Here's a pink-and-red equal sign I can get behind

I don't know about you, but my Facebook wall has been awash in pink-and-red equal signs like the one below since early yesterday.

For those of you who haven't experienced the same, here's the gist: in an effort to show that they support marriage equality (aka same-sex marriage), swarms of people have been changing their Facebook profile photos to that of a pink-and-red equal sign that apes the Human Rights Campaign's omnipresent--in my 'hood, at least--blue-and-yellow logo.

Although I haven't joined that crowd for a number of reasons (I'm not a fan of HRC, for starters), I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted to do so after coming across this altered version:

By the way, as far as I can tell, a chap named Derek Eclavea is responsible for this awesome creation (while one of my Facebook friends, Eric Starker, is responsible for turning me onto it).

Should you want to read a bit more about these pink-and-red equal signs, may I suggest checking out the following blog posts: 'Don't Let That Red Equal Sign Become a Hollow Gesture' and 'HRC’s Branding Attempts'

Is it me, or does this look better than the red DSi and red 3DS XL that will soon be sold stateside?

"This," of course, is the made-completely-out-of-LEGOs GameBoy Advance SP that can be seen below (and here).

It was made by Flickr user lego27bricks and, yes, I really do think his/her creation looks better than the the red DSi and red 3DS XL that will soon hit store shelves across North America.



I'm guessing most of you have heard about and have seen photos of the red and black 3DS XL that will be released in a few weeks, but are you similarly aware of the "matte red" DSi that will beat it to the punch?

If not, you may want to check out this recent Tiny Cartridge post. Just be warned that, in the opinion of yours truly, it's one ugly mofo.

Well, crap ...

If you've been following this blog for a while, you're likely used to be whining about the lack of red DSi systems in the States. (They hit the streets in Europe and Japan more than a year ago.)

Well, it seems I'm finally going to get my wish on Black Friday. According to the following Sears flyer (leaked by the folks at multiplayerblog.mtv. com), Nintendo is prepping a pair of $149.99 "holiday bundles" that will include either a red or green DSi system and a copy of Mario Party DS.



Will this negatively impact my plans to buy a Twin Famicom or a PS3--or, who knows, an Xbox 360--after the holidays? Honestly, I have no idea.

See also: 'Proof that Japanese 7-Elevens are cooler than those elsewhere,' 'Looks like it's time to get a DSi,' 'I'm seeing red' and 'Oh, Christmas tree...'

Nintendo of America finally lets the (red) cat out of the bag

Although we've known for some time now that Nintendo's European and Japanese arms are going to release red DSi XLs and Wiis in their respective regions the next few weeks, we haven't heard a peep from the company's North American arm.

Until today, that is.

Yes, the red DSi XL and Wii systems you've been salivating over--don't try to deny it--since you saw this post will hit store shelves in the States on Nov. 7.

Strangely, the bundles that will be offered to North American gamers are going differ from those being offered to their European and Japanese brothers and sisters. The DSi XL bundle, for instance, will include a red DSi XL, a copy of Mario Kart DS and a trio of DSiWare titles (Brain Age Express: Math, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters and a Photo Clock app) for $179.99. The Wii bundle, on the other hand, will include a red Wii (along with a red Wii Remote Plus and nunchuck attachment) and copies of New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Wii Sports for $199.



Unfortunately, it seems the North American Wii bundle won't include the special anniversary edition of Super Mario Bros. that will be pre-installed onto the systems that will hit the streets in Japan on Nov. 11. Nor will it include Donkey Kong: Original Edition (whatever that means), which will be preloaded onto the systems sold in Europe starting on Oct. 29.

Also, at this point it seems that the awesome Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary DSi system mentioned in this post will remain a Japan-only release, as neither Nintendo of America nor Nintendo of Europe mentioned it in their respective announcements.

(Via siliconera.com)

Oh, look, more 'special edition' systems that won't be released in the States

On Nov. 11, a special Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary Wii system will hit the streets in Japan.

For ¥20,000 (approximately $240), Japanese gamers will get a shiny new Wii system, a Wii Remote Plus, a nunchuck attachment and what appears to be a special anniversary version of the original Super Mario Bros.

Oh, and by the way: The Wii, Wii Remote Plus and nunchuck attachment will be red.



Although Nintendo's American and European arms have thus far refused to talk about any Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary releases for their respective territories, it seems the floodgates may open shortly.

The brass at Nintendo of Europe, for instance, recently let it slip that a localized version of Japan's Super Mario Collection Special Pack--to be called Super Mario All-Stars 25th Anniversary Edition on the Continent--will be released on Dec. 3.

(Via andriasang.com and wii.nintendolife.com)

I think it's about time I got a DSi

Or, more accurately, I think it's about time I asked someone to buy me a DSi. After all, my birthday isn't too far off and my parents are always looking for gift ideas.

They'll want to wait until Sept. 12 to buy one, though, as that's when Nintendo of America will drop the price on all DSi systems to $149.99. (The company will drop the price on DSi XLs to $169.99 on the same date, although the price of DS lites will stay at $129.99.)

Photo by [cipher]

Unfortunately, it seems Nintendo won't be celebrating the occasion by (finally) releasing the slick, red DSi (above) that hit store shelves in Japan last year and in Europe earlier this year.

I'm red with envy

I know, the actual saying is, "I'm green with envy." Considering I'm envious of the following DS, though, my version seems more appropriate, don't you think?

Note: The DS above didn't come with the "M Racing" and flame decals--they were added by the system's owner, known on Flickr as no_onions.

With that said, I'm going to go curl up on the couch with my (comparatively) boring, white DS Lite.

Looks like it's time to get a DSi

Don't worry, David (my husband), I'm not talking about getting a DSi myself. Yet. ;)

No, this piece of news is for everyone else who has yet to buy a DSi. Basically, Nintendo of America will soon (on April 25) start selling--through "select U.S. retailers"--a new bundle that will include a white DSi and a copy of Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story.

The whole shebang will set you back $169.99.

Honestly, I'd snap one up in a second if I wasn't (still) waiting for Nintendo of America to release this here DSi:

Photo courtesy of [cipher].

See also: 'I'm seeing red (or, at least, that's the color I'd like to be seeing)' and 'This is why I want a DSi'

I'm seeing red (or, at least, that's the color I'd like to be seeing)

Why? Well, it seems every gamer in the world can buy a red DSi system if he or she so chooses--unless said gamer lives in North America, that is.

Japanese gamers got the shiny, cherry-colored DSi last July (the same day they got Dragon Quest IX), for instance, while their European counterparts got the system in late October.

Even South Koreans--who have yet to experience the camera-enhanced, dual-screened system--will be getting it before me and my fellow North Americans. (It'll be released in that territory alongside MapleStory DS on April 15.)

Will Nintendo of America ever bring this candy-apple-esque system to the States? I sure hope so--though I wouldn't mind if they waited until I can actually afford it.

(Via tinycartridge.com)