http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2...d-for.aspx
As with lots of the rumors we've been hearing, it's centered around a late 2010/early 2011 release date... with how many rumors there are of this, it's looking more and more likely. That's just about two years after the DSi, which isn't long, but oh well... at least I never bought one. :) But yeah, too bad for DSi owners... I remember being pretty unhappy after the GBA came out just 2 1/2 years after the GBC. Didn't buy a GBA for two or three years because of that.
It'll be a long time before I ever get one. 80% of my DS Lite playing time involves GBA games (as I find it more comfortable to use as opposed to an SP), and the DSi rendered itself useless to me after dropping that capability.
I'm still happy with my ordinary DS, which I just got two years ago and am not ready to upgrade yet. The only thing that's made me consider getting a DSi is the possibility of a Virtual Handheld (similar to the Wii's Virtual Console), but I can't find any actual information on it. I've been longing to play the original Kirby's Dream Land lately.
Hooray so if my predictions are right, this thing will be capable of outputting the same graphics we see on Wii and have the ability to hook up to a TV.
I think what Nintendo is facing is that the DS owners are not necessarily the Wii owners, in other words, it's two different consumers. So, make the DS a multi-faceted platform that offers portability and the ability to use as a home console either holding the DS2 as the controller or using the DS2's camera. I have wanted video game controllers to incorporate LCD screens for eons now, back on SNES I wanted the option to display particular information, map data, ammo of other weapons, etc and this would be perfect. Add to that the mic and speakers and you COULD have something great.
I have a feeling the DS2 will not only fold out at the same angle of DS, but also flat, and also have the option to bridge the gap between the two screens making it one with only a hairline crack between. Now of course, if Nintendo went this route, both screens would have to be touch capable. Imagine being able to take out a DS2, flatten it so its larger, and you and other people can play a tabletop game with your fingers. I wonder if they're thinking about that recent patent about connecting multiple cellphones to create one giant screen... multiple DS owners connect 4 DS on a table to make a huge playing field? ....nah
That rumor does say GC-level graphics, but I really think that your prediction is completely off-base as far as merging consoles and handhelds goes. Nintendo is not going to replace the Wii with a handheld, sorry. Will it have TV output? Maybe, maybe not. PSP does have it. I'd bet against it, as Nintendo likes to keep their systems focused on their task, but I guess it's maybe possible in some outside chance. Will the graphics be near Wii? If this rumor is true, yeah, perhaps. But it obviously is not the same... and Nintendo has always made very different kinds of games for their handhelds and PCs, and I don't see that changing. If this system is real, it's going to be a handheld.
What I'm really hoping for is that it's fully DS and DSi backwards compatible...
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Probably fake, yeah, but there have been so many 'a new DS is coming within the year" rumors in the last few months that it's likely that SOMETHING is behind them...
Ah, the "if we all say it and want it enough, it'll become reality" system of knowledge.
One thing's for sure, they WILL make a new handheld. I'm just not all that concerned about these particular rumors.