European DS release date

Koga · 01-30-2005, 09:55 AM

Source: NoE

27 January 2005 – Nintendo DS will change the way people play video games. Through a whole set of new features, such as touch screen, voice input and wireless communication, games can be controlled by touch or voice and the system will have two screens, not one. Today at a press conference in Paris, Nintendo announced that this innovative new console will be available to buy in the UK on 11 March at the estimated retail price of around £99 (€149,99) and will be supported by a strong software line up. The Nintendo DS has been received exceptionally well in the US and Japan, having sold 2.8 million units by the end of 2004, and is expected to have the same response when it launches in the UK.

Satoru Iwata, President of Nintendo Co., Ltd, comments on the new handheld console:

“Europe is an extremely important market for Nintendo, and we are pleased we can offer such a short period of time between the US and European launch. We believe that the Nintendo DS will change the way people play video games and our mission remains to expand the game play experience. Nintendo DS caters for the needs of all gamers whether for more dedicated gamers who want the real challenge they expect, or the more casual gamers who want quick, pick up and play fun.”

At launch in the UK, there will be a total of 15 games available for the Nintendo DS. The strong software launch line-up includes games such as Super Mario 64 DS, Polarium, WarioWare Touched! and Pokémon Dash from Nintendo, plus great titles from the world’s top Publishers such as Rayman DS (Ubisoft), Project Rub (SEGA), The URBZ: Sims in the City (EA) and Spider-Man 2 (Activision). And with over 120 games being developed for the system, there will be plenty to keep gamers busy throughout 2005. With a battery life of up to 10-hours, there is ample time between recharges to enjoy these great titles.

Nintendo DS will come with a free software feature called PictoChat. This allows users to write text or even create their very own drawings to send to friends within a radius of up to 100ft. The Nintendo DS, when in sleep mode, will spring to life if it senses another DS transmitting in range, alerting users that someone wants to chat or play games with them! The initial shipment of Nintendo DS for launch will also be bundled with a playable demo version of Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt.

Once again Nintendo’s innovation will redefine video game play. The Nintendo DS incorporates advanced touch-screen technology, with breathtaking 3D graphics, all in a sleek silver design. The touch screen feature allows players to get closer to the games by giving them a far more direct, faster control. Upon opening the Nintendo DS, gamers are greeted by not one, but two three inch 260,000 colour TFT screens, the bottom of which is touch sensitive. Instead of having to use the buttons and d-pad to control games, players can use the stylus, thumb strap included with the console or finger, to rub and tap their way through games.

Games can easily be played with friends thanks to the revolutionary wireless functionality provided by the Nintendo DS. Up to 16 players can communicate using PictoChat, or play multiplayer games at distances of up to 100ft. Want to play multiplayer Mario but only have one copy? Don’t fear! The wireless connection even allows a group of gamers to play Nintendo DS with only one copy of a game by using the DS download play option.

The Nintendo DS comes complete with stereo speakers and a microphone built in, setting the mood and adding to the overall interactive experience. Launch titles such as Sega’s Project Rub already use this microphone in a variety of ways, for example with games that require players to blow at the screen in order to proceed.

The Nintendo DS features two separate game slots, one for Nintendo DS games and one for Game Boy Advance games. The Nintendo DS is fully backwards compatible with all Game Boy Advance titles, and with over 550 titles, it means you can play all of your old favourites. The new format for games also means that the Nintendo DS has no moving parts that can be misaligned if the unit is dropped.

The Nintendo DS will launch in the UK on 11 March 2005 at the estimated retail price of around £99. Software will be available at selected retailers at the estimated retail price of around £29(€39,99) and £19,(€29,99) depending on the specific title.

[ January 30, 2005, 08:58 AM: Message edited by: Koga ]

Koga · 01-30-2005, 09:57 AM

Or you can get it even earlier by using the starts catalogue.

The Nintendo DS launches in Europe on March 11. But we’re giving you the chance to own the dual-screened wonder weeks in advance!*

Exclusive to our most valued Nintendo VIPs and Club Members, a special Nintendo DS Limited VIP Pak is on sale now in the Stars Catalogue, including:

Nintendo DS system

Super Mario 64 DS (pre-release version) (Rated ‘3+’)

Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt (Demo version) (Rated '12+') **

Wario Ware Touched! (Demo version) (Rated ‘3+’)

Exclusive Nintendo DS T-shirt

All this can be yours for £129.99 (€189.99 for Irish-resident members), plus 1,000 Stars to cover the cost of postage and packing.

But hurry: only 3000 of these highly desirable packs are being made available, exclusively to Nintendo VIPs and Club Members. You won’t find them anywhere else.

Go to the Stars Catalogue now for further details.

*This offer is not available to children under 12 years old, due to the '12+' age rating for Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt.

**The wireless multiplayer function in Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt (Demo version) will not be compatible with the final European version of the game.

Make sure you keep any VIP-cards you may find in your Nintendo DS Limited VIP Pak for later! The PIN codes will be activated as soon as Nintendo DS is officially launched. Your VIP card is a ticket to a wealth of Nintendo DS related goodies, not to mention more stars!

**NintendoNut** · 01-30-2005, 05:19 PM

I preordered mine on Friday from GAME.

Valentine · 01-30-2005, 08:05 PM

Awesomeness for cheapness?

Yes please.

**NintendoNut** · 02-13-2005, 05:09 AM

Why we wait so long?

Super_Mario_1987 · 02-13-2005, 03:55 PM

The Nintendo DS = Fun For Everyone!

***Heroine of the Dragon*** · 02-14-2005, 07:45 AM

We've had real TV adverts for DS!!! WOOT!!! It's released here in 10 days time at a cost of AU$198 with games at AU$70... *stops buying other things* Who needs to eat?

mario_fan401 · 05-22-2005, 02:46 PM

i got a ds in march i stepped onit once but it no breaking good i was scared

Koga · 05-22-2005, 02:51 PM

Please don't post in topics that are a couple of months old. It brings them to the top of the list, and they're usually outdated.

01-30-2005, 09:55 AM	#1
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,095 Thanks: 104 Thanked 186 Times in 117 Posts Points: 109,262.07 Bank: 25,861.92 Total Points: 135,123.99 Donate	Source: NoE 27 January 2005 – Nintendo DS will change the way people play video games. Through a whole set of new features, such as touch screen, voice input and wireless communication, games can be controlled by touch or voice and the system will have two screens, not one. Today at a press conference in Paris, Nintendo announced that this innovative new console will be available to buy in the UK on 11 March at the estimated retail price of around £99 (€149,99) and will be supported by a strong software line up. The Nintendo DS has been received exceptionally well in the US and Japan, having sold 2.8 million units by the end of 2004, and is expected to have the same response when it launches in the UK. Satoru Iwata, President of Nintendo Co., Ltd, comments on the new handheld console: “Europe is an extremely important market for Nintendo, and we are pleased we can offer such a short period of time between the US and European launch. We believe that the Nintendo DS will change the way people play video games and our mission remains to expand the game play experience. Nintendo DS caters for the needs of all gamers whether for more dedicated gamers who want the real challenge they expect, or the more casual gamers who want quick, pick up and play fun.” At launch in the UK, there will be a total of 15 games available for the Nintendo DS. The strong software launch line-up includes games such as Super Mario 64 DS, Polarium, WarioWare Touched! and Pokémon Dash from Nintendo, plus great titles from the world’s top Publishers such as Rayman DS (Ubisoft), Project Rub (SEGA), The URBZ: Sims in the City (EA) and Spider-Man 2 (Activision). And with over 120 games being developed for the system, there will be plenty to keep gamers busy throughout 2005. With a battery life of up to 10-hours, there is ample time between recharges to enjoy these great titles. Nintendo DS will come with a free software feature called PictoChat. This allows users to write text or even create their very own drawings to send to friends within a radius of up to 100ft. The Nintendo DS, when in sleep mode, will spring to life if it senses another DS transmitting in range, alerting users that someone wants to chat or play games with them! The initial shipment of Nintendo DS for launch will also be bundled with a playable demo version of Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt. Once again Nintendo’s innovation will redefine video game play. The Nintendo DS incorporates advanced touch-screen technology, with breathtaking 3D graphics, all in a sleek silver design. The touch screen feature allows players to get closer to the games by giving them a far more direct, faster control. Upon opening the Nintendo DS, gamers are greeted by not one, but two three inch 260,000 colour TFT screens, the bottom of which is touch sensitive. Instead of having to use the buttons and d-pad to control games, players can use the stylus, thumb strap included with the console or finger, to rub and tap their way through games. Games can easily be played with friends thanks to the revolutionary wireless functionality provided by the Nintendo DS. Up to 16 players can communicate using PictoChat, or play multiplayer games at distances of up to 100ft. Want to play multiplayer Mario but only have one copy? Don’t fear! The wireless connection even allows a group of gamers to play Nintendo DS with only one copy of a game by using the DS download play option. The Nintendo DS comes complete with stereo speakers and a microphone built in, setting the mood and adding to the overall interactive experience. Launch titles such as Sega’s Project Rub already use this microphone in a variety of ways, for example with games that require players to blow at the screen in order to proceed. The Nintendo DS features two separate game slots, one for Nintendo DS games and one for Game Boy Advance games. The Nintendo DS is fully backwards compatible with all Game Boy Advance titles, and with over 550 titles, it means you can play all of your old favourites. The new format for games also means that the Nintendo DS has no moving parts that can be misaligned if the unit is dropped. The Nintendo DS will launch in the UK on 11 March 2005 at the estimated retail price of around £99. Software will be available at selected retailers at the estimated retail price of around £29(€39,99) and £19,(€29,99) depending on the specific title. [ January 30, 2005, 08:58 AM: Message edited by: Koga ]

01-30-2005, 09:57 AM	#2
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,095 Thanks: 104 Thanked 186 Times in 117 Posts Points: 109,262.07 Bank: 25,861.92 Total Points: 135,123.99 Donate	Or you can get it even earlier by using the starts catalogue. The Nintendo DS launches in Europe on March 11. But we’re giving you the chance to own the dual-screened wonder weeks in advance!* Exclusive to our most valued Nintendo VIPs and Club Members, a special Nintendo DS Limited VIP Pak is on sale now in the Stars Catalogue, including: Nintendo DS system Super Mario 64 DS (pre-release version) (Rated ‘3+’) Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt (Demo version) (Rated '12+') ** Wario Ware Touched! (Demo version) (Rated ‘3+’) Exclusive Nintendo DS T-shirt All this can be yours for £129.99 (€189.99 for Irish-resident members), plus 1,000 Stars to cover the cost of postage and packing. But hurry: only 3000 of these highly desirable packs are being made available, exclusively to Nintendo VIPs and Club Members. You won’t find them anywhere else. Go to the Stars Catalogue now for further details. This offer is not available to children under 12 years old, due to the '12+' age rating for Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt. *The wireless multiplayer function in Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt (Demo version) will not be compatible with the final European version of the game. Make sure you keep any VIP-cards you may find in your Nintendo DS Limited VIP Pak for later! The PIN codes will be activated as soon as Nintendo DS is officially launched. Your VIP card is a ticket to a wealth of Nintendo DS related goodies, not to mention more stars!

01-30-2005, 05:19 PM	#3
NintendoNut NinNut Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hold on, I know this..... Gender: Posts: 8,298 Thanks: 84 Thanked 41 Times in 31 Posts Points: 49,397.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 49,397.76 Donate	I preordered mine on Friday from GAME.

01-30-2005, 08:05 PM	#4
Valentine Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Rural NZ. There are lots of sheep here. Gender: Posts: 6,933 Thanks: 22 Thanked 60 Times in 43 Posts Points: 15,586.45 Bank: 93,028.32 Total Points: 108,614.77 Donate	Awesomeness for cheapness? Yes please.

02-13-2005, 05:09 AM	#5
NintendoNut NinNut Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hold on, I know this..... Gender: Posts: 8,298 Thanks: 84 Thanked 41 Times in 31 Posts Points: 49,397.76 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 49,397.76 Donate	Why we wait so long?

02-13-2005, 03:55 PM	#6
Super_Mario_1987 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Iowa Gender: Posts: 6,560 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Points: 7,311.04 Bank: 500.00 Total Points: 7,811.04 Donate	The Nintendo DS = Fun For Everyone!

02-14-2005, 07:45 AM	#7
*Heroine of the Dragon* The Grinnie Fool! ♥ VGFCodes Staff Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: In a pretty place surrounded by sparkly faerie dust!! Gender: Posts: 28,147 Thanks: 323 Thanked 407 Times in 311 Posts Blog Entries: 1 Points: 126,217.57 Bank: 5,445,770.34 Total Points: 5,571,987.90 Donate	We've had real TV adverts for DS!!! WOOT!!! It's released here in 10 days time at a cost of AU$198 with games at AU$70... stops buying other things Who needs to eat?

05-22-2005, 02:46 PM	#8
mario_fan401 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Points: 826.00 Bank: 500.00 Total Points: 1,326.00 Donate	i got a ds in march i stepped onit once but it no breaking good i was scared

05-22-2005, 02:51 PM	#9
Koga Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Posts: 17,095 Thanks: 104 Thanked 186 Times in 117 Posts Points: 109,262.07 Bank: 25,861.92 Total Points: 135,123.99 Donate	Please don't post in topics that are a couple of months old. It brings them to the top of the list, and they're usually outdated.