After about 12 years since its release to the Playstation, Temco will be releasing Monster Rancher for the Nintendo DS around March of 2010. Temco released the first Monster Rancher game to the US back in November 1997. Now I have played the original back when I was a kid, and it was, at that time, pretty revolutionary. It had the basic game mechanics as Pokemon - capture monsters, raise them and have them fight other monsters. However you wondered how did you “catch” these monsters. Well the monsters come from what were called disc stones and you go to shrines to awaken them. Now were these disc stones actually in the game. NO. The monsters you get actually come from every day CDs and DVDs. Now I know one thing you should never ever do is open the Playstation CD hatch while the game is playing and loading. However this game allows you to do this. It will prompt you to open the hatch take the game out, put a regular CD or DVD in the loader and close the hatch. Once you get the Monster take the CD out and put the game back in. So perhaps your favorite Justin Timberlake CD will give you a powerful monster (TAKE THAT Alacran!!).

Of course Temco made other Monster Rancher games that I didn’t get a chance to play. But I can’t wait for what Monster Rancher for DS has to offer. I mean the one thing I would definitely have to note is how are we going to obtain monsters? Since the Playstation had CD what will the DS have? Well Temco has developed a way by using the built-in microphone to speak in what is called “Incantation” mode. I’m not sure if you have to speak the monster’s name or just say any word and the monster will appear. If that is the case a curse word could give you a strong monster. Another way is by using your stylus you can draw pictures in the “Magic Field” to obtain monsters as well. Then once you have your monster, you can raise it, train it to battle and try to become the greatest Monster Rancher breeder. I am looking forward to see what this game is about and cannot wait until to play it.

Valkor’s notes: The first Monster Rancher game caused me to lose many a nights sleep, simply because I owned so many CDs. Not only that, what about my families CD’s? What was crazy about the game, is that you wanted to know which CD made which type of monster. You wanna find the ultimate CD to give you the best monster possible. One of the most rarest was Cutie, which you got from a Spice Girl CD. And that ticked me off because mine was scratched up to no end and I couldn’t produce the monster. But the DS version will be even more innovative because you have to speak into the mic to create a monster. Ok I get it, but this is gonna be insane! Would a vulgar word make a strong monster? What if you speak another language? What if you speak jibberish and by “chance” create a rare and powerful monster. So am I excited for this game? You bet your sweet ass I am. Here’s also a list of features the game will have, straight from the press release. And stay tuned to the pages of TOV get full hands on with this classic come to DS:

• Use Your Imagination: Recite your favorite word and see what monster is created! Or, if it's too loud to speak, draw a silly picture and see what monster appears. Unlock a secret method of creating monsters as you play through the game! You can even combine your favorite monsters to create a new, more powerful monster!
• Train to Become a Master Breeder: Find the best strategy to raise your monster on a weekly basis-too much rest or too much of the same training can be ineffective!
• Bring Out the Rivalry: Not only was the training and management portion of monster breeding brushed up, but there are also many instances to fight rival breeders in the game as well!
• Play with Friends: Battle your friends locally or online! Friends can also combine their monsters to create exciting new types through a local connection!
• Battle Rounds: Choose attack techniques to be placed in the "short," "medium," and "long" ranges and execute them when there are enough points in the guts meter. If no technique is selected for a range, it becomes a defense panel and evasion skills are improved at that range.
• Nostalgia: Favorites such as Monolith, Gali, Mocchi, and Suezo rejoin the cast of monsters in what can be called a Monster Rancher series compilation.