oh so the new games arent cartidge? I thought they were. Are they like minidisks or what? I like the backwards comaptability but i thought the new DS games were on cartidge too.

no, they're on a proprietary medium that is a lot like SD cards for digital cameras. i think it's just a different version of non-volatile flash ram... but not certain bout that.

so, no it isn't a disc... but not a cartridge either. i think for a portable system a disc drive would consume too much battery power and the medium would be less durable. i know my counting crows CDs feel that way. ;)

I would think it is still a cart, just a larger/better type that is able to handle the new hardware. I think the largest GBA cart holds a 16mb rom now, not totally sure on that though. If not then a new hardware specific media type is not out of the question.. the cost of said media is the question though. I'm not paying $60 a game!

edit: lousy spelling....

Someone, Shigeru Miyamoto I think, said that the DS wasn't in its final configuration and that there would be a name change, too.

They're changing the name for the Japanese release.

Ah so. I am very excited about these systems.
The DS looks kinda stale. Find a new prototype color, nintendo! You too, Sony!

The PSP is going to be available in an assortment of colours, like their Digital Cybershot Cams.

And seeing as how every Nintendo system since the N64 has had more than one colour, I don't think they'll stick with just one, either.

I don't think the graphics should set it apart. The type of Genre I look for state of the art graphics are FPSes.

PSP Wins for FPS Mode

The DS has the touch screen with a stylus. Here's a phrase for you. Hand-Held RTS. Thats gotta be a point for the DS.

RPGs? Graphics aren't everything here. IF they were.. whats up with all us D&D freaks? ;) If you've played Golden Sun, then you'd agree you don't need state of the art graphics to enjoy a very... VERY well done Console RPG.

When you think about it, There is a wide range of games that will excell on both systems equally as well because of their bonuses.

PSP will excell in games that require great graphics. So I could see PSP for being good for FPS style games on the go. That would make me want to buy it just for that. To be able to play a FPS whenever I want. Then be able to link up? Yeah that'd be cool.

Then if you look at all the possibilities of a Touch Screen on the DS.. there are many types of games that will also only excell on the DS. I mean the screen in and of itself will become THEE most universal button EVER known to a gaming system. RTSs, Chess styles, Drawing (heh, Mario party with 2,000 people at the same time.. pure madness.. MADNESS I SAY!)(remember the internet hub idea), Simplicity such as choosing your plays in a football game.... the possibilities with this touch screen is just so insane that I have yet to find an ending.

In the end? Both will be great systems, and both will have abilities that they will excell in more than the other. So plan on buying both, but figure out which options between the two appeal to you most.. then get that one first. ;)

who wants to play a FPS (metorid) with a pointer stick? I dont want to have a whole hand moving with the d pad, and another moving the gun with the other, how do i jump? item switch, on the go?

Keep ragging on Metroid for DS all ya want, but at least the DS doesn't have a new Metal Gear game that's a 3D RTS!! Yeah, Metal Gear Acid is a strategy game that's supposedly a lot like chess.

I still say both systems are looking excellent. Someone else pointed this out earlier, and it's true: the DS isn't the next Gameboy. The next Gameboy is supposed to be announced this year. The DS is just a combatant to the PSP temporarily.

-Lasereth

So??

Use the touch pad?

Nintendo has always been successful with handheld consoles(except virtual boy) and their line up of multiplayer games is already pretty good, so I imagine they'll go far with this new one. Although PSP is probably the biggest threat to their market share thats come along in a while :eek:

Well, if you're excited about it just for the franchise, you should know how Metroid lovers feel about theirs?

Damn DS game cost $50 each. thats pretty expensive for a handheld game. :mad:

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

I know i do want the metroid game too, even though the stupid touchpad thing, but so what if Metal Gear is a RTS? I like RTS' and Metal Gear is a good game.

In regards to cartridge vs. disc. Remember that this is a handheld system with limited battery life. Imagine how much energy it takes to not only spin a disc, but also to fire a laser at it. Plus you've to move that laser around with some sort of motor... more engery comsuption = less play time

yeah, couple that with a larger/brighter/denser screen and you've got a device that is going to suck a lot of power down.

it's not going to make 10 hours... i'll take that bet any day. if sony pulls of any more than 8 hours on a single battery charge with practical usage (lets say... 6 hours of gaming plus a movie) then i'll tip my cap in their direction. but, past experience and what i know about what it takes to run a machine like that tells me that 4-5 will be tops... 3 with less than top-of-the-line batteries.

i'm wondering the same thing (to a much lesser degree) about the DS. i wonder how the two backlit screens are going to affect battery life. the GBA SP does fine imho in this area... so hopefully the DS will follow suit.

everyone seems to be using the cartridge word... though i think the medium operates differently than what we consider to be a traditional cartridge. but, since oftentimes people split videogame mediums into either disc or cart... i'll run w/it for now.

Ah, Jesus. Time for an update. All from IGN: closed open actual logo

I'll post the actual pictures later, when I can get a ftp program that will go over the crap ton of proxies we have here at work, or maybe someone will beat me to it! Here's the articleaddressing this event. Good stuff.

Good deal, Slayer. Thanks a lot for the pics! Here's one more for your viewing pleasure, a hi-res shot of the open Nintendo DS. I'll edit my earlier post for the actual logo.

EDIT: Denied. I'll post the damn thing, once again, when I get home. It's a nice pic, though. I'd hate for you all to not see it.

EDIT: HI-RES PICTURE TIME

Open:
http://appstate.edu/~bm48531/dsopenfinal.jpg

Closed:
http://appstate.edu/~bm48531/dsclosedfinal.jpg

Logo:
http://appstate.edu/~bm48531/dslogofinal.jpg

Great News!!

Man, that new design is so sharp, the PSP is not looking so slick anymore :). Im glad they ditched the original look they had at E3, that was pretty bad. Although I really do like this concept (below) from couple months back that someone made more than the official design, dont get me wrong though, Nintendo's own is quite badass.

http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthread...516257-ds1.jpg

Very nice! I like it. :drool:

Here's a side-by-side comparison of the two versions:

http://img59.exs.cx/img59/7351/_agam...prototypex.jpghttp://img61.exs.cx/img61/6838/_agam...nalproduct.jpg

Such a sexy thing to put in your hand, can't wait!

I do believe I've just creamed my pants again. That's four times over one device =(

Nintendo has made a bad mistake of using a directional pad for the DS. Many people now much prefer the use of analog stick(s) over a directional pad. I'm not saying all people want a analog stick, but it would be extremely nice with the 3D games that Nintendo seems focused on producing for the DS.

How would it close then?

I have never had a problem with a D-Pad, i use it all the time playing games on PS2. I use it on everything, I dont realy use the stick unless i have, to if the D-Pad wont work for that game. Mabey it's just the old school in me, I don't know. They can always make the D-Pad Analog, like the PS2, that could work just the same. Plus you can close the lid too. Matter of fact why not make all the buttons analog... hmm.

why is the power button so close to the d-pad? it better not be just a button, cause what if your finger accidentally slips and hits it!!??

id like to see analog sticks too. I dunno how Metroid will play... Im still buying it though.

Simple. Put a small recess above the left speaker, so the analog stick would fit when the DS is closed.

That'd be cutting the room tight for a decent analogue stick. It'd probably be far better to have an analogue d-pad, if you follow me =) Pressure sensetive and more than 8 directions.

So the ds doesn't have a port for the link cable? Why the hell not?? I was finally gonna be able to play crystal chronicles...

This was actually a huge turn off for me when I first played with the DS. You have to touch where you want to shoot with your thumb or the stylus. At first, I thought it was pretty cool. The shots go wherever you tap, but then quickly realized I was spending far more time staring at my thumb then I was at the screen. It was novel for about, oh, 5 minutes...

Hmm, most reviewers were really into Metroid's control scheme - saying it's as close as possible to mouselook as they can imagine. Must be a matter of taste.

Let me just say that I have a DS and it's by far the best invention ever made. Ever.

Mario DS is Mario 64 with 30 more stars and 4 playable characters (and multiplayer). What more could one ask for in a hand held?

I've also gotten hooked on the Sims for the DS. Too addictive.

Feel the Magic is also a very fun assortment of minigames, all of which use the touch pad.

The DS gets a 10/10 from me. Did I mention it also plays GBA games? The battery life is about 4-6 hours. I hear the PSP's battery life will be 3 hours IF you turn down the resolution all the way.

Yeah, I whole heartidly agree. I got it a few days ago, and I can't put it down. I love the minigames in mario, and I think the touchscreen is by far the best part of it.

As for the Metroid gripe, I don't use the thumb-butt. I find it too distracting, but I enjoy using the stylus pen for it, it makes combat much easier.

I too give it a 10/10. :D

I played a few games on my friends once he bought it and I'm stoked.

Feel the Magic is a lot like "Look what we can do!".. Some games are fun, but most just kinda seem like the expand the possibilites of what the DS can do..

I enjoyed the Metroid Prime control scheme, but I couldn't really get used to it in the time I played it, but I think given some time I could get it down.

I was impressed, but I'm not going to buy one until I see a new Golden Sun, or a portable RTS (please god in heaven, send me Starcraft!!)

If they release a new golden sun for the DS i'm going to be all over it. In the meantime I'm just trying to find one.

Does anyone know a store or website that still has some for under $180. Every place I've checked is either out or charging $250.