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Kimberley Ellis
12 Apr, 2008

Nintendo may unveil new DS at this year's E3

DS Rumour | New update or entirely new console?
Thanks to an article published in Bloomberg: Japan, a wave of speculation has flooded the gaming industry as Hirokazu Hamamura, president of Japanese magazine publisher Enterbrain (which is home to popular gaming publication Famitsu) has recently commented that Nintendo may be announcing a new version of its insanely popular handheld, the Nintendo DS at this year's E3 convention.

At this stage it is unclear as to whether the rumoured DS will be another redesign or an entirely new platform. Given Nintendo's past history, it would be assumed that it is another upgrade in the works rather than a new machine at this time as Nintendo would be wary of jeopardising their sales as the DS continues to sell like hotcakes across the globe.

Special shout out to PALGN reader Munchie who translated the Bloomberg article.

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31 Comments
5 years ago
Preferably neither. The DS lite is great the way it is, and a new handheld is too soon, the DS is selling crazy.
5 years ago
I wonder why they would make another one already?, the only improvements on the ds lite they can make are to make it smaller and i think it might be a bit too small it they make it smaller, i cant find many flaws with my ds lite if any
5 years ago
Maybe the new DS will have inbuilt flash memory for downloading GBA and GB games, but yeah, the DS lite is pretty much perfect and a new console a bit too soon.
5 years ago
Oh please no icon_sad.gif. I got my DS last year and its too soon for a revision. its fine as it is. and a new console entirely is a big no no considering how well the current DS Lite is selling.
5 years ago
i reckon its going to be a ds micro type thing, even smaller, but lacks a GBA slot
5 years ago
As someone who's owned a DS since the NA release, I very much welcome the next in the series, and am looking forward to whatever other tricks Nintendo can pull out of the bag this time round.

A redesign, however, would not interest me. I did replace my DS Phat for a Lite, but once is certainly enough, they're not selling it to me a third time (same happened with GBAs; bought a GBA regular, replaced it with an SP, never got a Micro).
5 years ago
I'm certainly interested. I'm looking to sell my DS as it is (bought in Jan 2008 and had a few defects out of the box, never bothered returning it icon_sad.gif) so being able to upgrade at the same time would be nice.

That said, I'm not interested if it goes the way of the Micro. Removing GB/GBC compatibility sucked on the Micro, same will apply to removing the GBA slot on a redesigned DS. New hardware should be more functional.
5 years ago
If so, removing the GBA slot is a bad idea. What with Guitar Hero coming out and using it. Oh god, won't somebody think of the children.
5 years ago
A DS micro might be a design for adults that only play brain training etc, and the lack of GBA slot may mean a reduce in price
5 years ago
It's hard to say for sure really, but a redesign is definitely more likely imo. Unless it adds some major feature though, I'm not interested. I'm still using the two DS's I bought at launch here, forget the Lite, the only difference is cosmetic, I'm not paying out more money just for that. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the original DS, redesigns are just incentives for potential buyers after all.
5 years ago
B3NBO wrote
Oh please no icon_sad.gif. I got my DS last year and its too soon for a revision. its fine as it is. and a new console entirely is a big no no considering how well the current DS Lite is selling.
Same here.I don't think I've even had my DS Lite for 6 months.
5 years ago
i just hope they shape it somhow so its comfortable to hold, and doesn't give you hand cramps after prolong periods of play.
The old Ds phat was a complete joy to hold but a strain to the eyes, then the DS lite came out and the screen looked beautiful, but it hurt my hands
5 years ago
If it's a redesign that I like, I'll be interested- AU Launch Day DS Phat user here. icon_razz.gif
5 years ago
Now coming in Aluminium and Glass.

Thanks to Alex for the picture.
5 years ago
Good timing, since I'll probably get a second DS for my sis and give her my old one. Hopefully it ain't smaller and doesn't take SLOT 2 away.
5 years ago
I think the time is about right to announce the successor. The DS hardware is pushing 4 years soon - and don't forget it will likely be at least 12-18 months after announcement any successor is released.
5 years ago
I can't help but imagine a Macbook Air-style DS. Super light and thin... perfect for the Japanese/gadget freaks...
5 years ago
Id really appreciate another Pokemon game thats for sure ^^
5 years ago
Have had my DS Phat since it came out here and have recently been considering getting a DS Lite. The smaller size and increased screen brightness are definitely nice touches so if they bring out a new one with those and more, I may just have to pick it up.

When's E3 btw? June?
5 years ago
DS Advanced?

I think Nintendo could release a new version of the DS making it full backwards compatible with the DS.

I think the DS needs to evlove now as there is no way to update the current model's firmware. They need a model they can be updated like with the Wii.
5 years ago
Quote
It's hard to say for sure really, but a redesign is definitely more likely imo. Unless it adds some major feature though, I'm not interested. I'm still using the two DS's I bought at launch here, forget the Lite, the only difference is cosmetic, I'm not paying out more money just for that. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the original DS, redesigns are just incentives for potential buyers after all.
It's not just purely cosmetic with the Lite though. I could never go back to an old DS after the brightness settings the Lite's allow.
5 years ago
Beepos wrote
Quote
It's hard to say for sure really, but a redesign is definitely more likely imo. Unless it adds some major feature though, I'm not interested. I'm still using the two DS's I bought at launch here, forget the Lite, the only difference is cosmetic, I'm not paying out more money just for that. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the original DS, redesigns are just incentives for potential buyers after all.
It's not just purely cosmetic with the Lite though. I could never go back to an old DS after the brightness settings the Lite's allow.
Same here, the upgrade from Phat to Lite for me was major. The brightness really made a difference to me. The fact it looked more sexier and was easier to carry about was only a bonus.

I'm one of the people who bought a GBA and then bought the SP but decided not to get a Micro mainly because I had only just got a DS and there really was no point in me doubling up at that time. With the DS however I probably would update a third time if the improvements were decent enough - it would have to be more than cosmetic updates though. The DS really is an amazing gaming device.
5 years ago
I hope not, i just bought a DS at christmas
5 years ago
GroovySamurai wrote
The brightness really made a difference to me. The fact it looked more sexier and was easier to carry about was only a bonus.
Yup, the brightness on the Lite models is absolutely fucking incredible. I had a PSP for about a year and a half before I got my DS Lite, and I always had difficulty seeing the screen in the car, on max brightness (level 4 brightness, normally only available when you're plugged into AC, thankyou CFW). With the DS Lite, I never need to bring it up above the lowest brightness level (giving me 18h or so battery life icon_smile.gif).

And I think you're on the right track LeonJ, the inability to upgrade the firmware on DS units was a big mistake on Nintendo's part, perhaps a new unit will rectify this (however, it'd probably be too late, with the millions and millions of un-upgradable DS Lites around..)
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