Topic: DS2 Might Get Announced At E3

[Stratos]

Just let me hook the DS2 up to the TV like the PSP can!  I would buy this just for that so I can play all my existing DS games on the TV.

How could that possibly work? There are some DS games that only use one screen and don't use the touch capabilities so these games wouldn't be a problem to run tv-out, but how could you do the ones that require two screens? Would the tv do one screen and the DS do the other? Or would the TV do both one on top of the other? And then what about the touch screen games? How could a game that makes heavy use of the touchscreen work on a tv? You would need to look at the DS screen in order to play them, so it would defeat the purpose, unless you wanted to have a room full of people watch you play.

So these are all the hurdles that would have to be worked out before you could have TV-Out on the DS, and I think that's probably the reason Nintendo hasn't done it. I'm sure these are hurdles that could be overcome, but they're not as simple as TV-out on a one-screen non-touch handheld like the GBA or PSP. So yeah, its something that could be done with a good deal of tinkering, but its not simple and probably not profitable from Nintendo's POV.

I don't see much of an issue with using the DS screen solely for touch and then projecting the two screen images to a TV. We do something similar every time we play games. How often do you look at your controller while playing games? I think it would be similar. They could always continue to show the game on the smaller screens as well if you really need to look at the screens for touching.

[BlackNMild2k1]

This coming out so soon after the DSi... I really don't know what to make of it if true. Maybe the DSi will be like the GBC and this supposed DS2 will be like the GBA?

That would be exactly like we've all been calling it since we first heard of the DSi.

[Ian Sane]

How could that possibly work? There are some DS games that only use one screen and don't use the touch capabilities so these games wouldn't be a problem to run tv-out, but how could you do the ones that require two screens? Would the tv do one screen and the DS do the other? Or would the TV do both one on top of the other? And then what about the touch screen games? How could a game that makes heavy use of the touchscreen work on a tv? You would need to look at the DS screen in order to play them, so it would defeat the purpose, unless you wanted to have a room full of people watch you play.

The GBA's screen dimensions are not the same as a TV's, yet the Game Boy Player worked like a dream.  It blacked out or used a border to fill in the extra space.  There is no reason this couldn't just show the two screens on top of each other like if I make it so I can see two programs at one in Windows.  And then you have the option to focus on only one screen if you desire, which would be more zoomed in.  The touchscreen works the same as it does.  If I have to look down, I look down.  That's just the reality of using a touchscreen.
 
Though since the touchscreen is just a glorified mouse any way, using the Wii remote as a pointer could work as well, if they wanted to go to that trouble.  I wouldn't expect them to.
 
If we can look at DS screenshots on our computers then we can see two "screens" of DS play going on at once on a TV.
 
I'm suggesting this as a feature of the system itself so it isn't like the Game Boy Player where someone could get that for less money than a GBA.  If I have to buy the system and I have to buy the games, then Nintendo still gets the money.  Nintendo expressed concern for vision problems with the DSi XL and this is somewhat related to that.  Someone who finds the screen too small or that using a portable is too hard on their neck can still be a customer.  They can only make the screen so big while maintaining portability.
 
I only buy portables to get the exclusive games on it.  The portability is of no use to me.  Nintendo released both the Super Game Boy and the Game Boy Player so at some point they felt there was a market in catering to people who wanted to play their portable games at home on their TV.  And the PSP does it so Sony thinks there's a market for it.  It's been done and is done now so please do it with the DS2.

[greybrick]

The problem with the DS on a television is the type of stylus the screen supports wouldn't allow you to use the stylus as an on screen cursor without making gameplay concessions. Now, if the new DS supported a Wacom-like digitized stylus I would flip my lid... and play on a TV would make a bit more sense.

One problem with playing PSP on my tv was the shortness of their cables and the fact that it was limited to a small portion of a large screen. Having the new DS sync with the Wii to make games playable on the big screen via wifi would be great! I am not sure if crystal chronicles supported this, if it did I know it was only if you owned the Wii game, so this would probably only be feasible if your games lived on both the DS and the Wii.

[Mop it up]

I'm really not surprised to hear this. I just don't get Nintendo and handhelds, I don't know why they release them when the current one is still having its best sales periods and release revisions like the DSi shortly before. Then again, maybe it is the consumers I don't get who buy up all of these. I guess Nintendo is just going where the money is. I'm just glad they don't do the same for home systems.

If it had some way to be played on a television then I might be interested in it.

[Stogi]

As we've discussed on RFN, this was bound to happen soon because Nintendo needs to revive hardware sales in Japan. I don't really think we'll see the new system in America until 2011 (by that time, DS sales will probably start to lag here, too).

The feature set is going to be really interesting. As Iwata has said, it doesn't make sense to only improve graphical performance (though they certainly will do that). And some kind of built-in tilt control is a given. I also expect full backwards-compatibility with DS and DSiWare games. Beyond that... it gets interesting. Nintendo will likely do something new with online connectivity, and hopefully they will either upgrade the cameras from DSi or get rid of them. I expect there will be some built-in or launch-window apps to use the new DS as an exercise device. Not only will it work as a pedometer, but the motion sensors also mean it can be strapped to your arm or leg, much like in EA Sports Active. It should also let you listen to your music at the same time. I think Nintendo may even put a sensor in the shell to measure heart rate when touching your skin -- like the Wii Vitality Sensor, but built-in. It makes a lot of sense if you're already using this portable for excercise.

And this may be reaching, but if Nintendo can work out the technical issues with Netflix, having the next DS be a portable viewer for Netflix Instant would be a huge deal.

Yeah um...none of that is going to happen.

[BlackNMild2k1]

I'm really not surprised to hear this. I just don't get Nintendo and handhelds, I don't know why they release them when the current one is still having its best sales periods and release revisions like the DSi shortly before. Then again, maybe it is the consumers I don't get who buy up all of these. I guess Nintendo is just going where the money is. I'm just glad they don't do the same for home systems.

If it had some way to be played on a television then I might be interested in it.

The way I see it, is that Nintendo releases different version because they are trying to appeal to those that haven't bought a unit yet, those that have been waiting for some more value to upgrade, those that always upgrade to the newest thing and those that just need to buy everything. Mostly aimed at the first group than any of the others.

[yoshi1001]

Things I see coming:

-Bluetooth (used to sync up with third party peripherals a'la Guitar Hero)
-Additional analog input option (not just accelerometer support, but something they can use to function like a control stick for that DS Smash Bros we keep asking for)
-Easier online connections (possibly tethering or pass-through with Wii/WiiHD)
-Higher res screens (at least 320*240 each) 21/24-bit color support would be nice as well.
-Portable VC (definitely GB/GBC/GBA/GG, possibly console games as well)

Would-be-nices:
Mobile TV
FM/HD Radio

Kept from previous generations:
-Cameras (maybe higher res-1 MP would be good enough)
-Browser (probably pre-installed)
-SD Card Slot

Other possiblities:
-Dual touchscreens

[D_Average]

either stupid for buying something at the tailend of a generation, or not for knowing its the tailend of a generation and still buying the latest and greatest because they can.

This.

[TJ Spyke]

This coming out so soon after the DSi... I really don't know what to make of it if true. Maybe the DSi will be like the GBC and this supposed DS2 will be like the GBA?

GBC was a new system, not just a upgrade. This was more like the Game Boy Pocket.

Besides, even if the DS2 gets announced at E3; that doesn't mean it will come out this year.

Jonny, right now the DS continues to sell great in Japan.

[Jonnyboy117]

As we've discussed on RFN, this was bound to happen soon because Nintendo needs to revive hardware sales in Japan. I don't really think we'll see the new system in America until 2011 (by that time, DS sales will probably start to lag here, too).

The feature set is going to be really interesting. As Iwata has said, it doesn't make sense to only improve graphical performance (though they certainly will do that). And some kind of built-in tilt control is a given. I also expect full backwards-compatibility with DS and DSiWare games. Beyond that... it gets interesting. Nintendo will likely do something new with online connectivity, and hopefully they will either upgrade the cameras from DSi or get rid of them. I expect there will be some built-in or launch-window apps to use the new DS as an exercise device. Not only will it work as a pedometer, but the motion sensors also mean it can be strapped to your arm or leg, much like in EA Sports Active. It should also let you listen to your music at the same time. I think Nintendo may even put a sensor in the shell to measure heart rate when touching your skin -- like the Wii Vitality Sensor, but built-in. It makes a lot of sense if you're already using this portable for excercise.

And this may be reaching, but if Nintendo can work out the technical issues with Netflix, having the next DS be a portable viewer for Netflix Instant would be a huge deal.

Yeah um...none of that is going to happen.

You'll see! I wouldn't be surprised to see the new system called "DS Fit" or "DS Active" or something similar. Nintendo would be extremely smart to combine their two gold mines into a new product that does something totally unique on the marketplace. Furthermore, most of the features I mentioned should be cheap to implement... except the Netflix part. That was blatant wishful thinking. But the exercise stuff, I just think it's inevitable.

[Stratos]

As we've discussed on RFN, this was bound to happen soon because Nintendo needs to revive hardware sales in Japan. I don't really think we'll see the new system in America until 2011 (by that time, DS sales will probably start to lag here, too).

The feature set is going to be really interesting. As Iwata has said, it doesn't make sense to only improve graphical performance (though they certainly will do that). And some kind of built-in tilt control is a given. I also expect full backwards-compatibility with DS and DSiWare games. Beyond that... it gets interesting. Nintendo will likely do something new with online connectivity, and hopefully they will either upgrade the cameras from DSi or get rid of them. I expect there will be some built-in or launch-window apps to use the new DS as an exercise device. Not only will it work as a pedometer, but the motion sensors also mean it can be strapped to your arm or leg, much like in EA Sports Active. It should also let you listen to your music at the same time. I think Nintendo may even put a sensor in the shell to measure heart rate when touching your skin -- like the Wii Vitality Sensor, but built-in. It makes a lot of sense if you're already using this portable for excercise.

And this may be reaching, but if Nintendo can work out the technical issues with Netflix, having the next DS be a portable viewer for Netflix Instant would be a huge deal.

Yeah um...none of that is going to happen.

You'll see! I wouldn't be surprised to see the new system called "DS Fit" or "DS Active" or something similar. Nintendo would be extremely smart to combine their two gold mines into a new product that does something totally unique on the marketplace. Furthermore, most of the features I mentioned should be cheap to implement... except the Netflix part. That was blatant wishful thinking. But the exercise stuff, I just think it's inevitable.

Nintendo already has games like that Walking Fitness game on DS with an external pedometer and the pedometer in the new Gold/Silver Pokemon games so it makes perfect sense to integrate that into the new system. Maybe they could put it into a game card and implement the dual sd-card slot design that was planned for the DSi so one could be for peripherals like a pedometer (a new Guitar Hero controller could work here as well) and the other would be for the actual games. Lots of ways they could implement it.

[Ian Sane]

The fitness stuff Jonny mentions sounds REALLY lame... so I am certain Nintendo will do it.

[Chozo Ghost]

I'm just glad they don't do the same for home systems.

Careful what you say. We might hear a Wii 2 announcement quicker than you think, lol.

[Halbred]

I would hope (pray) that it's not called "DS-something." Let's interject a new title inetirely. Like Wii Portable or something, if it's going to have motion controls. With the current menu functionality of the DSi, I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo tries to combine the success of the Wii with the DS in a bigger way.

[MegaByte]

They should just call it "The Nintendo."

Or

"The"

[Stogi]

Why wouldn't you want to build on the DS brand? The most popular item Nintendo has ever made?

[Guitar Smasher]

Besides, even if the DS2 gets announced at E3; that doesn't mean it will come out this year.

I don't think Nintendo wants to kill its holiday sales.  If consumers know the DS2 is going to be available soon enough, they're going to stop buying the DS (at least at the current rates).

[Azagthoth]

Grrrrr. I wait 2+ years for Dragon Quest IX and they announce a new system to ruin sales at the same time? Weak.

[ThePerm]

as for the hdmi connection goes, as a wacom user it should work out fine, you just have to take some time and get used to had-eye coordination without looking down. Hell, how many of us touch type! On the other hand im still not used to Dual analog controllers for shooting games(however now that i think about it i don't think i've ever tried flipping the stick functions)

[Stogi]

DS2 wishlist

-It plays Nintendo games.

[Chozo Ghost]

The DS abbreviation could live on, but they should change the name because "Dual Screen" is kinda stupid. They just need a title that can still be abbreviated to DS, like "Dynamite Sizzling", or whatever.

[Jonnyboy117]

Doobie Shogun
Double Shotty
Dig Shorty
Dice Shaker
Dat Sass!

[Mop it up]

I have a feeling that most people don't even know what "DS" is an acronym for anyway.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Was DS ever officially defined in the first place?

I know we assumed Dual Screen, but wasn't it also internally referred to as Developer System or something like that?