"Nintendo of America sales and marketing boss Cammie Dunaway has revealed that the company was disappointed with its showing at this year's E3 Media and Business Summit, which drew criticism from some sections of the gaming community, notably core gamers.

"I would say the message is we were disappointed with our performance at E3," Dunaway told VGChartz. "There were titles like Wario which we think will be really fun titles that we should have showcased.

"We were excited that Mr. Miyamot..."

"With two successful years of pomp and glitzy bluster under its belt, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced that its British Academy Video Games Awards are set to return in March 2009, following a leave of absence this year.

With its videogames award ceremony scheduled for March 10 at the London Hilton, Park Lane, the Academy aims to "support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and be..."

""DS sales are solid worldwide, but are weak in Japan, leading us to expect an introduction of a new device in Japan before the end of the calendar year."

He said that Japanese DS demand will likely continue to decline. He adds, "We think that Nintendo has a new handheld device ready for launch in [Japan] before the end of the calendar year."

It's not the first time that analysts have said Nintendo has a DS follow-up ready to go. Months ago, Colin Sebastian with Lazard Capital Markets sa..."

"The R4 doesn't look like much: just a generic Nintendo DS cart. What it does, however, causes Nintendo no small headache. The device, and others like it, bypasses the system's firmware and with the help of a micro SD card filled with... well, with whatever you want, the cart runs pirated games, emulators, or homebrew games. Nintendo has had enough, and AFP reports that the company is lawyering up with 54 other software companies to sue companies that make and distribute the device in Tokyo, u..."

Gameloft, who publishes and develops games for mobile devices, the DS, and other things, have announced their results for the first half of 2008. As it turns outs, Gameloft has made 50.3 million Euros, that's 10% more than they made last year! Most of their sales came from mobile games which accumulated 94% of the sales, while everything else only accumulated 6%.

"One of the chargers concerned has the code marking DE62347066. Others have no code and are called Travel Charger.

"The UK appears to be flooded with them. It probably runs into hundreds of thousands or even millions," Mr Holden said

Mr Holden said that the chargers were being sold for about £5 on the internet and about £6 in shops. Safe chargers, which have been checked properly, retail for around £15.

Officers have primarily found unsafe chargers for use with games consoles, althoug..."

"Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is proud to announce Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. Developed by Rockstar Leeds in conjunction with series creators Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will be available on the Nintendo DS™ in North America and Europe this winter.

"This is a game that will deliver a rich, fast-paced and intense 'Grand Theft Auto' experience that will be truly unique to Nintendo's handheld platform," sa..."

"Sales of DS titles are suffering due to the rise in popularity and availability of R4 ‘piracy’ Cards, MCV can reveal.

The R4, along with similar devices such as the M3, N5 and TT, allow users to download games illegally and play them on a DS. And the cards can be bought from a host of retailers, including the likes of Amazon, eBay traders and independent retailers.

But ELSPA’s IP Crime Unit manager John Hillier has warned the trade that unless the sale of these items halts, the trade bo..."

"Nintendo UK has received an overwhelmingly positive response to its new range of DS colours and in-store DS centres, the firm has told MCV.

Nintendo released its Red, Green and Turquoise DS SKUs last week, along with new in-store centres that allows consumers to download demos of DS software onto their console. And Nintendo has told MCV that it’s all about offering extra choice and opportunities to consumers."

"TOKYO (AP) — The Nintendo DS isn't just fun and games anymore for English students at Tokyo's Joshi Gakuen all-girls junior high school. The portable video game console is now being used as a key teaching tool, breaking with traditional Japanese academic methods.

A giggly class of 32 seventh-graders used plastic pens to spell words like "hamburger" and "cola" on the touch panel screen — the key feature of the hit console — following an electronic voice from the machine."

"A full list of Nintendo DS Centres currently in operation can be found at http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/dscentre/index.html and the list will be updated as more go live. In-store demo games for anyone to play at a DS Centre right now include Sight Training, Nintendogs, Big Brain Academy, New Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda; Phantom Hourglass and Animal Crossing: Wild World. Downloadable titles DS owners can play on their own DS consoles currently include Brain Training, Sight Training, ..."

"With the now scaled-down E3 event set to take place next month, all eyes are firmly focused on each of the big three companies to see what special treats they will be bringing to the table. Rumours are pointing towards Nintendo bringing out an all-new franchise that will shock gamers considerably.

Previously it had been touched up by Nintendo of America’s president Reginald Fils-Aime that something big was coming at this year’s E3 media event, stating to Geoff Keighley of GameTrailers back..."

"Nintendo Wii with the popular Wii Sports game (bowling, boxing, baseball, tennis and golf) for £179.98 and delivered free in the UK.
Buy Now

Nintendo DS for £99.98 and delivered free in the UK.
Buy Now

You can get the Nintendo DS with a selected game together for only £109.99."

"The article, which carries the headline ‘Why Apple Could Kill The Nintendo DS’ calls games on iPod ‘a pretty powerful combination’."

"..vibrant new Red, Turquoise and Green Nintendo DS Lites [will be] hitting shelves across Europe on 13th June 2008 at the estimated retail price of around £99.."

"Dubbed Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, this third installment on Nintendo's portable console will also feature a host of new things fans all over the world will undoubtedly enjoy. For example, the game will introduce a brand new Glyph-attack system that allows players to unleash more than 100 combos in their battles against Dracula's minions. Also, new outdoor locations will be introduced in Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, from dark forests to oceans.

"We have always felt that the Castleva..."

"Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president David Reeves has admitted PSP needs more games to be released for it here in the west.

Despite this, he did predict a boom in Japanese developed titles from studios keen to follow the success of Capcom's Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, which has shipped over 2 million units in under two months in the region.

"We've seen in the last six months that because of the success of the PSP in Japan many Japanese developers have got some absolutely phen..."

"The charger bracelet has a cable with an interchangeable tip that allows it to work with both handhelds and a number of other portable electronics. I suppose being multifunctional might make the 4,980 yen ($48) price tag more acceptable.

However, to get any use out of the charge bracelet you have to remember to charge it in a USB port, carry around the correct tip and wear it."

"

Xbox 360

North America:

1. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision)
2. Rock Band Special Edition (MTV Games)
3. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (Ubisoft)
4. Halo 3 (Microsoft)
5. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle (Activision).

Japan:

1. Turok (Touchstone)
2. The Idolm@ster: Live for You! (Namco)
3. Armored Core: For Answer (From Software)
4. Skate (EA Games)
5. Dark Sector (D3 Publisher).

Europe:

1. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (Ubisoft)
2. Halo 3 (Microsoft)
3. Assassin’s Creed (Ubisoft)
4. Devil May Cry 4 (Capcom)
5. Viking: Bat...

"

"Enterbrain (Famitsu's publisher) boss Hirokazu Hamamura expressed himself in the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu and said he thinks Nintendo might announce a new DS model during E3.

Nintendo's spokesman: "No comment"."

"THQ executive Jack Sorenson has branded the hardware battle between Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo as "totally irrelevant", arguing that the rewards offered by each represent a "win" for games publishers.

Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz last week at THQ's product showcase in San Francisco, the US publisher's head of worldwide studios said there was "too much of an emphasis on the sports aspect of who's winning and losing", and that his company was focusing on opportunities rather than installe..."

"Hardware Chart
Sony’s PSP has topped the Japanese hardware chart for the week ending the 30th of March. It was predicted that the PSP hardware sales would increase due to the release of the hugely popular Monster Hunter Portable 2G on the 27th of March, which topped the software chart with 880 000 units sold in its opening week. However, the latest Media Create figures show that the PSP sold an impressive 129 986 units, roughly 70 000 units more than last week’s 59 833 units."

"If you’re fashion conscious and have more money that sense you may be interested to know that Nintendo and fashion label Bathing Ape (aka Bape) have schemed together to create the “Baby Milo”, a limited edition DS Lite featuring an exclusive Bape design.

The con of the century is retailing at ¥16800 (about $167) but good luck getting one for that price. Bape reseller Boboshop is selling the little gems for ¥44940, that’s $447 if your last name happens to be Gates. Ironically the design (wh..."

"Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit on June 6 with Legendary set for Q3 2008.

Atari UK has issued an updated release schedule confirming release dates for DBZ: Burst Limit amongst others.

Burst Limit, the first DBZ title for Xbox 360 and PS3, is set for release across Europe on June 6, followed later that month by Alone in the Dark (Xbox 360, PC, Wii, PS2).

Atari's next big release will arrive in Q3 2008 in the shape of Legendary on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, with the PS3 version of Alone in the ..."

"Boston (dbTechno) - According to a French retailer, the highly-anticipated Rockstar game Grand Theft Auto IV may be coming to the Nintendo DS. GTA IV is already scheduled to release on the PS3 and Xbox 360 at the end of April.

There has been no confirmation other than a few pictures which have popped up on the internet.

The pictures show the release schedule of the French retailer.

On the release schedule, you can clearly see that it does say GTA IV as coming out on the Nintendo DS.
..."

"There we all are debating whose console is better, and engaging in “mine is bigger than yours” type arguments, but it seems it could all soon be a pointless argument. Some in the gaming industry are looking in to their crystal balls and predicting the end of home consoles after this current generation.

Sandy Duncan, the man who set up and ran the European Xbox business for Microsoft, and now CEO of his own games company, YoYo, recently gave an interview to That Video Game Blog, and was ask..."

"While Nintendo's 2007 success now seems like a foregone conclusion, it wasn't always so. In 2005, Electronic Entertainment Expo attendees who'd been wowed by the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 unveilings left Nintendo's press conference shaking their heads after being shown a nonfunctional mock-up of a tiny console code-named "Revolution." When that device was renamed the "Wii" in 2006, doubt became incredulity--until Nintendo showed off the console's motion-sensing remote at an E3 event that was..."

"That will, according to the estimates, be particularly true in Europe, where EA expects the PlayStation 3 to sell between 5 and 6 million units across the year, compared to just 1.5-2.5 million for the Xbox 360.

That means that while the company thinks the two will tie in North America on 4.5 to 5.5 million unit sales, the two sets of numbers combined give Sony's flagship console a compelling 3.5 million lead.

The report predicts the Nintendo Wii will win the year, with a combined total..."

"A new retailer poll from across the Pacific has Nintendo hardware and software scoring big for the year end holiday sales rush. Famitsu got the opinions of 93 shops regarding what game product will be big for the end of the year.

Topping the list of product that retailers expect to be in short supply towards the end of the year was Wii Fit. Nintendo's heavily-marketed fitness product, which hit shops on 12/1, got 37 votes, beating out Dragon Quest IV's 26 votes."

"The latest version of EA's FIFA Street series, which is like NFL or NBA Street only for soccer-loving weirdos, is getting a tiny handheld sidekick when the game releases for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 early next year. The Nintendo DS is getting its own version of arcade-flavored street football, featuring an all new touch screen control system that lets you control all aspects of your team's performance with buttons and a tiny plastic stick. The DS version of the game features a special A..."

"As long as we're talking about sales, the DS has topped 40 million units worldwide. Sony has, respectably, reached 25 million. Both numbers look big, but remember, Nintendo already has a nearly 2:1 lead. And that's plenty of breathing room when you...

Nintendo has the one-two brand punch of Wii, which is the leading home console in the world. Since its launch, the Nintendo Wii has not been outsold for a month worldwide ever by the Xbox 360 or PS3. There's simply no stronger brand right now..."

"Nintendo has ripped up the record books, with its DS handheld last week selling over 191,000 units, according to official ChartTrack data – more than any other hardware format has ever achieved in a seven-day period.

Nintendo revealed the news to MCV this morning, with a spokesperson offering: “We’re obviously delighted to be able to announce this. Momentum has been increasing on DS sales and to achieve the highest weekly sales figure ever in the history of the games market is fantastic.”
..."

"At Nintendo's press briefing in Japan today, the company finally announced a new Wii channel that will allow gamers to download demos for their DS. Called Minna no Nintendo Channel (Everybody's Nintendo Channel), the service will act much like the download kiosks often seen in retail locations like Target and Best Buy -- only now you'll be able to download demos from the comfort of your living room."

"Nine. It’s a simple number. But that’s all it took apparently. In nine short months the underdog of the video game industry - the oldest and most in tack of them all - managed somehow to sell over 10 million video game consoles to quickly and gracefully steal the lead from competition that had the market to itself for 12 months prior. It is perhaps the greatest upset of the industry in years if not decades. Not since the split of Atari and Activision has there been such unexpected success for..."

"The NPD Group released videogame hardware and software sales data for July and, yet again, Nintendo dominated the charts. Amazingly, Wii and DS together outsold final figures for PlayStation 2, PSP, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 combined. Nintendo's two systems have held the number one and two top slots in the hardware sales charts for nine months running.

For the first time since its launch, Wii outsold consistent performer DS. Nintendo's home console was the best-selling hardware in July wi..."

"Last month we reported on what appeared to be a retail-leak in which Canadian retailer Future Shop was showing off a red and black DS lite bundled with Brain Age 2. Today we can confirm that the new color scheme is indeed a reality, as Nintendo has officially announced the package.

Hitting stores in both the US and Canada on August 21, the bundle will cost $149.99 and include the new glossy crimson and matte black DS lite, and a copy of Brain Age 2. The new DS edition will be the first ne..."

"The ¥1,480 Yen (about $12 USD) device allows you to snap your DS Lite into a slightly raised cradle and at an angle indeal for copious amounts of stylus tip-tapping. The stand (which is available in either black or white) can then be secured to any flat surface thanks to the suction cups on its base.

Of course, the thing is almost completely useless if you want to take your Nintendo DS anywhere in it, so to save yourself the embarrassment of oddly bulging pockets, GamerSquad recommends kee..."

"Have you noticed how Nintendo has been pwning in the NPD charts for the last six months with both Wii and DS? How about the way they continued that trend in June, too? Yeah, well, big surprise that's doing well for their bottom line. Today, the company released their first-quarter results for the 2007 fiscal year, along with updated, heightened forecasts for total sales by year end"

"Nintendo's first-quarter financial results for 2007 are out and they reveal an astonishing 416 percent rise in net profits for the Japanese giant when compared to the same period last year. In even simpler terms, Nintendo is raking it in.

Worldwide sales of Wii hardware reached 9.27 million units at the end of June 2007, while the DS clocked up a stonking 47.27 million unit sales. We need to sit down...

Nintendo has also increased its shipment forecasts for Wii from 14 million to 16.5..."

"Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony - Titans of the videogame industry and sworn enemies on the console battlefield. But which of gaming's Big Three is winning the war in 2007 so far? Well, using the monthly US hardware sales figures released by market researchers NPD Group, we've tallied up the past six months worth of numbers (Jan-June) to find out how consoles and handhelds have fared in the States during the first half of 2007. Here are the results:

Total US hardware sales January-June 2007
..."

"To capitalize on this already inherent system capability, Buffalo will be releasing the Buffalo Wi-Fi Gamer device in the US next month, and the company stopped by our office to show how it works. This wireless adapter, about the size of a pack of cards, doesn't need a PC at all - it simply plugs into an available port on an existing LAN. Once connected, you just press the "connect" button on the unit, then the AOSS function on the DS, PSP, PS3 and Wii, and after about 45 seconds of syncing u..."

"Nintendo's is reveling in how well they're expanding the gaming market to non-gamers, and Ubisoft is hoping to do what they can to capitalize on all these newfound gamers with a series of games it's calling, unsurprisingly, "Games for Everyone."

They keystone of this suite is the company's existing 'Petz' series, which lets gamers take care of virtual pets ala Nintendo's hugely popular 'Nintendogs' series. 'Petz' currently includes domestic animals like 'Dogz,' 'Catz,' 'Horsez,' and even ..."

"DS owners will be able to power up their portables during MLB games to enjoy up-to-the-minute statistics and trivia, watch a live streaming feed of the game in progress, and even order food and drinks to be brought directly to where they are sitting. Mad."

"The Redmond, Wash.-based company is making a pitch to turn its portable DS Lite into a baseball staple, bringing interactive technology to fans through a pilot program being tested this season at the Mariners' Safeco Field.

The innovative program is called the Nintendo Fan Network. For a fee, the network uploads a program onto the user's DS Lite and allows fans to order food and drinks, watch the live television feed of the game, access stats and scores and play trivia, all from the com..."

""Despite its penetration pace being slower than that of the PS2 (3,267,000 units sold as of its 30th week mark) or the GBA (3,306,000 units sold as of its 30th week mark) the Wii's total software sales have been far in excess of these other systems' in terms of volume –thanks to its outstanding software-hardware tie ratio, which ranks it the highest among all the gaming devices released since 1996," said [Famitsu's) report."

"Namco Bandai, Sega of Japan and Capcom are all shifting their development support to Nintendo's Wii and DS, according to a report on Variety Asia.

Leading the change in priorities is Namco Bandai, which intends to up its Nintendo output by 109 per cent with a massive 115 titles scheduled for fiscal 2007."

"Two touch screens. This is pretty much a given -- how many people have seen players instinctively want to tap the upper screen with the stylus in the same fashion as the lower screen? Two touch screens open up potential for different styles of game designs. So does:

More sensitive touch technology. The Apple iPhone has it, the Microsoft Surface has it...the next Nintendo DS will have it. The current DS can only sense one specific location on the screen, meaning you really can't use multipl..."

"I'm not saying that the videogame industry shouldn't strive to bring in as many new people as possible. It most definitely should, because new gamers mean a nice, healthy business. My problem is what this new crowd appears to be drawn to. Games like Wii Sports, Wii Play and Cooking Mama have become some of the biggest sellers, and that is what has me worried. If these are the type of games that become blockbusters, then you can count on other gaming companies who cater to the more hardcore ga..."

""Nintendo DS gamers globally use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection as an easy, fun place to find fellow players, all without paying anything extra for the service," explains Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "The milestones represent millions of hours of fun and camaraderie despite miles between players.""

For those of you in North America who are looking for that "sweet loot" that only seems to be obtainable in Japan wait no further. I just got word that Play-Asia is now offering a limited edition version of the DS Lite which is 'themed' with the latest Final Fantasy game for the DS; Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings.

The DS is white in color with the FFXII logo and a few of the Revenant Wings characters on the top of the DS Lite.

Within the box you get:

1x Nintendo DS Lite; Final Fan...

The North American game hardware and software sales data for April 2007, compiled by market research firm NPD Group, highlight the continuing strength of Nintendo's flagship consoles. Nintendo's DS ruled the hardware roost last month, selling 471,000 consoles. Although the Wii has garnered a reputation for its shortages, the console still managed to take second place with 360,000 units sold.

Sony's PlayStation 3 didn't fare as well, finishing behind the Xbox 360 with 82,000 units sold co...

In yet another eBay auction this time for a normal, non modded Nintendo DS which has been autographed by Shigeru Miyamoto (Zelda, Mario creator), Satoru Iwata (President of Nintendo), and Charles Martinet (the voice of Mario).

The money from this item will go towards the charity Childs Play. At the moment the highest bid is only at $620. So, get bidding!

"Fully unveiled on the pages of the latest issue of Jump magazine, Final Fantasy IV makes the move to full 3D. We're not sure if it's necessarily using the exact same engine as that of FFIII, although the staff that developed FFIII are overseeing the FFIV conversion.

Square Enix has a few changes planned on top of the visual update. The game will feature new episodes, allowing players to get deeper acquainted with the storyline. Character designs have been completely redone for the title."

"The Japanese game maker on Thursday vowed tougher legal action against Korean copiers of its game machines and programs. It is the first time Nintendo has issued such a strong warning against the violation of its copyright.

It plans to take legal action even against websites that simply turn a blind eye to illegal downloading as well as makers and sellers of copied products. A spokesman of Nintendo Korea expressed concern about the losses to the company from piracy."

Morpheon Mods has come out with what has to be the most extremely coolest looking DS that I've ever seen. A custom paint job of gold mixed with black in representation of Zelda. You know, like the golden cartridges! As an even better bonus there's a sword and sheild on the top with a blue LED to back light it.

At the time of this post the current bid is at $660.00 USD. $660 for a DS you might ask? but it's for a good cause! The DS is being sold for the charity Childs Play.

"AGI and Sega have a quirky little program coming out for the Nintendo DS that will have gamers talking – literally.

Kokoro Scan is voice recognition software that is designed to gauge a person's mood. The program can tell if users are happy, sad, stressed and so on. It can even be used to scan the voices of others in the area.

The software comes with a few games, including Kokoro Age, which will have players trying to control their moods while talking. Mini-games are also included.

I..."

"Nintendo's hand-held console the Nintendo DS has proved to be an unexpected hit with residents of a care home across the country after they discovered the numerous brain-training games you can buy for them.
Residents of CLS Care Services have been getting to grips with Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? prompting the management to have 12 Nintendo DS Lites installed in three of its homes.The games often focus around improving the player's memory by starting with easy levels o..."

"Eidos has announced SPY-Q, a brand new puzzle title from Fighting Fantasy gamebook author Ian Livingstone.

SPY-Q is a collaboration between Fighting Fantasy gamebook author Ian Livingstone and award-winning puzzle and game designer Dr. Reiner Knizia. Reiner is an expert in algorithmically generated puzzles and some of his new creations will be found in SPY-Q.

The game will take the player on a series of puzzle-solving spy missions found in 16 international cities, in a race against time..."

"The software itself is included on a cartridge that fits into the GameBoy slot on the DS. Separate versions are available for the original "phat" Nintendo DS and the smaller DS Lite, the only difference being that the cartridges fit flush to the bodies of those respective systems. Both versions are currently available in Europe and Asia, and are expected to retail for $40 or less when they hit North American store shelves on June 4.

Once you pop in the cartridge and boot up, getting online..."

"Wii Sports is the only game that can be ONLY played on Wii, not on any other console. So future games such as Brain Training on Wii or that type of thing — I don’t think this is such a great idea — as these games are already being played and are very popular on DS… they are not specific to the Wii."