My Flipnote Studios Creations

This is definitely my best of the three I have made so far. I only uploaded this one to Flipnote Hatena (click for my profile) but I will make a few more or post my other ones later and update this post.

Scribblenauts Has a Level Editor

If you couldn't tell by my previous post, I absolutely love in-game editors. If the game concept is fun, ala Boom Blox, then creating your own levels extends the life of a game immensely. Kotaku just announced that Scibblenauts will also have a level editor and a way for you to share your level creations with other DS owning friends.

To top it off, as if this news isn't already awesome enough, you can actually customize the relationship between items in the game. So if you were to build a level with a large body of water you could make all fish afraid of water. And for some odd reason, you could make a tiger your only option to get across the ocean. Not sure why you'd want to do that, maybe it was a bad example, but the limitations are endless.

Trust me when I tell you I will be playing this game at E3 and giving you some hands-on impressions. It might be the only game I write anything about specifically.

Scribblenauts: Elephants and Bazooka Fun

For those of you who may have missed it Joystiq recently had an interview with Jeremiah Slaczka. If you aren't sure who he is he's the Creative Director at 5th Cell, the company behind the new DS game Scribblenauts.

Well enough of an introduction, it's time to talk about the point of this post, the awesomeness that will be Scribblenauts. If you don't remember skip to the bottom of this post to see the embedded trailer of the game.

In his interview with Joystiq Jerimiah answered a question about emergent experiences they've found so far in development of the game. Below is his answer:

Have any items turned out to have emergent uses in-game that you didn't expect?

Oh, all the time. Last week someone gave a bazooka to an elephant, who picked it up with its trunk, and then Maxwell threw a rock at the elephant to see what would happen. Of course the elephant got upset and started shooting randomly to defend itself. It wasn't very accurate - it's an elephant using its trunk to shoot a bazooka after all. But after all those explosions Maxwell didn't survive the ordeal. Still it was pretty funny though.

Here is the trailer in case you forgot.

Nintendo DSi Info Video, P.S. I've Got Mine Reserved

As you can tell by my Twitter post (in the upper right of the page) I have now successfully pre-ordered my Nintendo DSi system. If you aren't aware of all the really cool features that the new handheld has then be sure and watch this video.



April can't get here soon enough.

[Update:]
I also found this video that proves to everyone that a DSi is a necessity.

Scribblenauts: Simply Awesome Potential

I think this video says it all. Well, all but this one statement that I am about to make, "This is the type of game the DS was made for."

99 Lives in Contra IV - Konami Code

So you may remember how I tricked you a few days back to make you think the Konami Code worked in the new Contra IV. It was for your own good you know, that's what trainers are for, to make you stronger. Well it turns out there is a way to actually use that code in Contra IV and get a similar result to the Konami Code in the original. It may be a little bit trickier to pull off but it is pretty simple once you complete it once. Below you will see the steps to getting 99 lives (even better than the 30 you got in Contra) and most likely never having to waste a continue in Contra IV again.

1. On Stage 1 get to the middle boss (the one up top on the rail) and die a few times until you use a continue.


2. You will then restart in the middle of the stage just before the middle boss.


3. Perform the Konami Code. (Start ( Up - Up - Down - Down - Left - Right - Left - Right - B - A) Start )


4. Kill the middle boss (P.S. you can get in the gun after you kill it).


5. Get to the stage boss (the one with the single red eye and single sniper).


6. Kill the sniper on top.


7. Shoot the red center 49 times with your pea shooter.


8. Die until your life counter shows 00 life.


9. Standing in front of the red center eye shoot and press start immediately after (you will pause with the bullet in the air headed towards the Red Eye).


10. Perform the Konami Code for the second time.


11. You should then see your life meter showing 99 lives

Essentially what this does is kill you with the Konami Code while your bullet is paused in the air. So you effectively die at the same time there is a new animation loading the second stage of the boss. So your live meter gets jumbled and rather than ending the game it resets your life meter to the next option, 99 lives. If you need help by watching something, below you will see the video demonstration.

Konami Code in Contra IV

If any of you out there purchased Contra IV for the DS, and you certainly should if you haven't yet, then you may have been wondering if the Konami Code works for this new version of the series. The Konami Code was first made famous by the original Contra back in the NES days and has now become the most popular and widely known cheat code in the gaming industry. Just ask around, there are plenty of people who know the code and would not be classified as gamers.

With Contra IV being as difficult as it is it could be handy for some of you out there to play the game with 30 lives rather than the default five. So in order to be a good Gaming Trainer I thought it would be a good idea to figure out when to use the code and make sure you get the best gaming tips. This will help make you the best gamer you can be. After all, that's one of the perks of visiting the Game Gym.

In the original Contra you had to insert the code before the title screen opened and the "press start" message appeared. Well try as you may, and some of you may have, but that code won't work there in Contra IV. Instead, try entering the code after you have started a game and it has been paused. If you have forgetten the Konami Code then here it is:

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start

I would recommend not trying this though until you get fairly far along in the game. Hey, what are good trainers for huh? To make you better. Ennnnjoyyyyyyyy...

Picross Marketing Got Me

Nintendo's (if it was even them who did it) marketing worked on me. I heard tell of a certain new Nintendo DS game that was released this week called Picross. It's a new puzzle game with similarities to Brain Age and Sudoku. A new website was made available this week to coincide with the game's release that allows you to try the game using the Wii Web Browser. Head on over to WiiPicross to play the game yourself on your computer or hit it up on your Wii. One way or another, I fell in love with the demo online and now I am heading to EB Games today to pick up the game for my 24 hours car ride to Canada next week.

The best part about this game though is you can create your own puzzles simply by drawing shapes and designs using the stylus and the game alters the image into a Picross puzzle. So if you ever need a new challenging puzzle you can always close your eyes, draw some lines on the screen (or have a friend do it), and then turn it into a puzzle. This is all done at the awesome Touch Generations price of $19.99.

Call of Duty 4 on the DS, Potential Greatness

Well it took me a while to get back to my topic about good DS games at E3, since I have been playing Mario Strikers since Wednesday, but I would like to inform everyone of the greatness that could be Call of Duty 4 for the Nintendo DS. There is a great video and interview over at IGN if you want to read up a little more about it. The main thing getting me excited for the game are the graphics and the controls. The game controls very similarly to Metroid Prime Hunters for the DS and the graphics, for a system with lower specs, looks fantastic. There are huge 3-D environments and great looking explosions. The most impressive thing about this game is the massive amount of action happening on the screen at any one time. At one time in the trailer there is a helicopter getting shot down and you really feel immersed in the game, and it's just a trailer.

One reason I am so impressed from one trailer and interview about a game is the fact that I trust the development team. The team making this game is the team that made Geist for the Nintendo Gamecube, n-space. That game's single player was only ok mostly because the team couldn't decide if it should be an FPA (Metroid Prime, Bio Shock) or an FPS (Goldeneye, Halo). The game controlled like a dream and the multiplayer was fantasic. I know Call of Duty will be more of an action game, the best elements from Geist, based on the way the series has been treated in the past. So n-space can concentrate on the things that matter most, war killing gun shooting action.

Nintendo DS E3 Gems

I was initially quite disappointed with the E3 showing of the Nintendo DS (aside from Zelda of course), but after doing some searching around I have actually found two very impressive looking titles, not to mention Advance Wars DS 2 that was announced secretly. The first of these titles is a game version of the classic Looney Toons cartoon Duck Amuck and the second one I will be discussing tomorrrow.

The basis of the cartoon Duck Amuck was when an artist continued to erase and re-draw Daffy Duck. This new game, from the creators of the new Contra 4 game for the DS, is basically the same concept except you are the artist. You can erase certain parts of Daffy's body and draw new parts for various effects, record new voice-overs with the microphone, and when you close the DS Daffy will continue to talk to you while you press the L and R buttons to control his voice. These are exactly the types of crazy things the DS needs more of, unique uses for the unique device. Now how this will all make for a full game environment is still yet to be seen, but with these ideas could you really go wrong.

Facial Training From Nintendo

This is some awesomely crazy news. Just when you thought Nintendo couldn't get any weirder, they surprise us again. Today the company announced they have a new game in the works called Face Training. This game goes perfectly with all the "casual" games they have created since the launch of the Nintendo DS and Wii. Basically you use a newly released camera, inserted into the GBA slot, to practice facial expressions. The constant movement of your facial muscles is suppose to make your skin more elastic and lessen wrinkles.

I can say a few things about this game, 1) the DS's dual screens should be a perfect fit for this game, 2) there is a legitimate chance I will not be buying this game, and 3) this could be one of the weirdest games to ever reach the million-seller mark. I'm just curious how they're going to make the game any fun. And will there be multiplayer?

The Next Nintendo Portable

The next Nintendo handheld system holds a lot of potential. Considering the incredible success of the current DS Lite I personally don't see the next DS system being announced until 2009, but let's talk about the possibilities anyway. First off let me just say that the system needs to maintain a cartridge-based platform, portable systems should never have loading screens and constantly spinning a disc is a total battery eater. What I would like to see is a single slot that can hold DS games, DS2 games, and SD cards. This would be similar to most SD Card Readers for PCs that allow multiple sizes of SD cards to be inserted into a single slot. I would only like to see this, however, if the DS2 has some form of internal memory. This would allow you to store DS demos for longer periods of time, photos, music, and perhaps even an internal web browser. If there is no internal memory than I would prefer two slots, one strictly designed for SD storage.

Another thing that needs to happen is the system must be more powerful. Now I'm not asking for Xbox 360 graphics here, let's be serious, but I would like to at least have the option for PSP-level graphics or higher. Each screen should be of nicer quality and boast higher resolutions. With better graphics would come the second touch-screen, both of which could detect multiple touches at a time for iPhone-type control. You always see people touching that second screen, why not just make it work.

The last upgrade would be in regards to the online functionality. I think the DS2 should also boast the Channel system that the Wii currently uses but allow it to connect with cellular technology. I would go into more detail but I think IGN's Matt Cassamassina said it quite well. His response below:

I'm reaching for the stars here, I know, but gaming on the go should really be connected gaming on the go -- not just at Wi-Fi spots, but everywhere. With broadband wireless networks emerging even now, there's no reason Nintendo couldn't partner with a Cingular or a Verizon to make this a reality. As an added bonus, such a feature would immediately provide to DS the same Channels-like system enhancing Wii. You could turn on your DS to read the news, check the weather, communicate with friends, and much more, all while driving with your family to your vacation spot of choice.

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Trick

So I was playing Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow the other day on the way to work since I still haven't beaten the unlockable Julius Mode. I am a decent way along but I still need to beat it all the way; not to mention the fact that I haven't even started Hard Mode. But that's another tale altogether. While playing my saved file of Julius Mode I discovered a neat little trick during my attempts at beating Death (the grim reaper looking boss). At this point in the game you will not only have Julius Belmont as a playable character but Yoko Belnades and Alucard (sweet vampire character). By pressing the X button you can switch between characters on the fly. The nice part about this transfer from one character to another is that you become invulnerable for about a full second. This may not seem like much time to those who haven't played the game before but, trust me, using this tactic with the right timing can be a total life-saver.

Wii & DS Summer Game Release Dates

Nintendo this morning sent out a press release announcing its summer release schedule for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS. Some major titles on the list include:

Wii:
Aug. 20 - Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Aug. 14 - Madden NFL ‘08
August - Tiger Woods PGA Tour ‘08
September - Battalion Wars 2

DS:
Aug. 20 - Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day
Aug. 14 - Heroes of Mana
Sept. 10 - DK Jungle Climber Nintendo
Sept. 24 - Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol
(Source: games, gaming,

Shouldn't It Have Been The Wii, Then The DS?

Ok, so this has been rattling around my head for the last few days and I need to get it out there. It’s nothing totally ground breaking, it just seems a little backwards in my book. Typically when a company, let’s take Sony for instance, creates a new product it tends to work on the home console front first and then moves along to making a portable version of that system a few years later. Sony did so with the PSP, a portable version of the PS2, while Nintendo made the Gameboy, essentially a portable version of the NES. Now I may be working in very general terms here with claims that the Gameboy and PSP are just portable versions of their console counterparts, but the similarities are certainly there. I mean, come on, PSP actually stands for Playstation Portable.

I just wanted to make mention of the fact that Nintendo seems to be working backwards in regards to the DS and Wii. Nintendo broke new ground with the DS in hopes it could create something new in the portable market. When the DS became such a success they decided to create the Wii, a home console with many similarities to the DS. Obviously, the Wii is a far more capable machine than the DS, but if things had been reversed and the Wii came first, the DS would be the perfect accompaniment to Nintendo’s new system. As a gamer I can only sit back and wait until the Wii hits the same stride that the DS hit a year after its release.