jordan

Unfortunately, all we can say is that both Ultimate Brain Games and Ultimate Card Games will have online support. Beyond that, whatever this online feature will contain will have to wait until E3 when Telegames is ready to talk about it. But I will say that both Ultimate games were awesome GBA titles that fit the system extremely well. The developers of those games are working on the DS editions, and if they can do what they did for the GBA on the DS, I think we're looking at excellent potential on the dual screen system. Sure, you can already play Chess and Checkers against thousands of people online, for free, on sites like Yahoo Games, there's something to be said about being able to do it from pretty much anywhere you want (within hotspot reason) without the need for hundreds of dollars of computer equipment.

-- Craig

I have heard some rumors that the DS was just a test console and was just their to combat sony's PSP and also that the real new gameboy was coming out at E3. Do you know anything about this?

Chad

If I had a dollar for every email I get that starts, "I heard that..." Where do you guys hear these things anyway? First of all, there's certainly a chance a "new" Game Boy will debut at E3, but more along the lines of a tweaked and upgraded model of the GBA...not the next generation. But that's not anywhere near official. Number two, the DS is a "test" in the sense that it's trying a new control and display mechanic in a very traditional-oriented market. Its success depends on developers creating the right games for the system. But yes, you're right, I'm positive Nintendo quickly brought the DS to market in order to water down the splash of the PSP. It's certainly helped Nintendo, as the DS is currently outselling the more expensive, more powerful system...but that can change with one or two of the right moves on Sony's part.

-- Craig

how come every 3d game on the ds is so boxy?

ringring1\\

Considering there are currently like three games that are 3D on the system, it's easy to say "every" game...but it's really down to two things: system power, and experience with the hardware. If the system's still around in two years, you'll see what the system's truly capable of. But right out of the box, it's not a PS2, Xbox, or GameCube. Its capabilities lie somewhere between the original PlayStation and Nintendo 64, so look to that generation if you want to see what level the DS sits in its 3D.

-- Craig

Hello, Felipe here. I'm really into poker and I know the World Championship Poker game came out for the DS recently. The problem is I can't find any reviews for it. I don't want to waste my money on a game that will let me down. If you can review the game, it'll be greatly appretiated.

Felipe

My review will be coming this week. This was a game low on the publisher's priorities for enthusiast press, which is why you never saw any preview coverage beyond the handful of screens already on our site.

-- Craig

In your April 12th edition of Mailbag, you mentioned that you have development kits that rip video and screenshots from the DS. Now I was wondering if there is any kind of software available on the market so that I can do that at home?

Oliver

It's not just software that allows me to do it. It's a specially constructed hardware box that has a custom Nintendo DS system attached via a fat cable. The software pulls screenshots directly from the video buffer of this system and creates a BMP that I convert and upload as a JPG. If you want to have one of these, you have to pretty much be a third-party developer. Or be a nice guy like me. But that second one won't work.

-- Craig

Someone at EBgames told me that the PSP's success totally knocked Nintendo out of the handheld market and that Nintendo will discontinue the DS to put more emphasis on the SP. To me this sounds like a load of crap. I think this might also be the same store that told me there was no way the PS2 would surpass the Dreamcast...lol. Any comments?

Never listen to EB employees. Except for me, since I worked there in my college days for a year. For five bucks an hour, I'd tell you the food at Panda Express is exquisite.

-- Craig

What is up with Sundays on this site? I know you guys have to go to mass but you should at least have some updats. Thanks

Tim

It's called "Weekends Off." Maybe you've heard of that custom.

-- Craig

when you did the developer interview for nfsu2, they said they were basically done with the game and just putting on some finishing touches. yet the game mysteriously got pushed back on most release lists without an explanation. is it possible this delay is to add in online play?

andy

Possible but extremely not likely. In fact, it's not likely at all. In fact, no.

-- Craig

Hi IGNDS I was wondering now that Polarium and Lumines are out can the DS/PSP channels get together to compare the two puzzlers. The editor in chief or a group of people from both channels. I would love an article comparing these two games! Also I would like to see more comparisons to sequels on IGN. When they arrive Zelda:WW to LOZ(GCN),RE4-RE5 etc.

Brandy

Uh, you realize these two games are, like, completely different. I can't imagine that Lumines and Polarium share a single design element, other than that they both play on gaming hardware and are constructed of pixels. It's like comparing a bacon cheeseburger with a car engine. Now that would be a head to head.

-- Craig

Send your letter to Nintendo DS Mailbag