If the standard laws of the five-year console cycle apply to Nintendo's money-printing handheld, then said laws would dictate that the lifespan of the Nintendo DS (in its many, many forms) is nearing its end. The system's current install base of 84.1 million across the U.S., Japan and Europe is hardly anything to scoff at, and would certainly earn the device some form of lifetime achievement award at its retirement gala -- but according to Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata, the DS will break the standard five-year cycle, and further expand its install base in the years to come.Iwata claims that should interest in the DS expand in the U.S. and Europe as it did in Japan (where nearly one in every five people currently tote the handheld), the system's install base will nearly double -- his estimate for the handheld's final tally is a nice, round 152.2 million units. That's ... a pretty specific number. We're not usually one for conspiracy theories, but we're wondering if that estimate isn't, you know, time machine-assisted.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Finally! After NCSX pretty much confirmed its existence, Famitsu has come to our rescue with some new details and screens for Space Invaders Extreme 2. We know the game's power-up system is getting the once-over and being fleshed out a bit more in the sequel, and that a Bingo Fever mode is being added. Considering how great the first game was, you can bet we're extra excited about this.Hit up Famitsu here to check out the screens and details. Or click here if you want the Japanese translated for you (badly).Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Attention virtual rockers, Neversoft has announced that the Guitar Hero World Tour drum set will finally be available as a standalone product beginning February 15. The drums will come at a price of $100 -- $10 more than the Rock Band 2 drums -- and will be available at Best Buy and GameStop. Unfortunately, this only applies to North America, as Neversoft notes the drums will arrive in Europe and Australia "at a later date."While the World Tour drums are more expensive than the base Rock Band 2 set, it's worth noting that adding the cymbal expansions to Rock Band 2's set makes them slightly more expensive. Taking a look at Amazon (with prices lower than retail), the Rock Band 2 set with a two-cymbal expansion amounts to $107.92.Be sure to check out Joystiq's Instrument Compatibility Matrix if you plan to pick up a set.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hudson's Fishing Master World Tour on Wii caught our eye, and now the game is being adapted for the DS, exchanging motion-based controls for the stylus and touch screen. As big fans of Animal Crossing: Wild World, we've enjoyed quite a bit of fishing on our DS. Although AC's fishing is a bit more on the tranquil side, Hudson's offering looks to be a bit more intense. Don't worry: Hudson presents Super X-Treme Bass Fishing sponsored by Mountain Dew this is not.Hudson's Fishing Master DS (Mezase! Tsuri Master DS) is due for release in Japan on April 23.