PSP World

Will the DS Lose its Touch to the iPhone?

Apple's long awaited 3G iPhone will release on Friday, 11 July 2008 along with its highly anticipated software version 2.0 update and the new iTunes App Store, which is available now. But wait, why are we mentioning an Apple product on a Nintendo DS site? Well, the software update will allow iPhone & iPod Touch users to play games, controlled using touch input. The App Store will host various gaming titles (along with other applications) for a customer to buy, download, and immediately play.

What does this mean for the DS? Trouble! The iPhone & iPod Touch are very intuitive and reliable gadgets which play music, videos, and podcasts. They both also have a full internet browser, mail program, and now games! Need I say more?

Apple demonstrated various games at the WWDC 2008 Keynote Address with Sega's "Super Monkey Ball" receiving the greatest attention. Available gaming titles at the App Store are Bomberman Touch: The Legend of Mystic Bomb, Ms. PAC-MAN, Bejeweled 2, Sudoku Classic, Moto Racer, and the rumored Spore. EA and Stainless Games are among the various publishers developing for the device. Square Enix, Final Fantasy series creator, recently developed "Song Summoner: The Unsung Heroes" for the iPod Click Wheel. Imagine Final Fantasy for the iPhone & iPod Touch!

Not only do these games look beautiful on the iPhone & iPod Touch native resolution screen, but the device enhances game play through its technology. Both devices house an accelerometer which basically operates like Sony's Sixxaxis. When you tilt the phone left or right in a racing game, the car will move in the tilted direction. Not only will games benefit from the accelerometer, but the touch screen as well. Eat your heart out Nintendo DS Stylus. And if that doesn't make you want to ditch your stylus, the iPhone & iPod Touch can add peripherals though its 16-pin connector commonly located at the bottom of both devices.

iPhone & iPod Touch newcomers and early adopters can begin downloading games today at various prices in the new iTunes App Store. The iPhone has the potential to take a bite out of the portable gaming industry with popular titles like Super Monkey Ball, which utilizes the accelerometer. The touch screen technology eliminates the necessity to fiddle with a stylus, and the iPhone & iPod Touch has expansion capability through its 16-pin connector. What do you think? Will the iPhone & iPod Touch become the next great portable gaming device? Will the DS lose its touch?