Countdown To Revolution... Again

http://cube.ign.com/articles/671/671782p1.html

The Electronics Entertainment Expo is still more than 165 days off, but that hasn't stopped Nintendo from preparing for the big show. In an unprecedented move, the company today sent out a "save the date" press reminder for its pre-E3 2006 show -- the same event where full disclosure on its next-generation console, codenamed Revolution, will take place.

"You're probably just starting to plan your time for 2006. With a mere 165 days to go (give or take), it's time to start thinking about next year's E3. Nintendo is most certainly thinking about it. So pencil us in," the company wrote in an official mass-mailing to media. "You'll hear all the incredible details about Nintendo's upcoming games and hardware, including our next home console, codenamed Revolution. You won't want to miss it. See you there."

The event will take place on May 9, 2006 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, according to the publisher.

Historically, mailings like this arrive only a month or so prior to the actual E3 events, and thus we're positively puzzled and simultaneously excited to learn that the Big N is already gearing up for its Revolution blowout.

Nintendo of America has indicated on several occasions that more information on Revolution will be forthcoming on a regular basis beginning early next year.

It's still a little early, e3 is months away, but that hasn't stopped the building of hype and high anticipation of more Revolution news. It seems that finally, Nintendo ahve decided to reveal the Revolution. What I am hoping for most is some ingame videos, confirmation of more games, any other unknown functions of the controller, and a price and release date. Lol, yeah I guess that about all there is to know, except for the technical specs, which for some reason I am uninterested in.

As long as the games are unique, and provides graphics superior to the Gamecube's, that is sufficient to gain my support. Oh and, Wi-Fi, low price, and Nintendo's most popular lineup of games ready at launch, is nice too :D.

DS at E3 2005

Kudos to RAB DS for showing me this link :). If you're like me and am currently running Nintendo Wi-Fi through a wireless PCI card (with R2500 chipset), or happen to have a wireless PCI card anyway, now you can download some DS demos shown at e3 2005, and some other demos.

http://akkit.org/DS/E3/

This page has a nice list of playable DS demos up for download. To play you'd need to uninstall current PCI card drivers and use their one. I haven't tried any out yet, but they sound interesting :D. There is even a Meteos, Electroplankton and Jump Superstars demo, nice.

These demos load into the DS wireless through the PCI card, they are multiboot homebrew .nds files that people have somehow managed to get their hands on from this year's e3. If you currently own a supported PCI card, I recommend trying some of the demos out.

How To Save Some Money

Are you one of those people who have a DS, recently bought Mario Kart but never had a chance to play online? You don't have a wireless router, and do not wish to spend $35 ($50 au) on Nintendo's Wi-Fi dongle? There is a solution, a wireless PCI card!

PCI cards normally act as wireles receivers for home/office networks. They pick up wireless transmissions from wireless routers nearby, or at certain access points. They can cost as low as $30 au ($20 u.s), and are also compatible with PCs as well as other wireless pheripherals, unlike the Nintendo Wi-Fi connector. But how can that help you?

What many people do not realise, is that these PCI cards have the ability to function as a wireless accesss point themselves. Most drivers which come with this hardware do not have such option, so basically, it can function as an AP, but can't be told to. Apparantly, a member of SCdev forums discovered a certain driver which has the exact feature. The driver for the gigabyte GN WPKG PCI. And amazingly, this driver can be used for virtually ANY wireless PCI card based on the Ralink R2500 chipset.

Here is a link to SOME of these compatible PCI cards:
http://ralink.rapla.net/

Here is a link to the driver download:
http://tw.giga-byte.com/Download/Download.asp?DownloadPath=/Communication/FileList/Driver/gn-wpkg%20v1.5&FileExtName=zip

Once you've bought a wireless PCI card on the list, download and follow these instructions, curtesy of Darkwind_776 of SCdev forums:

http://files.filefront.com/DS+WiFi2doc/;4365479;/fileinfo.html

It really works, I have followed the instructions and am now happily playing online via the Nintendo WFC. Setting up only took a few minutes. I've also found that as long as you have a fast enough internet connection, multiple DS consoles can play online simultaneously. Also, this allows players who have dialup internet to run WFC. I have been told that it hardly lags, even on dialup, though the connection takes longer to load.

Well, there you have it. On a last note, make sure the card you are buying is ON THE SUPPORTED LIST, or you have confirmation that it uses the R2500 chipset. The first PCI card I bought was a D-link Airplus wireless, and the drivers didn't detect the device. It was only after hours of trying to manually configure the drivers that I decided to return the card and try another instead.

MKDS Wi-Fi

I was finally able to connect and play online via the Nintendo WFC today, and have tried a few races in the worldwide mode. Here's my impression... the experience was orgasmic :D. Seriously, no lag, no freeze, and decent loading times. So far my current states are 6 wins and 2 losses, though for about 3 times people disconnected when they were losing (retards...). For anyone who wants a match here's my friend code:

133203 986406

Well, that is it for now, time to get back to MKDS :P. Hopefully I can have the chance to verse one of you soon :). I'll also detail about connecting with the PCI card too in the next post :).

Mario Kart DS Sales Performance

Sorry about the recent lack of posts, even this one is nothing more than a cut and paste from Nintendo Insider, I have been a little busy recently. After purchasing a wireless PCI card to play Wi-Fi DS I've encountered numerous compatibility issues, and have wasted many hours attempting to justify the errors. For anyone else planning on getting a PCI card, DO NOT BUY IT UNLESS IT IS A GIGABYTE NG WPKG. Not all cards have an access point function, though the WPKG does and will definitely work with DS Wi-Fi. FYI, it costs around $25 U.S, about $40 here.

Onto the news, the article below is taken directly from Nintendo Insider, not written by me. Here is a link to the full article:
http://nintendoinsider.com/site/EEFkyAuAFpQqoXBfxc.php

Nearly Half of Mario Kart DS Owners Play Via Wi-Fi in First Week REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- In its first week of availability, a whopping 45 percent of people who bought the new Mario Kart(R) DS racing game for Nintendo DS(TM) already have test driven its free Wi-Fi capabilities, setting a new industry standard. This remarkable play rate of Mario Kart DS demonstrates both the easy setup and access of Nintendo(R) Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo's new wireless gaming service, as well as the fun game play that has always characterized the Mario Kart series.

On Nov. 14, Mario Kart DS became the first game to use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Through the end of Sunday, more than 112,000 people in the United States had purchased the game. In the same time frame, nearly 52,000 unique users had logged onto Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to play against people from all over the country.

Video game fans have high praise for the addictive fun of Mario Kart DS and the simplicity of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Many report that they can't stop playing.

"From the user-end, this is the easiest way to get online in video games," writes popular video game blog Kotaku.com. "The Wi-Fi integration is seamless. It's as easy as clicking multiplayer on the menu and joining the game."

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection lets users easily connect to the service at no additional charge using both home wireless networks and select Wi-Fi hotspots, without any complicated setup procedures.

Upcoming titles that use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection include Animal Crossing(R): Wild World on Dec. 5 and Metroid(R) Prime Hunters on March 20. The buzz for Animal Crossing: Wild World already has reached a fevered pitch. Four notoriously difficult game raters at Weekly Famitsu, Japan's leading video game magazine, scored it 37 out of a possible 40 points.

Wireless PCI Cards

This was a recent discovery for me, thanks to members at Digital Share and Aussie Nintendo forums. In addition to Nintendo's Wi-Fi dongle, local hotspots and wireless routers providing access for Wi-Fi games, PCI cards are another alternative. Apparantly, once installed they create a wireless network on your pc, and the Nintendo WFC can pick up and use it as an access point. This is great news for those who (like me) are unable to obtain a wireless router or Nintendo dongle.

Wireless PCI cards can be bought from computer and electronics retailers. I've been told that some older and perhaps cheaper PCI cards do not support Wi-Fi, so make sure the one you're purchasing is adaquate for Nintendo online. They cost as low as $40 if you know where to buy them, for me this will be at Big Ben Computer tomorrow (bigbencomputer.com.au). Otherwise they can cost you up to $200 from places such as DSE or Officeworks.

Obviously, they fit into your PC's PCI slot (same connection shared by other pheripherals like dialup modems and sound cards). And once the drivers are installed, and you are connected to a broadband internet connection, your PC is a wireless hotspot. Or so I have been told :).

I am going to buy a wireless PCI card tomorrow, I'll tell you guys how it works out :). If it really connects, I'll see you on MKDS Wi-Fi :P.

Nintendo's Role in Sony's Fall
Source: About.com, Digital Share

This interesting article concerning Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft's future predictions in gaming has been floating around the net for a week now. I've finished reading the 9 pages, and it's certainly been worthwhile.

The article outlines many steps undertaken by the three companies in the recent years, and uses them to make predictions on their future success on the market. Here is a link to the full article:

http://nintendo.about.com/library/sonysfall/blSony1.htm

It is a worthwhile read, please take the time to check it out :). The link was originally posted by Bluelight on Digital Share forums.

"Nintendo creates a system that can co-exist with either the 360 or PS3. People purchase the Revolution to play old NES, SuperNES, and N64 titles. Nintendo hopes that people will purchase the Revolution in addition to either the PS3 or the Xbox 360, effectively making them no longer competitors with either game system. The goal is not to out perform the other systems, but to be different enough that the competition does not exist."

Nintendo Keeping Revolution Secrets

In the latest volume of Nintendo minute (on IGN), senior VP of marketing and corp. communications George Harrison reveals that Nintendo are still hiding some secret concerning their next generation home console, Revolution. When he was also asked for a date when the information is to be released, he hints at some info at the start of 2006, and also at E3 next year.

http://cube.ign.com/articles/668/668117p1.html

"Keeping some Revolution cards close to our chest is a strategic decision on Nintendo's part. Every Nintendo console launch in the past has been shrouded in some level of secrecy due to Nintendo's desire to innovate and provide new gaming features and technology. With Revolution, this could be the most innovative product Nintendo has ever created in the history of the company."

~ George Harrison, NOA.

SSBM Director In Revolution Title
Source: IGN

http://cube.ign.com/articles/667/667525p1.html

Masahiro Sakurai may have left Nintendo for the independent game designer track, but Nintendo's not leaving him out of the series for which he's most known. In the latest Famitsu, Sakurai, head of his own company, Sora, reveals that he is serving as a director and game designer on Super Smash Bros. for the Revolution.

Sakurai is known in most circles as the game designer responsible for the Super Smash Bros. series in the first place. He's also known for his work on the Kirby series and, most recently, as the creative force behind Q Entertainment's Meteos for the DS.

This announcement comes as somewhat of a surprise, seeing as how Sakurai left Nintendo's HAL Labs in Fall of 2003. Sakurai reveals, though, that when leaving Nintendo, his former boss, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, suggested that he might be consulted in the case of a Super Smash Bros. sequel. The real surprise for Sakurai came at this past E3, when Nintendo announced that Super Smash Bros. was in development for the Revolution and would be Wi-Fi compatible. Sakura had apparently heard nothing of the title at that point, although he was in attendance at the Nintendo press conference.

But he was to become involved in a big way following the announcement. One day at E3, Sakurai reveals, he was called to Iwata's room on the top floor of a Los Angeles hotel, and told by Iwata, "We'd like you to be involved in the production of the new Smash Bros., if possible near the level of director."

Sakurai's comments suggest that Super Smash Bros. may not be as far along in development as some had initially thought. At E3, Nintendo raised Smash Bros. for Revolution as an example of the Wi-Fi connection program that would kick off with the DS later in the year. Actual production hadn't begun at the time.

Given the success of Super Smash Bros. Melee for the GameCube, many have been expecting a new entry to launch with the Revolution. Nintendo actually suggested as much in its announcement at E3. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Confirmation of Sakurai's involvement in the project has us even more excited about Super Smash Bros. Revolution, especially given his apparent enthusiasm for the Revolution controller.

Race To Race Online

I purchased a copy of Mario KArt DS yesterday from EB games :P. Although the official release date is set for this Thursday some retailers including Big W and EB have decided to sell some advance copies. After reading that online at Aussie Nintendo a quick call was made to the nearest EB, and after speeding over to pick up the game, I've spent 2 hours finishing the 150cc mode in GP :).

The game is absolutely amazing, no bullcrap there. Play it and you'll believe. Very smooth scenary textures, no lag in multiplayer, really smooth gameplay. I have not tried the online mode yet as I do not own a router (and am eagerly awaiting the USB dongle), though I've heard the gameplay is as good as the single player modes. If you're still awaiting the game's official release tomorrow, wait no longer - buy now!

Also, for any readers residing in the States, you can now purchase the USB adaptor online through Nintendo's online store. Here is a link to the page:

(edit: very long link, please click here)

$34.95 U.S, though I do not know the price of shipping as the adaptor is only available to U.S and Canadian citizens.

Outcoming Games List

Argh, news has been slow again for the past few days. The mosy interesting bit of news is probably about Mark Reign swallowing his previous comments on the Nintendo Revolution. Many seem to have accepted his apology, but I for one stil do not trust the guy, therefore it's not worth posting (lol) :P.

Anyway, here's the list of outcoming consoles games for all Nintendo platforms over the next week (Australian). You'll notice there are many games due for release, this could be associated with the Xbox 360's launch in Australia next month.

16/11/05:
GC: Call of Duty 2 Big Red One
GC: Gun
DS: Tony Hawk's American Sk8land
GC: Tony Hawk's American Wasteland

17/11/05:

GC: Bratz rock angelz
DS: Mario Kart DS
GC: Peter Jackson's King Kong
DS: Spyro Shadow Legacy
DS: Zoo Tycoon DS

18/11/05:
DS: Lost in Blue

21/11/05:
GC: James Bond 007 From Russia With Love

The Regginator Talks

Change - Before you have to...

Nintendo Of America's Regginald Fils Amie has left some impressions at a recent speech at the Harris Nesbitt Media & Entertainment Conference. In addition to news regarding Nintendo's plans with Revolution, he also touches on past marketing schemes, and makes direct reference of games to movies.

Thanks to Go Nintendo for providing a transcript of the interview:
http://www.gonintendo.com/Reggie%20Speech.rtf

This is a great speech, a definite worthwhile read of 12 pages.

AS JACK WELCH ONCE SAID, “IN REAL LIFE, STRATEGY IS ACTUALLY VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD. YOU PICK A GENERAL DIRECTION—AND IMPLEMENT LIKE HELL.”
WE’RE BEYOND PLANNING.
WE’RE ALREADY IMPLEMENTING LIKE HELL.

NINTENDO REVOLUTION IS DECIDEDLY NOT RUNNING IN THIS RACE.
NOT BECAUSE WE CAN’T AFFORD THE ENTRY FEE.
BUT BECAUSE WE DON’T WANT THE PRIZE.

- Reggie

Australian MKDS Info

Revo-europe.com have recently published an article with great new information regarding Nintendo's Wi-Fi service here in Australia, link:

http://www.revo-europe.com/news.php?nid=8493

It seems that Australian gamers will have access to free wireless hotspots to play DS online. No news about an agreement with Maccas yet, although it has been confirmed that 26 Australian retail locations, including selected Electronics Boutique, Myer and Dick Smith Powerhouse stores will support this service. All a player needs to do, is enter a store and simply select Wi-Fi mode on their DS. No setting up required, nice and easy.

It is also great news to the many who are still stuck with dialup internet. And for those who are planning to purchase a USB adaptor, remember they are available from Nintendo Australia (03 9730 9822) for $49.95, with free postage. In addition to credit card, money order and cheques are also accepted.

Also, Nintendo will soon launch the Australian online Wi-Fi resource. NintendoWiFi.com.au will open and act as a useful resource for gamers who wish to find out more info regarding Wi-Fi, or compare their high scores with top gamers in Australia. Sounds interesting, be sure to keep checking the site for updates :).

Merrick on Mark Reign

It seems that Jim Merrick was well aware of Reign's seemingly biased comments made towards the Revolution two weeks ago. For those who are behind in info, Mark disses the Revolution console, insisting games will be "all about the graphics" in the upcoming generation, and that Nintendo fans are in for "crappy, cheap, I-wish-I-hadn't-bought-it gimmicks". Surprisingly, out of the many developers who have commented on the Revolution after the TGS, Reign was the only individual to present a negative view.

That is fair enough, guess nobody can control his opinions. But what has been nagging my mind, and I'm sure the minds of many other gamers, is the aggressive attitude, and lack of evidence to back up Reign's comments. The use of "I-wish-I-hadn't-bought-it" to describe Revolution games are undoutably biased against Nintendo. Besides from the fact that he doesn't own a dev kit, haven't been told the specs, and hasn't utilised the controller, I also doubt he's been shown any Revolution games (running on next gen hardware).

It's all well if he'd back up his comment, perhaps with evidence of the Revolution's inferior hardware, or lack of on par graphics. But he's included nothing of the sort, and now besides from making himself appear to be a total idiot when compared to other developers, he's hated by fans from all over the internet.

Apparantly, Merrick shares similar views as the rest of us N-gamers. In a recent interview he has responded to Reign's comments:

“Mark has a very narrow section of the business. Epic builds middleware, they’re very technically savvy guys, but he doesn’t have a Revolution controller, he doesn’t have a dev kit, he’s talking about something he knows nothing about. So if he’d like to get a dev kit and really dig into it, then I’d be interested to hear what he has to say.”

That was a little aggressive coming from Nintendo... but neccessary. Gonintendo.com have recently emailed some questions to Reign, and are waiting for his response. Tune into Go Nintendo for more news.

Start Your Engines

Only a week left until Mario Kart DS is officially released in Australia, and Aussie Nintendo has released some awesome new info for the game. But firstly, it seems my previous list of "confirmed" MKDS unlockable characters were... not confirmed. Apparantly it has not been revealed that Koopa, Toadette and Petey will be playable characters in the game. The only confirmed player is R.O.B, as seen the screenshot below:



Argh, stoopid robot, this guy has to be the only Nintendo invention I dislike. And if he's in the game when Toadette's kicked out... ah well, 36 available karts makes up for the disappointment... kinda. Alright, on to some positive news.

I'm sure you've all seen the final cover boxart for Mario Kart DS, and now the back cover has been revealed. Picture courtesy of aussie-nintendo.com:



Aussie Nintendo have been kind enough to clear up some confusion regarding the DS and its Wi-Fi connection, this page is a useful resource for anyone having doubts on how to cnnect and play online.

http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/content/news_archives/ds.php?subaction=showfull&id=1131554079&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2

Summing up the article:

- The first Wi-Fi game ,Tony Hawk DS will be released on the 16th of November, Mario Kart launching a day later.
- Currently there are two ways to play online for Australian DS gamers. The first is to setup a connection with a home wireless router. Simply follow instructions on the DS and players can be connected in minutes. The second is to purchase the Nintendo Wi-Fi adaptor.
- The adaptor is available from Nintendo, on 1300 362 746 (Nintendo Australia). The cost is $49.95, but comes with free shipping for Australians. Payments methods are credit card, money order or cheque.
- You can purchase and pay for the adaptor prior to the 17th, but no orders will be processed before that date.
- Currently, nintendowifi.com is only available to American gamers to share their high scores and discuss Wi-Fi gaming, though the service will be made available for Aussies in the distant future.
- Nintendo.com.au will be having updates regarding Wi-Fi and Mario Kart DS next week, so stay tuned for more details.

Remote Controller

Today Nintendo has announced the annual Platinum reward for platinum Club Nintendo Members - a Revolution remote controller. The controller has the exact shape and size of a Nintendo Revolution controller, but will operate a television rather than Revolution games. Basically, this will give some lucky members a feel of wielding the revolutionary gaming device, only without its revolutionary features.

Along with the remote, members will also be given a 2006 wall calender featuring Kirby, Nintendogs, Mario and Zelda graphics.

Nintendo Wi-Fi News

There is some assorted news concerning Nintendo's Wi-Fi connection and Mario Kart DS, I am including them all in the same post.

Nintendo has sucessfully launched their global Wi-Fi site, nintendowifi.com. It will be used as a resource for game information, Wi-Fi setup and recording high scores on the current Wi-Fi supported titles. Checking the Mario Kart section, it seems that some Nintendo officials and other staff have already received advance copys of Mario Kart DS, and already have their scores posted at the site.

A new commercial for the Wi-Fi connection has surfaced. Ninjas, anyone?
http://media.gba.gamespy.com/articles/664/664980/vids_1.html?RSSwhen2005-11-07_105800&RSSid=664980

Nintendo has revealed that they have an intention to retail the USB adaptor worldwide in the near future, along with the release of Metroid Prime Hunters for DS. But currently, the adaptor is only available from eBay or Nintendo's website.

The complete list of all unlockable Mario Kart DS characters has been revealed. Please note: spoilers below:

Daisy
Koopa Troopa
Toadette
Waluigi
Shy Guy
Dry Bones
Petey Piranha
R.O.B - NES

Interestingly, ROB is included as a playable character. For those who don't know, he started off as a pheripheral for the Nintendo Entertainment System back in the 80s, as a robotic toy with NES connectivity. It is very surprising that Nintendo have decided to include him in a game, instead of other MK characters such as Mini Bowser, Wiggler, Baby Mario etc. Ah well, at least Toadette is in the game :P.

Toad + Toadette = Ultimate 1337ness in MKDD :D.

Konno Talks Nintendo

Game Life has held a recent interview with Hideki Konno, producer at EAD studio in Kyoto. Topics covered include Mario Kart DS, Nintendogs and Revolution. Aussie Nintendo have an article with some of these questions.

Mario Kart DS:

You'll see it during the race?

Konno: As you're playing for a while, maybe if you beat some staff ghosts in the time trial mode, you'll get stars next to your user name. You can get up to three, and you have to do quite a bit to get those three stars. Once you've done that you'll see them online.

Nintendogs:

Any plans for Nintendogs on Wi-Fi?

Konno: We have a lot of ideas (laughs). That's the next thing we'd like to tackle. So there are a lot of things that I'm looking forward to addressing in regards to that question.

Revolution:

What sort of controller motions intrigue you more: little ones or big ones? Do you want to make an action game where you're wildly slashing a sword or a puzzle game where you're making intricate movements?

Konno: Wow, that's a good question. We're thinking of so many different things. We're still at the stage where we're trying so many different things. We're doing things with big, expansive movements and smaller, more concise movements. It's hard to narrow it down to one over the other.

Did you see the Tokyo Game Show video? We actually have things using the movements you saw. Like the cooking game. We have this game with a big wok that you use to cook Chinese food, and it's really interesting to have the meat and vegetables frying in there, and use the controller to flip the food around without it spilling out of the pan.

The full interview is available at:
http://blog.wired.com/games/index.blog?entry_id=1273394%22

Mario Kart DS Competition

Alright, there hasn't been much Nintendo news lately so I thought I'd bring this up. Of the many reader of this blog, who here is planning on purchasing Mario Kart DS? If you are one of those mentioned, would you be interested in an online Mario Kart competition?

Personally, I claim myself to be the number 1 most obsessive Mario Kart player. I have played and finished all 4 existing Mario Kart games with quite impressive scores :P, and am holding some records which are faster than anyone I know.

Hehe, I'm not trying to boast, just trying to get some of you to participate in the comp. Alright, here's the proposal:

I challenge all of you to some online MKDS verses races.

Those who beat me will have their game number posted on this blog, so other Mario Kart pros can check and add the number to their friend's list. If you could join, please post your number at DIgital Share forums when the game is released :).

Digital Share forums

That is all for now, thanks.

Nintendo's Future

Sorry for the recent lack of posts, I have been a little busy lately. I'm sure you've all already read or watched the full interview at Nintendo's press summit, but just in case, here is a link to the full transcript.

http://cube.ign.com/articles/664/664495p1.html

An hours long presentation, Reggie is interviewed about his thoughts on Nintendo's strategies with the Revolution console, and future plans on marketing the system. He touches on the online plans Nintendo have for both the Nintendo DS and Revolution, and also answers many questions regarding the service. The whole interview is 5 IGN pages in length, but is worth the read.

The questions he answers at the end are most informative. He does not reveal any important new information, but responds in detail to questions aimed at the GB Micro, DS Wi-Fi, Revolution and also Nintendo's third party support.

Darkenedjib On GB Micro

The Micro launched in Australia yesterday, so I went and bought one, and thought I might write a hands on impression (for those who are considering). The photos below are taken by me, sorry about the blurr in some -_-.

Well, I bought the Micro, returned home, and went straight to my room to open it. You know that new hardware feeling you get when buying new gadgets? It was like that for me, sitting on the bed and staring at the console's box. The blurr in the images below could have been due to my hands shaking while holding the camera :P.





Yeah, I bought the red bundle. The only other choice from Big W was the silver console, which came with a black faceplate, it was a tough choice though. Anyway, I opened the box and slide out the contents. The Micro was visible behind a plastic wrapping... nice.



I took out the rest of the contents. There was an instruction booklet, user manuel, charger and extra faceplate. A pouch was included but I didn't notice. The charger was similar to the SP and DS ones, but a smaller socket to fit a Micro. The extra faceplate was purple.



The Micro itself was a lot heavier than I expected. It was made with a strong metallic casing, unlike the plastics of the GBA or metallic paint on the SP, and weighed a little more than an SP. The faceplate was covered with a clear plastic which looked neat, but left fingerprints when I held it.





Sweeet. I couldn't wait to try out some old GBA games, but first, here are some additional screens from different angles.





I took out two random games (first ones I could find). They happened to be Mario Kart Super Circuit and Pokemon Leaf Green. Here is a shot of Mario Kart.



The Micro fit nicely in my hands. The A and B buttons were easily reaschable, the D pad was very responsive, and the L R buttons gave a nice click when I pushed them. I first tried out the volume and screen brightness. The sound was decent, but not as loud as I hoped, maybe a tad louder than an SP. But the brightness was amazing, even at the lowest setting it was brighter than the SP's frontlight. And at 4 notches higher in brightness, I swear you could use it as a torch. The image was crystal clear (don't be discouraged by that shoddy image!), the Micro has as many pixels as the GBA SP, only on a smaller screen.



The image above is from Pokemon, again, crystal clear reception. The text was easy to read, and navigating items in the game was a cinche. It took almost no time for me to adjust to the micro's controls. You had to kinda cradle the console to reach all the buttons, which felt fairly compfortable. Notice the Start/Select buttons are emitting a red light. That meant the thing needed to recharge, the charged colour is blue.

I dug around for the Movie Player I bought a while ago (a Play-Yan alternative for watching movies on the SP or DS). The player stuck out of the system a bit (ok... a lot), but the picture was awesome. Hehe, I watched a bit of Family Guy on it.



For some reason, Family Guy didn't seem so interesting just then :P. I thought I might show you the other faceplate. The Micro came with a small bit of plastic, which I almost threw in the bin, used for changing the faceplates. I had to push the two points on the plastic into corresponding holes on the left side of the Micro, and the faceplate popped open. Changing faceplates was easy enough, though a pinkish/purple faceplate looked slightly out of place.



I guess there isn't much else to say about the console, though I was really anxious to recharge and start playing some GBA classics on the 2 inch screen :P. Afterwards, I managed to find an old Mario and Luigi Superstar Sage cartridge, and spent about 2 hours playing non stop. Lol, that was the reason I wasn't able to write a review yesterday.

So yeah, it's a nifty gadget, definitely worth the $138. I apoligise for the untidy review, I am really eager to return to MLSS right now :D. To finish off, here are two more images.