For all the complaints about the PSP lineup (I think they are more of jelously than anything), the DS reviews coming in so far are less than notable. These are from IGN:

Asphalt: Urban GT - 5.5
Feel the Magic: XY/XX - 7.8
Spider-Man 2 - 7.5

Madden is going to be worthless, and Urbz could review good. But besides that, it looks like the only game rated well enough to buy is Mario 64. One good Nintendo game at launch doesn't seem like a stellar lineup to me.

I do agree with you. I'm pretty disappointed with the lineup thus far, but it looks to get better in the next few weeks with Ridge Racer, Dynasty Warriors, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, Sonic DS, and Tiger Woods coming before Christmas.

I agree with that. Not sure how people can complain about battery life when its yet to be shown.

Mario DS is a great game, but they really needed a true system mover at launch, while great it fails to bring a totally unique experience to the table, which is the point of the DS.

I do feel that the reviews have been positive, both spiderman and XX/XY are rated as highly suggested buy titles. I didn't suspect much from the racing game, figured it was just that, a token launch racing game.

The future of the DS looks very bright IMO, with over 2 million units sold in Japan alone support for this system is already like a rock, its going to take Sony ~6 months to even make that many PSP's if not longer. I wonder if the problem is with supply or if its with the fact that they are losing money that is keepping them from ramping up production? Then again, they might be trying to avoid hardware problems Sony is known for at launches.

There is room for three consoles, no one thought it was possible, just maybe there will be room for two handhelds.

Mr Driller is also going to be good if anyone can actually find it.

I personally think both the PSP and DS have very weak launch titles.

I'm still not 100% sure I will like the DS. If anything many of the launch titles are reinforcing my belief that the touch screen will be more of a gimmick than anything else.

I bought it here in Granada Hills, CA. I bought the last one they had. My boss wanted one so I tried the other Blockbuster in the area, Northridge, and they were sold out of the 4 they got already.

Btw, does anyone know if any the stores will have the games on sale (meaning below retail value, I know they will be selling them, just don't want to pay full price) tomorrow?

i picked up my DS at my local blockbuster friday around 12:00PM. they had games out so i picked up Super Mario 64 for the bf. i got the game for 29.99. not bad considering those were my BB credits. most of the games seem to be retail price. Urbz was 39.99 and i just couldn't see myself buying it.

the manager said they got 7 DS in, he bought one and the other one i picked up one. i thought i wasn't going to be able to pick it up cause i didn't preorder early enough. the rest of the 5 were for preorders.

Kat

It's a video game system launch. There's weak launch titles. We go through this every single time. Did you guys honestly expect something different?

Not really. Mario is a strong system seller and Nintendo has really added a lot to the game since the 64 version. I really only want one or two good games at launch and the DS has that.

I cant remember a good launch in years, if ever.

PS2's launch was even really bad for titles.

Gamecube and X-box had disappointing launches as well.

When you think about, each system only has about one launch title that even breaks out.

NES had Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt
Gameboy had Mario Land
Super Nintendo had Super Mario World
Sega Genesis had Sonic
PS2 had ??? (I dont remember. Did it?)
Xbox had Halo
Gamecube had Luigis Mansion (even that wasnt really a break out. Sold poorly compared to those before it)

The vast majority of really good games are not launch titles.

The last decent launch was probably for the SNES. Even that only had a few titles at launch. Super Mario World was the title that launched the system. It was even included with the system.

I used to like that. When the hot launch title was included.

95% of systems have less than steller launches. Thats nothing new.

Whats the big surprise???

Actually, you've not listed the system with the best launch... Dreamcast.

And Sonic arrived in 1991, two years after the Genesis launched.

The DS was rushed out into the market, and they put what games they could out with it. By the time the PSP comes out, we will have Mario Kart, Animal Crossing and Metroid.

I was hopin to get a review from Gizmo not Gamespot, I dont care what they have to say.

I thought Sonic came out at launch? It's always what I associated the Genesis with. Probably because it became a pack in.

What was the hot launch title for the Genesis? Did it have one?

The Genesis came out in 89 in the US and Japan? I dont remember that. I dont remember anything about the Genesis until the early 90's.

I really didnt count the Dreamcast because it didnt survive. It failed which would mean the opposite of successful. Though, it did have some good games.

How did the Dreamcast have the most successful launch? I dont remember one launch title from it that became a very hot selling title (in the way Mario World, Super Mario Bros., Halo were) which turned into a classic.

One of the only things I remember is Crazy Taxi which was fun.

Dreamcast probably did deserve to survive though. It was a good system and had some solid titles.

Many claims say Xbox would have went the way of Dreamcast if not for Halo as well. Who knows?

Zero, Mario is alrite.

The controls flat out suck. Since there is obviously no analog stick, you have the option of using the D-pad or the touch screen. The D-Pad works much better then the touch screen jus because you have better control. The graphics are great, maybe even better then the N64's just because the screen is smaller and you don't notice the 'blockiness' of the characters. So far ive also unlocked a couple of minigames which keep me busy alo longer then the actual game. I havn't played a whole lot into the game, but its pretty decent. So far i'm upto 19 stars.

Wow, Genesis was released in 89.

I really dont remember that.

What were the launch titles? Anyone remember?

It came with Altered Beast IIRC.

My brother in law got his early and I've spent some about an hour playing Mario DS tonight. Even with the thumb controller I can not get down the touch screen analog either with Mario or Metroid. I also hate the digital pad control of Mario DS.

I'm going to play it for another hour or so before he has to leave. He is really enjoying the DS and has no trouble with the controls, but I may not have the motor skills for this system. After an hour of playing it I'm longing for the simplicity of the GBA.

The mini games in Mario DS are really cool though especially the Luigi ones. After about 20 minutes though they get old. I've got to catch more bunnies.

Will this play as simply for GBA titles as the GBA does?

A big reason I am getting it is for GBA games which look better.

Does anyone from NYC know if they are selling Nintendo DSs at BlockBusters in the area?

Clown, GBA games look MUCH better on the DS. The colors are not so washed out.

Actually, that brings up a good point, if you are looking to get a GBA, you should spring for the DS, it gives you better viewing and can play GBA games.

Previously I had been thinking just about the DS sales based on DS games, there is also going to be a large crown that buys the DS with the reasons on playing GBA games.

I haven't gotten into the Mario adventure mode yet but I've messed around with the rec room. The mini-games are great and there's 20 more that aren't open. Pictochat has a superb range as well IMO. I was upstairs in my office and my wife was downstairs on the other side of the house and never lost signal. We've just been messing around with the systems. I'll give Mario a run through tonight but I really like the type S Metroid control. GBA games could never look better although they are displayed with borders but damn they're bright and crisp. So far so good.

Damn Straight it did!

And I can only remember 3 games available for launch on DC. A Sonic game, Hydro Thunder, and something else.

The Blockbuster near me will have my DS at midnight so I'm going to pick it up. Anyone find Mr Driller yet? I still haven't found that game, but I'm guessing it may only be at places like EB or Gamestop.

I'm slowly coming around to the controls. I does take time, but I'm getting there.

I just picked mine up at the Amherst NH Walmart. They got 30 units for the store an about 10 were gone. The guy in front of me bought 2.

No games available yet.

"Well, they use the regular GB Advance games". Yeah, well, we have 2 of them already so without the new games this doesn't mean much.

If you are heading out watch out for the 2 cops about 1/4 mile west on 101A.

BTW-what the hell are all those people doing at Wmart that aren't picking up DSs? It's Sat at midnight for God's sake!