New DS w/camera & DL games, Wii storage fix, Sin & Punishment 2, more! Check OP

cloudeagle

Nintendo just held a Japanese press conference where a huge amount of surprising stuff was announced. What, pray tell?



How does a new DS grab ya? It's got a camera and an SD slot, along with music and photo editing capabilities, and a free web browser. Not to mention it's even smaller. The battery life looks to be taking a hit and there's no more GBA slot though, so you Guitar Hero portable lovers (all two of you) are out of luck.

Here's the full specs compared to the DS Lite:

Screen Size
DSi: 3.25 inch
DS Lite: 3.0 inch

Screen
Both TFT LCD with 260,000 colors

System Size
DSi: 137 x 74.9 x 18.9mm
DS Lite: 133 x 73.9 x 21.5mm

Touch pen
DSi: 92mm length
DS Lite: 87.5mm length

Power source
DSi: DSi AC adapter and special battery pack
DS Lite: DS Lite AC adapter and special battery pack

Weight
DSi: 214g (battery pack and touch pen included)
DS Lite: 218g (battery pack, touch pen, GBA connector cover included)

Charge time
DSi: 2 hours 30 minutes
DS Lite: 3 hours

Battery life

** listed by screen brightness, lowest to highest

DSi: 9-14 hours, 8-12, 6-9, 4-6, 3-4
DS Lite: 15-19 hours, 10-15, 7-11, 5-8

Compatible software
DSi: DS software, DSi software
DS Lite: Game Boy Advance software, DS software

Input method
DSi: DS card slot, SD memory card slot, AC adapter connector, stereo head phone/mic connector
DSLite: DS card slot, GBA card slot, AC adapter connector, stereo head phone/mic connector

There also seems to be a DS version of Virtual Console, where you can buy games with Nintendo points. Nintendo's also promising to give you 1,000 points for free if you connect even once by March 2010. Hey, I can be bribed.



Oh, Wired is reporting there's a Mario and Luigi 3 as well as a new Wario Ware for the DS coming.

The Wii got some lovin' too. The big news: you can finally use your SD card to store and access games! About friggin' time... the fridge just got a lot bigger. Unfortunately, it's not coming till spring 2009. Yarrrrgh.

Also, if you convince your friends/family/co-workers/neighbors/pets/hobos to buy a Wii, you get 500 Nintendo points.

Apparently Nintendo will re-release some of its Gamecube games for the Wii, though who the hell knows if there will be ANY changes. They might just release them as, well, Cube games since they work. Here's what IGN had to say.

A new series of software is coming out called "Let's Play On Wii," according to Iwata. The series will bring back popular titles like Pikmin that were released on GameCube, but they will adapted for play on Wii. Hopefully this is not the Pikmin 3 Miyamoto referenced at E3 2008.

Famitsu says the following games are getting Wii-makes:

Chibi Robo
Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat
Pikmin
Pikmin 2
Mario Tennis GC
Metroid Prime
Metroid Prime 2: Dark Echoes

How 'bout some new games?

2008

Wii Music (Nintendo) 10/16
Animal Crossing: City Folk (Nintendo) 11/20
The Melancholy of Haruhi (Kadokawa Shoten) 11/27
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes (Capcom) 12/11
428 (Sega) 12/4
Samba de Amigo (Sega) 12/11
Let's Tap (Sega) Dec. 2008
Cooking Mama 2 (Taito) 12/4
Rygar: Muscle Impact (Tecmo) Dec. 2008
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (Activision) 10/16
Karaoke Joysound Wii (Hudson) 12/18
Sky Crawlers (Bandai-Namco) 10/16
Happy Dance Collection (Bandai-Namco) 10/23
Family Ski: World Ski & Snowboard (Bandai-Namco) 11/13
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (Bandai-Namco) 12/4
Taiko Drum Master Wii (Bandai-Namco) 12/11
Tenchu 4 (From Software) 10/23
Harvest Moon: Exciting Animal March (Marvelous) 10/30
Rune Factory Frontier (Marvelous) 11/27
Shape Boxing (Rocket Co.) 10/30

2009

Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo) Spring
Start w/ 100 Conversations! English Conversation (Nintendo) 2009
Punch-Out!! (Nintendo) 2009
Trace Memory: R, Gateway of Memory (Nintendo) 2009
Kensax (Nintendo) 2009
Cosmic Walker (Nintendo) 2009
Spawn Smasher (Nintendo) 2009
Dynamic [illegible] (Nintendo) 2009
Takt of Magic (Nintendo) 2009
Sin & Punishment 2 (Nintendo) 2009
Forever Blue 2: Beautiful Ocean (Nintendo) 2009
Everyone's the Star on the NHK Red-and-White Quiz Battle (Nintendo) 2009
Line Attack Heroes (Nintendo) 2009
Castlevania: Judgment (Konami) Winter 2008-2009
Dead Rising: Zombies' Sacrifice (Capcom) Winter 2008-2009
FFCC: Echoes of Time (Square-Enix) 1/29
Sonic and the Black Knight (Sega) Spring
Fragile (Bandai-Namco) Winter 2008-2009
Arcrise Fantasia (Marvelous) Winter 2008-2009
Oboro Muramasa (Marvelous) Spring

It wasn't shown, but IGN is swearing on their mother's grave that Kid Icarus is in development.

Lunker

This is ... odd. I guess it might be considered a sidestep, kind of like GBA -> GB Micro or PSP 2001 -> PSP 3001?

I'll wait to hear more details, but still ... odd.

Dodge Aspen

While cool, if the hardware used for playing games doesn't get a boost, then will the masses buy it? Seems everyone already has a DS Lite.

Peewi

DS with music player I can understand, there already is a Nintendo MP3 player which lets a DS or GBA play MP3s from an SD card, but a camera seems like an odd thing to put in a handheld console.

Opium

Peewi wrote: »

DS with music player I can understand, there already is a Nintendo MP3 player which lets a DS or GBA play MP3s from an SD card, but a camera seems like an odd thing to put in a handheld console.

Didn't the Game Boy Pocket or something have a camera (and printer) peripheral as well?

Peewi

Opium wrote: »

Peewi wrote: »

DS with music player I can understand, there already is a Nintendo MP3 player which lets a DS or GBA play MP3s from an SD card, but a camera seems like an odd thing to put in a handheld console.

Didn't the Game Boy Pocket or something have a camera (and printer) peripheral as well?

There were indeed a Game Boy Camera and Game Boy Printer, but I think those are odd too.

Cyrixd

Peripherals are a different story than including it directly on the unit.

Aside from the camera, I can see how this is a good idea. I was just wishing the other day that the DS had more media capabilities like the PSP. I think cloudeagle is spot on for their reasoning for this new unit (if it proves true).

PeregrineFalcon

Fuck MP3s.

Fuck the camera.

GIVE ME WPA ENCRYPTION, ASSHOLES.

Bionic Monkey

Huh. Well, the screen is going out on my DS Lite anyway. If this is true, I'll just replace with this.

DualEdge

Why not just use MAC filtering and get by it all? Unless you live in a dorm that randomly uses WPA or something.

GimeC

The conference should probably have a couple more "hardcore gamer" games announced, since Nintendo is reeling a little bit from E3. That said, if either Star Fox Wii or Metroid 5 isn't announced I'm going to be pissed.

PeregrineFalcon

Actually, you know what? This "Wireless connectivity to information terminals" shit sounds more and more like they're going to throw a 1seg radio in there and use it with some kind of gimped GPS system.

Which means it won't ever leave Japan.

GimeC wrote: »

The conference should probably have a couple more "hardcore gamer" games announced, since Nintendo is reeling a little bit from E3. That said, if either Star Fox Wii or Metroid 5 isn't announced I'm going to be pissed.

Reeling? Yeah, they're reeling alright - reeling in boatloads of cash from people who are eating that casual shit up. Get ready for Team Extreme Horse Groomer and Mario Party 9.

Omegasquash

PeregrineFalcon wrote: »

GIVE ME WPA ENCRYPTION, ASSHOLES.

For reals. You'd have thought that the Lite would have had the capability. Then again though, does the PSP slim support WPA?

Regardless, the functionality doesn't really matter 2 shits. I've got a phone with a decent camera, an iPod with enough space to keep me happy and video to boot. And if I wanted one device to perform all of those functions, I'd get an iPhone. Now, I didn't see phone capability in there, which is great, but why do I need to buy one more piece of hardware when I (and most other "with it" device owners) already have what I need?

Seems like too little, too soon. But the event is Thursday, so I'll reserve judgment 'til then.

Ah_Pook

DS seems to be doing quite well as a gaming device, trying to push the all in one media things seems like a strange direction to take to me

GimeC

PeregrineFalcon wrote: »

Actually, you know what? This "Wireless connectivity to information terminals" shit sounds more and more like they're going to throw a 1seg radio in there and use it with some kind of gimped GPS system.

Which means it won't ever leave Japan.

GimeC wrote: »

The conference should probably have a couple more "hardcore gamer" games announced, since Nintendo is reeling a little bit from E3. That said, if either Star Fox Wii or Metroid 5 isn't announced I'm going to be pissed.

Reeling? Yeah, they're reeling alright - reeling in boatloads of cash from people who are eating that casual shit up. Get ready for Team Extreme Horse Groomer and Mario Party 9.

I really think people need to realize that Nintendo released SMG, SSBB and MP3 in the past year alone. SMG and SSBB sold tons of copies, too, so there's little reason for Nintendo to ignore that side of the base altogether. Hell, Wario Land just came out last week, and there's still a lot stuff coming out for the DS.

It's painfully obvious that Nintendo's gamer image was hurt by their E3 showing--they also obviously know that, because they tried to spin E3 pretty hard (and it didn't work.) The fact that E3 was more catered to casual games means there probably won't be as many at this thing, not the opposite. Not to mention that this conference tends to produce more important announcements than E3 does for Nintendo, anyway, if the last couple of years are noted.

The_Scarab

How enthusiastically would you pay $99 for this product on a scale of 1-20?

citizen059

Oh sweet!

Cue Fox News report on pedophiles using new DS camera to send homemade self-porn to unsuspecting children in 5, 4, 3...

PeregrineFalcon

Omegasquash wrote: »

For reals. You'd have thought that the Lite would have had the capability. Then again though, does the PSP slim support WPA?

TKIP yes, AES no.

@GimeC - After E3 I'm still not trusting them until they announce that Animal Crossing is, in fact, not fucking hardcore gaming.

@The_Scarab - I enthusiastically paid $99 for a regular DS Lite, so I'd definitely pay $99 for the DS Used To Be Lite But Now What Is All This Extra Shit, I Mean Seriously People.

@citizen059 - It's funny because it's true.

Omegasquash

The_Scarab wrote: »

How enthusiastically would you pay $99 for this product on a scale of 1-20?

That depends, given that:

The online version of the story omits a line that is present in a photograph of the print story, which says that the new model will cost less than 20,000 yen (about $188). The DS Lite costs 16,800 yen ($158) in Japan.

If it's more than $99, then absolutely not. If it introduces better functionality, such as the following speculation on my part:

And there might be more to this new model -- another version of the Nikkei report, since removed, apparently ran on a site called Monex and said that the hardware would have larger screens and be able to transfer data from the Wii or an SD card.

If that were the case, and I could, say, play my VC games on my DS, then yes, yes I would pay $99 for it. But again, it's speculation and based solely on my own gaming interests.

cloudeagle

GimeC wrote: »

PeregrineFalcon wrote: »

Actually, you know what? This "Wireless connectivity to information terminals" shit sounds more and more like they're going to throw a 1seg radio in there and use it with some kind of gimped GPS system.

Which means it won't ever leave Japan.

GimeC wrote: »

The conference should probably have a couple more "hardcore gamer" games announced, since Nintendo is reeling a little bit from E3. That said, if either Star Fox Wii or Metroid 5 isn't announced I'm going to be pissed.

Reeling? Yeah, they're reeling alright - reeling in boatloads of cash from people who are eating that casual shit up. Get ready for Team Extreme Horse Groomer and Mario Party 9.

I really think people need to realize that Nintendo released SMG, SSBB and MP3 in the past year alone. SMG and SSBB sold tons of copies, too, so there's little reason for Nintendo to ignore that side of the base altogether. Hell, Wario Land just came out last week, and there's still a lot stuff coming out for the DS.

It's painfully obvious that Nintendo's gamer image was hurt by their E3 showing--they also obviously know that, because they tried to spin E3 pretty hard (and it didn't work.) The fact that E3 was more catered to casual games means there probably won't be as many at this thing, not the opposite. Not to mention that this conference tends to produce more important announcements than E3 does for Nintendo, anyway, if the last couple of years are noted.

Oh, sure. Nintendo had an absolutely awesome past year With SMG, SSBB, MP3 and Mario Kart. Though it's also undeniable that this year's E3 was a bit of a letdown.

This is not a new thing.

Nintendo has an occasional problem with pacing. I remember one year during the Cube years when their biggest game was Pac-Man Vs. And the same thing may be happening here, compounded with Nintendo's (and the industry's) increasing reluctance to announce things way ahead of time. They likely do have more hardcore games in the hopper, they're just not ready to announce yet.

So it's way too soon to decree that Nintendo's abandoned the hardcore gamer. If next year's E3 sucks too, then it could be.

The Reverend Dr Galactus

PeregrineFalcon wrote: »

Fuck MP3s.

Fuck the camera.

GIVE ME WPA ENCRYPTION, ASSHOLES.

I would love to be able to use my DS online too. Like, at all.

Opium

GimeC wrote: »

there's still a lot stuff coming out for the DS.

Nothing but crap and niche titles (Monster Hunter, Animal Crossing etc.) for the Wii though. There isn't a single AAA title on the release calendar. It's extremely depressing. It's only going to collect dust for the next year, maybe two.

Opium

Omegasquash wrote: »

The_Scarab wrote: »

How enthusiastically would you pay $99 for this product on a scale of 1-20?

That depends, given that:

The online version of the story omits a line that is present in a photograph of the print story, which says that the new model will cost less than 20,000 yen (about $188). The DS Lite costs 16,800 yen ($158) in Japan.

If it's more than $99, then absolutely not. If it introduces better functionality, such as the following speculation on my part:

And there might be more to this new model -- another version of the Nikkei report, since removed, apparently ran on a site called Monex and said that the hardware would have larger screens and be able to transfer data from the Wii or an SD card.

If that were the case, and I could, say, play my VC games on my DS, then yes, yes I would pay $99 for it. But again, it's speculation and based solely on my own gaming interests.

Your pricing scheme is laughable and completely unrealistic. Why don't you ask them to throw in a Bentley and a diamond ring as well? Why the hell would they sell all that stuff for a mere 99 bucks when they can charge a lot more for a lot less and still sell by the bundle.

jeddy lee

Well... if it is a functional camera, I will likely buy one. Considering my primary camera right now is my crappy phone cam. Also I wouldn't mind a new DS. I definately think games should not include this, as that would alienate people who just bought a DS lite and don't want/need the new features or simply can't afford them.

fragglefart

I've still not got a DS. Not really a big portable gamer, but eh, feel like I'm missing some classic games.

I've promised myself, that since the lite has been around a while now, the next version that comes out, I'll throw down some coin.

Cyrixd

It's really interesting how desperately optimistic some Nintendo fans are. There's been a few hopes of hardcore games being announced, but this takes the cake:

Omegasquash wrote: »

If that were the case, and I could, say, play my VC games on my DS, then yes, yes I would pay $99 for it. But again, it's speculation and based solely on my own gaming interests.

Not trying to pick on you, as I would buy that up in a second as well, but I highly doubt that would ever happen, if it's even possible.

DeathPrawn

Cyrixd wrote: »

It's really interesting how desperately optimistic some Nintendo fans are. There's been a few hopes of hardcore games being announced, but this takes the cake:

Omegasquash wrote: »

If that were the case, and I could, say, play my VC games on my DS, then yes, yes I would pay $99 for it. But again, it's speculation and based solely on my own gaming interests.

Not trying to pick on you, as I would buy that up in a second as well, but I highly doubt that would ever happen, if it's even possible.

With the exception of Nintendo 64 games, it is VERY possible. I've even heard rumors that the new DS will have a SD slot (although that's most likely for MP3s/photos). If Nintendo can pull it off, it would be an incredible business move. That being said, I would still be utterly shocked if they announce it on Thursday.

Feral

PeregrineFalcon wrote: »

Fuck MP3s.

Fuck the camera.

GIVE ME WPA ENCRYPTION, ASSHOLES.

yes

Omegasquash

Opium wrote: »

Omegasquash wrote: »

The_Scarab wrote: »

How enthusiastically would you pay $99 for this product on a scale of 1-20?

That depends, given that:

The online version of the story omits a line that is present in a photograph of the print story, which says that the new model will cost less than 20,000 yen (about $188). The DS Lite costs 16,800 yen ($158) in Japan.

If it's more than $99, then absolutely not. If it introduces better functionality, such as the following speculation on my part:

And there might be more to this new model -- another version of the Nikkei report, since removed, apparently ran on a site called Monex and said that the hardware would have larger screens and be able to transfer data from the Wii or an SD card.

If that were the case, and I could, say, play my VC games on my DS, then yes, yes I would pay $99 for it. But again, it's speculation and based solely on my own gaming interests.

Your pricing scheme is laughable and completely unrealistic. Why don't you ask them to throw in a Bentley and a diamond ring as well? Why the hell would they sell all that stuff for a mere 99 bucks when they can charge a lot more for a lot less and still sell by the bundle.

Why, because I'd be coughing up dollars for a functionality that I've already spent for my ipod, my digital camera and the phone on my camera as well? From my perspective (which I thought I was making clear...obviously I was wrong), it's not worth it to pay out even $99 for something that I've already got, albeit from 3 different devices. Most people already carry their phone (read: camera), their mp3 player of choice, and their DS with them when they, I dunno, travel, go to school, take the train...whatever.

But again, it's all personal opinion. Now, if I'm reading you correctly, then do tell, what's wrong with my pricing scheme? I was responding from a personal standpoint to a general question that was thrown out there. If you'd like to call me cheap, then just call me cheap and be done with it. I've got the right to be cheap, especially when I've already thrown money out there for 2 models of the DS already. I've got other things to worry about, and it's my right to feel that way. Sheesh.

The_Scarab

Guys my post was a Brodeo joke not a serious question.

I already own a DS. Unless this new one drastically and meaningfully has any benefit I wont be buying one. I already own a superior Mp3 player.

Dixon

PeregrineFalcon wrote: »

Fuck MP3s.

Fuck the camera.

GIVE ME WPA ENCRYPTION, ASSHOLES.

Serisously why would they do this to themselves. I don't see why the didn't include it, I mean WPA has been out for quite a while...More people use it to.

Omegasquash

Cyrixd wrote: »

It's really interesting how desperately optimistic some Nintendo fans are. There's been a few hopes of hardcore games being announced, but this takes the cake:

Omegasquash wrote: »

If that were the case, and I could, say, play my VC games on my DS, then yes, yes I would pay $99 for it. But again, it's speculation and based solely on my own gaming interests.

Not trying to pick on you, as I would buy that up in a second as well, but I highly doubt that would ever happen, if it's even possible.

Never hurts to hope, but I'm not getting my hopes up. I stopped being a "Nintendo Fan" about 2 years ago when I got an HDTV and saw how suck-tastic most games looked. No cake taking needed, but thanks for the assumption. I know you're not trying to pick on me, but nothing in my full post suggested "desperate optimism," as you put it.

maximumzero

I'm excited about this simply because it means the original model DS would possibly drop to $99.

PeregrineFalcon

The_Scarab wrote: »

Guys my post was a Brodeo joke not a serious question.

It's OK Brotato, you just gotta remember that everything is seriously Brosness on the internet.

Omegasquash

maximumzero wrote: »

I'm excited about this simply because it means the original model DS would possibly drop to $99.

The brick? I haven't seen those in stores for a long time, come to think of it....

maximumzero

Omegasquash wrote: »

maximumzero wrote: »

I'm excited about this simply because it means the original model DS would possibly drop to $99.

The brick? I haven't seen those in stores for a long time, come to think of it....

By original I meant the "Lite that doesn't have a camera/mp3 functionality"

I had forgotten completely about the big'un until you told me something.

Feral

Dixon wrote: »

PeregrineFalcon wrote: »

Fuck MP3s.

Fuck the camera.

GIVE ME WPA ENCRYPTION, ASSHOLES.

Serisously why would they do this to themselves. I don't see why the didn't include it, I mean WPA has been out for quite a while...More people use it to.

They didn't include it because WPA uses more advanced encryption algorithms and is therefore more CPU-intensive, and by definition more power hungry. Including it would have reduced performance and battery life.

The_Scarab

PeregrineFalcon wrote: »

The_Scarab wrote: »

Guys my post was a Brodeo joke not a serious question.

It's OK Brotato, you just gotta remember that everything is seriously Brosness on the internet.

In this instance Brodeo has capitalization for a reason

urahonky

Dixon wrote: »

PeregrineFalcon wrote: »

Fuck MP3s.

Fuck the camera.

GIVE ME WPA ENCRYPTION, ASSHOLES.

Serisously why would they do this to themselves. I don't see why the didn't include it, I mean WPA has been out for quite a while...More people use it to.

Because you hardly use the thing to get online, so why include it? :P

Omegasquash

The_Scarab wrote: »

Guys my post was a Brodeo joke not a serious question.

I already own a DS. Unless this new one drastically and meaningfully has any benefit I wont be buying one. I already own a superior Mp3 player.

Which GFW was that? My attention was diverted throughout the final episode.

Feral

urahonky wrote: »

Dixon wrote: »

PeregrineFalcon wrote: »

Fuck MP3s.

Fuck the camera.

GIVE ME WPA ENCRYPTION, ASSHOLES.

Serisously why would they do this to themselves. I don't see why the didn't include it, I mean WPA has been out for quite a while...More people use it to.

Because you hardly use the thing to get online, so why include it? :P

maybe i would use it online more if it supported my (industry-standard, secure) home wifi network