Source: Nintendo unveils new DS at autumn press event
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 at 2:01pm by Jack
UK pub MCV, citing an “impeccable source,” claims that Nintendo will unveil revised DS hardware at its autumn press event, scheduled for tomorrow (11:30 p.m. EST, tonight).
MCV also cites the source as confirming that the new hardware will include previously reported features, like the camera and MP3 playback. So far, Nintendo has offered up little more than the industry standard “no comment on rumors of speculation” response.
Regardless, we’ll know in a few hours what the real deal is. I’m actually kind of unimpressed with what I’m hearing. I’m sure I’ll buy the thing if it comes Stateside, but I’m simply not feeling a camera and MP3 files on my DS. Who knows, maybe Miyamoto will cook up a camera game that actually works.
Update: I’ve been told by a fellow freelancing journalist coworker that the Nintendo news may be embargoed until next Monday. Curses!
October 1st, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I’m with you, Jack. I am completely unimpressed with what I’ve heard, and I’m not understanding the point of a third version of the same DS.
It’s not like this is going to be the DS 2. It’s like a DS…lighter.
We’ll see what Nintendo has to say, though. There are a lot of reasons not to bring out upgraded DS hardware, but as always, I’m intrigued.
October 1st, 2008 at 2:25 pm
The rumored features (camera/music playback) are nice but don’t really matter to me when looking to buy a portable gaming system… however, the possibility that a new DS model could offer more processing power, improved online capability, and onboard storage for DLC is very exciting.
Hopefully this isn’t all empty hype, and something that will excite and interest gamers will be announced.
October 1st, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Whether this is a redesign or a full new DS I will be buying this as soon as it’s released in the UK. Even if all it adds is WPA support for WiFi I will buy it, I haven’t been online on my DS in such a long time due to it not supporting WPA encryption.
October 1st, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I’m just not understanding this at all – there really, really, really, is no need to add newfangled gadgets into something super-popular and well-loved as the current DS.
I can see a “mini-GBA” cartridge as a storage solution for downloading DS Download Station demos – or downloading VC games onto the DS for playing. That could work.
But a revamped DS that would look like a POSP? Nah. Not buying this rumor “proof”.
October 1st, 2008 at 2:42 pm
“due to it not supporting WPA encryption”
I agree, that wireless limitation for the DS was stupid on Nintendo’s part.
October 1st, 2008 at 2:47 pm
“there really, really, really, is no need to add newfangled gadgets into something super-popular and well-loved as the current DS”
Disagree slightly – DS is great, but it’s technical limitations are becoming more obvious all the time. The hardware was behind the curve when first released, and that as years ago… so it might be time to start getting ready for the eventual replacement.
If Nintendo thinks they can make significant improvements on the DS hardware while keeping the new system affordable, then I’m all for seeing the results. Also remember that even if a new DS model is announced today, it probably won’t be available for another year or so.
October 1st, 2008 at 2:53 pm
“there really, really, really, is no need to add newfangled gadgets into something super-popular and well-loved as the current DS”
The only counterpoint I’d offer to that — and remember, I’m pretty nonplus and/or unimpressed with this rumored feature set to begin with — is that these features aren’t aimed at many of us. We, overall, like the DS as is. However, when viewed in the light of what Nintendo is doing at the Mariner’s ballpark, and in Japan with interactive museum software on the DS, these “upgrades” make more sense.
On that note I’d plead with everyone not to decry Nintendo’s softening image, or their abandoning you in any way. They are doing what they’ve always done: expand the market.
At its core this new system, if real, is a game-playing device. It’s not an iPhone clone, where people think phone or Internet tablet first, and games are an afterthought. Nope, 100% of people who buy Nintendo products are doing so to play some kind of game.
These features, if real, are a mass market play. THAT’s why it doesn’t make a lot of sense to us.
Still, if Miyamoto can pull some kind of ARG camera-based Animal Crossing game out of his ass, and have us all going around town playing virtual Assassin or something, I’ll be first in line. Hell, I’ll still be first in line anyway.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
“I’ve been told by a fellow freelancing journalist coworker that the Nintendo news may be embargoed until next Monday. Curses!”
So, if they announce something tomorrow, no one can post news about the announcement until Monday? Sounds fishy to me…
October 1st, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I just hope that if a new DS is announced, it lowers the price of the current DS. Then I might be able to afford one!
October 1st, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Even if you wanted to have a camera or an MP3 player on your DS Lite, why would Nintendo need to create a whole new DS to add them? Wouldn’t those fit into catridges that could be plugged into the GBA slot?
October 1st, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I think the new features would be great on the DS successor, but i dont see the wisdom in making a 3rd version of the current DS at all. I will be upset if this isnt an announcement of the successor coming out in 2010.