Post by: Jonnyboy117 on January 13, 2006, 08:03:50 AM
You may have heard rumors this week that Nintendo is about to announce the widely expected redesign for its Nintendo DS system. However, Nintendo of America has issued this statement:
"Clearly, Nintendo DS continues to be one of the most popular and talked-about video game systems available. Through 2005, some 13 million units have sold worldwide. Nintendo is always looking for ways to improve its games and systems, but we have nothing to announce at this time."
This vague statement is likely meant to calm potential buyers who may be considering a delayed purchase if they think a redesign is about to be announced. The quote may also be intended to minimize disappointment among fans if an announcement is not made next week as rumored.
The rumors began last year when NOA exec Reggie Fils-Aime mentioned in an interview that the company was always looking for ways to refine its products to look sleeker and more desirable. A more fervent version of the rumor appeared on Internet message boards this week, claiming that the redesigned DS would be officially announced on Monday, January 16th.
Nevertheless, NOA's statement is a weakened reflection of Reggie's own comment last year, making the question of a DS redesign seem more like "when" than "if". Stay tuned to PGC for more information, as we'll be following this story closely.
Post by: JonLeung on January 13, 2006, 08:51:01 AM
I've never bought two of the same Nintendo system, and aren't about to. When me and my brother got into Pokémon, we had a Game Boy Pocket and a Game Boy Color. When we got into Ruby/Sapphire (as well as to play Four Swords Adventures and Crystal Chronicles), we had a GBA and a GBA SP.
So if I'm to play DS games with my brother, a redesigned DS would be more worth getting than another DS. Sure, there's nothing wrong with another DS, and now they have red and blue and special edition colours, I'm sure, but if an upgrade is ever to come, I'd rather have that.
Post by: Ian Sane on January 13, 2006, 08:57:02 AM
Post by: Hostile Creation on January 13, 2006, 09:08:25 AM
SUSPICIOUS
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on January 13, 2006, 09:26:54 AM
Post by: JonLeung on January 13, 2006, 09:40:43 AM
A reiteration of the DS, however inevitable it actually is, probably won't hurt.
Post by: KDR_11k on January 13, 2006, 10:21:38 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on January 13, 2006, 10:29:10 AM
Yeah I'll agree they're not that hot. But it's somewhat of a necessary evil because of left handers having to use the touchscreen. My biggest complaints with the DS are router incompatibilities (I haven't got online yet and I'm pretty annoyed about that) and the fact that Mario Kart DS doesn't let you customize the controls. Using the A button for gas just murders my thumbs.
Post by: JonLeung on January 13, 2006, 10:34:44 AM
Post by: nickmitch on January 13, 2006, 10:35:31 AM
Post by: KDR_11k on January 13, 2006, 10:42:41 AM
As a regular Blender user I'd say any prolonged holding of buttons should be abolished. In the case of MK they could easily invert A (not pushing A accellerates) because otherwise you're holding it down 99% of the time.
Post by: vudu on January 13, 2006, 11:46:19 AM
QuoteMetroid Prime Hunters
Originally posted by: JonLeung
I see how it could be necessary, and how the buttons are arranged to allow it, but I haven't actually seen it in use yet. The thing about left handers, I mean. What games require constant control with the D-Pad and the stylus?
Post by: ShyGuy on January 13, 2006, 12:00:58 PM
Post by: ThePerm on January 13, 2006, 12:37:43 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on January 13, 2006, 12:38:49 PM
I like it so far though I've never used it for something like Street Fighter II and that's usually the big testing point. Nintendo typically makes good d-pads and this seems to follow that tradition (the Cube one wasn't bad for the GBA it just was too small for a console). I like how it's less rough then the classic Nintendo d-pad. I can't say for sure but it looks like getting blisters with it would be much harder since it has a pretty smooth surface.
Post by: joshnickerson on January 13, 2006, 01:41:06 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
As a regular Blender user I'd say any prolonged holding of buttons should be abolished. In the case of MK they could easily invert A (not pushing A accellerates) because otherwise you're holding it down 99% of the time.
They did. They called it Kirby's Air Ride.
Post by: IceCold on January 13, 2006, 02:32:13 PM
QuoteWell, you feel more in control when you're pushing it down. And also, it would feel very unnatural; it goes against the tradition, and people who are used to holding it down would have a tough time adjusting. Besides, when you drive a car, you hold the accelerator down, right?
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
Using the A button for gas just murders my thumbs.
As a regular Blender user I'd say any prolonged holding of buttons should be abolished. In the case of MK they could easily invert A (not pushing A accellerates) because otherwise you're holding it down 99% of the time.
Post by: KDR_11k on January 13, 2006, 10:11:12 PM
Post by: Chozo Ghost on January 14, 2006, 12:10:12 AM
Post by: mantidor on January 14, 2006, 01:48:45 AM
Post by: ShyGuy on January 14, 2006, 03:41:09 AM
Post by: kirby_killer_dedede on January 15, 2006, 01:10:24 PM
FIRMWARE UPDATES PLZ.
GIMME DSPEAK/ONLINE PICTOCHAT.
OK T/Y.
Post by: KDR_11k on January 16, 2006, 04:16:40 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on January 16, 2006, 06:54:33 AM
If the accellerator was B it wouldn't matter. F-Zero: Maximum Velocity has the same problem but it had control options so I just changed accelerate to B and there was no problem. There's no need for them to rethink how a driving game works they just need to offer more flexibility. Realistically every game should allow you to customize the controls even if they only let you swap face buttons with face buttons.
I am quite surprised that the severe agony of using the A button didn't come up in testing. I imagine it would take like ten seconds of coding to assign a function to a different button (unless they did REALLY crappy coding where they hardcoded "A" to a million places) so you figure once all the testers started having to put ice on their thumb they would address the issue. Stuff like that always blows me away. How does a team of proffessionals miss something that is incredibly obvious to everyone else ten minutes in?
Post by: kirby_killer_dedede on January 16, 2006, 07:00:13 AM
Post by: Ceric on January 16, 2006, 12:44:12 PM
Post by: blackfootsteps on January 16, 2006, 05:29:47 PM
Post by: KDR_11k on January 17, 2006, 10:15:24 AM
I don't know what you define as "so that you're the only one who can hear it" but I usually operate my DS as slightly above half volume, if I have sound turned on, that is (which is rare since I use it mostly on public transport where I don't want to disturb others). It doesn't sound perfect but I'm not sure whether that's really the speakers or the sound chip itself.
