AndoCalrissian said:I own a DS too, just so we're clear on that. I really only require better screens and a sleeker design, hopefully one that matches the Revolution at least in color scheme. I guess I'm easy.
According to Wikipedia the NES displayed NTSC games in 256x224, while the resolution for one DS screen is 256 × 192. So that's a loss of 32 vertical pixels. Maybe not a huge issue, but it's something that has to be considered. I don't know if Nintendo will want to increase the resolution as that then creates two standards for the system, especially with 13 million+ of the old style in the hands of consumers already.
Lots of people mention 802.11g.
But noboy mentioned WPA (as opposed to WEP only)
They should lose the speakers (or just stick in a generic one-speaker mono) and just rely on headphones to lower the profile of the thing.
DavidDayton said:The WiFi connection info is stored on the DS, and not on the individual game carts. When I popped Animal Crossing into my DS for the first time, it automatically loaded up and used the WiFi settings I had in place from Mario Kart DS. I was rather surprised, as I kept hearing people say that the DS didn't save settings... but it does.
Do we know that? I thought it was just for easily setting up a friend's DS to use your connection, but when I attempted to use it to do just that for my little brother's DS, I got the warning message that it would delete the profile on my DS in the process. If the function is for easily configuring other DS units, that wouldn't make any sense. As the DS stores WiFi data in its internal memory, I'm quite willing to believe that that function is meant for transferring your WiFi profile permanently to a new DS, allowing you to change hardware. Has anyone tried that -- sending a WiFi profile from one DS to another, then popping their WiFi game into the new DS and taking it online? If you can do that and retain your friend list, then it's rather obvious Nintendo thought ahead.
What about the day off from class?Ford Prefect said:Finally, a reason to look forward to MLK Day!
DavidDayton said:You know, I find it hard to believe that the GBA slot takes up nearly as much room as so many of you seem to assume.
The GBC Z80 chip didn't take up much space either, but that was cut from both DS and Micro. I think a more network focused DS (online Picto-Chat, WiFi "Virtual Handheld" GB family downloads, limited net surfing/email//IM) with 512MB Flash would be a suitable replacement for GBA backward compatibility. It's inevitable I think that the GBA slot is going to be cut sooner or later, it's just the way Nintendo works.DavidDayton said:You know, I find it hard to believe that the GBA slot takes up nearly as much room as so many of you seem to assume.
jarrod said:The GBC Z80 chip didn't take up much space either, but that was cut from both DS and Micro. I think a more network focused DS (online Picto-Chat, WiFi "Virtual Handheld" GB family downloads, limited net surfing/email//IM) with 512MB Flash would be a suitable replacement for GBA backward compatibility. It's inevitable I think that the GBA slot is going to be cut sooner or later, it's just the way Nintendo works.
DavidDayton said:You know, I find it hard to believe that the GBA slot takes up nearly as much room as so many of you seem to assume.
They'll go the way of eReader Cards and the GBA Link Cable. Nintendo drops add-on support all the time.DrEvil said:Can't be though, not when they've released 'option paks' and rumble paks for games on the system.
jarrod said:The GBC Z80 chip didn't take up much space either, but that was cut from both DS and Micro. I think a more network focused DS (online Picto-Chat, WiFi "Virtual Handheld" GB family downloads, limited net surfing/email//IM) with 512MB Flash would be a suitable replacement for GBA backward compatibility. It's inevitable I think that the GBA slot is going to be cut sooner or later, it's just the way Nintendo works.
Well, they could still keep the old DS model going a la SP/micro.cvxfreak said:That would screw way too many Pokemon players. They'd still sell well but it would absolutely suck for those people who want to send their old Pokemon over.
jarrod said:Well, they could still keep the old DS model going a la SP/micro.
By just building it into a new model, they miss out on the many millions of people who have an older model DS from ever using such a service. How do you figure it'd be bulky, if you also say that replacing the GBA slot with an equivalent internal device would save space?jarrod said:Not elegant enough, historically low add-on penetration, misses out on opportunity to resell download GBA soft, likely bulky, etc, etc.
I think it'd be better for Nintendo to come up with a DS design that caters to the same sort of audience that Revolution targets. So similar case design and a similar "Virtual Handheld" functionality. Keeping or dropping the GBA slot doesn't really matter I think, but if it shaves some space/cost, I can definitely see Nintendo doing it.
Low prices for older games is one thing, but as long as GBA games are still selling new for $30 or more, that is not happening. Well, maybe for Karnaaj Rally or Namco Museum.jarrod said:They'd still be able to play GBA games on their DS... they'd just need to pay $5 each to download them.
Depends on how you look at it. Most NES and SNES games used a resolution of 256x224. DS screens are 256x192, but with two of them there's more screen overall to use.R0nn said:In regard to NES and SNES games: correct me if I'm wrong, but the resolution of the NDS is a bit higher than the NES and SNES iirc. At the least, it's not lower.
Nitpicky, but this is a term that's been often misunderstood for a good decade (I blame N64), so I'll point it out. I believe you mean texture filtering, which is what makes the textures on an object appear smoother/blurrier. Anti-aliasing is usually meant to mean the smoothing of the edges of the polygons themselves. That would improve DS graphics as well, but to a smaller degree and with a higher processing cost.E-phonk said:As far as graphics are concerned, the only thing that could improve a new DS with BC is anti aliasing.
JoshuaJSlone said:Low prices for older games is one thing, but as long as GBA games are still selling new for $30 or more, that is not happening. Well, maybe for Karnaaj Rally or Namco Museum.
Dropping the GBA slot != dropping the ARM7 chip. That means the DS loses some processing power, which would be bad.cvxfreak said:To drop the GBA port, especially with the ARM7 inside, won't yield any benefit whatsoever, especially with the GBASP/micro doing low numbers in Japan that can be accounted for with DS BC. We also have proof that new gamers are embracing the DS, and having the GBA port there gives the GBA a new audience as well.
AndoCalrissian said:Dropping the GBA slot != dropping the ARM7 chip. That means the DS loses some processing power, which would be bad.
Thank God you're not involved in design decisions.COCKLES said:They should lose the speakers (or just stick in a generic one-speaker mono) and just rely on headphones to lower the profile of the thing.
Oh, OK. Yeah, you're absolutely right.cvxfreak said:Well yeah, I wasn't implying that no GBA slot meant no ARM7. What I meant was that with the ARM7 inside already, the reduced space quite literally would not amount to anything more than the slot itself. It's almost like removing music capabilities from the PSP.
Boards of Canada said:Thank God you're not involved in design decisions.
bummyhead said:I agree with him. the stereo speakers are pointless. the "surround sound" of the ds works better with headphones anyway. If you gonna listen to tinny sound, it might as well be mono and not waste space.
The DS speakers are incredible. And you're wrong about the surround sound. It works exceptionally well without headphones. I've only once connected headphones to my DS. But it's pointless. The speakers are quite loud... louder than PSPs for sure. Stereo speakers are staying, sorry. It's very odd that you'd want that feature removed. It makes zero sense.bummyhead said:I agree with him. the stereo speakers are pointless. the "surround sound" of the ds works better with headphones anyway. If you gonna listen to tinny sound, it might as well be mono and not waste space.
f_elz said:I like these mockups
http://img454.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsrevnew8ew.jpg
True, but what I'm thinking is essentially a "micro" DS for a different audience. Kids who want to upload Pokemon for their RuSa/FRLG/Emerald carts get the old model DS while image conscious adults opt for the network focused, retro fueled, Revolutionesque new model.cvxfreak said:They could, but the difference between SP/micro and, I'm going to just assume here, the DS and DS+, is that the SP/micro aim to have functional differences and aim for completely different audiences. Here we have rumors that stock is low in Japan with the purpose of replacing the old DS with this new model - they could keep the old one going, but in the eyes of consumers it'll be very irritating to have to use the "outdated" model for the upcoming biggest DS game.
It might help start differentiating the markets though too, it may result in a rise of SP/mirco sales in Japan even.cvxfreak said:To drop the GBA port, especially with the ARM7 inside, won't yield any benefit whatsoever, especially with the GBASP/micro doing low numbers in Japan that can be accounted for with DS BC. We also have proof that new gamers are embracing the DS, and having the GBA port there gives the GBA a new audience as well.
They could do that too, giving old DS owners the option to "upgrade" their units. But the new DS really needs an internal solution I think, an add-on will never manage what Nintendo wants.cvxfreak said:That said, a GBA cart-sized memory card that can accept classic portable games via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection would be appreciated, perhaps using the same cartridge technology as Play-Yan.
Who said internal flash would eat the same space as a GBA slot? An add-on would certainly be more bulky than removing the GBA cart and having memory internal. They could even do a SD slot for expandable memory, like Revolution, and it'd still be far more elegant and compact than a GBA slot + add-on solution.JoshuaJSlone said:By just building it into a new model, they miss out on the many millions of people who have an older model DS from ever using such a service. How do you figure it'd be bulky, if you also say that replacing the GBA slot with an equivalent internal device would save space?
Again, look at the GBC Z80. Even pennies and millimeters mean something when you're producing multiple millions of units.JoshuaJSlone said:I don't see how removing the GBA slot would save much space or cost, especially compared to the loss of some GBA game sales and loss of perceived value by consumers.
Are you kidding? Would you rather have the pricing/production/distribution model of the record industry over iTunes as well?JoshuaJSlone said:Low prices for older games is one thing, but as long as GBA games are still selling new for $30 or more, that is not happening. Well, maybe for Karnaaj Rally or Namco Museum.
DavidDayton said:...the thing is that I can't see Nintendo slashing out backwards compatibility functionality in the DS when they use the GBA port for DS games and GBA games are still in production. The GBC compatibility wasn't present in the DS, but GBC games were no longer being produced at that point.
It won't matter if they keep the old model for sale though, it'll just help expand the target audience and differentiate the models. See SP vs. micro.DavidDayton said:...the thing is that I can't see Nintendo slashing out backwards compatibility functionality in the DS when they use the GBA port for DS games and GBA games are still in production. The GBC compatibility wasn't present in the DS, but GBC games were no longer being produced at that point.
I <3 Katamari said:The speakers on the DS are awesome. It definitely shouldn't lose that feature.
The DS speakers are incredible. And you're wrong about the surround sound. It works exceptionally well without headphones. I've only once connected headphones to my DS. But it's pointless. The speakers are quite loud... louder than PSPs for sure. Stereo speakers are staying, sorry. It's very odd that you'd want that feature removed. It makes zero sense.
just 'cos they (might!) announce a redesign in January, doesn't mean it's coming in January
Would you rather have the pricing/production/distribution model of the record industry over iTunes as well?
soundwave05 said:Perhaps they may offer a solution like having a SD Card slot next to the DS card slot and then the consumer can just go out and buy their own SD Card if they want backwards compatibility.
Lindsay said:I just wanna ask why everyone is assuming the redesign won't suck?
bummyhead said:A more likely possibility would be a GBA cartidge SD card reader.... As I don't see nintendo ADDING any ports to the re-design...
Truthfully I doubt either will happen.