Nintendo DS - Greatest portable gaming system ever?

jp · Post by jp » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:11 pm

Seriously, its all I've been playing lately. When I'm at my friend's house and he's playing 360, I'm playing my DS despite owning a 360 controller. At home? I play DS over Saturn and Dreamcast. Everywhere I go I have my DS in my pocket.

Anyways, my case for the DS being the greatest portable ever (if not now then damn soon):

AAA games: Meteos, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, Mario Kart DS, Kirby: Canvas Curse, Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time, Sonic Rush, Phoenix Wright, Advance Wars: Dual Strike + lots of just solid titles (Nanostray, Viewtiful Joe, Metroid Prime Pinball, etc.)
Entire GBA library
Innovative as hell. I really can't even play portables missing a touch screen now. And the dual screens are insanely helpful and useful. It just... works! And the rumble pack is just amazing.

And thats all i got right now, but really, I don't think it needs that much more. Sure, if you buy a Play Yan the DS could do most of what a PSP does, but in all honesty, who in the hell buys a portable console for those reasons? Ugh, I prefer games, and thats definitely what the DS is delivering on a hardcore level right now.

Oh, and for those who haven't checked it out yet: Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time ROCKS!!!! It is just a totally awesome game.

Neo Rasa · Post by **Neo Rasa** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:18 pm

I can vouch for Partners in Time, a more than worthy sequel to Superstar Saga.

It's as if some time in August Nintendo was consiously like "Okay, we let Sony have their fun with the PSP launch, begin releasing the quality."

I swear Viewtiful Joe DS almost runs better than the Viewtiful Joe games on the PS2. I don't think there's any reason for someone who likes video games to not own a DS at this time if they have the money. Plus for $150 they have the Nintendogs and Mario Kart bundles.

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:19 pm

Different strokes.

I packed mine up in its original box about 3 weeks ago and it's now sitting in the back of my infrequent access storage cabinet. Oh, and I hadn't played it since I finished Castlevania, and I don't see myself playing it again for a long time since I'm losing interest in Mario Kart.

I really can't think of many good things to say about the game library, or the system itself.

Vexorg · Post by **Vexorg** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:20 pm

I'll probably have to pick up Mario and Luigi at some point, but between my 360 and my rent payment, I probably could use to hold off a bit on buying more games for a bit.

Neo Rasa · Post by **Neo Rasa** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:22 pm

I can think of a ton of good things to say about the system itself in terms of its construction and its durability vs. what it can do. It started out weak like the PSP with a bunch of half-baked ports (though what they did with Super Mario 64 was pretty damn nice) but ever since Kirby got released there's been a steady stream of high quality games without the glut of crap that usually infects most systems around this time of year.

Plus, man I hate rhythm games but importing Ouendan was the greatest decision of my life.

UnscathedFlyingObject · Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:01 pm

PSP is getting its share of stuff too. I have my eyes on that new ghosts and goblins and megaman x remake, not enough to make me buy the system, but hey, it's a sign that good games will come. As for the DS, it's doing good, but I could do without the touch screen for most of my games and a little more oomph graphics wise.

Skyline · Post by **Skyline** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:39 pm

The possibility of my buying a system has shot up recently due to the release of Sonic Rush.

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:40 pm

Apart from the minor discomfort involved in wielding this large machine, I'm really happy with the quality of the DS and its library. Initially I thought it was introduced simply to deflect some attention from the PSP while Nintendo got the next gen GB ready. But at this point I'd have to say that this is one of the best handhelds I own. I still prefer the GBA SP because it plays GB and GBC cartridges, and many of my favorite handheld games are for those earlier systems. (I still haven't found a handheld pinball that I like better than Kirby Pinball, though I haven't yet bought Metroid Pinball.) I'd probably say that I'm torn between the NGPC and DS for second place.

Neo Rasa · Post by **Neo Rasa** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:44 pm

NGPC probably has the highest quality to quantity ratio ever if you don't count those ten dozen gambling games Aruze dumped onto the system in its final years.

LoneSage · Post by **LoneSage** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:46 pm

professor ganson wrote:Apart from the minor discomfort involved in wielding this large machine, I'm really happy with the quality of the DS and its library.

Agreed on both accounts; holding the DS reminds me of the NES controller, with its sharp edges.

I'd still say the original Game Boy's the best ever. The only good thing that abomination of a successor to the GB, the Game Boy Color, did was have Wario Land 2. Never played 3

The DS is still missing a 2D Mario. Every Game Boy iteration needs to have one. Super Mario Land is still an excellent game, to this day. I prefer it to the original Super Mario Bros.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:59 pm

LoneSage wrote: I'd still say the original Game Boy's the best ever. The only good thing that abomination of a successor to the GB, the Game Boy Color, did was have Wario Land 2. Never played 3

Wario Land 2 was a GB b/w game before it was on GBC, but I disgagree on GBC being crap. It has two Zeldas (three if you count the port of the GB b/w one), Metal Gear Solid/Ghost Babel, Survival Kids, Beatmania, Toki Tori, Rayman (supposedly a toned down port of the Jaguar version, but everything I read about the Jaguar one suggests otherwise. As far as I know, it was exclusive to GBC, at least until the palm and mobile phone versions came out), Joust/Defender, a rocking port of Klax, a good port of Rampart, an awesome Track and Field game with a story mode, Game and Watch Gallery 2, Dragon Warrior III (a port, but still extremely good), Game and Watch Gallery 3, Magi Nation, Bust-A-Move Millienum, Pokemon Puzzle Challenge, Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal, Super Mario Bros DX, and Wario Land 3. The GBC also has backwards compatibility with ALL GB games. GB games look great on it too.

Wario Land 3 is excellent IMO. It's more non linear than 2 and a bit harder. I'm not sure if I can go as far to say if it's better, but it does rock.

Neo Rasa wrote:NGPC probably has the highest quality to quantity ratio ever if you don't count those ten dozen gambling games Aruze dumped onto the system in its final years.

Quality/quality ratio of a system with only one or two developers supporting it is not a good basis for judging systems. NGPC has mostly fighting games, two decent Metal Slug games, a port of Pac-Man (which seemed choppy in emulation, but probably runs better on a real system), Magical Drop (much better than the GBC one), Crush Roller, a couple Puzzle Link games, a very good Puzzle Bobble, and the SNK vs. Capcom Card game. It only has one shmup! It doesn't have many RPGs either. Keep in mind that the b/w GB has been getting some quality SNK fighting ports from Takara like Samurai Shodown way before the NGPC even came out.

I do agree that the DS rocks, though!

sjewkestheloon · Post by **sjewkestheloon** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:12 pm

i love my ds and i'll also admit to playing it as much if not more that any other console. and that's before i get mario kart at the weekend...

i think i may start up a handheld collection as i love puzzle games, 2d platformers and the occasional actiongame and it seems that across the handheld systems i can get everything i want apart from shmups. when i've a bit more money i think i'll pick up a ngpc with the samurai showdown game to start me off. and then it's off to the different gb iterations with the zeldas. oh god. i'm off.

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:22 pm

As a very satisfied owner of both a DS and PSP I can attest that the DS is definitely smoking the PSP in content now. It took a year for it to get out of its freshman slump but now it's kicking. Playing a round of Mario Kart or Kirby CC then being able to switch to Gunstar SH or Metroid Zero Mission = old school heaven.

Lesse here current and upcoming games: Online almost lag-free MK, online AC next week, online Metroid Prime Hunters which will now have a long "epic" single player story mode (check the new trailer for the game, you will be amazed that NST is making it and not Retro themselves), FFIII remake, Children of Mana, probable online Bomberman, Viewtiful Joe Scratch, online Tony Hawk with cel shaded graphics and uploadable custom art, new SMB I could go on. It can no longer be slagged as a "mini game" system.

Oh but, there was GTA LC in October, that'll fix things.

That said I am looking very forward to both Popolocrois and Tokobot, just hurry up and release them! Oh and Neo Geo CD Metal Slug on a PSP screen = bliss. Here's hoping the hackers crack 2.0 soon so I can keep our emulators.

Neo Rasa · Post by **Neo Rasa** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:38 pm

Quality/quality ratio of a system with only one or two developers supporting it is not a good basis for judging systems. NGPC has mostly fighting games, two decent Metal Slug games, a port of Pac-Man (which seemed choppy in emulation, but probably runs better on a real system), Magical Drop (much better than the GBC one), Crush Roller, a couple Puzzle Link games, a very good Puzzle Bobble, and the SNK vs. Capcom Card game. It only has one shmup! It doesn't have many RPGs either. Keep in mind that the b/w GB has been getting some quality SNK fighting ports from Takara like Samurai Shodown way before the NGPC even came out.

Eh, I'd say the caliber of the handheld fighters blow away anything else available with the exception of KoF EX2 on the GBA.

There were more RPGs but unfortunately none of them made it here and most are of the Dark Arms/Biomotor Unitron variety.

Also I wouldn't exactly call any of the GB SNK fighter ports "quality" with the exceptions of RBFF and KoF'95.

That said, for a PORTABLE system said NGPC games have the perfect pacing and and structure.

DS has taken up all my "portable" time though since I play all my games indoors now. Probably going to pick up a couple of more games for it tonight.

Man for your earlier remark, I'd KILL for a Wario Land 5, I love that series. It wasn't Mario so it's where they took all the risks design-wise and they're all great games, even the Virtual Boy installment.

Vexorg · Post by **Vexorg** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:45 pm

The PSP does seem to have some good stuff in the pipeline and a couple of good ones now (although I could care less about GTA anything) but for the most part there's just not much of note for it right now. The local stores are just now starting to get PSP demo units. The fact that the ones I've seen are currently running Lumines says something about the genreral lack of good PSP games.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:56 pm

Neo Rasa wrote:Quality/quality ratio of a system with only one or two developers supporting it is not a good basis for judging systems. NGPC has mostly fighting games, two decent Metal Slug games, a port of Pac-Man (which seemed choppy in emulation, but probably runs better on a real system), Magical Drop (much better than the GBC one), Crush Roller, a couple Puzzle Link games, a very good Puzzle Bobble, and the SNK vs. Capcom Card game. It only has one shmup! It doesn't have many RPGs either. Keep in mind that the b/w GB has been getting some quality SNK fighting ports from Takara like Samurai Shodown way before the NGPC even came out.

Eh, I'd say the caliber of the handheld fighters blow away anything else available with the exception of KoF EX2 on the GBA. There were more RPGs but unfortunately none of them made it here and most are of the Dark Arms/Biomotor Unitron variety.

Also I wouldn't exactly call any of the GB SNK fighter ports "quality" with the exceptions of RBFF and KoF'95.

That said, for a PORTABLE system said NGPC games have the perfect pacing and and structure.

DS has taken up all my "portable" time though since I play all my games indoors now. Probably going to pick up a couple of more games for it tonight.

Man for your earlier remark, I'd KILL for a Wario Land 5, I love that series. It wasn't Mario so it's where they took all the risks design-wise and they're all great games, even the Virtual Boy installment.

What did you find wrong with the GB version of Samurai Shodown? It has all of the moves, great control, all of the characters, and even some elements missing from other versions like the items that appear on the ground. Also, I found KoF '95 to be weaker than the Samurai Shodown port and KoF '96 GB to be superior to KoF '95. Real Bout, KoF '95, and Kof '96 are also missing characters. That said, I still plan to pick them up and the NGPC.

I still HIGHLY disgree with "That said, for a PORTABLE system said NGPC games have the perfect pacing and and structure". The GB b/w alone has a better variety of quality shmups, RPGs, and platform games. Seriously, the NGPC only has a couple platform games and they don't compare with the likes of the Super Mario Land series, Donkey Kong '94, Megaman IV, Megaman V, or the Wario Land games. As far as I know, NGPC's only Zelda like game is Beast Busters 1999. The b/w GB has 2 Gradius games, a Parodius, a Twinbee, a Darius, a Burai Fighter, and Solar Striker. NGPC only has Cotton. As for RPGs, the b/w GB has Saga 2, Great Greed, Pokemon, and a few others.

The NGPC had pratically no third party support and a small amout of games, even in Japan. I'm aware that more RPGs came out in Japan for NGPC than in the US, but that doesn't change the fact that the B/W GB has more quality RPGs. It also doesn't change the fact that the NGPC is mainly known for it's fighting games, most of which are overhyped (even if they are very good). I'm sorry, but a high ratio of fighting games doesn't not make for the perfect balance of quality/quantity, especially when the system has less quality games than most other portables in every other category.

jp · Post by jp » Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:06 pm

LoneSage wrote:

The DS is still missing a 2D Mario. Every Game Boy iteration needs to have one. Super Mario Land is still an excellent game, to this day. I prefer it to the original Super Mario Bros.

Exhibit A:
http://ds.ign.com/objects/682/682879.html

Exhibit B:
http://ds.ign.com/objects/711/711851.html

Andi · Post by **Andi** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:24 pm

My roommate is buying one soon (despite me urging her not too). I don't like the idea of it being in the house. I'll get to play Castlevania at least though.

WHo knows, maybe I'll love it and want one of my own?

sethsez · Post by **sethsez** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:34 pm

I <3 my DS. It feels like a combination of the best aspects of Nintendo's and Sega's systems. The solid first party lineup and good build quality (say what you will, this thing ain't gonna break easily) of Nintendo combined with the myriad of quirky Japanese niche titles that defined Sega's later systems. And of course, the nutty yet genius design of the system seems like it could have come from either of them.

I own ten games for the system, and I love eight of them (Nanostray is flawed but I still enjoy it, and Mario 64 DS... well, I'd already played it). For a system that's been out a year, that's pretty damn impressive, and there are still plenty more that I want.

Also, Sonic Rush is the best thing to come out of Sega in ages. They took Sonic's speed, mixed it with the score oriented play of NiGHTS, and set it all to a fantastic Jet Grind Radio style soundtrack. "Wrapped in Black" is the best song in a Sega game since... well, Jet Grind Radio, and "Raisin' Me Up" comes damn close (who'd have thought a lush mid-paced song with gospel vocals would fit so damn well in a Sonic game?! At the very least it's a nice change from the typical butt-rock themes the series has had as of late).

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:37 pm

I'm liking the DS quite a bit so far too. I only played a couple of games since my sister has it, but I can't wait to get my hands on the Mario Kart Bundle, Ouendan, Sonic Rush, Goemon, Meteos, Kirby, and other DS games. Dawn of Sorrow totally rocks!

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:43 pm

Will any one own up to having played Nintendogs?

My love of the NGPC has in part to do with the high quality-to-quantity ratio, but a big part of it is just how freaking beautiful that system is, especially for the price. My Cotton looks like magic on that beautiful screen. Sure, I'd like backlighting of some sort, but you will never hear a serious complaint from me. Fully satisfied customer. I just wish I didn't suck at Cardfighter's Clash (or whatever it's called).

As far as handheld line-ups go, I'd have to say the GB is my favorite, but I've never owned an original GB. Does anyone still use those clunkers to play GB cartridges? Is there any advantage to doing so?

sethsez · Post by **sethsez** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:44 pm

I urge any and every Sonic fan to buy Sonic Rush. I rank it above Sonic & Knuckles easily, and since "the Genesis games" seem to be the litmus test for any new Sonic game, I think this one joins their ranks easily.

However, it should be noted that I've always considered S&K to be a significant step down from the first four (1-3 and CD). Even so, I think Rush holds its own quite capably among the classics, and the level design slowly reveals its brilliance when you play for score. There's a wonderful flow that I haven't seen in a platformer in ages, and I'm honestly shocked that it came from Dimps after the hell of the Advance games.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:50 pm

sethsez wrote:I urge any and every Sonic fan to buy Sonic Rush. I rank it above Sonic & Knuckles easily, and since "the Genesis games" seem to be the litmus test for any new Sonic game, I think this one joins their ranks easily.

However, it should be noted that I've always considered S&K to be a significant step down from the first four (1-3 and CD). Even so, I think Rush holds its own quite capably among the classics, and the level design slowly reveals its brilliance when you play for score. There's a wonderful flow that I haven't seen in a platformer in ages, and I'm honestly shocked that it came from Dimps after the hell of the Advance games.

I'm wondering if that info about Sonic Rush being from Dimps was a mistake on IGN's part. I'll check the credits to be sure, but I heard some info that suggests that Dimps may not have made it. I love what I heard of the music for the game.

extrarice · Post by **extrarice** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:56 pm

professor ganson wrote:Will any one own up to having played Nintendogs?

Siberian Husky named Malachai. He likes the pirate hat.

I can't wait to get my hands on Electroplankton in January.

sethsez · Post by **sethsez** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:57 pm

I'm going to be buying the soundtrack as soon as possible. I downloaded it already, but I enjoy it enough to want to own it. And I guarantee you haven't heard the best songs... the soundtrack gets better as you go through the game.

As for Dimps, the end credits have four names (producer, director, and two more I can't remember off the top of my head) followed by "in cooperation with Dimps," the Dimps logo, and then the rest of the credits. I think the whole "it's totally a Sonic Team game" thing is born from the same issues that Sonic Advance 2 had... no mention of Dimps until the end credits, no acknowledgement of Dimps on the official sites, and a few Sonic Team members in high positions. Mix in a healthy dose of fan speculation and the rumors are off. But the grunt work appears to be entirely Dimps here, with the Sonic Team members being guiding hands more than anything.

EDIT: As for Nintendogs, I really wanted it, but... never bothered. I'm not sure why, honestly. Now with Animal Crossing coming out soon, I think I'd rather have that for my brainless time waster.

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:58 pm

I'm going to get one at some point for Mr. Driller Ace and the DS one, forget what it's called.

Viewtiful Joe, Metroid Prime, I hate all that shit. Meteos sounds fun though.

Better than Saturn? Fuck no.

I think I'd like to get a flash cart in addition to the games, just so I don't have to carry around a bunch of cartridges.

sethsez · Post by **sethsez** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:59 pm

Neon wrote:I think I'd like to get a flash cart in addition to the games, just so I don't have to carry around a bunch of cartridges.

They're ridiculously tiny. 30 DS games would probably take up the space of about four or five GBA carts.

Nemo · Post by **Nemo** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:24 am

Phoenix Wright, Castlevania, and Trauma Center are enough for my satisfaction, anything else here from is gravy. Too bad the Lunar game is weak though.

fullblownaidzz · Post by **fullblownaidzz** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 1:30 am

castlevania alone is enough for me to play the thing non stop. I just bought mario kart, which so far im loving, even though i can't do online. I plan on picking up sonic rush fairly soon too.

It's like with the ds, they took the snes and the genesis, and smashed them together, then made it portable. Mario and a new good 2d sonic is enough to make me avery happy person.

LoneSage · Post by **LoneSage** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 1:49 am

jp wrote: Exhibit B:
http://ds.ign.com/objects/711/711851.html

Hey, kickass, I didn't know Super Princess Peach was coming stateside. Bout time it got some coverage.