Nearly all electronics are not made in japan, costs way to much for labor.

Gamecube, PS2, Xbox, GBA, etc, all made outside of japan. (Or the USA for that matter)

why? the gamecube was outsourced a year ago in china and its still best quality made home console on the market, you rarely hear about dirty disc errors unlike ps2 and x-box. I think now even x-box is outsourced to china in addition to their mexican plant.

Gamestop (1604 & 281) had two playable units mounted to the wall. Metroid was playable in one and the other had the load screen running so I didn't "Touch" that one but goddamn Metroid was nice. I had to use the stylus and it did take a minute to adjust to the controls but afterwards I was stunned. There was also no volume but the game looked A LOT like Prime (the red "bacterial" feel) of the menus and the game itself. After touching/playing a DS I now really can't wait til launch.

Hmm, my opinion is a bit different. That stylus control scheme flat out sucked. No way I would play a game where I had to move with the control pad, tap and hold the screen to look up, down and turn and tap the screen again to fire. The demo is completely unplayable that way. There had better be a way to play that game using the buttons or I will pass. Also the demo unit screens already seemed pretty scratched up and the B button seemed broken on the second DS. While I'm bitching, the DS seemed a lot bulkier than I had originally thought and the A, B, X, Y buttons are flat out tiny when you do get to use them.

On the bright side the sound was excellent and Metroid really did look amazingly good. Tried out the pictochat thing and it was nicely set up for what it was. I have to say though actually holding a DS in my hands (sort of) has actually lowered my expectation for it quite a bit. I'm real close to cancelling my preorder and waiting and seeing for a few months. The touch screen is really screaming gimmick at this point. It's one thing to have a touch screen, but to force it on gamers when it isn't practical seems dumb to me. I really can't see ever getting comfortable using it as an analog control stick.

The Palm OS and Pocket PC have had touch screen gaming for years. In 99% of the games you either play it completely with the stylus or with the the hardware buttons. Rarely if ever do you use both. Playing Metroid on the DS is an excellent example of why. It is extremely ackward trying to use the touch screen and the control pad not to mention its very difficult to watch both screens at one time if you are needing to keep an eye on the map and the level.

I wish they had Mario 64 in as the demo instead of Metroid. If anything Metroid is going to sell more PSPs than DS units.

Apparently, there are a bunch of ways to control the metroid game, including some methods that don't use the touchscreen at all. Did you see the movie somewhere that showed someone playing it with that little thumb do-hickey on the touchscreen? That looked pretty easy to control to me.

Tap the screen to fire? That doesn't even sound like the default control when I reset my Best Buy's demo unit.

It was strafe and move forward and back with the D-pad, stylus on the touchscreen to alter the view (obviously like a mouse), either trigger to shoot, and double tap with the stylus to jump.

If there's a way to change these controls in the demo, I'd actually like to see it. (I didn't even look since I thought it wouldn't be possible.) But with the help of the unit being anchored in position, the above control scheme worked surprisingly well... much better than I had anticipated.

There are 3-5 different control settings.

I played at Walmart tonight, and using the touch screen like an analog stick was awesome. It should be even better with plastic thumb cap. For anyone confused, there are 5 set ups for Metroid. The one i used is like playing Halo or Rainbow Six. You use the D-pad to move, the touch screen to look around, and the triggers to shoot, it was very comfortable. Also you can touch the screen anywhere, so everyone should be able to hold it in a comfortable way.

I liked what I saw when I used the tester at Best Buy. The framerate on Metroid is excellent, the graphics and sound are great, and the control was pretty easy for me; I just used my thumb on the touch screen and that worked like a charm. This system could have great potential, but it's all about the software, and from what I've seen there should be some great games forthcoming very soon.

I had my doubts about the touch screen on this- until I played some multiplayer deathmatch Metroid on the demos at my EB. Connecting and setting up a game was very easy. The touch screen FPS controls are going to be great for other shooters. I hope there are more in the works. I'm not a big fan of metroid but I had a blast with the 2 screens. the stylus made up for the lack of analog controls. surprisingly the screen did not get all dirty from pressing it on the menus. Then after I was done with my unit, some kid started banging the screen with the stylus- I thought for sure it would break.- it didn't.

I'm impressed... no when is Animal Crossing coming out?

Whoa.. so the touch screen analog is winning (most) people over so far? Interesting.

I might be packing and moving this week so I don't know if I'll have to time to stop somewhere and demo it.

How did you guys use the triggers to shoot if one had was on the d-pad, and the other was holding a stylus? Doesn't sound too comfortable.

The same way you use triggers on every controller (hint: index finger).

Hmm, then what fingers are you holding the stylus with??

Most people have two hands.. so I'd guess the left hand controls the D-pad and left trigger, and ol' faithful uses the stylus. I don't think the right side buttons or right trigger are used. Actually, now I'm just curious how one switches weapons, jumps, or morph balls.. is that all done via stylus as well (buttons on the screen?).. hmm.

Yeah, that's what I mean. Don't take my statements as knocking the DS or Metroid (I'm sure I'll probably end up buying both) I'm just curious how it works. I guess if the left trigger is used to fire, that's okay, but I don't like the idea of having to take my hand away from the touch-screen to do other things. That means you won't have full movement.

I fully intend to use the screen as an analog control with my thumb. I've yet to try a DS out but that's how I think I'd want to do it.

It worked like this for me.

Left hand - just like with the GBA. Index finger on the left trigger was shoot- thumb was for move forward/back/strafe

Right hand holding the stylus like a pencil. on the bottom screen.
Stylus acted like a mouse- those that swear by keyboard/mouse for FPS are going to love this as it controls just like it.

Now, the unit was supported by a cradle... so I'm not sure how actually holding the unit like this would be... but the DS is really small and seems lite. you'd be surprised how compact it actually is.

The A/B/X/Y buttons were not used by me, but they were also Move/Stafe and the right trigger was also fire (good news for left handers).

Jumping was handled by double tap of the stylus- also very cool.

Changing weapons and turning into a ball was done. by hitting the virtual button on the bottom screen. It didn't seem to interfere much with using the bottom screen for control- I didn't play enough to actually test that- I'm sure running the stylus over the button does not activate the button, but tapping it does.

Have you guys seen the video with the player using hit thumb and no stylus? Looked like smooth control and they reported likeing it.

I haven't seen the video, but I played it that way and really like it, I doubt i will ever use the stylus

At our stores setup, you used the regular buttons to play Metroid. Not the stylus.

Again, what I'm noting here, regardless of your opinion of one control scheme or another, is the versatility offered by the DS. Admittedly, many games will not go to the length of including five different control schemes, but clearly the impetus is there to cater to all manner of gaming styles. The system as a whole seems designed to cater to a wide range of games and a wide range of ways to play them.

Spent even more time with the Damn System today. I wanted to try out another control set-up for Metroid and spend longer than a minute at the unit. I tried the right-handed thumb control style??? I smeared my thumb all over that screen for a good while (viewing) and I thought the control was even better. R was the fire button + hold down for multiple shots. Morphball and missiles were touch activated. Gave multiplayer a try as well with someone who was using the button only layout. I had fun, the other guy is an idiot if he didn't. Tony Parker (Spurs) was in Gamestop as well but not the dude I played against.

Interesting. I saw a kid playing it and he was using the stylus and it didn't work so well. I got a chance and just used my thumb and had no problem with it. The unit was bigger than I thought and the screen a little smalller than I thought it would be. I don't think I will get one right away. maybe when it hits 100

Madden 2005


I was hoping they woult stick with a 2d version, although I cans ee how the the Dual-Screens make it much easier to play in 3d on a small screen. I wonder if the game will be any good, I'm worried that developers may be rushing software out. Guess we'll have to wait for reviews...