Dean Nelson

I love Wikipedia. Sure, it’s not always 100% accurate but that doesn’t stop me from getting sucked in for hours at a time. Here’s my random adventure for this evening, posted for your amusement:

• I ended my Wikipedia shenanigans with Banshee.
• How I got there: Banshee < Abyss < Azazel < Warren Worthington III < Beast < X-Treme X-Men < Revolution < Chris Claremont < Earth-616 < Marvel Comics Multiverse < Amalgam Comics < DC Comics < Larry Lieber < Thor < Space Phantom < Mac Gargan < Thunderbolts < US Agent
• Why was I looking for US Agent in the first place? 4 color rebellion.

Are you like me? Do you get sucked in and lost in Wikipedia? Please tell me I’m not the only one…

PS – If you’re a fan of Wikipedia and use an iPhone or other smartphone, try Powerset.com; it nicely reformats Wikipedia entries for mobile devices.

I am Mario.

I like to jump around, and would lead a fairly serene and aimless existence if it weren’t for my friends always getting into trouble. I love to help out, even when it puts me at risk. I seem to make friends with people who just can’t stay out of trouble. What Video Game Character Are You?

(I was really hoping I’d be Mario, too. Thatza me-a!)

Exactly one month away from being released (for Japan at least, the bastards), the DS Browser – created by Opera – looks to be a thing of beauty. Based on the reviews I’ve read, including .ed’s review, Jon’s review, and Kevin’s 4CR review, it sounds like the browser is capable of everything you’d expect a touch-screen browser to have:

• extremely quick responses to keys pressed;
• full navigation control;
• screenshot capabilities;
• full functionality for practically all websites, including email;
• bookmarks and more.

It’s unclear to me at this point whether the DS Browser will support music at all, but it’s clear that the GBA pack included for RAM is not meant to be used for downloading/storing large media files. I’m really hoping that I’ll be able to blog with this puppy. Not because I need to, but because I can.

Nintendo is really shining this summer. First, they come out with the DS Lite; now, they’re releasing the Opera DS Browser. What’s next – DS Universal Remote Control?

Just one favor, Nintendo – don’t wait too long to release the DS Browser here in the States. After all, our very own Al Gore invented the internet. We deserve it! You’d be nowhere without us!

June 25, 2006 – 5:13pm
I just thought of some more unknowns, so I’ll list everything I want to know but don’t yet:

• Flash support?
• Java support?
• Automatic upgrades?
• PNG support?
• PDF support?
• FTP access? (Probably not, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.)
• External keyboard in the works?
• Is Datel’s 4GB hard drive compatible with the DS Browser, or will one be forced to use the included Slot-2 (GBA) card for RAM?
• Music formats (WAV, MP3, WMA, MIDI, etc) support?
• Video formats (WMV, MOV, etc) support?
• Streaming formats support?

That’s about all I can think of at the moment. If you have more questions, post ‘em in the Comments below.

Nintendo really banks on their mainstay franchises to keep themselves in the running against their biggest competitors, Microsoft and Sony, so when they make franchise games like New Super Mario Bros they generally go all out. While I was happy with the game overall, there are a few things that I thought should’ve went a little better.

One thing I think they should’ve spent more time on are the power-ups. The turtle shell power-up is almost completely useless, as is the mega-mushroom. I’m glad that Nintendo stuck with the fireflower, which I was never a big fan of in previous games, because it was the most useful and actually turned out to be my second favorite power-up in this game. My favorite, however, is the mini-mushroom as it changes the dynamics of the gameplay and makes for a new challenge.

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I’ve been back-and-forthing between the DS Fat and DS Lite all day and – based on my experiences with Mario Kart DS, New Super Mario Bros, and Metroid Prime: Hunters – the DS Lite is absolutely 100% worth the wait for those who haven’t purchased a DS Fat yet. If you already have a DS Fat and are considering a DS Lite, then get your Lite with all speed. I absolutely guarantee that you will notice not only excellently enhanced details in the visuals, but you may also notice that games which require use of many buttons are actually easier to use.

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