DS Daily: You make the call
by David Hinkle 
{ Apr 22nd 2008 at 9:00AM }
One of the big stories we've been following here at DS Fanboy is the rumor of us seeing a new DS at this year's E3. Whether it just be a more slim and sleek version of the DS Lite, or a complete redesign, we're hopeful that Nintendo will provide us with a more appealing handheld to plunk money down on this summer.What do you all think, though? What are the odds that we could see a new DS from Nintendo at this year's show? Do you find it highly likely, or are we just getting our hopes up for no reason?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sinnix @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:10AM
There's nothing particularly wrong with the DS and it's still selling like mad. I don't think they see the need to redesign it.
Peter R. @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:31PM
Even though the DS Lite is still selling well, it has seen a decrease in sales. Aside from that though, the way I see it, it kinda doesn't matter whether the DS Lite is still selling good. What really makes the difference is whether a redesign is going to make Nintendo more money overall. If there is a new DS redesign in the works, it will obviously be thinner, lighter, and sleeker than the DS Lite. And if Apple has thought us anything, its that our world likes thin, sleek, shiny things, so there won't be a shortage of people, if they own DS Lite or not, buying the new DS. Even if Nintendo doesn't announce a new DS at E3, they'll probably make the announcement later in the year. They're probably just waiting for the DS Lite supply to thin out a little, before they make their move.
Verythrax @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:19AM
I really don't think they will do an announcement like that. Of course they must be working in a new handheld with PSP-killer capabilities, but I think they will only release something like that if the PSP become a real menace.
Well, maybe a slim chance that a DS slim as a motorola fone without a GBA port (to cut costs), but it's just wishfull thinking (DS micro, anyone?)
deadxbabiesxinc @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:19AM
Man...I just bought a cobalt/black not even more than 3 months ago, thats the one thing I hate about Nintendo...always tossing out more models to replace something. Geez just focusing on more games would be plenty I think for most of us!
Anthony @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:37AM
Why the hell are you people so anxious to spend money when the DS is fine the way it is?
This is why I can't stand going into Gamestop.
jsutcliffe @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:45AM
Do you want to preorder any complaints today mate?
Roto13 @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:34AM
I dunno. It seems too early in the DS' life for a redesign. Though I suppose the current "threat" of the PSP's higher sales of late might motivate them to do it. :P
Adam O'Neill @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:56AM
I really am not keen on the idea of shelling over big bucks for a redesign of a system that is only now just reaching it's true potential.
el burrito @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:06AM
wasn't there a rumor last year that Nintendo had already finished the redesign of the DS? The rumor stated that is was going to have a bigger screen, it would be slimmer, and the GBA slot would be replaced by an SD slot. That to me seems like the best thing to do. They could make a virtual console system on it so you could buy old gamebo0y games. Maybe also save music and movies.
Verythrax @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:13AM
It would make sense, with, Wiiware and download stations around, but I think it's too risk piracy-wise, cause since the DS is already hacked in a way that Nintendo can't do anything about - they can't even ban from WFC.
Or maybe they just don't care about piracy anymore, since R4 made so much irreversible damage.
David @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:13AM
All the signs are there that Nintendo will anounce a new system, the DS in both phat and lite form is coming close to its 4th birthday which makes it rather old in hand held terms. Nintendo have also moved alot of their game developers away from creating DS games. And if you look at the titles available for the DS Nintendo have released a version of all the big franchises and they normally only release one version on each console e.g we have new super mario bros, a mario kart game, animal crossing and mario party.
The new ds will probably be something we havent thought of, would would have though that a two screen hand held console would be so succesful. And no doubt it will be backwwards compatable becasue Nintendo cant afford to alienate the huge following they have.
I think that is has already passed its prime and I cant wait to see what is next, roll on the summer.
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Verythrax @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:17AM
Let's not forget that Nintendo already have a patent about a dual screen device, with 2 screens, both with multi-touch support. If they make it backwards compatible, with SD slot like El Burrito said, I'm sold.
Britton @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:22AM
I'm not seeing a reason to update the SKU's. I just recently purchased 2 DS's within the last 2 weeks, for my brother's and I, and it would be disappointing to see a new model distributed right after my purchases, but I don't see any more "kinks" that need fixin'. But then again there was no reason to update the SP but they managed to churn out a Micro...
Sleepykidd @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:26AM
It's too early for me, even though I've had a lite since launch I haven't ever felt like it needed to be updated.
Brittany @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:56AM
The only thing that needs to be redesigned is the volume button - it should be a little wheel not a slider!
Anthony @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:15PM
Everyone that is posting about how they just purchased a DS Lite and would be so pissed blah blah..
Do you think Nintendo really thinks along those same lines? Hell no. So you just bought a DS Lite and won't want to buy another hand held system for a while.. Congratulations, Nintendo doesn't care about you. Who do they care about? Me, and people like me. I bought a DS the day it came out.
I bought a DS Lite the day it came out.
I bought a DS Lite the day the black one came out.
I bought a DS Lite the day the cobalt/matte black one came out.
Who else do they care about? The people that got a DS/DS Lite a year ago that ENJOY new products. Not everyone in the world is 16 and has to beg their parents for money to get things. Some people actually have jobs.
Teens with jobs have a HUGE discretionary income. And guess where a lot of that goes? Right into the entertainment industries. Because kids want to have fun. They need to have the newest coolest thing.
People said the same thing about the DS vs the DS Lite. No reason to bring out the Lite. The DS is just fine... Obviously not. Because the sales on the DS Lite were way above the old DS.
There are tons of people that have had a DS/DS Lite long enough that want a new device, combined with the people that still don't have a DS that would just increase Nintendo's numbers and profits.
But I personally do not think it will be released this year, if they do announce it at E3.
Britton @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:56PM
Sigh...I knew I should've included a post script, as I originally intended, about how I'm fully aware that Nintendo doesn't "care" about me as an individual. My statement about my newly purchased DS's was irrelevant, I guess...
jgoreham @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:14PM
With a huge accessory based release on the horizon, I don't think Nintendo will announce a GBA slotless machine at E3 (as rumored).
Bryan Law @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:20PM
Agreed, Guitar Hero: On Tour is the biggest piece of evidence against a new model, IMO.
Bryan Law @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:18PM
Well, on one hand, it's selling like mad right now, so why replace it?
On the other hand, Nintendo might pull a trick out of Apple's hat, and introduce something totally new when the previous device is selling like hotcakes, like the iPod mini to iPod nano.
So I'd say there's about a 50/50 chance :P
Puddles @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:20PM
I doubt we'll see a redesign. The Lite is selling well, and I don't think it can get much smaller while still remaining comfortable to hold. A new system will probably be Nintendo's next move, and that's at least a year away.
jsutcliffe @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:41PM
The main reason I picked a DS over a PSP is backwards compatability. I think it'd be a mistake to drop it.
chispito @ Apr 22nd 2008 2:13PM
I think it would be more likely for them to simply add a new color scheme or a themed unit than a full on redesign.
toneynola22 @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:26PM
I think if Nintendo dose come out with a redesign-thinner, sleaker, stronger, it will come with some sort of flash memory drive(micro sd cards) and then i wish nintendo does something like you can still play your ds games on there and then tranfer you vc titles to your new ds and play then portable that would be very cool and also play your old gba games on there. that would be cool
Sam @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:52PM
If there IS a new DS this year, it will just be prettier, maybe lack a GBA port. I think you guys reported a while back that Nintendo didn't plan to change the hardware for a good 10 years.
alberthegreat @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:11PM
well, if they do (or already did) make a new DS model, i would hope they made the buttons *click* every time you push them...
thats the reason i like the DS phat over the lite..... the lite's buttons, (although they are nice) do not click, and for me, every game seems easier with *click*ing buttons~
Simon @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:58PM
Maybe they can make one for western adults. the lite is so small my hands cramp and i cant use the triggers and the dpad at the same time (like you need to for CoD4)
Gennataos @ Apr 23rd 2008 1:29AM
I've been hearing this rumor from just about every gaming news outlet. I'd love for it to be true....every iteration of their handhelds has only gotten better.
Morose @ Apr 23rd 2008 11:04PM
Is Nintendo cooking up an upgraded version of the DS? Probably, yeah. Their handhelds have always been a big hit, and coming out with a new/upgraded one every couple years keeps nintendo in the gaming headlines and on customer's minds (and checkbooks).
Will I personally buy it? Maybe, but not for a while. I'm happy with my DS Lite. if it has an internal hard drive and an online store with downloadable games/content, it will be a much shorter while.