less than that, meaning that the package will already be guaranteed to exist in more homes already. Plus, you’d think that if such a feature were available, Wii owners without a DS would be compelled to purchase one.

To sum it up, it needs to happen. And pretty soon. Nintendo loyalists are getting pretty antsy about getting this type of service, and frankly, Nintendo is running out of reasons to not do it. Nintendo is obviously one to innovate and surprise, given the Wii. But hopefully the company will not forget to think outside the box with the hardware already available to consumers.

nintendo, nintendods, nintendowii

Yes, you can actually own what quite possibly is the greatest hardware mod ever achieved. That sucker is on eBay, and as of this writing, still has a few days to go before the auction is over. As of now it’s going for a cool $1,200, but expect that amount to go much higher. Much higher.

The seller and modder goes on about the project…

“The PSP console itself was airbrushed with a deep metallic bronze in an 18-step process and then strategically tarnished to create a battle-worn armor look (like the chest plate worn in the game!). The hand-sculpted war dogs and omega symbol that grace the back were copper leafed, antiqued, and heavily clear-coated.

The real chains and edge trim that surround the system were also copper leafed and aged. The face buttons were custom-made after-market copper replacements and are TOP quality. Finally, truly one-of-a-kind crystal-clear RED shoulder buttons specifically made for this project flank each corner.”

That’s a lot of love for one PSP. Just like the lot of love that Kratos is uniquely famous for.

ebay, psp, godofwar

[via ebay]

In news that is news, but not really new news since it is in the form of old news, the DS and Wii continue to own the entire industry. Both systems are selling well, but the figures for the DS are absolutely astounding, according to the NPD. Substituting hyperbole and, well, just plain hype, take a look at the figures below for yourself.

* Nintendo DS: 561.9K
* Nintendo Wii: 381.8K
* Sony PSP: 290.1K
* Sony PlayStation 2: 270.7K
* Microsoft Xbox 360: 198.4K
* Sony PlayStation 3: 98.5K

Step back and ponder on this, if you will. Consider the Nintendo DS, a system over two years old with admitted horsepower limitations and no new top tier games until October 1st. Not only is is selling doubly that of the Playstation 2, but it is also selling at least five times as much of the Playstation 3. And more than twice that of the Xbox 360. To sum it up, the thing is un-freaking-stoppable.

[via joystiq]

[image via barkertrax@ flickr]

Not one to miss a new color scheme, it looks as if Nintendo will be releasing one that is, at the very least definable as odd, pretty soon. As you can see from the image above, it is dual toned in red and black. And for whatever reason is being released in connection with the release of Brain Age 2. Which doesn’t really primarily feature either of those colors. It doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense, but as hot as the DS is, Nintendo could probably release one branded “Vomit Green” and it would still sell a gazillion units.

Look for the dual package of the red DS and Brain Age 2 to hit on August 20.

nintendods, brainage2

[via kotaku]

It’s a proven scientific fact. People who are devoted enough to Sony to own both a PS3 and PSP are vampires. And as such, also enjoy games about vampires. A study from CNN and Dr. Sanjay Gupta backs this up with clearly unambiguous data.

Those vampires interesting in playing what happens to be a sweet ass vampire game should check out the Playstation Network. On it, those creatures of the night can download Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for ten bucks. The game can be played both the PS3 and PSP, which happen to be appropriately enough, black. That CNN report also frees it of any garlic aftertase, so you’re good on that count.

sonypsp, psp, castelvania, ps3, psn

[image and link via joystiq]

It seemed like a no brainer at first. But there was no initial indication as to whether or not the game would actually do it or not. But the ever detail oriented gang at GoNintendo seems to have found a bit from a Nintendo catalog that would seem to say that the game will be…

You have to look closely, but there is a Nintendo WiFi logo at the bottom of the page. As the graphic appears on a related page from the horse’s mouth, that horse existing as Nintendo itself, perhaps that’s a good go ahead on expecting the game to go online after all.

My one concern with this would be the crowd who seems to find it appropriate to force a disconnect by powering off the system when losing a game. As I’ve gone over in the past on this blog, it’s an ever growing problem. Given the slower pace of the Mario party games, it seems that players obsessed with win / loss records would have ample chance to cut the system off and reconnect to another game once they are a star or two behind on the Mario Party board. Not a promising prospect. Let’s hope that Nintendo can somehow solve the problem before launch time.

nintendods, marioparty, mariopartyds, nintendowifi

You read that right, what could usually be seen as kiddie crap fodder has the potential to be freaking awesome. Those of you seasoned enough to remember a time when the Loony Tunes were actually cool and aired on ABC on Saturday mornings may remeber a short featuring Daffy in which he was the sole character on screen. He talked with and smarted off to the animator, who was intent on drawing props and scenery that had the sole intention of torturing Daffy. Up until the end when you discover that it was Bugs all along, the animator shows up only as a hand and a paintbrush.

Now. Imagine this if you will. Replace the hand with your own and the paintbrush with a DS stylus. Do that and you’ve got a new game on the way for DS. Once you get over your premonitions, admit to the fact that the idea is completely awesome. I certainly already have. Of course, the game has the potential to suck, as most liscensed games do. But done right, this could be an awesome game experience. Be sure to check back with us, as we are going to certainly keep tabs on this potentially awesomely fun and funny game.

daffyduck, nintendods

[via mercury news]

Phantom Hourglass is really shaping up to be a doozy. Much more than a capstone game for the afternoon hours of the DS, the new Zelda could actually shape up to be a revolutionary game that sets the bar for future Zelda games to come. Don’t believe me? See what right hand man to Miyamoto himself, Eiji Aonuma has to say on the subject.

“With this DS Zelda, I and the staff, our eyes were opened to the possibilities of the hardware, as game developers, to understand what our responsibility is. And what we were creating, what the potential was there. So not only are we planning to do the same thing for the Wii, but to continue to do so for the DS as well.”

Twilight Princess aside, I’m of the belief that the series has been in a bit of a stall ever since Ocarina of Time set the standard for what nearly has been a decade. Majora’s Mask was a nice change of pace, Wind Waker brought a fresh visual approach, and Twilight Princess had a fun new method of control on Wii. But really, none of these games have truly brought something new to the table as when Ocarina of Time truly turned the entire industry upside down. Phantom Hourglass has the potential to do something truly new for the series that could set the stage for future Wii offerings and beyond, and it looks as if Miyamoto and Aonuma are taking the opportunity seriously.

nintendo, zelda, wii, nintendods

[via wired]

As you select few are waiting for your demo UMD for Chains of Olympus to arrive in your greedy little paws, you may want to check out the hands on provided by PSP Fanboy direct from last weeks E3 festivities. According to the guys checking the game out, this game could possibly be the best example of a PS2 game shrunken down for the little PSP.

From how it looks and plays, you’d probably not be able to tell the difference if it actually were a PS2 disc.

godofwar, psp, sony

A lot of folks have wondered for a while why there’s not been a Mario Party DS. And for good reason. The mini-game fest on New Super Mario Bros. practically was half of the game already that just got our taste buds wet for a full board game bonanza. But finally we know that it is indeed on the way thanks to the above little trailer for said game. No mention yet of a release date or if there will be any WiFi connectivity with the game, but that news shouldn’t be too far behind.

mariopartyds, newsupermariobros, e3, nintendods

We all knew it was coming, and here she is.

It doesn’t look all that different at first glance, but official specs tell otherwise. The new version is 33% lighter and 19% slimmer than the original. Which doesn’t really slim down the system to DS Lite proportions, but given the limitations influenced by the mightier hardware, Sony has honestly done a good job to bring the system down to this smaller size. If you’d like a more detailed comparison of how the new system stacks up to the old, PSP Crazy has done a good job of comparing the two.

The newer PSP will feature a brighter screen, and a video-out port which allows for stored videos to be played on an external screen along with the same gameplay as on your portable system. Sony also purports that the system will also feature faster load times, but we’ll just have to wait and see about that. The new system will drop in September at the tag of $200. However, that slightly increased price will also pick you up a game in different packages. The most notable is a Star Wars package which includes a white PSP with Vader’s mug on the back and a copy of Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron.

Nothing all that earth shattering concerning the DS came about from the Nintendo show. However, there was plenty for the Wii to be had. Be sure to check out our sister site at 1pStart for that coverage. The only real news concerning the DS other than the fact that its selling more units that gallon jugs of milk was some specific control schemes for Phantom Hourglass and a few casual games that will be localized from Japan. No mention whatsoever of any redesign or “sequel” to the DS. And frankly, at this stage Nintendo doesn’t need to.

Now, on to Sony. That show starts at 11:30 Pacific, 2:30 Eastern. Mere minutes from now, actually. I’m sure there’s no need to remind you where to find coverage for the show, if you are reading this I’m certain you already have that taken care of.

nintendo, nintendods, sony, psp