ARTICLE BY GAMESINDUSTRY.BIZ

Nintendo DS will launch in Europe on 11th March priced £99.99 or €149, Nintendo has revealed at a press conference in Paris this afternoon, and the platform holder is planning to ship more than 650,000 in the initial run.

The dual screen handheld, which has already racked up millions of sales in North America and Japan, will launch with a total of 15 games from day one - although Sprung will only be released in the UK, Netherlands and Scandinavia.

Those games will cost between £19.99 and £29.99, Nintendo said, and will include flagship title Super Mario 64 DS, WarioWare Touched!, Project Rub, Mr DRILLER: Drill Spirits, Spider-Man 2, Rayman DS, The Urbz, Pokémon Dash, Sprung, Asphalt Urban GT, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, Zoo Keeper, Ping Pals, Robots and Polarium.

The DS hardware package will come bundled with Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt, as it did in the States.

Games demonstrated at the show in playable form include most of the line-up, Yoshi's Touch & Go (Balloon Trip in the US), Nintendogs and others. Mario Kart DS was shown in video form only, with no release date yet announced.

The £99 price point is around the expected mark. In the US the console retailed for $149.99. Interestingly, Australian fans will pay the equivalent of around £90 for theirs, and although exchange rate fluctuations are believed to be behind that slightly more flattering figure, they can hardly be blamed for the unusual sight of Nintendo hardware making it onto store shelves down under before it does so here; Aussie gamers will be able to pick up a DS from 24th February onward.

Beyond today's events, the question is now how Sony will now act, having so far failed to elaborate on plans to launch the PlayStation Portable in Europe in or around March. With Nintendo shooting for early in the month, it'll be interesting to see how its newfound competitor responds...

2005.01.29 - Fifa_Football_2005_PAL_GERMAN_NGC-DEATHCUBE - SFV
2004.12.04 - Prince.of.Persia.Warrior.Within.PAL.MULTI6.GC-PiraTes

2005.01.29 - Kirby_Air_Ride_PROPER_USA_NGC-STINKYCUBE
2005.01.29 - F1_Career_Challenge_USA_Full_GC-LOONYCUBE - SFV
2005.01.29 - P.N.03_JAP_NGC-XWaR - SFV
2005.01.29 - The_Legend_of_Zelda_The_Wind_Waker_USA_NGC-XWaR - *DUPE of StarCube Release*
2005.01.29 - Mario_Party_6_JAP_NGC-XWaR - SFV
2005.01.28 - Disneys_Extreme_Skate_Adventure_USA_NGC-STINKYCUBE - SFV
2005.01.28 - Golden_Gashbell_Full_Power_JPN_NGC-USA - SFV
2005.01.27 - Mario_Golf_Toadstool_Tour_USA_NGC-XWaR - *DUPE of NMW Release*
2005.01.27 - Splinter_Cell_USA_NGC-XWaR - SFV
2005.01.27 - Biohazard_4_JAP_NGC-STINKYCUBE - SFV
2005.01.26 - Paper_Mario_The_Thousand_Year_Door_PAL_MULTI_NGC-iND - *DUPE of GP Release*
2005.01.26 - Biohazard_4_Bonus_DVDR-XWaR - SFV
2005.01.26 - Resident_Evil_Code_Veronica_X_PAL_MULTI_NGC-iND - *DUPE of GCP Release*
2005.01.26 - Shinseki_GPX_Cyber_Formula_Evolution_JAP_NGC-MOONCUBE - SFV
2005.01.25 - Harvest_Moon_AOL_USA_NGC-XSF04 - *DUPE of iSOSPHERE Release*
2005.01.25 - Enter_The_Matrix_PAL_GERMAN_INTERNAL_NGC-DEATHCUBE - SFV
2005.01.25 - XG3_Extreme_G_Racing_USA_Full_NGC-LOONYCUBE - SFV
2005.01.25 - Virtua_Quest_USA_Full_GC-LOONYCUBE - SFV
2005.01.25 - Rally.Championship.USA.Full.GC-LOONYCUBE - SFV
2005.01.25 - Cel_Damage_USA_Full_NGC-LOONYCUBE - SFV
2005.01.25 - Pikmin_2_USA_NGC-FLAPJE - *DUPE of StarCube Release*
2005.01.25 - Tales_of_Symphonia_Pal_SPANISH_READ_NFO_NGC-PirateK
*Note, No offense to these groups for their releases that got mark for being dupes and no, it doesnt mean the release is corrupted or affect the release at all, just been mark as dupe to let people know its a clone of a previous release.

2005.01.23 - Lotus_Challenge_USA_NGC-MOONCUBE - SFV
2005.01.23 - Backyard_Baseball_REPACK_READNFO_USA_NGC-MOONCUBE - SFV
2005.01.23 - WWE.Crush.Hour.USA.Full.GC-LOONYCUBE - SFV
2005.01.23 - Pro.rally.usa.Full.GC.PROPER-LOONYCUBE - SFV
2005.01.23 - Vexx.USA.full.Gc-LOONYCUBE - SFV
2005.01.23 - FSTFiX_GUI_0.89b-CubeWatch
2005.01.22 - The_Legend_of_Zelda_Four_Swords_Adventures_PAL_Multi5_PROPER_NGC-DEATHCUBE - SFV
2005.01.22 - Burnout_2_Point_Of_Impact_CRASHFIX_READNFO_USA_NGC-MOONCUBE
2005.01.21 - Driven_USA_NGC-MOONCUBE - SFV
2005.01.21 - Burnout_2_Point_Of_Impact_REPACK_READNFO_USA_NGC-MOONCUBE - SFV
2005.01.21 - Bey_Blade_2002_JAP_NGC-DEATHCUBE - SFV
2005.01.21 - Kelly_Slaters_Pro_Surfer_PAL_GERMAN_NGC-DEATHCUBE - SFV

2005.01.21 - COBRA_FOR_VIPER_GC_V0.4-Mentalcube

2005.01.19 - Super_Smash_Brothers_Melee_USA_PROPER_NGC-STINKYCUBE - SFV
2005.01.17 - Madden_NFL_2002_USA_NGC-Bang_sXe - SFV

And the crappy stuff...
Zelda.WindWaker.(PAL).RPGCube
Sonic Adventure 2 - Battle - (PAL-UK)
Mario Kart - Double Dash - (PAL-UK)

The highly discussed EZF-Advance II has received an update as the manufacturer was no longer able to supply the product. The EZF-Advance III has now hit the streets and the GBA copier with the name that no one wants it to use has returned from linker cable to an actual linker, horray!

Anyway we'll have way more about this new unit pretty soon... as in one of the next days :-) 

2005.01.12 - COBRA_FOR_VIPER_GC_V0.3-Mentalcube

2005.01.12 - Zelda.WindWaker.(PAL).RPGCube
2005.01.12 - WIPED_GCM_FIXER_v1.0b-LOONYCUBE
2005.01.12 - Resident_Evil_4_USA_NGC_NoMiS_And_PerPetRatOrS - SFV
2005.01.12 - Wario_World_PAL_German_NGC-Paradice
2005.01.12 - Resident_Evil_4_READ_COUGH_NFO_USA_NGC-WEEDCUBE

And some independant shit...

Beach Spiker PAL for Viper (With Garbage)
Wario Ware PAL for Viper (With Garbage)
Pikmin 2 for Viper (With Garbage)
Mario Golf USA for Viper (With Garbage)

NEWS ARTICLE BY GAMESINDUSTRY.BIZ

The Nintendo DS handheld will launch in Australia on February 24th at a price point of AU$199.99 (116 Euro), with Nintendo's official announcement this morning fuelling fresh speculation over the European launch.

As with the US launch of the device, a demo of Metroid Prime: Hunters will be bundled with the system, and Nintendo is promising the largest initial hardware shipment in its history in the country.

The unexpected Australian announcement has led to new speculation over the European details for the system, which are expected to be revealed at a conference event in Paris towards the end of this month.

Although Australia, as a PAL territory, is generally lumped in with Europe by games companies, a Nintendo spokesperson this afternoon warned that anyone basing expectations on the Australian details could be "disappointed", and pointing out that the Australian Dollar is currently very weak.

The announced price for Australia translates into just over UKP 80, and retail sources today indicated that the DS could sell for as little as UKP 89.99 in this territory - although Nintendo's official SRP is expected to be higher, around the UKP 99.99 mark.

The late February launch date is also earlier than expected, and while Nintendo has confirmed that the European date will be different, it does suggest that the console will arrive a few weeks earlier than previously anticipated in Europe, giving it a head start on the planned launch of the PlayStation Portable in late March.

The Nintendo DS has already shipped 2.8 million units in the USA and Japan, and Nintendo hopes to bring the worldwide total to five million by the end of its financial year on March 31st.

Being the GTA fan that I am, I couldn't just let this go unnoticed, the following article if taken from gamesindustry.biz and is not our work.

NEWS BULLETIN FROM GAMESINDUSTRY.BIZ

Rockstar Games has confirmed that its massively popular Grand Theft Auto franchise is on the way to the PlayStation Portable, with a new game set in Liberty City set to arrive on the platform near its western launch this Spring.

Both the new Grand Theft Auto title and a version of Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition are being developed for the system by Rockstar Leeds in collaboration with Rockstar North and Rockstar San Diego respectively.

"Bringing two of our most successful game franchises to this thrilling new platform not only gives us an opportunity to create a new dimension for these already extraordinary series but also allows us to begin to explore the full potential of the PSP handheld system," commented Rockstar president Sam Houser.

"Sony's extremely impressive technology has allowed Rockstar Leeds to do more on a handheld machine than we could have ever imagined," he continued. "We are very excited for gamers to experience these two genre-defining franchises in a fashion that could have never before been possible on a portable system."

While the PSP version of Grand Theft Auto will not be developed by franchise creators Rockstar North, the company is determined not to allow the quality of its flagship series slip, according to Rockstar Leeds president Gordon Hall.

"We are working very closely with Rockstar North and Rockstar San Diego to ensure that both Grand Theft Auto and Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition remain faithful to the initial vision of these respective franchises," he commented today.

One aspect of the Grand Theft Auto title for the PSP which will be watched carefully by other developers is how the game will handle the streaming of content from disc - something which the GTA titles on PS2 have relied heavily upon to create their seamless environments, but which runs the risk of crippling the battery life of a handheld device.

2005.01.11 - Cabelas_Big_Game_Hunter_2005_USA_NGC-NOMIS - SFV
2005.01.10 - MLB_Slugfest_2003_USA_NGC-MOONCUBE - SFV

PRESS RELEASE

Konami of Europe today unveiled a new Castlevania game for the Nintendo DS^TM. Set in the year 2036, the newest title in the series continues the storyline that first emerged in the critically acclaimed Castlevania^®: Aria of Sorrow^TM for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance^TM. While the new 2D side scrolling action game will contain all the classic gameplay that fans of the series have come to expect, Castlevania for Nintendo DS (working title) will also incorporate innovative gameplay elements that take full advantage of the portable system's powerful new technology.

"The game's rich storyline and strong characters coupled with the adoption of the new technology in the Nintendo DS has allowed us to bring the series to a whole new level" says Hans-Joachim Amann, Head of Product Management of Konami of Europe. "By utilising the Nintendo DS' sophisticated capabilities such as the Dual Screen functionality and Touch Screen technology, we are able to bring a fresh new dimension to this title and provide a truly unique gameplay experience for the gamer."

Taking place a year after Aria of Sorrow, the game's protagonist – Soma Cruz – finds himself at the center of a mysterious cult's plan to resurrect their evil lord and master, Dracula. In order to save himself and protect the lives of those he loves, Soma Cruz must infiltrate the enemy's home base, a towering replica of Dracula's castle that is teaming with monstrous creatures. Players' abilities grow and develop as they collect items and gather experience points by defeating enemies.

In their quest to defeat enemies, players will utilize completely original gameplay concepts that leverage the Nintendo DS' Touch Screen technology. One example of this new technology is Castlevania for Nintendo DS' "Magic Seal" system. By using the stylus directly on the screen, players must connect a series of symbols in the proper order to unlock an enchanted opening and disperse their enemy's magic into it when they are weakened.

Also aiding them in their battle against dark forces is the ability to collect the souls of their enemies to gain powerful new attacks and skills. The new Castlevania for Nintendo DS takes advantage of the Nintendo DS' Wireless Connection, letting players exchange and/or trade acquired souls to enhance their characters' strength. An incredibly moving musical score, visually stunning graphics and imaginative special effects round out this uniquely innovative gaming experience.

Created by Koji Igarashi and the creative team behind the critically acclaimed classic Castellanies: Aria of Sorrow, the new Castlevania for Nintendo DS is scheduled for release in Europe in Autumn, 2005

2005.01.05 - Mystic_Heroes_USA_Proper_NGC_PerPetRatOrS - SFV
2005.01.05 - Tony_Hawks_Pro_Skater_3_PAL_NGC-WARIO - SFV
2005.01.05 - Speed_Kings_USA_NGC-NOMIS - SFV
2005.01.05 - Trigger_Man_USA_NGC-REACT0R - SFV

Read this http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2005001262,00.html and then http://boards.pocketheaven.com/viewtopic.php?t=1796 and try not to laugh too much in the face of the daddy who bougt an very expensive bootleg copy of a GBA game for his kids, and then complains about a scene intro - though not knowing it was such.

BEst part of it, he could've bought an original for less...

Happy New Years Everybody.