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Friday, August 31, 2007

Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland (shocking) trailer


Why, oh why didn't I take the assortment of red, blue and white pills? Why on earth did Nintendo decide basing a game on Tingle? Why are people getting paid to come up with silly little video game names? Really, why? Answers on a postcard please.

Related posts: The Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass, Runaway DS screens, Orcs & Elves NDS video

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Cave Story Nintendo DS demo

Here's the homebrew platformer that can go head to head with your average commercial offering: Cave Story. What's more, its port for the Nintendo DS is coming along nicely and a free demo has been around for quite some time. Give it a try.

Related posts: Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass, the DsOS GeOS thingy, NDS Arkanoid Paddle

DeSmuME (sort of) emulates the DS on the PSP

Well, don't imagine any touch screen attachments for Sony's shiny handheld, but, still, DeSmuME will sort of allow PSP owners to enjoy some Nintendo DS games, provided of course they can put up with painfully slow frame rates and the distinct lack of a second screen. Oh, and sticking to homebrew wouldn't be such a bad idea either. Actually, not trying to play any games would be an even better idea, even though -admittedly- getting some dirty emulated NDS fun on a PSP screen does sound intriguing enough to give it a try. Click here to download DeSmuME emulator for the PSP.

Related posts: Jean D'Arc UMD demo, PSP Tower Defense freebie, PSP Game Gear emu, Preorder PSP 2000

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Tracks, Labyrinth 2D & other PPC freebies

Apparently it's time for a few more of them dear Pocket PC freeware games. Yes, again. That's the sheer beauty of an open platform you see. Simply follow the link to the PocketProg website and grab BallRebound (a colourfull Breakout clone), the Berzerk-esque Labyrinth2D, FireShoot or even the irritating Tracks puzzler. Oh, and PC gamers of the non-pocket variety might find some freebies too.

Related posts: Crimson Fields, Space Invaders PPC, Respox

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Review Round-up (DS)

Probably the most anticipated Nintendo DS game ever (which by gaming industry standars means for roughly the last couple of years) The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is finally here. Well, almost. But, what's a bit of waiting when Link's first stylus controlled adventure is only a few weeks from reaching our eager hands and Hyrule will soon take over both of Nintendo's portable nifty little screens? Nothing, that's what.

But is it any good, I hear you ask. Of course it is. It's bloody brilliant, filled with dungeons, sporting lovely cell-shaded graphics, featuring Wi-Fi multiplayer gaming and progressing WindWaker's story. Here's a selection of the more important reviews:

Eurogamer (9/10): Stunning controls and graphics. An excellent, fresh yet short (for the franchise's standards, that is) Zelda game and the most complete game on the DS.

CVG (10/10): Not only is Phantom Hourglass testament to the d-pad/analogue-trumping capacity of touch screen control - it's also proof that Nintendo still has what it takes to create real gamers' games. A masterpiece.

GamerZines (10/10): Perfectly intuitive controls, consistently brilliant puzzles, some repetitive gameplay. Gaming on the DS really doesn't get much better than this.

GameBrink (97%): Huge variety of puzzles, wonderful presentation, free exploration, an amazing game bursting with variety unhindered by the mainly touch screen only controls.

According to metacritic.com and GameRankings.com Zelda PH also received a mighty 90% from Games TM and Edge, 94% from Game Master magazine and 95% from NGamer. Probably a safe bet, then...

Related posts: Phantom Hourglass trailer, the freeware Zelda DS, Cool Herders DS, NDS overclocking

New Runaway DS screens

Looks like the DS really is a good platform for adventure games, with many original games (Another Code, Hotel dusk) and even some PC ports, like the upcoming Runaway 2.

To make up for the small screen, in this version you can zoom in on some areas, as you can see in this pictures. Looks good to me :)

Related posts: Viva Pinata DS, Insecticide gameplay video, Phoenix Wright review, Secret Files Tunguska DS

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Jeanne D'Arc free UMD demo (PSP)

Jeanne D'Arc, besides being a rather famous French warmongry lady, is also a promising RPG for the Sony PSP set in a quasi-medieval, historically inspired fantasy world (that would be Europe with dragons, actually). The interesting bit is that you can now grab a free UMD with a demo version of the game and happily be free of any preview-reading need. How? Simple. Just follow this link and it will be more than obvious.

Related posts: Sony PSP 2000 preorders, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus, R-Type Tactics PSP

Monday, August 20, 2007

PSP gets a free Tower Defense game to call its own

Always thought the vicious time-sink that is your average (garden) Tower Defense game would work brilliantly on your average (garden) handheld, and thankfully so thought Danzel, a most talented and generous game designer. Danzel, you see, just released Defence Station Portable for the Sony PSP and it's a rather excellent Tower Defense game, complete with level designer and ..uh.. Windows & Linux ports.

You can grab yourselves a freeware digital copy of the game, watch a most enlightening video and generally find out more about it here.

Related posts: Preorder the Sony PSP 2000, PSPUAE Amiga emulator, Galactic Breakout, N64 PSP

Friday, August 17, 2007

DsOS: a Nintendo DS GeOS (of sorts)

For the people who would truly appreciate a lovely GeOS-like OS thingy on their DS or those that really feel their handheld could use another chat program or some extra multimedia capabilities DsOS should be quite the freebie of their dreams. Find out more about it from the gutter or download a build here.

Related posts: Arkanoid DS, Orcs and Elves NDS video, freeware & homebrew DS games, Contra 4 news

Sony PSP 2000 (a.k.a. Slim, 2.0) available for preorder

Apparently Kotaku (dear, dear Kotaku) first noticed it and now I too am blogging about it. What's it? Well, thing is, the Sony PSP 2000 is already available for preorder over at Amazon.com with a very decent 170$ price-tag. The console will be released on September 10.

Also available for preorder are the seemingly lovelier than the not so exciting console upgrade itself Daxter and Star Wars Battlefront bundles.

Related posts: Game Gear & SMS on the PSP, Dead Head Fred, R-Type Tactics PSP, Firmware 3.5 & homebrew

Saturday, August 11, 2007

The Nintendo DS Arkanoid Paddle

I always believed the stylus, at least the Pocket PC and NDS one, was a pretty decent way to control them Breakout and Arkanoid clones, but apparently Taito had some radically different ideas and I just couldn't agree more with them, despite being one of the few Arkanoid fanboys left on the planet...

Arkanoid DS, you see, will be released (at least in Japan this December) with a most impressive controller that'll happily fit into the DS' GBA cartridge slot and remind everyone of the proper way these games ought to be played: the arcades of yore way. To find out more on said release visit Siliconera and Famitsu.

Related posts: Orcs & Elves Nintendo DS video, Viva Pinata DS, the Lemmings DS freebie, NDS guide to homebrew

Friday, August 10, 2007

Sega Master System & Game Gear emulator for the Sony PSP

SMS Plus PSP is right here. Grab it, it's absolutely free and it will remind you just how impressively some of these 8-bit video games both played and looked. Oh, and don't forget to try Phantasy Star, GGShinobi and of course some classic Sonic the Hedgehog games.

Related posts: PSP Amiga emulation, Galactic Breakout PSP, louder PSP headphones

Thursday, August 09, 2007

The Crimson Fields freeware PPC strategy game

Crimson Fields is a rare breed of game indeed. It's turn-based, hex-based, freeware and released for the Pocket PC. What's more, it features 3 multiplayer modes (including play-by-email), fully supports single-player gaming, offers complete map & campaign editing tools and even has a passable plot. Grab yourselves a copy here.

Related posts: Oric Atmos on the PPC, Machines at War, Warring States Pocket PC, Sky Force

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Orcs & Elves Nintendo DS video


Actually, what you hopefully just watched was the QuakeCon 07 developer walkthrough of the forthcoming Orcs & Elves NDS CRPG we mentioned a few days (or was it weeks?) ago. Looks interesting, doesn't it? Still, Etrian Odyssey (check guttertalk's views on it) ..uh.. still looks like the DS RPG of choice...

Related posts: Orcs & Elves review (phone), Viva Pinata DS, Dragon's Lair DS

The Gameboy Advance (GBA) Hidden Gems

Retro Gaming with racketboy (a hallowed cyber entity apparently) just had to work its magic again and come up with an excellent & extensive selection of the best undiscovered games for the Game Boy Advance. Simply follow this link and find out why Drill Dozer, Wario Land 4, Iridion II and Yggdra Union (to name but a few) are absolutely worth your time.

Oh, and Astro Boy - Omega Factor, the same game


Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Viva Pinata Nintendo DS

Viva Pinata (NOT the party version, the proper game) is coming to the Nintendo DS, as announced by Microsoft owned Rare at Comic-Con '07 and brought to my attention by glorious Kotaku. Apparently it will also feature a lovely top-down perspective. Good news, and I dare foresee this will be quite a hit.
[Update, 8 Aug. 07] And here's a lovely screenshot as discovered by Nebachadnezzar showing the game in all its beauty and 2 screen glory:





















Related posts
: Nintendo DS homebrew selection, Orcs and Elves news, Jam Sessions!, Contra 4 DS

Monday, August 06, 2007

PSPUAE brings Amiga emulation to the PSP

Amiga 500, Commodore's 16-bit powerhouse, was much more than an excellent home computer. It was the best gaming platform mankind had ever experienced and one you too can now hold in your hands (provided you own a Sony PSP, that is). Simply follow this link to PSPUAE, an excellent freeware Amiga emulator for the PSP, and prepare to relive those glorious Sensible Soccer, Lemmings, Shadow of the Beast, Elite and Alien Breed days.

Related posts: free PSP game: Galactic Breakout, PSP wallpapers, R-Type Tactics, ColecoVision PSP emu

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Objection!

Just a quickie here!

While searching the webs for pr0..., errr, stuff, I came across this hilarious gif. Hope no PS3 fanboys get offended ;D