Nintendo: Don't count on that DS redesign
by Alisha Karabinus 
{ Apr 15th 2008 at 11:15AM }
January, 2006: Rumors fly about a DS redesign. There had already been some word that we would see a new DS model, but Nintendo of Europe dismissed those rumors as "pure rumor and speculation."January, 2006: Just a few days later, the DS Lite is officially announced.
April, 2008: Hirokazu Hamamura of Enterbrain speculates on the big reveal of yet another DS model at this year's E3.
April, 2008: Nintendo of Europe says the Enterbrain boss's comments are -- wait for it -- simply "rumor and speculation."
Surely we're not alone in sensing a pattern, and it's a pattern that goes beyond even NoE's mirrored statements. The announcement of a redesign this year would match the GBA's timeline, so while we're not going to come out and say that it's likely we'll hear about a new DS this year, we won't be surprised if it happens.
In the meantime, we've loaded the mockup gallery with other fan-made possibilities. Know of a few that aren't represented here? Let us know! Some of these visualizations are just incredible.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
pas @ Apr 15th 2008 11:22AM
To be honest I believe in that redesign aswell seeing as even a companie lied to a psp-guy that now kh was made for the psp and some days later announced 3 titles for psp, ds (yay !) and even the handy.
I just hope it won't be much better than the old one so there won't be any problems with the old one not being able to play the games of the new.
Let's hope the best, my ol phat needs a strudy and good replacement (still, I will keep it for the memories)
Onomah @ Apr 15th 2008 12:03PM
Yeah, I'm certain there is going to be a redesign, a few months ago nintendo europe surveyed me on my opinions of the DS lite. My theory is that this next one will be easier to hold because I think there were a couple of bits asking how easy it was to hold while playing.
Anyway, I think that that's really the only improvement that could feasably be made. That and actually making it so that GBA games fit properly, it just looks so messey with them poking out
Jay @ Apr 15th 2008 12:18PM
Of course there won't be a redesign because its gonna be a next-gen DS which they, of course are gonna blatently deny until they're ready to announce it themselves.
Jacksons @ Apr 15th 2008 12:42PM
If anything, I would expect something like mockup #26.
therpham @ Apr 15th 2008 12:56PM
I'll take the one that pulls apart sideways then the screen flips up, please.
JC Fletcher @ Apr 15th 2008 1:42PM
If this were the pre-DS Lite Nintendo, there'd be absolutely no doubt. Every year and a half or so from the Game Boy Pocket until the DS, a new handheld system was released. But Nintendo's whole operating procedure has been disrupted by the outrageous popularity of the DS Lite, and I no longer really expect them to behave like themselves.
hvnlysoldr @ Apr 15th 2008 1:40PM
Those mock-ups make any post worthy.
Firemouse @ Apr 15th 2008 1:51PM
I don't know, I think it could go either way. The Lite was a significant improvement over the original DS, much like the SP was a significant improvement over the GBA. However, I think they risk another Micro incident releasing another hardware revision at this time. I fully believe Nintendo capable of doing such a thing, but I'm not too sure they actually would. I have to go with a "not too likely" verdict.
Nightstar @ Apr 15th 2008 2:04PM
Was thinking on this after the rumors stated to appear again.
Not much to change or update. Its a pretty good designed. Well though out using ideas and concepts proven over time to work well.
SPEED: CPU's speed could be both double or quadruple. Current Main is 66mhz and 2nd is 33. Basically double of GBA. its too slow for intense processing. Like the browser. So a speed increase would be nice.
THIN... Didden't Nintendo say a while back they are dropping the gameboy lable? Could the next model drop the Slot 2 GBA port? Shelf space for GBA titles is disappearing like Game Cube. Even Frys has red tagged the bulk of the GBA titles!
SCREEN: Larger screen. One or both up it to 3.5". Switch to an all surface touch screen. LCD are getting cheaper to do at larger sizes. OLED are too costly even at this size.... but would be wow!
MEMORY: Double or triple memory size. Make it easer for large games, browsers etc.
FEATURES: Music and video playback. Way out there but the PSP can do this out of the box. And in Japan there will be a Legal flash adapter and service by a third part for the DS. Be great if it come to the U.S. I actually use my DS for games but also music playback when driving.
LONG SHOT: Video out... Not a major item or even a micro item. But would be interesting.
BATTERY LIVE: Not much to add to the current it almost runs for ever!
Here is the catch. At 25 million the current DS STILL has not hit its stride! THE DS Lite over the Ds was to refind the case and make the display a bit brighter bother very worthwhile updates.
ssuk @ Apr 15th 2008 2:14PM
It's a redesign, not a whole new console. When you start messing with the specs of the new DS, you start breaking older games and stop older DS users using DS games which are made for this more powerful console.
Simply put, it'll be a re-vamp of the design, not the components. Maybe the DS2 will answer your calls though.
Plothole @ Apr 27th 2008 10:27PM
The problem with removing the GBA slot is that it would take away more than just GBA support. You also wouldn't be able to use things like the rumble pak, browser memory pak, Gutar Hero controller, slide controller (japan), camera(japan) and a number of other accessories.
webdude @ Apr 15th 2008 2:08PM
nintendo might release a new ds with extra features like a build in mp3player (music stored could be stored on micro sd-card) or with a picture/video viewer or basic organizer (like calender and adressbook) - all this extra feature will cool if they build into hardware and not some "dodgy" memory card.
It would also be cool if nintendo updated the hardware so ds could use a wpa encrypted wireless network
Nightstar @ Apr 15th 2008 2:22PM
Forgot about the non WPA aspect. That would be greate.
Pedroion @ Apr 15th 2008 3:08PM
I hope there is a new DS coming. I only have my beloved DS for 2 weeks, but I will start saving my money again, coz I am only 15!
Bigger screens Nintendo, and a nice and smooth processor (ARM11 plz!)!!
KaBob799 @ Apr 15th 2008 2:50PM
The DS Lite doesn't really need a redesign. Most of those mockups would never happen anyway. All the new ds needs is maybe a very slight shape change and more processing power/features built in. The size is good and the general shape is good, why change it?
Tim @ Apr 19th 2008 2:51PM
I hope not, I just bought a ****ing cobalt DS lite, cause I was sick of the pale and jittery DSphat screen
Mark @ Apr 15th 2008 9:27PM
I would like them to add 802.11G wireless support with WPA. That's the only thing I don't like about my DS.
Roto13 @ Apr 15th 2008 10:06PM
One occurance doesn't make a pattern. :P
SephFinale @ Apr 16th 2008 2:00AM
People aren't seeing that if there's a major redesign (Like a change in hardware) that all the game companies will need to be sent new DSes to play with, and new GOOD games (Remember how few of those existed at the end of '04, beginning of '05?) would take a longer while to come out because devs will want to play with their new toys.
Peter S @ Apr 16th 2008 11:59AM
Heck, I'd love a redesign, if only so the current DS Lites drop in price so I can justify getting one. :)
Plothole @ Apr 27th 2008 11:21PM
I must say I'm pretty casual to that mockup with the single large screen and an turn-style opening. The only thing I'd change is the position of the Start and Select... I'd put them on the lower body right above the ABXY buttons, and then were that "third speaker" is I'd cut it open so that the buttons are still accessable while it's "closed".
Anyways, I believe them when they say there won't be a "redesign". Though it would be sweet if the "successor" turned out somewhat like I mentioned above.