Nintendo Dream System: Part II
This is Part II of our Nintendo DS "Nintendo Dream System" feature. The first part can be found here. While Part I was created by the N-Sider staff, the second part is composed entirely of ideas submitted by you the reader. Enjoy.
Time DS
By Neil Tan
Imagine two worlds, two dimensions overlapping each other in the same space and time. Now, imagine that there are powers among certain items or weapons that bring its possessor into both dimensions at the same time. Hell be able to see both worlds occupants and distinguish them apart. They can also see him, but both worlds wont see each other. On the Nintendo DS, youll be able to see a light world and a dark world separately on each screen. One will have the usual fantasy worlds of kingdoms, merchants, soldiers, mythical creatures, etc. while the other will be a high tech, post apocalyptic world filled with demons, monsters, slaved humans, freedom fighters, etc. This RPG will be from a 2-D overhead perspective.
What well have here is a hero that occupies both screens at the same time. Hell be able to talk to NPCs or fight monsters on one world with the consequence of being looked upon as crazy or dangerous in the other world. If a monster and an NPC of two separate dimensions occupy the same space in time, a player will need to be careful not to attack the monster or risk killing the NPC (and most likely have palace guards after him) as well. In cases when two friendly NPCs occupy the same space, a player might confuse them both with what he says as hell have to pay attention to what both NPCs are saying. For example, responding "Yes" could lead one NPC happy while making the other feel uncomfortable or angry. On the other hand, if two monsters or villain occupy the same space during battles, a swipe of a sword will hurt both.
In terms of other strategies, though landscapes will generally be similar, there will always be obstacles or buildings in the way in one of two or both worlds. There may be a bridge in one world while there may not be one in the other. The player will need to know when to drop his magical item or weapon (that allows him to exist in both dimensions) so as to bring him back to focus in his native dimension. Eventually, hell meet allies along the way; theyll come to understand the power the main character holds. They will be key to certain objectives depending on which world they are local to. The magical item or weapon can be moved from one party member to another. If one character can fly over a chasm, for instance, the player can toss him his magical weapon, allow him to cross the bridge in his dimension, then regain the weapon from his friend afterwards. During battles, if surrounded by enemies, the player can throw his weapon far away in the distance or throw it over to his friend, disappear from his foes, move away in his dimension, and reappear again once he gets the item back. In some cases though, you might risk letting an enemy get that item or weapon thatll have him exist in both dimension. However, since hes only one enemy, the player could still overcome it.
Items will be constantly carried around but those indigenous to one world and cannot be found in the other will be unusable if the player does not possess the magical artifact. Further into the adventure, more similar items allowing inter-dimension travel can be given to party members. Some enemies will eventually have similar weapons or artifacts to make the journey more difficult but many of the rules established will still be in place. Lastly, to incorporate the probable stylus feature of the DS, players will be able to draw spell castings on the screen. Players can cast a firewall by drawing a line or shape to where one can appear. He can also target specific enemies with certain spells. Needless to say you can only write on one screen so in order to hit anyone on the other screen, a player is going to have to make his own estimates as to where he wants to cast a spell.
'GB' Camera 2.0 DS
By Will Walton
With the size of Digital cameras nowadays, hopefully it can just sit on top, and swivel with the 'clamshell' screen set up, or however it's finally set up. With the 'GB' Camera 2.0, you can take a picture of yourself, and put yourself in the game at a decent resolution. And thanks to the stylus, you can paint all over it. Then, thanks to the connectivity features included, you can export the image into upcoming games, and add the image onto the main character's face. (Animal Crossing 2?)
Zelda DS
By Taylor Yust
I think a great idea for the DS that could utilize the dual screens. - you could have your typical fantasy hero kind of character (Link might work...) that has been blessed with the ability to see the light and dark sides of our world, almost like A Link to the Past. Anyway, each screen could represent a side (one for the Light side, another for the Dark side). This could be fun in a number of ways. Maybe some enemies are pure evil and could only be seen on the dark screen, while maybe a bridge or palace of light could only be seen on the light screen. It would be really neat to fight enemies on the dark side while standing in a location that can only be seen on the light side! You would still have the same hero on both screens, just different views on the same place.
Shooter DS
By Billy Storm
One screen would be a side view of the action (think R-Type) while the other screen would be an over the top view (think 1942). On the side view, the player can only move his/her ship UP and DOWN. The other screen would focus on the LEFT and RIGHT movements of the ship. The action would be realtime and the player must utilize both screens in order to hit ships and dodge bullets. This would provide an incredible challenge that demands the player to use both screens in order to progress.
This type of game could even be made into a more simpler style of gameplay where the object of the game is to guide a ship through terrain to reach the end. Of couse, as you progress through the levels the side scrolling action speeds up.
Baseball DS
By Billy Storm
One screen would focus on the defensive side of the game while the other screen focuses on the offensive side.
For example let's take you through a pitch and hit. If you are the pitcher you would focus your eyes on the defensive screen as the camera is positioned behind the pticher. This would allow you to see more clearly where and how hard a ball is contacted by a batter. The batter on the other hand would focus his view on the other screen. This offensive screen provides a view behind the batter, and is dedicated soley for the purpose of hitting the baseball. As soon as the baseball is hit both screens change.
The defensive screen switches to a camera positioned behind the fielder that is making the play on the ball. The offensive screen switches to an overview of the baseball field allowing you to more easily see your baserunners and react appropriately.
A good player would utilize both screens to make decisions on the field.
Legend of Zelda DS
By Luke Justis
The second screen could be used as an inventory screen. One tap would equip items, such as in Link to the Past, where you could only equip one item, it would work well. Another idea I saw floating around the Planet GameCube boards, as well as other boards, was again in Link to the Past, where the primary screen would be normal, while the other screen would show the Dark world. Again, the secondary screen would also work well for the map and other sub screens, since you could easily tap the screen and change the pages. Another idea is to have the primary screen look like the Ocarina Zelda, and have the second screen look like Link's Awakening or Link to the Past style-Zeldas.
Mario DS
By Luke Justis
Nintendo could expand on the battle game of Super Mario Bros. 3. Since the DS is supposedly wireless, many players could easily play the battle game, and when one Mario went off screen, he would appear on the other screen.
Kirby DS
By Luke Justis
This is a weird idea, but since Kirby swallows stuff, the second screen would show his stomach! It sounds weird, but it could open up game play possibilities.
Squad Game DS
By Luke Justis
The second screen would list commands and orders for games like Rainbow Six. It would also work well for an Unreal Tournament game, so you could easily select your taunt and press it, without holding a key on a keyboard.
StarTropics DS
By Luke Justis
I doubt a new Startropics game would be made, but remember the sequence in the first where you played the organ? That would make an enjoyable application for the touchscreen. It would also work well with the Ocarina and various instruments of the Zelda games.
Aliens vs. Predator DS
By Luke Justis
Remember in the first Predator film, how he would use a touchscreen for just about everything? That would be a natural choice, so you could fire weapons, self-destruct and much more. Also, the second screen could be the motion tracker for the Marine.
Harvest Moon DS
By Luke Justis
You could do the brushing of the animals with the touchscreen, and maybe use the other screen to watch for important events, so you would not miss them.
Matrix Reloaded DS
By Luke Justis
You could recreate the fight much easier between Neo and the hundreds of Smiths with two screens. That way, in that hectic fight, you would not have to worry about the camera getting in the way! Also, somehow it would be cool to use the touchscreen to simulate Neo stopping the bullets.
Lord of the Rings DS
By Luke Justis
This is useful in many games, but I see it as being cool in the LOTR movie games. You would have the fellowship, and you could switch to any character instantly, by touching their picture on the touchscreen.
Diablo DS
By Luke Justis
This would only work if the touchscreen was durable, but the player would fight by tapping on the touchscreen rather than using a mouse.
Messenger DS
By Alberto Bolton
I think since the DS is using bluetooth technology you can talk using a instant messager or a chat room with people around your neighbourhood and so on the second screen (since its rumoured a touch screen) its have all the letters and stuff on the second screen, and to talk you could touch the letters on the screen to type what your going to say and on the first screen you can be playing a video game, so you could talk on a Instant messanger or a chat room AND play your video game AT THE SAME TIME (of course you probably would want to pause the game when you talk)