Mock-up for new DS has us wishing it wasn't a mock-up

by David Hinkle { Jan 2nd 2008 at 5:00PM }

This thing looks exactly like two iPhones sandwiched together, if you ask us. But, it isn't without its appealing aspects. For one, we like the idea of having a true 16:9 topscreen, because we're often staring at that screen for obvious reasons. Also, the thing looks lighter, which is always a bonus. So, it isn't completely useless and absurd.

What do you all think? Take it, or leave it?

Tags: mock-up, redesign, stylus

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

thesimplicity @ Jan 2nd 2008 5:41PM

Wow... there are so many design issues with this mockup, both from an industrial standpoint and a developer's. Having mismatched resolutions for the two screens would be a programming nightmare for a number of applications, especially anything that used a display swap. Those shoulder buttons are completely unusable, and the awkward hinge doesn't help matters. How is it supposed to close properly with the buttons in the way? I understand this was conceived by somebody without any industrial design experience, but, honestly... think about actually using the device rather than just having it look nice.

Miranda @ Jan 2nd 2008 5:46PM

You make some good points. I'm sure the real thing would not have these problems (well, I hope it wouldn't). I'm just hoping for a larger screen on the new DS, when/if it comes out.

Lilinka @ Jan 4th 2008 5:15PM

Mismatched resolutions is a programming nightmare? Since when? It's not like you're coding the same app to run on both screens with millisecond accurate simultaneous processes, it's a really simple system between the top and bottom screen, changing resolutions won't matter unless you have a game that's fairly demanding for timing, like a rhythm game, but that doesn't take too long to isolate the exact frequency delay and build that into a library.

Miranda @ Jan 2nd 2008 5:44PM

I'd take it! The only thing (IMO) better about the PSP than the DS is that the PSP's screen is bigger. And since my DS Lite has a dead pixel (which it has had since day one) and a cracked hinge (don't know when that happened, but its only effect is cosmetic), I'd be sorely tempted to upgrade when an upgrade comes out. (I wish they'd put them out in colors right off, though!)

Muhammad M @ Jan 2nd 2008 5:49PM

seems more like a psp2 sorta thing...with the DSs huge and varied install base this wouldn't be too much for the kids seems too expensive and fragile for the ages 4-100 range, and many people who buy DSs for affordability would probably not buy it so nintendo would LOSE market share. IMHO seems more geared to the PSPs audience. Either way if it were produced [with design fixes (I know this was just a fun photoshop or something but yeah) better hinge, etter buttons, an analog nub or two, etc.] and had a harddrive and memory card slot an hopefully opensource [either way it would probably get hacked] i would definitely buy it....if it were under $300

Ben @ Jan 2nd 2008 5:57PM

I like the bigger screens (they should be the same size though, for a number of reasons), but nothing else.

ssuk @ Jan 2nd 2008 5:57PM

I think the last thing the DS needs is to copy the iPod design scheme any more.

They don't really need to remake the design of the DS, just make the current DSL design smaller, remove the cheap and tacky white inner casing, get the better LCD screens from the original DS phat, better speakers from the original DS phat, keep with the bigger stylus. Have some of that rumour's internal flash memory for the Opera Browser, in-built rumble and tilt controls (you never know...) so we can keep the GBA port free... Or just do away with the GBA port altogether. I never seem to use it outside of the Opera Browser memory pack anyway. Job done. If they drop the DS' retail price from �99 which it's been at since March 2005 in Britain, to about �70 and I'd snap one of them right up.
Yes, I have grand dreams...

BPM - The 3rd Strike @ Jan 2nd 2008 11:40PM

You thought the DS's screens were better than the Lite's? Comparing the two, the DS's screens are very dark and harder to see in more lighting situations than the Lite's...

Matdredalia @ Jan 5th 2008 8:42PM

Please tell me you're joking about the phat screens being better than the Lite. The Phat screens are darker, and they are more prone to scratching. I've played on both systems extensively, and the Lite pwns the Phat hands down.

And the GBA port is used for, you know, GBA games.

Eddie @ Jan 2nd 2008 6:10PM

UGLY!
If I wanted an iPhone I would just go to the Apple Store.

Dan @ Jan 2nd 2008 11:17PM

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this is really ugly.

B @ Jan 2nd 2008 6:37PM

I don't get why everyone is trying to redesign the DS or think that nintendo would actually put one into production.

The DS was revamped into the DS lite, and they adressed issues that people had. They have sold millions the way that it is, don't expect a 3rd ds anytime soon.

I can't remember the last time that I saw a UMD in stores that I would consider buying, nor would I want to constantly buy memory cards (that aren't cheap)

If you want movies and music on the go, get a psp or an ipod. The DS is a gaming system and only that.

Personally, I'll stick with my DSlite.

SephFinale @ Jan 2nd 2008 7:12PM

Agreed. And if a 3rd DS redesign came out, a. It better be cheaper, or b. It'll end up like the Game Boy micro, not really worth getting at all.

Ry Guy @ Jan 2nd 2008 7:10PM

Screw these aesthetic changes. Improve the DS hardware itself. Add things that will not interfere with older games, but will allow developers new options. Give the system some internal memory for additional programs to run from the system menu, increase the amount of video RAM.

Compact more things into it internally instead of worrying about making it smaller. The thing's small enough as it is. If anything, just make the system sturdier. The DS Lite can't take as much of a beating as a typical Nintendo system.

Evangelist Pinto @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:35PM

Say that to my 20 feet dropped, wall smashed, almost drowned ds. (although it does have a small crack, but everything works fine)

Lilinka @ Jan 4th 2008 5:05PM

I will, my kitten knocked mine off the sofa onto the floor, a 1 to 2 foot drop, and cracked the thing almost in two by nailing it right on the hinge.

It's a durable system otherwise, but a two foot drop onto carpet should not kill a system; I'm waiting on a replacement case now since the connections are still safe, just the hinge is totally shattered. Compared to the abuse my DS Fat took, this is rather ridiculous. But hey.

However, I looked at this picture and my first hope was for a DS2, not a DS revision.

Shiro @ Jan 5th 2008 11:41PM

Lilinka has a point on the DS2 issue. That's what I thought when I noticed the difference in screen size (not possible to do in a revision, because new DS games wouldn't work on old DSes) and the fact that the graphics appear to be about GC quality in the pic.

Does that mean it's happening now? Not exactly. But I sure wouldn't mind it sometime in the next few years.

Syndrome @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:01PM

First of all, it looks fragile as hell.
Secondly, widescreen? The DS and its games does use 16:9 aspect, and smudging it out wouldn't look too great. Of course, if this was to become a whole new system, that would be another concern, except I don't think they will scrap the DS for a LONG time.

Brian @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:05PM

I think that is awesome! I would buy it!

vgxtremist @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:43PM

It looks good, but the fact it looks SOOO much like two Ipods would probably turn me off...besides I'm happy with my Blue Phat.

Dave A. @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:56AM

So you're saying it's two iPods duct taped together?

Yeah, definitely toss it back. Not worth it.

Santaji @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:31AM

This is what will happen if apple buy's Nintendo

Fiefdom @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:23AM

Luckily, Apple would never risk anything like that. Apple has absolutely no idea what it's doing when it comes to games.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Pippin

ssrgc @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:52AM

The only thing I find attractive about this mock-up is the bigger screen, which everyone wants & has already thought of.

Points for effort and skill, but not for design.

Bas @ Jan 3rd 2008 6:29AM

Looks sexy, I'd get one if it was solid at the hinges, and the screen wouldn't smudge current games due to the resolution, and my R4 would still work.

jus10j @ Jan 3rd 2008 7:44AM

I like the idea of a thinner DS Lite. Of course, it's sorely lacking in the pretty whiteness of the one I have now. I don't like the black edges and things. Bigger screen is good, too, plus all the chroming. Pimp My DS.

I'd get it if it looked more like a DS, and looked like it would actually work.

animeman_59 @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:21AM

What I would like to see in the DS 2. (coming to a store near you)

1) Widescreen - keep the same height as the original screen but widen it to 16:9
2) Media playback - watch movies (hence 16:9) and listen to music. Ebooks would be hella sweet for the DS2.
3) Bigger resolution - matching the res of the PSP would be good, but 852 x 480 would be amazing
4) More power - the current DS can do N64 graphics easily. The next one should be able to do Gamecube-esque graphics (just thinking about it makes me tingle)
5) More RAM - 128 can be easily built into the new system, but 256 would be better (UMPCs can easily do this and memory is only getting cheaper)
6) Built in web browser - no more carrying around a separate cart for programs. Give it flash and media playback capability.
7) Flash card reader - have a slot for SD cards or the smaller SD versions (mini or micro) for media storage
8) Third smaller screen - add another screen for the top of the ds when it's closed. This will be helpful is selecting music tracks without opening the DS altogether.

troy @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:07PM

Having a third screen would be helpful for music tracks but that's the sort of thing Nintendo aren't getting all gung-ho about, and I think for a good reason. I have a device with an external screen that plays songs, its my cell phone. Nintendo don't want to be a media center. Putting an SD slot in the DS would make it ripe for abuse.

Saria the Cat @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:02PM

Gross. Looks like a PSP. I appreciate Nintendo's minimalist approach to its design, and I want to keep it. This design looks much more Sony --- black, shiny, HD compatible, buy one now and you get 3 UMDs or Blurays for free!

Bigger screens would be nice, but I am perfectly happy with my Lite just as is. :)