Toronto Thumbs

SUPERSIZE ME
Nintendo DSi LL

Say hello to the Nintendo DSi LL, the next version of the Nintendo DSi. It’ll go on sale November 21, 2009 in Japan for 20,000 yen (roughly $220 USD/CDN). Though it’s hard to tell from this photo, the DSi LL has significantly larger dual screens and comes with a larger, more ergonomic stylus. The target market for this updated system appears to be the elderly, or anyone else that would have trouble with the screen size of the current DSi.

Though Nintendo hasn’t mentioned any details of a possible North American release, it seems likely since Europe is apparently getting the system early next year.

While the DSi LL is much bigger than any previous DS system, I’d still love to try it. The screen resolution might be the same but I don’t believe the games would suffer too much due to what is, in layman’s terms, screen magnification. In fact, some older games might look really cool with bigger pixels. To speculate, I think this might be Nintendo’s attempt at testing the market before unveiling an even larger portable device along the lines of a netbook computer. Think about it! Little big screen gaming on the go would be amazing.

One thing I’m wondering about, however, is whether this larger form factor means Nintendo could conceivably fit the Game Boy Advance cartridge slot into the system’s design. It was present in both the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo DS Lite but was removed from the DSi. Furthermore, I wouldn’t mind seeing upgraded cameras on the device, as the DSi’s camera is really only useful in very bright lighting.

All speculation aside, I don’t believe it could be argued that you can seriously crush a toe if you were to drop the DSi LL on your foot.

Posted in Awesome, DS, DSi, Game Boy, News Bytes, Nintendo | 3 Comments »

HAPPY 20th ANNIVERSARY
Nintendo Game Boy!

I can’t believe the Game Boy has been around for 20 years. Mine still works! The Christmas I got my Game Boy was one of the best ever.

Posted in Awesome, Game Boy | 12 Comments »

RETRO REVIEW
Déjà Vu I and II – The Casebooks Of Ace Harding

Step into a nightmare with the shoes of a man who is constantly threatened to die. These shoes are probably nicely-polished, slick dress shoes because this story takes place in 1941. Back in the ‘40s, Film Noir detective films were popular and this is what Déjà Vu is: a classic crime fiction where you play a hardboiled private eye trying to crack a case of MURDER and MONEY LAUNDERING.

Déjà Vu I and II for Game Boy Color is a point and click graphic adventure game ported from Mac/PC versions developed by Icom Simulations. Déjà Vu was originally released in 1985 as the first-ever graphic adventure game that won awards (at that time) while Déjà Vu II was released in 1988, continuing the nightmare.

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Posted in Game Boy, Reviews | 4 Comments »

UPCOMING CHIPTUNES ARTISTS TAKE NOTE
This USB Game Boy Cartridge is Your Friend

Photo credit: BleepBloop.

If you’ve ever wanted to get into the world of creating chiptunes, now’s a good time. Over at Gameboydev.org, you can purchase a USB Game Boy Cartridge designed by Jose “BleepBloop” Torres from 8bitcollective.com.

It was designed with LSDJ (a popular chiptune homebrew application) in mind. On top of the $75 price tag, you’ll have to also make a minimum donation of $2 at the Little Sound DJ website in order to get the LSDJ ROM file. The cartridge also includes a user-serviceable battery compartment and a USB port for easy data transfer. Added frills include your choice of circuit board and label colours as well as a printed “I love my Gameboy” on the board itself.

Posted in Awesome, Game Boy, Music | 1 Comment »

GEAR REVIEW
Zagg Invisible Shield for DS (Screens Only)

We are certainly all about playing games here at Toronto Thumbs. But what about something to protect the integrity of the devices that we play games on?

I had bought a screen protector when I first purchased my DS Lite a few years ago. It was a bit of a pain to apply (and truthfully, I actually messed up the first one and had to use another one – good thing I bought a multi-pack). When I ran my stylus over the surface of my protected screen I have to admit that it felt a bit sticky. But better a slight inconvenience than a scratched-up screen, right?

Over the course of its life the screen protector certainly took a lot of damage. It showed wear and tear even after the first day of use. I knew I would have to replace it eventually, but I procrastinated.

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Posted in DS, Game Boy, Gear Reviews, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360 | 4 Comments »

BYTE-SIZE REVIEW
Game & Watch Gallery 4

With Club Nintendo recently opening its arms to North American gamers after having shunned them aside for years, many of us have been leaping at the opportunity to register games for virtual coins. Among the most sought-after goodies available from Club Nintendo is the pricey Game & Watch Collection for Nintendo DS. Because I don’t have this game, I can’t comment on its greatness. But from what I’ve read about it, it only contains three games.

Sure, it’s an exclusive Club item and one I’m sure with fetch a great resale value at some point. I was considering dropping my coins for it until I realized that the GBA title Game & Watch Gallery 4 could be purchased used for relatively cheap and that it included more games on it, including 14 unlockable games.

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Posted in Byte-Size Reviews, Game Boy | 2 Comments »