Today saw the Japanese launch of the new Wii no Ma service - basically, TV programming made especially for Wii owners. And any Japanese users lucky enough to own a DSi too will get the opportunity to take their favourite shows with them on the move by downloading them to their handheld via a piece of software available on the DSiWare service.
Above - hopefully - is a YouTube video showing you how to download a (very short) cookery show to the SD card in your DSi. And that’s pretty much that.
Clearly unperturbed by the poor sales for its last attempt at handheld-console connectivity, Square-Enix (busy day) is returning to its Final Fantasy spin-off Crystal Chronicles, with the forthcoming Echoes of Time arriving on DS and Wii in Spring 2009.
While the original Crystal Chronicles was a thoroughly enjoyable romp when played ‘properly’, the hassle of getting four people with GBAs and GBA-to-GC link cables together was too much for most people to bother with. Which is a pity as it not only had enjoyable monster-slaying gameplay, but also production values to die for.
Which isn’t something you can say about the Wii version of Echoes of Time, because it will essentially look identical to the DS game, the idea being that you can wirelessly connect offline or online via Wii or DS, making four-player gaming a doddle, even if you’re a Billy-no-mates. While it’s certainly a good-looking DS game, it’s a pity the Wii version hasn’t had a visual upgrade, though presumably that’s to make cross-compatibility possible. If it’s priced right, then I guess it’s not too much of a problem.
Anyway, between two and four players can play either through wireless communication or the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection - the latter can involve any combination of Wii and DS hardware, while the former allows up to four DS users to connect wirelessly, or you can have one Wii hosting three DS players.
You’ll also be able to trade items (from a selection of over 300) with your Wii and DS friends, and any changes you make to your character’s outfit or equipment will be visible in-game. Players will also be able to use their own phrases as well as many presets which offer efficient multiplayer communication (which suggests no chat option).
If the DS’s Ring of Fates is anything to go by, this should offer hours of fun for those who like to bring friends along when they’re treasure-hunting. It’s out in the Spring, though no concrete date or pricing has yet been revealed.
 
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