Halo on DS

[jpelles]

http://blogs.ign.com/matt-ign

Amazingly, the ill-fated DS version of the title plays remarkably well. Think Metroid Prime Hunters but with a Halo facelift. I had the opportunity to run through the beginning beach area and noted while playing that it looked like Xbox Halo except on DS, it was running fast, and the control was responsive.
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Read it. Very interesting and disapointing at the same time. I would have bought it.

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Its not April is it?

[lion2]

I would've bought it too, but this leads me to believe that microsoft is planning its own handheld.

[Bill_Loguidice]

I would've bought it too, but this leads me to believe that microsoft is planning its own handheld.

I have thought along with many others that that's inevitable. Even Apple has finally moved into the games arena with their iPod, though they're strictly in the casual category and are severely hampered by the limited control scheme. It's a question now of whether Microsoft will try to extend their Zune line of media players into game applications (through successor units) or go for a portable Xbox designation. My money is on the latter, particularly since the Zune brand is not catching on in light of Apple's all but monopoly on portable media players.

I would bet it would be very similar to a PSP, albeit with a built-in hard drive and dual analog nubs. I also imagine the ability to transfer Xbox Live Arcade-style titles to the device from a 360 would be a no-brainer feature...

[Shane R. Monroe]

Normally, I'd say yes ... But, let's consider ...

I'd guess that Microsoft used the Zune as a "testing platform" against iPod ... testing the waters ... much as Nintendo did with the DS and the Wii. I still maintain that if the DS failed, the Wii wouldn't have happened.

I gotta go with the luke warm reception of the Zune as a signal that they cannot pop the iPod bubble. I'm guessing this will also water down plans for a portable gaming device to battle Nintendo (esp. with the PSP's failure to "wipe the floor" with the DS).

The problem with a gaming device (esp. one that would need to bear the generation gimmie graphics moniker of XBOX) would require a substantial investment with a HUGE potential for loss. I may not like Microsoft, but they aren't stupid.

[hiphopcr]

Halo on DS? Ah, I'd love it! Seriously, I'd love it. So fun.

[lion2]

The problem with a gaming device (esp. one that would need to bear the generation gimmie graphics moniker of XBOX) would require a substantial investment with a HUGE potential for loss. I may not like Microsoft, but they aren't stupid.

That's a good point. I don't think Microsoft will be willing to take another huge loss in the videogame market. It would be sweet to see Halo on the DS. I think it would only increase the franchise's popularity. Hopefully that leaked build will show up somewhere.

[alexjlopez]

If I were to guess, I'd say Microsoft purposely "leaked" a playable demo Matt's way to create buzz and test the waters to help with deciding whether to move forward with the project.

For a playable build to have found it's way to an IGN editor's desk before being discovered by one of the usual ds scene channels makes the whole thing a little suspicious. If Microsoft has no plans to enter the handheld gaming space, I don't see why they wouldn't want to release a successful DS game and potentially hurt their primary competitor (Sony) in the process.

I personally have become less interested in FPS games over the past year and wouldn't care for it. Even MPH, although I think it's solid and well put together, failed to hook me. I'm not even in a rush to see Metroid for Wii. But aside from my personal views, I think Halo for DS would sell a ton of copies.

[miner2049er]

The problem with a gaming device (esp. one that would need to bear the generation gimmie graphics moniker of XBOX) would require a substantial investment with a HUGE potential for loss. I may not like Microsoft, but they aren't stupid.

The problem for Microsoft is that they can't settle for just a gaming device.

Can you imagine a handheld Microsoft gaming device that can't hit the net?
Can you imagine a handheld Microsoft gaming device that can't play music and video?
Can you imagine a handheld Microsoft gaming device that can't view photos?
Can you imagine a handheld Microsoft gaming device that doesn't have an FPS?
Can you imagine a handheld Microsoft gaming device that doesn't have a sport sim?

Sounding similar to the PSP?

[nazzar]

I dont get it...the screenshot looks like just took a picture of halo on xbox or pc and photoshopped it into a ds....The top screen is blank...
Im not getting that this is a joke right?