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Dark Void Zero goes retro on DSiWare

Capcom prepping downloadable NES-style prequel to upcoming jetpack action game, $5 title set for January release.

When Capcom announced that its jetpack-powered 3D action shooter Dark Void was coming to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, owners of Nintendo systems may have felt a bit left out. The publisher is rectifying that in a way, as it has revealed that it is making a downloadable DSi prequel to the game, Dark Void Zero.

How is he supposed to see where he's flying, again?

How is he supposed to see where he's flying, again?

Much like the company's Mega Man 9, the game is being made with an 8-bit aesthetic. But where that title took advantage of gamer nostalgia surrounding the original Mega Man series, Dark Void is an original IP with no history beyond the current game.

Undeterred, Capcom has created a fictitious backstory for the game, claiming it to be an unreleased project for the Nintendo PlayChoice 10 system, which adapted Nintendo Entertainment System games for use in arcades. In addition to blocky visuals and a new chip-tune soundtrack, Dark Void Zero evokes nostalgia by asking players to "blow" on a virtual cartridge (using the DSi's microphone) before playing the game.

When it launches in January, Dark Void Zero will cost 500 DSi points ($5). The console and PC editions of Dark Void are set to launch January 19. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's hands-on impressions.

54 Comments

  • BlueFlameBat

    Posted Jan 13, 2010 2:36 pm GMT

    I wonder how expensive it would be for Capcom to put this game on some actual NES cartridges.

  • Balo_the_Gamer

    Posted Dec 31, 2009 3:54 pm GMT

    Brilliant!! All other publishers look at this, and steal this idea!

  • ministerkataoka

    Posted Dec 31, 2009 3:09 pm GMT

    I bet this game will be better than the big boy versions. I hope so.

  • wizard617

    Posted Dec 30, 2009 6:51 pm GMT

    i hope this game is good cuz CAPSOM NEVER DISAPPOINTS

  • Dualmask

    Posted Dec 30, 2009 12:48 pm GMT

    I hope this trend continues.

  • acer_062

    Posted Dec 30, 2009 4:16 am GMT

    What shoes!!! where?

  • jeffv541

    Posted Dec 29, 2009 12:56 am GMT

    Has anyone seen my shoes?

    ooh yes relevance...

    The game looks like fun to play.

  • wonzan

    Posted Dec 28, 2009 4:40 pm GMT

    This game STILL hasn't been released? I remember seeing a very fleshed out gameplay session of it on the PS3 aaaaaaaaaaaages ago. =[

  • mightycloud

    Posted Dec 28, 2009 3:17 pm GMT

    I really like this idea, but they could include it with the main game for everyone else (as an unlockable or something). But more developers could make the effort and release a game that helps to expand the universe they're creating.

  • HighRisk12345

    Posted Dec 27, 2009 11:47 pm GMT

    i hope they put this game on the ps3 & 360 dark void game to looks fun

  • Gammet25

    Posted Dec 26, 2009 11:54 pm GMT

    Let this not be another fail conversion of a game to the ds. There has been so many victims.

  • Pixel-Perfect

    Posted Dec 26, 2009 10:58 pm GMT

    I love you, capcom. This whole retro thing is awesome.

  • StephenBassford

    Posted Dec 25, 2009 7:19 am GMT

    If they are spending time making a game that serves as an advertisement for Dark Void, then Dark Void better be good.

  • Mr_Alexander

    Posted Dec 25, 2009 4:31 am GMT

    It's a little disappointing that they didn't include an online store in an update or something for the original DS like the PSP did with the PSN store. I don't want to buy a brand new console just for a small online store and a slightly smaller size

  • lenson

    Posted Dec 24, 2009 5:32 pm GMT

    awesome

  • johnryandaplin

    Posted Dec 24, 2009 1:56 pm GMT

    why is this news on the xbox 360 section????

  • GCwasthebestsys

    Posted Dec 24, 2009 10:25 am GMT

    dsi, not wii. but hard to say the console that has completely dominated the charts since its release is weak.

  • Gauzz

    Posted Dec 24, 2009 7:45 am GMT

    Wow that is such a great an idea... two thumbs up! totally liked! nice move Capcom =D

  • Ted_Zanarukando

    Posted Dec 23, 2009 2:18 pm GMT

    This retrofitting idea makes better sense for this title than it did for Mega Man 9 and 10. This idea is out of the question for RPG franchises. I do not want a whole lot of 8-bit throwback titles, but maybe 16-bit throwback titles. I would rather have HD 2D titles.

  • oneligas posted Dec 23, 2009 1:15 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    oneligas

    Posted Dec 23, 2009 1:15 pm GMT (hide)

    Wii is Weak. real video games on real consoles are STRONG!

  • taylormadederek posted Dec 23, 2009 11:59 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    taylormadederek

    Posted Dec 23, 2009 11:59 am GMT (hide)

    That is too bad......I would have totally bought it if it were a LIVE or PSN game..........Nintendo on the other hand, can rot.

  • fon1988

    Posted Dec 23, 2009 11:14 am GMT

    "In addition to blocky visuals and a new chip-tune soundtrack, Dark Void Zero evokes nostalgia by asking players to 'blow' on a virtual cartridge (using the DSi's microphone) before playing the game."

    Amazing, truly amazing. I love Capcom these days.

  • SunDestroyeur posted Dec 23, 2009 10:34 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    SunDestroyeur

    Posted Dec 23, 2009 10:34 am GMT (hide)

    it's should be on PSP too.

  • CyleM

    Posted Dec 23, 2009 9:08 am GMT

    I'll pick this up and I have a feeling this game will be better than the console versions...

  • athenian29

    Posted Dec 23, 2009 8:43 am GMT

    "In addition to blocky visuals and a new chip-tune soundtrack, Dark Void Zero evokes nostalgia by asking players to 'blow' on a virtual cartridge (using the DSi's microphone) before playing the game."

    That's brilliant! I love it!

    This is great! It's so much fun to see that developers still have some wit!

  • derby70

    Posted Dec 23, 2009 8:25 am GMT

    cool! hopefully it's a good game.

  • KillerWabbit23

    Posted Dec 23, 2009 7:04 am GMT

    Wow, didn't see this coming. I have wanted a DSi for a while, and this is just another reason for me to want one.

  • GabrielOnuris

    Posted Dec 23, 2009 4:54 am GMT

    Hahahaha!!! Cool!! Sometimes I miss those ancient platform games! ^^

  • OJdaLIONKing

    Posted Dec 23, 2009 4:19 am GMT

    I don't have a DSi, and unfortunately this isn't enough for me to want one, but this is still a nifty idea. Capcom seems even better than Nintendo at appealing to nostalgia, they're even able to do it with a new IP!

  • Maxout623

    Posted Dec 23, 2009 12:41 am GMT

    This is a very clever marketing tool. I'm curious to see how it plays out. I don't have a DSi, but I think for the first time, I actually may want one.

  • DaGamingDude

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 11:58 pm GMT

    this is gonna be cool ^^

  • dark_surge

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 10:50 pm GMT

    Yay!

  • gp3tron

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 10:34 pm GMT

    Ok, Its not April 1st, so...?

  • Excedra

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 9:39 pm GMT

  • AzelKosMos posted Dec 22, 2009 5:07 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    AzelKosMos

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 5:07 pm GMT (hide)

    Why release this for the DSI when the main game is on the 360 / PS3? Surely it would make more sense for it to be on XBL / PSN

  • OverlordEX

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 3:36 pm GMT

    this game makes me wish DS lite has a download service

  • ropumar posted Dec 22, 2009 3:10 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    ropumar

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 3:10 pm GMT (hide)

    Nintendo consumers are nostalgia driven, so this pretty much could work.

  • Jbul

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 3:06 pm GMT

    Really nothing that mind-blowing. But for $5? Pretty cool.

  • Asagea_888

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 2:58 pm GMT

    Haha, sweet!

  • RavenXavier

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 2:46 pm GMT

    @ Sid N64 : It looks like the old school "Rocketeer" video game that was put out on the Nes.

  • Cruse34

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 2:44 pm GMT

    cool

  • SiD_N64

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 2:30 pm GMT

    Now that's adorable!

    Reminds me of classic Metroid, Bionic Commando, and Jetpack.

  • Grim_Heaper94

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 2:29 pm GMT

    "Dark Void Zero evokes nostalgia by asking players to "blow" on a virtual cartridge (using the DSi's microphone) before playing the game."

    If I had a DSi, I'd buy the game just for that.

  • Re_ensurer

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 2:17 pm GMT

    I will certainly download this one. We need more 8-bit throwback games like this.

  • Liam_Eibach

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 1:46 pm GMT

    Hmmm I don't have a DS anymore, but this game looks like it would be a lot of fun.
    ...and the music made me nastolgic for Mega Man.

  • vectorman88

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 1:37 pm GMT

    That ........actually looks really cool. Its good to keep the original look for the early games still in the spotlight, even in today's generation of HD gaming and incredible visuals. I dont have a DS though but it just may do what GTA chinatown wars did and go to PSP if sales are really below the line. Hey, it could happen. ultimately, im liking this approach. I hope it does well.

  • skullboy950

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 1:11 pm GMT

    Weird concept, hopefully they execute it okay.

  • calebcop

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 1:08 pm GMT

    Good for Nintendo, too bad the program Gold4Jetpack doesn't apply for them.

    PS: Don't know what I'm talking about? Go to gamestop's Dark void page and watch the video.

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