Topic: DS Rumble Pack - Opinions?

Doctacosa
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In the past several months, many released DS games happen to have support for the DS Rumble Pack. It's a GBA-sized device that goes into the slot-2 of the Nintendo DS to provide feedback when the games decide to use it. However, it was only sold along with Metroid Prime Pinball, and it has to be purchased separately through Nintendo's Online Store otherwise.

The device isn't really expensive, and I just purchased a game that supports it. The comments I've read so far seem to be mostly negative, though: it eats on your battery life, it's not strong enough of a feedback, it's noisy, etc. It's a shame, since I think that the idea itself is pretty nice. Have any of you used it? Is it worth it?

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HollowTorment
Interordi's Lovable Jerk

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4805 posts

Well Doc, I personally hate the rumble feature in anything so I can't give you good advice.

My hands nearly fell off after playing nearly an hour of Darkstalkers 3 back in the day.

Arkane
Archangel

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1135 posts

Not for handhelds. The screens would begin to shake, which may throw you off a little during gameplay, or at the least, make the characters and screen look temporarily blurry (from the vibration).

Also, with the Rumble pack in play, it might obstruct your touching capabilities with the Touch screen. Sensitive touching would probably be thrown out of whack. All in all, it can't even be all that powerful or enhance any sort of gameplay or value to a handheld.

But that's my first impression. I'd have to see it and try it to deliver an honest opinion.

Breakman
Shlorpian in disguise

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1784 posts

I never listen to battery life on any handheld. I plug my systems to the wall socket. But why have a rumble feature to a handheld in the first place? I could understand a "Tilt 'n' Tumble" add-on for select games, but not an independent shaking DS.

The rumble feature was meant to enhance console games to make people to "believe" they are getting hit, firing a weapon, feel a tremor, or something from inside the game. That effect sorta works when you are staring at a 17 inch in the dark, but staring at two 3 inch screens with your hand occasionally blocking your view?

By the way, I've seen the rumble pack sold as a standalone product (or at least, now it is).

Black Dranzer.exe
World Traveler

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2827 posts

Really I hate the stupid thing s in almost everything, but the DS one is the worst of them all. This is the one free accessory i've ever gotten that i've actually just thrown out the window.

Hey beautiful people, you're better off trying to e-mail me than message me on here.

Breakman
Shlorpian in disguise

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1784 posts

Quote:
Originally posted by Black Dranzer.exe
Really I hate the stupid thing s in almost everything, but the DS one is the worst of them all. This is the one free accessory i've ever gotten that i've actually just thrown out the window.

Splitting hairs but, don't just say you "hate" something. You should back up your claim with reasons or facts...

Edited by Breakman on May 19, 2007 at 17:09:35.

Black Dranzer.exe
World Traveler

Inactive
2827 posts

Alright, i'll elaborate. I bought the pack for use with Metroid Prime: Hunters hoping it would make the shots a bit harder to react to and add difficulty... It did, but not the good kind. My poor DS was shaking so bad I could barely hang on to the thing. So, unless you can find a low sensitivity one it's not worth it. Sing to the tune of Over the river and through the woods: "Out the window and in the street the rumble pack will go, to be smashed by cars and thrown in yards, hi-ho hi-ho hi-ho..."

Hey beautiful people, you're better off trying to e-mail me than message me on here.