Breaking News: Official name of the Nintendo DS...

[Charlie]

The official name of the Nintendo DS is going to be *drum roll*...

The NINTENDO DS

I know this is a stunner. I'm sure many people here are picking their jaws off the keyboard. But nonetheless, you heard it here first. And by that I mean you didn't.

Oh, and you can see the ultra bland and boring logo at http://www.planetgamecube.com

You know what's funny about that logo? It's horrible and someone likely got paid minimum five figures to come up with it.

[Jasoco]

Heh.. Well.. All will be revealed.. tomorrow is it? Wow.. where did the damn time go? Can't wait!

I wonder what "Jungle Beat" is? It looks like an expansion to Donkey Konga, though that hasn't even come out in the US yet.

Well.. I can't wait.

And I don't care what it is, I will eventually get a DS. Just show me what it does first. LOL

Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Yay! Yay! Yay!

Unless it's not tomorrow... then Boo! Boo! Boo!

[Speedy]

Love that name ;)

But there is a Dynasty Warriors game comming on the DS so it's a must buy imho, can't wait to fight out battles with my mate in the train :D

And maybe is Jungle Beat the US or EU name for Donkey Konga?

[Jasoco]

And maybe is Jungle Beat the US or EU name for Donkey Konga?Hmm.. That does make more sense. Donkey Konga does sound sorta Japanese. Especially "Konga". "Jungle Beat" is more of an English name. Either way.. it is cool looking game. I want it now!

So, someone confirm. It IS tomorrow, right? I don't wanna come online tomorrow night and find out I have to wait another day after waiting all day for it.

What sites should I hit up after it's all over? To get the most information.

[Necrosaro420]

I personally dont think something like this will go over to well. Its going to be expensive

[SoulBlazer]

Hey, nice timing to add on to this!

I just got today's USA Today, and right on the front page is a blurb about the Nintendo DS, saying a article is in Section D.

It's a short article. I'll type in the important points.

"Video game giant Nintendo, facing increased competition in the market for handheld entertainment, will have a new portable out this fall with twin color screens, sharper graphics, and the feel of a PDA.

The Nintendo DS, short for dual screen, will be unveiled this morning at E3. It will sell alongside today's Game Boy Advance, not replace it, according to the company. No release date or proce has been set, though analysits perdict it may sell in the $150 range.

One of the two 3-inch screens is touch senstive and works with a stylus -- like Palms and Pocket PC's -- to control the action in some games. It also has Bluetooth wireless communication to connect with other units within range for cordless competition.

The DS also has seperate slots for curent GBA carts as well as new, smaller, DS cards.

DS is largely views as Nintendo's response to Sony's PlayStation Portable, or PSP, a new system that will play both video games and movies stored on mini DVD's. Sony has announced plans to release the PSP later this year in Japan and in the USA in 2005."

Miyamoto also gave a few lines about the PSP, and added --

"We want to do things that you could not do before. We are looking at the creative end."

The article continues -

"The DS has slightly more processing power the the Nintendo 64 console released in 1996. While that's nowhere near top game system graphical abilities, two and three dimensional game images, when viewed on the DS's screens, are surprisingly crisp.

The PSP, susposed tp be only slightly less powerfull then the PS2, will have a higher resolution screen and more graphical power. This makes, analysits perdict, for a more expensive price tag -- around $250 or higher."

What's cool -- the article was written by Steven Kent. :D

There's a couple pictures of the system in action also. They show a small, PDA looking device, that flips open horizontaly to show the two screens, stacked on top of another. The top part of the DS can rotate, like the GBA SP can. On the bottom left side is the D Pad and on the bottom right side are four buttons, in a circle. One small button is above those and two small buttons -- probaly Start and Select -- are above the D-Pad. The whole thing looks very compact and I assume the slots are on the back.

The game shown in action looks like a Donkey Kong racing game, with the race going on the top screen and the bottom screen showing the status information -- time, map, positions, etc. So all you see on the top screen is the action -- no clutter.

Looks cool. :)

We'll know more about it by the time today is done! :D

[Jasoco]

I really should be sleeping right now. But now I can't!

Actually, I really should have taken today off. I really don't wanna work 'til 10PM tonight. Actually, I should have never traded with someone to actually WORK tonight instead of this morning.

Actually.. ah.. nevermind. Just let the day go fast.

[Mayhem]

"Jungle Beat" is actually a Donkey Kong platform game, not the US name of Donkey Konga! However... it uses the bongo controller. Confused? You'll find out more tomorrow no doubt ;)

[Ed Oscuro]

I personally dont think something like this will go over to well. Its going to be expensive
I bet you it won't be.

By the way, whatever happened to "Nitro" ? Guess they wisened up about that one.

[gamegirl79]

I like the direction Nintendo is heading with this. The focus of the DS is games, while Sony's PSP will supposedly play music, movies, and who knows what else in addition to games. That's nice but I don't want that. I only want to play games and it seems silly to me to buy a system with tons of features I'll never use. As of right now my money is going to the DS. :D

[hydr0x]

And maybe is Jungle Beat the US or EU name for Donkey Konga?Hmm.. That does make more sense. Donkey Konga does sound sorta Japanese. Especially "Konga". "Jungle Beat" is more of an English name. Either way.. it is cool looking game. I want it now!

So, someone confirm. It IS tomorrow, right? I don't wanna come online tomorrow night and find out I have to wait another day after waiting all day for it.

What sites should I hit up after it's all over? To get the most information.

no, Jungle Beat is a completely different game, it just uses the bongos as controller, it's a 2D/3D action game, a sidescroller, not a music game!!

[YoshiM]

USA Today also has a render of what the DS actually looks like on their site:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2004-05-11-nintendo-ds_x.htm

[Nez]

The dslooks suprisingly well thought out I figured, like most, it would be the next virtual boy. But if the ds is more powerfull then a n-64 and has a fairly low price point like it claims too ill be buying one specially since its coming out first. Sports games would rule with 2 screens just think of the posibilitys.! :D

[NintendoMan]

Hey, nice timing to add on to this!
Looks cool. :)

We'll know more about it by the time today is done! :D

THANKS for the post Soulblazer! Well, I really can't wait now for it to be released!

I don't know if anyone has thought of this yet, but Nintendo making this backwards compatable with existing gameboy games is definately one of the smartest things they could have done!
(I know for a fact that the backwards compatability thing is why ps2 sells alot of there systems)

[TheScaryOne]

Alright, everyone...here is the pic.....




http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/bc/40a0d7f0_d38f/bc/My+Documents/Nintendo+DS.jpg?bfSyNoABri0mX_.u

Looks surprisingly cool. If the software is good, then I WILL be buying. The only thing I care about a system is it's games. Doesn't matter to me who made it.

[Nature Boy]

You know, I've been wondering what use two screens would be and I just slapped my forehead for being so stupid - of *course* they'll move all 'information' off the main screen and put it down below. That's a *fantastic* idea.

The touchpad idea is interesting too. Imagine an RPG where you can just point and click at the stuff you need to equip/sell/buy/etc instead of scrolling through everything.

I wasn't excited about this system before but I am now...

[christianscott27]

i'm just glad they didnt go with another "boy" name like dual boy or twin boy. i was bringing home a boxed VB the other week and wondering what non-gamers on the train thought a "virtual boy" was.

i'm liking the sound of this console so far, not crazy about that PDA style stylus thing though, sounds like an action killer, easy to lose bad move there.

[Ed Oscuro]

@ Christian - "Twin Boy" sounds like some sort of SMS/GG clone sold in Korea LOL

That USA Today article is very well written...now that I've started following games in the news it's amazing how often you see that the big news folks (CNN as well) seem to have well written stuff.

The system doesn't look terribly pretty, but it's not hideous, either. Could use a bit of trim.

[Flack]

The most interesting thing about the DS in that article is the price. $150 ... I'll bet Sony didn't like that. It'll be tough for Sony to sell the PSP for a hundred dollars more, especially to parents around Christmas time.

Also, the backwards compatibility portion is genius. People hate the idea of not being able to play all their old games. Plus, when everyone who wants a DS sells their GBA, that means your customer base has now doubled.

[Ed Oscuro]

Also, the backwards compatibility portion is genius. People hate the idea of not being able to play all their old games. Plus, when everyone who wants a DS sells their GBA, that means your customer base has now doubled.
Hey, I never thought of that. Maybe the GBA SP will fall in price to something more reasonable. Glut of GBAs on eBay, perhaps?

[portnoyd]

Also, the backwards compatibility portion is genius. People hate the idea of not being able to play all their old games. Plus, when everyone who wants a DS sells their GBA, that means your customer base has now doubled.

Something like this *may* have benefited the VB as well. It's just another upgrade, if you think about it, and look how well the SP went over. I'll grab mine on launch day, that's for sure.

dave

[Dobie]

You know what I like about this (besides the two screens)? The FOUR buttons, al-la the SNES controller!! Saints be praised!! PLEASE tell me there's shoulder buttons too!

If the screen is 3 inches, then this looks like it might be pretty wide--maybe 5 or 6 inches across? Hopefully that doesn't take away from its portability too much.

Cool little device. I will definitely be buying one of these when they hit shelves, especially if its compatible with GBA games. Just think too--this won't "compete" with the SP, but I am willing to bet that there WILL be a price drop for the SP when this hits.

Soooo (speculation forthcoming)... $150 DS, maybe $69 SP, could we see the original GBA retail for under $50? Sony's handheld better rock my socks, especially if its priced as high as it is rumored to be.

[Mayhem]

Also, the backwards compatibility portion is genius. People hate the idea of not being able to play all their old games. Plus, when everyone who wants a DS sells their GBA, that means your customer base has now doubled.
Hey, I never thought of that. Maybe the GBA SP will fall in price to something more reasonable. Glut of GBAs on eBay, perhaps?

Nah... it will only play GBA games... anyone still wanting to play GB and GBC titles will still need a proper GBA.

[kainemaxwell]

I like the old game & watch look of the DS myself.

[sisko]

- two 3-inch screens
- one of the screens is touch-sensitive, allowing a stylus to be used to control certain games
- built-in Bluetooth connectivity for wireless gaming
- specs slightly more powerful than the Nintendo 64
- ability to play Gameboy Advance cartridges and Nintendo DS "game cards"

To be honest I don't give a crap about the bluetooth.

I also don't care much about the touch screen (it just screams SCRATCHES!! to me), though a new version of touchscreen Marios Picross would kick ass.

But "sideways" compatibility with the GBA?!

I'll buy one. On launch day no less.

[Jasoco]

Hell yeah! $150 is a great price! I do hope that's the real price.

Is E3 going on now? What time does it start PST? It's about 9:30 AM right now in CA. And the Nintendo E3 page is currently down, so they are getting it ready obviously. (Apple does the same thing.)

Too bad it doesn't do Cube games. Now THAT would rock. But hey, GBA is a nice plus. I wonder how much more advanced (No pun intended) the DS games will be, though? I can't wait to put a new section on my site for this stuff! The games better not cost too much, though.

[ubersaurus]

Also, the backwards compatibility portion is genius. People hate the idea of not being able to play all their old games. Plus, when everyone who wants a DS sells their GBA, that means your customer base has now doubled.
Hey, I never thought of that. Maybe the GBA SP will fall in price to something more reasonable. Glut of GBAs on eBay, perhaps?

Nah... it will only play GBA games... anyone still wanting to play GB and GBC titles will still need a proper GBA.

I don't quite get your reasoning...a good number of the GBA games use the old GB parts for sound and probably other stuff. If those parts are in, then I don't see how they couldn't make it backwards compatible with color and original games.

[spoon]

I was interested before, now I am very excited. Truly this is an updated GB.

I wonder if they will let the user pick which screen is the main screen and which is the secondary secreen? I know this wouldn't work with the Touch screen games. Robotriot and I were talking about the DS on #Vbender today.

[Crush Crawfish]

I'm so excited about the DS now, that my head's gonna explode! $150, GBA compatible? 4 buttons? touch screens? Sign me up! I'm getting this on launch day for sure!!!! I think the PSP's in trouble....

[Aussie2B]

You know what's funny about that logo? It's horrible and someone likely got paid minimum five figures to come up with it.

The same could be said for the Square-Enix logo and the new Konami logo. Crappy new logos appears to be a trend lately.

[Richter]

no shoulder buttons present? (planet GC is loading for me)

[Speedy]

Shoulder buttons are present (at the end of the press conference movie they showed up, tiny red buttons). This thing is gonna be awesome, i must import that thing when it comes out, must have ... must play!! Hopefully it has no region lock like the GBA :)

[jerkov]

I didn't know what to think of the DS based on what I'd heard before, but that thing looks awesome. I don't know if I'll be buying one on launch day, but I will definitely be buying one sometime in the future. The hell with the PSP......I hardly even play my PS2 as it is. I can't imagine a handheld Playstation having many good games since Sony is being so strict on what games it will allow to appear on its consoles now.

[sisko]

A better article:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/05/11/news_6097113.html

DS cartridges the size of SD cards? I'm afraid I'd lose the dame things!

Indeed the unit is compatible with ALL gameboy games.

[evilmess]

Ninty has an official DS page up with a good amount of info and pics.

http://www.nintendo.com/e3_2004/ds/index.jsp

Good stuff, I might have to trade in the GBA SP for this bad boy.

[Crush Crawfish]

Look! third party games were announced!

http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/513/513202p1.html


VIEWTIFUL JOE DS
MEGAMAN BATTLE NETWORK
DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS
MONSTER RANCHER

NEED NOW!!!!!!!!! GONNNA SPLODE!

[Lady Jaye]

And first-party titles announced:

some Metroid game, Mario 64x4 (basically Mario64 gets the Four Swords treatment), a true sequel to Wario Ware and some weird communication game.

By reading the numerous comments from third party honchos on Nintendo's website, looks like there are several developers interested by the DS, including Atari, Namco, Capcom and THQ.

BTW, wanna bet that its final name will be Game Boy ______? Considering that it'll be backward-compatible with the previous Game Boy generations...

I don't think the original GBA will remain on the market once this baby hits the market. The SP, yes, but not the first GBA.

Wanna bet that Animal Crossing will eventually be ported to the DS (or whatever its final name will be)?

[Charlie]

Oh. My. God. Does this thing look awesome. Oh. My. God. Look at that list of games.

That's it folks, there's at least twenty of us intrested in this thing... and that's enough to storm E3 and take all the DS stuff. Who's with me?

Note: That was a joke. Do not report me as a potential terrorist.

[spoon]

Check out the New mario game in Davebrits thread. @_@

[ManekiNeko]

Wow... the Nintendo DS looks friggin' sweet, almost like a 21st century Game and Watch. I do hope they change the controller design, however... the recessed, round-edged D-pad doesn't look especially responsive.

JR

[hydr0x]

Wanna bet that Animal Crossing will eventually be ported to the DS (or whatever its final name will be)?

yep, they already showed a screen of it :)

[Crush Crawfish]

yep, they already showed a screen of it

can I get a link to the animal crossing screen please?

[Algol]

This is going to be really interesting. I'm really wondering how Sony is going to strike back.

[Mayhem]

If you want a load of DS screens on a non-b0rked source, then check out my E3 media thread :)

[tholly]

even though a retail price isnt set, ebgames.com already has a preorder for the DS set at $199....

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/241868.asp

[Nature Boy]

BTW, wanna bet that its final name will be Game Boy ______? Considering that it'll be backward-compatible with the previous Game Boy generations...

I'll take that bet. I'm pretty sure the DS name will stick. If only because another 'boy' name won't market as well against Sony's PSP.

The more I read about this the more excited I get. There are new genres of games just *waiting* to bust through, I can feel it...

@Sisko: As someone who owns a PocketPC and a Game Boy Advance let me just say that my GBA has more scratches than my PPC. I carry them the exact same way (no cover) and I carry my PPC *way* more often than my GBA too. With screens that fold over each other you'll have to *work* at scratching either of them methinks.

[sisko]

@Sisko: As someone who owns a PocketPC and a Game Boy Advance let me just say that my GBA has more scratches than my PPC. I carry them the exact same way (no cover) and I carry my PPC *way* more often than my GBA too. With screens that fold over each other you'll have to *work* at scratching either of them methinks.

My worry isn't from wear and tearon the screens in the pocket, it's from vigorous and frequent use of the stylue on the touch screen.

I've got a palm with cover that has some scratches on it from stylus use, Id rather not see that happen to my DS.

Though I'll bet if this is a big problem, Nintendo will sell replacement screens.

[Ed Oscuro]

Third party screens A GO-GO!

And hey, we're finally getting out N64 Metroid. Sorta.

I'd like to see A/V cables for this thing :D

[Drexel923]

I watched the Nintendo Press Conference on IGN and the DS looks pretty sweet so far. I wasn't really surprised at the look of the system, with all of the info we got before E3 it pretty much looked like I imagined it. The games they showed so far looked good, especially the metroid one. I am excited about whats been shown and what titles have been announced. Also in the conference they said that "DS is still a proto name" and will be changed, they also said that they will make the price "very afforable"...so I'm hoping that the $199 listed above on ebgames is wrong. I wouldn't be surprised if its $150, though $99 would be nice. :D I'm pretty happy with the wi-fi connectivity and the gba slot. Also they said that the games will be on 1 gig cards which is plenty of space (for some reason I thought they would be smaller). Can't wait for more info and video. :D

[NE146]

No doubt about it..this thing will have the BEST Game and Watch Gallery evah! :D LOL

http://img16.photobucket.com/albums/v48/b2stoys/DS_GW.jpg