Pedigree Chum said:
I love the other features of the machine, but is there really any need for two screens? Gimme a stylus, one touch sensitive screen...that's all you need. And apart from a few games taking advantage of 2 screens (only Touch&Go comes to mind) it's not really needed and would invariably make the system thinner, cheaper, w/ better battery life. The positives far outweigh the negatives IMO.
As I see it...the most practical (i.e. non-gimmicky) use of the DS' touch screen is as an adaptable direct input for commands. This would eliminate menu naviagation and make playing games faster, simpler, more intuitve; plus it changes as per game's context so you only have the options available as you need them. A good example of what I'm talking about is Spiderman 2 DS. That is the perfect example of how I expect the touchscreen to be used.
it simply enhances pre-established forms of gameplay. Its not gimmicky...though it may be utilized in a gimmicky manner....but it can be extremely practical. And like anything else, it shouldn't be mandatory to use it if the game does not call for it.
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Yeah...but the second screen is there so that you can use the touchscreen effectively.
for example:
See how you have the traditional action on one screen (top screen) and your specific related commands to directly input, located on the other (touch) screen. This seems to me, the most practical application to design a game for the use of the touchscreen. In this example, the touchscreen is used simply to enhace gameplay that we are already familiar with. And if this is an intended application for the touchscreen then the second screen is almost mandatory, screen 1 = action, screen 2 = adapatable input controls.
I'm not saying it can't be used gimmicky, but from what I see as the most practical use for a touchscreen I can undestand the necessity for adding that second screen which could be used as a disply.