Of eBay Scammers and Nintendo DS Games

You know what, if you are an avid Nintendo DS gamer and if someone puts up two Nintendo DS games, Wario: Master of Disguise, and True Swing Golf, both of which you don't have, on eBay with a starting price of USD 0.99, you wouldn't want to pass that up.

So, someone actually did just that and after several days, I won both items, needing just to pay USD 12.97 for both games and the matter of combined shipping to be sorted out with the seller. My suspicions arose when the seller didn't reply my e-mails on that matter and it was a good thing that I didn't pay any money, since I'm the type to pay first if I'm purchasing single items.

Soon enough, the seller starts gaining alot of negative feedback from buyers of his other items, ranging from not sending out his items after receiving payment and remaining silent after receiving payment. This on a guy who had 2 positive ratings earlier on.

I could have been sitting in the same shoes as those other buyers if I paid first without asking. And there is also the matter of a zero rating account bidding exclusively on this seller's items. Price jacking? Maybe.

Anyways, I'm still waiting for the seller to reply my question. Perhaps I should take it up on eBay regarding this issue. And for the rest of you out there, caveat emptor! Buyer beware :)

Space Invaders Extreme (Japanese) - I Has It!

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Please excuse me for the lolcat speak. I received my package today from Play-Asia, which was sent via Fedex last Friday, and in it contains, in my humble opinion, a very nice collector's item. As you might have guessed it, it's the Japanese edition of Space Invaders Extreme for the Nintendo DS.

There's a sticker on the shrink wrap stating that the game stating that it is part of Taito's Collection. It would certainly be a shame to remove it.

Anyways, here's one more picture of my purchase. You'll see the copy of Mag Kid (big yellow box) which was also delivered in this shipment:


Did you know also that the Paddle Controller DS works really well with Space Invaders Extreme? Well, now you know. Both game, and paddles are now available at Play-Asia, click here and here for respective purchase details.

New updates: For a full review of Space Invaders Extreme, click here and for a review of Space Invaders Extreme with the Arkanoid Paddle Controller, click here.

Games for the Weekend

It's the end of the second week of 2008, and the games just keep on flowing. I increased my entire collection of Nintendo DS games to 36 when I collected 3 Nintendo DS games that have been sitting in the Post Office for almost an entire week.

This brings the total number of games for me to check out over the weekend to 4.

With the exception of the first one, the rest were collected at the Post Office and are secondhand (read: used) games:

• Nodame Cantabile - which is a steal at USD 14.90, brand new. Click on the title to find out more.
  
• Tony Hawk's American Sk8land
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
• Feel the Magic: XY/XX

So what are you planning to play this weekend? Aside from the games, I've got a hill to hike (literally), chores and errands to do, and a party to attend. Now, this is packed. Reviews should be up by the end of the week.

Console Games Top 10 Shopping List

Last week I bought a couple of games, Worms Open Warfare 2 and Mother 3, from my favourite online retailer, Play-Asia. Lets see what other people bought last week in a top 10 list of sorts:

Sitting pretty on top of the list is Bioshock. I haven't got the opportunity to play it yet, for a lack of an Xbox 360 or a souped-up PC, but from what I hear... it's gold. My birthday is coming up, anyone willing to send an Xbox 360 my way? Mucho gracias!

On second place, there is the multi-function device known as the Dual Shooter (EMS USB2). It does several things such as allowing you to use your old Playstation gun controllers on your PS2, and to use your PS/PS2 controllers with your PC!

A guy asked me whether number 3, the Xbox Live 12-month Gold Card (Halo 3) was compatible with PAL consoles. Honestly man, I don't know but I've fired off an e-mail through Play-Asia's feedback page and we'll know soon enough!

Fourth place is the game where almost every Nintendo DS fan has been waiting to a. buy, or b. pirate: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Likewise with the first item on my list.. many thanks if anyone were to sponsor me this.

Halo 3: Collector's Edition is on fifth place, after the snafu earlier last week which saw PA sell Chinese-language only version of the games in place of the English version.Just in case you are wondering, they have corrected the problem (by mentioning it's CHINESE only) and this IS the English version on fifth place.

This was certainly embarrasing for me as well, as I was posting about the game and linking back to the CHINESE version..OMG. I did not correct the post as a reminder of this snafu.

Like the title in fifth place, alot of people are pre-ordering the NTSC U/C version of Halo 3, and I thought most popular games are region free.

More controller compatibility madness with number 7, the XFPS 360 Pro. It basically allows you to connect your PS2 controllers to the Xbox 360 and a whole lot more of other stuff.

Number 8 spot is occupied by an oddity of a Nintendo DS game. On the other hand, most NDS games are odd. Oshare Majo Love and Berry comes with some cards and a card reader and it's selling for a bargain bin price, which would explain its existence on the top 10 list.

Half Life 2: The Orange Box and the Liquid Crystal Filter for the PSP and PSP Slim round up the top 10 list.

Scoring an Own Goal With Fifa 08

You know how sometimes Nintendo DS owners get the short end of the stick with games that look like their ancient, 10-year old iterations on the PC?

Such is the case of Fifa 08 for the Nintendo DS. As an EA release, it has practically everything from the "E-A-Sports, It's in the game" intro announcement, a rather nice soundtrack that sounds like they hired a bunch of hooligans to sing for, lotsa nice teams to choose from, a bunch of gameplay options and online play (I think). And while it's missing an intro movie...it does sound rather complete doesn't it? The whole shebang..so to say.

Once you start the game however, you'll be met with some of the ugliest looking graphics this side of wherever. To me, there is no point in having a brand new 3D engine just to dish out bland looking textures. Game developers should spare gamers from this sort of garbage by opting for no close-ups..or heck, cel-shade the entire game, give it an entire new look and feel.

It is a shame though as I thought the commentary was brilliant, given the limited resources available on EA's DS cartridge.

Personally I prefer the smooth, crisp graphics of Fifa 06 and Winning Eleven DS. Sure they didn't have close-ups of players in their (paper-thin) 3D models all the time not unlike Fifa 08, but those games were fun to play and you don't feel the need to barf looking at them.

Click here if you absolutely need to purchase Fifa 08. Personally, I can't wait for the release of Winning Eleven DS: Goal x Goal! this October.

Looking for WFC Games?

I spent a good amount of time looking for my R4 and it's accompanying card reader earlier this evening, and I found them in two different places. Which makes me wonder when was the last time I actually loaded up a ROM file?

Anyways, one of the more fun aspects of some Nintendo DS titles is the WFC connectivity, where you get to play games with people around the world, provided you have a WFC-enabled game and WFC-friendly WiFi router/wireless access point.

There are of course, the mainstays of WFC gaming such as Mario Kart DS, Metroid Prime Hunters and Animal Crossing: Wild World. But what about new games? Here's a list of them:

1. Itadaki Street
2. Transformers: Autobots
3. Transformers: Decepticons
4. Planet Puzzle League - Comes highly recommended, my copy should be arriving next week
5. Surf's Up - One for the kids, perhaps.
6. Marvel Trading Card Game - Not another one.
7. Tank Beat

Over Budget

One of my favourite online retailer for video games is having its annual Chinese New Year sale. I ended up going on a mini shopping spree despite being over my monthly budget for video games (and accesories). Having initally spent my allocated cash on two secondhand games, the shopping spree gleaned one new game, one accesory and one postcard book (I love postcards). All of which are now sold out!

There are plenty of discounted items available in Play-Asia.com's CNY sales (click here)and I thought it would be nice to mention this in my blog. After all, no one wants to miss a good bargain. The Nintendo DS section of the sale has been a happy hunting ground for me and despite the shrinking list (it stands at 13 pages of items compared to 18 when the sale started), there are some notable titles such as:

• Winning Eleven DS (JAP) (USD 9.90), click here
• Monster Bomber (USD 14.90), click here
• Star Fox DS (JAP) (USD 14.90), click here
• Cooking Mama (USD 19.90), click here
• Gyakuten Saiban 2 (Best Price) / Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice for All (JAP) (USD 24.90), click here
• Scratch! Viewtiful Joe (JAP)(USD 24.90), click here
• Chocobo to Mahou no Ehon (JAP) (USD 29.90), click here
• Kaitou Wario the Seven / Wario: Master of Disguise (JAP) (USD29.90) , click here

Nintendo DS users who are looking forward to some Nintendo WFC lovin' but not having a wireless router or access point to go online, should get the WiFi Max USB WiFi Adapter which is selling at a discounted price of USD 22.90; click here for details.