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Forums - Nintendo - (Rumor from GDC) DS specs- Bigger screens and Gamecube-like structure

Kenryoku_Maxis on 12 March 2010

Rumors for Nintendo products are about as abundant as rumors for Brad Pitt and Oprah.

But that doesn't mean I wouldn't like the next handheld to be as powerful as the GameCube. The only problem I see with that is it might suffer the same problems the PSP did. Simply, when the system came out, nearly every game that came out HAD to be 3D and in one of 3 genres, forcing the system to almost become 'niche' (much like the GameCube itself).

Hopefully if (and most likely when) Nintendo comes out with their next DS system that has a stronger graphical power, they will also be able to market it successfully to different markets and be able to keep hold of all the different types of games, like the original DS had. Including 2D platformers/shooters, SRPGs, puzzle games and adventure titles that don't utilize fancy 3D effects and the latest technology.



Six upcoming games you should look into:

 

  

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Khuutra on 12 March 2010
Kenryoku_Maxis said:
Rumors for Nintendo products are about as abundant as rumors for Brad Pitt and Oprah.

But that doesn't mean I wouldn't like the next handheld to be as powerful as the GameCube. The only problem I see with that is it might suffer the same problems the PSP did. Simply, when the system came out, nearly every game that came out HAD to be 3D and in one of 3 genres, forcing the system to almost become 'niche' (much like the GameCube itself).

Hopefully if (and most likely when) Nintendo comes out with their next DS system that has a stronger graphical power, they will also be able to market it successfully to different markets and be able to keep hold of all the different types of games, like the original DS had. Including 2D platformers/shooters, SRPGs, puzzle games and adventure titles that don't utilize fancy 3D effects and the latest technology.

I fully expect it to have a 2-D Mario within a year, regardless.



Mr Khan on 12 March 2010
Demotruk said:
Like, mobile phone network. But not actually being a phone (that would hamper design).

Would Nintendo really want to partner themselves with a 3G/4G provider? Seems like that wouldn't be their style...



Monster Hunter: pissing me off since 2010.

Twistedpixel on 12 March 2010
LordTheNightKnight said:
Twistedpixel said:
LordTheNightKnight said:
Twistedpixel said:
10 years later and the performance of a Gamecube? That shows how far behind the times handhelds are. However performance should be a little better due to more efficient software and possibly a smaller screen.

It's not about catching up. It's about cost and size. The PSP cost a lot when it came out due to the parts. A Nintendo handheld with similar specs now would likely cost as much as the DS did at first.

I understand all of this. Its about what is efficient to produce at the time. Its a balance between features, performance and offering a compelling user experience.

But that doesn't mean handhelds are behind. It just means the specs can't be too high to fit those things.

Older technology is often cheaper and more power efficient and made to fit the form factors desired for handhelds.



Do you know what its like to live on the far side of Uranus?

ph4nt on 12 March 2010

Since the Wii was released 3 and a half years ago, and it's already incredibly small, I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo manages to create a handheld as powerful as the Wii.



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Kenryoku_Maxis on 12 March 2010
Khuutra said:
Kenryoku_Maxis said:
Rumors for Nintendo products are about as abundant as rumors for Brad Pitt and Oprah.

But that doesn't mean I wouldn't like the next handheld to be as powerful as the GameCube. The only problem I see with that is it might suffer the same problems the PSP did. Simply, when the system came out, nearly every game that came out HAD to be 3D and in one of 3 genres, forcing the system to almost become 'niche' (much like the GameCube itself).

Hopefully if (and most likely when) Nintendo comes out with their next DS system that has a stronger graphical power, they will also be able to market it successfully to different markets and be able to keep hold of all the different types of games, like the original DS had. Including 2D platformers/shooters, SRPGs, puzzle games and adventure titles that don't utilize fancy 3D effects and the latest technology.

I fully expect it to have a 2-D Mario within a year, regardless.

Without a doubt they'll be putting a New Super Mario Bros sequel on the system.  I'm actually more worried that third parties, seeing the handheld has 'true' 3D properties, will focus on mostly just trying to make only 3D games.  Like the PSP suffered with for its first 2-3 years.



Six upcoming games you should look into:

 

  

LordTheNightKnight on 12 March 2010
Twistedpixel said:
LordTheNightKnight said:
Twistedpixel said:
LordTheNightKnight said:
Twistedpixel said:
10 years later and the performance of a Gamecube? That shows how far behind the times handhelds are. However performance should be a little better due to more efficient software and possibly a smaller screen.

It's not about catching up. It's about cost and size. The PSP cost a lot when it came out due to the parts. A Nintendo handheld with similar specs now would likely cost as much as the DS did at first.

I understand all of this. Its about what is efficient to produce at the time. Its a balance between features, performance and offering a compelling user experience.

But that doesn't mean handhelds are behind. It just means the specs can't be too high to fit those things.

Older technology is often cheaper and more power efficient and made to fit the form factors desired for handhelds.

Wrong. Older tech is not used in those. Those are new tech with the specs being at the level of the older tech. There is a difference.



A flashy-first game is awesome when it comes out. A great-first game is awesome forever.

Plus, just for the hell of it: Kelly Brook at the 2008 BAFTAs

Khuutra on 12 March 2010
Kenryoku_Maxis said:
Khuutra said:

I fully expect it to have a 2-D Mario within a year, regardless.

Without a doubt they'll be putting a New Super Mario Bros sequel on the system.  I'm actually more worried that third parties, seeing the handheld has 'true' 3D properties, will focus on mostly just trying to make only 3D games.  Like the PSP suffered with for its first 2-3 years.

That's a legitimate concern! But for the Nintendo DS, it's not exaclty new. Give them time, they'll figure it out.



Twistedpixel on 12 March 2010
LordTheNightKnight said:
Twistedpixel said:
LordTheNightKnight said:

But that doesn't mean handhelds are behind. It just means the specs can't be too high to fit those things.

Older technology is often cheaper and more power efficient and made to fit the form factors desired for handhelds.

Wrong. Older tech is not used in those. Those are new tech with the specs being at the level of the older tech. There is a difference.

If older tech isn't used then why did Nintendo not effectively use the same CPU line for the Gameboy and another for the DS? So even if it was new when the Gameboy was released, it was old by the time the advance was discontinued.



Do you know what its like to live on the far side of Uranus?

LordTheNightKnight on 12 March 2010

"If older tech isn't used then why did Nintendo not effectively use the same CPU line for the Gameboy and another for the DS? So even if it was new when the Gameboy was released, it was old by the time the advance was discontinued."

If you don't use older tech, you don't use it for the new system. Why were you asking as though that would be the opposite.

As for the second sentence, the Gameboy CPU was only used for the Gameboy. Even the Gameboy color used an updated CPU to take advantage of the greater power available. The GBA had the GBC CPU, but only to accommodate backwards compatibility, not for the GBA itself, which was using new parts. The DS used two processors, both new.

So parts were not being reused, and it wasn't behind. It was what would fit in the specs at the price Nintendo wanted for the line.



A flashy-first game is awesome when it comes out. A great-first game is awesome forever.

Plus, just for the hell of it: Kelly Brook at the 2008 BAFTAs