Throw that new DS Lite out and enjoy Tetris on the big screen (no, not a cinema screen) with these TV Tetris controllers. Just connect them directly to your TV and you’re ready to either have some solo marathon fun or compete head to head with someone you don’t like. If you don’t find that particularly impressive, just look at the controllers!
Century Direct has launched the perfect item for Wii addicts going on vacation. The CY-997 is a portable device you can attach your Nintendo Wii to, and play games on the move without a television. It has a 7″ LCD screen, and a built-in sensor bar and speakers, so this neat little white box is all you need to start gaming. The unit weighs 880g, and the lid is folded for travel in a similar fashion to laptops and portable DVD players. The CY-997 is available in Japan for 14,800 yen ($125/£62).
Sega is set to release a Doraemon game for the Wii. The game will bring Fujiko F. Fujio’s character to life in a “boardgame-styled video game”. Expect a mini-game extravaganza in Japan this winter.
Head over to 1up for an array of photos from the World Hobby Fair held in Tokyo last weekend. If I had a hat shaped like a DS I would never take it off.
Ah Japan, the brilliant fusion of old and new. What’s better than using your Nintendo DS to brush up on your Origami? Minagara Oreru DS Origami is released in Japan this year on 8th September.
Famitsu Marketing Data Service has released figures stating that Nintendo has just hit 10 million sales of their DS Lite console. Despite still being difficult to find in shops, 702,844 units were sold last month alone. I think that makes it officially the best thing in the world. Yeah, pretty sure it is. Unless anyone can think of anything better?
Some inventive oddbod has successfully fitted a fully functioning Windows XP PC inside an old Nintendo Gameboy. The device can be connected to a monitor via a normal VGA port, while you can browse the Internet using the built-in network connection. What’s more, they’ve added two USB ports and replaced the A and B buttons with LEDs showing power and activity. Windows XP is installed on a Compact Flash card that’s conveniently inserted into the Gameboy’s cart slot.
Next step is hopefully a nice new built-in LCD colour screen.
Tadashii Kanji Kakitori-kun is a new Nintendo DS game that’s been created to help Japanese school kids brush up on their kanji skills. Teaching stroke order through animation, you simply copy the kanji using the stylus, and are scored on neatness and appearance. Both reading and writing are taught through a series of quizzes and games. Sounds great for non-Japanese speakers wanting to learn the basics.
Tadashii Kanji Kakitori-kun was released in Japan on Thursday (5th April).
Another item to add to the “I wish they actually sold these” pile - the Famicom guitar. It’s not actually a console with some strings stuck onto it, but is in fact completely made of wood. Oh, and it’s called the Family Comguitar, which isn’t particularly catchy if you ask me. Although, I can’t actually think of anything better. Oh well. Take a look at the steps it took to create so you don’t even think about trying it yourself.
Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings will be released in Japan on 26th April, and what better system to play it on than a special edition Final Fantasy XII DS Lite. Released on the same day as the game, it’ll no doubt sell out stupidly quick, much like previous versions have.
Head over to 4 color rebellion for a great story on how Animal Crossing has been banned at a school due the kids spending all their time looking up tips online rather than studying.
Time to get out your new diary, as the date for this year’s Tokyo Game Show was announced by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association today. The world’s largest video game software and hardware convention will be held from 20-23 September at the Makuhari Messe convention centre in Chiba. The event is the largest of its kind open to the public, and due to the world’s fast-growing video game industry, will last a day longer than usual. The Tokyo Game Show has been held annually since 1996.
Looking enough like a Nintendo DS to grab your attention, but not enough so as to avoid any legal issues, this new phone strap from StrapYa allows you to play Tetris on the move. Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that, I meant to say it allows you to play “Block Game” on the move. The Revolve strap also features such legally titled classics such as “Shooting Game” and “Frog Game”.
Hang one of ten colours on your phone for 270 yen (£1.14/$2.23).