Category: Gaming

My daughter asked me last night if there’s a way to record quality video from a Nintendo DS.

After some digging I found that the only way to connect a DS to a video camera properly involves taking the DS apart, soldering and a general high-knowledge of electronics. My hope was that there some sort of GBA cart that would plug in and provide the facility.

However, I did come across the following video on YouTube which is a simple but genius alternative…

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This would cover the picture – quality sound that doesn’t pick up your button clicking and nose sniffing can be achieved simply by connecting your DS headphone socket to your PC – you will need to record the video and sound at the same time but from different sources.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl is a great game. And its title music is superb too – especially the choral singing.

Anyway, it turns out that the singing is Japanese translated into Latin. However, translating roughly back to English it is…

Hear of this rumour!
(He) Alone rushed against enemies.
And saved the fatherland.
Hear of this rumour!
Hear of this rumour!
Hope to all, also to me,
Terror to all, also to me,
That one (is) near to me,
That one (is) near to me,
Who at that time were strong men
And rivals.
Ferociously, struggling and fighting
Splendour growing.

Doesn’t really go with the cuddly Nintendo image 😉

No, I’m not sliding down a bannister.  Instead, Santa brought me a Wii for Christmas (or rather Boots.com did a few months ago, before stocks starting running out, and I had it in a cupboard until Tuesday).

Wow, great machine. Immediately bought some Wii points and splashed out on a Virtual Console game (Mario 3, which Laura was struggling to play on her laptop) and the Internet Channel. So, if you’re thinking of getting one, here are some tips that I wish I’d known before…

•  Super Mario Galaxy is THE game to get. Very, very addictive.
• I didn’t think I’d need a second Nunchuck, but I was wrong. Lego Star Wars requires one for the second player. Cheapest price is £13.99 from DVD.CO.UK
• Some of the virtual console games WON’T work with a Wii controller, and require you to buy a classic controller. That will be an extra £15 (play.com, Argos, etc). Depends if old NES and N64 games are your bag though.
• You can buy Wii points from outlets such as Amazon but you can also buy via the Shop Channel on the Wii. It’s £7 for 1000 points (Internet Channel was 500 points and virtual games are usually 500-1000 points each).
• The Shop Channel is dog slow unless it’s on certain router channels (1 or 11 I think). I use 6 as I have a Super-G option.

And, thankfully a tip I found beforehand, Nintendo are providing free protective “jackets” for the controller. If you’ve not got one (or how many you need) then they’re recommended.