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Revised DS hardware to be released in Japan Spring 2006?

Z

ziran

Member
according to www.gamefront.de famitsu is saying there is going to be a revised hardware released in japan this spring. it goes on to say it isn't a next gen console but probably a redesigned ds or psp with improved functions.

it finishes by saying reports from retailers suggest it's most probably a redesigned ds.
 
WTF? How can you have speculation like this without even knowing for sure which company will release the hardware? Makes no sense (not that I'm doubting it).
 
I cant figure out how Nintendo is supposed to make the DS any smaller. I definately cant see them doing it without making major changes to the button layout.

Its also strange to see a revised DS when its selling like hotcakes. Generally, redesigned hardware is used to push sales up when they start to slump.

Anyhow, I dont think the DS is a bad looking piece of tech. Whats so horrible about it?
 
amrum said:
Where is the news on gamefront.de ? I can't see it on the frontpage nor on the archives ...
Click to expand...
on the front page under wed 4th jan 06:
Überarbeitete Hardware im Frühjahr 2006

04.01.06 - Die Famitsu schreibt in ihrer neuesten Ausgabe, dass im Frühjahr 2006 eine überarbeitete Hardware auf den Markt kommen soll. Es handelt sich nicht um eine Next Generation Konsole, das System wird in dem Artikel aber nicht weiter genannt.

Am wahrscheinlichsten wäre demnach ein Nintendo DS oder PSP im neuen Design oder sogar mit zusätzlichen, verbesserten Funktionen. Händlerberichte tendieren zu der Annahme, dass es sich um einen überarbeiteten Nintendo DS handelt.
Click to expand...
 
amrum said:
Where is the news on gamefront.de ? I can't see it on the frontpage nor on the archives ...
Click to expand...
it is on the frontpage

Überarbeitete Hardware im Frühjahr 2006

04.01.06 - Die Famitsu schreibt in ihrer neuesten Ausgabe, dass im Frühjahr 2006 eine überarbeitete Hardware auf den Markt kommen soll. Es handelt sich nicht um eine Next Generation Konsole, das System wird in dem Artikel aber nicht weiter genannt.

Am wahrscheinlichsten wäre demnach ein Nintendo DS oder PSP im neuen Design oder sogar mit zusätzlichen, verbesserten Funktionen. Händlerberichte tendieren zu der Annahme, dass es sich um einen überarbeiteten Nintendo DS handelt.
 
the need to have the same space between both screens since some games are using those as one huge screen. those games would look absolutely strange if there is less space (think sonic ds).

I'd like to see a revision with is a bit smaller and more stylish, features the same material as the Micro, same screens as the revised SP and an overall look like the Revolution design.

I think a "revolutionised" DS-design would help Nintendo to launch Revolution...
 
Mr_Moogle said:
Its also strange to see a revised DS when its selling like hotcakes. Generally, redesigned hardware is used to push sales up when they start to slump.
Click to expand...
i also think it's a bit odd, a hardware redesign in under 18 months, but nintendo may want to get a new sleaker ds out there before revolution is released.

i imagine nintendo wants consumers to stay focused on revolution for the latter half of the year and well into next, so spring this year may be a good time.

as for looks, i think there is room for improvement with ds and also improved battery life. i'd imagine nintendo wants the new ds to be more in line with how the revolution is going to look.
 
It probably won't happen, but I would not be surprised.

It is part of the Japanese business strategy to keep miniaturizing and improving technology (cellphones for example)

And if you look at how quick apple releases new Ipods, and the fact that they are still doing perfectly fine, it seems to work perfectly well in the business sense.
 
Hopefully its a redesigned DS.

I need to buy a new DS because my current blue one ( less that 6 months olds ) has stopped reading DS cards.
 
please, please, please be true.

there's not much room for the psp to be improved, unless sony wants to include a flash drive and the GC/Xbox is a lost cause.

DS SP FTW! :D
 
Mihail said:
WTF? How can you have speculation like this without even knowing for sure which company will release the hardware? Makes no sense (not that I'm doubting it).
Click to expand...


lol, exactly what I thought. This reads like:

"erm...we have some evidence that erm some company is going to erm make some change to erm one of their erm products erm soon. Possibly by March...perhaps. But we don't know what changes they'll make, if any, and we don't even know what company is going to do this, if any of them are at all tbh"

This is nothing but idle speculation about something that probably will happen eventually. So when it does happen, they can say that they were right because they guessed it first
 
Xellotah said:
Hopefully its a redesigned DS.

I need to buy a new DS because my current blue one ( less that 6 months olds ) has stopped reading DS cards.
Click to expand...

As far as I remember, there's a one year warranty on Nintendo hardware, even in the US (in Europe it's like 3 years by law now). You should be able to just get them to fix or replace it.

Anyway, if it turns out to be a DS redesign, I'll have a look and put my old one up for sale immediately if the new one looks good, although I have to say I don't mind the current one so much anymore. I've kinda grown to like it. It's not exactly pretty, but it's sturdy and reliable. It's not exactly ergonomic, either, but I've recently been trying another handheld that made it seem not so bad.
 
Good news, I ws planning on getting a DS this spring. If the revision lowers the price of the original machine I will be very happy.
 
Xellotah said:
Hopefully its a redesigned DS.

I need to buy a new DS because my current blue one ( less that 6 months olds ) has stopped reading DS cards.
Click to expand...

Slightly offtopic, but I recently had a game (Madden 2005) screw up the pins in my DS slot too. They all got bend to the front. Had to open up my DS, solder out the cartridge bay, bend the pins back and get everything back together.
Took me 3 attempts to getit to read DS cards again, but it still works (after a week).
 
callous said:
As far as I remember, there's a one year warranty on Nintendo hardware, even in the US (in Europe it's like 3 years by law now). You should be able to just get them to fix or replace it.
Click to expand...

Oh I know that... but lazy ass person that is me hasn't bothered yet.

Now that the DS can carry itself in terms of software, a redesigned DS should remove the GBA port, so that it can be smaller.


Blackbird said:
Slightly offtopic, but I recently had a game (Madden 2005) screw up the pins in my DS slot too. They all got bend to the front. Had to open up my DS, solder out the cartridge bay, bend the pins back and get everything back together.
Took me 3 attempts to getit to read DS cards again, but it still works (after a week).
Click to expand...

Bent pins? hmm.. I'll have to check that .
 
DS/PSP redesigns seem almost inevitable. DS desperately needs a more attractive/smaller shell and PSP desperately needs an internal hard disc and better analog nub.
 
It better be a good-lookin DS. It's currently so fugly - I'd buy a second one just for something more comfortable/easy on the eye.
 
Haleon said:
I hope they remove the GBA slot and make it ultra thin.
Click to expand...

Exactly! Screw those planned add-on packs to enhance the DS games! No more new songs for Jam with the Band, rumble features in Metroid Prime Pinball, or those upcoming option packs!
 
It won't be an updated DS... they won't do that until hardware starts to slow down. Considering the DS sold 8 times what PSP sold in one week and nearly a million units in a week, it's doubtful.
 
I heard many persons say they would buy the DS if it had a better design. Maybe Nintendo heard them too? Plus you can bet it will sell a good percentage to the first DS owners. I know I would buy a new one and give the old one to my sister for instance.
 
What's the point in removing the GBA socket? I sincerely hope they don't remove it as it prevents me from carrying extra hardware around to play a few games. Besides, a lot of DS games have unlockables from related GBA carts, and these would just stop working :( I think they can make a much slicker form DS without compromising at all on functionality. It would be nice if they get rid of that audible pop when you turn it on and off too :)
 
I can't believe people even WISH for a redesigned or whatever revision of the DS...
You WISH to give your wallet, that's what is happening.
A handheld could be bought each 5 years or so, just like a home console imo. Over-consumption for the win!! (The DS probably was DESIGNED to be clunky so they pull off the one you really want later -- easy money to make there. I wouldn't be surprised if ever this total assumption would be true... but even the worst business man or PR dude would never admit such things.)
 
Wyzdom said:
I can't believe people even WISH for a redesigned or whatever revision of the DS...
You WISH to give your wallet, that's what is happening.
A handheld could be bought each 5 years or so, just like a home console imo. Over-consumption for the win!! (The DS probably was DESIGNED to be clunky so they pull off the one you really want later -- easy money to make there. I wouldn't be surprised if ever this total assumption would be true... but even the worst business man or PR dude would never admit such things.)
Click to expand...
Yeah, but you don't have to buy it if you don't want to. You can easily stick with the original model DS for five years no matter how many revisions Nintendo puts out.

Of course, some of us knew that revisions were coming and we've held off on buying, so naturally we're rooting for those to come out. Others don't mind buying again. Whatever floats your boat.
 
I wouldn't expect the DS to have the GBA slot removed in a redesign until several years into it's lifetime (like the GBmicro). The GBA still sells quite a bit worldwide and having the DS backwards compatible is very attractive for prospective buyers with an existing GBA library.

Looking at the size of the micro, Nintendo should be able to make a sufficiently sleek system that has the ability to play both GBA & DS games. Don't strip features for design. If they did, that'd be the only reason keeping me from purchasing DS v2.
 
Wyzdom said:
I can't believe people even WISH for a redesigned or whatever revision of the DS...
You WISH to give your wallet, that's what is happening.
A handheld could be bought each 5 years or so, just like a home console imo. Over-consumption for the win!! (The DS probably was DESIGNED to be clunky so they pull off the one you really want later -- easy money to make there. I wouldn't be surprised if ever this total assumption would be true... but even the worst business man or PR dude would never admit such things.)
Click to expand...

Um, this happens in everything. My computer today looks a hell of a lot prettier than it did 15 years ago. My car is several times sleeker than my first one was. Stereos, TVs, iPods, furniture, even food advances functionally and aesthetically. If you don't like the available options, wait for something better. Just don't imply that Nintendo's alone in this practice. Companies like money and people love options. Nothing new here...
 
For me personally, I would've preferred if DS was without GBA socket from the start. I barely play GBA games and have no real interest in them (except for the three or so games I already have but rarely play). I sold my GBA a few years ago, my interest in handheld gaming was zero at that point and I thought I would never get back into handhelds again. That was until DS and PSP were released. DS gave me unique and refreshing games with decent graphics and sound, and PSP raised the technical bar for handhelds a lot.
 
human5892 said:
Yeah, but you don't have to buy it if you don't want to.
Click to expand...

Of course you're right. You bet i won't buy it. It the idea behind it all that i'm against.
I think over-consumption is a problem, a major one. I wish people would be more sensitive toward the fact that 10% of humans are using 90% of the world ressources.
Buying the DS-SP would mean to encourage over-consumption in my point of view and that's probably why i wouldn't buy it. Just my little tiny microscopic contribution for the sake of this world. Anyway, you get what i mean, i'm just against the idea of this kind of business. We all know, per example, that Nintendo could have released the GBASP right of the bat without the "bound to be replaced soon" GBA...


human5892 said:
we've held off on buying, so naturally we're rooting for those to come out.
Click to expand...

That's perfect fine. But you know where they really make more money... it's with all the people that will buy the 2 versions. And if there wasn't enough of those people, i think there would be no revision or the revision would come later (like the PS revisions)
 
Wyzdom said:
I can't believe people even WISH for a redesigned or whatever revision of the DS...
You WISH to give your wallet, that's what is happening.
A handheld could be bought each 5 years or so, just like a home console imo. Over-consumption for the win!! (The DS probably was DESIGNED to be clunky so they pull off the one you really want later -- easy money to make there. I wouldn't be surprised if ever this total assumption would be true... but even the worst business man or PR dude would never admit such things.)
Click to expand...
I wish for a revision of the DS. I don't think the actual DS is really as comfortable as it could be in terms of ergonomy.

As somebody else said, you don't HAVE to buy the new one. You can just decide to stick with your old one. Just like the GB Micro, I didn't see anybody putting their old GBA or GBA SP in the thrash for it.
 
Forgotten Ancient said:
Um, this happens in everything. My computer today looks a hell of a lot prettier than it did 15 years ago. My car is several times sleeker than my first one was. Stereos, TVs, iPods, furniture, even food advances functionally and aesthetically. If you don't like the available options, wait for something better. Just don't imply that Nintendo's alone in this practice. Companies like money and people love options. Nothing new here...
Click to expand...


I hear you. I know it's not new. Your computer, even if you keep it only five year, your new computer will ALOT more powerfull. For cars, you don't buy the 2006 of your 2005 same car. You don't buy your stereo each each either etc etc etc...

The biggest rip-off business is probably electronics and clothing or something. Look at those cellphones... and God you can spend all your money in clothes if you're stupid...
 
A revision could definitely improve upon just about everything- weight, screen quality (let's see it match the SP v.2) and style. Oh and buttons! Please give us a volume setting similar to the Micro. And make the a,b,x,y buttons a bit smoother. As they are now it's difficult to play it in bed since they click pretty loudly. I'm trying to keep it from bother my gf.
 
Hellraizah said:
I wish for a revision of the DS. I don't think the actual DS is really as comfortable as it could be in terms of ergonomy.

As somebody else said, you don't HAVE to buy the new one. You can just decide to stick with your old one. Just like the GB Micro, I didn't see anybody putting their old GBA or GBA SP in the thrash for it.
Click to expand...


I know, i just stated i'm against that kind of business that's all.
 
Maybe it's just me... but why do redesigns always have to be smaller? My hands become cramped enough as it is using the original sized handhelds... the problem onlly becomes compounded when they are made even smaller. Redesign for additional function is fine and dandy, but atleast put some effort into redesigning it to make it more ergonomic.
 
Wyzdom said:
I know, i just stated i'm against that kind of business that's all.
Click to expand...
Against what kind of business, exactly ?

You state that Nintendo could have skipped the GBA and only release the GBA SP instead. The thing is, at the moment the GBA was released, I doubt that with the costs and technology, they could have done the GBA SP, especially at the price it was released. With costs going down with time, and technology advancing, they want to offer new options to people. We all know that hardware is not where it's at for video game business. Now, of course, they do that with games too, now (Ninja Gaiden Black, DMC3 : SE, etc...), but again, you don't have to buy the new version if you're satisfied with the old one.

Speaking about the GBA SP, I could understand someone pissed because the new ones got a better screen at the same price. But somebody who's buying the new GBA SP wasn't enjoying one 2 fucking years ago.....
 
Mashing said:
Maybe it's just me... but why do redesigns always have to be smaller? My hands become cramped enough as it is using the original sized handhelds... the problem onlly becomes compounded when they are made even smaller. Redesign for additional function is fine and dandy, but atleast put some effort into redesigning it to make it more ergonomic.
Click to expand...

True, the GBA SP shoulder button were pretty much unusable to me. The micro horrifies me in that regard so I wont buy it, sometimes they make things too small but whatever floats yer boat.

Playing on my brothers DS is nice, but I want it lighter as holding the console with one hand gets tiring after so long, want it to look a bit sleeker and come with better battery life. Would be nice for it to have a backlight on off button like the SP or gradual levels of backlight use like with the PSP.
 
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