Topic: New Nintendo Portable...when?

[Spak-Spang]

When do you think Nintendo will reveal a new portable system?

The DS has been an amazingly successful system...and it makes me wonder when Nintendo will decide to announce the next portable system.

To me it makes sense to do it sooner than later...perhaps even this year at E3 or Tokyo Game Show...note that I don't think it should be released this year, actually Next Year perhaps around Summer in Japan would be a great launch and then Christmas for the rest of the world.

This would put pressure on Sony with the PSP to come up with something else, before PSP has succeeded in really getting good market share...and Nintendo can make the new portable compatible with the original DS, and add features and graphic powers.

What would I add to the system.  Instead of a D-Pad a type of Analog input device 1.  Keep the button layout the same...finally add multi-touch feature for the touch screen...and perhaps add touch screen to both screens...or motion technology to the system.

I think this would be a great move, and would allow Nintendo to get a head start on the new portable market before Apple, Microsoft, or Sony could take it from them...and it sets them up to plan for a Wii 2 around 2010...which would be completely compatible with the Wii and have better graphics and such.

[DAaaMan64]

I still think it's a bit early, I'd be mostly worried about the ocean that is blue not following suit to the new system.

[Spak-Spang]

Which is why you have it play all the old games.

The DS will have been on the market since 2004 so basically it will be on the market for 4 years. 

That seems about good time for a portable to get an upgrade, and it will play old games perfectly...and new games with new features.

If they can make it at a price of $149 then they will have a great new system.

[DAaaMan64]

That'd be great for $149. I'm for a new version I guess, just worried about whether it is a smart move for Nintendo. I'm not sure I'm personally done with the DS or ready for it to retire.

[Ian Sane]

I feel that the GBC and GBA both had way too short of lifespans.  I want the DS to last a little longer, you know?  A videogame system should last at least 5 years before getting replaced.  So give it another year at least.  Though a replacement could be announced at some point soon for release in 2009.

[jakeOSX]

i certainly wouldn't mind a ds upgrade... as long as it still plays DS games. but then, i still have a DS HEVY so, maybe i just want a lite...

actually what i WANT is to be able to play VC games on my DS.

[KDR_11k]

I don't think there's a meaningful way to replace the DS yet. The original GB lasted forever, if Nintendo doesn't see a compelling reason to replace the DS I doubt they'll do it. Sure, selling hardware makes money but the DS is still selling big and, more importantly, has a HUGE userbase that can buy more profitable games. To replace the DS means to abandon that userbase and again go for the risk that a competitor might snag them up. Sure, it's small but it's not easy to push another system to the height of the DS.

[jakeOSX]

when nintendo was still using the 'third tier' claim for the DS, wasn't there rumors about the next gameboy being code named the evolution?

[Kairon]

The DS still has a ways to go before it catches the PS2. Once it does that, then I'd start expecting a whole new portable system any day.

[nickmitch]

DS sales are still a bit high for a new model, eh? I agree heavily with Kairon. Nintendo wants records. But the R&D involved in a new handheld would only amount to alienating the blue ocean. I'd give it at least 2 more years.

[Spak-Spang]

Why would it alienate blue ocean?  People are used to new computers, laptops, and most importantly cell phones and I-Pods coming out all the time...and people still buy them...even the Blue Ocean crowd.

In case of the I-Pods specially the Blue Ocean crowd.

I am not saying the system needs to be out this year...but next year.  Christmas for US and Summer for Japan.  Tokyo Game Show would be a great unveiling.

Why would it be a good idea?  Because Nintendo is on top and isn't threatened yet.  But the iPhone could be a threat and the PSP is catching on as well.  Why not release a model that is 100% compatible with the current DS and have new features.  It would be simple and perfect. 

Allow it to have a some memory to play Virtual Console games.  Dual touch touchscreen technology, and some motion sensor stuff.  Originally I thought double touch screen would be cool but that would be pointless.   What wouldn't be pointless is to launch it with a camera add on and game.  That could get people interested in it that are blue ocean crowd...or you could just add the camera technology into the console...why not, that isn't too expensive. 

These are just ideas, and as I said 2009 would be a great year for an update. 

[NWR_insanolord]

If this weren't Nintendo I'd suggest the camera be a video camera in the middle of the hinge that swivels and lets you aim forward or at you. Build into the system a progrom for video/voice chat that works even when you go into games (the voice part, at least) and release a PC/Mac version of it, or better yet, license Skype for it. Design some kind of analog control and find a way to make it coexist with the D-Pad without making either too uncomfortable. Transfer VC games between Wii and DS2, one account (MyNintendo) shared by both devices with allowances for multiple DS2s for people who share a Wii and both buy VC games. I'd hope this happens before this, but GB/GBC and maybe even GBA VC games.

[Adrock]

Nintendo won't pull the trigger until DS sales slow down to a point where launching a new color or model won't spike sales. There's reason to believe that Nintendo isn't finished with DS yet. PSP has picked up steam with some big releases, namely (or only) Crisis Core and God of War, but DS is still selling pretty steadily. I don't expect Nintendo to abandon DS for at least a couple years. Nintendo could probably ride DS into 2010 and launch a sucessor that year. The successor to the Wii will probably hit then or (more likely) 2011.

[Crimm]

DS revision in 09.  It won't be mandatory for all games, it will have some games that can only be played on it.  Built in new hardware functionality, but basically still a DS.

New handheld announced E3 Business and Media Summit 2010 Keynote Address.  Mid July 2010. It will not use the GameBoy branding, too confining to "gamers" and will not adopt the DS moniker, but will be the same sort of thing, simply to continue with the brand equity they've built

It will be DS compatible
It will be GBA compatible, not because they want it to be but because of DS peripherals that use the GBA slot.  DS games will shut down extra hardware (like Wii does with GC)

It will use solid state memory.
It will not have internal memory of its own, but it will feature media playback capability via SD card and adaptor.  A more locked down PlayYan sans PlayYan name.  Will not have built in SD card or memory because of piracy fears.

Will launch with four titles from Nintendo.  Two "casual," one "hardcore," and one utility ap (probably the media player).  It will be "online out of the box" but no games will support it till the second set of releases.

Release Date (US): 11/14/2010
MSRP (US): $169.99

[Kairon]

I think that one thing we're not considering is that Nintendo will have to deliver a technology answer to piracy at some point. DS piracy is getting pretty prolific in certain markets, and I wonder whether Nintendo will find some new media technology or implementation to keep it at bay.

[Adrock]

DS revision in 09.  It won't be mandatory for all games, it will have some games that can only be played on it.  Built in new hardware functionality, but basically still a DS.

Can't see that happening though I guess that depends on what hardware functionality is added. Nintendo runs the risk of confusing consumers with games that can only played on a revision of existing hardware which is a big no-no in their quest to appease casual gamers. Added functionality can potentially offer exclusive content to a game, but the game itself can't be exclusive to a revision without essentially splitting the audience. Anything that does not directly affect gameplay, however, is fair (i.e. MP3 support, larger screens). In any case, Nintendo is better off holding out on new functionality that affects gameplay for their next portable.

[KDR_11k]

Sure, going for PS2 graphics would be a leap but why not wait a little longer and go for better than PS2? The longer you wait the more powerful you can make the new system (without affecting price or battery life) so it makes sense to wait as long as possible before releasing the new system. Handhelds don't have a generation cycle like home consoles and there's no major competition to really worry about so Nintendo is pretty much free to pick a time for the next system.

[Plugabugz]

I doubt they will announce anything before 2010 - maybe (at a push) when the olympics get here if the sales remain that high.

[Ian Sane]

In case of the I-Pods specially the Blue Ocean crowd.

There are no incompatibility with iPods though.  There are no new songs that come out that requires a certain model of iPod.  If it's an MP3 it works.

But with a new Nintendo portable there are games that require the new model which is very different.  A new iPod is more like the DS Lite in that it's a new design but has the same games.

Though I'm of the idea the Blue Ocean crowd needs to face reality at some point and new videogame systems with new games that aren't compatible with the old system is routine and expected.  I'm sure in 1983 this was a big deal but anyone who would be scared of this needs to catch up with the times.

[Spak-Spang]

Ipod Video seems to differ.

Apple released the regular IPods and then added Video, which was a new service. 

I am actually surprised my post started much debate...but I am seeing that perhaps Nintendo could wait until 2010 for a new model.  I figured it would be smart not to allow the approaching competition to even get a chance to get a hold in the market.

I really like the idea of new DS having a feature that makes it something worth keeping on you at all times...and a camera is a perfect function for that.  I don't want to make the DS a portable media player of movies and music and such...but if it could store pictures that you can upload to your Wii (Wii 2) or even send to your computer some how that would be a nice feature.  Obviously, a portable Virtual Console would be incredible move for Nintendo to make...though Nintendo would probably limit it to some degree.  (I could see the same 512MB limit for DS 2 storage...though truthfully that would be fine by me, and more than enough.) 

As for graphics.  I do not think a portable needs to be top of the graphics chain to be successful, but it needs to be cheap, and acceptable.  So by 2010 I would expect something around PS2 to better quality.  Yeah, I know the PSP already does that...but it is more expensive and doesn't have the other attributes I think will need to be in the new DS.

1)Camera built in.
2)Multi-Touch Touch Screen 
3)512MB-1Gig storage for virtual Console Games
4)Backwards compatibility for current DS games.
5)Motion Based Control Mechanics Built in.


I really like the Skype Idea...and Nintendo could partner to get a internet browser with Wifi connect built into the system (Not taking away from the 512MB-1Gig storage obviously...but I think the Skype service would be much better sold separately. 

2010 may be a good year to launch this...or move my time frame some and launch it in Japan in November 2009 and Summer in America 2010.   

[Ian Sane]

Apple released the regular IPods and then added Video, which was a new service.

It's a new feature but the primary purpose of an iPod is to play music and though some models have video and some can hold more songs than others the same songs work on all iPods.  No iPod owner who doesn't own an iPod Video is missing out on incompatible songs.  A new Nintendo portable would have new games that are not playable on the DS.  That's the difference.  Anything else would just be a new model of the DS.  The primary purpose of the DS is to play games.

The iPod Video is as different from a regular iPod as a DS with MP3 capability would be from the regular DS.  The video is a secondary function that can be seen as a bonus.

[Chozo Ghost]

This would put pressure on Sony with the PSP to come up with something else, before PSP has succeeded in really getting good market share...and Nintendo can make the new portable compatible with the original DS, and add features and graphic powers.

I think the DS is doing a fine job of slaughtering the PSP in marketshare as it is, so there's no need to come out with a new handheld. The DS is still selling at an amazing rate, and it leads the hardware sales charts practically every month. Nintendo would be stupid to pull the plug on something which is still doing so well and has so much life left in it.

If anyone needs to come out with a new handheld, that would be Sony. Their PSP handheld is a distant second in the handheld market, and it just can't compete with the DS when it comes to things like battery life and the touchscreen thing. If Sony were smart, they would be the ones who would throw in the towel and come up with something new. Nintendo is winning and has no reason to make something new just yet.

At this rate, the DS could probably have the same lifespan as the original Gameboy.

[Crimm]

DS revision in 09.  It won't be mandatory for all games, it will have some games that can only be played on it.  Built in new hardware functionality, but basically still a DS.

Can't see that happening though I guess that depends on what hardware functionality is added. Nintendo runs the risk of confusing consumers with games that can only played on a revision of existing hardware which is a big no-no in their quest to appease casual gamers. Added functionality can potentially offer exclusive content to a game, but the game itself can't be exclusive to a revision without essentially splitting the audience. Anything that does not directly affect gameplay, however, is fair (i.e. MP3 support, larger screens). In any case, Nintendo is better off holding out on new functionality that affects gameplay for their next portable.

They've done this before with the GBC.

[animecyberrat]

Even if they make a new handheld nothing at all says they would abandon the DS. I agree with Spak, now is the perfect time to get a jump on it, so that Sony would be forced to play catch up with a new PSP. Also like mentioned already, if it plays the old games, what is the difference? People will still buy it no matter what. Also DS has been out since 2004 that's already 4 years and if they do announce a new handheld this year it won't likely be out till late next year or early 2010 anyways. It is good for Nintendo because it would throw Sony off and yes they are winning in the handheld market now, and have been for some time, but with PSP gaining market share and Sony sticking around this long, it only threatens Nintendo even more by opening up market for other competitors.

[Adrock]

They've done this before with the GBC.

Gameboy was out for like 11 years before Nintendo released Color. It'd be kind of the same thing if Nintendo released GBC in 1992. And adding a color screen is different than adding hardware functionality like motion controls or something. How do you even begin to explain that to millions of casual gamers?