Quote:Two of the biggest GameCube titles of the year will join the Nintendo DS at the company's pre-E3 press conference in May, sources close to the company have revealed, with new Zelda and Metroid games both set to appear.

According to our source, attendees at the platform holder's pre-E3 press conference will be treated to a presentation of both Metroid Prime 2 - the highly anticipated sequel to Retro Studios' stupendous first-person action-adventure - and the next GameCube Zelda game, which was first mooted by Nintendo of Japan in late 2003 for release by the end of this year.

</INTRO>The same source was unable to confirm whether Mario 128, as the next Mario title has been dubbed in the media, would be on display. Nintendo itself has happily confirmed that the title is well on into development in the past, but has been reluctant to show it off - reportedly in case a competitor decides to cull its ideas.

When contacted earlier this afternoon, Nintendo Europe told us it "does not comment on rumours, especially Internet rumours," and hasn't made any announcements relating to its E3 showing at this time. Other, that is, than the planned unveiling of Nintendo DS.

The showing of key titles such as Wind Waker 2 and Metroid Prime 2 ought to silence critics who have claimed that Nintendo is winding down support for the GameCube in order to focus on the forthcoming Nintendo DS platform and even on its next-generation home console platform, N5.

Asian people look weird and smell like baked chicken.

I say this with confidence and understanding of asian people. However, I have recently found myself wondering new questions and seeking answers Questions like; How many teeth do asian people have? Have you ever noticed that no one has seen a baby asian? Can asian people wear boots? And many other questions. My research has been long and tedious, but it has reached a fruition. I will share my current knowledge of asians.

1. These young asian boys seen here are practicing a traditional ceramony where they give flowers to their parents while frowning. this is called; "Mooshuing" or as Americans would call it in its translated form; "Asking for permission to have sex"

http://money.cnn.com/2004/03/16/commenta.../index.htm

Quote:Commentary > Game Over********
Nintendo embraces instant messaging?

New handheld system will feature free wireless gaming, IM capabilities.
March 16, 2004: 3:06 PM EST



NEW YORK (CNN/Money) – Nintendo's latest handheld system seems to be moving even further away from a pure gaming machine.

In an analyst report issued Tuesday, P.J. McNealy of American Technology Research said the upcoming Nintendo DS will offer Instant Messaging functionality. Rather than being offered nationally, though, the DS is more likely to offer local IM service, using free bandwidth with unlicensed RF spectrum (essentially, the same bandwidth that's used by two-way communication devices). Users would type messages on a touch screen using a stylus.

The addition of IM would be the second potential step for the DS to be a multimedia device. In an earlier note, McNealy revealed a two-hour movie has been successfully demonstrated on the machine. Nintendo has not confirmed any non-gaming functionality, however.

Additionally, the DS will feature free wireless gaming, McNealy wrote. Exactly what that might mean is unclear. It could be that the machine will simply allow players in the same room to play together without the need for a corded connection. (Indeed, a wireless adaptor for the Game Boy Advance is already being sold in Japan.) Conversely, Nintendo could allow friends in different locations to compete against each other or co-operatively, should the wireless signal be strong enough.

Nintendo declined to comment on the report, citing its policy of not addressing rumors or speculation.

As talk grows about the DS sporting additional functionality, interest in the system is increasing. Industry observers are curious whether the company will use the DS to go head to head with Sony's PSP, a handheld game device that offers additional multimedia functionality. Sony (SNE: Research, Estimates) in late February delayed the North American launch of the PSP until early 2005. Nintendo said it is still on track to release the DS this holiday season.

Though the PSP was originally seen as a threat to Nintendo's Game Boy, that talk has quieted in recent months as major publishers have suggested it will carry a price tag ranging from $199-$249 and software will run for $40. Neither Nintendo or its publishing partners have suggested a price point for the DS. McNealy has written that software will likely range from $20-$30.

Nintendo has tried hard to keep details about the DS under wraps, only acknowledging it would feature two, three-inch LCD screens and two separate processors. There has been tremendous speculation on how the machine will look.

McNealy's note, which cites "several [unnamed] industry sources," said the machine will have design characteristics similar to the popular Game Boy Advance SP.
*
The DS will incorporate the 'clamshell' look of the Game Boy Advance.

"The form factor will feature two three-inch screens that fold together, similar to that of the Game Boy Advance," wrote McNealy. "There will be two flipper controls, two directional pads, and an 'a' and 'b' button. The stylus will be used for gaming, Instant Messaging, and other multimedia functionalities."

The possible inclusion of wireless multiplayer gaming has long been rumored for the DS. Sony has reportedly dropped wireless functionality from the PSP, which could give Nintendo a leg up. (It's entirely possible Sony is still debating whether to include some sort of wireless gaming, however.)

Wireless technology likely will play a significant role in the next generation of consoles – with Nintendo's next generation machine due in 2006. If the DS does have wireless functionality, it's possible the device might be able to sync up with the new console, much as the GBA can link up with the

I thought some of you would really appreciate this <a href="http://www.roadsquadron.com/">site</a>, if you haven't seen it already. As the name implies, it's a site for people who have modified their cars to look like Star Wars ships.

<img src="http://www.roadsquadron.com/Cars/Hwing/xwing01.jpg">
<img src="http://www.roadsquadron.com/Cars/Hwing/R2day.jpg">
<img src="http://www.roadsquadron.com/Cars/Hwing/xwing15.jpg">
There are a lot more pictures and a few other cars as well, but I thought these were pretty amazing.

75 - There Are Some Things Money Can't Buy

They look quite awesome, eh?

I know we've already tackled this, but another ageless debate for our stagnant debate forum: Should euthanasia (that is legalized suicide, or assisted-death) be legalized? Why shouldn't people be in control of their lives and be able to end them? Who is the government to step in and say 'No, we own your as a citizen--you may not end your life?"

...and why not? Holland & New Zealand think so. What's so evil about having sex for money? After all, you can give it away for free and that's legal? Discuss.

News Article:
News Date: 03/17/2004
Source: Game Science

Japanese gaming mag Game Science reveals some new Nintendo tidbits.

Game Science has updated their site with a translation of the latest new from the Japanese video game magazine, Nintendo Dream. The article reveals quite a bit about what's coming up in Nintendo's future. Here are a few of the interesting pieces of information; check out Game Science's article for more.


You'll be able to play Nintendo DS at E3. Also we'll be announcing a bunch of new titles for GC and GBA.

There will also be a number of announcements of GC and GBA software before E3.

NDS is such a completely different product to the GBA that it won't have an effect on GBA SP sales. The way to play NDS is fundamentally different, so it will give gamers a totally different kind of experience.

The reason we are making the NDS is to give everyone a chance to try something new. We are confident that here at Nintendo we can continue to improve portable gaming.

Miyamoto has received a request from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC to attend a panel discussion about "Video Games' Cultural Significance."


--------------------

I can imagine that discussion.

Reporter: Do video games make people want to shoot their friends?

Miyamoto: I think (it) is important for us to calmly understand significance of many things such is life or flowers. If need to kill one or friend of many than it is unreasonable to be such way (in) life.

Reporter: ....but do you think video games make people kill their friends?

Miyamoto: It is a question that many of us ask people not of ourselves but also to ourselves and others by nature. (talks to translator) Powerful is to guns as swords are to messes but messes can be cleaned while gunshots conceal death

Retro Studios: Do people actually still think that video games create violence? Since when did Hitler have a Gameboy?

Reporter: ... Dennis Dyack, what do you think?

Dennis: Yeehaw! anyone can carry a minigun in a videogame, BIOTCH! ratatatatata!

Square-Enix: You know, it is how the industry is. If I move 2 spaces forward and one right to commit an attack to the left of my foe then he (or she) may have Strikeback or Counter, this is the gamble we all take. But thankfully, most people abide by the Law Cards and strive to power up their Acacia Hat.

Reporter: Ken Lobb, any closing statements?

Ken Lobb: 'JILLIONS' of blades of GRASS!

Quote:During the month of February this year, two games exclusive to Nintendo consoles have taken the number 1 and number 3 spots in the console all formats sales charts. Unsurprisingly, the Square-Enix developed Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles held the number one spot, while Metroid Zero Mission took hold of number three. NFL Street, also available on the Gamecube and developed by the worlds' "Funniest" third party publisher, Electronic Arts went in at number two.

Furthermore, console sales are up 46% on the same period last year. Most retailers have, in fact, completely sold out of Gamecubes as demand far exceeded supply in the months following a good christmas Stateside. Total Gamecube sales in the United States have recently passed 7 million units, while the Gameboy Advance has seen its' total sales to date exceed 20 million units!