Point/Counterpoint: Will a DS redesign be announced this year?
by Alisha Karabinus 
{ May 14th 2008 at 11:00AM }
Lately, there's been a lot of discussion over whether or not Nintendo is planning a redesign of the wildly successful DS Lite. The rumors surfaced, and were drowned in a wave of denials ... but those denials were suspiciously similar to the things we heard when Nintendo was busily denying the move from Phat to Lite prior to the launch of the newer model. Nintendo redesigns things, especially when it comes to their handhelds. They love to launch the new model, the smaller, better design, and it seems likely that they'll continue that cycle with the DS. But will we see it this year? That's the question on the table today, and we'll look at both possibilities. After that, it's up to you to decide whether or not Nintendo will announce a new DS this year.
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| Oh, it's coming. |
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Roto13 @ May 14th 2008 11:23AM
Who knows? The GBA redesign came at the end of it's life. And it was pretty much just a keychain.
Nigeria @ May 14th 2008 11:29AM
David is a tech whore...
If there was to be a DS re-design I wouldn't buy it, my Lite is perfectly functional, as of now, and I disagree that the technology is dated. But I speak from a selfish standpoint seeing as the majority of my DS library is made up of 2D games.
I can't think of anything substantial that could be done to improve the current DS. They could lose the GBA slot, but for me that would be a disaster. The GBA library is so strong and in some areas it even exceeds the DS. But do the majority of DS owners care about GBA games? None of my friends don't.
Maybe aesthetic improvements; thinner. Urm, I can't think of anymore at the moment. Or maybe something along the lines of a fatter stylus, DS phat speakers, two DS cartridge slots, or something. But nothing so incredible that would warrant another purchase.
I just don't see the same people who brought the Lite buying a third DS revision, you know. It may end up like the micro. Or maybe not.
Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ May 14th 2008 3:44PM
> I disagree that the technology is dated.
Denial of the fact. DS technology is dated - intentionally - to keep DS cheap.
On other side, its not that they can replace technology right now: DS only started gaining game library comparable to GBA.
> Maybe aesthetic improvements; thinner.
Let's not forget that compared to mobile phone, you have to hold DS in hands for some prolonged period of time. For many people DS Lite is already very hard to keep in hands - so thin it became.
On side of improvements, bigger battery, more robust design and better grip would be always welcome.
xCuteBunnyx @ May 17th 2008 2:46AM
Don't forget better graphics, adding some more features, better battery and stereo. Cool new design of a new DS. I wouldn't buy a new one. But there is many possibles, we just probably can't think of them right now.
A Pissed-off English Gamer @ Sep 21st 2008 12:53PM
Well, i've had three DS's; a phat and two lites. Each time, after extensive use, the shoulder buttons began to cease working. Now before I get accused of mis-use of these DS's, I'd like to say that I've been playing gameboys since the original and had two GBA's whose shoulder buttons never ceased working.
At this point all i want is a DS which has shoulder buttons that don't die on me.
Jonathan Bloom @ May 14th 2008 11:51AM
I just got a DS Lite back in April so I'm hoping there isn't a revision. I love my DS Lite and am hoping beyond hope that this revision rumor is just a rumor.
I also agree with Nigeria, I play GBA games along with DS games due to the fact the price is cheaper and there's a huge library of good games there!
FrankTheCrank @ May 14th 2008 1:42PM
Every two years!!
Now that Nintendo pushed out a successful Wii launch...a new DS is no doubt in the works.
Nintendo sells HARDWARE very well. There is no doubt this thing is coming. They want to continue the momentum, not wait till it dries up.
igorponweed @ May 14th 2008 12:03PM
Whoo! Point/Counterpoint is back! And no, there will not be a redisign this year. Its audience want nothing more untill the next system (I think) and more than half of DS owners (I think) are kids. So I doubt Nintendo would just try to please less than half with new abilitys like upgrades. At least, not until the Wii gets that hard drive. :D
Peter S @ May 14th 2008 12:00PM
I have to admit that I'd like seeing a DS re-design, but more because it will drive down the costs of the existing DS units and perhaps open up some used units for purchase. I happen to agree that it's a pretty functional device in its current revision. And, as is so frequently noted on this site, it prints money. People are pretty much buying it and games for it without much pause right now - why would Nintendo really want to mess with that at this stage?
Flint @ May 14th 2008 12:04PM
I don't really see the need for another re-design, but if they do announce anything it'll probably be a new range of colours for the DS Lite or something like that.
They certainly don't need to announce a DS2 or any other kind of successor yet as the DS is still the most popular console worldwide (and the best as far as I'm concerned!).
FrankTheCrank @ May 14th 2008 1:38PM
DS ADVANCED, baby!!!
Plays old DS games and plays new ADVANCED DS games.
Dual phat ass touch screens.....ooooh, ahhhhh, oh....
tevetorbes @ May 14th 2008 1:21PM
I purchased my DS Phat the WEEK BEFORE they announced the DS Lite because I believed Nintendo when they said "Nope, nothing to see here. Move along."
Fine- I ended up just recently buying a Lite (the Brain Age bundle) and will likely buy the redesign when it comes out.
Will it come out this year? I wouldn't put it past Nintendo. Do I hope it does? No, I'd rather spend my money on something else, but again, nothing is outside the realm of possibilities when it comes to Nintendo and their handhelds...
FrankTheCrank @ May 14th 2008 1:36PM
I sold my DS Lite launch model in anticipation of the new model being released this summer. I got $110 for it. Not bad.
C'mon Nintendo release a new uber-Lite and drop the old Lite down to $99 bucks.
The DS line is already 4 years old. One more model before end of life. This should carry the system to 6 years. At that point, it's time for the next gen DS.
s.mario @ May 14th 2008 1:47PM
I'm still rockin' my Special Edition Mario Kart DS Phat...
We've had a lot of good times together...but maybe...just maybe i'll consider getting the new model (when?) it comes out.
As for my opinion? Yeah, its comming out this Christmas...get ready to stand in line...again!
FrankTheCrank @ May 14th 2008 1:58PM
Dude...that sounds like a nice limited model. Sweet.
I owned the original Gameboy that was release in 89. I've since sold or lost it, don't remember. But as far as rare hardware, I also own a Gold Gameboy Light, these were only released in Japan. It glows like a Timex light...and the refresh rate is horrible. Still cool though.
Sam @ May 14th 2008 4:47PM
Here's my opinion:
I don't think there will be a redesign this year. Next year, possibly. If they were to come out with a new one, and it impressed me to any extent (Like better Wi-Fi compatibility, better durability, longer battery life, and looked nice), with a reasonable price, I would buy one.
But no, I doubt there will be a new one. However, a newer Wii sounds more probable, and THAT'S why I'm holding out on getting one.
Gennataos @ May 14th 2008 7:20PM
I think it's coming this year if for no other reason than virtually every enthusiast news outlet has been reporting the rumor. Nintendo has a history of doing just this.
Adam M O'Neill @ May 14th 2008 8:54PM
Is it wrong of me to hope that they don't come out with a completely new handheld? I only got my DS 6 months ago and I feel I haven't yet gotten enough use out of it to make it worth the investment. I just don't want to have to buy a new console yet.
Of course, a redesign I could handle as I could just opt to use my exsisting sytem and let others enjoy the newer, assumedly streamlined, version.
Morose @ May 14th 2008 11:04PM
I still hold to what I mentioned in other comments - Nintendo is undoubtedly planning a new handheld, simply because they're the best at what they do and what they do is make hendhelds, but I don't think we're going to see it within 2008. maybe in 09 or 2010
This is my theory because Nintendo has used the DS and the Wii to reach out to non-gamers, casual gamers, and people who used to play videogames but stopped for years as the prices went up and the learning curve got too steep for all but the hardcore players (I'm somewhere between the last two categories, myself).
These three groups make up a fairly new customer base of not-insignificant size, they like the DS Lite, and some of them may feel alienated by new hardware coming out just as they're beginning to play video games.
So Nintendo is Wolverine, but the time isn't right to extend the new-handheld claws.
TJF588 @ May 15th 2008 2:18AM
I was about to be of the opinion of a third NDS design... until someone brought up a HDD-laden Wii. The Virtual Console growing alone is enough reason to pop a "non-removable" drive in there; plus, with a larger-than-single-digit GB memory, they can restore features to N64 titles (MK64's ghosts were cut, weren't they?) and larger games can be released (that F-Zero X thing comes to mind). 'Course, this is all speaking from a not-familiar-with-it POv, but whenever we (my folks) get around to grabbing one, I'd like to know that any game I'd want to play will be there without me re-downloading it.
Now, I still think, given the track record, a new NDS isn't beyond possible for Quarter 4 of this year (if not, Quarter 2 of next year). The DSl itself seems pretty solid, but I know from playing my sis's that it could use so revamp on how it works. It's too thin for the non-midget hands of the Japanese populace, and the butons feel bad, especially the D-Pad, which crinkles and moves too much in a yaw motion. Tighter buttons (maybe something between the GBA's squishiness and the SP's quick-click; what were GBm's like?) and a better grip would make the NDS much more enjoyable to play in a more traditional way. Oh, and maybe easier shoulder accessibility according to the expected grip (I haven't used shoulder buttons much yet, but it seems awkward).
*sigh* More holding out for the tops. Not that I have much money to throw right now anyway, but I'd like to play FFIII (and, eventually, FFIV and/or AC:WW) on my own, and CC-FFVII- is sitting in my bed-headboard-cubby-thing, but that "PSP-3000" thing has me apprehensive there, too.
ThugATRON @ May 15th 2008 10:46AM
Really can't see how they can make the DS more sexy than it already is. Sure make a better battery, maybe get rid of ths smudgeable finish but apart from that I think the Lite is as close to perfection as possible.
Now if it were an all new handheld, with better innerds, DS port as slot2, then we could talk.
InvisibleMan @ May 15th 2008 2:29PM
People, please get real: the first step in a portable gaming device redesign is when you, the consumers, are asking for something to change on the device...
Honestly, is there anything on the DS Lite that you would change? (And that doesn't shoot the price up by $100 or make it backwards incompatible??)
Andrew D. @ May 15th 2008 3:44PM
This is unrelated to the post, but inspired by the comments:
Can we have an article eliciting what people think the best GBA games to buy for the DS are? I never had a GBA, but I like the fact that the games are so cheap, but I'm not quite sure where to start or what actually holds up nowadays!
Thanks!
Aznhiga13 @ May 17th 2008 5:05AM
I dont think there will be a revision. Think about it. Guitar Hero DS is coming this summer, meaning if a revision was in the making it would have to be compatible with the game and its addon. Plus, if anything they would make a new system instead, but i kinda doubt that as well. All i see happening is special edition DS's to keep up the system sales like they do in Japan. If not that, then Smash Bros DS to keep people buying games and DS's ;)