Don’t worry, the funny comics will return soon enough. This comic is unique in that it’s not an LOL type of joke, just more of a statement about the possibilities of the iPhone/iPod Touch. Before I get flamed here, let me say that the DS (or PSP) is NOT going to be replaced by the iPhone any time soon, but the iPhone does have some things going for it. First of all, the DS and future Nintendo handhelds will always have those first-party titles that will keep the platform alive. Nintendo is smart to not let Mario, Link, and the others onto any other hardware. Even if the DS wasn’t a monster success, it couldn’t be replaced for that reason alone. Also, we’re still at a point where stand-alone gaming systems just perform better. While the iPhone is the best gaming phone yet released, games will still crash, battery life can’t compare, and the lack of buttons does limit what types of games can be brought to it. On the other hand, having an iPhone means you don’t have to pack two different devices in order to have games on the go. It also has a brilliant screen, is capable of some impressive graphics, and is following in the DS’s footsteps with innovative controls. I was skeptical at first when it came to controls, but was reminded by Phantom Hourglass how well touch controls can work when implemented properly. With all this being said, look for a trio of iPhone reviews by Ray and me on Friday, courtesy of EA Mobile!
I kinda gave that offended gasp at the end of the comic. Again, I get what you are saying, and it’s still pretty funny. And you guys must love those comics where you just keep scrolling and scrolling.
What game were you playing, because I can’t think of any DS game I’d drop for another. Though, the Iphone probably has those ‘just one more time’ games huh?
I’d probably walk over go, “Oh cool” and then go back to playing Trauma Center. XD Nothing beats Trauma Center and Phoenix Wright on the DS.
Lots of edits in the comment, just out of curiosity, why were you playing the DS standing up? Or were you standing up to see what Ray was talking about?
Its got a point. I just don’t find it too amusing since my DS is what keeps me sane on long plane rides. But I did enjoy how dramatic the comic is.
Cool idea but why does the ‘iphone’ look like an ipod? This may just be me making the connection with the shape and the headphones sticking out, I could be totally off base. Anyways Nice update again guys!
*edit** just so its not misunderstood I’m not knocking Ray’s artistry I think I may just be out of the loop cause when I see an apple product other then my Ipod I tend to scurry away like I’m about to get ‘raped into the death zone’
I don’t have long plane rides. I have long car rides. But the same applies. I was playing a game on my Ipod recently, that I bought. It was entertaining, but $5 bucks is exactly what it’s worth. *still trying to wrap the idea of someone wanting to play IPhone instead of DS around his head*
NCG but the DS can last about 2 days in sleep mode
Wow. That’d be a lot of panels
You’ve tried that? And maybe the battery was just about to turn red…
Assuming it’s fully charged; we don’t know how long Tim was playing before putting the DS down.
Also, what’s the banner supposed to be?
I was wondering that too. It almost looks like a jersey or something…it looks familiar, but I can’t place it.
It’s an iPhone icon. If we had a 2P START! iPhone game, that’s what the logo would be!
Also, the DS on standby thing happened to me last week when I went out to visit Ray (sort of the inspiration for the comic). I was on the final boss in Phantom Hourglass on the plane, and had to put it on standby for like a day before finally finishing it up. It held out, but the red light did turn on. Part of the delay was playing around with my iPod Touch and Ray’s iPhone.
I’ll say it again, the iPhone is definitely not there yet as far as replacing a DS, but the hardware is capable of some really great games!
Funny thing is that you compared it to Phantom Hourglass, which I didn’t really like so…yeah. But the controls were good, so like I’ve been saying, I definitely see what you guys mean, but if I was going on a trip, I’d take the Iphone for the phone part and take my DS for gaming. If you forget the DS, then yes, that’s where the IPhone comes in, but I don’t really see anyone actually trying to decide which to bring…
Random, but I love how the only thing in the last panel is the signature…XD
Awesome guys, this made me laugh. And I agree with Tim 100%, the iPhone/iTouch does have some potential for some nice games for on the go, but couldn’t possible overthrow the DS or PSP. But I have found myself carrying my DS around a lot less since I got my iPhone.
Ray: Did you actually get the white iPhone Ray? Cause if so you may be interested in reading this. It happens to the black ones too, but it’s more apparent on the white’s. White one is still better though, it matches the Wii X3 !!! And I hope your iPhone is okay!
Tim: I wanted to answer that question >.<
I forgot to mention, awesome artwork Ray. Great attention to detail.
And if you guys had an iPhone app/game I don’t think it would say “2PSTART” on it, cause it would be right under it too.
And I fixed my iPhone yesterday! It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I downgraded it from a messed up 2.0.1 to 1.4.0 and started fresh. Now it’s a jailbroken/unlocked 2.0.1 like I first intended. Yay free apps![/rant]
NCG!
But I thought when the DS’s batterylight turned red it meant that the DS turned evil because of jealousy and was planning its revenge, but after reading the comments I guess it just ran out of batteries…not as cool…
DOES IT TURN EVIL OR RUN OUT OF BATTERIES?
Aw, poor DS.
Nice comic, commentary’s very tastefully portrayed. I don’t have an iPhone…yet…and I know Tim said the comic’s not about this, but no non-gaming device will ever replace my DS, which is why I haven’t caved and bought a PSP 😛
Btw, what does “NCG” mean?
0_o
Just
0_o
That’s what I thought, the red light signifying anger and it goes black as to quietly plot its revenge…
I have that same color Ds too! Even though I can’t tell by the angle if it is a ‘Ds lite’ or a ‘Ds obese’…(mine’s lite)
It is a good comic that will hopefully have a funny follow-up..(I mean, Captain Fancypants Spectrum of Colored light has a follow-up but not a Ds seeking revenge against a iPhone? Now THAT’s something you exploit for laughs…)
That would totally abandon any sense of realism this comic has.
Long time reader, first time poster (I blame RSS feeds), anyway very funny comic. I had the very same thing almost happen to me while I was at work during my lunch break (generally DS time). I got a twitter message and closed my DS and forgot I had it on until the next lunch break. Thank god for a strong battery.
It’d be a good idea to listen to Monday’s podcast because there’s about a 90% that you’ll have comment of the week. XD
wtf you talking a bout?
the DS is a huge success
best selling console
^^You mean best selling portable/gaming system, cause it’s not a console.
They’re just saying that they have fun with the iPhone’s games. They’re not saying it’s better. Ray just got a new iPhone so they were playing the games it had. After the ‘newness’ wears off they’ll go back to playing the DS too.
roadjcat,
I think where the iPhone comes in is when you’re NOT on long trips. Certainly I bring my DS with me on trips, but if I’m just out and about I never have my DS with me. That’s when an iPhone or iPod Touch really comes in handy. Waiting at the doctor’s office, waiting for a movie, at a coffee shop, etc.
Ah, okay gotcha. I tend to take my DS everywhere anyway so that’s why I was a bit lost.
Nice comic guys! How many hours did Ray spend on the final frame? j/k 🙂
NCG!
Looks like Ray has another easy comic! Copy-Paste-Paste-Paste-Paste-Paste. Change colors a little here… add a completely blank panel there… 🙂 although, there has never been a rival for Goomba Vs Roomba…
Um….. I hope you were joking. The DS “obese” looks compleatly different, they never sold in black, and the little lights are on the front of the thing as opposed to on its spine. I have a DS “obese”.Comparison pic
Long time reader first time commenter. Ray, you’re brilliant, and Tim is too. You did a good job, blah blah blah here’s $50 now mention me.
I already made fun of that…though a lot less harshly. XD But cut out the money part and you’re right.
I keep forgetting how short the DS’s sleep mode is… I’m so used to PSP where I put the system on sleep mode on Monday and wake it back up on Saturday without missing a beat.
You realize comment like these are Virtua Wedgie (copyrighted 1993 by Sega) worthy? Right?
<blockquote
Btw, what does “NCG” mean?
Okay, I didn’t see this originally. NCG means Nice Comic Guys.
Okay, I apparently suck and can’t use the quote feature properly. Meh.
…theres a signature in the last panel? uh… i didnt see one…
and im slighty dissapointed because of this comic because of the name. i hovered over the ‘next comic’ button, saw the url, which included ‘warning, challenger approching’, and i was like ‘ALRIGHT! A BRAWL COMIC!” and… it wasnt.
didnt really like this comic either.
NSGCG
(not so great comic guys)
This comic actually made me a little sad. I think if I wasn’t so tired right now it would have made me smile or laugh at least. But anyway, I still liked it. Great comic guys.
dj75728,
I did purchase the white iPhone 3G, and loving it. I haven’t noticed any hairline cracks on it yet…. Then again I do have a protective jacket around it, so I’ll leave that on and assume it’s in perfect condition.
Oh, and you guys keep taunting me unintentionally with your iPhone and iPod. I’ve been considering getting an iPod but don’t you have to rent all of your songs from iTunes or something? You see, I’d want to put all 200 something songs on it, but I doubt that iTunes actually has it available.
Crap, I’m really tired. I forgot to mention that the 200 something songs would be from Brawl. That’s why I doubt it’d be on iTunes. You see, I’m planning on having half of my music be from video games, and the other half be “actual” music (I say “actual” because I believe that some video game music is just as good as other music).
MetaRidleyR27,
You should download iTunes and add all of your music to your iTunes library. If they all work, then an iPod will have no problem using them as well.
Oh! I didn’t know you could do something like that. That definitely makes me want to buy an iPod more. I’ll take a look around and think about buying one. Thanks!
Oh, and is it just me, or is the DS getting closer in each panel? Or is the light on the DS just getting brighter because it’s getting darker?
Ray, I like what you did with the lighting between panels. Did you use photoshop for that? I also thought it was funny how the DS was outlined like a character in the comic. Keep up the good work guys, and sorry I wasn’t around to play Brawl last weekend.
Brawler08,
Thanks. The lighting started in Illustrator and then I touched it up with some work in Photoshop. It was a team effort.
i got that! it would be funny to see a sequal where the DS lite is jelous wants to “Get close” to the ipod touch but then an old DS comes along and says something like Thats my husband and on the last panel sakurai is secretly watching from a window to tims house and gets a spark in his eye! Oh and btw in sleep mode a DS doesn’t lose power even if that was part of the joke… =P
I dare you guys to attempt the longest scrolling comic in the history of man, yet keep the copy and pasta at a minimum. 😉
Oh boy am I having a blast with a portable SNES! Jailbreaking is awesome guys, seriously.
Random question of the week: I pray that both of you have played Portal. You have, haven’t you? Seriously, play Portal (this results in listening to “Still Alive” too much).
A 2pStart game? What would that be about? The evil Dr. Pepper Has stolen Tim’s underpants! Get them back in over 1,000,000 Micro-microgames! They only last 2 seconds! You had better be fast!
🙂
It does lose SOME power, just much less than usual.
It’s there, but REALLY hard to see. I can’t even see it on this monitor, but I did see it before on a different monitor.
Yes, it is. So is being able to change your iPhone’s/iTouch’s themes, like this one . And being able to hide those apps that you don’t use(I’m looking at you Stocks >.>)
Alrite, this was pretty funny……I know it’s been said already, but The artwork is great and, once again this has already been said, I liked the outline the DS and iphone had
Okay, the game was fun. But I didn’t really think it was as great as everyone kept saying it was. I only laughed on occasion, and the puzzles, while unique, got a bit on my nerves in later stages, plus the last stage was way too long. I played the PC version, but I doubt that has anything to do with why I didn’t like quite as much as everyone else.
^^ I just don’t think Still Alive was all that(Games cool). And I’m not the only person who thinks so either. I know people who have beaten the game multiple times, and they don’t think the song is so hot either. It also wins the award for “Most Boring GH/RB Song Ever”(Why are people so happy it’s in Rock Band again?). Second place probably goes to “Top Gun Anthem” or “I am Warlock”, but at least those songs were mildly interesting.
I like the song. I’m not crazy about it, but I think it’s a good song.
It’s an okay song. Definitely not the “Greatest Gaming Song Ever” like people try and claim.
Greatest video game song ever? Please…every single song I posted in that forum topic is better than Still Alive.
^^One more person who agrees with me. Cool.
And BTW, the PC version is better than the console(360) version.
MCG
Morbid comic guys
…
XD
Well then it looks like I made the right choice, not that I actually had a choice though…XD
I am however a little upset that it’s sequel will be 360 exclusive.
^^That kinda sucks. You sure they’re not releasing it on Valve or anything?
Valve? Do you mean Steam? I have no idea either way.
^^Whatever, I’m not a PC gamer anyway.
Neither am I. I only buy PC games when a 360 title interests me. So far that’s been twice. So yeah…
And you know there’s a reply button right? You don’t have to keep going ‘^^’
Ah, Portal. Man, I love that game. And you need to get the Orange Box, Dj75728. Like soon. And I used to really love Still Alive, but now I don’t like it as much anymore. I mean, it’s still a great song, but it starts to lose its charm after you hear it like 10 times. XD Now Snake Eater, there’s a song that’s still fresh to me.
Everyone, Click the Spoiler and sing along! It is more fun If we all Sing together!
[spoiler]This was a triumph.
I’m making a note here:
HUGE SUCCESS.
It’s hard to overstate
my satisfaction.
Aperture Science
We do what we must
because we can.
For the good of all of us.
Except the ones who are dead.
But there’s no sense crying
over every mistake.
You just keep on trying
till you run out of cake.
And the Science gets done.
And you make a neat gun.
For the people who are
still alive.
I’m not even angry.
I’m being so sincere right now.
Even though you broke my heart.
And killed me.
And tore me to pieces.
And threw every piece into a fire.
As they burned it hurt because
I was so happy for you!
Now these points of data
make a beautiful line.
And we’re out of beta.
We’re releasing on time.
So I’m GLaD. I got burned.
Think of all the things we learned
for the people who are
still alive.
Go ahead and leave me.
I think i prefer to stay inside.
maybe you’ll find someone else
to help you.
maybe Black Mesa…
THAT WAS A JOKE, HA HA, FAT CHANCE.
Anyway this cake is great.
It’s so delicious and moist
look at me still talking when theres science to do
when i look out there
it makes me glad I’m not you
i’ve experiments to run
there is research to be done
on the people who are
still alive.
and believe me I am still alive
I’m doing science and I’m still alive
i feel fantastic and I’m still alive
while your dying ill be still alive
and when your dead i will be still alive
still alive
still alive[/spoiler]
Are we all happy now ;)? I thought so…. HavE A NicE DaY 🙂
Well, the last stage of Portal WAS the game. The “tests” were just introducing you to the skills you would need and how to rethink the gameplay. In other words, a tutorial mode. All skills learned were then applied in massive quantities for the “final stretch.”
Also, Valse has confirmed the Still Alive sequel which is 360 exclusive is just the Flash Portal levels already available for free on Steam on PC. Valve admitted this as their devout PC fanbase cornered them asking why they were missing out and someone at Valve let it slip what Still Alive is.
Hey, guys. Long-time reader, first time commenter. Despite the lack of LOLs, I’m in love with this comic. Watching the DS slowly run out of power after being put to sleep to make room for something new is all too nostalgic for me. The PSP’s release saw mine shelved for months. To Tim’s DS, I have this to say: Don’t worry, he’ll come back. I promise. Someday.
….what?
that should be a meme. SPREAD IT! i think its solid gold
even if it IS just a typo….
EDIT: At least, I THINK it’s a typo….
Not a typo. >.> And it’s already a meme, slightly.
I find it useless to quote the comment what’s right above you. I’d much rather “^^” than have people read the same thing twice before reading what I had to say. Plus it helps keep the length of comments shorter.
ooo…now there’s some competition for comment of the week. Which one of the comments will be chosen? XD
Dude, this is… I mean, cellphones are made to be the most compactable gadgets, handhelds on the other hand will never be as small as a cellphone, we need to feel comfortable with buttons and stuff
So how much were you paid to advertise the Iphone?
Three cookies…. from Subway. Call up Steve Jobs, YOU might get four considering how important you are…
Absolutely nothing. In fact, you could almost say it was the other way around.
Since when does Apple need money? XD
mmhmm that’s quite funny.. i dont think thet iphone is gonna be a good game console, cause the iphone is even more casual than the NDS, and hardcore nintendo gamers make NDS work, in the bigining.. later mr. grandpa.
CYA FOLKS!! KEEP ROCKING
WELL, I think we all remember the last time someone thought it would be a good idea to have a gaming phone.
Tomorrow is Monday…
That means with tomorrow, comes a new podcast! I can’t wait!
Tim, Ray, you guys do great on the podcasts! I also love the little bonus segments you toss in every now and then. For example:
Episode 23: April Fool’s Edition
Segment Name: BANANA BREAK!
Episode 41: Working For The Man Edition
Segment Name: The Official Chicken Grab! (or something like that, I dont have my ipod handy to check the name)
But really, I love it when you throw segments like that in, you should do those more often! (and no, Im not trying to flatter you in an attempt to get comment of the week, im just exited about the next podcast. CANT WAIT!)
Thanks, Gadoink. I feel very confident that tomorrow’s podcast will be worth the wait, so I hope you enjoy it!
Ooh! I’m a little excited about the next podcast now. Do you think it will be better than the Sonic and the Black Doom Edition? That one will be hard to top.
That will be hard to top… There’s no way I can try ranking these episodes though, they’re all so different because of their content.
I liked all the podcasts with Mario Kart Wii references. XD
Random, but have you guys ever considered doing something like the polar opposite of the Black Doom Award? A good choice made in the industry? Or maybe games that you guys are looking forward to?
THE HAPPY TIME AWARD!
I like the way the White Doom Award sounds XD, but it doesn’t make much sense.
Please. No. After seeing Transformers, the phrase “Happy Time” grosses me out a bit.
LOL, absolutely… N-Gage sure should be known as N-Garbage…
Today is Monday…. where is the next podcast….?
It doesn’t seem to be availible yet…
It’s 8am… just wait. 😛
8am? you must be in a different time zone, its 7 here. well, 7:20 now actaully, but whatever.
i want to get the next podcast before school!
It’s 4:45 PM here
Its 10 AM here, what if the sudoku review replaced the podcast?
They usually go up in the afternoon. Around 1-3 central time.
My teacher accused me of plagiarism today. And I told her:
“I didn’t copy and pasta! I swear!”
Do the DS or PSP make you sign a deal with Satan…AKA AT&T?
..you really said that?
man, what did they SAY after you said that?!
I have an iPhone with T-mobile 😀
hey roadjcat, i see that you changed your avatar back. im glad you did, i like the purple one better 🙂
Well I think that this comic makes since.
Um..okay thanks! I just use various Metroid avatars. But I kinda like this one too, I also like the original one I had, but I thought I’d switch it up between different types of Metroids.
^^I liked the original one.
I think that it would be real funny if the last panel had the guy watching a adult vid on the psp. It seems that something is lacking, so It’s not a “OMG LOL” but a “ha-ha obvious non funny joke” strip.
Anyway it’s kinda prepostorous to say that a new portable console , if it’s like the actuall ipod, with a 3d arkanoid, pacman and a sonic 1 port, would compete with a ds/psp, seems like a non-gamer-gimmick-gatget-tech-lover joke.
But if the iphone had at LEAST 1 good game announced on the media, with some trailers, I would take it back.
It’s like making a joke that mankind knowledge is doomed because formatted hd’s take over the world.
Hehe …. reading this after all that ‘history’ (if you can call it that yet…) of the iPhone… I sorta remember my thoughts about the gaming possibilities on it.
Great stuff now, thats for sure.
Don’t got a DS or PSP so.. can’t really compare :S meh
100th comment!
The iPhone isn’t all that great, you can’t turn the screen off, so when your making a call and your ear is on the screen, it goes weird
The screen automatically turns off when you put it up to your ear.
You know, I’ve pretty much abandoned my DS after I got my iPhone…
lollll