Topic: Latest DS Details

[WindyMan]

E3 secrets, GBA interchangeabilty, LCDs, and Miyamoto!

Link: http://gameonline.jp/news/2004/01/29025.html (Japanese)
Source: Famitsu


The cloud of mystery surrounding the new Nintendo DS product won't be fully lifted until E3, so every scrap of information that comes out about it before then will be jumped on in a hurry.  This time is no exception.

The LCD displays on the DS, though reported to be similar in appearance and size to the Sharp TCT LCD displays on GBA, will not be the same ones found on Game Boy Advance systems.  In addition, since LCDs in general are in very high demand thanks to cellular phones and other products, Nintendo might not be able to announce a definite price (or even solid release date) at E3, instead waiting until the summer to do so.  The system will also use a bulit-in rechargeable battery, though it's unknown whether or not it will be the same as the one found in the GBA SP.

Speaking of E3, we all know that the system's form will likely be shown there, as well as specific details being announced for it.  More detailed information about the wireless connectivity will be divulged, and the full story on third-party development will be spilled as well.

As originally reported, the DS will use what Nintendo calls a "semiconductor memory."  While it is cartridge-based, it will definitely not be like current GBA cartridges.  It's a thin card which presumbably slips into the unit somehow.  There are many benefits to this type of media, the most important of which is that manufacturing costs are similar to that of optical discs, and have a very fast turnaround time if more of a game needs to be made.

As you might expect, it has been confirmed that Nintendo already has games in development for the new system, and as you also might have guessed, Shigeru Miyamoto is involved.  No further details were given about game software.

Finally, an interesting piece of information was uncovered.  Apparently, Nintendo is still thinking about whether or not they should make the system "interchangeable" with the GBA.  This could mean anything from the software or hardware for either system.  The discussion over this is most likely over the similar processors the GBA and DS share (the ARM7), and the fact that they use different types of cartridge media.

That's all we have for now.  As we find more information about the Nintendo DS, we'll be sure to let you guys know about it straight away.      

[nolimit19]

i think they should make the gba and ds as "interchangeable" as possible.

[Chode2234]

Will I still be able to buy flash carts for the DS?  I hope so...

[Bill Aurion]

to rechargability...

[RyanGassxx]

I just had an idea... what if this system is nintendo's way of going online with games?? Maybe this systems whole purpose is for multiplayer online games via some sort of mobile wireless internet, and would double as a phone also... ala the Ngage.. Obviously Nokia flubbed it up, but it in essence was a great concept...  And Nintendo would make it actually work.... Maybe it would have some sort of online service like Xbox live but wireless... It really makes scence if you think about it.... Nintendo didnt want to spend a whole lot of money doing it for gamecube since it didnt have a large enough REGULAR user base let alone an online one. And it was already too late for the GBA since it was already completed and on the market without being equipped with any wireless networking hardware.. so the logical thing to do is to just make a new machine altogether whos architechture is based around this idea. And they probably figured since they've had the most success in the handheld market as of late, that it was the direction they would have the most success in.. They probably observed the ngage closlely from day one taking note from start to finish and learned from someone elses mistakes instead of thier own for a change... So now at least they will know what NOT to do, and that alone might give them the edge they need to make this a huge success... If it just gets off the ground there will be no stopping it... just imagine how cool it would be to play multiplayer online games like we all did with dreamcast and xbox but being 100% mobile... Then again this could all be one huge mental fantasy ive created within my own brain and we could just be looking forward to a gameboy with 2 screens... But does nintendo really think that a handheld with 2 screens is the future of handheld gaming?? They obviously cannot be this dense... If not the whole online thing, surly there is at least one more gimmick that this hardware features tha will make it innovative... we'll just have to wait and see i guess...

[nolimit19]

Quote
Originally posted by: RyanGassxx
... But does nintendo really think that a handheld with 2 screens is the future of handheld gaming?? They obviously cannot be this dense... If not the whole online thing, surly there is at least one more gimmick that this hardware features tha will make it innovative... we'll just have to wait and see i guess...

lol unfortunately they are that dense.

[nemo_83]

Doesn't really sound exciting or innovative to me.  Sounds more like a GB with two gimmicked screens than a new innovative product that will offer new ways to play games.  I'll still keep my fingers crossed for this being 3d glasses to replace Nintendo's original idea for a single LCD for Cube.

[GaimeGuy]

the storage medium sounds a lot like what's used in the iQue player.

[Ian Sane]

"But does nintendo really think that a handheld with 2 screens is the future of handheld gaming??"

I think they do and I don't think it's such a dumb idea.  A dual screen design is more flexible because it can have both dual and single screen games.  It expands the options for designers without forcing them to a new standard.  All this needs is a killer app that could not be done without two screens.

Interchangability between the GBA and DS would suggest a GB/GBC style system where most of the games are playable on both but with some extra features or graphic enhancements on the DS and all two screen games are DS exclusive.  If they go this route however over time the GBA will be phased out in favour of the DS.

[Fluke Worm]

Quote
If they go this route however over time the GBA will be phased out in favour of the DS.

Yes, my thoughts exactly. I see Ns dilemma, the DS being totally GB compatible would be a good selling point but it would threaten the GB's place in gaming.  I do hope it's somewhat compatible with the gameboy, not like it would play the games(that would be a problem cus the cartridge slot) but could still link up to it to play multiplayer games(for games that only need one cart.) and all that jazz.

ps: lets try to keep all the DS rants for the right thread and stay on topic

EDIT:spelling

[nolimit19]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
If they go this route however over time the GBA will be phased out in favour of the DS.

i PERSONALLY think that would be the best way to do it.

[Fluke Worm]

Quote
i PERSONALLY think that would be the best way to do it

Then the DS wouldn't be a "third pillar" though I get that that's just your opinion.  The GB could just become the more economical version of the two but I hope that that doesn't EVER turn out to be the case, intentional or not.

______________________

Quote
to rechargability...

I think that the chances of that not happening were quite slim with the GBA SP havin a rechargable and N saying this would be a higher end handheld, unless of course they wanted to shoot themselves in the foot

[Don'tHate742]

why do they need more GBA sales? I mean didn't they report that they sold their 20th million unit in the USA alone?

If nintendo was smart they would push the DS as a successor to the GBA, try to move everyone who bought the GBA to buy the DS. If they make it high tech looking and actually have some feature and games that are worth while, then I see no trouble for them. Just look how people bought the GBA SP and that wasn't even a completely new system. Nintendo should abandone the gba and hail the DS as the true successor. Backwards compatability is a must, it won't work without that. If they don't provide backwards compatibility then the ds is a gimmick.

[Davideo]

no... if they don't provide backwards compatibility then the DS is a third pillar.  Because you would still want to have all three.    Why would they want the DS to play GBA games, unless they are looking to replace the GBA.  Which they aren't.

[Djunknown]

It seems people are focusing on this backwards compatibility. I'd rather focus on Miyamoto on this post.

If there's anyone who can make a killer app for the DS, it's gotta be him. 2 screens; now what can a genius do with it? C'mon Shiggy, don't let us down!

Imagine some remixed classics like Donkey Kong, Mario Bros, etc.  Zelda would get some attention too.

Pretty much, just think of your favorite franchise. What can you do with 2 screens?  

[Bill Aurion]

I read someone's idea for Four Swords, and I had been thinking the same thing...Just like Four Swords +, except your TV is replaced by one of the DS screens...

[NWR_Lindy]

Nintendo isn't going to abandon the GBA.  It's the best-selling system EVER, why would they try to abandon it?  It's their cash cow.

They're going to sell the DS as a totally new experience, which it may very well be.  Hey, at least you can say that Nintendo isn't following the crowd.  What I'm really curious about is which market they plan to satisfy with this product.  I can't think of one off-hand...younger gamers may not be able to afford this thing, and older gamers that want portable games all have the GBA SP and love it (I know I love mine).  I can't see why they'd want another portable.

There has to be some other draw...maybe they have a wireless portable MMORPG in the works.

silks

[Dryden]

Two Screens.
Wow.
Sarcasm.

Except for the fact that (from what I've read elsewhere) the two screens are side-by-side, allowing a full screen view instead of two screens.  So that's double the GBA size already.  And the processor is more advanced, the media cheaper to produce, and the new technology will let developers do things that handheld games have never done before.

I don't see the DS becoming a "replacement" because it won't be compatible with the Gamecube.  It's too late in development.  But remember - the Game Boy Advance preceeded the Gamecube by only 6 months, and they started pushing connectivity with Animal Crossing, six months later.

I would not be surprised at all to see the DS have a release date matching the PSP, and the N5 having a release date to match the PS3.  And more connectivity - hopefully wireless and without extra purchases like the GBA-Gamecube cord.  Hopefully wireless.  Hopefully.

[Urlan]

So, what could be done with the DS?  Well, how about a game where you're a guardian angel assigned to protect an important person, and you have to manipulate objects in heaven while you watch the results and your "client" on the second screen?  Or you're a warlord in a fantasy universe, and you have to balance commanding your army on one screen with personally fighting to keep yourself alive on the other?  Maybe just an action game where, like in XIII, you have a sixth sense, letting you see upcoming dangers on the second screen?  

[KDR_11k]

Silks: If that no-money/already have GBASP was true the PSP wouldn't sell, either. However, we don't know how the PSP will sell, so...

Two screens don't make the device worse, it has as much processing power as the GP32 plus the GBA. That's some nice power. If you don't like the two screen concept you will probably find more than enough games that use them as one screen.

I'm still saying it was more or less announced just to counter the PSP, while it was announced as a third pillar to avoid shortcycling and looking too much like late Sega.

[Olpus]

Sadly, Nintendo DS is going to be a Vitrual Boy if the software isn't going to be none but a must have...

[Ian Sane]

"I don't see the DS becoming a 'replacement' because it won't be compatible with the Gamecube. It's too late in development. But remember - the Game Boy Advance preceeded the Gamecube by only 6 months, and they started pushing connectivity with Animal Crossing, six months later."

Like anyone cares.  Seriously the GC/GBA connectivity stuff is a non-factor.  If the DS was backwards compatible but for some reason didn't connect with the GC the amount of people who wouldn't buy a DS because of that is ridiculously insignificant.  Besides if the DS is backwards compatible with the GBA I don't see any reason why it wouldn't connect with the Cube.  It would just be in "GBA mode" when connected.

A lot of you who are against the idea of the DS replacing the GBA are using arguements from Nintendo's point of view.  The connectivity issue, the third pillar talk, etc.  Think of it from a consumer point of view.  This "third pillar" stuff doesn't mean sh!t to the average consumer.  If they see a new portable from Nintendo they are going to think it's a GBA successor.  Therefore Nintendo might as well treat it as such or else risk pissing off all of those consumers who think it's a GBA successor and are pissed off that it's not backwards compatible and the game selection is small with little third party support.  That sort of misinterpretation among consumers could give Sony the portable market on a platter.

[matthewwithanm]

what could be done with two screens that couldnt be done with one big screen?  i mean, the developer can easily split the screen into two with code.  i really dont see the point of this at all.  just make the next gb have a bigger screen and let the developers do whatever they want with the extra screen space.

people act as though the effect of having two screens cant be accomplished now.  but look at multiplayer games with split screens.  if the ds simply gives us two screens, all its really giving developers is more screen space.    in that case, it really is not that innovative.

[PaLaDiN]

2 screens and 2 processors.

Big difference.

[Koji]

Everyone is off calling gimic... Many of you people seem to have forgotten what people have thought were gimics at one time but have since been huge success.

Stereo speakers used to be thought of as a gimic...
TV's were thought of as a gimic...
later, COLOR TVs were thought of as a gimic...

YES lots of things have been gimics... but unless you actually see the thing and how it works, you may never realize what truly is and isn't a gimic.

*clears throat* *begins to sing* All we are saying... is give DS a chaaaaaaaance!

*bows*