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When bold analysts dared to suggest that the Apple iPhone could topple the Nintendo DS and claim its position as the #1 portable gaming platform, we laughed at them. Not just a dismissive chuckle, OH NO, that wouldn’t be nearly good enough to express the dumbfoundedness we felt over such a dumb statement that only dumb people could have dumbly concocted in their dumb little heads. Therefore we opened our mouths wide, sending our mad cackles reverberating across the wide series of tubes that is the Internet to let them know just how mad their wild predictions were.
But then, maybe we were the mad ones. That’s right, maybe the iPhone can beat out the DS, but, if such a thing were to happen, it would take one hell of a game to do it. Ladies and gentlemen, I think such a game may have just been released: Etch A Sketch. That’s right, Etch A Sketch. The incredibly popular turn-the-knobs-to-draw-horribly-inaccurate-pictures-device now has now seen its first digital release.
Seeing as how 150 million Etch A Sketches have been sold worldwide -- a number that is slightly higher than the DS’ 144.49 million units sold -- it is totally clear to me that once all these people catch wind of this nostalgic whirlwind’s release, and buy iPhones simply to play this game, that there will be more iPhones sold than DSes. Logic! And not only will it contain the enthralling etching and sketching that has kept children captivated since 1960, but now it’s in color. My mind is officially blown.
“Etch A Sketch on iPhone is a doodler’s dream,” said Craig Holland, CEO of Etch A Sketch developer Freeze Tag, “With the innovative Multi-Touch user interface you can actually create artwork by touching both ‘digital’ knobs at the same time, something you can't do on any other wireless device, or you can just use your fingers to draw directly on the gray canvas.”
Hear that people? Something you "can’t do on any other wireless device" … except, oh wait. Actually, there is something very much like this; in fact, it’s a free homebrew program on the DS called Colors. But, but, in the iPhone version of Etch A Sketch you can clear the screen by shaking the iPhone, a totally innovative feature that makes the game more than worth the $4.99 price tag. Colorstotally doesn’t let you clear the screen by shaking the DS which obviously makes it inferior. What now, Nintendo? What now?
Tustin, CA – July 10, 2008 – Freeze Tag today announced that a native version of Etch A Sketch, the world’s favorite drawing toy, will be available from the new Apple App Store beginning today. With finger-touch drawing, coloring options, shape creation and photo import/export, this digital doodling application offers much more than the original analog toy. And just like the classic toy, you can “shake” your iPhone or iPod touch to erase your sketches.
“Etch A Sketch on iPhone is a doodler’s dream,” said Craig Holland, CEO of Freeze Tag, “With the innovative Multi-Touch user interface you can actually create artwork by touching both ‘digital’ knobs at the same time, something you can't do on any other wireless device, or you can just use your fingers to draw directly on the gray canvas.”
With more than 150 million Etch A Sketch toys sold since 1960, The Ohio Art Company looks forward to a whole new generation of creators experiencing the brand through the iPhone. “Etch A Sketch is a classic toy brand that comes alive on the iPhone,” said Martin Killgallon, senior vice president of The Ohio Art Company. “We believe our consumers will be excited to see an innovative digital version of the classic toy they grew up with as a child,” he added.
Etch A Sketch will be available for just $4.99 from Apple’s App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/
Also, Freeze Tag and Ohio Art announced that the Macintosh & PC versions of the digital Etch A Sketch are now available for download on major Internet casual games portals. In addition to extensive drawing tools, the Macintosh & PC versions include a set of games featuring the adventures of an all new character called Knobby™. In the fall, a packaged CD-ROM version will be available through major retail stores across the USA.
Bitches don't know about my Tablet PC.
Not only is it better than an Etch A Sketch, it plays Portal.
FUCK YEAH BITCHES.
(I do not actually have a Tablet PC, but yeah)... read more
DO NOT underestimate the mystical power of Steve Jobs...he will probably pull Zelda Gear Gaseous out of his ass next...and Satoru Iwata will transform from his glasses...and applaud him.
I was planning on upgrading my DS Phat to a Lite but this has convinced me to drop an extra $150 so that I can play Etch-a-sketch on an iphone. It's not like they sell them as keychains or in travel sizes or anything...
I've jailbroken my iphone and tried an etch a sketch app and it is horrible! You can't get any precision and unlike a stylus, you can't see the line till you move your finger out of the way. If anything is a killer app it's crayon physics - it plays like it was made for this device. The tilt sensor changes the gravity so you can really mess with the objects you've made. I could see some portal type uses of this making a killing in the marketplace.
The controls for most games are even below that of wii shovelware so I don't see the DS or PSP getting any real competition yet.
For a second I thought this article was actually serious. Thank god. Anyway, colors looks way better. Now I just need to find out how to enable a DS for homebrew.
I love my DS. I love my iPhone. As long as great games keep coming out for the DS and some fun stuff happens on the iPhone, I could care less who wins this imaginary pissing contest (that I don't even think Apple seems to be interested in). That said, if you pay 5 bucks for this Etch a Sketch shit, you are mad.
That's it. Let's throw all the DS systems in the desert because compared to the iPhone, it's so bad it will make the whole video game industry crash again.
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21 comments + 95764 views
I was already to yell that this couldn't be a true etch a sket without shake ereasing but that have that covered. Still pretty useless to me.
DO NOT underestimate the mystical power of Steve Jobs...he will probably pull Zelda Gear Gaseous out of his ass next...and Satoru Iwata will transform from his glasses...and applaud him.
I'm hoping squeenix will make something really interesting like they did for the click wheel ipods.
I was planning on upgrading my DS Phat to a Lite but this has convinced me to drop an extra $150 so that I can play Etch-a-sketch on an iphone. It's not like they sell them as keychains or in travel sizes or anything...
Frantically shaking an iPhone? Brilliant! And my friend gets mad at me when I do that to his.
I've always thought Etch A Sketchs suck to be honest
Unfortunately, this actually isn't the first digital incarnation of the Etch A Sketch.
But no, this is stupid. And it's not even free.
I've jailbroken my iphone and tried an etch a sketch app and it is horrible! You can't get any precision and unlike a stylus, you can't see the line till you move your finger out of the way. If anything is a killer app it's crayon physics - it plays like it was made for this device. The tilt sensor changes the gravity so you can really mess with the objects you've made. I could see some portal type uses of this making a killing in the marketplace.
The controls for most games are even below that of wii shovelware so I don't see the DS or PSP getting any real competition yet.
@pedrovay2003
I can't believe that's selling for $34.99.
Meh, I'd rather not. I guess it's a cool concept.
“Etch A Sketch on iPhone is a doodler’s dream,”.....Lawl!!!
Or you could just buy an etch a sketch...
For a second I thought this article was actually serious. Thank god. Anyway, colors looks way better. Now I just need to find out how to enable a DS for homebrew.
I love my DS. I love my iPhone. As long as great games keep coming out for the DS and some fun stuff happens on the iPhone, I could care less who wins this imaginary pissing contest (that I don't even think Apple seems to be interested in). That said, if you pay 5 bucks for this Etch a Sketch shit, you are mad.
I can draw dicks for free with Pictochat.
MMM...touching digital knobs...
That's it. Let's throw all the DS systems in the desert because compared to the iPhone, it's so bad it will make the whole video game industry crash again.
I LOL'D,nice one
Im actually suprised that the DS is that close to Etch a Sketch's sales numbers....thats darn impressive
JESUS PHONE!
Woooooooooot YEAAAAAAAAAAAAH! FINALLY I'll be able to... draw... badly... on a 500$ phone... for an extra 5$...
wooptiedoo...
Is this an appropriate time to ask the words, totally retarded?
Oh, it is on. It is ON.
Bitches don't know about my Tablet PC.
Not only is it better than an Etch A Sketch, it plays Portal.
FUCK YEAH BITCHES.
(I do not actually have a Tablet PC, but yeah)
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