NintendoDS
The Nintendo DS is a handheld console from Nintendo, which can also be used to play go or solve go problems.
Since the DS can use GBA cartridges, it can also be used to play the HikaruHandheldGame and Hikaru no Go 2.
Go Programs for the Nintendo DS
Cho Chikun no Tsumego:
full title: daredemo kantan: cho chikun no tsumego
(translates as: easy for everybody: Cho Chikuns Go Problems)
Go Problems by ChoChikun and MannamiKana, ranging from 50 kyu to 1 kyu. The interface is rather limited, there is an explanation mode, a mode that starts at 50 kyu and promotes you for every 2 correct problems, and a challenge mode where You can do 10 problems of a chosen difficulty.
Japanese Page with pictures: http://soft.mycom.co.jp/dsigo/tsumego/index.html
Dekiru Igo
full title: itsu demo doko demo dekiru igo: ai igo DS
(translates as: always and everywhere being able to (play) go: ai igo)
the ManyFacesOfGo / AiIgo version for the DS, including an introduction for beginners and a wireless multiplayer mode.
The multiplayer mode unfortunately only works with 2 cardridges
Its actually possible to write down and save game records with this program(and thus playing go against another player with only one DS), by starting the game as black and instantly going into review mode. Unfortunately, they cannot be transferred into sgf as far as I know. Adding comments is also impossible.
Japanese Page with pictures:
http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/game/ds/igo/index.html
There is an incomplete FAQ on gamefaqs.com http://db.gamefaqs.com/portable/ds/file/ai_igo_ds.txt
Ginsei Igo
full title: asonde iru igo ga tsuyoku naru: ginsei igo DS
(translates as:by playing around Your go becomes stronger: silver star go DS)
This program has several advantages compared to dekiru igo.
- It can be played as wireless multiplayer with only one cartridge.
- The learning mode actually contains 2000 (mostly easy) go problems and is divided into two parts, introduction and beginners.
- Its possible to use the the game as game clocks for real matches. The touchscreen of the DS will show only two big buttons. Time system is similar to the NHKCup, you can set basic time, overtime length AND byo-yomi length.
- The game features one-color go (you can even chose black or white) and blind go.
- The game saves Your winning statistics against the computer.
The AI (4 difficulty settings) is as weak as dekiru igo, I (AndreasTeckentrup) won the test game on 19x19 by 150 points. Another weakness I discovered is that the scoring doesnt work well, although the player can manually reassign dead stones. This problem is actually described in the manual, I encountered it only in 19x19 games so far.
Japanese page with pictures: http://www.silverstar.co.jp/02products/gigods/gigods.htm
DSgf
According to its sourceforge development page, "DSgf is a complete SGF file editor on the Nintendo DS platform for GO board game players". It is not alpha yet.
Discussion
MrShin: Has anyone played either of these games? I'm thinking of getting them. I hear Dekiru Igo has a nice multiplayer feature.
AndreasTeckentrup: I created the page but I only saw the games in a shop so far. Im thinking about buying Dekiru Igo but the Tsumego program is probably to easy for me. Ill update the information if I buy the game, but if anybody already has it, feel free to update.
update: I now own all three programs (going back to germany). The tsumego program is a bit too easy for me (egf 1d) but I think its very nice for mid-kyu players. About the go playing programs, theyre both pretty weak, with dekiru igo you can record games and with ginsei igo You can do go problems and need only one cartridge for multiplayer. I only tested Ginsei Igo for a short while so ill probably update after more testing.
Dlugar: I'm thinking of buying the game, but I was wondering what the "multiplayer" was like. Is there download play available? Or do both players have to have the game? Can you play multiple players with a single DS (passing it back and forth)? Thanks in advance!
Nogitsune: Has anyone tried this third cartridge: Asonde Igo ga Tsuyoku naru!! Ginsei Igo DS -- http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-hw-49-en-70-1sm0.html
Not sure how it translates, but I'm tempted to order this one too. I just ordered the Cho Chikun tsumego module; I'll post a more complete review when it arrives.....