Geek In Me

by Donald Melanson via engadget.com

We already knew that Id Software co-founder John Carmack was on board with the iPhone to some extent, but at the now-happening QuakeCon 2008 in Dallas he’s revealed just how impressed with the device he really is. According to Apple Insider, while Carmack admits that graphics memory could be a limiting factor, he describes the phone’s hardware as equivalent to a Dreamcast and almost on par with a PlayStation 2 and the original Xbox. He also sees it as far superior, at least in terms of raw specs, than the two big dedicated handheld consoles out there, saying that is “more powerful than a Nintendo DS and PSP combined.” Unfortunately, he didn’t have any actual games to show off, but he did at least confirm that Id has two “tentative titles” in the works, including a “conventional mobile game,” and one that pushes the iPhone’s graphics capabilities.

via dsfanboy.com

With the recent hubbub over Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch, many are wondering if it will threaten the market dominance that Nintendo enjoys with their DS handheld. Even though Forbes thinks Apple has a chance at dethroning the DS, we’re realists and know that just isn’t possible. But, then the price point for iPhone games was revealed and we got a tad bit worried.

Sure, games sell the system, but the titles available on the iPhone and iPod Touch will go for 17-18 Euros (which comes to about $25-$28, less than Nintendo’s first-party titles), according to LemonQuest CEO Ignacio Cavero. It’s not much, but it’s something, and definitely a lot more noticeable when compared to Square Enix games, which often debut at a $34.99 price point. But, we could also see even cheaper stuff, because Apple is leaving the final pricing up to the publishers.

by Phil Larsen via dsfanboy.com

We’re oddly fascinated with the upcoming, uh, panda simulation game, National Geographic Panda. Well, it’s called Panda-San Nikki in Japan, but in North America it’s important to tag an environmentally-conscious magazine to the title. That way, gamers can save endangered wildlife while riding the bus to knitting college. Everybody wins!

Adhering to the recent Nintendo trend of browser-based demos, Namco has set up a virtual DS on their official website so you can actually play the game (no see-saws … yet). Sure, gameplay consists of making one single swipe to roll that big cutie over, but it’s addictive. Turn the sound up and enjoy the happy.

posted by Eric Caoili via dsfanboy.com

As a somewhat respectable grown-up who makes a somewhat living on the Nintendo DS subculture, I have to stop myself from trying to see what someone’s playing whenever I spot a handheld gamer in the wild. I restrain myself for two reasons:
1. I like to keep up this illusion of me being a somewhat respectable grown-up
2. I don’t want anyone mistaking me for a pedophile just because I was stealing glances at some kid’s Piplup
Children, though, have no such reservations with running up to a stranger to see what he’s playing …