Playful Design

Nintendo is a Japanese video game company, so it makes sense that some of its most creative games would start off on the other side of the world.  Made in Ore is just such a game.

Made in Ore is a game for Nintendo Gameboy DS.  The game is especially cool because it’s not just a game you play it’s a game you create.  Ore lets you create any number of mini games, comics, and music you can then share them with friends, play them on the Wii, or upload them to Nintendo online.  Creativity is key in the gamin market and this doesn’t seem like a bad place for people to start.  Hey, whichever kid plays Ore and loves it may end up creating the next Halo or Guitar Hero in a couple years.  Unfortunately, at the moment, the game is only available in Japan.

Gaming’s New Directions

So GPS is already travel friendly, but it’s always nice when you don’t have to invest in a completely new handheld.

The iphone and most other cell phones now come with GPS capabilities but what about gadget options?  Well now, Gameboy DS can work just as well as a GPS navigator as any phone.  Ranger will be the first navigation system suitable for Gameboy handhelds.

The Ranger is a plug in (rather than an application or game) for the DS and has 32 MB of extra storage.  It comes with both visual and audio guidance and detailed information about local sites and locations.

If the Ranger had come out a few years earlier it probably would have been a bit more popular than it will be now.  With cell phones, Garmin, and the ipod touch kids aren’t the only ones carrying around fun gadgets anymore.