Hacking DS Micro - will it ever exist?

WarmWoollySheep · Feb 8, 2007

Gameboy Micro is the best handheld Nintendo has made, simply because it fits in my pocket.

The DS Lite is huge in comparison. When I put it in my pocket it takes up my entire pocket with an ugly rectangle bulge. When I play a DS Lite, it's usually at home, on a plane, or somewhere that I planned to take it. The Micro, on the other hand, is always on me. If I run into an unexpected wait, 45 minutes for a seat at a restaurant, it's there to keep me from boredom. The micro is smaller than my cellphone.

So here's my dream:

A DS Micro, same size as the original micro, but with a flip screen.

I don't know if it's technically possible, but I do know that DS games are surprisingly small. If the DS gave up GBA compatiblity, that's a whole lot of room freed up.

Gameboy Micro was a huge failure for Nintendo. Nobody bought it. But maybe that wasn't the Micro's fault - Nintendo doesn't think so as you can see here:

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/kessan/060607qa_e/03.html

QUOTE said:
...those who were impressed with Micro were the ones who have physically touched and felt Micro in their hands. However, the actual consumers had to evaluate Micro without touching them. In the end, we failed to explain to consumers its unique value...

QUOTESimultaneously, it was the time when Nintendo had to expand DS sales, so we had to put more effort on DS, which were not contributing to the sales of Micro.

Nintendo blames marketing for Micro's failure, not the Micro itself.

If they were to try again and make a DS Micro, would you buy it?

Little · Feb 8, 2007

Hmm, personally I disliked the micro, it seemed too small and quite uncomfortable to play. I didn't own one but did spend some time playing on the model at work

I don't think the Ds lite could get smaller... thiner probably, but any smaller in the actual size would bring the screens/buttons too close to each other and make it difficult to play.

teh_raf3 · Feb 8, 2007

They would have to make smaller screens and that will lead to inaccuracy on the touch screen. Imagine Elite Beat Agents on a smaller screen, it won't be that easy anymore to press the right button.

txt · Feb 8, 2007

The Micro is just a bit too small, also Buttons arent perfect. Since Micro was a failure there will be no Ds Micro.

The GBA SP is the perfect Handheld, I know for SURE there will be a SMALL Nintendo Ds lite SP ! The Lite is still way too big for a handheld, its 80% plastic that can be made much smaller!

WarmWoollySheep · Feb 8, 2007

Actually, Gameboy Micro buttons are bigger than SP or the original GBA. What didn't you like about them?

But yeah, good point about the DS screen size - they just couldn't get any smaller without the stylus getting smaller too, imagine playing Elite Beat Agents with a needle.

I just can't figure out any way to make this:

smaller without sacrificing the screen size too much.

Aside from different colors, is this the last DS before a new system is released?

gr33dy · Feb 8, 2007

QUOTE(Warm Woolly Sheep @ Feb 8 2007 said:
imagine playing Elite Beat Agents with a needle.Â

ROFL

Psyfira · Feb 8, 2007

You're right, the only way would be to use smaller screens and drop the GBA support. And the stylus would be beyond silly. Physically the DS screens do have quite a large border around them but it must be like that for a reason.

Nintendo are right, there's nothing wrong with the micro itself. It was releasing the micro so late in the GBA's lifespan and after the DS that was the problem. The prices of the two systems were so similar (Micro £70, DS phat £90) that people went for extra funtionality and a longer lifespan rather than size. If the micro had been around the £50 price mark Id've gotten one of those instead.

After the problems with the micro I think Nintendo'll think twice before remodelling a console for the third time again.

Devil_Spawn · Feb 8, 2007

QUOTE(teh_raf3 @ Feb 8 2007 said:
They would have to make smaller screens and that will lead to inaccuracy on the touch screen. Imagine Elite Beat Agents on a smaller screen, it won't be that easy anymore to press the right button.

i was thinking the exact same thing whilst i was reading your post

111111111 · Feb 8, 2007

why would a smaller screen = smaller stylus?

No matter the size of screen you purchase a stylus based on the size of your hands..

If you're a child you keep the default ds one, if an adult buy a proper sized one. a smaller screen won't change that.

digimax · Feb 9, 2007

they probably can remove the GBA slot to reduce thickness, but the footprint/surface area of the DS lite is already really small.

Psyfira · Feb 9, 2007

QUOTE(111111111 @ Feb 8 2007 said:
why would a smaller screen = smaller stylus?

The problem is that a small DS means smaller storage space for the stylus to slot into (and IMO the DS phat's stylus is far too small as it is). I suppose they could switch to extendable stylus.

SynGamer · Feb 9, 2007

The DSL is fine...any smaller and adults such as my self probably won't be able to use it. I already get a slight cramp in my thumb...

Deleted member 49417 · Feb 9, 2007

Smaller screen + normal stylus = bad calibration, accuracy etc.

I think DS is fine the way it is. DS ---> Lite works well for me.

adgloride · Feb 9, 2007

It took me a while to get used to the gameboy micro. Its just too small. I've never carried it with me in my pocket as it looks too fragile. The GBA SP though, that is still the best handheld you can get for carrying around in your pocket.

As for the DS Micro I can't see how nintendo can make the lite any smaller without making the screens smaller. A touch screen as big as the gameboy micro will be too small to play any touch screen game.

Firon · Feb 9, 2007

The DS Lite is just fine, I don't want it to be any smaller.

111111111 · Feb 9, 2007

QUOTE(kev3458 @ Feb 9 2007 said:
Smaller screen + normal stylus = bad calibration, accuracy etc.

That's not true at all.

I use a full size stylus (as do other people on here) and have no calibration or accuracy problems.

Psyfira's explanation makes sense - they would just have to leave the stylus slot out of any miniature version of the ds that they ever release.. =]

Hooya · Feb 9, 2007

I thought people were complaining that the DSL was so small it was uncomfortable to play? Now someone wants it smaller?

Even if they make a smaller model I sure as heck won't buy it. I wouldn't even mind if the DSL was slightly larger... I was more concerned with the brightness of the screen and extended battery life.

Psyfira · Feb 9, 2007

I think the size is fine, it's the shape of the Lite that makes it uncomfortable to hold. The two bottom corners dig into your palm, they should've been rounded off on the top or something.

StuKeeler · Feb 9, 2007

QUOTE(Psyfira @ Feb 9 2007 said:
I think the size is fine, it's the shape of the Lite that makes it uncomfortable to hold. The two bottom corners dig into your palm, they should've been rounded off on the top or something.

Perhaps a gentle curving chamfer of the bottom corners (and matching negative chamfer corners on lid).

I don't think the DSL will get any smaller without sacrificing something. Take a look at it and think about the space each part takes up inside the unit.... the touchscreen, the stylus (when inside), the battery, slot 1... pretty crammed already. You can see in this interesting video; Nintendo DS Lite Totally Disassembled (rather him than me!!)

As people have said, it's the screen and stylus that pose the biggest problems. Electronics can (and no doubt will) develop smaller components, games could come on smaller carts (similar to micro SD's or smaller!), but our eyes and hands can't be changed so we need screens and styli of a certain size.

bl21 · Feb 10, 2007

i actually expect ds lite had a larger screen like psp, it will still be portable, but can make game experience much sweeter.

Hacking DS Micro - will it ever exist?

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