Newfangled Nintendo DS on the horizon?

Whoa, whoa -- what's this? A fresh report from Nikkei is pretty confidently talking about a new Nintendo DS destined to hit "within the year," though we aren't claiming to be full-fledged believers just yet. To be fair, this isn't the first we've heard of such a beast, though the translated description is pretty far out there. For instance, the new model will reportedly boast a camera that will be used heavily for games and offer a stronger wireless signal. Even crazier is the bit about "competing with cellular phones" and "exceeding the frame of the game industry." The article mentions that the device will eventually ship for ?20,000 ($189) or less, though it doesn't say what kind of sauce the author hit before writing commenced.

[Image courtesy of Techeblog, thanks RS]

[Tpebop Posted Sep 28th 2008 2:51AM]

I heard that sony was coming out with a new psp, It has a numerical keypad, 3g, shoots lasers, has turntables instead of buttons, and it has a disco ball button next to the umd drive. Apparently its supposed to compete with cellphones and night clubs.

Like the others have said, I'll believe it when I see it. I'll wait till the TGS. This is what, the 4th time we've heard of a DS redesign this year?

[Raul7 Posted Sep 28th 2008 4:43AM]

I believed your post until you got to the UMD drive.. damn you!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 28th 2008 5:22AM]

Wow, all that and it still has no second analogue stick...

[DeAthWaGer Posted Sep 28th 2008 4:24AM]

I really wish Engadget would stop bothering when some schmuck at some random magazine/newspaper/other blog site "predicts" that a new game system is going to come out. It just pisses everyone off and starts flame wars. Well, then again, ANY news on anything videogame-related starts flame wars.

Until announcements come from ACTUAL game companies, why even bother?!

[Zef Posted Sep 28th 2008 7:38AM]

Nikkei is not some random newspaper. It is considered highly credible since it is the online version of Japan's leading economic newspaper. That alone makes this news most likely.

Add to that the fact that Nintendo is holding dual press conferences in both Japan and America on Thursday, something they do not do unless announcing something big, i.e. new product.

My money is on this news being correct. Just hanging out for all the details now.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 28th 2008 5:25AM]

So that's who was beating my score on pac-man, I was wondering who Mr-K. was.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 28th 2008 3:10PM]

I don't want to believe it. There's that part of me that hopes it's not true, but if it is... I guess I'll be getting ANOTHER new DS?

[Gad Get Posted Sep 28th 2008 11:37PM]

Nobody's gonna make you.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 28th 2008 5:57PM]

Nope...not this year.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 30th 2008 10:29AM]

anyone who wants it for the cat should be jewed.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 4th 2008 7:41PM]

Incidentally, I think it's true. Any of you look on Nintendo's Japanese website?

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/dsi.html

The DSi, it would seem...

Seems conceivable, considering how game companies tend to release as many versions as possible of a type of system before they make an entirely new one. And considering how many people want such things as a camera, SD port, and better wireless capabilities (among other things), combined with the rising threat of giants such as the iPhone (who appear to want a slice of the handheld gaming market as it is), I'd say it's a strong possibility, and there's really not much reason to doubt such a release.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 4th 2008 7:45PM]

I know, they need to release a completely new system, like the Nintendo TS or something, not 50 different models of the same thing. A DS by any other name is still a DS.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 11th 2008 5:23AM]

Plenty of bargains to be had at the moment if you are looking for Xmas presents. Nintendo are bundling the nintendo ds with some decent games for under a 100 quid. Just bought 2 with the Brain Training from these guys http://www.nintendo-dsconsole.co.uk