I think a 6 month gap is way too long for the successor. At this point the successor can be announced anytime and released anytime. Its just a waiting game now. When this thing will come I don't know but yea I would'nt be surprised about the announcement though...this year seems too early. Need a few months for games to start development hype and all that jazz

Nope.. there already releasing DSXL soon so i cant find a reason why would release a brand new handheld

well for a start I doubt the release let alone an announcement would hurt DS sales to much it's not like nintendo are gonna stop makeing em. Besides the GBA micro came out after the release of the DS so a release 6 months after the DSXL wouldn't be to hard to belive, besides I don't think the XL is that big a deal it may sell a couple of mill sure but nothing earth shattering it's no DSi. The main reason for a new handheld is the waining software sales on the DS, hardware is still unbelivably strong and trending at or above the Wii but DS software is bellow Wii software despite it's large install base. On the week ending 20th of feb 2,528,689 million units of Wii software was sold vs only 1,513,010 million of DS software worldwide, now in Japan DS software is still very strong but Japan at 236,529 a week is a small part of the overall picture. Havind said that the DS has a strong lineup of RPGs this year (what year doesn't it?) and strong hardware so I don't expect a release until xmas, or at least backwards compatibility in the next one.

I'm sorry, but no.  Handhelds simply have a lower attach rate than consoles.  This is nothing new.  The fact that new games keep getting released should indicate that Nintendo isn't the only company making money off of the DS.  As long as there is significant profit, why mess with things?

As it is, DSi is already doing a number of things that the DS cannot, and they could very well focus on the system's added capabilities as the user-base grows.  The DSi is really as much of a successor as the DS needs at this point.  It has more power and can use the cameras for things the DS could not do.  DSi could easily be the system that "sold 5 million units without a game" in the way the PS3 could not, and with sales still high and no competition forcing their hands (say a PSP2 or much more powerful iPhone) there's not much reason to launch a new system. 

Also, does Nintendo really need anything more than that new 3D tech to sell a new Pokemon?  Hint: The answer is no, they could sell one with far less effort.  But it'd sell millions of DSi units, and Nintendo could basically be launching a new system with far less than the usual costs.  Why spend more than they have to in order to launch a successor when they basically already have one?

I can see how many people would argue BlueOcean to justify a lack of a console. But I think Sony will decide whether a DS2 is announced at E3. If a next generation PSP is in the works and will be shown at E3 then Nintendo will no doubt have a new DS to show as well. Keep in mind DS sales are beginning to drop, sure their numbers are still pretty high but could Nintendo's marketshare survive a new PSP.

If Nintendo thinks a new PSP is on its way then yes we will see new hardware at this E3. Now some will argue that this is Red Ocean strategy. Well Nintendo has to answer to share holders and with Nintendo's numbers spiraling slowly downwards the investors will demand a new hardware unit.

I think there is a 75% chance of new handheld hardware at this E3!

the DSi will not see the kind of support a new handheld would it is a small part of the DS userbase and the non DSi userbase is still growing and will continue to unless nintendo stop making DS lites. It is hard to differentiate the DSi in the minds of the average DS owner so retail DSi only  games will be a hard sell to consumers and shareholders alike, though just adding functionality to Games that still run on older DS hardware is possible I don't see it as being a major trend and not even nintendo have done it so far, and any features like camera support will just be gimmiks and not be essential to the game. As for attach rate yes traditionally that has been the case but the DS is the highest selling current gen hardware and continues to sell strongly not to mention it has one of the strongest and most diverse software libraries of any console, piracy is a large factor this time round and a new console could help slow that down at least for a while, sell a lot more software and hardware (I doubt it would hurt DS sales that much even with backwards compatibility) well allowing Nintendo to get a foothold into the next gen and establish a new install base and provide new opportunities/capabilities to software developers. The success of the DS is not a reason not to release a new device and I expect to see continued support for the DS.

I would like it to come out this year ...cuz i dont have a DS anymore , and i dont wanna buy a DS-i now for in just couple of months it become outdated so i will wait until E3 to buy or not a DS if DS 2 is unveiled i will wait for him if not i i will be getting a DS-i

As learnt from the black mesa incident, don't expect too much. =)

Nintendo has already announced they're working on a DS2. However, with the recent launches of DSi and more than enough DS software still being developed, I'd say we have at least until 2012 before 'DS2' comes out. However, i'd say we have a 50/50 chance of seeing an announcement of DS2 this year. Less likely at E3 but more likely at TGS.

I'm honestly confused because this handheld generation is completely screwed up.

PSP is dying and Sony might put a new PSP in the market soon, and so Nintendo has to follow it.

BUT, considering only Nintendo and DS sales, Nintendo could push the DS 2 more years before putting out a new portable.


Honestly I think 2011 we will se a new handheld and home console.