******************************************************************************* ------------------------------------------------ N I N T E N D O D S P A L H A R D W A R E ------------------------------------------------ Nintendo DS PAL Hardware FAQ, Version 1.4 Last Updated - 07/01/2006 By Crazyreyn (crazyreyn_faqs@hotmail.com) Copyright (c)2005-2006 Matthew Reynolds. All rights reserved. ******************************************************************************* +--------------+ | Legal Notice | +--------------+ The ONLY sites that may have this FAQ and all my other FAQs are the following.. http://www.gamefaqs.com http://www.neoseeker.com http://faqs.ign.com/ http://www.cheats.de http://www.cheathappens.com http://www.gamerhelp.com http://www.cube-europe.com http://www.computersnstuff.co.uk You will find the latest versions here. If you want to host my FAQ then give me an email and I'll most probably agree, as long as you don't alter anything, and if keep it in it's original format and give me full credit for creating the document. +-----------------+ | Contact Details | +-----------------+ If you see a fault of ANY kind or you want to contribute some data to me, then either email me at crazyreyn_faqs@hotmail.com OR speak to me on MSN Messenger on crazyreyn_faqs@hotmail.com, or on AIM at Crazyreyn. If you are emailing me, then please have the subject title as 'PAL DS Hardware FAQ' or something similar, otherwise it will not be opened. Full credit will be given in due course. Or feel free to ask me any questions you wish, comment on this FAQ, ask if you want this posted on your site etc. then do that same as above. If you could, rate this FAQ so I can get some feedback. Thank You. =============================================================================== ---------------- INTRODUCTION ---------------- =============================================================================== Hello and welcome to the Nintendo DS PAL Hardware FAQ. This document will tell you pretty much everything you need to know about the Nintendo DS hardware such as the menus, PictoChat, wireless, and the games out and coming soon. Although this is a PAL Hardware FAQ the DS is the same the world over so any user can use this guide. I aim to create a Hardware guide that assembles all the bits and bobs on the net into one place that's reliable and reasonably up to date (I'll update every big announcement or few weeks). For now the FAQ is quite small but as Nintendo does more with the system, I'll cover it. Thanks for reading and be sure to give me an email if you have any queries not listed here, - Reyn =============================================================================== --------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS --------------------- =============================================================================== 1. Version History 2. FAQ's 3. Hardware 3.01. The System Itself 3.02. Menu and Settings 3.04. The Wriststrap 3.04. Accessories 4. PictoChat 5. Wireless Communication /Multiplayer 5.01. How it works 5.02. Multiplayer titles 6. Online - Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection 6.01. When and How 7. Game Boy Advance Compatibility 7.01. General Information 7.02. Incompatible Titles / Accessories 8. Games 8.01. Recommended Titles 8.02. PAL Release Dates 8.03. PAL Changes and Differences 9. Conclusion and Special Thanks Searching - Simply copy and paste the section you want to go to into the Find box (to open it, press CTRL+F). Now press enter twice and you will be taken to your selected section. =============================================================================== ---------------------- 1. VERSION HISTORY ---------------------- =============================================================================== +--------------------------+ | Version 1.4 - 07/01/2006 | +--------------------------+ General Update - Added new release dates, must have titles, major Wi-Fi update etc. Sorry about the delay. +--------------------------+ | Version 1.3 - 02/11/2005 | +--------------------------+ General Update - Added new release dates, must have titles, Wi-Fi Update, New colours etc etc. +--------------------------+ | Version 1.2 - 18/08/2005 | +--------------------------+ General update - Added new game release data for titles until the end of the year, new colours, and more information about online. +--------------------------+ | Version 1.1 - 21/05/2005 | +--------------------------+ Nearly two months without an update, sorry about that. I was thinking of doing it the other day but E3 was round the corner so I thought I would wait. E3 is now over, with a host of new games and services revealed, with all the details here. Splendid. +--------------------------+ | Version 1.0 - 27/03/2005 | +--------------------------+ The first version of the FAQ, but by no means the last. Expect updates every few weeks! =============================================================================== ------------ 2. FAQ'S ------------ =============================================================================== =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. What's a DS? A. The DS is the latest handheld from Nintendo (makers of the Game Boy), and gives a new twist on gaming. It features two screens, one of which is a touchscreen, allowing new potential gaming situations. It also includes wireless multiplayer with other systems, backwards compatibility with Game Boy Advance games, a built in microphone, stereo speakers, built in chat software.... etc etc. Basically a lot of stuff. It's a pretty mint system and worth picking up. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. What's PAL? A. Chances are you wondered into this FAQ to see what PAL means. Well it's the television type for the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia. The United States and Japan (the other two main regions) are NTSC. Although in a way that doesn't affect the DS (it's not a television and so is import friendly) the region is still classed as PAL and so the DS is released later in this region. This FAQ is made to cater for this region's questions and release dates, as well as providing a general hardware look into the system that ANY REGION can follow. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. How are the PAL DS systems different to other regions? A. In short, nothing much. EVERY DS is the same, they include the same language options and are region free, allowing you to play any game from anywhere else. However when it comes to games for multi cart games they have to be of the same region to work. Like the USA DS, it comes with the Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt demo. Apart from that, the plugs are different, the box has changed (to a sleek black which looks better), it includes stars for the Europe website (more about this in a later question) and the release dates for the system and games are different. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. When is / was the Nintendo DS released all the different regions? A. Europe - 11th March 2005 Australia - 28th February 2005 United States - 21st November 2004 Japan - 2nd December 2004 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. How much does it cost? A. Europe - €129.99 for the DS, €29.99/€39.99 for games UK - £89.99 for the DS, £19.99/£29.99 for games Australia - $179.95, $69.95 for games New Zealand - $249.99 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. What do you get with the Nintendo DS? A. For 100 / 150 notes you get the system, the Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt demo, PictoChat (built in), two styluses, wrist strap and a power plug. You also get stuff like a small poster, manual, 500 stars and so on. You can also get special packs with different colours and included games, which is shown a few questions down in the What colours are there? section. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. What are the European launch titles? A. The rather large lineup is below. Although they aren't many games coming up very soon, this lot should keep you busy for a while. Super Mario 64 DS Warioware Touched! Rayman DS Polarium Zoo Keeper Mr Driller: Drill Spirits Asphalt Urban GT Robots DS Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf 2005 Sprung: The Dating Game Project Rub The Urbz: Sims In The City Atari Retro Classics Pokemon Dash Ping Pals Spider Man 2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. What colours are there? A. So far in Europe there is Grey, Light Blue and Pink. Grey is the launch colour of the system, while Light Blue and Pink are available in the Nintendogs paks for £99.99 each. In the USA, there has been Grey and Dark Blue, which first included Super Mario 64 DS but now can be bought separately. In Japan, there is a whole host of colours including - Light Blue - http://www.n-next.com/microgb/blue.jpg Pink - http://www.n-next.com/microgb/pink.jpg Pure White Graphite Black (Japan - http://www.cube-europe.com/news.php?nid=7489) Turquoise Blue (Japan - http://www.cube-europe.com/news.php?nid=7489) Candy Pink (Japan - http://www.cube-europe.com/news.php?nid=7489) Poke Park (Japan - http://www.cube-europe.com/news.php?nid=7581) If you want to import, then check out lik-sang.com. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. Is the DS import friendly? A. Very much so; every DS is the same and is region free. However multiplayer doesn't work across regions (multicard games anyway), so for example you cannot multiplay Metroid Prime: Hunters with UK and US versions of the game. However single card titles (such as Super Mario 64 DS) work fine, as every DS is the same. Game Boy Advance games work region free too. Also instead of using a transformer plug you can just use an GBA SP power cable from your region to power the system up. However note that if you get dead pixels on a DS that is outside your region then you have no warranty, thus it cannot be repaired (at least for free anyway). So keep this in mind if you are thinking of importing a DS... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. Where should I purchase my DS and games from? A. You can find a DS from pretty much most entertainment stores on the high street, and GAME and Game Station are the main two video game stores which will offer the best offers and range of games / accessories. You can also get a DS online - I recommend either www.play.com, www.gameplay.co.uk or www.amazon.co.uk. It's best to check the paper the morning before purchase and also online stores in case of offers - for example recently Toys 'R' Us were giving away Project Rub with every new DS system. If you want cheaper games, then choose www.play.com, where games are £24.99 or less. If you are preordering games and want them on the release date, then choose www.gameplay.co.uk and as long as you order about a week before and choose 1st class postage you'll get it in time. You should get it a day before the release in fact, if the demand isn't that high. If you fancy importing, then I would recommend www.lik-sang.com or www.videogamesplus.ca, which offer good prices and are very reliable. Remember that you can play ANY game from any region on your PAL DS, so if you can't wait for a game then import away - just remember that sometimes they include extras in PAL games and multicard games won't work across regions. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. What are the specs of the DS? A. See section 3.0.1. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. There isn't a slot for Game Boy Advance link cables... why!? A. You cannot use any GBA accessories with the DS, so you have to play games one player and one player only. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. Can you link the DS up to the GameCube? A. No; the omission of a GBA link cable port means you cannot download data from games such as FF:CC. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. How long does the battery last, and how long does it take to charge? A. It takes about four hours to charge fully, and lasts around six to ten hours (depending on volume and wireless use). The battery takes around 500 charges before it shows any sign of degrading. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. The green light is blinking! A. That's not a question... but if the light blinks quickly it means that it's using the wireless communication and is searching for other units. If it's blinking slowly then it's on Sleep Mode (e.g. when the system is folded down). =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. I'm hearing rumours about 'dead pixels'. What are they? A. Dead pixels are what they sound like; it's where a pixel on either screen is dead and remains just one colour. Although they are rare and Nintendo checks for them, they still occur and it will always be on your system. If you don't have any, then you won't get any. If you get one then you can send it back to Nintendo and get a replacement (it comes under the warranty) but if you want you can just leave it. I got one with my first DS... you can play fine with it but it's nothing you should have to put up with and Nintendo should give you another system (they did with me, just took a week to replace). If you get one contact 0870 60 60 247 (UK) to make a defect claim. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. What are "Stars" that you receive, and how many do you get? A. Since the GameCube (and later with Game Boy Advance titles) Nintendo gave away Stars with every Nintendo product (systems and Nintendo published games). This was a card with a code on, which when inserted into the official website would add those stars onto your account and make you a VIP 24/7 member (access to videos and screenshots on the site). With these stars you can purchase items. On the whole the offerings haven't been good, as they are mostly screensavers and other downloadable goods, but there has been third party titles (Rayman 3), the GameBoy Player, Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition and the VIP Nintendo DS pak (see below). Nintendo are continuing this service with the DS; you receive 500 stars with the system and 250 for every Nintendo published title. Note that you can get 5 stars a day by logging in every 24 hours, which if you set the site as your home page means you can rack up loads (I've received around 3000 stars from logging in alone). =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. What is the VIP Pak? A. On the day Nintendo released the Europe launch information for the Nintendo DS (27th January 2005) they also added the VIP Nintendo DS Pak on to the Nintendo Europe Stars Catalogue. It was the European system with a demo's of Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt (USA copy), WarioWare Touched! demo (European copy) and a pre release version of Super Mario 64 DS (the USA copy but with European packaging). It only cost £129.99 / €179.99 (which relates to the same as a DS and a game so it was great value for money) plus 1000 stars. On top of that it was available straight away and bidders got it one month before the official March 11th release date! Only 3000 were available across Europe and sold out in three days. I myself got one of these paks. =) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. How do I create my own PictoChat animations? A. You'll need a webcam / camera and a GIF animator (there's a free Microsoft one here - http://www.jhepple.com/gif_animator.htm) and you draw the frames in PictoChat, take a picture of each and load it into the GIF. Pretty cool. Good website for DS art - www.ndsart.net My attempt - http://homepages.tesco.net/vicky.reynolds1/nds_crazyreyn.gif =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. Can the DS download free demos? A. Yes. Throughout Japan and at expo's there are download stations where you can download demos of the latest titles. E3 downloads - http://ds.ign.com/articles/614/614448p1.html Poke Park Fishing Game - http://www.xsorbit1.com/users/cubeeurope/index.cgi?board=ds *SPACE* &action=display&num=1116427597 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. What are the themed styli and where can I get them from? A. As far as I know, there has been a Pac Man stylus (with Pac Pix in Japan and Europe when you purchase the game), a pink stylus (with Kirby in Japan) and a Mario Kart DS Stylus (at E3 2005). If you want to get your grubby mitts on one, then best check out eBay. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. I heard that you can get the Zelda: Twilight Princess trailer for the DS!? Is this true? A. Yep. At E3 2005 Nintendo let people download the trailer from downloadable stations, and also those who attended the press conference got it on a DS cart. You should be able to get these from eBay but they sell for a very high price. For example this one sold for $130! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8193297395 *SPACE* &ssPageName=ADME:B:WN:US:1 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. Is the DS better than the PSP / is it going to win the handheld war? A. I have no idea, nor do I care. I'll pick up a PSP one day, but my main focus is on the DS for now. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. Is the DS going to be replaced by the GBA2 soon? A. I have no idea. It will happen eventually but I hope not too soon. The DS is a totally unique handheld that will be nothing like the GBA2, so don't let this hold you back. E3 2005 has shown a host of new games and services for the DS so Nintendo has shown full support for the handheld. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. What's a Game Boy Micro? Does it connect to the DS? A. It's a new design for the GBA that's VERY small and isn't a replacement to the DS or the next Game Boy system. As far as I know it doesn't connect to the DS or anything like that. It's due out November 4th, for £69.99. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. Can and will it connect the Nintendo Revolution? A. Thanks to the Wi-Fi compatibilities on both systems, this is possible. There are hints that Animal Crossing games on both systems will connect to one another. More details will come when Nintendo announces them, so stay tuned. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Q. What is DSpeak? A. At E3 it was a program that allowed voice to be communicated over a Wi-Fi Connection. An ear piece was included in the demo and Mario or Wario on the top screen lip synced the voice that came through. Although there are no plans for this to be included when Wi-Fi launches, I would be surprised if Nintendo didn't include this in some way. Source - http://www.cube-europe.com/news.php?nid=7820 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =============================================================================== --------------- 3. HARDWARE --------------- =============================================================================== This section gives you a low down on the system itself; the specs, ports and hardware, accessories, wrist strap and how to navigate the main menu and settings. If you are interested in the console and not sure whether to get one then check the next sub-section for a low down on the capabilities of the Nintendo DS, and you'll see it's like the swiss army knife of the handheld world. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.01. The System Itself =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= --------------------- System Specifications --------------------- Here are the system specifications for the Nintendo DS. My sources include a GameStation leaflet and IGN. Ta, guys. +----------------+-------------------------------------------------------+ | Colours | Silver | +----------------+-------------------------------------------------------+ | Size (Closed) | 148.7mm (W), 84.7mm (H), 28.9mm (D) | +----------------+-------------------------------------------------------+ | Screens | Top Screen - | | | Backlit, 3 inch, semitransparent reflective TFT | | | colour LCD with 256 x 192 pixel resolution with .24mm | | | dot pitch, capable of displaying 260,000 colours. | | | | | | Touch Screen - | | | Same as the Top Screen, but with a transparent analog | | | touch screen. | +----------------+-------------------------------------------------------+ | Wireless | IEEE 802.11 and Nintendo's proprietary format; | | Communication | wireless range is 30 to 100 feet, depending on | | | circumstances; multiple users can play multiplayer | | | games using just one DS game card (depending on game).| +----------------+-------------------------------------------------------+ | Controls | Touch screen, embedded microphone for voice | | | recognition, A/B/X/Y face buttons, plus control pad, | | | L/R shoulder buttons, Start and Select buttons. | +----------------+-------------------------------------------------------+ | Input / Output | Ports for both Nintendo DS Game Cards and Game Boy | | | Advance Game Paks, terminals for stereo headphones and| | | microphone (and the SP headphones / power cable). | +----------------+-------------------------------------------------------+ | Other Features | Embedded PictoChat software that allows up to 16 | | | users to chat with text and pictures together; | | | embedded real-time clock; date, time and alarm, touch | | | screen calibration. | +----------------+-------------------------------------------------------+ | CPUs | One ARM 9 and one ARM 7. | +----------------+-------------------------------------------------------+ | Sound | Stereo speakers providing virual surround sound | | | (depending on the software). | +----------------+-------------------------------------------------------+ | Battery | Lithium ion batter delivering six to ten hours of play| | | on a four-hour charge depending on use (wireless play,| | | sound volume, backlighting on or off); power-saving | | | sleep mode; AC Adapter. | +----------------+-------------------------------------------------------+ ---------- Components ---------- I will provide you with a handy ASCII diagram of the face and underside of the system to show you all the different bits and bobs (i.e. ports) the DS has and where they all are. The first one is the face of the system. ------------------------------------------------------- | + ----------------------------- + | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | | 3 | | .......... | | .......... | | .......... | | .......... | | .......... | | .......... | | .......... | | .......... | | + | | + | | ----------------------------- | ------------===============================------------ =============================== ------------===============================------------ | ----------------------------- SELECTSTART | | 4 POWER | | 5 6 | | | 2 | | | 7 | | | X | | | | | | | ---+--- | | Y 8 A | | | | | | | | | | B | | | | | | | | | | |-----------------------------| | | ----------------------------- | | 9 | 10 | | 11 | ------------------------------------------------------- 1 - Top screen Back lit, LCD, likes walks on long summer days etc etc. 2 - Touch screen Back lit, LCD, touch screen. Only use the stylus, wrist strap pad or finger on this. And you don't need to apply a lot of pressure either. 3 - Stereo Speakers Produce sound in stereo form. Can do imitation surround sound too, which is rather good (only on certain games though, like Mario 64). 4 - POWER Button Used to turn the DS on and off. Hold it in for a second to do either. 5 - SELECT Button Used during games. 6 - START Button Used during games, usually to pause. 7 - D-Pad Used during games. 8 - A, B, X and Y Buttons Used during games. 9 - Microphone A small microphone tucked away in a tiny hole. Only works on certain games such as Wario Ware Touched! and Project Rub. 10 - Recharge Indicator When you are charging the DS, this light will be orange. Once the battery is completely charged then it will turn off. 11 - Power Indicator Shows battery life, if the DS is on, off, sleeping, using wireless, and to show ships the way back home. Here are the different things it shows - NO LIGHT - DS is off. No ones home. GREEN LIGHT - DS is on. RED LIGHT - DS is low on juice. Save your game and charge as soon as you can (I think it goes for about 30 minutes on red playing a normal game with 75% volume). SLOW BLINKING GREEN LIGHT - DS is in sleep mode, i.e. when the system is shut. RAPID BLINKING GREEN LIGHT - DS is using the wireless communication. The next diagram shows the underside of the DS. It's upside down but it's how you would see it if you just flip it over. Remember corresponding with this diagram, the L and R buttons are at the top. 1 2 3 4 5 1 /---R----/----| |-| |----==========---///////--\----L---\ /--------/ | | Ż SLOT-1 \--------\ | Ż | | +---------------+ | | | | | | 6 | 7 | | | ############## | | | | | | | | +-+ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | SLOT-2 +-------------+ | | +----------------------+ | ---=======-----| |-----======----- 8 9 10 1 - L and R Buttons Used during games. 2 - Stylus Holder Holds the stylus when you aren't using it. Always keep one in the system, your bound to need it. 3 - Wrist Strap Attachment You attach the wrist strap here. Check section 3.0.3 to see how to attach it. 4 - SLOT-1 (DS Games) Here is where you insert DS games. To put it in, slide the card in label up and push it in until it clicks. If you want to remove it, then push it in again and it will click and eject. Pretty snazzy. Just don't do any of this while the system is turned on. 5 - External Extension Connector The port for connecting the power cable or SP headphones. 6 - Nintendo DS Information This gives some patent crap about your DS. However there is a white box with a code inside; I'm guessing this is your DS product code and you *may* need it sometime (Nintendo might ask you). 7 - Battery Cover POWER TO THE PEOPLE! This can be removed if you want to replace the battery for whatever reason. 8 - Headphone / Microphone Connectors Here you connect up your headphones, external microphone or headset. Or die trying. 9 - SLOT-2 (Game Boy Advance Games). Here is where you insert Game Boy Advance games and Nintendo DS accessories. No normal Game Boy or Game Boy Color games, though. For a full lowdown on using GBA games with the DS, head on over to section 6. 10 - Volume Control You use this to change the level of the volume. Left decreases volume, right increases. Note that it goes from loud to quiet rather shortly and so you may have a hard time getting it very quiet, but you want try. ----------------------------- When you first receive the DS ----------------------------- When you first get the DS, I would advise putting it on charge. I've heard rumours that the first charge is important and not to play during it, otherwise you'll bugger up the battery life a little. However this is up to you. It does come with a little charge, and I remember when I first got my DS it only took three hours (compared to four for a full charge). However after that first charge you can play while it charges fine. When you first turn it on, you are asked to set the options, including things like language, nickname, colour, time, date and birthday. You can change all these at any time however, so if you screw it up no need to fret. Check the next section on how to change all these. -------------------- Charging the Battery -------------------- When the power light turns red (or when you want to rejuice the battery) then you should charge your DS system. Use the power plug supplied and put it into the External Extension Connector (in-between SLOT-2 for DS games and the R button). It only goes in one way. Now either leave it going or you can carry on playing it while it charges (it will take a little longer though). From an empty battery, it takes about four hours to charge. Out of that you get six to ten hours gameplay depending on use (volume level, wireless use, etc). The battery will degrade after about 500 charges to 70% of what it was, which isn't too shabby. You can always get a new battery. You can also use your SP charger as it's the same thing, which is quite handy if you decided to import a DS. There are also USB cables to charge the system with (plug it into any USB port on a computer, notebook, PlayStation 2) which is quite handy. However these are unofficial and so it's up to you if you want to use them, although I'm guessing they are as safe as houses. -------------------- Changing the Battery -------------------- If you need a new battery (degraded over time, or you want a back up battery so you can continue playing) then you can replace it. On the underside of the system is a battery cover; smash that open (or use a screwdriver, the safer method) and replace the battery. Simple. If you feel your not up to the task, you can send it off to Nintendo so they can do it for you (it might cost you though). ---------- Sleep Mode ---------- The Nintendo DS can be put into sleep mode when you want to keep the game running but use less battery power. To do this, simply fold the system and it will do it automatically. Unfold to bring it back to life. HOWEVER this doesn't work with GBA games, but some games do have a sleep mode (where you press certain buttons). Very handy. The green power light will pulse slowly if the system is in sleep mode. ------------- Back Lighting ------------- If you are familiar with the SP then you might notice there is no light button on the DS. But don't despair! You can turn off the light by going on the main menu and tapping the sun image in the bottom left hand corner. You can also do this is certain game menus too. Although to be honest it's pretty pointless as you can't see a damn thing - try it out to see what I mean. It's not worth turning off to save battery power either, as the battery lasts long enough anyway. ----- Sound ----- All games come with stereo sound and it sounds pretty snazzy thanks to the two speakers either side of the top screen. Some games (such as Super Mario 64 DS) have imitation surround sound which sounds very good. You can also use headphones or mute the system. However often games give out clues using the stereo sound so it's worth keeping on. ---------- Microphone ---------- The DS has a built in microphone to the left and under the touch screen, enabling games to do voice recognition. What quality this is however remains to be seen, but some games like Wario Ware Touched! and Project Rub use it. You can also plug in an external microphone or headset using the headphone slot but for now there are no games that warrant the use of this. It would be good for a Counter Strike style game though. A tech demo called DSpeak had speech transferred between systems, and Bodobodot states that when playing Nintendogs normal speech is perfect for the microphone to pick up, where shouting or whispering doesn't usually work. I'll keep you posted on developments in this field. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.02. Menu and Settings =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Like the GameCube the DS has a built in menu where you can adjust certain settings such as the time, date, nickname, touch screen calibration and so on. Let's bowl, shall we? ------------------- Navigating the menu ------------------- You can either use the touch screen or buttons to navigate the menu. Use the stylus and lightly tap what you want selected. However if you prefer to go rogue then use the D-Pad to highlight different areas, with A to select and B to go back. --------- Main Menu --------- After the health warning is the main menu, which can be seen in the ASCII diagram below. This allows you to go to various areas of the settings. The top screen shows various information you have set, where as the bottom screen is where you go to change these settings. +-------------------------------+ |1 2 3 4 5 6| |ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ| | 8 | | +---------+ +-------------+ | | | | | | | | | 7 | | 9 | | | | | | | | | +---------+ +-------------+ | | | | | +-------------------------------+ | | | +---------------------+ | | | 10 | | | |_____________________| | | | | | | | | 11 | 12 | | | |ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ| | | | 13 | | | +---------------------+ | |14 15 16| +-------------------------------+ 1 - Nickname This shows the nickname you have set yourself. 2 - Time Shows the current time (24 hour format). 3 - Date Shows the current date (Month/Date format). 4 - Game Boy Advance Screen Location Shows what screen GBA games are played on. 5 - Startup Mode Shows up the mode your DS starts up as - A is automatic and M is manual. 6 - Power Indicator Shows battery status; green shows it has a good charge, red shows it's low. 7 - Clock An image of clock showing the current time. 8 - Month and Year Shows the current month and year (Month/Year format). 9 - Calendar Shows a calendar for that month, showing what day of the week it is. 10 - DS Game Selection Panel Shows the inserted DS game. Select this to play the game. 11 - Pictochat Selection Panel Select this to start a PictoChat session (see section 4 for more details). 12 - DS Download Play Panel This allows you to download data from wireless sources - such as single card games from other systems. See section 5 for more details. 13 - Game Boy Advance Game Selection Panel Select this to play the inserted game. 14 - Backlight Icon Selecting this will turn the backlighting on or off. 15 - Settings Icon Takes you to the settings where you can change many settings that are on the top screen. 16 - Alarm Icon This takes you to the alarm area where you can turn the alarm on. When you have you then have to leave the system as it is or on standby (you cannot do anything else) otherwise you have to turn it off by pressing any button bar L or R. -------- Settings -------- To access the Settings, select the DS icon on the bottom screen (at the bottom, in the middle). You will then be taken to this screen. Note that every time you make a change (exit from the settings) the system will shut down in order to save the change. Nothing major. +-------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | | | | | | +-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | | | +-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | | +-------------------------------+ 1 - Options >>> Start Up Mode, Screen Language, Game Boy Advance Screen 2 - Clock >>> Date, Alarm, Time 3 - User >>> Colour, Birthday, User Name, Message 4 - Touch Screen Options ------- +-------------------------------+ | | | | | +-----+ | | | 1 | | | +-----+-----+ | | | 2 | 3 | | | +-----+-----+ | | | 4 | | | +-----+ | | | +-------------------------------+ 1 - Start Up Mode Here you can change how the DS will start up, either to Manual or Auto. Manual sets it so it will go to the main menu each time you turn on the system, whereas Auto will load if there is a game in either game slot (if there is none, then it will just load the menu). 2 - Screen Language This is where you change the language - choose from English, French, Italian, German, Spanish or Japanese. Very import friendly. Note that it won't change the language in game, but just on the menus. 3 - Game Boy Advance Screen This asks you what screen you would like to play GBA games on - either top or bottom (no middle, this isn't Strike It Lucky). 4 - Return to the Settings Menu. Clock ----- +-------------------------------+ | | | | | +-----+ | | | 1 | | | +-----+-----+ | | | 2 | 3 | | | +-----+-----+ | | | 4 | | | +-----+ | | | +-------------------------------+ 1 - Date Select this to change today's date - in Month, Day, Year format. 2 - Alarm This allows you to select what time the alarm goes off. If you would like to go straight to the Alarm mode, then click the button at the top of the screen. 3 - Time Select this to change the current time in 24 hour format. 4 - Return to the Settings Menu. User ---- +-------------------------------+ | | | | | +-----+ | | | 1 | | | +-----+-----+-----+ | | | 2 | 3 | 4 | | | +-----+-----+-----+ | | | 5 | | | +-----+ | | | +-------------------------------+ 1 - Colour Here you can change the menu colour (the top and bottom bars) from a palette of sixteen. 2 - Birthday Change your birthday in Month/Date format. No year. 3 - Nickname Here you can enter a nickname for your DS - basically your user name for certain games and for PictoChat. 4 - Message Here you can enter a personal message of your choosing; two lines, 13 characters each. This message will appear when someone clicks your user name in PictoChat - it may also appear in certain titles too. 5 - Return to the Settings Menu. Touch Screen ------------ Here you can realign the touch screen by pressing boxes using the stylus. Be as careful as you can to ensure it's done right. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.03. The Wriststrap =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The wriststrap gets its own section!? Why, may you ask? Because not only can you use the DS to as a piece of bling to show off to your gaming homies, but it works with the touch screen as a analog pad due to a plastic button on the end of it. It also needs attaching, which I'll tell you how to do... now! 1. Find the wriststrap in the DS box. You know, the box your DS came in. If it isn't in there, you could return it or purchase another one. 2. Now find the attachment hole one the back of the DS (in-between the stylus holder and the slot 1) and thread the sting on the end of the wrist strap through the hole and out the other side. 3. Now grab the other end of the wrist strap and put it through the string loop, then pull so it creates a simple tie around the attachment hole which will hold it in place. Now it's attached. Now the pad is on a loop on the end of the wrist strap, and is used to rope around your thumb. Move the strap so it goes under the system, and that the pad is facing down on the screen. Put your thumb through the loop and slide the strap lock so it holds to pad in place. It may take a few goes to get the positioning right, but when it's right you should be able to use the pad on the left side of the screen and hold the DS in the same hand using your fingers. Although the pad takes a while getting used to, it's worth it as it works like an analog stick. Super Mario 64 DS and Metroid Prime: Echoes uses it well and grants greater control than the D-Pad. If you need illustrations, check page 14 of the manual. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.04. Accessories =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= So far there hasn't been many accessories announced apart from the norm, such as carry cases, AC Adapters, game cases and extra stylus'. There are both official and unofficial products (from Logic 3, Joytech and so on) so there is a range to choose from. Extra Styluses and Screen Protectors ------------------------------------ Watch out for unofficial styluses and screen protectors. The styli may scratch your touch screen, and the screen protectors often leave glue behind and WILL void your warranty. You won't need them anyway, the touch screen has got an extra layer of protection on and I've had no scratches yet. As long as you don't jab really hard and keep the DS closed while you're not using it, it will be cool. Play-Yan -------- To combat the PSP's multimedia playing abilities, Nintendo has released Play-Yan in Japan. This is for the GBA (and the DS) where you insert SD media cards into the unit, which allows you to play mp3s and MPEG4 videos on the move. There are plans to bring this to Europe or America soon, but if you fancy importing instead of waiting, then check the link below - http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=&products_id=6239& Rumble Pak ---------- The first DS accessory is the humble rumble pak! This plugs into the GBA port and is the same size as a regular GBA cartridge and requires no additional batteries. At the moment you can get them with copies of Metroid Prime Pinball, and will also be compatible with Mario & Luigi 2 and possibly many other games in the future! Check out IGN's article for more information - http://ds.ign.com/articles/659/659378p1.html Nintendo WiFi USB Connector --------------------------- While not directly involved with the DS, this allows you to create a wireless signal for your DS to connect to so you can play online. Worth getting if you haven't any wireless networks around you. It costs £35 and is only available online (play.com, amazon.co.uk are your best bets) and only allows you to connect the DS and forthcoming Revolution up to the net; not laptops, PSP's etc. =============================================================================== ---------------- 4. PICTOCHAT ---------------- =============================================================================== PictoChat is built in chat software that allows you to send images and text to 16 other people in one room using the wireless communication. To open PictoChat, go to the Main Menu on the Nintendo DS and click the PictoChat panel. You will then be taken to a screen showing you four chat rooms,labelled A to D. Each room can house up to sixteen users, and it will display how many users are in each room and the signal. Select a room to enter. If there are no users then you can enter anyway and talk to yourself; not very sociable but ideal if just want to mess around and draw stuff. If it's full (16/16) then you can't enter. If you got inquires about the general wireless use of a Nintendo DS (such as the range) check out section 5 (the next section). Here is the PictoChat screen - +-------------------------------+ |1 | 2 | |--| | |3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |--| | |4 | | +-------------------------------+ | 5| 9 10 X| | |ŻŻ11Ż/ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ| |6 |ŻŻŻŻŻ 12 | | | | |7 | | |--|----------------------------| | | 13 |14 | |8 | |----| | | |15 | | | |16ŻŻ| +-------------------------------+ 1 - Signal Strength This shows how strong the signal is in the chat room for communicating with other people. More bars mean the strength is stronger; try having two or three bars for optimum use. 0 - No signal 1 - Weak signal 2 - Good signal 3 - Strong signal 2 - Message Display This shows the messages entered into the chat room thus far. You can scroll through these using the arrows on the touch screen. Each message also has the nickname tagged on to it so you know who said what. 3 - Scroll Bar This shows a column of lines; different colour lines represent messages from different users, and the bold set of lines show where the messages in the message display are located. You can scroll through this using the arrows on the touch screen. 4 - Chat Room This tells you what chat room you are in - either A, B, C or D. 5 - Scrolling Arrows Use these arrows to scroll through the message list. 6 - Pen Tool Here are two icons; a pen and an eraser. If the pen is selected you will draw lines, whereas if the eraser is selected you can erase drawings. 7 - Thickness Here are two icons; a large and small dot. These represent the size of the pen or eraser on the input board. 8 - Keyboard Styles Here you can change the keyboard styles via five buttons; these are Alphanumeric, International, Japanese Hiragana / Katakana, Symbols and Pictures. Click a button to change the keyboard to that style. 9 - Room Members This displays the nick names of those in the chat room. Click a name to view their personal message! 10 - Exit Click this button to exit the chat room. 11 - Nick Name Displays your nickname above the input board - selecting it displays your personal message. 12 - Input Board Here is where you input your drawings, and where your text goes when you use the keyboard. 13 - Keyboard Here be the keyboard, argh. This is a standard qwerty keyboard with functions such as backspace, enter, space, caps and shift. Caps will make all the letters capitalised and shift will replace symbols and numbers with other symbols. Either use the stylus or buttons to enter text - if you are using the stylus, you can drag and drop letters on to the input board anywhere you like. 14 - Send Message Button Add the message on your input board to the Message Display (to the rest of the chat room). 15 - Retrieve Message Clicking this button will retrieve the bottom message on the top screen and copy it onto your input board. So if the last person started a game of naughts and crosses you can retrieve the last message and add your move, then send etc. Use the Scrolling Arrows to change what message is at the bottom of the top screen for retrieving. 16 - Clear Input Board Button Purges whatever is on the input board. -------- Controls -------- You can use either the D-Pad and Buttons or the stylus to use with PictoChat. With the stylus you just tap buttons to do whatever it does and it will be done - sorta like having a magic lamp, except you get as many wishes as you want and there is no blue genie to piss you off. Using the D-Pad you can pretty much do everything the same as the stylus bar drawing and dragging and dropping text. And it takes about 4 minutes longer to type words too. Here are the controls - D-Pad - Highlight text A - Insert Text B - Backspace (delete text) Y - Scroll through Keyboard Styles X - Alternate between Caps and Shift L - Scroll down through messages R - Scroll up through messages SELECT - Retrieve Message START - Send Message ------------------------------ Adding people to the chat room ------------------------------ Although the title is somewhat false, basically for people to enter a chat room just enter one and on other people's chat room screens it will add a person to that room; people then just enter to start chatting. No invites or passwords required. The DS will constantly search for other users in PictoChat, so people can come and go at any time. --------------- Retrieving Text --------------- Here's a quick low down on retrieving text. Clicking the retrieve text button (or pressing SELECT) will retrieve the bottom message on the top screen and copy it onto your input board. So if the last person started a game of naughts and crosses you can retrieve the last message and add your move, then send etc. Use the Scrolling Arrows (or L and R) to change what message is at the bottom of the top screen for retrieving. ------ Sounds ------ There are different sounds that occur when using PictoChat - you get clicks and such when using the keyboard and pressing buttons, a scrapeing-esque noise when drawing and a bell will chime when someone enters or leaves the chat room. ------------------------------- Creating new symbols and shapes ------------------------------- Insert a symbol or shape from the Keyboard styles, then send it. Now recall it and drag and drop another symbol onto the one you put in last time, to merge them together into a funky new shape. Pretty cool! There are loads of possibilities to try out, so have fun! Thanks to some guys on the PictoChat message board for finding this. You can get credit guys if you give me an email, I couldn't find your topic. ---- Uses ---- PictoChat can be used for several things other than chatting, such as simple games. Here is some inspiration, but the possibilities are pretty much endless. Although when using PictoChat you have to be in talking / seeing range with other people so it's not MSN or anything. - Chatting - Chatting in a quiet place - Chatting between rooms - Sketch Pad (just for drawing in one player) - Roleplaying (or PictoQuest as it's known on message boards) - Tic-Tac-Toe / Naughts and Crosses - Hangman - Fill the input box black, then use the eraser to write / draw things - Anagram games - Countdown (you know, the channel 4 quiz?) - Crossword - Pictionary - Three Word Story (start with three words, someone adds three, then another three etc. to make a story) - Picture Story (somewhat same as above, but with pictures) - Fast Typing game (see who can type out a sentence the fastest) ...and so on. If you have any really good ideas then give us an email. =============================================================================== ------------------------------------------- 5. WIRELESS COMMUNICATION / MULTIPLAYER ------------------------------------------- =============================================================================== =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 5.01. How it works =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Nintendo DS can connect wirelessly with other systems for multiplayer games or PictoChat. It uses radio frequencies to connect (802.11) and is a Class 1 product. There are two different types of wireless multiplayer; multi-card play or single card download play. Multi-Card Play is where each player needs a copy of the game each, and to play it might be something like everyone going into multiplayer and the systems should locate each other (check the manual for the game). The other type of game is Single Card Download Play; this is where only one card is needed to play and the others download the data for it. The host sets up the game while the others going onto the main menu and select the DS Download Play icon which will then search for downloadable games and proceed to download them. Either type can support up to sixteen players but again it's up to the software on how many can play. To see what games have multiplayer and the type of multiplayer, check the back of the game packaging. Oh, and don't use wireless in hospitals, planes, airports or near people with pacemakers as it could interfere with them. --------------- Signal Strength --------------- When using wireless an icon will appear to show the strength of the wireless signal. The more bars in this icon, the higher strength and the greater the connection. Try having two or three bars for optimum use. 0 - No signal 1 - Weak signal 2 - Good signal 3 - Strong signal To get a stronger signal, try lowering your... ----- Range ----- The DS is said to travel from 10 to 20 metres (30 - 65 feet) but there are reports stating it can go as far as 100 feet. To get stronger signals then avoid obstructions and face the systems together. There is also a chance of getting interference off other wireless networks and devices. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 5.02. Multiplayer titles =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Here is a list of all the multiplayer titles on the Nintendo DS with a list of what type of multiplayer (Multi or Single Cart) and how many players are supported. The list is alphabetical. Note that this list is ever expanding, and if your requested game isn't in here then it will most likely be in the next update (otherwise give me an email). At present, I don't know what PAL games have multiplayer and to what extent. Only three are listed so far, so if you could email me what games have multiplayer (type and player amount) then that would be fantastic. Thanks to Pikachu 025 and perdevious for their contributions in this section. Title Type Players Online ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PictoChat Built In 2-16 No Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt Multi 2-4 No Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits Both 2-5 No Super Mario 64 DS Single 2-4 No Pokémon Dash Multi 2-6 No Polarium * Single 2 No Yoshi Touch & Go Single 2 No Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Multi 2-4 No Bomberman Single 2-8 No Dai Gassou Band Brothers (Japan Import)* Multi Unlim. No Mario Kart DS Single 2-8 * Polarium - You can download a demo to another DS featuring a tutorial and 10 puzzles. * Dai Gassou Band Brothers (Japan Import) - It's 2-8 with just the one cart, and unlimited with. Awesome. Note that there is a more up to date and fleshed out list on GameFAQs, found here - http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=985&topic=25161592 which may prove more useful. =============================================================================== ----------------------------------------- 6. ONLINE - NINTENDO WI-FI CONNECTION ----------------------------------------- =============================================================================== =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 6.01. When and How =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= At E3 2005 Nintendo announced the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, allowing the DS and the Revolution to connect to hotspots and other wireless networks on certain games. This service has been supplied by IGN's GameSpy division and will be for free for all first party titles, and most third party (depending on if they want to charge) so you should be able to play Mario Kart and Animal Crossing online and for free. It should also be really simple - to quote Nintendo, "Ease of use. No usernames. No passwords. No IP addresses. No URLs. No unintelligible technobabble. Just gaming." Confirmed online titles are Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing, Tony Hawks, Ultimate Card Games, Ultimate Brain Games, Bomberman DS, Final Fantasy: CC and Winning Eleven! More details on these titles and others as soon as they are announced. Since the release of Mario Kart DS, you can now go online on several titles (see below for more). There are several set backs though, like there are no chat rooms or mic talk, mainly for safety reasons. You cannot add contacts that you meet online, only if you have their code offline (like on the standard internet, or in real life). Lag may occur on games too. ----------------- Getting Connected ----------------- Firstly, here are a few handy links (thanks to Bones0 and his topic) - http://www.nintendowifi.com/ http://www.nintendowifi.com/consumerservice/routerSetup.do http://www.nintendowifi.com/consumerservice/gettingStarted.do http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=920788&topic=24987232 To get online you need a wireless (or WiFi) internet signal. This could be at home, work, school, McDonalds etc. or you can use a Nintendo WiFi USB Connector (check online, such as at Amazon for this). Note that if you have a wireless connection at home, check the router setup link above to see if it's compatible. Before you can play you need to connect and configure your signal. You have to do this in game as the software isn't built in to the DS. The software should be the same in each game, but in case of any changes, the following was used for Mario Kart DS. Go into Settings and then the Connection set up. Where you can add a Connection (upto 3) as well as a simple way to connect to a USB Connector. If you have the USB Connector, select that (ensure it's installed and working on your computer before hand) for an easy set up there. Otherwise, select one of the three connections and search. Hopefully your access point should appear. Select which one and then OK to test the connection and save it, and that's about it. DO NOT EMAIL ME ABOUT CONNECTION HELP. Consult the WiFi book you get with your game, and check the above links and on GameFAQs for help. I heard that shutting down your firewall may make connections work though. ------------- Online Titles ------------- The following titles have confirmed to have online elements. Out now - Mario Kart DS Tony Hawks American Skatepark Coming Soon - Animal Crossing Wide World (out now in USA) Metroid Prime Hunters Pokemon Diamond & Pearl =============================================================================== ------------------------------------- 7. GAME BOY ADVANCE COMPATIBILITY ------------------------------------- =============================================================================== =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 7.01. General Information =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= You can play Game Boy Advance games on the Nintendo DS thanks to it's inclusion of the GBA port on the bottom of the system. Pretty mint, huh? However you can only play single player titles due to a lack of a GBA expansion port; so no link cables or wireless adapters here. Games are also displayed slightly windowed too, which may bother some. However despite this games look better due to backlighting (compared to the SP's front lighting and the GBA's total eclipse). Note that it doesn't play old Game Boy or Game Boy Colour titles either, just Game Boy Advance. So it might be worth hanging on to your SP after all. You can set what screen you want the GBA games to play on in the Settings area on the Main Menu; it makes no difference where you set it, although I find the top screen better (easier to see position and the top screen is cleaner). DS games can also use the GBA port to search for games to unlock certain features. For example Project Rub unlocks costumes when certain GBA Sega titles are inserted into the GBA port (Chu Chu Rocket, Sonic Advance etc), as might other games. A pretty cool feature. It would be good to see games incorporate DS only features (unlockables or double screen features) but I'm guessing games run on an emulator or something so I doubt this would be possible. Anyway using the DS as a GBA player works great (the L and R buttons work very well) so if you haven't brought any Game Boy Advance stuff you may as well as get a DS and go from there. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 7.02. Incompatible Titles / Accessories =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Here is a list of titles and cartridges that DON'T work on the Nintendo DS - - Original Game Boy titles - Game Boy Colour titles - Game Boy Printer - Game Boy Camera - Link Cables (Universal, GBA or Gamecube cables) - Game Boy Advance wireless adapter - E-Reader As far as I know there are no individual Game Boy Advance games that don't work, but I'll keep you posted. Thanks to chrono1295 for contributions here. =============================================================================== ------------ 8. GAMES ------------ =============================================================================== This isn't a huge section and will never intend to be, as this is a hardware FAQ. However I will cover things such as PAL differences, release dates and recommended titles. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 8.01. Recommended Titles =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Here is a look at some of the better DS titles available on the system, from my personal recommendation and magazine reviews. Check up on www.cube-europe.com and www.ign.com for reviews of the latest titles. So far the list is small as the system has been out only a few weeks, but it'll sure expand with time. Super Mario 64 DS Warioware Touched! Polorium Project Rub Zoo Keeper Yoshi Touch & Go Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Pac Pix Bomberman (unrivaled multiplayer) Meteos Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Advance Wars: Double Strike! Nintendogs: Labrador & Friends Nintendogs: Dachshund & Friends Nintendogs: Chihuahua & Friends Pac 'n Roll Mario Kart DS Kirby Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Sonic Rush =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 8.02. PAL Release Dates =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Here as some release dates of up and coming titles in the next few months. Loads more titles have been announced at E3 (check the Games Roundup link below for more) and also the other links for other releases. Bust-a-Move DS - January Mario & Luigi : Partners in Time - 10/02/2006 Spongebob Squarepants & Friends Unite DS - 10/02/2006 Pac-Man World 3 - 07/02/2006 Tak The Great Juju Challenge DS - 17/02/2006 Nanostray - 24/02/2006 Viewtiful Joe Double Trouble - 24/02/2006 The Rub Rabbits - Feburary FIFA Street DS - 03/03/2006 Pokémon Trozei - 06/06/2006 Tamagotchi Corner Shop - 17/03/2006 Worms: Open Warfare - 17/03/2006 Metroid Prime Hunters - 20/03/2006 Animal Crossing Wild World - 31/03/2006 Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney - 31/03/2006 Resident Evil : Deadly Silence - 31/03/2006 Other announced titles to look out for are - New Super Mario Bros. (classic mario, upto 4 players) Animal Crossing Wide World Scratch! Viewtiful Joe Egg Monster Hero Black & White Creatures (based off the PC title) Metroid Pinball Winning Eleven DS (online) Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Splinter Cell DS (full 3D - http://www.cube-europe.com/news.php?nid=7757) Snowboard Kids DS (http://www.cube-europe.com/news.php?nid=7750) Age of Kings (spin off from Age of Empires) From Russia With Love Final Fantasy: CC (online) Puyo Pop Fever Katamari Damacy Pokemon sequels Bomberman DS (online) Rainbow Islands Revolution Dig Dug Digging Strike! Sources and for updated lists - Cube-Europe - http://www.cube-europe.com/releases.php Gameplay - http://shop.gameplay.co.uk/webstore/release_radar.asp?platform=NDS E3 Games Roundup - http://ds.ign.com/e3/2005/games/rank-asc.html =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 8.03. PAL Changes and Differences =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Developers and Publishers often change certain aspects of their games when they release them over in Europe, for whatever reason. Thanks to perdevious for their contributions in this section. Game Cases - The PAL cases are clear, thicker and taller. The USA cases are black and smaller in size. Project Rub - This is Feel the Magic: XY-XX in the USA, but Sega changed the name for the Europe release. Mr Driller: Drill Spirits - The PAL release has two more modes than the USA one, which are for reasons unknown. Warioware Touched! - The USA cover is orange, whereas the PAL cover is bright yellow. =============================================================================== ------------------------------------- 11. CONCLUSION AND SPECIAL THANKS ------------------------------------- =============================================================================== That's just about it, folks. I hope that this document has been of aid in one form or another, and that it has been easy to use. If you could, please either ask me questions, suggestions, comments or contributions at crazyreyn_faqs@hotmail.com. Also could you rate this FAQ so I could get some feedback. Thank you for reading. +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Special Thanks to these who have contributed to the guide in some way... | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ CJayC (Gamefaqs) - For accepting this guide and for creating the best site on the internet. Thanks! http://www.gamefaqs.com IGN - For accepting this guide and for creating an awesome video games site. Thanks! http://www.ign.com Nintendo - For creating a very grand handheld. ASCII Generator - For producing the text ASCII for my Crazyreyn sig. Thanks, and is a great site if you need any ASCII text. http://www.network-science.de/ascii/ GameStation - For producing information leaflets about the DS, which a list of system specifications. Thanks, although their games are getting rather pricey lately. IGN, Cube-Europe, Lik-Sang - For various news reports, images and details on the DS. All very good sites and worth checking out! www.ign.com www.cube-europe.com www.lik-sang.com LeeBourne - For spotting the Spiderman 2 omission from the launch list and for recommending Zoo Keeper. chrono1295 - For stating that the E-Reader doesn't work. Thanks! Matthew Stosic, Dirx, - Australia price information. Thanks! Daniel "ShortCutMan" Burke, TheUltimaSora, Jacob Webster Luke Archer / Core-X - New Zealand prices information. Thanks! Pikachu 025 - For correcting a typo and multiplayer game submissions. Lex Patricio - UK price information. Thanks! perdevious - For multiplayer game details. Thanks! Tyrian³ - For enhancing the FAQ section. Thanks! Ravi B. - For multiplayer information, Thanks! TheUltimaSora - For Australian release data information, thanks! Bodobodot - Typo spotting and Mic information. Thanks! +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | Special Thanks to these who are my good GameFAQS friends... | +-------------------------------------------------------------+ Robert Lane (Lanerobertlane) Richard Arnett (Guitarfreak86) Ryan Harrison (RHarrison0987) Thomas Carter (Carter12) Duncan Hardy (Super Nova) Rebecca Skinner (Karpah) Martin Dale-Hench (Fox) Brian Sulpher (BSulpher) Trace Jackson (Meowthnum1) Richard B. (Gbness) Steve McFadden (Psycho Penguin) Chris Noonan (Merca) Colin Scully (me frog) Tom Hayes (THayes) And everyone else at the FAQ Contributors board! Also a nod to the GameFAQs UK board, for being so damn funny. :) If I have forgotten you, then please contact me and I'll fix your name up here! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ___ / __|_ _ __ _ ____ _ _ _ ___ _ _ _ _ | (__| '_/ _` |_ / || | '_/ -_) || | ' \ \___|_| \__,_/__|\_, |_| \___|\_, |_||_| |__/ |__/ http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/27600.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Crazyreyn (crazyreyn_faqs@hotmail.com) Copyright (c)2005-2006 Matthew Reynolds. All rights reserved. +------------------+ | Copyright Notice | +------------------+ This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their respective trademark and copyright holders. ================================END OF DOCUMENT================================