There was a time when developing games in your own garage would have made you rich beyond your wildest dreams. That dream is getting farther and farther out of reach as the video game industry is becoming larger and more complex. EA CEO John Riccitiello remarked in his DICE keynote speech that by 2010, the garage studio dream will no longer be possible. More in the full article.

In times like these we just have to realize that we can't have it all: Chinese official Nintendo distributor iQue released a nifty limited edition Super Mario 64 DS-themed silver DS Lite, and we can't just stop drooling at the handheld bling bling. Read on to check out the limited edition DS!

Contrary to what Todd Mitchell of Kaufman Bros. Equity Research has said, IDC analyst Billy Pidgeon has stated that the commercial success of the Wii and the DS will be good for the market. However, he also noted that this comes with new problems in terms of publishing games.

According to Pidgeon Nintendo's Wii and the DS "raise the challenge with alternative interfaces, and publishers with titles that are optimised for those interfaces have the best opportunity to leverage the broader installed base for the DS and for the potentially broader base of the Wii."

It's always been a given that publishers of games have optimized their releases for the platform it was intended for. From his statement, it is more important now, more than ever, for publishers to stand up and take notice that people actually want their games to take advantage of the hardware they bought. Pidgeon even went so far as to say that "publishers that provide quick and careless original and licensed titles or shoehorned ports of games designed for other platforms are going to suffer, as they should."

Regarding the actual statement that Nintendo's success is bad for the market, it turns out this is not a new issue and began in the 8-bit days, Pidgeon revealed.

The idea that Nintendo is bad for third-party publishers is a myth with roots in the 8bit -16bit days when Nintendo and Sega manufactured cartridges and the third party publishers felt they got short shrift in the production line.With N64 and GameCube, Nintendo suffered from a lack of third-party support and most of the third party titles that were published on Nintendo's platforms were slapped together ports of games for other systems

While it may seem that Nintendo can do no wrong, it is important for their continued success to have third-party publishers producing games developed utilizing the Wii and DS' technologies. We can expect to hear more about this issue in the near future as more and more Wii games and DS titles invade the video games market. If you want to read more on what Billy Pidgeon said, click on the read link.

Nintendo's PR machine has sent out a press release announcing that Diddy Kong Racing will be released across Europe on April 20. This title will be the popular franchise's debut on the Nintendo DS handheld and will bring with it all of the thrills and excitement of the original N64 game along with all new improvements and challenges.

The DS version of Diddy Kong Racing will feature new playable characters, retextured tracks, brand new unlockables and a track editor mode. It also takes advantage of the DS's touch screen and microphone features for certain modes and options. Players will also be able to compete with their friends and others around the world via Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection service.

Using a single game card, up to eight friends can challenge each other to Single Races, Trophy Races, Battle Traces, Token Tussles and Wish Races. Connecting Diddy Kong Racing to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Service allows players to challenge up to six opponents from anywhere in the world.

We've got a video of Diddy Kong Racing for the DS. The DS version does a nice job of revving the motors of adventure racers who want another ride with the N64 luminary.

The game's premise is simple: a space pig has taken control of Diddy's island and it's up to our furry hero to wrest back the ownership of his tropical cabana.

 

Expect fast action, more wacky weapons and clever storytelling when you take this speedster for a spin. Although the game has been out for a week already, we're hoping that by checking out this video, you'd see for yourself if it's roadworthy or not.

Don't you just love it when your favorite classic games go next-gen? Childhood memories come flooding back including the ones you've tried so hard to block out -- like the time when your little sister kicked your ass in playing the N64 (or as the N64 kid said, "NINTENDO SIXTY PHOARRRRR!!!")

And since we're on the subject of the N64 (yeah, lame segue, I know), one of the games that made its name on the classic console is Nintendo's Diddy Kong Racing. And now that it's being ported to the DS with a different look, new controls, and tons of other features (such as three multiplayer modes: single card download play, wireless play, and WiFi play), we won't be surprised if YouTube vids start showing up with people screaming "Nintendo DS!" Errr..."The Nintendo DS...?" (Say whaaat?!) Ugh, nevermind. Just enjoy the Crazy Kart gameplay vid below.

It's been quite a while since we last had an update on what to expect in the DS version of the N64 classic Diddy Kong Racing. Today we finally found out a few more details, thanks to the latest issue of Nintendo Power.

Diddy Kong Racing DS will have all of the courses found in the Rare original. The game will also have three multiplayer modes - single card download play, wireless play, and WiFi play - for more mad monkey racing with your friends.

Still no word on whether there will be some changes in the character lineup, but we'll be sure to bring you the updates as soon as we find out.

North Americans will be seeing Diddy Kong Racing DS on store shelves on February 7. For a peek at the gameplay, check out the clip in this previous QJ article.

No matter what people say, the Nintendo Company would always be synonymous with gaming. While it might have lost some of its dominance that was rather unparalleled during the 80s and early 90s, this Japanese-led multinational corporation will always be there, keeping in step with the changing times.

With the recent release of new console Wii and the DS still manhandling competition in the handheld arena, Nintendo could be very well on its way to reclaim its throne. Given all these success however, current NoA President Reggie Fils-Aime shared that Nintendo remains humble unlike its rivals.  He explained,

I do think that highlights a difference between us and our competitors. We're not arrogant. We don't view success as a right. We feel we need to earn success every day. And we're going to do that by being true to the gamer.

While talking about strategy, Fils-Aime used the Wii Virtual Console as an example. He admitted that sometimes, first party software are indeed few and lacking. However, rather than sit and wait for good sales to come pouring back again, the executive divulged their strategy and if we may add, it is indeed a little clever:

I do think here in the Americas we want to be a bit more strategic in how we use the titles on Virtual Console. If there's a month where we don't have a fantastic lineup of Nintendo-packaged software, that's where I want to release a great SNES game or a great N64 game to maintain the momentum.

When the first collectible Legend of Zelda resin statue was finally released to the public last August, the fandom went wild as people saw a figure of Fierce Deity Link who makes his appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask released for the N64 and the GameCube in 2000. After the successful reception for this creation, the next in this line of resin figures was unveiled, and it was no other than the Skull Kid himself.

For those who are unfamiliar with who this quirky-looking figure is, the Skull is a mischievous imp who stole a precious mask from a travelling mask salesman in the land of Termina. Majora's Mask took over the Skull Kid though, who ended up convincing the moon to crash into the land and destroy everything. In comes Link who was with the salesman when the mask was stolen. In order to avert the impending catastrophe, Link has to retrieve the Ocarina of Time as well as the mask itself in three days.

This game has been popular among fans because of its uncommonly dark storyline as well as for its gameplay itself. Since Link was only able to retrieve the Ocarina of Time, the player must then turn back time again and again to three days before the day that the moon is to crash into Termina, and keep reliving those three days until all goals are accomplished.

In this latest figure from First 4 Figures, fans will be able to recall that moment in the game when the Skull Kid dons the mask for the first time. Only 2,500 pieces of this figure were created, with each one of them hand-painted and costing US$ 99.99. Now that the holidays are coming up, this collector's item may just be the perfect present for either a Zelda fan or yourself.

The free online magazine The Art of Gaming by the GameSide network has released its third issue, featuring that lovable Nintendo plumber Mario. Issue #3 explores the history of Nintendo's flagship series from its earliest incarnation in the 8-bit NES world to the SNES, N64 and Gamecube, from the core Super Mario storyline to spinoffs, features, and guest appearances in other games like Mario Kart, Super Smash Brothers, and even Mario Teaches Typing.

Also catch their review of the DS reincarnation/reimagining of the 8-bit and 16-bit Mario games, New Super Mario Bros., as well as their AOG Invader series where they interview Swedish developer Muskendunder Interactive on the behind-the-scenes work for their downloadable PC 2D side scroller Ninja Loves Pirate. This issue also launches their Design Your Gameface Xbox 360 Faceplate design contest. The winner receives a Nyko GameFace 360 kit and 1,600 Xbox Live Points, and has their design featured in Nyko's website and the next AOG issue.

Issue #4 (due October 31) will feature Street Fighter.

Download: [The Art of Gaming Issue #3]