Nintendo DSi XL vs. Amazon Kindle: Which device is the better e-book reader?
The $189 Nintendo DSi XL is set to hit American shores on March 28th, after being the plaything of Japanese gamers since November (where its known as the Nintendo DSi LL). With the Nintendo DSi being able to double as an eBook reader one can think that the larger feel and screen of the Nintendo DSi XL would make it an even better system for reading on the go and, perhaps, be more versatile than the Amazon Kindle. Let’s do some comparisons.
Review: Twin Blades (XBLIG)
Considering the amount of coverage we’ve given Press Start Studio’s Twin Blades: The Reaping Vanguard (which tackled the initial announcement of the Xbox Live Indie Game port, and later the interview with Philippe Rapin, co-founder of Press Start Studio), I believe it high time that I turn a critical eye toward the game itself.
Twin Blades puts you in the role of an insanely cute large-eyed, anime-inspired nun that has 31 days to rid the town of a zombie infestation. If you’re looking for a story, there is none. In fact, the only reason that I know that I had 31 days to eradicate the undead menace was due to a between-level blurb that asked if I could survive that length of time. Ultimately, the game is about slaying zombies and it does that quite well–but not without some polarizing faults.
SNK Playmore announces King of Fighters XIII
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: King of Fighters XII is one of the most misunderstood video games of 2009. Sure the roster and movesets were sacrificed to the grand god of high-resolution 2D sprites, but SNK Playmore built a remarkably fun fighting engine that made up for some of the game’s shortcomings. It especially excelled when battling a bud in 2P mode.
Those that were very much disappointed in King of Fighters XII are hoping that SNK Playmore bounces back with King of Fighters XIII, which Kotaku reports runs on the Taito X2 arcade system board. SNK Playmore is expected to release deets next month.
Instead of simply included redrawn versions of series staples, I would love of SNK Playmore took more of a Neo Geo Battle Coliseum approach by including not only its own characters (such as Geese Howard), but also fighters from other non-SNK Playmore Neo Geo fighters (such as brawlers from World Heroes).
[Hat tip: Kotaku]
TimeWasters: Sushi Cat
TimeWasters highlights many of the excellent Web-based/lightweight downloadable titles that you can dive into within the space of a lunch break. This week, Chris Gampat explores Sushi Cat.
For those of us with an epic case of, “teh noms” you may want to check out Sushi Cat. It’s the first TimeWaster I’ve done in a while that has actually made me smile as the game is very cute and satisfies at the same time.
Nintendo DS patent reveals virtual steering wheel
Remember when you were a young’un playing Rad Racer, Mario Kart, or (sigh!) Burnout how you’d tilt and rotate the controller as though the action would actually lean you into corners? It didn’t make logical sense as the d-pad or analog sticks controlled movement, but it just felt, so, so right.
Nintendo, which has as the remarkable ability to understand and implement technologies that cater to the human desire to be more physically interactive with video games, looks to make your childhood desires a reality. There’s much patent mumbo jumbo in the finding dug up by GoRumors, but it this new Nintendo DS/DSi/DS XLwould be an undoubtedly cool feature for those with flexible wrists among us.
[ Hat tip: GoRumors]
First Impressions: The Legend of Vraz
We’ve been following The Legend of Vraz since it was first announced, and now that it is finally released, quality PC time has been spent with the game. I’ve gotten through most of the first section of the game so far and have played enough to give you my first impressions and thoughts on the game vs. what I was expecting.
Review: Sands of Destruction (DS)
After spending quite some time with SEGA’s Sands of Destruction for the Nintendo DS, I can give you a verdict: Good, but should be loads better. I found myself saying, “What the hell?!” often actually. That’s exactly what I’ve felt in many spots within the game. While the gameplay value in between the millions of cut-scenes is really solid, there are still too many cinematics and the ending may leave you scratching your head.
Mimeo and The Kleptopus King takes you on a 2D video game history lesson
Neo-retro titles are all the rage these days as developers that were once enamored with the old school games of yore now have a chance to create their very own on the cheap. In most cases, games such as Mega Man 10 duplicates the aesthetics of video games from a particular era, but very few attempt to capture the look and feel of multiple eras.
Mimeo and The Kleptopus King, an upcoming 2D hop-n-bop Mario clone for the iPhone/iPod touch, does just that. When cartridge power ups are acquired it doesn’t effect the player character, but the world around him. The power ups will transform the environments from 2-bit to 4-bit to 8-bit and, ultimately, 16-bit. Switching between the different 2D video game eras alters the enemy behavior and level design, so there’s a bit of puzzle gaming involved as well to complete stages.
Touch Arcade as a Vimeo of Mimeo that’s worth checking out. Yup, a Vimeo of Mimeo. That makes me giggle.
[Hat tip: Touch Arcade]
Sonic 4 photo leak reveals classic Dr. Robotnik
Some new screen shots of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 were leaked showing Dr. Robotnik doing what he does best: riding about in flying contraptions and menacing fuzzy creatures.
Remember how annoying he could be when facing off against him in the old school Sonic games? Well, we’re proud to tell you that your old nemesis looks like he hasn’t aged a day. He’s also still building those weird machines to get his dirty work done.
It’ll be interesting to see just how complicated and smart he’s become since the Genesis days. You used to just have to jump off of springs and come down hard on him a couple of times to take him out. Has the old doctor never heard of extra armor?
Street Fighter IV for iPhone price and roster details
A little over a week ago we brought you news of Street Fighter IV for iPhone. Well, after days of speculation, GamePro has brought us video of the game in action and from what I can tell, March can add one more kickass release to its roster.
Slated to hit the iPhone and iPod touch sometime in March, Street Fighter IV for iPhone will run gamers $9.99 and features 7 characters from the classic series (Ryu, Ken, Guile, Blanka, Chun-Li, Dhalsim, M. Bison) along with Abel, a new addition to the franchise.
We have yet to test drive the app for ourselves here at 2D-X but judging by the released gameplay footage, Street Fighter for iPhone allows gamers to utilize Apple’s touch-screen interface rather effortlessly and seems to integrate the same engine that made it successful on the Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles.
Check out the video for yourself here and tell us what you think. We’ll keep you posted on any new developments.
[Hat tip: GamePro]
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