Square Enix announced that the Nintendo DS installment of the ever popular Kingdom Hearts series, 358/2 Days, will be released in a special limited edition package.  The package is expected to be released on or near the game’s Japanese release in February 2009.  In addition to the game, the package includes a Nintendo DSi uniquely designed for the game.

As of yet the price, and appearance of the DSi have not been revealed.  Square, if you happen to be reading this (which is unlikely) I have an awesome suggestion for the DSi.  Make it the color of sea salt ice cream:

I accept a 1% commission on each unit sold, in Japanese Yen only please, the dollar is a sinking ship.

As far as I can tell this may be the first game-specific DSi that will be hitting the market.  If you had planned on purchasing a DSi, and black and white don’t do anything for you, this should interest you.  I estimate the package to cost around $250 USD.

Related Entries:
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days New Screens
How Many Nintendo DSis Can I Put You Down For?

Roy consoles, nintendo ds, square enix 5 comments

The Nintendo DSi’s Japanese release is getting close.  Today the results of a Japanese group survey were released which breaks down how consumers feel about the DSi.  The focus group consisted of 81% men and 16% women with an average age of 26.28 years old.  I am surprised there wasn’t a more even divide among the sexes.  During my time in Japan, I think I saw more women playing their DSs than men.  It could have to do with the PSP release of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G which the emperor himself insisted that everyone purchase.  Anyway, here are the results:

• 40.7% Say they will not purchase the DSi
• 29.4% Say they will wait and see before buying
• 26.2% Say they are undecided
• 3.6% Say they will buy it right away

When asked which of the DSi’s new features the individuals found most desirable, the following was the group’s findings:

• 30.8% The larger screen
• 29.5% Nintendo DS Ware
• 15.1% The built in camera feature
• 11.6% DSi sound
• 3.4% SD memory card slot

When it comes to the color, there was little to choose from with only black and white.  Some members of the study group express their disappointment with such a lack in color selections, although they prefer the matte finish which eliminates those nasty fingerprints.

• 53.4% Black
• 45.9% White

I think these results are a pretty accurate reflection of my feelings on the DSi as well.  I am not in any hurry to buy it, but I am intrigued.  I am a bit shocked that the larger screen beat out Nintendo DS Ware.  I think that the DS Ware has the greatest potential when it comes to the system’s attraction over the old DS.  A .25″ screen size increase may just be a bit tough for me to really imagine…

The DSi is set to hit shelves in Japan on November 1st, and already they are popping up on sites like eBay.  The great thing about the DSi (and its games) is region freedom, meaning if you buy a Japanese DSi, it’ll be pretty much exactly the same as the ones that will go on sale in the US who-knows-when.  The only difference really is about $100 you have to pay the middle-men getting it to you.  The going price is around $300 in contrast to the DSi’s official price of 18,900 yen, which is closer to $200.

If you are interested in purchasing one, they are also available at Play-Asia at the standard gouging price of $299.99.  They have both black and white.

Related Entries:
Nintendo Unveils The Nintendo DSi

Roy consoles, japan, nintendo ds 1 comment

If you thought it would be a while before your Nintendo DS Lite became obsolete, you were wrong.  Yesterday, at Nintendo’s Fall 2008 conference, the Nintendo DSi was shown to the public.  The DSi has a variety of new features which set it apart from it’s predecessor.

The main addition is 2 built-in cameras, as well as some basic photo-editing software which allows users to manipulate images using the stylus.  One lens is located on the outer right side of the system, the other in the hinge between the two screens:

To accompany the built-in cameras is an SD card slot which allows users to retain photos and drawings.  The amount of space needed to include both the camera and SD slot forced Nintendo to do away with the GBA slot which is included with the standard Nintendo DS–a worthy sacrifice perhaps.  I think I may have used the GBA slot 3 times since I purchased my DS Lite.

Here is a rundown of some of the other new features of the Nintendo DSi:

• Screen size increased from 3.00 inches to 3.25 inches
• Size increased from 133×73.9 mm to 137×74.9 mm
• The DSi is now 12% thinner at 18.9 mm in thickness
• All buttons have been raised slightly to be easier to push
• An additional back-light intensity level has been added
• The Nintendo DS’s gloss finish has been replaced with a more “mature” flat finish

Here are a few more photos of the improved system:

The DSi will be available on November 1st in Japan at a price of 18900 Yen or around $180 USD.  It will also feature it’s own online capabilities through a service called DSWare.  There users can browse the internet and purchase games, listen to music etc.

I guess it’s a bit exciting that a new DS is in the works, although it is a painful reminder that all systems eventually will be replaced, forcing even more money out of us.  While the new features are nice, I think I am happy with my standard DS lite.

Roy consoles, nintendo ds 4 comments

Click to open the mystery package

Related Entries:
???
???

Roy action, consoles, konami, merchandise, ps3 2 comments

It looks like there is hope yet for the promise of a decent Metal Gear Solid 4 Bundle. The 80 GB one is on SonyStyle’s website making it official in my mind. More exciting still is that the bundle is available for pre-order at Circuit City.com for the previously announced price of $499.99. I have already pre-ordered mine, so unless something goes horribly wrong, I will be making my leap into the next generation.

Apparently the 40 GB version includes the Limited Edition of the game, which comes with a Blu-Ray disc containing 2 hours of exclusive content as well as a soundtrack and access to Metal Gear online. I am assuming the 80 GB bundle comes with the standard version of the game perhaps explaining the price difference.

On a personal level, twice the memory, backwards compatibility and an extra 100$ in my pocket is a better deal. What can I say, I am poor.

If this package interests you I highly recommend pre-ordering as soon as you possibly can. They will be available in EXTREMELY limited quantities relative to demand.

Pre-order the 40 GB version here
Pre-order the 80 GB version here

Related Entries:
Metal Gear Solid 4 T-Shirts
Metal Gear Solid 4 Bundle Now Sucks
Metal Gear Solid Bundle

Roy action, buy games, consoles, how to, konami, merchandise, pre-order, ps3 4 comments