Nintendo and Visteon to launch a car-dockable large screen player for GBA games

Nintendo has a joint press conference at CES tomorrow with Visteon of all companies, and after a little due deliberation, and a high stakes game of Mario Kart DS (there was a nice bit of schwag on the table, those t-shirts are gunna be worth something someday!) we decided we'd check out this Visteon operation, who happen to be a "leading automotive global supplier." When we dropped by their website we found out they're already showing their forthcoming Nintendo device, loud and proud on the front page. It's a dockable entertainment system, meaning it can do the DVD playing on the lap, or as a fold down from the roof of your vehicle, but this one was designed in conjunction with Nintendo to support the Game Boy Advance. Just pop in a cartridge and your system gives over its 10.2-inch screen to your gaming demands. No word on how you actually control said game, but isn't it enough to look at?

[XGM @ Jan 5th 2006 6:07AM]

What did i hear, an other gay idea from nintendo ? Or did i hear some new thing thats not gonna sell and there gonna go bankrupt. They started great with the NES then the downfall started from the 64 and didnt stop.

[benhc911 @ Jan 5th 2006 7:37AM]

are you just looking to get flamed? Even if that is your opinion, you should be wary as of late. With a rediculously well recieved Revolution in the works, your comment is clear flamebaiting. I think that if i was younger, about 7 years, i would be beggin my parents for one of these. I think it will sell well if marketed properly.

[Badtz @ Jan 5th 2006 8:20AM]

"What did i hear, an other gay idea from nintendo ? Or did i hear some new thing thats not gonna sell and there gonna go bankrupt."



Over-react much? This is a niche product at best. I seriously doubt that Nintendo is hedging their entire business on this thing.

[G1ZM0 @ Jan 5th 2006 8:37AM]

Yeah nintendo really sucks. Well except for the whole dominating the handheld market thing.



Really this is smart. Just about every kid has a GBA. If I were buying a DVD for the kids to put in the car and I had a choice between a regular DVD player and one that also played GBA games it makes sense to get the one that supports games that my kids already have.

[Dull @ Jan 5th 2006 9:39AM]

Can I get one of those T-shirts?

[is @ Jan 5th 2006 10:12AM]

I think its a fine idea, but with todays tech as it is, why not a gamecube? Couple of wavebirds in the back, super smash and double dash - awesome.

[Jamaicanbwoydre @ Jan 5th 2006 12:20PM]

Raffle one of those tee's on the site!!!

[al @ Jan 5th 2006 1:02PM]

"I think its a fine idea, but with todays tech as it is, why not a gamecube? Couple of wavebirds in the back, super smash and double dash - awesome."



that's too expensive... this seems like a good, cheap use of gba. i would snatch a couple of these up if they were like $150-200. it would be nice to see nintendo continue to merge the gba with other devices.

[Derek Wong @ Jan 7th 2006 1:26PM]

I've been playing with nintendo products ever since i was 5 (now 13). I know it might sound...unreasonable coming from a teenager, but i think that nintendo has defenitely been doign its best to please customers. And, the gamecube is now only $99 and comes in a value pack. So its worth it now more than it was when it first came out.

[David @ Jan 7th 2006 2:16PM]

First of all, this product isn't made by Nintendo. Christ some people are idiots. I guess that's why Sony and Microsoft do so well in the video game industry. Furthermore, the Nintendo DS is outstanding (and destroying the PSP in units sold) and The Revolution looks to put Nintendo back on top. Looks like someone's feeling a little biter about the prospect of paying $400 for a system or having to eat crow and rejoin the Nintendo army.

[David @ Jan 7th 2006 2:18PM]

First of all, this product isn't made by Nintendo. Christ some people are idiots. I guess that's why Sony and Microsoft do so well in the video game industry. Furthermore, the Nintendo DS is outstanding (and destroying the PSP in units sold) and The Revolution looks to put Nintendo back on top. Looks like someone's feeling a little biter about the prospect of paying $400 for a system or having to eat crow and rejoin the Nintendo army.

[Chiris @ Jan 7th 2006 2:18PM]

hmm.... Nintendo is my favorite company, i've been with it for all my life, and i think this is a pretty good idea, but why only gba games? why not gamecube, revolution, 64 and others? why is it so selective.



but gizmo is right, almost every kid has a gba (me included) so this is a smart investment. super smash yea... CANT WAIT FOR REVOLUTION!!!!! (off topic yes, but thats what i do)

[Bijou Larkin @ Jan 7th 2006 3:02PM]

I think it's a great idea, especially for those long vacation car rides with the kids bickering in the back seat. This will keep them more than occupied, they may not even want to leave the car upon arrival. This would have saved my family some grief when we were growing up. Also if you ask me the N64 was probably the last truly revolutionary system (enter Xbox 360 arrived) so that first post is a bunch of nonsense.

[Tim @ Jan 7th 2006 3:23PM]

Nintendo is king when it comes to innovation. as always, they look for new fields to market in. Mobile gaming, Nintendo's strongest field, is now fusing with in-car entertainment and creating what appears to be one heck of a bundle!



Beyond the Ds's domination over the stagnant sales of the PSP, and the GBA outselling every handheld in history, this small addition to Nintendo's massive handheld, (or now partialy ceiling mounted ;) ) branch is sure to be a hit.



Don't beleive the haters, Nintendo is a multi-million dollar companey, and unlike Microsoft, they actualy make money from gaming, they don't lose it ;)

[Dean @ Jan 7th 2006 4:35PM]

Ummmmmm. Well it looks ok, buy Nintendo still needs to find better ways of making gaming ideas,

[Patrick Bailey @ Jan 7th 2006 5:05PM]

I have no life and Zelda The Minish Cap is AWESOME!!!!!!

[erik @ Jan 7th 2006 5:54PM]

i think that nintendo is being subject to far too many fair weather fans..... yes, the GAME CUBE was awsome, but it couldnt compete with the ps2 or *gasp* the x box due to the lack of a dvd player. nintendo will rebound with the revolution, and i will be forced to buy ocarina of time(yet again). that being said, this idea is a little far fetched, but thats what nintendo does best :) A+

[Jake @ Jan 7th 2006 5:58PM]

Nintendo's products have become inferior starting from the whole Gamecube-Xbox-PS2 era. While they naively continue try to market to that imaginary sector of gamers who still prefers "innovation" to superior graphics and gameplay, Sony and and Microsoft get better and better. I mean, look at the PS3 and the 360 compared to the Revolution! More ports, better processors, better graphics, better games, MORE FUN... who really cares how well the Revolution is being recieved when it sucks as a game system?! When the powerful-multimedia PSP came out, it made the DS look like a joke. Hell, the DS always looked like a joke. 2 screens?! WHY?! To waste battery power? To have more of the N64-level graphics to looke at (Yay. More mediocrity)? To have an in-game map open the whole time (why not just have the in-game map accessible through, say, the start button)? The stupid touchscreen renders most games almost impossible to control, causes constant scratching on the screen and reduces visibility. "Innovative" my ass--just because you shove a bunch of features into a system doesn't make it innovative. Nintendo has gone down the tubes--its level of technology sucks, its 'vision' sucks, and even its marketing department sucks. I say, survival of the fittest (and best)! Go Microsoft and Sony!

[dark @ Jan 7th 2006 6:01PM]

Is it only for the GBA? what about DS? Should I assume of course for DS as well? Anyway, any such device that also supports handhelds that way is kool.



As for the first comment, I would have to agree that Nintendo does suck for the most part( I think im the only one here, huh?)

I'm not surprised that the DS outsold the PSP that way. The DS does have many games that are fun to play and prefered by most gamers. And there is a huge 150-250 price difference, and Im sure many of you know how that works into it, for both kids and parents. Also there is the fact that PSPs were hard to get a hold of when, and I know most easily anxious people were not willing to wait past their birthdays, or even Christmas(as the DS got that slot just before the release of PSP).

However, this makes DS look like a fluke, cause if you look at the two systems, the PSP outperforms the DS in every way. I dont have either system, but Ive heard some owners complain of lack of good games. I cant remember when that was, but it was a long time ago.(havent been up-to-date cause i dont care that much.) Perhaps the one thing the DS has over PSP is cahoots with some better and more popular game publishers and better marketability, but in time, the PSP is likely to get ahead of that too.

Oh and that pictochat thing, most 733t and common gamers i speak with agree thats very stupid. Oh and the N64 was the console of a generation ever, I know, I picked one over a PS, and after a year could no longer defend my choice, especially after seeing Resident Evil 2. And the Gamecube...didnt i see one on sale for 99 at a local GameCrazy?

Yes Nintendo does suck, their game publishers, smash brothers, no, but the rest of the company....

[dark @ Jan 7th 2006 6:06PM]

Wow! just as I activated my comment...well now I agree with Jake as well. And sorry for the long post, thats just how I do.

[Jake @ Jan 7th 2006 6:06PM]

And, if you couldn't tell from my previous comment, I'm sick of the phrase "innovation" being tossed around as some sort of universal cure-all for nintendo's inferiority. Exactly what "innovation" are you talking about? I mean, really, just because a console outsells another (ever heard of 'brand loyalty?) doesn't make it more "innovative." The only people who keep nintendo afloat are you stubborn folks folks who cling to the hope that it is still king. It all reminds me of an crinkly, senile old man who still uses a fully manual pushmower instead of a gas mower because he doesn't need "thems newfangled thingermajiggers."

[Some guy @ Jan 7th 2006 7:55PM]

Eh. I don't care for this. I already play GBA fine on the SP or on the DS.



To the haters...what the hell? I don't care about this "innovation" crap by Nintendo, I just wanna play the game. And lately, Nintendo's been delivering. Sure, the DS might look like a "joke," but it's a damn good system now. The DS beats the PSP in games for sure. Everything else, that's for Sony, because Sony wants to make everything in one system all the time. Nintendo is for games. And they're delivering as of late.



But of course, I'll probably be shunned as a fanboy of Nintendo 'cause I support 'em. It's sad really, because I play Xbox regularly as much as any Nintendo system, and I'm not even interested in the PS2 much. I have one, but meh, nothing interesting to me.



Simply put: Nintendo = games. Sony & Microsoft = everything else. Sheesh.

[Dave @ Jan 7th 2006 7:55PM]

Music to my ears.



Their's nothing as delicious as a whole gaggle of people who know nothing about gaming, and sporadicly and senselessly slander Nintendo's genius. All of your gaming values are missplaced. Graphics are not what games are about, and thats why the DS has sales the PSP can never touch. the PSP is marketed as an entire multimedia machine, yet my PDA has more functionality as such. Their is a reason third parties have nicknamed the DS the "Developer's System", with its unique design and incredible controls, it offers the most amaising gameplay of any handheld ever. Of course this isn't the place to argue this, nor is it the place to defame Nintendo or its rival companies.



Nintendo makes systems for gaming, their games have a staunch history of having the greatest gameplay, most original content, and being many times more unique than others. "Kiddy" some Nintendo games have been called, well to you i would direct your attention to my stack of "M" rated GCN games, and the bloody chainsaw that i use as my controller. Still think most of the games are childish? Perhapse you have insecurity issues, which you can deal with on your own, i know a fun game when i see one, and thats why i play Nintendo.



This new peripheral is officialy the 4th re-invention of the GBA. Shifting from a minute and stylish Micro, we have a large full color LCD screen. No doubt it will keep kids entertained on long trips, and maybe even the adults!

[blitzkrieg @ Jan 7th 2006 8:15PM]

none of you could tell a good game if it was shoved up your ass. what you see as a lack of brute strength in the form of sheer processing power is made up in with incredible innovation. its nintendo that keeps us from beating the same levels over and over. as for the psp outpreforming the ds, ARE THERE ANY HALF DECENT GAMES OF THE PSP?!?! didnt think so

[dark @ Jan 7th 2006 8:57PM]

well you have all got me there, since gba Ive seen a variety of great looking games that made me want to buy the gba just to play them (I just dont have an interest in a handheld). I would like Dave(7:55PM on Jan 7th) to elaborate on how the DS is such a great individual system that is great for developers.



I guess I for one was just trying to make a point along with XGM and I guess this isnt the place for such a discussion or debate or whatever it is we are doing here.



On that, anybody have a good forum for this?

[mikewolfskin @ Jan 7th 2006 9:37PM]

(What did i hear, an other gay idea from Nintendo ? Or did i hear some new thing thats not gonna sell and there gonna go bankrupt. They started great with the NES then the downfall started from the 64 and didn't stop.)





Mike: Do you know how old i em? 24! I've been with Nintendo sens the first system and the N64 had relay cool games for it in fact it has my Fav game of all times Zelda OoT! Your Lame Sony/Microsoft Fanboy/Tool. Can it!!! the N64 was voted as best system yet on G4 Tech TV a TV channel that hated Nintendo 4 spots over any Sony system so you words dont mean very much to us Nintendo Fan Boys i just what to shot you down with my magnum! The DS know my Fav system ever in this short of a time is kicking Sony PSP"S ass! You think its a bad idea to sell the Best handheld out there by the masters of Handheld over and over again? Well dont matter what you think becuse the numbers show how wrong you are! This good idea as GBA has been around for some time like 5 or 6 years know and is still selling as #1 handheld with Ds not far be hide!Nintendo new system is going to kick ass and any one can play it easily as a new person old person or a hard core games like my self. Any of you where saying you what one if you where 7 need to think again real fast becuse age is not the liment Playstation is the PlayLimit believe it I'm sick of there BS!!! They trash system and can only give out trash talk! Well the trash talk got them no where this time as Ds is wining big time! In fact sold out in Japan right know! I cant Wait for the Revo! You call me a Fan boy all you what and your right i em! thats right you founld the fan that on Ninetdno side 100% me mikewolfskin!

This GBA player will sell well becuse i see lot of peolpe own one rather young or old!



i WHAT THIS SYSTEM SELL WELL SO BAD AND WHAT MY SELF SO BADLY I HADE A DREAM ABOUT IT AND IN THAT DREAM I WAS THE SPIRT OF THE REVO! i WAS THE REVO! AND MY SWORD LOOKD LIKE THE REVO!



http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b216/mikewolfskin/RevoFanboy.jpg

[mikewolfskin @ Jan 7th 2006 9:42PM]

23. well you have all got me there, since gba Ive seen a variety of great looking games that made me want to buy the gba just to play them (I just dont have an interest in a handheld). I would like Dave(7:55PM on Jan 7th) to elaborate on how the DS is such a great individual system that is great for developers.







I guess I for one was just trying to make a point along with XGM and I guess this isnt the place for such a discussion or debate or whatever it is we are doing here.







On that, anybody have a good forum for this?







Try AMN! In the handheld forms they will tell you why is so kick ass!



http://forums.advancedmn.com/private.php?

[alberto @ Jan 7th 2006 9:52PM]

ok this is the main point sony and microsoft deliver full rich entretainment including ONLINE PLAY yeah NINTENDO ONLINE GAMING they stupid caming out with stupid kids game that in reality suck balls all im saying is give the ppl wut they whant that is powerful graphycs variarity and daam ONLINE PLAY thats wut ppl that whant not some game that only my lil bro will play daam NINTWNDO were did we go wrong were sometimes i just feel like you NINTENDO let me down im goin to go cry in my room now

[Justin @ Jan 7th 2006 10:00PM]

umm why do you all take this so serious. so some one doesnt like the system you do? who cares are you really that lifeless to diss on people because they like another gaming system more? lifeless... hey mike! what opperating system do you have? by chance is it made by microsoft? because i know its not by nintendo. just think what your saying buddy.

[mike @ Jan 8th 2006 12:50AM]

THIS MUST BE THE DUMBEST IDEA NINTENDO HAD BY FAR..WOW A 10.2 INCH SCREEN. WHO CARES. ALL THEY ARE DOING IS WASTING THEIR MONEY. NINTENDO HAS COMPLETELY LOST IT IS ALL IM GONNA SAY.

[Will @ Jan 8th 2006 2:01AM]

First off: Nintendo does, indeed, have terrific games. They constantly come out with new ones, and there are many different genres with variations in each one. I'm not brand-loyal; I have a PS2, and my brother has an Xbox as well, so I have certainly tried at least one console from every company. I don't have a PSP because I didn't want to waste my money.



To Jake, January 7th, 2006, 6:06 PM: "Innovation" means that Nintendo has succeeded in coming up with new game systems that are not only improved in graphics and gameplay, but are also radically different from the previous consoles. Look at the Revolution's new controller! And in contrast, check out Sony's and Microsoft's "next-generation" consoles; Sony managed to come up with the Playstation, then the Playstation 2, then the PSP. Wow, what amazingly original ideas. Microsoft? The Xbox, then the Xbox 360. Gee. And the DS's two screens? THAT is innovation, because it is NEW, and DIFFERENT. Do you own a dictionary? Try consulting it before making yourself look ridiculous.



And finally; the Gamecube does not play DVDs, that's true. However, it was not created to play movies; it was created so that gamers around the world could have an even better experience playing more exciting and brilliant games. And look at that, it succeeded! Whereas the Xbox and PS2 have not had too many games, and those that they have had have not been very well received in general (although I will say Halo and Halo 2 are excellent), the Gamecube has had a multitude of hit games. Sure, it can't play movies; but I, for one, do not care.

[Cody Sortore @ Jan 8th 2006 1:08PM]

I won't be getting one but it's a pretty good idea. Nintendo needs to make up a little money from their shortcommings with the Gamecube. I truly hope that they start picking up business and kick the crap out of the faulty Xbox 360. Sure the only thing really "wrong" with the 360 is the power supply overheats causing some interesting artifacts with the graphics and it'll shred a disk if you tilt it. Anyways, back on topic. For those of you who don't like nintendo that's your problem. Those of us who pretty much grew up on the Nintendo system remember the glory days of their system. Final Fantasy, old school Zelda, and several other games that have been COPIED for years now, and years to come. If you've got Linux there are several games available that are EXACTLY like old-school NES and Super NES games, why? because it was a rememberable system that had amazing games. For those of you who have a problem with the N64 all I have to say is you are ignorant!!!!!! sure it doesn't have the graphics that the newer systems do, but it was the first 64bit processing unit for game consoles that with its revolutionary multiplayer and built in 4 controller (which has been copied by gay companies like microsoft) system that made huge waves in the entertainment industry, the system is a legend. Heck I still play Mario Party on the N64 with groups of my friends.

[Cody Sortore @ Jan 8th 2006 1:18PM]

"umm why do you all take this so serious. so some one doesnt like the system you do? who cares are you really that lifeless to diss on people because they like another gaming system more? lifeless... hey mike! what opperating system do you have? by chance is it made by microsoft? because i know its not by nintendo. just think what your saying buddy."



yeah, some of us are this lifeless :-P others of us do it for a living. Either way you're right it doesn't really matter, sometimes it is more about people being narrow minded and ignorant than the actual idea of the gaming system.



oh, and by the way don't assume everyone uses Microsoft Windows as their OS sure it still has the majority but Mac is doing pretty good at catching up (even though it is still partially owned by Bill Gates) and Linux last I heard actually had second place as operating system usage. It's not just computer nerds like myself that use Linux.

[mike @ Jan 13th 2006 4:42PM]

Cody Sortore....

soo u think that microsoft is gay!?!?!!?

ur saying microsoft sucks but think about it, it is still new in the gaming industy..i think it doing exccelent only being on the console market for few years.and nintendo has sbeen on the market for god know how long and guess what it didnt improve on its games at all. the only games on gaycube worth playing is metriod prime 1+2 and resident evil 4...all others games SUCKED.

IF MICROSOFT IS DOING THIS WELL ON THE MARKET ALREADY THIKN ABOUT HOW WELL IT WIL LDO SOON AS FOR NINTENDO IT'S BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR SO MANY YEARS I LOST COUNT! PPL SAY YOU IMPROVE AFTER DOING SOMETHING FOR A LONG TIME....WELL GUESS WHAT EVERYTHING NINTENDO MADE AFTER N64 SUCKED!!!COUNTIND DS AS AN EXCEPTION

[mike @ Jan 14th 2006 2:06AM]

which one of u FOOLS said that the DS is greatly outselling the PSP...well let me tell u somethikng that is a load of BS..this is from a study done oon the 12th...

"Game Boy Advance programs made up 52 percent of total sales."



AHHA 52% is not a lot last time i checked..and u !@#$% are goin areound saying that the DS is "outselling: the PSP...let me tell u the DS will get the shit beaten out of it after the PSP has been in the market for a while.. and just like all the things that nintendo has been making lately IT GONNA TURN INTO A PATHETIC,USELESS,PILE OF SH!T

[Mike @ Feb 4th 2006 3:19PM]

to poster #35: youre a moron.


psp's been on the market long enough for everyone (except black bling bling people) that good games beat a bug screen anyday. p.s. youre not fooling anyone you sony fanboy.

[soren121 @ Dec 3rd 2006 6:56PM]

it's actually a good idea...I get an extra GBA and a DVD player :D! I just checked the site and they say the games are controlled by a wireless controller that I've never seen before...it's very awkwardly designed. It looks like this..
_____
/ _ \
/ _ oO\
/ O ___O \
\__/ \__/

[soren121 @ Dec 3rd 2006 6:57PM]

oops..my text art didn't work...

[soren121 @ Dec 3rd 2006 6:58PM]

oh by the way you idiotic PSP lovers, the DS is kickin butt in sales! They're so popular in Japan that it's impossible to keep them in stock! Over 50% of Japan already owns a DS! And we've got Wii now, which has DS link compatibility! You'll soon see that 75% of Japan has a DS, and 55% of the US has a DS!