Topic: Rumor: New DS Model To Be Shown At E3

[Chozo Ghost]

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/52186

According to Bloomberg Japan, Hamamura noted his belief that Nintendo could unveil a new DS at E3 this year, which runs from July 15-17.

It was unclear if he was referring to a simple redesign or an actual new dual-screened platform. Given that the system regularly tops sales charts in North America and Japan, a revised version of the existing hardware would be the most logical assumption.

When asked for comment, a Nintendo representative apparently told Bloomberg that the company could make no comment at the time.

This is something I've been predicting for quite some time, and this is one of the reasons why I still have my old DS Phat. I figured there would be a new DS revision, so I didn't want to upgrade to the Lite. Now it seems like I made the right choice by holding off. 

[Adrock]

This has been swirling around for a while. I think it'll happen eventually if not at E3 in July.

It's probably a redesign since there's no reason to introduce a sucessor yet. Really, there's no reason for a redesign, but it'll boost sales while not alienating other DS owners. That's win-win for Nintendo. If Nintendo has a big title to tie-in with the new model, it's an even bigger win.

I wonder what Nintendo could upgrade, but I guess it doesn't matter. Nintendo only needs something they can market as an improvement even if some people oppose to it. I mean, not everyone was a fan of Lite's smaller size, but it's still a marketable feature.

[EasyCure]

it'll boost sales while not alienating other DS owners

Thats not entirely true. There might be some DS owners who won't care, and there might be some that do. What if you're not like Chozo Ghost and waited it out? I'd be pretty ticked off that there's a new model already. Me? I'm not one of them only because i didnt buy the DSL i'm using now, it was a gift. I love it, I think its way better than my old DS.

If i did however wait and wait for a newer DS after the Lite, and thought the logical thing "oh, this thing is selling like mad they wouldnt make a new model already" and then gave in and bought one, onyl to find out shortly after that a new model IS coming.. I'd be pretty peeved to tell ya the truth. Hell i knew some people that were irrate when the Lite was announced. It would be no different this time around, if this turns out to be true of course.

Personally I dont see the point of a redesign now. Its not perfect but what is there to improve upon really? The battery is good, the screens are fine, etc etc.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

HD support with TV-out.

[Ceric]

I was actually waiting it out for a redesign to because I didn't, and still don't, think the DS Lite brought enough to the table for the change.  Only reason I upgraded was because my touchscreen died.

I sort of be mad about a new model especially if it's more ergonomic.

[DAaaMan64]

I was actually waiting it out for a redesign to because I didn't, and still don't, think the DS Lite brought enough to the table for the change.  Only reason I upgraded was because my touchscreen died.

I sort of be mad about a new model especially if it's more ergonomic.

The only reason I upgraded is cause some prick stole mine.  I'll kill them.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Talk of DS redesign is silly.

[decoyman]

Hmm... I've still got my original DS... I'd be legally obligated to at least consider upgrading if a new version was released...

[NWR_insanolord]

The question is how could they improve the DS without adding things that wouldn't be compatible with the previous models?

[Infernal Monkey]

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/52186

According to Bloomberg Japan, Hamamura noted his belief that Nintendo could unveil a new DS at E3 this year, which runs from July 15-17.

It was unclear if he was referring to a simple redesign or an actual new dual-screened platform. Given that the system regularly tops sales charts in North America and Japan, a revised version of the existing hardware would be the most logical assumption.

When asked for comment, a Nintendo representative apparently told Bloomberg that the company could make no comment at the time.

This is something I've been predicting for quite some time, and this is one of the reasons why I still have my old DS Phat. I figured there would be a new DS revision, so I didn't want to upgrade to the Lite. Now it seems like I made the right choice by holding off. 

Yep, waiting three years for a rumour was a good decision. =)

[RABicle]

one of the reasons why I still have my old DS Phat.

DS HEVY. It's HEVY, it's not Phat.

[Adrock]

Thats not entirely true. There might be some DS owners who won't care, and there might be some that do. What if you're not like Chozo Ghost and waited it out? I'd be pretty ticked off that there's a new model already.

If Nintendo releases another redesign, they're targeting the people who don't already own a DS, original or Lite. If you're already a DS owner, Nintendo already got your money. You might be pissed if you bought one version right before another is announced, but it makes no difference to Nintendo because they got your money already. If you plan to upgrade, well, that's just a bonus for Nintendo. They get even more of your money.

I gave my DS Lite to my brother. I want to get a new DS for myself eventually (I really want to co-op Contra 4). I'd be happy to get another Lite though I can wait until E3 for a redeisgn announcement. If it comes, great. If not, great too.

The question is how could they improve the DS without adding things that wouldn't be compatible with the previous models?

As long as the upgrades don't affect gameplay functions, Nintendo can add whatever the hell they please.

[NWR_insanolord]

The question is how could they improve the DS without adding things that wouldn't be compatible with the previous models?

As long as the upgrades don't affect gameplay functions, Nintendo can add whatever the hell they please.

Yes, but what would it be? How could they improve the hardware without adding new gameplay features? I can't think of anything. Unless they do something amazing and unexpected, I'll probably stick with my Lite, though since it is my fourth DS after my launch DS and two previous Lites broke I suppose if history repeats itself again I could end up with one.

[Adrock]

Larger screens and buttons, sturdier design, maybe better speakers. None are necessities, but all are marketable in one way or another. Of course, Nintendo could add any number of extras (not saying they would, just that they could). An SD card slot or internal memory for music and video files?

See, like I said, Nintendo already has your money so they aren't necessarily targeting you with a redesign. Nintendo wants the PSP owner or the person with neither a PSP or DS to get a DS. If a redesign can convince them to get one, that's a win for Nintendo.

[NWR_insanolord]

Judging by the sales numbers Nintendo has already sold 4 DS units to every man, woman, and child in Japan, I think they might be interested in wooing some of them to buy a fifth.

[UncleBob]

They should call it the DSDX.

[RABicle]

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=132001

They should call it OWNED CROZO GHOST

[Ceric]

The question is how could they improve the DS without adding things that wouldn't be compatible with the previous models?

Personally, my favorite hand held to hold is the original GBA.  I find both the DS get tiring and aren't that great.

[EasyCure]

before i say you have little girl hands, are you talking about the original GBA or the GBA-SP? if its the former, i can't pass judgement since i never actually held one...

[UltimatePartyBear]

If Nintendo makes an ergonomic DS, I'll buy it.  I loved Mario Kart DS, but couldn't play it because holding down the L and R buttons gave me terrible cramps in my wrists.  I bought a DS Lite in the hopes that its lighter weight would make a difference.  It did not.  I need those blasted shoulder buttons to be moved to the back of the unit.

[Ian Sane]

I'd like some sort of DS Player for the Wii.  I imagine the touchscreen functionality could be replicated in some way by using the remote like a mouse.  I don't have an obvious solution for what all the buttons are mapped to.  I think using the classic controller and the remote together would work okay since the DS already expects you to use the stylus and half of a controller at the same time a fair bit.  It's no less inconvenient.  The obvious problem though is that the classic controller probably isn't popular enough to me the main solution.  As an option it would work however.

I personaly just want one because I cannot stand to play portable games.  Sitting hunched over a tiny screen just kills my motivation to play all but the very best games. Plus I tend to move controllers around a bit when I use them and with a portable that means the screen is bouncing around too.  I don't think I've beaten any DS games.  The second I get slighty stuck the huge annoyance of using the DS itself kills my motivation.  I had the same problem with the GBA until the GB Player came out.

[animecyberrat]

The idea is to play these games when you are away from your TV. I never sit and play DS games, EVER. I only dig it out when I go on road trips and know I am going to need a game or something to kill the time. That is also why I got a video I-Pod even though it hurts my eyes to watch.

[Ceric]

I meant the original GBA.  Very great design, just needed to be backlit.

[Adrock]

So Nintendo apparently denied the rumor which actually means nothing since they denied the existence of the DS Lite the week before they announced it. I mean, I don't care either way since I'd be just as content to get a new Lite. All I'm saying is that Nintendo basically wrecked their own credibility when denying rumors by their own inability to do it correctly. The only way this rumor will ever rest is if Nintendo never ever releases a redesign which is oddly unsettling. I simply don't believe Nintendo because they've given me reason to doubt them.

And I doubt a DS player for the Wii would even work. Imagine trying to play, let's say, Elite Beat Agents using the Wii Remote. That would fail enormously. Motion controls can't mimic touch screen controls accurately for certain kinds of games and if a DS Player can't be used for all DS games or at least a majority of them, why even bother?

[Chozo Ghost]

The question is how could they improve the DS without adding things that wouldn't be compatible with the previous models?

Well, let's see... how about: a virtual console; built in opera browser; built in mp3/video player; picture viewer; built in rumble; internet enabled pictochat... et cetera.

So basically they can make it work more like a PSP by doing things other than just gaming, and they can also possibly make the system even smaller than it already is by having the buttons and stuff fold into it when not in use.