Nintendo DS [2005] Nintendo DS Lite [2006]

Nintendo DS revolutionizes the way games are played. With dual screens and touch-screen technology, wireless communication and built-in PictoChat software you have the power to draw, write and send messages wirelessly
Nintendo.com
The Nintendo DS - the next generation of handhelds from Nintendo is the best yet, with the introduction of a dual touch screen, giving the ability for the user to have, for example a birds-eye view of the map or course in the bottom screen and the standard view in the top screen. This gives increased awareness of opponents, giving a more competitive edge. In addition, the touch screen means navigation through menus is easier and is a nice touch, although pressing buttons isn't that hard!
It's rival is the Sony PSP. Packed with functionality the PSP is a system for most purposes such as storage etc., but with the Nintendo DS, it has its functions built-in for one reason only, and that is gaming. It has IEEE, bluetooth and wireless LAN connection capabilities which allows gameplay with anyone, anywhere (provided that a broadband connection is available).
The Ninendo DS comes in 4 colours, either silver, black, light blue or pink, the pink and light blue launched with Nintendogs to lure a wider range of gamer (including girls - a target audience that hasn't been explored much by console manufacturers in the past).
Nintendo DS Lite layoutIn January, Nintendo announced plans for the Nintendo DS Lite, designed to be a sleak, slimmer version, in the "Wii" design, as well as removing all the minor character flaws that the fans of the original Nintendo DS experienced. The Nintendo DS Lite is 42% smaller, 21% lighter and a lot brighter (adjustable) than its original. Also, a little button and feature rearranging on the pad provides better usability and functionality for the gamer. The battery has a life of 5-19 hours depending on the level of luminosity you decide to use. It comes in one of four colours: Ice Blue, Enamel Navy, Black and Crystal White (at European release only black and white are available - however black is exclusive to Europe for this initial period). A much sturdier hinge is in place, which was somewhat fragile in the original, and a more durable, scratch resistant touch screen is used.
The Nintendo DS Lite is to be released in Europe on June 23rd, retailing at €150 (£100) (only around £20 more than the original) - which is good value (although the Wii, Nintendo's standard-sized console is available for a little extra). For those who want a stylish new, far from dated, handheld, this is what you should get.

source : whatconsole.co.uk

game console 3 Comments | Readmore...

Nintendo Wii

http://www.whatconsole.co.uk/console_photos/wii.gif

"Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else."
Nintendo President, Satoru Iwata To the next generation of Nintendo consoles comes the Wii. An altogether improved package crammed full of interesting features, all in a diminutive and stylish case.
Wii could be seen as a somewhat rediculous name, but it does have many things going for it. As explained by Nintendo, the Wii, pronounced as "we", denotes that the console is for everyone. As well as the fact that it is universally recognised and remembered, and has a distinctive "ii" to indicate the unique controllers that exist for the Wii. Not only that, how ever much you criticise the name, you will surely always remember it (if that's all they're after then they've done a good job!).
The Wii, is small and discrete (size of three DVD cases stacked on top of each other), ideal for the home rather than the bulky and overwhelming solution by the main competitors, the PS3 and the Xbox 360.

http://www.whatconsole.co.uk/console_photos/wii2.gif

The standout feature of the Nintendo Wii is its unusual controller. Known as the "Wiimote", it has motion sensors that enable the user to input directly with the wave of the controller (e.g. used in tennis, golf or fishing). The Wiimote also plays sound and includes force feedback, allowing the user to experience rumbles, to mimic feelings experienced during the game. If required, the Wiimote can be hooked up with to an analog stick, making the "Nunchuck controller".
The Wii will have a free online gaming feature, but it is not in place at the moment and will only be compatible with certain games. The first game to use this multiplayer online feature will be Pokemon Battle Revolution when it's released on 25th June.
An additional feature to the Wii is its “virtual console” software, which enables the user to use a download service to play retro console games from such consoles as the NES, SNES, N64, Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) and the NEC TurboGrafx-16. These can be stored on flash memory cards (512 MB) which is ample for a collection of games (also a hard drive can be plugged in via USB if more storage is necessary). Furthermore, the Wii has backwards compatibility with GameCube games allowing GameCube discs to be placed directly in to the console.
To facilitate backwards compatibility, the console also comes with a retro-styled gamepad. As well as all this, the Wii comes with ports to connect original GameCube controllers (one of the most ergonomic standard controllers around).
One downside to the Nintendo Wii is its maximum resolution of only 480p, which is lower than the high definition resolution of the PS3 (1080p) and to a lesser extent the Xbox 360 (1080i). Also the speed of the CPU is lower than its rivals.
If high detailed graphics is a major issue with you, to keep up with technology, then maybe this console should be avoided.
What appears to be different about the Nintendo Wii is in its design, is its focus on providing the most important factor necessary for gaming, fun. While the PS3 and Xbox 360 rally around trying to find best chips and components, the Wii has looked at their audience and thought about what they really want, a gaming experience that everyone can enjoy.
The Wii was officially released in the UK on 8th December 2006 (16th November in US, 2nd December in Japan). The Wii, is a different alternative to the PS3 and Xbox 360. It has outstanding features and for many will be their second console.
Its standard price of £179 is good also, which makes it value for money and a definite worry for its major rivals.

game console 2 Comments | Readmore...

Sony PSP (slim version) Review

Sony finally announced the long-rumoured redesigned Sony PSP during its E3 2007 press conference, writes James Yu of GameSpot. A recent patent update sparked speculation that the new PSP would have a swivel screen and mobile phone capabilities, but Sony Computer Entertainment president Kaz Hirai revealed a more modest PSP redesign at E3.
The new 'enhanced-design' PSP is a smaller and slimmer version of the original, with a third less weight -- down to 189g -- and about four-fifths the thickness (now just 19mm). Sony plans to phase out the current PSP design and replace it with the new model by September. There's no definitive UK price yet for the new model, but it should be the same as the old version: £130.
http://www.cnet.co.uk/i/c/rv/e/gamesgear/sony/psp_slim/story_1.jpg
The new PSP (left) is 4mm thinner than the old version
The new weight is immediately noticeable as soon as you hold the PSP in your hand. It's so light that you might think that it's missing a battery or doesn't have a UMD disc inside. Sony was able to slim down the battery size while maintaining the system's 5-hour battery life by decreasing the power draw of the unit. You'll be able to use old batteries from the original PSP to double playing time, but the standard battery cover won't be able to fit over it. Sony will offer a high-capacity power kit that will come with its own cover to fit over the larger battery.
The difference is really slight, but several colleagues have noticed that the D-pad and buttons on the new PSP provide a little more tactile feedback for a better overall feel. Other changes we noticed include a springless UMD retention mechanism and new speaker holes just above the D-pad and button areas.
http://www.cnet.co.uk/i/c/rv/e/gamesgear/sony/psp_slim/story_3.jpg
The UMD slot cover is now springless

The remote jack has changed -- headphones will still work with the standard headphone output, but new systems will ship with a new headphone/remote unit to fit the new remote jack. The memory stick slot remains on the left side, shifted over a little, but the Wi-Fi switch has moved from the left side of the system all the way to the top of the unit where it's far more difficult to hit accidentally.

source : cnet.co.uk

game console 4 Comments | Readmore...

Nintendo Wii Review

Nintendo has ventured off the beaten path with its newest system, and the company knows it. While the Sony PlayStation 3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360 both emphasise their impressive graphical capabilities, Nintendo downplays the importance of graphics on its new console. While the Sony and Microsoft consoles keep the branding of their respective predecessors, the oddly named Wii is a semantic departure from Nintendo's more literally named 2001 console, the GameCube. And while the PS3 and the Xbox 360 both use conventional gamepads bristling with buttons, control sticks and directional pads, the Wii uses a device that looks more like a TV remote than a gamepad to control its games.
These strange choices could have spelled failure for Nintendo's newest endeavour. Underplaying processing power, using a strange new controller setup, and giving the whole package an odd name could have been major mistakes for Nintendo. (Consider some of the company's earlier attempts to go against the grain: the Power Glove and the Virtual Boy.) But if our early experience with the Wii is any indication, this particular Nintendo gamble seems likely to pay off. It's strange, it's new and it's not as powerful as its competitors, but the Nintendo Wii succeeds in its primary mission: there's no nonsense, just fun.
Opening the box
The Wii box includes everything you need to hook the system up to a standard television: the Wii console, a wireless controller with nunchuk adaptor, the sensor bar, a cradle (for mounting the console vertically), the Wii's modestly sized power adaptor, and a set of composite AV cables. Unfortunately, composite cables don't support the Wii's top progressive-scan resolution of 576p, so HD Ready TV owners will want to also purchase a set of Wii component cables (sold separately).
The Wii console itself is downright tiny -- easily the smallest and lightest of the new generation of game machines. At 44mm high by 159mm wide by 216mm deep (when oriented horizontally), it is -- as Nintendo promised -- about the size of three DVD cases. The initial model is available only in iPod-white, but it's a safe bet that we'll see plenty of other colours become available in years to come. As with the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, you can lay the Wii horizontally or stand it vertically (either by itself or, for added stability, in the included plastic cradle). Like the PS3, the Wii uses a slot-loading mechanism. It accepts the Wii discs (full-size 12cm) and older GameCube discs (mini 8cm), without the need for an adaptor.
The Wii includes 512MB of internal memory for storing saved games, downloaded Virtual Console titles and other data. If that half-gigabyte of onboard storage isn't enough for you, the system has a standard Secure Digital card slot for additional storage. SD cards are cheap and plentiful, and the Wii's support of them is a refreshing change of pace from the proprietary memory cards used by older game consoles.
While it doesn't come with a memory card or component-video cables, the Wii does include one pleasant surprise in the box. The system comes with Wii Sports, a simple but infectious sports compilation that lets users get a feel for the Wii's capabilities without investing in additional games. Wii Sports uses the system's wireless controller as erstwhile sporting equipment, letting users swing and mock-throw it to play baseball, tennis, golf, bowling and boxing.
The different games can support up to four players at a time, but most modes require more than the system's single controller for multiplayer options. Players can swap the remote back and forth for golf and bowling, but players who would like to box or play each other in a tennis match or a baseball game will need to purchase at least one more controller. Wii Sports feels more like a collection of five minigames than a fully fleshed-out title, but it lets users have fun straight out of the box and showcases the system's potential.
Setup
The Wii's simple design makes it very easy to hook up. The back panel of the console has only five ports: one for the power adaptor, one for the proprietary AV cable, one for the sensor bar, and two USB ports for future accessories. Just plug in the sensor bar and put it either on top of or under your television, plug the video cable into your TV, and plug the power cable into the wall, and you're ready to go.
Once everything is hooked together, just turn on the Wii to go through the software setup. Settings such as time and username can be easily selected with the remote control's pointer. The only remotely technical setting most users will have to deal with is the network connection, and the menu system practically walks users through the setup. The Wii's Wi-Fi connection can work with secure WEP and WPA encrypted Wi-Fi networks, so you don't have to make your network vulnerable just to play online. We had no problem connecting to our open wireless router, though we couldn't test the network connection beyond that. If you don't have Wi-Fi at all, Nintendo is said to be offering an Ethernet adaptor that interfaces with one of the USB ports. While Nintendo's servers were not ready at the time of this review, we will update our evaluation of this feature as soon as we can go online.

source: reviews.cnet.co.uk

game console 3 Comments | Readmore...