Losers, the new old console, piracy and online stores in this week’s Nintendo news roundup.

Sackboy to the rescue?
The writer talks about how the PSP is coping up with the DS’ success. Sony is saying that 2009 will be a big year for the portable console. Hope that they live up to that promise.

Nintendo DSi: the ultimate lifestyle accessory?
More hype about the April release of the DSi. The article basically talks about the DSi’s features. Be sure to reserve one before the third of April.

PS3 price drop and a new PSP?
There are talks of Sony coming out with a new PS3 console that would not play Blue-ray. That would significantly drop its price but then again is it new or just a newly packaged PS2?

Nintendo points finger at pirate countries, asks for help
Nintendo has asked the global armada’s help in their fight against pirates. Nintendo has listed Korea, China, Mexico, Spain, Paraguay and Brazil as the countries with large concentration of pirating activities.

Nintendo brings gamers together, Keeps systems apart
With the arrival of the DSi comes DSiWare. This is separate from the WiiWare. The writer asks why Nintendo made a separate system instead of incorporating the new one with the existing WiiWare store.

My aunt makes the most delicious cakes in the world. But presentation-wise, her cakes are dull. Maybe these cakes I found on the net can inspire her to create one in the future. Here are the top six cake designs in random order.

Wii Remote
Flickr user Jenguin made this cake with fondant. Maybe she can improve on the scale the next time.

More cakes after the jump. Read more »

Hype is building up for the release of Ghostbusters for the Wii. It is scheduled for a June 2009 launch. Hopefully everything goes well and the game would not be delayed. Atari has released some screenshots of the game. Judging from the looks of things, GB Wii appears to be good.

More Photos after the jump. Read more »

There are lots of Bejewelled clones out there but Puzzle Quest is the only one that incorporates it with role playing. The original Puzzle Quest was released in 2007 and a good number of gamers were addicted with its gameplay that’s a good mixture of quests, leveling, item creation, monster fight and of course, gem matching.

After you’ve chosen your pilot type, you’ll be doing a couple of tutorial missions to familiarize the players with its gameplay. This involves doing missions and side quests to gain experience along the journey in the huge Galactrix universe.

Players of Bejewelled would find the puzzle in Galactrix to be harder. Gems would replenish in different directions. You also have to look at your hull and your shields. But that does not mean that it is not fun. There are lots of elements in the game that would keep you playing it for hours.

I spend more time with the DS than the Wii. This portable gaming console is my companion whenever I commute or while waiting in line. Your idle time would pass like a breeze with a DS at hand. But the time has come for me to part ways with my DS.

April 5 marks the end of the DS era. This should be marked in your calendars as date the DS Lite would become obsolete. The DSi is 10 times cooler and better than your current DS. If you want to know why then continue on reading.

Two is Better Than One

The DSi comes with two built in cameras. This is a feature not found in the previous DS versions. It also comes with software that lets you manipulate the photo taken with the portable console. Some games in the near future would use the camera as an input device. It would be another gaming experience to look forward to.

Sounds Solid

The DSi features the Nintendo Sound Application which lets users record audio and play black music with it. The means you can use the DSi to play music saved in a SD card. It would play even if the cover is closed. That’s making your DSi into a portable music player as well.

Download Fun

The DSi will have its version of Wiiware with DSiware. If you have accumulated enough DSi Points, you’ll be able to download applications and games directly to your portable console. That means you have access to new games and contents in an instant.

Retro Games

For those of you who have a huge catalog of DS games then you’ll be glad to know that the DSi is compatible with most of the DS games ever made. That means that you don’t even have to buy new ones and play your old favorite games with the DSi.

The DSi is a new and improved version of the DS portable console. It is a little bit thinner and loaded with new features that gamers would enjoy. These are just four reasons why you should trade in your old DS for a DSi.

Next gen console, a sequel, new fantasy and still remaining on top in this week’s Nintendo News roundup.

Nintendo’s Third-Generation DSi Is Expected in April
Nintendo DSi will be going to North America this April. Finally, they can experience what the fuzz is all about.

Nintendo’s Wii Getting Robocalypse Sequel
The surprise TS hit for the DS will be going to the Wii. The sequel has been in the works since December of last year.

FF Echoes of Time Wii/DS in EU March
The latest addition to the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles franchise will finally be made available for the European market this March. DS and Wii gamers in Europe would be happy to know that the game has a feature that lets DS players connect with the Wii.

Nintendo Rules Across the Gaming Board: NPD January Data
This has been the news since last year. There are no signs that the other consoles can catch up with the Wii any time soon.

It’s already been a decade since the first Metal Slug arcade game. I remember the time I used to play it after classes and felt proud of finishing the game with a single token. That was quite an accomplishment for me.

Fast forward to the present, I finally got hold Metal Slug 7 for the DS. For this edition, players get three new rides. There’s the Slug Gigant, which is a robot that features a powerful wave cannon. Then there’s the Slug Gunner, which is a mobile suit that players can easily control and has great fire power. Last but definitely not the least is the Slug Truck. This might be the most powerful vehicle in the history of Metal Slug. The Slug Truck lets players place additional cannons.

Another new feature introduced to the franchise is the Rush Blaster System. This lets the player string together attacks to bring up the Rush Blaster gauge up. The gauge has 4 stages, which are double, quadruple, times eight and times sixteen. The player’s score will be multiplied according to the Rush Blaster gauge.

Read more »

Wii games occupy the top three spots in the games chart. Still number one is Wii Fit and it’s followed by Wii Play and Mario Kart Wii. As you can see, there are more people being converted into gamers each day. But who plays the Wii?

The Wii provides people a way to enjoy and compete with others. It is the perfect party console. Plus it is more affordable than other gaming consoles. I got a confession to make though. I have paid no attention to my Wii for almost a month now. I spend most of my time I front of my PC because of work and World of Warcraft. Then when I’m offline, I’m playing with my DS or the PS3. A guildie from WOW sold her Wii and bought a DS instead. Her reason was that the Wii is not that fun as she thought it would be.

Wii might enjoy retail success but did it manage to convert gamers to its favor? I think not. Most third party games don’t translate well in the Wii. Based on my own experience, Nintendo published games are the ones that bring the most fun. Maybe I’m just old fashioned and can’t learn how to use the Wiimote properly. Have you been playing with your Wii? Or are you like me who stuck with other consoles?

I love graffiti art. And when their subject is Nintendo then it makes it more special. These are just some street art that I’ve seen in the Internet that show various Nintendo characters.

If anyone knows the location of these, let me know. I would gladly appreciate it.

Same old Wii news, SK console wars, SA market, Yo Joe, and the biggest slacker in this week’s Nintendo news roundup.

Nintendo Wii Continues to Dominate Console Market, Xbox 360 Stagnates, PlayStation 3 Becomes Victim of Economic Recession
The Wii still dominates while the other consoles are experiencing hardships due to the global recession. What’s surprising is that the Wii enjoyed record sales even when the other consoles introduced price cuts.

C3 Special: South Korean Wii Update
Koreans have embraced the DS but it looks like the Wii will have a hard time penetrating the PC gaming crazy South Korean market.

Nu Metro Interactive Distributes Capcom Catalogue in South Africa
Capcom announced that Nu Metro Interactive has exclusive right for the South African market. That means it will be responsible for the release of MotoGP and Neopets in the region later this year.

EA Developing GI JOE
The real American heroes will hit the DS and Wii just in time for the movie’s release date. The GI Joe game will not be based on the movie but there will be elements to be taken from it.

The Game Factory Selects “Protector” as Biggest Slacker for Job with No Responsibility
Game Factory gave the King of Cubicles position to a guy whose job is to do nothing. He was also given a monthly salary, electric car, business cards, a Wii and various Game Factory games. I want his job!