Poll - new handheld system at E3
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 1:26pm by David
Consider this a sort of follow-up to last week’s poll. Another rumor circulating is that Nintendo will give us a glimpse at a new handheld system. So, what do you think?
Will Nintendo reveal a new handheld system at E3 this year?
Vote and then yak about it in our comments!
July 8th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Yes. Yes, I think that one right there is a pretty accurate representation of what it would look like in fact.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Nintendo doesn’t need the hype, and they won’t want to cannibalize DS sales by showcasing a new system. I bet a new DS could be revealed soon… but that Nintendo won’t show it until they are almost ready to release the system (probably late next year). This late reveal strategy also prevents competitors from copying and one-upping any unique features they plan for the system.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
I really can’t imagine any reason why they would need to. Right now the DS is outselling everything out there, so why would they even think of releasing something new?
I think we are going to see some incredible new games announced for both the Wii and the DS at this E3, but nothing in the way of new game systems (perhaps some new peripherals for the Wii, but that will be as close as it gets).
July 8th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
it’s getting about that time, but i think we’ll go another year before we see it. the DS is just too strong to leave behind. i bet we see the next ninny handheld with a strong upgrade in graphics too.
makes me wonder hard it will be to keep pushing handheld graphics as the processors run hotter. does anyone know if processors get cooler at the same rate they increase in power?
July 8th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
“does anyone know if processors get cooler at the same rate they increase in power?”
When the processors get smaller, they typically get cooler… and miniaturization happens pretty quickly. Portable technology will always lag behind what is possible in full-sized consoles, but there should still be a big jump in processing power for the next set of handhelds.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
A completely new handheld? Unless it’s fully backwards-compatible with the NDS, I would say not a chance - they’ve still got too many big hitters on and upcoming on that system. Civ: Rev hits this week, Force Unleashed is coming in September, Viva Pinata later this year, Professor Layton sequel(s), Trauma Center 2… it’s still a very much alive platform, and Nintendo could keep making money off it for at least the next couple of years. I’d love to see another entry in the Zelda series on it. NSMB 2 also seems very likely.
That said, a revision to the hardware that ditches the GBA port in favor of some other feature set seems possible, if not at this E3 then in the near future. I don’t think too many people use it (even though I do) - but then again, Guitar Hero On Tour just came out with a GBA slot peripheral, so maybe even that isn’t in the cards.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Its only been 3-4 years with the DS and even less with the DS lite, and it is still performing well above anything anyone could imagine it would when it came out. There is no chance for a redesign especially as more and more developers are taking chances with the system and using it as a goldmine for re releases.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I expect a moderate prospect of some type of reissue of the current model: possibly a slide out design. Something even slimmer. But I wouldn’t count on it.
@ Kannon.
The DS has slowed somewhat in Japan. It’s still selling amazingly there, and it’s sales are particularly poignant considering the lack of significant releases for a long while, but a reissue could help shut up the analysts and doom mongers that have been circling around the DS in Japan for a while. Also, if you actually look at the releases Western 3rd party support has in fact been shockingly weak to this day. It actually makes one wonder what Nintendo would have to do to acquire support. Well, a redesign might help bring attention back to the number one selling platform.
My actual expectations for the next generation of hardware is that with the approach of uncanny valley and the commoditisation of massive computing capability, PS3 level power will be available in a reasonably priced handheld by the time Nintendo finishes with the Wii. At around this time the purpose of ever more powerful home consoles that sit under you TV will be lost. Improved immersion and interface will be the only way forward (with Sony/Microsoft just stepping into the motion interface arena), and something along the lines of Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality will finally become reasonable. So I expect the next Nintendo home console will also be their next portable, which will be some type of reality visor. Or maybe something with cameras…or maybe not.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
This poll should have been a little more specific. Added should be this:
3. No- There will be no new handheld announced but yes, there will be a revised DS Handheld
July 8th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I highly doubt it and I wouldn’t want it yet anyway. I’m having too much fun with my DS and wouldn’t want to make the new investment. yet
July 8th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Could the storage solution for the Wii also address storage for the DS so that the Wii could work as the online/dowloading hub for the DS???
I guess that they will announce a flash drive storage solution for the Wii that somehow works with the DS!
July 8th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
No. But if they do, I hope it looks EXACTLY like that one you have pictured right there.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
It’s getting to be time for at least the announcement of a DS refresh, though I would expect that announcement in the winter after the DS has coasted through its last Xmas at #1 in the Western world and there’s no more “Wii still sold out everywhere” stories putting Nintendo in the news.
But no, not an entirely new model, not this year. I’d expect a “PSP2″ before we see a “DS Advance”.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I voted “yes” because, not until recently, I’m somewhat convinced that they might. But it won’t have an official name (It’ll be called like…Hummingbird or something weird like that), it won’t be playable, and it will probably only be accompanied by a few tech demos. Oh, and it’ll be inside of some ridiculous glass case where no one can even touch or get near it without having their fingers cut off.
But details will be incredibly scarce. Just like when the (then-named) Revolution was introduced, and without a controller to accompany it.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I must be the ONLY crazy person on here that thinks Nintendo will show off a new DS 2 or something like that. I mean, it can just be showed off for E3 2008 and then possibly be released in the 2nd QUARTER of 2009. Plus, it can still be backwards compatible with DS and GBA games. Plus, then you can finally have a DS Virtual Console for all of the old GB games from the past to start showing up on. But why do I get the funny feeling that started yesterday in my head that there’s a BIG POSSIBLITY that Game Boy, GBC games will be rearing their heads on Wii Virtual Console soon. Odd?
July 8th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I am extremely doubtful of a new handheld from Nintendo. I think we might see an embarassing rip-off DS from Sony, but I’m certain Ninny is planning there next handheld, and they might be waiting for Sony to (Once again) make a stupid choice, so that they can stay ahead on the handheld front. The worst thing they could do is release something that bombs right after the successful DS.
My prediction: The next Handheld is just a screen, say the size of a smaller laptop’s screen, and the entire thing is touchscreen, essentially a larger I-phone set up. To make it backwards compatible, the system would be able to set up it’s own controls, for example, if you’re playing a DS title, the sides of the screen would look like the DS D-pad and buttons, or the sides could take the shape of a GBA. Hell, the whole screen could just look like a GBA or….even an older Gameboy. The controls would be entirely touch screen, not literally 3-d tactile. And I would anticipate a very active Wi-fi setting, and a virtual console all of its own. By making it all touch screen, it would challenge developers to fully go into that medium, such as Phantom Hourglass did. It could be called the “Game Plate,” or “Game Slate,” sort of a playoff the Gamecube. And I would assume it’d have graphics equivalent to the PS2, or gamecube. Thats where I see handhelds going. Larger in size, but far more versatile.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:04 am
I don’t need another system…..why must they release so many…
July 9th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Love the design. It’s as good as some of the photoshops doing the rounds on the interwebs
July 9th, 2008 at 9:12 am
@andrew g I miss all those photographs from magazines many many years ago of ‘Ultra 64′ and its controller behind glass.
I doubt Nintendo will show a new handheld at E3 but if they do it has to be behind glass.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Yeah, too soon for a new handheld design… I’m still trying to get around finishing DS games from last year!
July 16th, 2008 at 5:02 am
@Christian
Great idea!
Let’s get some Dreamcast games on VC so I can stop struggling to find any games for it!It’s still kinda weird that I have a system that released the year I was born!