Shockwave
Jan 22 2004, 03:07 PM
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=3359QUOTE
Nintendo Announces New Console
Sticking true to their promise, of a major announcement in January, Nintendo officials have released details of a brand new console, which is neither a successor to the Game Boy Advance or the GameCube. No images of the console have been shown although the description brings to mind dual screen Game & Watch systems such as Donkey Kong.
Codenamed Nintendo DS the new portable console will feature ?two separate 3" TFT LCD display panels, separate processors and semiconductor memory of up to 1 Gigabit.? The last phrase is ambiguous but seems to imply the use of solid sate cartridges, instead of an optical format.
The example given in the press release, for the use of the duals screens is, ?in a football game, you can view the whole game on one screen, while simultaneously focusing on an individual footballer's tackle or goal on the other screen. Players will no longer be forced to interrupt game play to shift perspective, such as moving from a wide shot to a close up, or alternating between a character's ongoing battle and a map of their environment.?
The console is due to be launched world-wide before the end of 2004 and will see its first public showing at this year?s E3. The company is apparently already in discussions with third party developers around the world, regarding support for the system.
Sideswipe
Jan 22 2004, 03:59 PM
| QUOTE |
Nintendo to make dual-screen portable
Code-named "Nintendo DS," the Japanese giant's new game deck will be formally unveiled at E3.
Ending weeks of speculation, Nintendo announced that it is launching a new portable gaming system. However, the device in question is not the rumored "Game Boy Enhanced"--a portable game deck that could play both GameCube and Game Boy Advance titles. Instead, the Japanese giant unveiled the "Nintendo DS," a double-screened game deck that it will formally unveil at this year's E3 in Los Angeles. No pictures of the system were released.
According to Nintendo, the DS will feature two separate 3-inch TFT LCD display panels, two individual processors, and a memory of up to 1 gigabit. The DS will give players a general view of the game on one screen while letting them zoom in on part of the action on another. For example, a football game would feature an overview of the field on one screen while letting gamers zoom in on a specific player on another. "We have developed Nintendo DS based upon a completely different concept from existing game devices in order to provide players with a unique entertainment experience," said Nintendo president Satoru Iwata.
Nintendo's announcement made no mention of whether the Nintendo DS would support GBA or GameCube games or would require a third software format. However, Nintendo did say the DS would be "marketed separately from the company's existing Nintendo Game Boy Advance portable system and Nintendo GameCube home console," indicating the latter to be more likely.
The Nintendo DS is scheduled to go on sale in late 2004. GameSpot will have more details on the system as they become available.
from http://www.gamespot.com/all/news/news_6086761.html |
| QUOTE |
Nintendo: DS not Game Boy Advance's successor
Japanese game giant clarifies its new double-screen gaming system's marketplace role.
TOKYO--In an interview conducted by Bloomberg Japan, Nintendo confirmed that the Nintendo DS, its newly announced portable dual-screen gaming system, is not being created to take over the Game Boy Advance's market. The company also confirmed that a separate machine is being developed as a next-generation successor for the GBA. According to Nintendo's public relations chief Yasuhiro Minagawa, "The development of succeeding machines for the GBA and Game Cube are in the works, separately from the Nintendo DS."
Nintendo's comments support their previous statements that they aim to release a new machine that is different from existing game devices. However, that doesn't completely rule out the possibility of the Nintendo DS having backwards compatibility to the GBA; the 32-bit ARM7 chip used as the CPU on the GBA is also used as the sub-processor on the Nintendo DS.
from http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/snkvsc...ws_6086773.html |
Sideswipe
Jan 28 2004, 02:19 PM
| QUOTE |
More Nintendo DS details
The upcoming portable's screens will be vertically stacked and can be used as one giant screen.
Last week's American press release announcing the Nintendo DS offered little information about the game system, save it would have two screens. However, a recent translation of the Japanese release trumpeting the handheld offered a few new details about the handheld.
According to the Japanese release, "the machine will adopt two TFT LCD screens aligned top to bottom," indicating the screens will be stacked vertically. The release also stated that "the two LCD displays can be used as one large screen" meaning the DS will have a form of widescreen (albeit turned on its side.)
from http://www.gamespot.com/all/news/news_6087084.html |
jasonho
Jan 29 2004, 09:40 AM
Innovative idea, no doubt. But how many games will need 2 screens? I doubt it'll be commercially successful.
dagger
Jan 29 2004, 12:20 PM
What are they thinking? Diversifying into two hand held products at a time when the PSP is going to enter the market???!!!
melpzg
Jan 29 2004, 09:13 PM
if u played nintendo games before
eg: mario kart 64
mario party series
or any other multi-player racing games
u will feel the pain of staring into a small split screen
and nintendo always have games tat allows mutli-playing
it will be great tat they came up with this
but i somehow feel tat it will have problem attracting ppl to get it
or to be as famous as playstation
anyway nintendo always haven been slow and steady in my opinion
dagger
Jan 29 2004, 09:51 PM
Okay, maybe I'm a little unclear but let me clarify...
I think it is a HUGE mistake to come up with the DS right now. Nintendo is rapidly exhausting any goodwill they have left with gamers, Gamecube's not selling too well to say the least and the quality of the last few first party games is dropping (IMHO, could be waaay better but not quite there)
The only bright spark in their line up is Gamebo and the domination of the handheld market. However, looking at the Gameboy Advance and Gameboy Advance SP especially, they have not been making the impact that they should. One reason is the lineup of Advance games which are mostly rehashes of old nintendo classics and very little new games. Also, despite the SP redesign, it's still not mainstream enough to generate huge sales. Even the Nintendo prez thinks that it's uncool to be seen with the SP.
Now, given that Sony is preparing the PSP for launch. Announcement this E3. Play mp3, games and what have you. Possibility of a FF7 remake as launch (RUMOURS!) It's undeniable that if Nintendo wants to continue their domination of the handheld market, they have some very serious competition.
But what is their response? Not to up the Gameboy cool factor, nor come up with a more powerful Gameboy 3 (or whatever). They are spending valuable resources developing ANOTHER handheld, whose appeal is uncertain at best. Plus, the DS will be developed along with Gameboy 3. Would it canabalise the Gameboy's share of the market?
And right now, we don't even know anything about Gameboy 3 for sure. Or the succesor to the Gamecube. In short, Nintendo is keeping their cards awfully close to their body. Considering that Microsoft is already preparing their next gen develper kits for distribution, I wonder what exactly is Nintendo doing to meet its target of being one of the first to release their next gen console.
In summary, I feel that nintendo should not have diversify their offerings in the one market that they dominate, in light of the strong competition from Sony. They should concentrate fully on one portable machine and not two.
zaidi
Jan 29 2004, 11:23 PM
great! a new console to mess around...
ahlong
Jan 30 2004, 02:08 AM
| QUOTE (shinji @ Jan 29 2004, 11:23 PM) |
| great! a new console to mess around... |
and also gota spend again....
jasonho
Jan 30 2004, 08:53 AM
Does anyone wish that there's only 1 console game company in the world? If that's the case, we just need to buy 1 console and we can play all the games, instead of having to decide which one to buy (and forego the others). Now we have XBOX, PS2, GAMECUBE, and they all have their own exclusive games not available on competitors' systems.
boxed_fish
Jan 30 2004, 09:21 AM
| QUOTE (jasonho @ Jan 30 2004, 08:53 AM) |
| Does anyone wish that there's only 1 console game company in the world? If that's the case, we just need to buy 1 console and we can play all the games, instead of having to decide which one to buy (and forego the others). Now we have XBOX, PS2, GAMECUBE, and they all have their own exclusive games not available on competitors' systems. |
if there's onli 1 console game company, then there wil not be competition to bring out the best of each company,... look at microsoft.. keke...
jasonho
Jan 31 2004, 08:11 AM
| QUOTE (boxed_fish @ Jan 30 2004, 09:21 AM) |
| if there's onli 1 console game company, then there wil not be competition to bring out the best of each company,... look at microsoft.. keke... |
Agreed. But competition can come between game developers, not console makers. So even with 1 console in the market there'll still be competition.
Sideswipe
Mar 2 2004, 12:18 PM
| QUOTE |
Nintendo DS going wireless?
Recently published interview indicates that Nintendo's new handheld will have Bluetooth-esque connectivity.
TOKYO--In a recent interview on the Japanese Web site Mainichi Interactive, Nintendo's president Satoru Iwata indicated that the Nintendo DS will have Bluetooth-like, short-range wireless connectivity.
In the interview, which was conducted prior to the first official DS announcement, Iwata talked about the "innovative machine" Nintendo was planning to unveil shortly.
"The innovative machine has a short-range networking capability. It will introduce a refreshing new experience if it's played by one person alone, but we're hoping that it will be even more fun when it's played with multiple [people]", comments Iwata. The Mainichi Interactive article when on to say that the connection mentioned by Iwata will be wireless.
If the DS does have wireless connectivity, it will not be a first for Nintendo. Their recent Pokemon Fire Red and Leaf Green came packaged with a wireless adapter that could be snapped onto the Game Boy Advance, thus allowing up to five people to play together.
In the interview, Iwata once again emphasized that the "innovative machine" will not be a next-generation console but will be a unique new product. Iwata went on to explain the reasoning behind the company's belief that supporting games that use state-of-the-art technology will not lead to the future of the industry.
"Games have come to a dead end. Creating complicated games with advanced graphics used to be the golden principle that led to success, but it is no longer working", commented Iwata.
"The biggest problem is that [developers] need to satisfy the core gamers, who want games with more volume and complexity, while they also need to satisfy average users, who don't have as much knowledge about games. The situation right now is that even if the developers work a hundred times harder, they can forget about selling a hundred times more units, since it's difficult for them to even reach the status quo. It's obvious that there's no future to gaming if we continue to run on this principle that wastes time and energy [in development]. Nintendo is called 'conservative' and 'quiet' nowadays, so we hope to show our existence as an innovator to new styles of entertainment."
Stating that the slogan for the new machine is "interactive entertainment", Iwata commented that its prototype has been already developed and that he hopes the final product will allow people to experience a new style of entertainment.
"It is a 'unique' machine, so not everybody will understand it right away. There might only be 10 to 15 people applauding during its unveiling at E3, but they'll understand it once they touch it. At the least, it should serve as a hint towards [our] next-generation console."
from http://www.gamespot.com/gba/news/news_6090345.html |
Sideswipe
May 13 2004, 01:04 AM
| QUOTE |
The Nintendo DS demystified
USA Today spills the details about the GBA compatibility and Bluetooth functionality of Nintendo's new portable.
Although Nintendo's presentation isn't until later today, USA Today has revealed both the exterior appearance and interior of its new portable, the DS. While the article points out several well-known details about the DS--for instance, that it will have two screens--the article did confirm rumors about the device.
First was its estimated price point, which will run in the $150 price range. Secondly, the DS will have Bluetooth functionality, allowing players to engage in close-range wireless multiplayer matches. Third, one of the screens will be touch-sensitive, allowing players to physicially control gameplay with a PDA-like stylus.
Fourth and perhaps most importantly, the DS will be able to play both traditional Game Boy Advance games and new DS games. According to USA Today, the device will have slots for both the larger GBA cartridges and DS game cards, which will apparently be much smaller in size.
By Tor Thorsen -- GameSpot
POSTED: 05/11/04 08:52AM PST
from http://gamespot.com/news/2004/05/11/news_6097034.html |
Also check out GameSpot's E3 preview as well as PICS
of Nintendo DS
HERE.
Alvin_Chiang
May 14 2004, 12:13 PM
Nintendo announces 100 DS developers, 40-plus games
Massive game-maker touts its portable's growing catalog, massive third-party support.
Today in the Japanese press, Nintendo announced it has shipped DS software development kits to more than 100 companies worldwide.
That figure puts the DS a nose ahead of the PSP for third-party support: Sony claims 99 developers are on board for its new handheld.
So far, the DS game catalog is a varied bunch. First-party games are a perennial strength for Nintendo, and it's not surprising that they are the cornerstone of its new platform's catalog. So far, Nintendo has announced the following DS games:
Nintendo
Animal Crossing DS
Mario Kart DS
Metroid Prime: Hunters*
Nintendogs
PictoChat (software that lets players send instant messages and drawings using the DS's wireless capabilities.)*
Super Mario 64x4
Super Mario Bros. DS
WarioWare Inc. DS
Nintendo has a solid lineup of third party titles as well; here's a complete list, drawn from Japanese and American sources:
Activision
Spider-Man 2
Atari
(One title in development)
Bandai
Dragonball Z
One Piece
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed*
Banpresto
Dragonball Z
Capcom
Gyakutensaiban (a.k.a. Reversal of Judgment)
MegaMan Battle Network
Viewtiful Joe
Electronic Arts
Need for Speed
From Software
(multiple titles in development)
Hudson
Bomberman*
(multiple titles in development)
Koei
Dynasty Warriors
Konami
Frogger 2005
Yu-Gi-Oh!: Nightmare Troubador (tentative title)
Majesco
(One title in development)
Namco
Mr. Driller
Pac-Pix*
Pac 'n-Roll*
Unnamed RPG
Sega
Project Rub
Sonic DS (tentative title)*
Square Enix
Dragon Quest Monsters
Egg Monster Heroes*
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
THQ
SpongeBob SquarePants DS
Tecmo
Monster Rancher
Team Ninja game (name has not been released)
Ubisoft
Rayman
VU Games
(One title in development)
By Tor Thorsen, Dan Tochen -- GameSpot
Bravo
May 15 2004, 10:30 PM
how much will it cost in Singapore i hope it will not be like Ngage
zaidi
May 16 2004, 09:32 AM
| QUOTE (Bravo @ May 15 2004, 10:30 PM) |
| how much will it cost in Singapore i hope it will not be like Ngage |
i think it will not cost that much since it not like n-gage...
Alvin_Chiang
May 16 2004, 10:50 PM
US$199 DS available for preorder
Online merchants are hawking the double-screen portable, even though Nintendo hasn't officially announced a price.
When Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata displayed the DS at Nintendo's E3 press conference, he didn't announce a price for the device. Also, in all the subsequent press releases from the Japanese game behemoth, no mention has been made of the handheld's cost to consumers.
But that hasn't stopped online merchants from giving it one.
EB Games and GameStop are now accepting preorders for the DS at a price point of $199, with free shipping. Both stores also give a speculative ship date of November 29, 2004.
But before you preorder your favorite Nintendophiliac a Christmas gift, know that both the date and price are completely speculative. EB's product page for the DS even says so in bold letters, reading, "The ship date and retail price have not been confirmed and therefore are subject to change." EB's note also assured prospective buyers that they wouldn't be out $50 if the DS ships for its $149 rumored price. "If the retail price is decreased you will receive the lower price," it read.
By Tor Thorsen -- GameSpot
Sideswipe
Jul 14 2004, 02:11 PM
| QUOTE |
Miyamoto: DS wireless Internet a possibility
Nintendo's Miyamoto says third-party software could allow DS to connect to Internet through its wireless LAN.
TOKYO--In a recent interview conducted by staff at Earthbound creator Shigesato Itoi’s Web site, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto revealed that it is technically possible for the DS to connect to the Internet using its wireless LAN…as long as a third party develops the appropriate software.
"We added the wireless LAN (IEEE802.11) to the DS mainly for the handhelds to communicate between each other," said Miyamoto. "But if someone releases appropriate software that allows it to connect to wireless LAN access points, it could also be used to connect to the Internet."
Miyamoto was quick to point out that Nintendo itself is not interested in developing the possible Internet capabilities of the DS. The company is focusing on gameplay rather than hardware capabilities and plans to make the machine enjoyable without the need for additional devices or peripherals. “The one thing we don’t want to do is to add this and that and every connection and capability [to the DS]. We want to make the DS enjoyable, by itself, as far as we can."
The full interview can be viewed in Japanese at Shigesato Itoi's Web site.
By Staff -- GameSpot
POSTED: 07/13/04 09:51 AM PST
from http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/07/13/news_6102407.html |
blazin
Jul 14 2004, 03:26 PM
Normally the new portable console of Nintendo will have bad design, so wait for the up coming better design upgraded version.
projectlawrence
Jul 14 2004, 08:06 PM
Will be following the footsteps of Sega....
jasonho
Jul 15 2004, 07:48 AM
I'm still not convinced why games need two screens. The only genre I can think of that will benefit from 2 screens is FPS/hack-n-slash, where one screen shows the 3D views, and the other shows the overhead map.
advin
Jul 16 2004, 06:02 AM
| QUOTE (Alvin_Chiang @ May 14 2004, 12:13 PM) |
Nintendo announces 100 DS developers, 40-plus games
Massive game-maker touts its portable's growing catalog, massive third-party support.
Today in the Japanese press, Nintendo announced it has shipped DS software development kits to more than 100 companies worldwide.
That figure puts the DS a nose ahead of the PSP for third-party support: Sony claims 99 developers are on board for its new handheld.
So far, the DS game catalog is a varied bunch. First-party games are a perennial strength for Nintendo, and it's not surprising that they are the cornerstone of its new platform's catalog. So far, Nintendo has announced the following DS games:
Nintendo
Animal Crossing DS
Mario Kart DS
Metroid Prime: Hunters*
Nintendogs
PictoChat (software that lets players send instant messages and drawings using the DS's wireless capabilities.)*
Super Mario 64x4
Super Mario Bros. DS
WarioWare Inc. DS
Nintendo has a solid lineup of third party titles as well; here's a complete list, drawn from Japanese and American sources:
Activision
Spider-Man 2
Atari
(One title in development)
Bandai
Dragonball Z
One Piece
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed*
Banpresto
Dragonball Z
Capcom
Gyakutensaiban (a.k.a. Reversal of Judgment)
MegaMan Battle Network
Viewtiful Joe
Electronic Arts
Need for Speed
From Software
(multiple titles in development)
Hudson
Bomberman*
(multiple titles in development)
Koei
Dynasty Warriors
Konami
Frogger 2005
Yu-Gi-Oh!: Nightmare Troubador (tentative title)
Majesco
(One title in development)
Namco
Mr. Driller
Pac-Pix*
Pac 'n-Roll*
Unnamed RPG
Sega
Project Rub
Sonic DS (tentative title)*
Square Enix
Dragon Quest Monsters
Egg Monster Heroes*
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
THQ
SpongeBob SquarePants DS
Tecmo
Monster Rancher
Team Ninja game (name has not been released)
Ubisoft
Rayman
VU Games
(One title in development)
By Tor Thorsen, Dan Tochen -- GameSpot |
no soccer games or winning eleven series from konami
?
advin
Jul 16 2004, 06:03 AM
| QUOTE (jasonho @ Jul 15 2004, 07:48 AM) |
| I'm still not convinced why games need two screens. The only genre I can think of that will benefit from 2 screens is FPS/hack-n-slash, where one screen shows the 3D views, and the other shows the overhead map. |
maybe soccer game 1 screen radar players and one for main game....
zaidi
Jul 16 2004, 10:09 AM
hope they make more rpg games! love the two screens....
Aerialxion
Jul 16 2004, 08:39 PM
I want to see pokemon in it...& possibly more final fantasy
Sideswipe
Aug 24 2004, 01:13 PM
| QUOTE |
Nintendo DS to feature undisclosed capability
Nintendo rep says the upcoming handheld will have a "secret" port and will likely come in different colors.
TOKYO--In the latest issue of Nintendo Dream magazine, Nintendo spokesman Mitsuaki Hagishima revealed that there is a secret on the Nintendo DS' hardware. Located on the bottom-right side of the handheld, next to the earphone plug, is a square hole for which Nintendo has not given any explanation.
"There’s a little secret to this [hole]," comments Hagiwara in the magazine. "It looks as though you can plug something in there, but the stylus pen is going to be connected to the back [of the handheld], so…we’ll reveal more in the future."
Hagiwara also commented that Nintendo is currently considering the release of different color variations on the Nintendo DS, which would be similar to how the company has released different color models of the Game Boy Advance and GBA SP.
"There’s nothing specific decided about the coloring [of the DS], except that it will be two-toned," says Hagiwara. "We released three color variations when the GBA launched. We’re still thinking about what colors variations of the DS to release, but while taking into consideration the production efficiency, we’re thinking of releasing colors that are popular throughout the world, since it will be launched worldwide [at about the same time]."
By Staff -- GameSpot
POSTED: 08/23/04 10:03 AM PST
from http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/08/23/news_6105434.html |
Starscream
Sep 10 2004, 10:47 PM
Taken from GA:
Japanese gamers will get a chance to try out a bunch of upcoming
Nintendo DS games from 3 November 2004. Nintendo's having a little country wide tour. The Tokyo one is 13 and 14 November 2004.
Link
Alvin_Chiang
Sep 21 2004, 10:40 PM
Nintendo DS: US$149 on November 21Though it hasn't revealed the launch lineup, Nintendo announces that its dual-screen portable will ship first in the United States.
According to Reuters, Nintendo today announced that its forthcoming DS (or "dual screen") portable game system will be available in the United States in exactly two months.
The system is reportedly slated for release on November 21 (which is actually a Sunday) for a suggested retail price of US$149. This puts the system in the same relative price range as the current crop of consoles, but at nearly twice the cost of Nintendo's recently-reduced-in-price Game Boy Advance SP, whose software will be playable on the DS.
The Nintendo DS will subsequently release in Japan on December 2. Nintendo expects to ship about 4 million DS units worldwide by the end of the first quarter of 2005.
By Staff -- GameSpot
POSTED: 09/21/04 12:23 AM PST
----------------------------------------------------------------------
With this piece of news, now considering if I should plonk my $$$ on a GBA SP or hold on for a Nintendo DS...
Starscream
Sep 21 2004, 11:41 PM
Nintendo DS or Sony PSP
Aerialxion
Sep 22 2004, 02:41 PM
That's quite a choice for me too
Alvin_Chiang
Sep 22 2004, 07:48 PM
One thing for sure is that the Nintendo DS is gonna be damn ex when it reaches our shores. US$149 translates to ard SGD$254 (taken to account a 1.7 exchange rate)...
Yet to add in shipping and other charges, I think its gonna retail at least for ard high end of $200+ to maybe even $300...and we don't even know how much is a DS game cartridge going for...
Maybe a wait and see approach will be best...
Sideswipe
Oct 9 2004, 02:28 AM
| QUOTE |
Nintendo DS Hands-On
We get our mitts on the latest revision of Nintendo's upcoming portable system.
SEATTLE--While Nintendo's Gamer's Summit marks the debut of the software for Nintendo's upcoming DS hardware. The summit is also the debut of the latest iteration of the hardware, following its debut at this year's E3 wherein the unit looked tubby and brick-like. While the systems Nintendo is showing here in Seattle still aren't the final design, they are pretty close to the unit that will hit next month when the system sees a wide release in the US on November 21. We had the chance to scrutinize the unit as we played the broad array of software on display for it.
There have been a number of tweaks made to the machine since its E3 unveiling that have given the machine a far less clunky appearance. The slimmer, trimmer DS is now closer to the look of a PDA although it's still a little too thick to pass for one. The system's cartridge port for DS games is at the top of the unit along the spine. Although it was said at E3 that the cartridges were expected to be smaller than standard GBA carts, the final media used in the DS is closer to the size of the SD media used for digital cameras and other similar portable devices, though they're a little broader and longer. This is ultimately for the better as, considering how easy it is to actually lose an SD card, the extra heft to the cartridges should make them a little tougher to misplace. Nintendo is officially referring to them as game cards.
The secondary cartridge slot for Game Boy Advance games is on the front of the unit. The buttons and switches on the unit are all discreetly laid out on the system. The power button is now on the left side of the unit near the d-pad while the select and start buttons are on the right next to the four face buttons. The machine has two shoulder buttons as well, which are on the top of the unit, bookending the cartridge slot. The stylus will slip into the body of the unit from along the spine with the small pointer fitting into the system and remaining flush with it, making it a little tough to pull out. Beyond those major elements, on the body of the unit are the expected power port and volume slider. Unlike the GBA, the unit we've seen will not have a button to turn off the light on the dual screens if needed to conserve battery life. To be fair, the screen lighting is adjustable from the options menus in many of the games on hand.
Speaking of the screens, the DS' two lit screens are well done and offer good image quality. Seeing the action on them can get a little tricky, though, depending on the angle you're holding the system at and how many of your hands are in use. The clamshell design makes it possible to adjust your viewing angle depending on the situation, which is helpful, but also potentially troublesome as the hinges on the units Nintendo is displaying are a little loose when opened. When you power up the system you'll be rewarded by a zippy boot sequence that's simple and along the same lines as the GBA's, although with a new logo and sound effect. Games come up pretty quickly after you get through the welcome screen and set some personal information to tie the unit to you and your geographical region. Overall, we're pretty pleased by the look of this near final incarnation of the hardware. We'll admit to not being huge fans of the stylus which seems to be made for the very small-handed people. However, the system is loaded up on features and has an attractive price point that's hard to turn away.
Now as far as how this version of the DS stacks up to our time with work-in-progress versions of the PSP, we'll start out by saying that, in many ways, we're talking apples and oranges here. The DS is definitely a game system whereas the PSP is being poised to do quite a bit more. Obviously one of the biggest sticking points is battery life and, while the DS has announced a life similar to the GBA SP, Sony's been pretty mum on PSP specifics. All manner of speculation emerged from Japan post-Tokyo Game Show that has clocked the PSP battery life at a variety of low-end lengths of time, which is something Nintendo has gleefully taken the PSP to task on publicly. From a design perspective, both units have a pretty comfy fit although there a few DS games that made it difficult to hold the unit and use the stylus at the same time. As far as weight goes, the non-final DS units feel pretty light.
As far as performance goes, there are just a handful of titles that are poised to be top tier on the DS this year. The basic level of quality in the games we've seen bodes well for the future of the software library. More importantly, the experimental feel of several of the titles will be an interesting sell to consumers. But even though some of the games might not be universally appealing, the launch line up also has its mainstream anchors that should please anyone once they get going. We've been surprised but cautiously optimistic over how the DS and PSP are going to be welcomed and we think they'll both garner their fair share of attention leading up to and following their launch. Since neither of the units we've seen have been the 100 percent final designs we have to say that it's not possible to throw a final declaration on either. Ultimately, the DS hardware is a solid looking platform from a feature set perspective. For more updates on the Nintendo DS and other impressions and media, check out GameSpot's coverage of Nintendo's Gamer's Summit.
By Ricardo Torres -- GameSpot
POSTED: 10/08/04 10:03 AM PST
from http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/10/08/news_6110050.html |
vmon41
Oct 31 2004, 12:52 AM
Good games now(upon release):
Mario 64x4 DS
Metroid Prime Hunters
Good up-comming games(in the making):
Boktai DS
Castlevania DS
Advance War DS
shinG
Oct 31 2004, 01:42 AM
I might get if there's a good zelda game...
That's all that's attracting me to nintendo consoles these days...
giblugia
Oct 31 2004, 09:42 PM
ah that i agree
one zelda game can make me buy the whole console.
advin
Oct 31 2004, 09:46 PM
for me i wait for the best soccer game
vmon41
Nov 1 2004, 04:35 PM
GBA just release a new Zelda game,The Minish Cap.
Alvin_Chiang
Nov 14 2004, 06:01 PM
Nintendo reacts to DS demand; orders, share price on the rise
Demand for the new handheld is twice what Nintendo planned for, and the company ramps up to increase production.
Nintendo has the kind of headache most companies dream about. On one hand, Nintendo is confronting greater-than-expected consumer demand for its upcoming DS handheld.
On the other hand--and here comes the headache--if Nintendo can't meet increased demand, Japanese consumers who can't locate a DS to purchase when it goes on sale December 2 might decide to spend their handheld budget on a Sony PSP instead. Sony's new handheld comes to market in Japan just 10 days after the DS, on December 12.
For now, the market is aggressively seeking out the DS. According to yesterday's Nikkei Journal, Nintendo has revealed that preorders for the Nintendo DS have reached 2 million units, double the company's initial expectations.
Nintendo had prepped the DS pipeline to manufacture 1 million units for the launch. With demand now twice that, the company has responded by bringing a third factory on board to produce the handheld. The DS is being manufactured in China.
Nintendo has already closed down most Internet shopping sites selling the DS--those closures came after just one day of order taking (which began, and ended, on November 3).
While bringing new production facilities on line now won't increase Nintendo's shipment numbers significantly during December, the company expects to meet long-term demand by having 2 million units in the retail channel shortly after the new year begins.
Nintendo is now raising its sales forecasts for the DS to 4 million, up from 3.5 million, in its current fiscal year (which ends March 31, 2005).
"Preorders are going smoothly with stores filling up on their online orders," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata remarked to the Nikkei Journal.
Major retailers in Japan are still taking reservations for the DS, although consumers need to go directly to the stores to reserve.
Nintendo shares closed today at 12,550 yen ($118.33), a jump of 460 yen (3.8 percent) from the day before.
By Hirohiko Niizumi and Curt Feldman -- GameSpot
POSTED: 11/12/04 02:02 PM PST
vmon41
Nov 14 2004, 06:38 PM
DS for me,but wait until the Castlevania DS comes out then get.
If PSP got good devil may cry game,then i buy also.
l3atu
Nov 17 2004, 07:27 AM
| QUOTE (vmon41 @ Nov 14 2004, 06:38 PM) |
DS for me,but wait until the Castlevania DS comes out then get.
If PSP got good devil may cry game,then i buy also. |
Wah ! Like that got to cost ard $900 - $1000 leh...
TrueBlue
Nov 17 2004, 07:56 AM
i need a good game to persuade me to buy DS,...dun really like zelda,mario..type of games....i prefer shining force..ff tactics type..
l3atu
Nov 17 2004, 08:03 AM
| QUOTE (TrueBlue @ Nov 17 2004, 07:56 AM) |
| i need a good game to persuade me to buy DS,...dun really like zelda,mario..type of games....i prefer shining force..ff tactics type.. |
Think they are coming up with 1 FF game on DS and 2 FF games on PSP. Dunno the details yet but the one on DS is maybe FF3.
byte_me
Nov 17 2004, 09:31 PM
I would go for PSP (if i have the budget).
Bruticus
Nov 19 2004, 10:54 PM
DS is only cheaper by ard $70-80 bucks, why go for DS? For a mere additional $80 bucks, you could have a better gaming handheld and also a portable mp3 + can watch video...
Alvin_Chiang
Nov 30 2004, 08:05 PM
Nintendo sees DS sales hitting five million unitsOutlook for the DS and GBA both "excellent" says Nintendo; full year profit forecasted to be three times last year's.
TOKYO--According to Reuters and Mainichi Interactive, Nintendo has announced that it is raising its sales forecast for the DS to five million units for the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2005. The company has not changed its outlook for the handheld's software sales, which is holding steady at 15 million copies.
This will be the second time that Nintendo has raised its sales estimates for the DS. Earlier this month, Nintendo increased its forecast for the DS from 3.5 to 4 million units. The handheld has been in massive demand in Japan where preorders have reached 2 million units, double the company's initial expectations. The handheld had a successful launch in America last week, and it will be released in Japan this Thursday.
In Tokyo, Nintendo is currently holding last minute promotions in the streets of the city's commercial districts, giving passers-by a chance to try out the handheld.
Nintendo also raised its sales estimate for the Game Boy Advance from 14 million to 16 million units, of which 15 million units are the GBA SP model.
Likewise, the forecast for GBA software sales has also been raised from 70 million to 77 million units. In addition, the company revealed that its Famicom Mini series shipped a total of 4.23 units in Japan; and its latest Pokemon title, Pokemon Emerald, has sold over 1 million units.
With sales of GBA games going smoothly and the DS handheld units expected to remain in high demand throughout the next few months, Nintendo has raised its net profit estimate for FY2005 from 84 billion yen ($817 million) to 90 billion yen ($875 million), nearly triple the profit from last year. The fiscal year ends March 31, 2005.
By Hirohiko Niizumi -- GameSpot
POSTED: 11/29/04 05:03 PM PST
-------------------------------------------------------------
Wow, the big N is laughing all the way to the bank this Xmas...
b3rgkamp10
Dec 2 2004, 08:19 PM
| QUOTE (TrueBlue @ Nov 17 2004, 07:56 AM) |
| i need a good game to persuade me to buy DS,...dun really like zelda,mario..type of games....i prefer shining force..ff tactics type.. |
wah... me too...
l3atu
Dec 3 2004, 07:47 AM
Saw it in a shop retailing for the price of SGD $399 ! More expensive than a console (X-Box / PS2) !
Worth buyin ?
If PSP cost the same price, I rather buy PSP coz got more games and also graphic much better.
jasonho
Dec 3 2004, 08:06 AM
| QUOTE (l3atu @ Dec 3 2004, 07:47 AM) |
Saw it in a shop retailing for the price of SGD $399 ! More expensive than a console (X-Box / PS2) !
|
No way I'm buying one at $399! Maybe the price will drop after a while.
Alvin_Chiang
Dec 3 2004, 06:55 PM
| QUOTE (jasonho @ Dec 3 2004, 08:06 AM) |
| QUOTE (l3atu @ Dec 3 2004, 07:47 AM) | Saw it in a shop retailing for the price of SGD $399 ! More expensive than a console (X-Box / PS2) !
|
No way I'm buying one at $399! Maybe the price will drop after a while.
|
Dun worry, every gaming console's price will drop over time...just be patient lor...
So far, the current library of Nintendo's DS doesn't impress me so I'm still quite ok with my GBA SP...
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