Nintendo

Mar
4
2010

Nintendo DSi XL Release Date, Specs & Pictures

Launch Date: March 28, 2010, in the United States.

Suggested Retail Price: $189.99.

Size (when closed): 6.339 inches (161.0 millimeters) wide, 3.598 inches (91.4 millimeters) long, 0.835 inches
(21.2 millimeters) tall

Weight: Approximately 11.08 ounces (314 grams).

Look: The top half is shiny, while the bottom has a matte finish for easier gripping.

Top Screen: A backlit, 4.2-inch, transmissive TFT color LCD with 256 x 192 pixel resolution and .333 mm dot pitch, capable of displaying 260,000 colors. Can be viewed from any angle. Top half opens to lock at two positions: 120 degrees and 155 degrees.

Touch Screen: Same specs as top screen, but with a transparent analog touch screen.

Cameras: 640 x 480 pixel resolution, 0.3 megapixels.

Brightness Adjustment: Users can adjust the brightness of screens at five different levels. Electricity consumption will vary, depending on the software used and brightness level (the brighter the setting, the less continuous play-time capability)

Brightness Approximated Continuous Play
1st level: 13-17 hours
2nd level: 11-14 hours
3rd level: 9-11 hours
4th level: 6-8 hours
5th level: 4-5 hours

Pre-Installed Software: The system comes with three software titles pre-installed. These include Brain Age™ Express: Math, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters and Photo Clock.

Wireless Communication: IEEE 802.11 with enhanced security (WPA). Wireless range is 30 to 100 feet, depending on circumstances; multiple users can play multiplayer games using just one Nintendo DS or Nintendo DSi game card, depending on the software. (Note that Nintendo DS game cards are compatible in all Nintendo DS franchise systems, while Nintendo DSiWare and Nintendo DSi-enhanced games are region-specific.) Ability to connect to Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo’s wireless gaming network. Ability to download demo versions of Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi games from DS Download Stations, Nintendo Zone™, or via the Nintendo Channel of the Wii™ console.

Controls: Touch screen, embedded microphone for voice recognition, A/B/X/Y face buttons, + Control Pad, L/R shoulder buttons, Start and Select buttons, dual cameras and volume control. The stylus is approximately 5.091 inches (129.3 millimeters).

Microphone: Located at the center of the unit, which allows it to pick up spoken commands regardless of how the Nintendo DSi XL is positioned.

LED Lights: Visible even when the Nintendo DSi XL unit is closed. Three lights indicate if wireless communication function is on or off, whether the battery is being recharged and how much battery life is left before it needs to be recharged.

Input/Output: Ports for Nintendo DSi game cards, Nintendo DS game cards, an SD memory card, an A/C adaptor and stereo headphones and a microphone.

Other Features: Embedded PictoChat™ software allows one user to draw pictures, or up to 16 users within local range of one another to chat at once; embedded real-time clock; date, time and alarm; touch-screen calibration.

Sound: Stereo speakers providing virtual surround sound, depending on the software.

Battery: Lithium ion battery delivering four to 17 hours of play on a 3-hour charge, depending on use; power-saving sleep mode; AC adapter.

Languages: English, French, Spanish.

Parental Control: An easy-to-use option that allows parents or guardians to manage access to Nintendo DSi exclusive and compatible software based on the ESRB rating, PictoChat, DS Download Play, Nintendo DSi Browser, and certain user-created content that may be inappropriate for some members of their household. It can also help manage the use of Nintendo DSi Points in the Nintendo DSi Shop and wireless exchange of photo data. Nintendo DSi Parental Controls are not compatible with existing Nintendo DS software.

Feb
25
2010

Two New Super Mario Galaxy 2 Videos

A couple of new trailers with commentary from Nintendo’s recent press conferences which I was not invited to *cough*I’m not bitter*cough* courtesy gametrailers.com

Feb
24
2010

Monster Hunter Tri Release Date and Details

Capcom has announced the release date for Monster Hunter Tri as well as details about the game’s multiplayer. The game will optionally come bundled with the new Nintendo Wii Ninja Black Classic Controller. The game will be released on April 20, 2010 in the United States. 4-20 huh… If you haven’t already preordered your copy of the game you might want to get in on the $10 classic controller offer ASAP. I am almost as excited about this game as I am about the next Zelda Wii game. Well, maybe not… lol but you’ve got a nice attempt here MH3 devs!

Feb
24
2010

Metroid: Other M Release Date is June 27

Sweet! This summer is going to be AWESOME for Nintendo fans! Metroid: Other M is coming out June 27, 2010 and will be a 2D side scroller that you can switch to 3D mode at any time. Press jargon below.

“The incredible new Metroid game developed for Wii through a collaboration by Nintendo and the world-renowned Team Ninja, launches June 27. The game looks at the classic franchise from a new perspective: While much of the game is reminiscent of 2-D side-scrollers, players can switch the perspective into 3-D at any time as they explore the twisting passages of a derelict space station and delve deep into a cinematic, never-before-told story of bounty hunter Samus Aran’s past. This new approach uses a new control scheme in which players use the Wii Remote™ controller held sideways to battle enemies and navigate the expansive, gorgeous environments in classic Metroid fashion, then aim at the screen with the Wii Remote pointer to blast foes in first-person and hunt the world for clues and hidden passages.”

Feb
24
2010

Super Mario Galaxy 2 Release Date Set for May

At Nintendo’s latest conferences held throughout the world they have announced that Super Mario Galaxy is to be launched May 23, 2010! Here’s the press mumbo jumbo!

“The sequel to the smash-hit galaxy-hopping original game, launches May 23 for the Wii™ console. The game includes the amazing gravity-defying, physics-based exploration from the first game, but is loaded with entirely new galaxies and features to challenge and delight players. On some stages, Mario™ can pair up with his dinosaur buddy Yoshi™ and use his tongue to grab items and spit them back at enemies. Players can also have fun with new items such as a drill that lets our hero tunnel through solid rock.”

Feb
9
2010

Miyamoto Confirms New Nintendo Hardware

“Just heard a rumour that you may be interested in: Nintendo are going to announce a new platform at GDC. Some devs have already started work on it.” Anonymous Source

At the Annual Japan Media Arts Festival Miyamoto Confirmed the rumors that Nintendo is working on new hardware. No details where mentioned by Miyamoto. Is it just me or is this not the most obvious piece of news ever?

Jan
27
2010

Monster Hunter Tri Wii Classic Controller Pro Bundle

Excitement levels are high! Nintendo is launching their new Wii Classic Controller Pro as a bundle with Capcom’s beautiful new action adventure RPG game Monster Hunter Tri. The new controller features sleek handles and quad triggers in the back which should make the controller  a whole lot more comfortable and also capable of playing all of your GameCube games with ease! Currently you can pre-order the game [ed, the release date for Monster Hunter Tri has been announced] on Amazon, it is uncertain whether the version for pre-order will be the bundle or the game by itself.

Jan
21
2010

New Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver Screens

The new Pokemon game sure is looking pretty, especially the Fall forest! It is amazing what the developers of Nintendo DS games come up to make the most beautiful games using N64-age technology.

Jan
20
2010

New Host!

Hey guys, you may or may not have noticed that the website was down yesterday afternoon through the night. This was because we were in the process of changing hosts. We are now hosted with GoDaddy and I must say this hosting has a snap that was non-existent while we were with Media Temple. Now that the website loads faster I may just update the website 10x more than before when I was getting depressed waiting 5-10 seconds for the wordpress admin interface to load. My cousin, her fiance and I are nearly finished with New Super Mario Bros. Wii once we’re done we’ll put together a spiffy review of the game for you. I can say from what we’ve played now that the game is amazing fun when you have people to play with.

Jan
13
2010

Netflix Officially Coming to the Nintendo Wii

Yeah, it was bound to happen. This spring Nintendo Wiiers will get to stream movies directly from their Nintendo Wii in low-def 480P.

REDMOND, Wash., and LOS GATOS, Calif., Jan. 13, 2010 – Nintendo of America Inc. and Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX] today announced an agreement that will allow Netflix members who are also owners of Nintendo’s Wii™ home console to instantly watch thousands of movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix directly to their TVs. Netflix is scheduled to go live on the Wii console this spring in the United States at no additional cost to Netflix members who have a plan starting at $8.99 a month, a Wii console and a broadband Internet connection.

The partnership between the two companies will extend the reach of content streamed from Netflix farther than ever before, thanks to the mainstream popularity of the Wii console. Wii remains the fastest-selling home console in history, and reaches more consumers than any other device that currently supports streaming movies from Netflix. In December 2009, Nintendo sold well in excess of 3 million Wii consoles in the United States. Wii is the top-selling home video game system of this generation, and as such brings the Netflix experience to a broad and diverse mass market.

“Our research shows that 86 percent of all U.S. Wii consoles are located in the living room,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “The Wii console is the social hub around which friends and family members gather to play games and have fun. Soon both new and longtime Wii owners will enjoy the benefits of Netflix – and a variety of informational and entertainment options – by being Netflix members and connecting their consoles to the Internet.”

“Our goal is to offer Netflix members as many ways as possible to watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix right to their TVs and to give non-members more and compelling reasons to consider the service,” said Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings. “Joining forces with Nintendo, which has been so immensely popular with consumers since its introduction, is a very meaningful step in that direction.”

With 11.1 million U.S. subscribers as of Sept. 30, 2009, Netflix continues to expand the ways in which its members can watch movies and TV shows streamed directly to TVs via a range of Netflix-ready devices such as the Wii console. Netflix memberships start as low as $8.99 a month, and members also can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes. At the same time, consumers continue to demonstrate a preference for Wii consoles, which offer tremendous value, whether measured in fun games, shared experiences or the suggested retail price of just $199.99.

To enable their systems to stream content from Netflix, Wii owners will need a Netflix instant-streaming disc for the Wii console, which will be available at no additional cost to Netflix subscribers. The free disc looks and operates the same as a disc-based Wii game, and the entire user experience will feel natural and intuitive to Wii console owners. Netflix members and Wii console owners can now reserve a free instant-streaming disc by going to www.netflix.com/Wii. Once available in the spring, the discs will be delivered for free by first-class mail.

When the instant-streaming disc is inserted into a member’s Wii system, an array of movie and TV choices will be displayed right on their TV screen. These titles will be conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members’ personal preferences and will include popular genres, new arrivals and members’ individual instant Queues. Using the Wii Remote™ controller, members will be able to choose a movie or TV episode to watch from their instant Queues or pick one directly from any of the lists. They will also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies, and will have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding their selection.

Netflix adds another dimension to the Wii console’s diverse online features, which range from downloadable new and classic games in the Wii Shop Channel, to online multiplayer gaming with games like Mario Kart™ Wii, to video highlights and information about titles for the Wii and Nintendo DS™ systems via the Nintendo Channel™.

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