The Final Design (and name) for the DS

[EWS]

I received this email from Nintendo the other day.

More Than 120 Games in Development Worldwide for Nintendo's New Game Platform

July 28, 2004 - In preparation for the launch of Nintendo DS in North America and Japan later this year and Europe in Q1 2005, Nintendo today announces major global developments for the innovative dual-screen, wireless, hand-held video game system.

Nintendo DS, originally chosen as the code name, has been selected as the official product name. The Nintendo DS name evokes the idea of a portable system with "dual screens," providing the rationale for the final name. The hardware also has been redesigned to sport a slimmer, sharper look. The retooled Nintendo DS features a thinner, black base and an angular platinum flip-top cover. The face buttons and shoulder buttons are larger, and some have been reconfigured for optimum use. The unit includes a new storage slot for the touch screen's stylus, and the speakers now broadcast in stereo sound, with or without headphones.

"The Nintendo DS will change the future of hand-held gaming," says Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo Co., Ltd. "Dual screens, chat functions, a touch screen, wireless capabilities, voice recognition - these abilities surpass anything attempted before, and consumers will benefit from the creativity and innovation the new features bring to the world of video games."

Software companies worldwide have more than 120 Nintendo DS games in development. Nintendo alone is developing more than 20 titles, and in excess of 100 companies have signed on to create games for the new system.

Here is a pic as well of the probable final design.

[Kiyouta]

All seems rather pointless to me... can't people just wait till they get home?!

But I think this is sorta overshadowed by Sony's PSP...

[Andrew]

But can the PSP play say an old PS game I had for my original PS?

Like would I pop the CD in and be able to play it?

[EWS]

No, they use something called UMD.

[Andrew]

So all of a persons original PS games would be useless.

Why couldn't they make one that used the old CD based games.

SIGH.

Although I guess it would have to be really shockabsorbant for CD's.

[EWS]

Yeah I know.  Anyway, I will hopefully be buying both come the near future!

[Kiyouta]

No, they use something called UMD.

I think the main idea of using non-conventional media is to throught the pirates. Although maybe to prevent skipping is also a valid reason. PSP is also supposed to be getting a whole list of movies recorded in its format. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children being one of them :P