PC developers, the DS needs you!



The Nintendo DS has so much potential because of its fascinating tech specs, Nintendo name, and a great price. No matter what, Sony will never be able to compete on price, even though they are launching the PSP for a very surprising $185 (Dont be fooled though. When you add up the cost of the necessary carrying case, memory card, and extra battery, the PSP is still very expensive.). This potential is why the DS saddens me greatly. The software line-up at launch is very unimpressive, and to be completely honest, there really isnt much on the immediate horizon that excites me. Advance Wars DS, Mario Kart DS, and a few other titles will be fun, but the DS really needs some PC developers.



One thing should immediately come to mind when you consider the touch screen and stylus/thumb nub control set up mouse and keyboard. According to a good percentage of the Internets nerds, Metroid Prime: Hunters controls surprisingly well and I think it would be shameful for developers to ignore this. Nokia has desperately tried to sell dozens of first-person shooters for its drowning N-Gage, none of which are worth your time. The market is clearly there, it just has to be properly addressed. Some of the best FPS titles are made by Epic Games, and People Can Flys very simple Painkiller could probably be ported, to some extent, for the DS. EAs Medal of Honor series would also make a nice addition why shouldnt they take a simplistic shooter to a simplistic platform? I think Ubi Softs mediocre XIII would be much better on a handheld, where some of its faults could be overlooked. Duke Nukem and Doom both made appearances on the Game Boy Advance, so it may not be such an outlandish idea to see them on the DS. Will Id software actually make the title? Probably not, but this article is all about wishful thinking.



Shooters are a little difficult to play on the handheld for a number of reasons. Cars rides arent always smooth, so bumpy rides might lead to bumpy gameplay. Also, it is very difficult to track a large number of fast moving targets on the screen at once. The developers must take into consideration that they can make little more than an advanced corridor crawl. Some people play handhelds on the couch (like me), whereas others only play when traveling.



My favorite GBA titles were all turn-based strategy games. I spent more hours on Advance Wars, Fire Emblem, and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance than I do on most games recall your addiction to Civilization III and you will know what I am talking about. The Nintendo DS should allow for developers to create real-time strategy games, as well as turn-based strategy games that provide more depth than previously seen.



If EA were to resurrect Command and Conquer: Red Alert, a very simplistic game that isnt too graphically demanding, Id be very happy. The number of units and structures and speed of gameplay would need to be decreased, but the core gameplay would remain intact. The stylus would allow for precision for unit and building control, and the two screens would provide ample space for the map, construction menu, and gameplay screen. Blizzard could resurrect Starcraft need I say more. Remember, both the original Command and Conquer and Starcraft were ported to the Nintendo 64, so it is possible. For those unaware, the DS is somewhere in between the N64 and Gamecube as far as its capabilities are concerned.



As far as turn-based is concerned, any Sid Meier game, such as Civilization, Alpha Centauri, or gods be praised, Pirates!, would provide me with hours upon hours of entertainment. The menus, maps, and inventories would need to be greatly scaled down, but once again, imagine Advance Wars times 100 in fun.



Last, but certainly not least, the DS can support a wide range of PC style RPGs. Diablo II, Baldurs Gate I get giddy just thinking about it. The inventory system would be easily managed with the stylus and extra screen, and the more powerful DS allows for games that are more than just Japanese styled turn-based romps.



The best reason for more PC styled software is the DSs wireless capabilities. Multiplayer gameplay is a huge asset for PC gaming, and hopefully, it will become one for the DS as well. Competitive strategy games, co-op RPG games, and the best handheld FPS deathmatch ever would sell me on a DS so very quickly. I would probably sell my cat for the $150 if I knew I could find a buyer -- a very stupid buyer. Pocket Kingdoms is a great example of what creative strategy games can do for a handheld. The N-Gage might finally have a killer app, and the DS, as well as the developers who stand to profit from similar titles, should take notice.



Grant Rodiek is an international business senior. He needs a good cry every once in a while to let it all out and feel pretty once again. Game Culture appears weekly.

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