The RePortable Vol.1, No.5
DS is the new PSP or: New DS On The Way!
http://ds.ign.com/articles/914/914158p1.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080928/bs_nm/us_nintendo
News dropped on the 27th, about a new Nintendo DS redesign that will include a few new features, most notably a camera and SD card compatibility. Not only that, but the new DS is also reportedly set to include “improved WiFi support” and the ability to play music via the aforementioned SD card slot. There’s also an unfounded rumor that the screens will be bigger and that both will possibly be touch sensitive.
I have to say, it’s interesting how the redesigns the DS and PSP are getting seem to bring each system closer to being the other. The camera is definitely an interesting feature for the new DS and it’s said that there will be new games that make use of it, but if Nintendo doesn’t offer some sort of camera upgrade for previous generation DS systems, it will leave a lot of gamers out in the cold. The only way I could see this camera being useful outside of games, is if Nintendo offered Skype support. Being able to chat on the DS while using the camera would be a big selling point for some.
As for the media playback using the SD card, Nintendo almost seems to be telling people they want them to pirate games. Homebrew is very easy to use on the DS because all you need to do is plug in an SD compatible DS cart, and you KNOW some Dark Alex wannabe will figure out a way to allow for on-board homebrew with the SD port and eliminate the need for an R4 cart entirely!
Given the penetration of MP3 players, I can’t really see music playback being all that useful on the DS, but then again, it’s at least nice to have the option. An MP3 alarm clock feature would be cool and would be great for me, because if I can’t wake up to Rihanna, then I just can’t wake up! I imagine that there will also be some sort of photo-taking program included which will also make use of the SD slot. Imagine being the first guy to take a picture of your willy ON your DS and use it as an avatar! Ah the brave new world we’re living in! But hey, uh, if you do it, just don’t say it was my idea.,. <_<
I don’t know that dual touch screens is realistic, though it might open up additional control options for freaky left handed people (crazy lefties, with your backwards guitars and upside down scissors!) The ergonomics of holding the DS with one hand while manipulating the touch screen gives one a carpal tunnel just to contemplate (I LOVE Metroid Prime Hunters, but my left hand sure didn’t.) But trying to use TWO touch screens? You know some misguided developer will come out with some game that requires the use of both touch screens simultaneously not realizing that a good portion of people can’t even walk and chew gum at the same time. Unless of course we dispense with buttons altogether and put them ON the touch-screen. The screens being bigger would definitely get some folks in the door, but if portable screens get too much bigger, we’re going to be carrying around small tv sets with buttons on each side of them. Besides, if you’re a REAL portable gamer, you don’t NEED a big screen!
In all, this redesign looks good on paper. The DS definitely wins over the PSP in terms of interface, so some of the media features will probably be much better implemented even if they don’t work as well as they do on Sony’s beast. No matter what Nintendo does, the DS won’t beat the PSP as a media device, but as a portable gaming machine with a few media features and a singular playing experience that the PSP will never be able to reproduce, the DS wins hands down, pants down, whatever you want!
