Grampa Simpson
Banned
The appears to be a great platform for a portable video game system. Don't be so myopic about all the features in it's chipset. It has a full blown h.264 encoder - that doesn't mean that it needs to also be a camcorder.DrGAKMAN said:I weighed having 2 screens vs 1, then I also factor how Nintendo may impliment future revisisons for the "DS2" (like phat to lite to DSi to XL) and I also think about how the ergonomic arrangements of how the unit is held/played and that's just beyond the screen(s) size, resolution & aspect ratio. If the DS2 has one screen or two screens (that somehow "combine") and the aspect ratio fits to a 16:9 standerd than an HDMI port makes sense for scaling to an HDTV, but if it doesn't (and they're not aiming the device to be a hybrid of any type) then neither an HDMI port nor Tegra is needed/likely.
I was just expressing my dislike for pointless grinding.DrGAKMAN said:Grinding was just an example...an example that I also put in quotes...this isn't an argument for or against the gameplay mechanic of grinding, but rather how something LIKE grinding could be done on the go but the more story-based or "main" game could be played at home, in comfort and in a home theater cinematic set-up.
The connectivity between the GBA and Gamecube is precisely why we're not seeing much connectivity between the Wii and the DS. It was a move designed to boost sales of both platforms and it fell flat in that regard. It's an option that's probably been open to developers since Nintendo started serving DS demos via the Wii. The other thing you seem to be stuck on is the idea that the two product lines will eventually merge. This is something that doesn't make sense for two big reasons:DrGAKMAN said:So far, it seems Nintendo has avoided that type of "connectivity" between the DS & Wii on purpose. I don't see them switching gears on that now...sure there's some light experimentation with Wario DIY also as a (gallery only) Wii Channel, but nothing to the level of the GBA & GCN connectivity attempts last generation. And I'm suggesting something beyond just connectivity...more along the lines of one game that has both the (the at home & on the go) game "modes" in them. Granted, this wouldn't be for all games, just where it makes sense. I do not disagree with you about common API's, but that sorta is a blanket statement...what I've suggested before with the hybrid (or better exmple, the universal format) is that the portable would be Tegra 2 based while the home console would be Tegra 3...but this is all assuming the Tegra rumors hold water. And if they don't then the hybrid concept I've suggested particularly seems way less likely for Nintendo to do...but the universal format could still come to fruition, for certain games.
1) If Nintendo were to do this, they'd lose what little product diversity they have. The Gameboy line brought Nintendo through some very tough times. If the two had been combined into a single product line at that point, Nintendo may not have survived.
2) The practical considerations.
A) Backwards Compatibility becomes a problem because you're working with two different CPU families. You either have to double up on the CPUs for one, or make one massively more powerful than it's previous iteration in order to maintain backwards compatibility. Backwards compatibility is a powerful tool as it acts as a great security blanket for people unsure about making the upgrade.
B) Cartridges or DVDs? Do we make the handheld accept 5 inch DVDs (and carts for backwards compatibility) or do we make the home console rely on small and relatively expensive cartridges for it's media while including a DVD drive for compatibility? Neither seems to be an appealing solution.
The case for combining the two product lines is just not there for any point in the short to medium range. Fifteen years down the line it may be different, but for the foreseeable future it would be insane for Nintendo to try and combine them.
And then they have to still make two versions of the game assets. The best that they can share is code, and in that case, a shared API is just as practical.DrGAKMAN said:With the DS2 likely to be a leap to GCN (or even a Wii+ since the Wii is just a GCN+ and the screen would be portable) and the Wii was "held back" with the next one possibly not being way beyond the current generation HD consoles...I really do think many games could look/play somewhat similarly in either a portable or at home "modes". The at home console mode obviously looking better, but not so much that the game couldn't share basic similarities in portable mode.