Maps and dictionary wares may be in the works.
Thanks to the DSiWare service, Nintendo has tried to expand the portable's functionality from just a games machine to an integral part of your web-browsing, time checking, number crunching life.
According to Nintendomain (via GoNintendo), two more non-games are headed to the portable download service: Maps and Dictionary. No word on Mario or Animal Crossing skins.
Without a built-in GPS or non-WiFi Internet connection, the Maps program could face some issues as to how useful it would actually be (unless the maps are of the Mushroom Kingdom, which would be super useful). A dictionary probably wouldn't face any hardware restrictions and could actually be pretty useful if you don't have a paper version around and need to look up the definition of decalcomania.
Maybe they should just release that Mushroom Kingdom map. Or a Pokedex!

1. Turkey Brutus
30 Jun 2009, 03:46 BST
Let me be the first to say...
...@#&$@#%^.
2. Odnetnin
30 Jun 2009, 03:47 BST
A Pokedex would be sweet. Second! (Darn you Chicken Brutus.)
3. Token Girl
30 Jun 2009, 03:49 BST
Is anyone else thinking what I'm thinking? Tingle's Map App!
4. Buster13
30 Jun 2009, 03:53 BST
If the dictionary is appropriately priced, as in free or maybe 200, I may get it. I always hate the small font in those pocket dictionaries.
That, and it's be the perfect little "Strategy Guide" for Scribblenauts.
5. Corbie
30 Jun 2009, 03:55 BST
When they turn this thing into a phone, I'm out.
6. KnucklesSonic8
30 Jun 2009, 03:56 BST
Hopefully this means we'll get the translator.
7. LorD SyN DracuL
30 Jun 2009, 03:57 BST
isn't there already a map service for Disney World using the DS?
I wondered how that worked...
anyways, PokeDex could be interesting, using the DSi camera. dunno how they would distinguish one thing from another though.
and btw, Decalcomania is the process of transferring designs from prepared paper on to glass or porcelain. just in case anybody else cared to know, I've saved you the trouble of looking it up.
8. Mickeymac
30 Jun 2009, 04:01 BST
I would not be surprised at all by this. In fact, I would be more surprised if they didn't make anymore DSiware Non-games.
9. pixelman
30 Jun 2009, 04:17 BST
Let me be the second to say...
...@#&$@#%^.
10. jhuhn
30 Jun 2009, 04:18 BST
Well there will be a six-in-one translator which is perfect for foreign travel, or for Canadians that travel to Quebec or Americans crossing into Mexico since no passport is needed for Mexican travel.
11. minial100
30 Jun 2009, 04:30 BST
Ughhhhh... Gawd....
12. Hardy83
30 Jun 2009, 05:28 BST
Give me useful apps like a video player, or flash for Opera browser... OR VIRTUAL CONSOLE!
13. Hyper Luigi
30 Jun 2009, 06:18 BST
@Token Girl-Darn,you have beaten me to it!

Yes,Tingle has invaded DSiWare in Japan,North America is next!
14. WarioFan63
30 Jun 2009, 06:19 BST
Hey doesn't Japan's DSiWare have some kinda Nintendo made Map app? If its anything like that I'm all for it.
Hell I'm all for whatever they make out of these. I'm cool with non-games.
15. Clayfrd
30 Jun 2009, 07:37 BST
MEH! Who's with me?
16. wanderlustwarrior
30 Jun 2009, 07:41 BST
I really don't understand why Nintendo was as stongly anti-App as they had been. Really, why wouldn't you want to increase functionality and hope to fragment the base of Apple's product?
17. New Age Retro Hippie
30 Jun 2009, 07:51 BST
Dictionary's nice; map, not so much.
18. Stuffgamer1
30 Jun 2009, 07:56 BST
@ LorD SyN DracuL: Thanks! Your post is the sole reason I read through the comments before looking the word up.
I think the dictionary app might be worth a download if properly priced, and maybe properly themed (don't want it too stark and straight-forward, y'know?).
The maps could be good too, for some people. It sure beats paper fold-up maps!
19. sirgrim
30 Jun 2009, 07:57 BST
I would like another clock. Thanks!
would only like it to torture Corbie with another review
20. KDR_11k
30 Jun 2009, 08:27 BST
"non-games"... You know, not long ago we used to call those applications.
21. Stuffgamer1
30 Jun 2009, 09:16 BST
Yeah, but "non-game" sounds more degoritory.
22. y2josh
30 Jun 2009, 10:00 BST
Still glad I didn't upgrade to the DS i
23. Stuffgamer1
30 Jun 2009, 10:42 BST
For all the crap they're releasing on DSiWare, I still don't regret upgrading to a DSi. It has benefits, I think. I certainly understand your viewpoint as well, though, JJosh.
24. y2josh
30 Jun 2009, 10:50 BST
I want one more and more. But then I see news like this and change my mind again. I won't get one unless they start a DSiVC
25. Darknyht
30 Jun 2009, 11:27 BST
I still cling to the hope that a DSiVirtual Console is on the way since DSiWare has been somewhat disappointing.
26. TheEmulationZones
30 Jun 2009, 11:35 BST
Japan already has that map applycation! Realy looks awesome, thought it was only for japan cus it only showed japan streets and stuff. I heard it automaticly pick the map of you country you selected on your dsi
27. Tony
30 Jun 2009, 12:19 BST
I knew it, but we need a DSi VC. IF they put that service out they can fill DSi Ware with as much non-games as they want.
28. LinktotheFuture
30 Jun 2009, 12:51 BST
They can add all the apps they want, until there is a DSi VC, I am going to feel a little ripped off.
29. WaltzElf
30 Jun 2009, 12:58 BST
If you don't want any apps on your DS, then don't buy and download them. The horror of the thought!
For some people (me included), certain apps appeal. I could make use of a Map app, and I could see myself downloading a dictionary when needed.
I also bought 100 classic book collection. Even though it didn't appeal to everyone, I saw the value in it.
All this complaining about something you don't have to buy is just silly.
30. Machu
30 Jun 2009, 13:04 BST
The evolution of the handheld, stutters...
31. NuevoVida
30 Jun 2009, 13:17 BST
This is exciting. I hope the Mapping application will be a cross between Google Maps and shall we say a GPS type of thing. I hope that along with the Dictionary there will also be a Thesaurus application for DSiWare and I hope it will run for about 200 points. BTW I hope the Moving Memo Pad will be free.
32. theblackdragon
30 Jun 2009, 13:43 BST
the map application would only really be useful if it were updateable. Otherwise, you'd have to buy a new one every year or so in order for it to be useful, just like atlases and street maps. the dictionary sounds interesting, though, especially if it's like Jhuhn said -- something for multiple languages would be useful. :3
33. metakirbyknight
30 Jun 2009, 15:34 BST
I would buy this, maybe. I would get the dictionary, just 'cause I need one. If they came out with a GPS cartridge that worked with the map app, I could sell my GPS and get this.
34. TourianTourist
30 Jun 2009, 15:38 BST
Both WiiWare and DSiWare are really misunderstood services. They are to test new game concepts on the market, it's too risky to experiment with 50$ or 60$ titles. Plus the DSiWare service with its applications is there to defend the DSi from the iPhone.
So, if you say, "I don't like those clocks and calculators, so I won't download them", then you're exactly doing, what Nintendo wants you to do. Those are marketing tests, if they fail, Nintendo does make nearly no loss from those, but if they succeed, the next big hit might spawn from one of those DSiWare minigames.
35. LinktotheFuture
30 Jun 2009, 15:50 BST
I am complaining because there isn't much coming out that I want to download. I blame myself for thinking the DSi was going to be cooler then it turned out to be.
36. Shadow007
30 Jun 2009, 16:10 BST
Instead of giving us crap every week Nintendo should make virtual handheld.
37. LGamer
30 Jun 2009, 16:20 BST
I love Nintendo because of their cool and populair games... But sometimes I think they wanna rip us...
38. NESGamepro
30 Jun 2009, 16:47 BST
In case no one has said it yet...
...@#&$@#%^.
39. SSBFan 12
30 Jun 2009, 17:10 BST
The map part will be pretty cool but the Dictionary WTF!
40. WhoKnew
30 Jun 2009, 17:51 BST
The map will suck unless its updatable. But the dictionary should be usefull. (should be updatable too.)
41. Darknyht
30 Jun 2009, 17:54 BST
@TourianTourist: I understand that the concept is to try things out, but they need to work on getting games on there. All this stuff they are putting out I have access to already with the web browser they provided.
So far DSiWare has mainly been stripped (or modified) versions of DS games, puzzle games, and pointless applications (unless you don't own a cell phone). There really hasn't been a product that was a must-have purchase so far for me. The few games I've heard of that sounded interesting were shot down or not appearing (Virtual Console Game Boy Games and the Intellivision Lives game).
I wouldn't be so annoyed if they didn't follow a release schedule of one application/game a week, but when you are looking at 4 releases a month (a few more if you're lucky) it gets very frustrating very fast.
42. TourianTourist
30 Jun 2009, 18:16 BST
@Darknyht:
Well, I agree. I didn't want to say, that I find the DSiWare service appealing either and I'm still waiting for a reason to buy a DSi. Currently there is no exclusive feature, I'm interested in, so I stay with my DSLite for now. While I understand, what Nintendo wants to achieve with the DSiWare system, I too think it would be time to step it up...
However, about the "Virtual Handheld", I'm not so sure anymore, if Nintendo will this pull off or not. Thanks to license issues and ESRB rating the Virtual Console became quite a problem and isn't as profitable, as you may think. Plus, if those DSi applications would be outsold by 2-bit grayscale color games, it would be a huge disaster. So, I believe, Nintendo has decided against a Virtual Handheld for the moment, though it would probably be the coolest thing on the DSi... oh well.
43. LEGEND MARIOID
30 Jun 2009, 20:45 BST
Will the make them free? Yeah right!
44. Jonno
30 Jun 2009, 23:10 BST
People really need to stop complaining about apps. Even if they're 'overpriced' you don't have to buy them, and then you have to wait just ONE WEEK for the next batch of games/apps to come out...
45. slapshot82
30 Jun 2009, 23:50 BST
Let me be the 4th to say......
@#$%^&......
46. geek-master
01 Jul 2009, 01:58 BST
a youtube app and a video player app that played movies off your SD card would be very nice
and a update to record video on the camra app. also we havent had a DSi firmware update yet! so lets make this first one good!
47. Qwikman
01 Jul 2009, 07:38 BST
@ #12 Hardy83
Amen to that lol
48. Sylverstone
01 Jul 2009, 17:36 BST
Now this is the time for a DSi VC because DSiWare is screwing us all over....... Wasn't the calculator/clock hybrid worse enough?
49. Mega man xK
02 Jul 2009, 00:08 BST
Id get the dictionary
I aready have the itouch for maps
50. ballistikboy
07 Jul 2009, 06:39 BST
A dictionary would be well received
And so would some kind of note taking app (shopping lists, etc) and the 100 book collection that's in Europe but not the U.S.
51. cagool
08 Jul 2009, 00:37 BST
I hate to break it to you people but mankind managed to use maps for a very long time without them auto-updating or being attached to a phone.
52. Dicesukeinuzuka
09 Jul 2009, 18:54 BST
@cagool true
53. Dicesukeinuzuka
10 Jul 2009, 19:18 BST
let me be the 4th (45. slapshot82 didn't say it) to say
...@#&$@#%^.
Leave A Comment
Please login to post a comment.