New Nintendo DS coming at this year's E3?

According to reports (translated, possibly misunderstood, clearly speculative reports), come this year's E3, Nintendo could be rolling out a brand-spanking-new DS -- most likely very unlike the one pictured above. If you follow the text in a Bloomberg Japan article, Famicom magazine publisher Hirokazu Hamamura says that the timing of E3 would fall right in line with the two-year stagger the Big N has applied to other handheld releases. Of course, Nintendo is saying "no comment," though we find that's usually the last thing they say before introducing the Wii, Game Boy, N64, Harry Potter Wand, or Ultimate Doomsday Device.

[Via Joystiq; Image courtesy Kris/Rakka]

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 12th 2008 9:31AM]

Realistic hopes for the rumoured redesign:
-----------------------------
1) more clicky, less mashy D-Pad (also bring back DS Phat-sized dpad. The smaller and mashier it is, the worse it has been, IMO. DS Phat keypad still runs rings around DS
Lite's.
2) curved shoulder buttons a la Game Boy Advance (DS Phat's are better than Lite's)
3) smaller, lighter (hate to say it, but which will probably be achieved by dispensing with Slot 2, among other general miniaturisation and optimisation)

That is all.

Unrealistic and/or very unlikely:
-------------------------
1) WPA/WPA2 support (I heard the processor was too weak)
2) ability to see the displays in full sunlight
3) storage / media players (tho all available via third-parties)
4) DS daily planner built-in (the calendar just begs for this)
5) non-sucky sound a la PSP
6) matte surface (as opposed to slippery gloss exterior)

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 12th 2008 4:13PM]

Um... from the GB to the GBC, you could see the screen in all levels of light (except in absence of it), they should improve this (I had a GBA, PITA to see the screen, had to see it in sunlight or bright florescent light (even a worm light worked, but still annoying)).

Shouldn't have to turn on a bright light just to play. Nintendo has no excuse on this end.

So it is not unrealistic, they just need to get rid of that tinted screen.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2008 4:47AM]

smk,
I basically call it unrealistic because I've never seen a good backlit screen which is also good in sunlight. Non-backlit, yes.

I am a fan of the older Game Boys but I think it's unrealistic to expect the best of both worlds here. I hope this changes in future, but I'm not holding my breath.

Cheers.

[Picklesworth Posted Apr 12th 2008 2:01PM]

It's a shame how many of these wishes are impossible. Games on Nintendo systems always have a bare-metal design, where even supporting WPA would be impossible. The Nintendo WiFi configuration, for example, is just the same code duplicated across many different pieces of software; it is not something that can be extended mid flight.

It's really weird they do that, considering their tendency to release so many redesigns. I think Nintendo would do well creating a modular software platform...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2008 12:17PM]

i dont see any improvements besides maybe

-built-in wifi
-bigger resolution(allowing it to work with older DS versions also).
-DS becoming a PMP, and transfer through a proprietry DS slot to USB to transfer music,video files.
- custom backround! that would be great! i think this is the most realistic and great improvement that can happen.

adding anything else like multi-touch, preinstalled r4, top screen touch screen (how the hell would you play like that when both your hands are on the bottom of the ds holding it?) and such

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2008 6:56PM]

andrew @ Apr 13th 2008 12:17PM
i dont see any improvements besides maybe
-built-in wifi
----
The DS has built-in wifi

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 14th 2008 10:54PM]

I hope the next one actually looks like a next gen gaming system, long live Mario!

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 20th 2008 5:50PM]

I never thought the DS actually needed a redesign until Mark reminded me about WPA support. My computer doesn't like WEP (but can run with it), but if I change to WPA then I can't use my DS. Dilemma time.

[(Unverified) Posted May 11th 2008 12:43PM]

If there is a release they are most likely targeting to remove pirating(flash carts). Also an improvement in graphics would be nice...(N64-GC graphic XD)

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 19th 2008 3:32PM]

wait if they take a way the gba slot what happens with the new guitar hero???? the thing goes in that slot!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 5th 2008 12:42AM]

There are already devices that you can put SD cards with DS roms in them. The games are on 1 to 2 GB SD Cards already. There is an internet browser made by Nintendo already , and they already made a new DS with bigger and brighter screens but they were waiting until the DS sales died down so they could release it. They sell so many there is no need to release it this early.