One of the best puzzle games ever will be arriving in Europe on April 21st. Now with the ability to play anyone around the world with the Nintendo Wi-Fi should definitely create some new Tetris addicts. Here's the important parts of the press release that may interest those of you who haven't been able to get through a night without dreaming of falling blocks since '89:

Back in 1989 the world became obsessed with Tetris when it took the Game Boy by storm. Adored by all, young or old, players were hooked as soon as they picked it up. Now it's time for a whole new generation to experience the craze that introduced puzzle games to the mainstream. Tetris DS combines the much loved original game with all new modes of game play, including the Touch Mode, which takes Tetris to a completely new level of gaming allowing for the first time ever to move blocks around the screen using the Nintendo DS stylus and touch screen.

Via the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection service, you can really take on the rest of the world! Players can connect with up to three players from around the world and battle it out to be the ultimate Tetris champion. What's more, up to ten Nintendo DS owners can battle it out together, even if only one player has a game card! An innovative point-based rating system based on players' battle results, also lets users check the skill of their opponents before taking them on! Players can select to take on all challengers in intense two or four player versions of the Standard Mode, as well as playing the unique two player versus mode provided by Push Mode.

Players can hone their construction skills through any one of six different modes contained in Tetris DS, each featuring a theme based on classic Nintendo games such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda and Metroid. As well as Nintendo theme based modes, the modes also contain remixed classic Nintendo music, guaranteed to bring sweet music to any player's ears. Traditional falling blocks and line clearing strategy remain essential, however the Nintendo DS's touch screen opens up a whole new level of interactivity for the player as the screen is used to twist and turn the blocks.

The game's Standard Mode is a faithful recreation of the much-loved Tetris. However, as the player completes lines, the computer plays through the original Super Mario Bros on the top screen. Push Mode adds a Donkey Kong themed tug-of war spin to Tetris, where players race to 'push' their opponents off the screen by completing lines. Touch Mode makes use of the Nintendo DS touch-screen, with a distinct Balloon Trip feel as players drag towers of blocks around to make lines. Yoshi themed Puzzle Mode challenges players to clear 200 pre-programmed puzzles with a selection of blocks. There is only one correct combination so the challenge is definitely a head-scratcher! Mission Mode gives players a series of Zelda themed tasks to complete and Catch Mode is a wacky space based game with a Metroid theme. Players must control a flying block and catch other blocks to make 4x4 grids.

So prepare to be hooked on one of the world's most addictive puzzle games ever! Tetris DS is unleashed across Europe on the Nintendo DS from 21st April 2006 for the estimated retail price of around £30.

What a good week to be a gamer... by the looks of it, pretty much every platform is getting lots of attention. A couple of the biggest I would think being The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Tetris DS, Metroid Prime: Hunters, Worms, and Metal Gear Acid 2. Time to raid the piggy bank!

    * The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (PC, Xbox 360)
    * The Godfather (PC, Xbox, PS2)
    * Tetris DS (DS)
    * Metroid Prime: Hunters (DS)
    * Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII (PC, Xbox, Xbox 360)
    * Me and My Katamari (PSP)
    * Metal Gear Acid 2 (PSP)
    * Viewtiful Joe VFX Battle (PSP)
    * Worms: Open Warfare (PSP, DS)
    * Go! Sudoku (PSP)
    * Kao Challenger (PSP)
    * Capcom Classics Remixed (PSP)
    * Warship Gunner 2 (PS2)
    * Suikoden V (PS2)
    * River King: A Wonderful Journey (PS2)
    * Kao the Kangaroo Round 2 (PS2, Xbox, GC)
    * DBZ Buu's Fury/ DBGT Transformation (GBA)
    * Tao's Adventure: Curse of the Demon (DS)
    * Catz (GBA)
    * Worms (DS)
    * Kao the Kangaroo (GC)

Metroid Prime Hunters will see retail stores in Europe on May 5th. As you know that is about 2 months after the US release. We don't really understand why it takes two extra months to release a game that is on a proprietry system with its own screen, but we aren't Nintendo. Click read more for the full press info.

Who says there's no innovation in controller design? Zieak has turned an NES controller into a 12-in-1 card reader using nothing more than a Dremel, an X-acto knife, and some glue. Gut the controller, glue the buttons, transplant new guts, cut openings, and install the cord. Voilà!

The vibrations cartridge for the Nintendo DS has gone on sale in Japan. The cartridge, as you can see, fits in the GBA slot on the DS unit, and from what we have been told, provides a heck of a lot of rumble. Check it out.
The web page is in Japanese, but this is what the google translator was able to make out for us. Any help with a better translation?

The " DS vibrating cartridge " is the cartridge in order to  enjoy vibrating function in the DS series. As for vibrating function the software below is corresponding. * The DS vibrating cartridge corresponding title * マリオ & Louis - the G  RPG2 * メトロイドプライム pin ball (however, the DS vibrating cartridge bundled is done in the software.)  * Instant impression  パズループ.  It said somewhere there that it was selling for 1200 Yen.

Initial sales of the DS Lite in Japan have been extremely high, selling out in many stores even before doors opened. Attempting to secure a DS Lite at Japanese retail outlets, IGN writes: "With the Japanese DS Lite launch on Thursday morning, 3/2, Nintendo has embraced launch carnage like the good old days of Super Famicom and N64. Forget about selling out minutes after opening -- the DS Lite was sold out hours before opening time at every retailer IGN was able to visit."

Though initial sales figures have yet to be released, Nintendo announced plans to ship over 450,000 DS Lite units and 200,000 original DS units during the month of March. Do you expect the same for a US launch of Nintendo's DS Lite?

Well look at the surprised look on my face...

 

The Ice Blue and Enamel Navy variants on the standard DS Lite color will arrive on March 11th instead of March 2nd, while the Crystal White version will still make its March 2nd launch date in Japan.

 

Nintendo apologized for the delay, explaining that a manufacturing problem had adversely affected the number of quality blue models that could be ready by March. It is unknown whether this small delay would affect the Lite's launch in other territories, but we'd say that it's unlikely. Blue DS Lite importers, however, may have to wait an extra nine days.

The City of London Corporation has announced that the City is to benefit from complete WiFi coverage. The City (which covers about one square mile) is working in partnership with a WiFi company, The Cloud, to implement the scheme over the next few months.

 

According to ABCmoney.co.uk, WiFi providers The Cloud will be setting up a WiFi network in London. Here’s a quote from the article:

 

The City of London Corporation is all set to have WiFi network in place covering the entire city (The square mile). The project is being undertaken by the corporation in partnership with a private WiFi firm, The Cloud. It is expected to be implemented in full in the next few months.

 

The Cloud, which will install the hardware and equipment, will make use of street furniture like the lamp posts and street signs for the purpose.

 

The network will make the city WiFi-enabled and workers as well as visitors within the square mile will be able to make use of wireless devices to access the internet on streets and in open spaces. The project will support high speed internet access, email, music and video downloads and voice over WiFi services.

 

Here’s another quote.

 

The Cloud has opted for an open network concept, which means that any service provider can use the network for a price to provide services to its customers. The firm already runs several WiFi hotspots in London, such as at Canary Wharf, the British Library and Coffee Republic, a chain of cafés. Operators, including BT Group and Nintendo, rent time on The Cloud’s network.

 

Yeah. Free Nintendo DS WiFi for all of the City of London. Productivity dies as WiFi figures go up. Nintendo starts printing money, and realize Europe should be taken seriously when Tetris DS sells out in London in one day.

 

Yeah, that’s a bit over-estimated. As if Nintendo would take Europe seriously!

New screens from Sudoku DS, some crossword puzzle game and a jigsaw game for the DS hit the net today. All three games from Hudson Soft seem to let you use your stylus to play the game. One or two of them looks like it lets you actually write your answers on the screen.