Topic: Official DSi Discussion (was: New DS model Details :rumor)

[Snipper64]

You might want to take a peek here (http://wiinintendo.net/2008/09/27/rumor-next-ds-to-include-camera-music-playback-and-coming-this-year/) there they have info on a claimed new version of ds comming out this year for Japan. They also go the source link there, but here the the quoted claims:

"Okay, this is a BIG RUMOR. Make sure you know that before reading the rest. Word from NeoGAF is that a Nekkei newspaper ad (which they have a picture of) in Japan has revealed details on a new DS (new model or re-design, we don’t know). Here’s what it says about this supposed new DS:

- Digital Camera included
- Music playback function
- Better Wi-Fi connectivity
- Larger screen
- New types of games that use the camera
- Exchange data between Wii and DS using a SD card
- Releases this year in Japan
- Costs under 20,000 yen (Approx. $189 USD)

Honestly, this sounds like the most believable rumor out of all the rumors I’ve seen except for one thing that makes me think it’s fake. How could this DS (that sounds more like a new model than a re-design) release this year already? I know that Nintendo has been secretive about its products lately, but this just seems too early of a release date. Having said that, I really hope this is true. I have an original DS and have been holding off on the DS Lite for a while, so this would be perfect for me."

Thats it, hammer away and to the staff: ty for making great podcast, I was listening to one in high school the other day in the lybary, reading a book with I-pod in ears, they start talking about a bad golf game, and I was laughing so load, every one though I was crazy!

[DAaaMan64]

No he did no kill me and take my username.

[NWR_Lindy]

Kohler posted this on Wired, so it's legit from all appearances.

[Chozo Ghost]

I don't get how you think this is a new model. It still plays the old DS games and it isn't imposing a new games format which is incompatible with the older DS versions... In other words, its kinda like the DS Lite revision which offered better capabilities to the DS Phat, but it didn't break compatibility by creating a new games format that wouldn't work on the Phat. So this seems like just a mere revision to me.

Now granted, it says there will be games that make use of the new camera feature, and obviously that feature won't work on lites and phats (unless Nintendo releases a camera add on for those systems), but even then the games should still be otherwise fully functional except for that feature.

So the gaming aspects of this revision remain the same as with the Phat and Lite, only now, Nintendo seems to have finally wised up and tossed in media capabilities, which really make it more competitive to the PSP in those respects. But again, these are just additional features being tacked onto the DS, rather than an all new DS2.

[NWR_Lindy]

Nintendo seems to have finally wised up and tossed in media capabilities, which really make it more competitive to the PSP in those respects.

Or, to be more accurate, make the PSP less competitive with the DS.

[Pale]

They pretty much have to increase the resolution in my mind if they are gonna increase the screen size.  The pixels are already too big on the DS.  Every time i go from using my iPod touch to using my DS, I'm kind of shocked inside.  I don't want those pixels to get even bigger.

Otherwise though, I'm about ready for a new DS anyway, so I would welcome this news

[TheFleece]

In the past I've read comments from Nintendo always acknowledging the merge of tools and functions into devices and the word was that they weren't very interested in branching off- this was in relation to a phone by Nintendo. So this seems sort of weird in that this new product would be packed with functions that make it appealing.
I don't know what to really believe, but I have a feeling I should rely on this because NO ON E has mentioned a camera and music playback for functions to a new model DS and if I know Nintendo they will come from the farthest path of left field and spin us on our heads causing people to flip out and debate about all new topics about gaming.
I sure do hope it's legit. I had the Game Boy camera and printer and Nintendo's use of sending game screens via the Wii seems like an intro to a camera and well since everything's got a camera in it already- well, why not?  As for the music play back- Nintendo has really gone far to deter people using home brew methods to make the DS do things it wasn't meant to. Nintendo has a service in Japan that allows info to be transferred over to a SD card that fits into the DS slot. Players are able to download anime and manga- I forget the name of the service. That means they can use the tool in the states to let us store files and I guess listen to whatever we want.
I guess we will find out (hopefully) come Thursday.

[Spinnzilla]

If the pricing is right, that's a pretty good deal.

A new system is welcomed in my book, though to me, the DS just hasn't felt like it has been around that long.

But if it really wants to be a nintendo product it will be equipped with a telescope and airbag support.

Let's hope downloadable Gameboy games will come to somewhere soon.

[Spak-Spang]

Why do I get the feeling this may be a Japan only release.

Importing may be something I want to do...though truthfully, I would like them to up the processor and memory some if they are going to release a new model. 

I hope this is real, but I also hope it isn't.

[IceCold]

The DS can go another two years easily before bowing out.

[Pale]

This could very well be Japan only, but only if it adds absolutely nothing to the gaming aspects of the device in my opinion.

So yeah, if it's just music and pictures, and the games are exactly the same it may not come out here.  I don't think I'd want one if that was the case anyway.  I already spent too much money importing a Q once in my life (only to have it break 3 years later).

[Adrock]

I called this at E3... then it didn't happen. Then, more recently, I called that this wouldn't happen at Nintendo's little conference. I'm sticking to that. I'd love to be wrong. I'm waiting until that conference before I break down and buy a new DS (gave mine to my brother) when Order of Ecclesia comes out.

One thing I find a bit odd is that Nintendo would be adding an awful lot to an existing platform which begs the question, why not just hold off until a successor is ready to be released? It's not like the DS needs help selling. Sure, PSP had a few victories here and there, but it better have with the games that came out.

[NWR_Lindy]

DS sales are slowing down in Japan.  That's why Nintendo is doing this.  U.S. sales don't need any help right now, so I bet we won't see this in the U.S. until next year some time.

[Snipper64]

Yup, like they say in the source, I agree that it's a fake, only because it says it'll release "THIS Year". Nintendo wouldn't hold a trump card like that, thats the type of thing they would've/should've mention at E3, or even last years E3. They would've anounced it by now for sure in my book.

Of course, if a new modal was to come out, it may have a built in camra though...

[Snipper64]

*Snipe buries the old snipper64 into ground, he takes a chisal and puts on tombstone "DAaaMan64 "*....

Err... killing? what ever would you mean?

[DAaaMan64]

It is a pretty sweet avatar though.

[Chozo Ghost]

I called this at E3... then it didn't happen. Then, more recently, I called that this wouldn't happen at Nintendo's little conference. I'm sticking to that. I'd love to be wrong. I'm waiting until that conference before I break down and buy a new DS (gave mine to my brother) when Order of Ecclesia comes out.

I'm thinking they WILL announce it at their upcoming conference. It makes perfect sense, if you think about it... Nintendo NEVER releases a new system any time of the year except during the holiday season, and guess what's coming up around the corner after Nintendo's conference? That's right! The holiday season... so I'm thinking they'll release the new DS THIS YEAR soon after they announce it.

The reason they didn't announce it at E3 is pretty obvious. If they did announce it, potential DS owners wouldn't buy the Lites that are out, and would just wait until the new model came out. In the meantime, the PSP would be kicking the DS's ass because no one would buy the old DS models because of the newer one on the horizon... plus, announcing it at E3 would have meant the competition would have known about it, and that meant Sony might have put another revision of their own into the works, or possibly a price drop or something like that...

So Nintendo was wise to not announce this back at E3. But of course, we're assuming that this rumor is true, and it very well not be true... but it makes perfect sense if it is true.

[Chozo Ghost]

Yup, like they say in the source, I agree that it's a fake, only because it says it'll release "THIS Year". Nintendo wouldn't hold a trump card like that, thats the type of thing they would've/should've mention at E3, or even last years E3. They would've anounced it by now for sure in my book.

As I said in my previous post, I think it made perfect sense that Nintendo wouldn't announce it at E3. E3 was months ago, and this new DS revision won't be released until the holidays (which is always the best time to release new hardware), in the meantime, the DS Lite's sales would grind to a halt, because everyone would just wait for the better model to come out. So Nintendo kept its existence a secret up until just before its release, because they didn't want the sales of the Lite to suffer. Think about it...

[Adrock]

DS sales are slowing down in Japan.  That's why Nintendo is doing this.  U.S. sales don't need any help right now, so I bet we won't see this in the U.S. until next year some time.

According to Enterbrain, DS dominated August. Sales are down from last year though it seems more from thae fact that everyone and their mother has one rather than of a lack of interest. Nintendo doesn't need to release a redesign, especially one that adds functionality. While I'd undoubtedly buy a redesign, I have to question what the hell the point is. If Nintendo is worried about sales in Japan, they shouldn't be. Dragon Quest IX is still coming.

[Kairon]

We'll find out soon enough I guess...

Actually, this redesign could drive me to buy a DS Lite if it bricks the R4 and homebrew. I have an unused R4 chip and grand plans to make some homebrew games that I haven't capitalized on!

[Snipper64]

From my source, it was confermed by nintendo it self!

http://wiinintendo.net/2008/09/30/rumor-more-details-on-new-ds-model/

There is the main source, but contains the link to the real source.

"DS Village claims that a source within Nintendo has revealed that the new DS model is indeed real and has a few more details. The software developer within Nintendo that they spoke to says he has seen the new DS model. Below are the tidbits he revealed:

- Larger and higher-resolution screens
- Still has a 4:3 display and not widescreen
- Has some new features, like the camera
- Camera is of “fairly high resolution” and is pointed away from the player

The developer said “he and his colleagues had fun pointing the camera at background objects so as to make it appear that the screens of the DS were transparent.” This sounds real enough to me and fits what we already know about the new DS model. Tomorrow night can’t come soon enough! (Note: The above picture is from a previous camera attachment for the DS, not of the new DS model)"

Take a look, it even has a cool pic!

[Pale]

Assuming they are higher resolution screens (which I'm not sold on yet) I wonder if they will have some sort of smoothing built in for older DS games.

If it requires new versions of games, a la Game Boy Color games, I'll be bummed.

[KDR_11k]

I doubt that, probably just some black space around the game view with the extra pixels only getting used for the camera.

[Chozo Ghost]

I'm sure the games for it won't be in a new format. But I'll bet you that some new DS games will make use of that new camera feature, and that feature obviously won't be available when the games are played in older DS models... but except for that one feature, there shouldn't be any problems, I would hope...

[jakeOSX]

VC ON DS VC ON DS!!!

i mean it won't happen, but i can pray/beg/cry about it, no?

VC VC VC!
DS DS DS!