Way back in the day when proverbial dinosaurs roamed the land and life moved at a slower pace than today, Nintendo gave birth to the Gameboy Camera. Primitive and yet strangely popular, the camera gave gamers the ability to snap grainy 128x112 resolution photos and print them on the aptly named Gameboy Printer. Other than the Sega DreamEye camera which was released for the Dreamcast a few years ago, no other game-hardware-related cameras have made it to market. Until now.
Translated as "a little shot," Chotto Shot is the name of Sony's 1.3 megapixel digital camera accessory for the PSP which plugs into the USB port on top of the unit. The camera takes photos at a resolution of 480×272 and 640×480 with quality that's acceptable for everyday shots of squirrels, blue skies, stormy clouds, or donut eaters. For movie makers, the camera spools in video with a resolution of 480 x 272 at 30 fps. The camera can take macro photos at a distance of 7cm or standard photos at a range of 40cm to infinity focus. A built-in mic also picks up audio when taking home movies. Sony bundles Chotto Edit software with the camera which may be used to create photo albums and slide shows. Chotto Edit also allows users to add 47 effects and filters as well as text to photos. Prospective consumers may check out some videos made with the Chotto Shot on the software developer's website, including this unfortunate video of a Japanese bloke and a helpless banana. «Chotto Shot Specs»
One day, Kirby is sitting in a field about to gobble up a slice of strawberry shortcake when it disappears. Looking around in bewilderment, Kirby soon realizes there's been a robbery and the pink puff of a beast rushes off to retrieve his good eats.
Kirby appears in another side scrolling platform action game which doesn't use the stylus in the platform hopping action although the mini-games do require it. The pink hero uses trademark moves such as inhaling air to capture enemies and then spitting them out like projectiles. Kirby may also jump up to gain lift and loft higher by pressing the jump button again where he turns into a pink balloon capable of flight... «NCS Game Notes»
Japanese cook Nahomi Edamoto has few contemporaries in America with whom NCS can compare her too. She's not as bubbly and wacky as Rachel Ray nor is she a mogul like Martha Stewart. We'd best describe her as a matronly dame who makes the rounds at Japanese television programs, writes cooking articles, and occasionally sits in on panels of general interest. In Nahomi's latest venture, the cook lends her name to a collection of Japanese recipes where NDS users may learn the proper preparation, cooking, and presentation techniques for over 50 dishes. To practice the creation of the meals, players may engage in mini-games which teach cutting, frying, and other kitchen procedures. «more»
The whistle screeches and the low hum of the crowd sounds out as the challenge begins. Two warriors stand at the center of the battlefield and ownership of the ball is decided with foot action. Kick the orb to a comrade and dribble it like a pro as teammates motor to the goal. Once in position, strike like a man fevered with delirium and watch as the missile flies like Balder's arrow bounces off the outstretched arms of a defender. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. For 90 regulation minutes.
The Nintendo DS version of World Soccer Winning Eleven sacrifices graphical sheen for a fast moving game where the D-pad and face buttons controls all aspects of the on-field antics. «NCS Game Notes»
Someone used the top of a jet black Nintendo DS Lite as a soccer play scribble pad and lucky consumers get to pay a dear price for the gold-inked chicken scratches, arrows, circles, and the occasional text such as "Goal!" and "Jockeying." NCS' collective opinion is that the unit looks a frightful mess but there might be an audience for such a stylized rendition of the DS Lite. Slightly slimmer and sleeker than the swarthy girth of the current Nintendo DS, the Lite measures 133 x 73.90 x 21.50 mm (L x W x H) or 5.23 x 2.90 x 0.84" for us yanks. For comparison's sake, the original NDS rang in at 148.70 × 84.70 × 28.9mm or 5.85 x 3.33 x 1.13" stateside. The NDS Lite tips the scale at 218g or 0.48 lbs compared to the original NDS' 275g.
Hori caters to the DS Lite crowd by releasing a carrying pouch which looks like a wallet but holds much more inside. In addition to encompassing an entire NDS Lite unit, the Wallet Pouch also features pockets to hold three DS cards, a slot for a stylus, and an inner pocket that may be used to hold cash, coins, or a GBA cartridge.
The Wallet Pouch is made of a fabric known as Cordura, which as the manufacturer DuPont claims, is:
» 10x more durable than cotton duck
» 3X more durable than standard polyester
» 2x more durable than standard nylon
We're guessing "standard" polyester and nylon refer to untreated fabrics. Based on the durability of Cordura, wear and tear appears to be a thing of the past with the Wallet Pouch DS Lite. Cue the trumpets and release the doves...
In Shadow of the Colossus or Wanda to Kyouzou as the game was known in Japan, players took control of a valiant hero who took on the mission of defeating colossi that lorded over a land. Seeking to resurrect a sacrificed maiden and compelled by a disembodied voice to venture forth and strike down the colossi, the hero performs his task with a sword and a faithful steed...
Instead of celebrating the hero of the game, Kotobukiya fetes the first Colossus that attacked with a heavy cudgel and stomped around in an attempt to destroy the hero of the game. The mighty colossus is mounted on a replica stone slab where its haunches are seemingly coiled and ready for action. The beast measures 195mm or 7.67" tall and looks imposing with its dark demeanor and furrowed brow. The sculpt from Shinsukei Kataoka is excellent with detailed ridges, grooves, and ripples throughout the body of the monster. On the ground in front of the Colossus is a tiny figure of the hero who raises his sword defiantly.
Pricing is set at Y10,290 or US$110 from NCS and the coldcast is fully assembled and pre-painted. All preorders are shipping today.
When saiyan fight and pummel each other with turbo-powered punches and massive blasts, their arms and hands wave around with lively animation. Goku gesticulates like a champ when it's time to pull off the mighty Kamehameha. Late last year, Bandai released a TV game which used a motion sensor and hand transmitters to detect a player's punches and special attacks.
This year, DBZ loving couch potatoes and active fans alike will move their hands and act out attacks again with the DBZ tv game sequel. The hand transmitters are again used to relay a player's physical motion into virtual attacks. Housed in a compact box with plugs for the AC adapter and A/V cables, Bandai's new game uses Xavix technology to detect motion. When faced with an opponent on screen, pump your right fist forward and a punch will be thrown like magic. Pump again to chain a double punch. To squeeze out a laser blast, throw both hands forward with palms facing outwards and a streaming path of destructive light emanates forth. Additional moves may be performed by waving, shoving, thrusting, and other lively hand jive clowning.
Way back in the day when proverbial dinosaurs roamed the land and life moved at a slower pace than today, Nintendo gave birth to the Gameboy Camera. Primitive and yet strangely popular, the camera gave gamers the ability to snap grainy 128x112 resolution photos and print them on the aptly named Gameboy Printer. Other than the Sega DreamEye camera which was released for the Dreamcast a few years ago, no other game-hardware-related cameras have made it to market. Until now.
