New DS arriving this year

[Spidey-Bat]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6198286.html

Japanese media say Nintendo will introduce camera, music playback, and better wireless into next revision of popular portable hardware.

Earlier this year, Nintendo projected hardware sales of its DS handheld system to total 28 million for the current fiscal year. While that can be considered a massively successful year, it is down slightly from the 30 million portable game players the company sold last year. That anticipated slowdown led one industry analyst to predict a new iteration of the DS hardware is on the way, while another had been expecting such a redesign since last November.

Today, Japanese news site Nikkei Net (subscription required) is reporting that the time has finally come for Nintendo to roll out another new DS, and that the system will arrive in Japan by the end of the year. Planned features for the unnamed DS revision include a camera function, music playback, and improved wireless capabilities. No mention was made of previously speculated upgrades like larger screens, enhanced memory, or a smaller size.

Nikkei expects the redesigned system to carry a price tag of about ¥20,000 ($188), somewhat higher than the ¥16,800 ($158) Nintendo currently charges for the first redesign of its popular portable, the DS Lite. The new system will reportedly arrive on Japanese store shelves by the end of the year.

Attempts to contact a Nintendo representative for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.

 

[Brainiac 8]

I read about this...I am still using the old big DS, and these additions might talk me into upgrading the DS finally.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

Same here. I didn't get a Lite because it was too small. Didn't like how the GBA game stuck out. With this, that may not be the case. I hope that PictoChat will be online. I hope this can also hold an SD card or Memory Stick for the music and pictures. Seems like it will be a "DSP" except with good games.

 

[Brainiac 8]

Exactly...I never got a PSP because their wasn't really any games but a few worth owning. I liked some of the other stuff, but not enough to justify the price, and I'm not into the illegal ROM hacking.

With the DS though, if they add this stuff, I would finally upgrade my DS.

 

[TLH]

If this new DS introduces a GBA slot where the games don't stick out, I might pick it up. My GBA is a bit old and I'd like a system to play all those great games on + I'd like to pick up a DS for a few of its games. Hopefully the new DS will be worth shelling out some cash for.

But seriously, I'd really like it if Nintendo's next handheld could rival the PSP in terms of graphics. You know, deliver a handheld with Gamecube graphics? I guess if they're still continuing on with re-releases of the DS that they won't be delivering a more capable system any time soon.

 

[Brainiac 8]

Truth be told, I wouldn't want the DS to basically be a portable GC. That is the problem that hurts the PSP, since almost everything that comes out for it is just a portable console game with nothing to help it stand out. Even Sony sees this as the systems problem when they told developers to make the games original or don't make a game for it. Guess what, not many games are coming out for it.

The DS gives us some great original games, and even brings back major long dead franchises, like Contra 4.

I have a console for great graphics, I have the DS for new and original ideas that I can play ont he go.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

I don't really care about the graphics. I enjoy the games on the DS and couldn't care less about them getting better graphics. The DS can support good 3D graphics (SM64DS), there just aren't a lot of games that use them.

 

[TLH]

I don't really care about the graphics. I enjoy the games on the DS and couldn't care less about them getting better graphics. The DS can support good 3D graphics (SM64DS), there just aren't a lot of games that use them.

Fair enough, but Nintendo doesn't release nearly as many 3D platformers and shooters for the DS as they should.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

That's the developer's fault not Nintendo's.

 

[TLH]

Nevertheless, the point still stands. If the DS is capable of graphical achievements such as Mario Kart DS, Super Mario 64 DS, and Metroid Prime: Hunters, I don't think it's too much to ask that they utilize the system's graphical capabilities a little more often. These are full 3D games with 3D environments. The DS sadly lacks in that department, yet is fully capable of delivering the goods.

 

[Brainiac 8]

http://gonintendo.com/?p=57918

It seems another publication is saying that impeccable sources of theirs from Nintendo states that this new DS will be unveiled tomorrow, along with the MP3 playback and camera.

I actually hope it's true.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

Hopefully it has a SD or Memory Stick slot.

 

[Brainiac 8]

There are hints that the storage solution will be solved with this new DS. Maybe with an SD or Memory stick slot. DS to Wii connectivity for a portable storage center where it can stream the game or save directly from the DS.

Or I'm really hoping you can transfer vc or wiiware data from the Wii to the DS so that you can play downloaded games on the go.

Oh, the possibilities.

Portable Mario RPG and Mega man 9!

 

[Fading]

I was tempted to pick up a DS, but think this is the deal breaker. I'll have to wait and see, but the GBA SP coming out is finally what got me to pick up a GBA (and still play it at that).

I'm fine with Nintendo handhelds having simplistic graphics, since most Nintendo handhelds aim at fun and creativity. However if they insist on continuous use of internet, and in the cases of Pokemon and Megaman battle network, certain items and fun bonuses only accessible via linking up....they need to cut back on the wifi. I have one local wifi tower and it seems to be password protected. The DS's online capabilities look nice, but I'd like an addon you could clip on for a normal wired connection. I have a PSP, and if you have a PS3 or computer it can DL saved games, ect. via a wired connection in USB mode. However the PSP seems to have less games focused on linking up.

 

[hippie_hunter]

The rumors were true. As soon as Nintendo started their conference in Japan, they confirmed that there will be a new DS model coming out. The official title of the device is the Nintendo DSi.

Iwata stated: "At the pace the Nintendo DS has been selling, you might think that the market has been saturated. But we believe we can still expand it."

On the cosmetic side of things, this version will be 12%, 2.6 millimeters lighter, and the GBA slot present on DS Lite handhelds will be excluded. The system will gain a camera and MP3 playback in place of the GBA compatibility. The Nintendo DSi camera will contain 300,000 pixels. Both screens will be touch panels, and photographs should be able to be manipulated through the touch screen. The pitch and playback speed of sound on the Nintendo DSi can be adjusted at will.

Both screens will be increased to 3.25 inches. Also included is SD card support. The system will have on board storage, built-in applications, you can download new apps, you can take titles you've downloaded to the DSi with you. The system will also have a built-in internet browser.

Nintendo will offer DSi Ware titles. They will range from free/200/500/800 Nintendo Points-- formally known as Wii Points. Systems that connect by March 2010 will receive 1,000 free Nintendo Points.

The DSi will launch on November 1 in Japan for 18900 yen. The new handheld will debut in two colors, black and white. We'll see a 2009 release.

And to think that I was actually considering on buying a new DS model. But alas, no GB/GBC/GBA compatibility makes me

 

[Fading]

And to think that I was actually considering on buying a new DS model. But alas, no GB/GBC/GBA compatibility makes me

That would bother me, but I still have my GBA SP so I'm not totally bummed. However I could see it being a deal breaker if you don't have one. The camera and SD card additions are a big plus tho.

 

[Ricky273]

For those that haven't seen it yet:

http://wii.ign.com/dor/articles/915...le-reels/videos/nintendods_sizzle_100209.html

 

[Galactus]

Nintendo unveils new DS
Thursday 2-Oct-2008 5:46 AM
New 'DSi' gets camera, dual touch screens.

Nintendo has unveiled a brand new model of DS, to be called DSi, at its press conference in Japan just moments ago.

The new console will be 12 percent smaller - at just 2.6mm thick - and the GBA slot has been removed. It also features a built-in three megapixel camera, confirming the rumours that erupted last week.



Updates: It packs bigger screens, increasing to 3.25 inches and BOTH will be touch panels. An improved speaker system will also feature.


It's out in Japan on November 1 for 18900 yen (£100). We're not getting it until next year.

A new slot for an SD card is now included, and the DS-i has a Photo Channel - probably similar to that of Wii.

Wii Points will also be renamed Nintendo Points, as you will be able to buy games/programs to download to your DS.

It'll pack a web browser and direct access to a new Nintendo DSi shop, where those programs/games will be sold, ranging from 200 to 800 Nintendo Points.

New built-in 'Lifestyle Rhythm Calculator' software will, among other things, bring Miis to DS. Info is a little vague on that one.

Needless to say, we want one NOW! Well worth the wait up since 4:45am

 

[imdaly]

So how are the DS games that use the GBA slot supposed to work with the CSI...err, iDS...err, DSi??


I'm looking at you, Guitar Hero: World Tour!

 

[imdaly]

Btw, the DSi has TWO cameras.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

I don't like no GBA slot.

 

[Brainiac 8]

It doesn't bother me. I still have my Gameboy Advance, and also I'll still have my DS Phat. I'm covered with the GBA games. Plus I don't play any games other than Pokemon that needs both slots.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Still I don't see why Nintendo decided to get rid of the GBA slot. There are DS games like Guitar Hero: World Tour that have it's own peripherals that require the GBA slot. There are the Pokemon games that interconnect with the GBA slot. And the rumble pak can't be used for games either.

With all the cool bells and whistles Nintendo added for the DSi, it just makes no sense to get rid of it. Oh well, knowing Nintendo there will be another DSi model that hopefully will include compatibility with all Game Boy type games.

 

[Arbiter]

im fine with my ds lite

i also have guitar hero on tour