Nintendo crafting DSi into PDA with new downloadable titles
Japan receives eight new 'games' for the upgraded handheld
Through an update on the company's official website, Nintendo has revealed the second batch of downloadable games and applications for DSi.
Called DSiWare, these smaller downloadable titles are slowly turning the dual-screened handheld into more of a PDA than gaming machine with new alarm clock and train map software.
A total of eight new titles are slated to launch Wednesday in Japan. Included in the mix are a slimmed down version of Planet Puzzle League, a card game collection, and two artistic shortform games.
The introduction of an alarm clock application is a curious departure from gaming, however. For 200 DSiPoints, the program lets you set an alarm using sounds recorded via the microphone.
A compilation of train maps also hits the handheld, allowing Japanese travellers to create routes using the styles.
These applications aren't a huge surprise given the success of non-traditional titles such as Brain Age and Cooking Guide. It is interesting to note, though, that Nintendo's games-only strategy has waned in the face of mainstream acceptance of the DS and pressure from the multifaceted iPhone.
