Topic: Oh...no it can't be...it can! the DS SP!

[Don'tHate742]

Over at Spong (i've never really trusted them but I trust TheModGods.com and that's where I viewed it) they have an interview with Saturo Iwata saying that the Hardware design group is working on a project for the DS that will change the DS similar to the way the GBA changed into the SP.

Wow....I'm sorry for those that bought a DS (though you may not feel sorry). For me this is great news. PSP Pressure?

The entire interview/editorial: http://spong.com/detail/editorial.asp?eid=10109282
Where I viewed the news: http://www.themodgods.com

[Bill Aurion]

Just because the hardware teams at Ninty are researching possible changes does NOT mean their labors will come to fruition...If they can improve it, they will; if they can't, they can't...I personally think it can't be improved...

[nemo_83]

they could put at least one real analog stick on the DS, or a small track ball so we don't have to worry about a broken stick

[Don'tHate742]

Making it sleaker and sexier is enough for me. Personally like bill said, it can't be improved to a great extent.

[vudu]

Quote
Originally posted by: nemo_83
they could put at least one real analog stick on the DS, or a small track ball so we don't have to worry about a broken stick

That's not really the same thing as upgrading from a GBA to a GBA SP.  The hardware and control methods are the same between all GBA models.  If you added a analog stick or a track ball, that would kill the possibility of playing any games that were designed with it specificially in mind on a regular DS.

[PaLaDiN]

It does have precedent though, in the same way that Gameboy Color games couldn't be played on the old GB.

Although an analog stick isn't as big or justifiable an upgrade in my opinion. I've tried the DS's touchscreen and it's perfectly natural... the people complaining about analog sticks seem to be the old-fashioned blowhards who can't bring themselves to give anything else a chance.

[vudu]

The Gameboy Color came out in what ... '95?  5 or 6 years after the original GB came out.  It was due for an upgrade.  But if a new DS comes out that has games that can't be played on the regular DS many people will be pissed (including myself).

Plus, the way the article was written, it made it seem more like an design update (a'la Gameboy Pocket to Gameboy or GBA SP to GBA) and not a new system (GB to GBC, GBC to GBA).

[thepoga]

Quote
Originally posted by: Bill Aurion
I personally think it can't be improved...

Well, they can make it lighter, smaller, better shape especially for the L and R buttons (not the buttons themselves), bigger ABXY buttons, different area for the stylus slot for a longer stylus, longer battery life, and longer wireless range.

But these wouldnt warrant a whole new version unless the changes to everything is a lot bigger.

[jarob]

CNN Money now has it.

Nintendo may plan to introduce the follow-up to its most popular system in 2005.


Fixed link.  

[Djunknown]

jarob, the link's broken.

Interesting interview. But I just find a bit bizzare. Example:

Quote
What happened with the third-party community, at the very beginning when we explained the hardware for the first time to them behind closed doors no one really understood what it was we were wanting to do. And unfortunately, we were not persuasive enough at that time.

Before I take it completely out of context, does this mean all that "DS is cool, can't wait to design games for it" paraphrase done at E3 was just a bunch of hot air? Or is he talking about the very first time he pitched the DS to the devs?

[Slightly off topic comment abou the Rev alert!]

Quote
We really want to come up with a great new idea which will be accessible to as many people as possible, regardless of age or gender.

Anybody guess how it'll be done? The DS uses a stylus, a writing implement. What about the Revolution? [end off topic]

Quote
Some of them are actually working on improved functionality of the existing machine, with some working on a rework of the exterior design exactly in the same way they did with the transition from Game Boy Advance to Game Boy Advance SP

DS SP? Granted this SPOnG we're talking about here, but that type of talk makes me want to put off a DS purchase even more until I get something concrete.  But as mentioned earlier, its not like they're going to act on it... are they?

[Bill Aurion]

What happened with the third-party community, at the very beginning when we explained the hardware for the first time to them behind closed doors no one really understood what it was we were wanting to do. And unfortunately, we were not persuasive enough at that time.

This definitely sounds like the very first meeting between the DS and 3rd parties...

[Don'tHate742]

My god...Spong has done it again, those unreliable bastards. Why do I keep finding crazy stories on Spong, even if I don't like them? I don't; I go to othersites that link to them.

Anyways go to this link if you want to be shocked: http://spong.com/detail/news.asp?prid=8385

Good God.

[Infernal Monkey]

DS SP will split the touch screen into two circles. TOUCH TOUCH.

[couchmonkey]

Hmmm, I almost feel like waiting until E3 before I buy a DS now.  However, the current version doesn't seem like it can be improved on _that_ much, and ... PDA?  I thought a PDA upgrade would be a neat idea, but I won't wait for brand-new hardware for that functionality.  I don't really believe this information anyway, so I guess I'll just stick to my guns and buy a DS at the end of March unless a price-cut is announced before then.

[Bill Aurion]

Quote
Originally posted by: Infernal Monkey
DS SP will split the touch screen into two circles. TOUCH TOUCH.

You leaked that Tecmo special edition DS that we signed an NDA for!  TECMO IS COMING TO GET YOU, RUN!