Nintendo Mystery Device Revealed

[Razola]

Behold its glory.

It looks interesting, but I'm waiting until E3 to pass judgment.

[classy_cat18]

It's uh...something. I could see this being used in the next Gamecube Zelda game. I get confused with the dungeon maps, so looking at it while I go could help me.

[Nace]

I refuse to believe this news article is real. See the concept art?

[Razola]

Originally posted by Nace
I refuse to believe this news article is real. See the concept art?

A) Why would IGN kid about this? It's not even remotely close to April Fool's Day.

B) Why would Nintendo start liberally handing out information about future products now? Did you question the existence of the PSP before its concept art was out? Does the Phantom's concept art prove that it's a real product?

[Nace]

The whole two screen thing just seems iffy. It work for game & watch, but still...

[GreenShirT]

This is very much real, unlike the GB Enhanced or the other fake system floating around this is the official release and I think it sounds pretty darn cool.
Nintendo DS (Dual Screen)
http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/new...id=aYdNQpxT26vI

It will have dual screens both with backlights and seperate processors for each screen!
It is set to be released about November 2004 (oddly enough around the time of the PSP) but there is no price tag set yet or images available.
Having the dual screens means you can play games without having to switch the view mode like on pokemon games for example having to switch to view the map or item where as with the DS you can have the map or inventory on the second screen.

[probationsmack]

concept art i came up with
http://www.geocities.com/probationsmack/concept.txt

the game media is what confuses me at the moment
something about semiconductor doohickey.....

[Yoh Asakura]

Hmmm it's an Enhanced Game & Watch.

[SageofLaughter]

As much as I want to make fun of this thing for being almost totally pointless, I'm going to wait to see three things before I officially pass judgement:

1) What it looks like.
2) How much it's going to cost.
3) What kind of games Nintendo have planned, because you KNOW they've got ideas that will use both screens effectively.

[SuperLedian]

very intriguing. i just hope it doesnt have an insane price tag a la PSP or NGage.

*heart* the concept art.

[Strider]

Nintendo explains the importance of the dual-screen setup: "Players can look forward to being able to manage their game progress from two different perspectives, enhancing both the speed and strategy of the challenge. For example in a soccer game, users can view the whole game on one screen while simultaneously focusing on an individual soccer player's tackle or goal on the other screen.

"Players will no longer be forced to interrupt game play to shift perspective, such as moving from a wide shot to a close up, or alternating between a
character's ongoing battle and a map of the environment. Nintendo DS makes it possible to perform the tasks in real time by simply glancing from one screen to the other."

Sounds... quite interesting, to say the least. It would be good to not have to switch screens in the middle of hectic play.

But we would have to see the two screens in action first to say how well it would really work. Hate for it to be labeled as just a gimmick...

[The Muffin Man]

Originally posted by Raz
A) Why would IGN kid about this? It's not even remotely close to April Fool's Day.
~It's IGN...they do anything they can to get people to care.

B) Why would Nintendo start liberally handing out information about future products now? Did you question the existence of the PSP before its concept art was out? Does the Phantom's concept art prove that it's a real product?
~There's a difference. This seems so faked and unreal. 2 Screens? Gee, what a useless add-on that's not at all needed and would bring Nintendo down with a fantasy "OMG 1 gigabyte game memory" promise. It reeks of bull. How would you get the game? IGN really should have pretended they asked these questions at least.

How would you manage anything on the second screen? More buttons. Which slowly takes up more room, making it less and less pocket sized. This isn't a Nintendo thing to do.

You lose again, Raz.

[Razola]

Originally posted by The Muffin Man
How would you manage anything on the second screen? More buttons. Which slowly takes up more room, making it less and less pocket sized. This isn't a Nintendo thing to do.

You lose again, Raz.

TMM, you're a moron. Plain and simple. And saying "you lose" in an argument just increased the sheer idiocy of your comments. STOP TYPING.

1) Comments from Nintendo President Iwata himself.

2) Just about every gaming site that has anything to do with Nintendo has reported it. There has even been dicussion on it around the net. From professionals to consumers.

3) Virtual Boy. Heard of it? Yeah, Nintendo would do something like this. Not at all unfeasible.

Proof

More proof

More proof still.

Proof once again

I hope you're kidding TMM, because here is some more proof.

Because if this is bull, it's a very far-reaching joke.

Man, yet another site reporting it.

Wow, people are really stealing IGN's strategy for getting hits.

Is CNN is attention-whoring too?

TMM, it's real and if you think adding a second screen is really going to make it that much larger...well you must not be extremely big on technology.

EDIT: It's Gigabit. Get it right.

[The Muffin Man]

I'd like to throw your phantom comment back.
"Does the Phantom's concept art prove that it's a real product?"

I win again.

Until I see a working "Gameboy 2-screens because we're blowing money for no reason and taking away and all "pocket" aspects of the gameboy" it will be as real as the Phantom.

[Razola]

You can't win again, stupid. Because you never won in the first place. And stop saying that, because it only serves to make you look less mature.

The Phantom is doubted by many because the company behind it is little more than P.O. Box. There has been no actual product shown in the what, two years since its announcement? If the DS isn't out by 2006, maybe I'll agree.

Of course, in the awesome narrow view you have, you just focus on the concept art. You ignore everything else. Nintendo has done stupid things in the past (GBA-GC connectivity isn't the major player they have hyped it too be, nor is the e-Reader) and this very well may be one of those instances. Furthermore, we have the word of Nintendo vs. the word of some nobody company who's upper exec has reccomendations from his mother. Nintendo has gained our trust. The people behind the Phantom do not. They have no track record that convinces the public to trust them.

But you won't bother to note this, because you think you're right. You focus entirely on being the "winner" so much that logic is a foreign word to you. Hey TMM, it's more than the concept art. I've listed several reasons why.

The DS is real, I suggest you live with it.

[Asilynne]

First of all, Raz, you are awesome lol

Second that looks pretty interesting, its kinda like having two windows up on a computer, you can check out 2 different things at once, it might take some time getting used to but I think its pretty cool ^-^

[Mitch's Bashamo]

I don't understand it. Is it for the Gamecube or is it something completely different?

[The Muffin Man]

Originally posted by Raz
You can't win again, stupid. Because you never won in the first place. And stop saying that, because it only serves to make you look less mature.

The Phantom is doubted by many because the company behind it is little more than P.O. Box. There has been no actual product shown in the what, two years since its announcement? If the DS isn't out by 2006, maybe I'll agree.

Of course, in the awesome narrow view you have, you just focus on the concept art. You ignore everything else. Nintendo has done stupid things in the past (GBA-GC connectivity isn't the major player they have hyped it too be, nor is the e-Reader) and this very well may be one of those instances. Furthermore, we have the word of Nintendo vs. the word of some nobody company who's upper exec has reccomendations from his mother. Nintendo has gained our trust. The people behind the Phantom do not. They have no track record that convinces the public to trust them.

But you won't bother to note this, because you think you're right. You focus entirely on being the "winner" so much that logic is a foreign word to you. Hey TMM, it's more than the concept art. I've listed several reasons why.

The DS is real, I suggest you live with it.

Please point me to a product that Nintendo has made that was a new system with one new feature that's not even important.

Gameboy Pocket was small and portable. GBA had a light and flip-case, GBC had color, GBA had better graphics. All I can think of is MAYBE the newer version of the NES, but that was a top-loader for the same price as the normal front-cart NES. There history disproves it all. Nintendo has gained our trust. But this BETRAYS our trust because it's going to be a clunky, $200+ double-screened GBA SP. That's just waisting money. And until I see a working demo, I refuse to believe Nintendo is actually just throwing a second screen on the GBA. As for the games, they'll likely opt for downloads, unless you buy the game and upload it onto the gameboy. That MIGHT be a bit smarter, but if they're not careful, it could easily be abused.

[Razola]

Originally posted by The Muffin Man
Please point me to a product that Nintendo has made that was a new system with one new feature that's not even important.

Game Boy Light. Same as the old Game Boy, only had an indigo light. You could also consider the Game Boy Pocket to be one as well.

Gameboy Pocket was small and portable.

So being smaller is "more important" than another processor and screen?

GBA had a light and flip-case, GBC had color, GBA had better graphics. All I can think of is MAYBE the newer version of the NES, but that was a top-loader for the same price as the normal front-cart NES. There history disproves it all.

A dual processor and another screen. That's at least on par with a flip screen and light. And mind you that the SP came out little after a year we bought the GBA.

Nintendo has gained our trust. But this BETRAYS our trust because it's going to be a clunky, $200+ double-screened GBA SP.

You're being foolish if you all this an upgraded SP. And clunky. And $200. You have made several stabs in the dark and constructed judgment from them. You barely even use what little information we have. It's going to be more powerful than the GBA, for one thing, so it's more than another version of the GBA.

That's just waisting money. And until I see a working demo, I refuse to believe Nintendo is actually just throwing a second screen on the GBA.

Believe it. Companies do not make hardware as a joke. Common sense should tell you that.

As for the games, they'll likely opt for downloads, unless you buy the game and upload it onto the gameboy. That MIGHT be a bit smarter, but if they're not careful, it could easily be abused.

Did you read the several links I provided?

"There are currently no pictures and few details on the hardware, but Nintendo says the system features two 3-inch TFT LCD screens (each one the same size as that of the Game Boy Advance), separate processors for each display, and semiconductor (cartridge) game media that can be as large as 1 Gbit, considerably more data than is available in current GBA cartridges."

Try reading before you go off on wild tangents.

[The Muffin Man]

Originally posted by Raz
Game Boy Light. Same as the old Game Boy, only had an indigo light. You could also consider the Game Boy Pocket to be one as well.


So being smaller is "more important" than another processor and screen?


A dual processor and another screen. That's at least on par with a flip screen and light. And mind you that the SP came out little after a year we bought the GBA.


[/b]
You're being foolish if you all this an upgraded SP. And clunky. And $200. You have made several stabs in the dark and constructed judgment from them. You barely even use what little information we have. It's going to be more powerful than the GBA, for one thing, so it's more than another version of the GBA.


Believe it. Companies do not make hardware as a joke. Common sense should tell you that.


Did you read the several links I provided?

"There are currently no pictures and few details on the hardware, but Nintendo says the system features two 3-inch TFT LCD screens (each one the same size as that of the Game Boy Advance), separate processors for each display, and semiconductor (cartridge) game media that can be as large as 1 Gbit, considerably more data than is available in current GBA cartridges."

Try reading before you go off on wild tangents. [/B]

I might suggest you do the same, considering not once did you ever acknowledge that I'm not going to believe they're adding a second screen. What's the practical purpose? Nothing. Please. Enlighten me as to how the second screen will be even half worth a price of at least $100.

[PNT510]

Why don't you belive they will add a second screen? Because you're to much of an idiot to listen to what the article said?

[Yoh Asakura]

Um why won't this be small and portable?
If it's a duel screen chances are it'll be a flip open one like the SP. If it's GBA size + flip it'd still be small and portable.

Imma stfu now and not get involved

[Razola]

Originally posted by The Muffin Man
I might suggest you do the same, considering not once did you ever acknowledge that I'm not going to believe they're adding a second screen.

What tangent am I taking? I'm taking a wait and see approach, while you're complaining about things that haven't even been revealed yet.

What's the practical purpose? Nothing. Please. Enlighten me as to how the second screen will be even half worth a price of at least $100.

I can imagine RPGs where I don't have to press start to look at my stats. I can see several games that would be better with a second camera view (imagine an RTS where the camera goes to a battle while you work on other things). Or maybe an ICO like game where the secondary character is on the other screen. I would love to see Smash Brothers where one screen shows the battle up close and the other shows the battle zoomed out. Or maybe it just shows battle stats and keeps your screen clear.

And these are just a few ideas. Who knows what Nintendo is thinking up.

[woz]

well we're not going to get high quality 3D games with that amount of storage on a cartridge (1gbit = 128mb). that will also depend on the specifications. it sounds interesting but i will also wait until E3 to pass further judgement.

[Roy Karrde]

Problem is there are not going to be many games out for this thing period. Nintendo has allready said that this is not the next Gameboy and that this will not be compatable with Gameboy Advance Games. Take that and add it to the fact that many publishers wont utilize the two screens * Really think about it, how many half made games are out for the GBA, do you think Publishers want to take the time and try to figure out new things to do with the second screen? Taking time to do that will cost money and development time * Also this thing is coming out at the worst possible time, it's clear Nintendo is trying to steal the thunder away from Sony's PSP which is also being Debut at E3, problem is Sony has the hardware advantage allready * the PSP is basically a handheld PS2, anyone who doesnt believe this needs to look at the newest released articles on it where Sony upgraded the RAM on the sucker so that it would be basically compatable with the PSP * Also Nintendo is asking people to buy a totally new system and asking developers to jump on at the last minute while the PSP devlopment kits have been out for half a year now. The DS will sell but if it plans to go head to head with Sony's new system then it is going to be the next NGage.

[The Muffin Man]

Originally posted by Raz
What tangent am I taking? I'm taking a wait and see approach, while you're complaining about things that haven't even been revealed yet.


I can imagine RPGs where I don't have to press start to look at my stats. I can see several games that would be better with a second camera view (imagine an RTS where the camera goes to a battle while you work on other things). Or maybe an ICO like game where the secondary character is on the other screen. I would love to see Smash Brothers where one screen shows the battle up close and the other shows the battle zoomed out. Or maybe it just shows battle stats and keeps your screen clear.

And these are just a few ideas. Who knows what Nintendo is thinking up.

If they use it like the SP, with GC connectivity, it will be very useful. For games like Splinter Cell Puppy Helmet, you can send out a probe, and while one screen shows a rough imaging, the other can show you the probes stats, and an indicator of if it was seen or not.

Or for a Metal Gear Solid game, as a controller. Use the map on the top screen/controller, with the second screen used to manage your current item, or what have you.

As for games? I REALLY see limited uses. I don't want my stats right below me in an RPG. It'd need 2 sets of controls to go from, say, Items to Stats, to Magic.

[Razola]

Originally posted by The Muffin Man
As for games? I REALLY see limited uses. I don't want my stats right below me in an RPG. It'd need 2 sets of controls to go from, say, Items to Stats, to Magic.

While I question why two sets of controls (more buttons = good) is a bad thing, I'm pretty sure you could easily flip through stat menus with one button (two if you want to go in a certain direction). And then there's the fact that an entire screen could possible hold all stats and then switch to another screen for, say, inventory after so many seconds pass. If you need to see something right then and there, you could easily pause to look at it.

I can already imagine a Mario & Luigi sequel where both characters have their own screen. I'm fairly excited by what Nintendo can do with this.

[Nace]

I still feel iffy about the whole thing, but I might get one if the games are good. Metroid with two screens could be cool.

[Animelee]

I'm thinking of a handheld that's the size of a regular GBA, but has two screens that fold over, like an SP. Of course, it's still very thin, so it fits in your pocket, like an iPod.

So, the controls are set up like the regular GBA's, but the screens are above, just like an SP. And, of course, you still have R and L buttons, and the AC adapter, Gamecube, and link cable ports.

I, for one, and extremely excited.

Hey, ya never know. Maybe this is Nintendo's way of combatting the PSP, by including MP3 and video capabilities. So, you can listen to music on one screen, with a playlist, and everything, and then on the other game, play your game?

I really hope the DS is worthy of replacing mine and my brother's SPs.

[Razola]

I am hoping this will include MP3 playing abilities...maybe even some form of video playing. Nintendo hasn't given nearly enough info, but with the right additions, this could be their "big boy toy."

[Craig]

An idea to save "Button space" Just have 1 easily pressable button that switches between screens.

But unless this entire Nintendo DS thing is done right it will fail

[Razola]

Originally posted by Craig
[B]
But unless this entire Nintendo DS thing is done right it will fail[/b[

Thank you for the amazing insight.

[TeleFox]

Originally posted by woz
well we're not going to get high quality 3D games with that amount of storage on a cartridge (1gbit = 128mb).

My standard-size USB flash drive watch has that much storage space... A gigabit is only an eigth of a gigabyte, as woz obviously noticed.

Originally posted by Raz
I am hoping this will include MP3 playing abilities...maybe even some form of video playing. Nintendo hasn't given nearly enough info, but with the right additions, this could be their "big boy toy."

You can get MP3 and radio carts for GBA/SP already, and there's a lot you can do with a flash cart and a little know-how. It'll take more than that to impress me, but I'm going to wait and find out for myself how worthy the system really is.

One thing to note is that some games, particularly those of a certain genre, won't be able to utilise the second screen particularly well. Fortunately I basically only play RPG and strategy games on portable system, and those type of games will benifit the most in my opinion.
Hopefully if the screen are flip-up style, you'll be able to put down one screen if you don't need it for a certain game.

[Legends-Kuja]

Look ma, a potential screen shot!



Maybe not...XD

[Yoh Asakura]

Rotf that's great ;D

[The Muffin Man]

Originally posted by Legends-Kuja
Look ma, a potential screen shot!



Maybe not...XD

*hug*I love you.

[Razola]

Yes, it's quite funny to make assumptions about a device we know virtually nothing about.

And Nintendo's stock has gone up since annoucing it. I think they know what they're doing.

[Yoh Asakura]

Originally posted by Raz
Yes, it's quite funny to make assumptions about a device we know virtually nothing about.

And Nintendo's stock has gone up since annoucing it. I think they know what they're doing.

*Cough*

Originally posted by Raz
It's...uh, a joke. The only one serious here is you.

[Legends-Kuja]

Originally posted by Raz
And Nintendo's stock has gone up since annoucing it. I think they know what they're doing.

That makes that picture all the more ironic... and funny XD

[Razola]

Originally posted by YAMI YUGI™
*Cough*

The joke wasn't funny. And the photoshoppery bites. Hopping on the bandwagon is great as long as you're funny.

EDIT: That can't be Photoshopped. I guess it's morel ike MSPaintery.