SuperCard DS-ONE OS v1229 is now available for download. SuperCard is the first extra flash memory game cartridge with simple but practical functions. SuperCard DS-ONE OS v1229 has the following main features:

• Added Built-in SuperKey function which works as a SuperKey to boot slot 2 SuperCard
• Added "AUTO set SD speed" function which can set optimization speed automatically
  

The SuperCard software and firmware is compatible only with the original SuperCard. The company says using the software with other brands may cause some problems. They will not respond to issues related to such misuse so don't even think about it! So now, enjoy the download.

Download: [SuperCard DS-ONE OS v1229]

Noda has issued the first release of Warcraft:Tower Defense v0.1 beta - a DS adaptation of the Warcraft III mod. This homebrew game now works only with flashcards that allow PAFS working such as Supercard, M3 (using the .ds.gba), and maybe a few others.

Noda reminds one and all that this is only the beta version. If you want to know what the final version would be like, it will include the following:

• Fatlib (DLDI version) map loading
• Options menu to choose to use either PAFS or Fatlib loader & change some preferences
• New sound engine
• Stereo sound placement for the in-game SFX
• More palettes for monsters
• A manual and a complete documentation for the map editor
• Multiplayer function

But for now Warcraft:Tower Defense v0.1 beta has only one map. With the included Map Editor, Noda expects a lot of new wonderful maps from fellow Warcraft fans (that means you)!

How to use: Put the maps (*.tdm) in the /Maps subfolder, then double click on "ADD MAPS.bat"

For more info, please refer to the readme file.

Download: [Warcraft:Tower Defense v0.1 beta]

Christ added two more maps to his AMAP4DS v3.1, the homebrew app for people with no sense of direction.

If you're new to AMAP4DS (a map for DS), it's a simple and easy-to-use map viewer originally designed for metro and bus maps. If you're constantly getting lost in Belgium, you can now download the Brussels metro, tram, and bus map. If you're in Portugal, the Lisboa metro-bus map ought to help get your bearings back.

• Included maps. It features quality maps including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, and France.
• Add more maps. If you happen to be in an area not yet covered by AMAP4DS and you want to add your map, you can download the AMAP4DS-Open-Source package here. It includes a tutorial on how to do it.

Download: [AMAP4DS-Brussels-Metro-Tram v3.1]
Download: [AMAP4DS-Lisboa-Metro-Bus v3.1]

SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters DS, the game that pits legendary (and some less famous) characters from SNK and Capcom has been released in Europe. The latest edition of the Card Battle Tournament features over 300 all-new collectible cards. Each one carries varying hit points and special abilities based on the SNK or Capcom character.

"SNK's card battling series has been updated for a new generation of gamers" according to Ignition Entertainment. "Mixing characters from two of the arcades biggest names only adds to what is a truly fun and exciting game of tactics and skill."

But SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters DS isn't all adversarial. Got duplicate cards? No prob! The game allows trading by using the Recycle machine or stop by the shops to get new cards.

 

...But this one's not a game.

"The Sword of Oz", the first of a planned trilogy of "The Dark Witches of Oz," has been transformed into an epic fantasy adventure interactive ebook for the PC, DS, PSP, PS3, Wii, and the iPod. Yes, the iPod. The story is based on the classic "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum.

"The Sword of Oz" is set before before the wicked witches overthrew the old king of Oz and prior to the arrival of Dorothy and Toto. Instead, it's Dorothy's future grandfather Arthur Gale who is wearing the ruby slippers, so to speak.

Gale is the character through which this new chapter in Oz’s history is experienced. "The Sword of Oz" is a multi-branching adventure and readers can pick which adventures Arthur will take on. The different paths through the narrative vary widely but also closely connected so events not directly experienced by a reader in one sitting still affect those in the adventure they choose to experience.

"The Sword of Oz", written by best selling fantasy novel author Darren Reid ,will be available exclusively at NextGenBooks. NextGenBooks is a new website where PC and console (Wii, DS, PS3, and PSP) users can access Darren Reid’s free ebook library. The Sword of Oz interactive ebook will be released on January 19. Hopefully, it will create a generation of interactive e-bookworms.

For more info on "The Sword of Oz", Darren Reid, and NextGenBooks, please click on the "Read" link below.

There are optimists who see half-empty glasses as half-full. Then there's the super-optimists who see an Olympic size swimming pool where the rest of us see a puddle. THQ is definitely a super-optimist. The company predicted its total sales for this financial year will hit US$ 1 billion dollars.

However, THQ didn't just pull that massive figure out of hat. The company raised its total sales outlook this fiscal year following the outstanding performance of its franchises such as Cars, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, and Avatar: The Last Airbender that surpassed even THQ's expectations.

At the end December 31, the company earned US$ 475 million (above the projected US$ 400 to US$ 425 million). For the fourth quarter, the company expects about $146 million in sales.

"THQ's platform strategy served us very well this holiday with stronger than expected sales of mass-market franchises... across key current and next-generation hardware systems," said a very happy Brian Farrell, the very happy president and CEO of THQ. "This performance combined with our successful original property launches exclusively for next-generation systems have positioned THQ to achieve the significant milestone of $1 billion in sales for fiscal 2007."

Gunpey, Atari's adaptation of port of the classic musical puzzle Gunpei Yokoi for the DS and the PSP, will finally be available in Europe in March.

Gunpey's music-based puzzle action gameplay involves rows of panels climbing upwards from the bottom of the screen. Players must flip and move pieces to connect the lines inside the panels. The moment a line spans the width of the screen, the panels will explode making space for more. Game ends if the panels reach all the way to the top of the screen.

Gunpey (for the two handhelds) features wireless head to head play and various game modes including Single screen, Double screen, new Break Rule, and Time Attack. Exclusive to the PSP are up to 40 vibrant collectible skins in the Challenge Mode. In the DS version, players can launch special attacks to temporarily disrupt their opponent’s game and use the Sound Sets and Patternizer to create their own unique musical compositions.

Strategy First and Glyphic Entertainment announced the signing of classic turn-base strategy game Warlords for the DS. Warlords DS is an eight player turn-based game of conquest and empire. The game provides different worlds for players to showcase their combat skills.

Gamers can assemble vast armies to conquer and loot mighty cities, pursue dangerous quests, make and break alliances, and use powerful magical artifacts. Sure gamers can resort to economics, diplomacy, and exploration to win, but it is a game where military might makes all the diff. The game features include:

• Random worlds for infinite game replay value
• Hidden maps for extra tension and danger
• 20 built-in scenarios to play again and again
• Up to 8 players with hot-seat and Nintendo WiFi support
• 28 different army types to produce for your mighty hordes
• 4 terrains to choose from – grasslands, desert, wastelands and frozen tundra
• Formidable AI system to challenge even the most experienced gamers
• Exceptional graphics and sound provide deep immersion into the game world
• Integrated tutorial and military advisor provide an easy learning curve to novice gamers
• Historical tracking of all statistical information ranging from military strength to diplomatic state
• Based on the award winning Warlords franchise

Also in the pipeline is the strategy/RPG action game Disciples II, first appearance of the Disciples franchise on the DS. The game is set ten years since the first great wars as evil forces draw near. Disciples II DS game features include:

• Visually Stunning Characters and terrain set the stage for the epic battle.
• Over 200 individually animated characters
• Every character gains experience and can gain levels
• Over 100 animated magic spells
• Four unique campaigns tell the story from different perspectives
• Multiplayer supports up to four players
• Intelligent and challenging combat AI

JoWooD Productions certainly is no slacker. This year, the developer is all set to release 17 titles for the PC, PSP, DS, and PS2. The starting line-up includes the extreme sports game Freak Out – Extreme Freeride (PSP/PC/PS2), Ski Alpine Racing 2007 (PC/PS2), and The Mark, a counter terrorist shooter for the PC.

The complete line-up of JoWooD projects slated for release in 2007 includes:

• Lifesigns Hospital Affairs (DS)
• Neighbours from Hell (DS)
• Freak Out – Extreme Freeride (PSP/PC/PS2)
• Pain Killer (PSP/PS2)
• Ski Alpine Racing 2007 (PC/PS2)
• Murder on the Orient Express (PC)
• The Mark (PC)
• Flyboys (PC)
• AquaNox (PS2)
• Atlantis Collector Edition - The New World and Evolution (PC)
• Dungeon Lord Collectors Edition (PC)
• Egypt Collectors Edition – The Heliopollis Prophecy and The Fate of Ramses (PC)
• Genesis Rising (PC)
• Jules Verne Collectors Edition – Journey to the Moon and Mysterious Island (PC)
• Patriots A nation under fire (PC)
• Safecracker (PC)

The DS version of the PC RPG Maple Story has not only been re-confirmed by its Korean gaming developer Nexon, the company even gave it a release date: sometime September 2007.

News of Maple Story for the DS first surfaced at E3 2006. Since then the buzz died down until these recent info came out. According to resurrected buzz, Nexon has a dedicated team headed by the company's Managing Director Hyong-No Kim working on the game.

The DS version will stick to the game's PC gameplay such as the variation of jobs, skills, and battle system. But new elements aimed specifically for Nintendo's bestselling handheld will be added. Maple Story will be a side-scrolling action RPG with an avatar code system.

Maple Story DS will be released in a special DS bundle initially in Korea. Don't worry, the game will also be available in Europe, US, Japan, and Australia.