PictoChat
PictoChat (Nintendo DS)

Developer
Nintendo
Publisher
Nintendo
Genre
Other
Players
0
C3 Score
9
Reader Score (10 Votes)
8
9
8
Find out more
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As a wise male-female duo once sang, 'The best things in life are free,' and it would seem that Mr Vandross and Ms Jackson's sentiments are shared by none other than Nintendo, since it is bundling a nice little treat with each and every Nintendo DS due to hit the European market in a matter of hours. But is the chat programme, Pictochat, an art-form in its own right, or simply drawing blanks?
The whole idea of a free gift with something you have just bought is hardly a new concept, as stores, food outlets and various companies have been using such techniques to help drive sales of items that might not sell quite as high as they would without any added incentive(s). In recent years, though, that idea was thrown out of the window in the gaming Industry. Whilst the Game Boy launched with a copy of Russian genius Alexey Pajitnov's puzzle effort Tetris, future systems lacked a true 'free game' when initially launched, with even the mighty PlayStation 2 only including a disc full of little playing game demonstrations and simple video clips. Thankfully, however, all that has just changed with the advent of the Nintendo DS! Time to get those creative juices flowing, because Nintendo has a wonderful treat in store for you lucky gamers!
Loading up your Nintendo DS system takes you to a screen where you will normally choose whether to play on media card that is inserted into the portable or a GBA cartridge that has been slotted into the bottom. However, in this case, you overlook both of those and head for the other logo that will always be there no matter what, 'Pictochat'. Suddenly you are launched into a plain-looking screen that has the logo at the bottom of the upper screen, complete with a little smiley face in the 'O' and the main choice menu on the lower screen. It is down here where you can choose which room to jump into to commence your communication thrills. But you must be a little patient first and wait to see if anyone else is currently 'online'.
You see, there are four rooms to choose from, labelled 'A' through to 'D', each one being able to house up to sixteen Pictochatters. In order to see which room is the ideal one to select, though, you must sit and wait on this screen as the little green light on the bottom-right of the DS itself flickers on and off, searching the air-waves for other DS signals. Once a sufficient enough number has appeared in a room, then pick up your stylus and tap your way to the new communication highway. Thankfully this is the longest you have to wait on the interactive programme, as once in with your friends (or complete strangers for the matter), everything becomes instantaneous. No delays at all...
This can be played in any situation or locale with the greatest of ease
The in-built feature proves to be a wonderful change from text- and picture-messaging on mobile phones, with the input being quicker and more illustrative as you are actually using the stylus pen to write down your messages or draw your images and then transmit them in real time to whoever is in the room with you. It is extremely similar to a web-based chat module, with the addition of images. But just what is available to you for the aid of interaction?
Well, on the top screen you have a little signal strength icon in the top-left, which lets you know if you are in an area where interference is likely. Here you are also shown which room letter you are in, how many messages there are roughly (the scroll bar on the left), as well as the last few messages sent (all depending on how much of the message box each one takes up
But that is not all, for as mentioned many times now, you can draw images using the stylus pen, your fingers or the thumb-strap (if you really want). This proves to be highly intuitive, although the standard stylus takes a little getting used to and does not work wonderfully with some people's normal writing style. But, once you have adapted to the ideal way of using the stylus, you are away! Anything can be written or illustrated, meaning that messages can be conveyed in the clearest possible way, negating any chance of confusion...unless you are terrible at drawing, of course!
There are two settings of line to choose from, the standard thick one, or a thinner line that allows more to be drawn / written on the touch-screen. Then there is the technique of choosing the thick line, covering the whole screen in black by quickly rubbing the stylus or thumb-strap over the screen and then changing the setting to 'erase' and writing that way. This proves the best way to write neatly at times, especially for beginners, as the rubber ('eraser' for Americans...to avoid serious confusion!) seems to be a little more accurate than the pen line. But whichever method you adopt, your can have endless fun with something free. Who else could do that, but Nintendo?
Gameplay
9
Superb communication device that offers up a great alternative to web-based chatting and text messaging!
Graphics
6
Nice and simple, just the way things should be for this sort of product.
Sound
5
No music, just little sound effects that do not intrude on the experience
Value
10
This has no limits at all, with gamers buying the Nintendo DS for this alone, just to chat.
9
C3 Score So there you have it /10
Please post your comments below.
Buy PictoChat



Reader Comments
Prof. Layton 2 Hands-On & Another Code: R Review Now Live!
11672
News Editor
That's Just Diabolical!
1812
L67 Ken
lol, looks good, i might buy it 


4938
L99 Master Hand
Picto Chat is fun, so many things you can do with it that can be enabled if you use your imagination. Great stuff.
Let's Tap and Virtua Tennis 2009 hands-on now up!
8960
Reviews Editor
It's fun, but I've not been able to use it much yet. :-(
Cubed3 Staff :: Reviews Editor
Xbox Live/Twitter :: C3Mike
Cubed3 Staff :: Reviews Editor
Xbox Live/Twitter :: C3Mike
Checks online news, just doesn't really post!
657
L41 Zola
It is a very good extra feature - especially for free.
Got my copy of The Conduit.
4644
C3 Mod
Pictochat is fun even solo. Kinda sad, but Ihave not been able to use the DS wireless with anyone at all yet!! :cry:
~Top 20 Nintendo DS Games~
[ Moderator :: Head of Secret Police :: Legendary Member :: United State-ian ]
[ Moderator :: Head of Secret Police :: Legendary Member :: United State-ian ]
will be right back after the break.
5803
L100 C3 Master
"three guesses where I have played Pictochat the most!"
The toilet?
This does sound like a nice freebie, though. Wonder if it'll be possible online?
This is my newer, bigger, reasonably sized signature. I hope it's not too big.
The toilet?
This does sound like a nice freebie, though. Wonder if it'll be possible online?
This is my newer, bigger, reasonably sized signature. I hope it's not too big.
feeling Fragile.
1696
L65 Tails
I like the fact you can drag and drop letters in picochat.
Took me a full two weeks to find that!
Its good for makeing pictures :
Also, minor point:
You can hear different sounds depending on the "stroak" of the stylus.
Pointless, but its little details like that that make Nintendo what they are.Darkflames Favorate Games! - Darkflames Favorate Films! - Darkflames Favorate Foods?!
Dissagree with me?
Make your own reviews at;
www.rateoholic.co.uk : Reviews for anything, by anyone.
Took me a full two weeks to find that!
Its good for makeing pictures :
Also, minor point:
You can hear different sounds depending on the "stroak" of the stylus.
Pointless, but its little details like that that make Nintendo what they are.
Dissagree with me?
www.rateoholic.co.uk : Reviews for anything, by anyone.
feeling Fragile.
1696
L65 Tails
"other addictive games available for the system (Polarium, yes please!)."
Yes, too bad it isnt game-share :(
(game-demo shareing yes, but multiplayer? no.
Dispite what Nintendos Europe site says...they obvious havnt played it.
Even their pic is wrong)Darkflames Favorate Games! - Darkflames Favorate Films! - Darkflames Favorate Foods?!
Dissagree with me?
Make your own reviews at;
www.rateoholic.co.uk : Reviews for anything, by anyone.
Yes, too bad it isnt game-share :(
(game-demo shareing yes, but multiplayer? no.
Dispite what Nintendos Europe site says...they obvious havnt played it.
Even their pic is wrong)
Dissagree with me?
www.rateoholic.co.uk : Reviews for anything, by anyone.
Prof. Layton 2 Hands-On & Another Code: R Review Now Live!
11672
News Editor
You'll find that some of the Nintendo Europe info is out-dated, like the fact that PictoChat DOES NOT wake up from stand-by if another PictoChatter is in the area (even though this was even stated in the European Press Release...bad Nintendo! Lies!!).
I turn the volume down when using this, but you're right DarkFlame, they're nice, typically Nintendo touches!
I turn the volume down when using this, but you're right DarkFlame, they're nice, typically Nintendo touches!
Let's Tap and Virtua Tennis 2009 hands-on now up!
8960
Reviews Editor
Still not been able to use online features due to nobody being about :-(
Cubed3 Staff :: Reviews Editor
Xbox Live/Twitter :: C3Mike
Cubed3 Staff :: Reviews Editor
Xbox Live/Twitter :: C3Mike
Prof. Layton 2 Hands-On & Another Code: R Review Now Live!
11672
News Editor
290
L25 Kyle Hyde
Good review, but arent the graphics over rated.I mean 6/10.
?????
PictoChat looks great
?????
PictoChat looks great
Revolution is the solution.
Prof. Layton 2 Hands-On & Another Code: R Review Now Live!
11672
News Editor
290
L25 Kyle Hyde
Ah I "see" :
, sorry then, I didn't understand what you meant.
[ Edited by Bz0 On 2005/3/12 17:17 ]
[ Edited by Bz0 On 2005/3/12 17:17 ]
Revolution is the solution.
Prof. Layton 2 Hands-On & Another Code: R Review Now Live!
11672
News Editor
Guy With The Mug
3510
L85 Ganon
This is seriously the only multi type game myself and my friends have played. Amazing freebie!
[:: Lee Sanders :: Cubed-3 :: News Reporter :: Writer :: Head Of Secret Operations:: Resisdentual Slacker ::]
I have a Cubed3 limited Edition mug!
DO YOU!
[:: Lee Sanders :: Cubed-3 :: News Reporter :: Writer :: Head Of Secret Operations:: Resisdentual Slacker ::]
I have a Cubed3 limited Edition mug!
DO YOU!
Prof. Layton 2 Hands-On & Another Code: R Review Now Live!
11672
News Editor
Flame On!
10185
L100 C3 Master
Hmm so the DS does not come awake when someone esle joins PictoChat? Is that one thing that will happen when online DS gaming takes off? I hope so, as the idea sounded very cool.
4
L1 New Born
how dos this work coz the chat rooms r always empty
3
L1 New Born
Very nice review. I agree whole-heartedly.
5
L1 New Born
ILIKE PICTO CHAT I DO IT ON THE BUS WITH PEOPLE I DONT KNOW
2
L1 New Born
does anybody have animal crossing wild world tellme if you do 
"Napalm is natures toothpaste"
2822
L78 Slippy
tocca said:
does anybody have animal crossing wild world tellme if you do
does anybody have animal crossing wild world tellme if you do
You Have Posted in the wrong place again. Please keep Posts to the right topics. Namely for this question, the WIFI forum.
He's such a virgin!
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