Sign on Options
Theme: [Light Selected] To Dark»

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.

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.

Brendan Sinclair
By Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor

Brendan Sinclair has been a games journalist since 1999. His tastes are eclectic, though he has a definite affinity for games with arcade roots. He's Canadian, but has also been at home in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco.

56 comments
BlueFlameBat
BlueFlameBat

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

Balo_the_Gamer
Balo_the_Gamer

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

ministerkataoka
ministerkataoka

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

wizard617
wizard617

i hope this game is good cuz CAPSOM NEVER DISAPPOINTS

Dualmask
Dualmask

I hope this trend continues.

jeffv541
jeffv541

Has anyone seen my shoes? ooh yes relevance... The game looks like fun to play.

wonzan
wonzan

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

mightycloud
mightycloud

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
HighRisk12345

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

HighRisk12345
HighRisk12345

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

Gammet25
Gammet25

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

Pixel-Perfect
Pixel-Perfect

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

StephenBassford
StephenBassford

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

Mr_Alexander
Mr_Alexander

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

GCwasthebestsys
GCwasthebestsys

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

Gauzz
Gauzz

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

Ted_Zanarukando
Ted_Zanarukando

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
oneligas

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

taylormadederek
taylormadederek

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
fon1988

"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.

CyleM
CyleM

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

athenian29
athenian29

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

derby70
derby70

cool! hopefully it's a good game.

KillerWabbit23
KillerWabbit23

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
GabrielOnuris

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

OJ_the_LION
OJ_the_LION

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
Maxout623

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.

gp3tron
gp3tron

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

AzelKosMos
AzelKosMos

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
OverlordEX

this game makes me wish DS lite has a download service

ropumar
ropumar

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

Jbul
Jbul

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

RavenXavier
RavenXavier

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

SiD_N64
SiD_N64

Now that's adorable! Reminds me of classic Metroid, Bionic Commando, and Jetpack.

Grim_Heaper94
Grim_Heaper94

"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. :lol:

Re_ensurer
Re_ensurer

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

Liam_Eibach
Liam_Eibach

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
vectorman88

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
skullboy950

Weird concept, hopefully they execute it okay.

alkaline_DnB
alkaline_DnB

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

calebcop
calebcop

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.

Conversation powered by Livefyre

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!