Topic: Mystery DS Port Revealed

[TheYoungerPlumber]

If E3-era documentation is to be believed, the port may not be an ace up Nintendo’s sleeve.

Last week Cube-Europe’s handheld team posted some interesting pictures of the E3 Nintendo DS without its case.  After rampant speculation over the recent official word of a still-undiscussed port on the system, the European site dug into its secret documentation, supported by slides of the E3 presentation, to convincingly show that the port is designed for an external microphone.

The apparently planned headset microphone comes as no surprise: things can get noisy on the road, and headset microphones are much better at picking up voices.  Nintendo has been questioned about such an accessory in the past, but never provided a firm response.  

[Ian Sane]

I think an external headset is a fantastic accessory to have I just wish Nintendo didn't tell us there was a built in mic.  Did they change something or were they in fact lying to us?  I hope the headset comes with the DS or else the whole "everything out of the box" promise is a bunch of crap.

[Bill Aurion]

Technically it's not, since the mic is built into the system to start with...

[odifiend]

"KDJIHRFLDFJGH!"
DS: Does not compute.

[Renny]

This explains why there were conflicting reports from Nintendo on whether the mic was built-in or an accessory. And this is definitely the way to implement the feature. They can match the PSP on providing a mic headset [which could mean internet voice communication in the future] while still keeping the feature standard on all systems, and therefore actually used in 3rd party games.

[JB]

According to the final design pictures of the DS the microphone is built-in. You can clearly see it say "mic" on those pictures. Nintendo is also hinting that there may be some special use for this port, but won't say what. If it is indeed the microphone port, why would Nintendo be so secretive about the port? We already know about the microphone. I therefor don't think it is the microphone port, it just doesn't make sense.  

[Flames_of_chaos]

I think it was smart of them to release a headset because just in case theres alot of noise in the area(s) you play in also the voice convos can be more private now if you play in a public area.

[Chongman]

I'm confused...so is there a built in mic or not??

[ib2kool4u912]

Chongman, i'm pretty sure that there is a built-in mic, but that port is used for a headset microphone accessory, which would be more convienient, but you would have to buy it. That way, there is a microphone so all systems could take advantage of microphone use in games, but if you really want to take advantage of the feature you'll have to buy the headset rather than put your face right up to the system and talk.

[NWR_Lindy]

Maybe it can operate as a microphone with or without the headset.  Plug the headset in and it listens for input through the headset only, but without the headset it operates like a speakerphone.

silks

[Chongman]

nevermind, there's a built in mic for sure...thank you ign

[Syl]

Hey, at least this means there is a headphone port on this thing.  

[nickmitch]

Hey, I still have the mic from "Hey You, Pikachu!" Do y'all think that I'll be able to use that.

[Cheat Freak]

i think you guys are missing some thing very big
"We've already received some (unofficial) words from Sega, that their upcoming Phantasy Star Online DS for the Nintendo DS"

let me just say UBERYAYNESS

[kirby_killer_dedede]

Sob sob sob sob sooob

Actually, I still think it's something bigger, a headset doesn't exactly scream "new functionality" at me.  Though Ninty has been known to overhype...stuff...  

[BlackGriffen]

Well, it depends. If the DS is able to connect with the N5, this could be quite useful...

BG