I've got a shiny new DS now...

[trebor]

So, not only did the price go down, but I happened to notice that Circuit City was having a promotion that if you buy a new DS, you get the DS Pelican Starter Kit for free. Yup, that's right, F R E E. Being the cheapskate that I am, I of course pounced on this deal. The kit includes a couple of styli, screen protectors, ear buds, a DC charger, and a carrying case for 3 SP and 3 DS games. Purty good deal, I must say.

Right now my DS is charging, but I have already set up the date and time, and also checked for any bad pixels or dust, and it seems like my DS is in pristine condition.

As far as games are concerned, I bought...nothing! That's right. The Gamecrazy where I have a decent amount of credit was completely sold out of both Meteos and Kirby Canvas Curse. So I might just go ahead and buy Nintendogs later this week.

In the meantime, the DS I bought still had a Metroid: Hunters demo cartridge, so I at least have something DS related to look at while I wait.

[Gadfly2317]

Have you gotten to play it yet? I'm guessing after doodling with Metroid for a bit, you moved on to Fire Emblem or another GBA game. . . look and sound sweet, don't they?

I think I'm going to break down and get myself a dog too. . . probably the Golden Retreiver (in Dauchsund and Friends.) My wife is getting a Shiba Itsu or something, and I'm really curious how the wireless interactivity is going to be on this one.

[trebor]

Fire Emblem was so vivid looking that it took me aback for a moment. The DS definitely 1 up's the SP in terms of screen quality, but I'm afraid to say so far that in comfort terms, the SP wins out over the DS. In fact, Metroid Hunters is extremely difficult for me to play. I must have small hands or something, but I don't think the DS is going to be the FPS handheld of choice like I was predicting before. I need to get used to it first, maybe.

As far as Nintendogs, my wife wants Labrador and Friends, since she wants the Corgie. Which brings up a question, is it one dog per cart, or can multiple players have saves on one cart?

[Gadfly2317]

Fire Emblem was so vivid looking that it took me aback for a moment. The DS definitely 1 up's the SP in terms of screen quality, but I'm afraid to say so far that in comfort terms, the SP wins out over the DS. For me it's been the most comfortable. . .but with a game like Fire Emblem, I played it a lot at work with the system sitting on my desk like a mini-laptap, and actually often used my fingers instead of thumbs.

In fact, Metroid Hunters is extremely difficult for me to play. I must have small hands or something, but I don't think the DS is going to be the FPS handheld of choice like I was predicting before. I need to get used to it first, maybe. While you can get used to Metroid Hunters. . .sort of. . . ultimately it kinda sucks, which is why I never list the upcoming full version in my "want" lists. But who knows, maybe it'll turn out ok. I'm not much of a FPS fan anyway, and think they ought to stay where they work best: The PC.


As far as Nintendogs, my wife wants Labrador and Friends, since she wants the Corgie. Which brings up a question, is it one dog per cart, or can multiple players have saves on one cart? I don't know about multiple player saves on one cart, but I'm positive you can eventually purchase and own more dogs once you've made some money. . .which I guess you do in dog show competitions. This will be my first dual-cartridge purchase; Animal Crossing will be my second. It kind of pains me, since I'd rather spend the money on more games rather than duplicate. But still, at least they're $30 rather than $49.

[trebor]

While you can get used to Metroid Hunters. . .sort of. . . ultimately it kinda sucks, which is why I never list the upcoming full version in my "want" lists. But who knows, maybe it'll turn out ok. I'm not much of a FPS fan anyway, and think they ought to stay where they work best: The PC.

After further noodling, I finally found a way to play the game with some effectiveness. I have to have the DS propped up on my lap or my belly, and use the stylus. There is absolutely no way I'd be able to use the right trigger button, so it's good that it doesn't require you to. But on a game like Rogue Agent, where both trigger buttons are used, the game would be unplayable for me.

[The Prince of Darkness]

So, not only did the price go down, but I happened to notice that Circuit City was having a promotion that if you buy a new DS, you get the DS Pelican Starter Kit for free. Yup, that's right, F R E E. Being the cheapskate that I am, I of course pounced on this deal. The kit includes a couple of styli, screen protectors, ear buds, a DC charger, and a carrying case for 3 SP and 3 DS games. Purty good deal, I must say.

Right now my DS is charging, but I have already set up the date and time, and also checked for any bad pixels or dust, and it seems like my DS is in pristine condition.

As far as games are concerned, I bought...nothing! That's right. The Gamecrazy where I have a decent amount of credit was completely sold out of both Meteos and Kirby Canvas Curse. So I might just go ahead and buy Nintendogs later this week.

In the meantime, the DS I bought still had a Metroid: Hunters demo cartridge, so I at least have something DS related to look at while I wait.

...and peace was restored once again in the VGR kingdom.

[trebor]

...and peace was restored once again in the VGR kingdom.

Smartass. :p

[The Prince of Darkness]

Smartass. :p

So...did you get your Nintendogs or Advance Wars yet? I am getting mine at lunch, but I am going to the damn O's game tonight so I will not be able to partake. Wait...unless I take it with me. My fiancee will love that!

[trebor]

So...did you get your Nintendogs or Advance Wars yet? I am getting mine at lunch, but I am going to the damn O's game tonight so I will not be able to partake. Wait...unless I take it with me. My fiancee will love that!

I'm probably going to hold off on Advance Wars DS for a while, on account of the fact that I haven't even started Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones or Advance Wars 2 (GBA) yet! I've been playing the original Fire Emblem on GBA for over a year now, so it would be a bit redundant to buy the new Advance Wars until I finish the other ones I haven't gotten to.

Fire Emblem, by the by, is essentially a fantasy version of Advance Wars, but with more role-playing aspects and deeper strategy.

So, in other words, I guess that means I'll be buying Nintendogs first. Which I also guess will mean my wife will hork the DS in order to play said Nintendogs.

[The Prince of Darkness]

I'm probably going to hold off on Advance Wars DS for a while, on account of the fact that I haven't even started Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones or Advance Wars 2 (GBA) yet! I've been playing the original Fire Emblem on GBA for over a year now, so it would be a bit redundant to buy the new Advance Wars until I finish the other ones I haven't gotten to.

Fire Emblem, by the by, is essentially a fantasy version of Advance Wars, but with more role-playing aspects and deeper strategy.

So, in other words, I guess that means I'll be buying Nintendogs first. Which I also guess will mean my wife will hork the DS in order to play said Nintendogs.

It might not be as bad as you think. The Nintendog reviewers seem to agree that it is the kind of gamne that you will play in smaller doses. That is great news for me since I am more addicted to Meteos than a $5 'ho to smack.

[Gadfly2317]

I'm probably going to hold off on Advance Wars DS for a while, on account of the fact that I haven't even started Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones or Advance Wars 2 (GBA) yet! I've been playing the original Fire Emblem on GBA for over a year now, so it would be a bit redundant to buy the new Advance Wars until I finish the other ones I haven't gotten to.

Fire Emblem, by the by, is essentially a fantasy version of Advance Wars, but with more role-playing aspects and deeper strategy.

So, in other words, I guess that means I'll be buying Nintendogs first. Which I also guess will mean my wife will hork the DS in order to play said Nintendogs.

I'd . . .seriously. . . consider getting rid of AW2 and getting AW: DS. . . the difference bewteen AW and AW2 are not that huge, but from all appearances (and I'll know in a couple hours) is that AW DS offers a depth and complexity and balance of strategy not seen in the series until now. I mean, you splurged for this great new hardware; I can't blame you for digging into fire emblem with this bright new LCD screen, but AW DS is THE strategy game to play right now. It means forking over a little dough, but offeset it by getting rid of AW2. . . its not bad, but just currently not the best use you could make of your DS.

[trebor]

I'd . . .seriously. . . consider getting rid of AW2 and getting AW: DS. . . the difference bewteen AW and AW2 are not that huge, but from all appearances (and I'll know in a couple hours) is that AW DS offers a depth and complexity and balance of strategy not seen in the series until now. I mean, you splurged for this great new hardware; I can't blame you for digging into fire emblem with this bright new LCD screen, but AW DS is THE strategy game to play right now. It means forking over a little dough, but offeset it by getting rid of AW2. . . its not bad, but just currently not the best use you could make of your DS.

Oh, I hear ya. I actually bought AW2 at Best Buy for $10, so it wouldn't be that big of a loss, but I'd still rather buy a completely different kind of game then AW, or FE for that matter, and come back to AW DS later on. So, yeah, I'm just looking for something totally different.

I'm thinking Meteos and Nintendogs would be good purchases for me right now.

[trebor]

Bought my first true DS games last night.

Lab & Friends - which my wife promptly took and played.

and

Feel the Magic - well, I wanted something totally different and original, and let me tell ya, FtM fills that desire very well. I'm really enjoying this game right now. Props to Glock for the suggestion.