Hardware Rumor on a redesign for the 3DS

[Weaselpipe]

Nintendo have said that it is just an internet rumour....

 

[spinal_cord]

There is no way to connect, use or store any sort of crazy 'second analog' I call this myth busted.

 

[shaunj66]

Nintendo have said that it is just an internet rumour....
They would say that. They always do.

But check this out, regarding the announcement of the DS Lite:

Jan 16, 2006

Nintendo have denied rumors that they are to announce a redesigned DS at a press conference in Japan today.Rumors kicked off after Hong Kong-based online retailer Lik-Sang cited Japanese retail sources when it reported that Nintendo were planning a GBA SP-style redesign of their latest handheld as stocks of the current model continued to dwindle over Christmas.A spokesperson from Nintendo of Europe has now put paid to the reports, however, by calling them “pure rumour and speculation"Source: Here

Jan 26th 2006
QUOTE

"Nintendo President Satoru Iwata today announced Nintendo DS Lite, a slimmer version of the best-selling Nintendo DS™. Also featuring brighter screens, Nintendo DS Lite will launch in Japan in March. Nintendo DS Lite will be less than two-thirds the size of the original Nintendo DS and more than 20 percent lighter.[/b]

Source: Here

They are using the same statement now (regarding the 3DS re-design/add-on ) as they did just 10 days before the DS Lite was announced.

I'm not saying it makes this rumour any more credible... It's just facts.

 

[Weaselpipe]

Ohhh I forgot about Nintendo's habit of lying, I thought they were over it when they admit the 3DS rumours were true! They do claim to have a 'Major announcement' in September- maybe this is why the Ambassador games are transferable?

 

[koji2009]

No place to connect?

 

[spinal_cord]

No place to connect?

 

[heartgold]

No place to connect?

 

[ByteMunch]

@spinal_cord Maybe with a totally new battery casing, letting it spur off? But idk anything about electrics :L

 

[machomuu]

Nintendo have said that it is just an internet rumour....
They would say that. They always do.

But check this out, regarding the announcement of the DS Lite:

Jan 16, 2006

Nintendo have denied rumors that they are to announce a redesigned DS at a press conference in Japan today.Rumors kicked off after Hong Kong-based online retailer Lik-Sang cited Japanese retail sources when it reported that Nintendo were planning a GBA SP-style redesign of their latest handheld as stocks of the current model continued to dwindle over Christmas.A spokesperson from Nintendo of Europe has now put paid to the reports, however, by calling them “pure rumour and speculation"Source: Here

Jan 26th 2006
QUOTE

"Nintendo President Satoru Iwata today announced Nintendo DS Lite, a slimmer version of the best-selling Nintendo DS™. Also featuring brighter screens, Nintendo DS Lite will launch in Japan in March. Nintendo DS Lite will be less than two-thirds the size of the original Nintendo DS and more than 20 percent lighter.[/b]

Source: Here

They are using the same statement now (regarding the 3DS re-design/add-on ) as they did just 10 days before the DS Lite was announced.

I'm not saying it makes this rumour any more credible... It's just facts.

Difference is this is reported as a relaunch, no a redesign. The former is a much bigger deal.

 

[Kiaku]

This is making me consider whether to buy a 3DS or not...dang rumors.

 

[koji2009]

You're silly... You really think it would require much in the way of batteries? When was the last time you changed your TV remote's batteries? An IR blaster uses nearly no electricity as it's just a simple low powered LED that sends out non-visible light... For 10 dollars, I'd imagine this would be a "use and throw out" that's intended to have a 2-3 year 'lifespan' then replaced.

That said... the more I think about it, the more I could see Nintendo releasing a new version of 3DS... but not quite like people are imagining. I don't see Nintendo releasing a "new and improved" version of the 3DS... On the contrary, quite the opposite! I see Nintendo selling this new model 3DS as a low end alternative.

Instead of releasing a new "premium" 3DS, making all the current 3DS owners pissed off, instead Nintendo releases the equivalent to the cheapest Kindle. That is, reduced features (loss of 3D for example, possibly not coming with an SD card), and when the system is first turns on it displays a small ad picture it gets when it connects to spotpass. Nintendo could then release this "Next Gen DS" for $99USD (129EUR, 10900YEN, not sure the approximate AUD sorry

).

I could see Nintendo doing really well with a 3dless 3DS model like this... and such a low priced model would instantly make it a top seller in time for the holiday season. The ads would mostly be focused on upcoming games for the online shop and 3rd parties could purchase ad space for their newest retail releases.

(edit) to expand on the IR port, I mean that for $10 it's quite believable it's an extended snap on case to the back that could contain a small non-rechargeble battery. Hell, it could even come with a rechargable that draws power from the same port the 3DS uses for it's drop on charger... That said, I'm much more inclined to believe that if Nintendo really has the price that low it will simply be disposable with an average 2-3 year life span.

 

[Valwin]

what i want to know how will adding this will make it sell ?


first if it is no selling them i say blame the name of the console why name it almost like the last one some dumbasses will think is the same ast the last one same goes for wiiu change the name before is too late

 

[Deleted member 473940]

"lessen the 3D effect" - till its pretty much non-existing? LOL
Everything really sounds non-professional and unplanned.
Now, what guarantees that their next move will change for the better?
If I remember correctly, the WiiU develpopers are also facing some issues.

 

[Hanafuda]

Everything really sounds non-professional and unplanned.

that's because it's just some made-up french bullshit.

No doubt Nintendo screwed up with the 3DS launch. Heck, they screwed up the launch of the DS too. But those 'articles' on 01net are nothing but unsupported hit pieces, probably bought and paid for with money originating from one of Nintendo's competitors in an attempt to do some damage while they're down. I'm just guessin, yeah. And I'm not saying the payoff would've been directly from said competitor. But a lot of money gets thrown out to PR and marketing firms with very non-specific instructions on what to do with it. Anyone remember this???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G0LlXv-nyI

When there's some info coming from something other than an 'anonymous source' I'll pay attention.

 

[The Composer]

You guys need to take into account several facts:

-It makes a lot of sense to launch a new system next year. The original DS came out in Japan in December 2004, and the Lite model in March 2006. Thats just 15 months for an insanely successful system.

-If the 3DS came in Japan in February 2011, Nintendo can easily launch a new model in May 2012. Since the sales are not as successful as the original DS, they can anticipate said launch to April or even March in Japan, same year.

-Adding a second analog nub is one of the most logical reasons to revisit the system. Turning down the 3DS effect can be considered as an improvement too.

It is very simple:

Nintendo can simply not release the extra add-on and leave the old console as 1.0

It is kinda the same with the Wii, which some games use the Wii Motion Plus and you just cant use the normal controller.Even if they launch said add-on, closing the system wouldnt be a problem if the piece is detachable.

The only problem I see here is the energy supply for the add-on.

 

[Weaselpipe]

Isn't it possible that the rumours of a redesign ARE true, but the rumours of a second circle pad aren't? That seems the most likely thing to me

 

[FireGrey]

Isn't it possible that the rumours of a redesign ARE true, but the rumours of a second circle pad aren't? That seems the most likely thing to me

That's like saying an iPhone 5 rumour which says that it can run movie-like games.
But the movie-like part is false...

 

[pachura]

What's the point of the second slidepad ? Was anyone asking for it ? I can understand lefties complaining, but they are still a minority. Dual analogs are great for playing FPS games on home consoles on big-ass screens, when you need lots of precision... but for a handheld ? You can aim/turn you head with the slidepad and run around using the directional pad, this is perfectly enough. Like mouse + WASD keys on your PC.

I could understand reducing the strength of the 3D effect if it would dramatically improve viewing angles (the sweet-spot area). But just for the sake of it ? To satisfy parents panicking "My son will go blind 2 weeks after I buy 3DS" ? The 3D effect, whether it's a gimmick or not, defines the 3DS. Without it, it's just a DSLite with slighly-over-PSP graphics.

Now,

What would be great to improve ?
Better battery - pretty straightforward and welcomed.
Better hinges - pretty straightforward and welcomed.
More powerful hardware - theoretically they could unlock CPU's higher frequencies like PSP did. But then also Pica200 would need to be accelerated...
More memory - doable, but not much point apart from speeding up the internet browser.
Higher resolution screen - no chance, although I would love to see 512x384 screen (for pixel-perfect DS emulation, just like Sony is doing with PSVita). The problem is that 3D screens a still not in mass production and we cannot expect Sharp producing all the different sizes, resolutions etc.

 

[Weaselpipe]

What's the point of the second slidepad ? Was anyone asking for it ? I can understand lefties complaining, but they are still a minority. Dual analogs are great for playing FPS games on home consoles on big-ass screens, when you need lots of precision... but for a handheld ? You can aim/turn you head with the slidepad and run around using the directional pad, this is perfectly enough. Like mouse + WASD keys on your PC.

As a lefty I have no problem wih the slide pad as it is- though as my old guitar teacher once pointed out many right handed things require more dexterity in the left (guitars, analog nubs etc). Also you forgot to mention the gyro controls for aiming!

The second circle pad being a lie isn't a particularly stupid idea, a redesign could incorporate a better battery and a more flush edge to the touch screen to avoid those issues with it scuffing the top screen- my point was that maybe someone has heard a hint of a (not quite but similar to a) lite model of the 3DS in the pipeline, then has spread that rumour about to people who have added their own little wishlist to it. When that rumour got put online, whoever wrote it up thought about the supposed second circle pad and invented a way older 3DS owners could get around it.

Wouldn't using two of those circle pads at once make it harder to hold on to? I think it's more likely that they will bring out a budget DSi model (like the GB Micro) to go with their budget Wii (both consoles being at the logical end of their lifespan), thus keeping sales of DS games up while they're still being made

 

[chris888222]

What's the point of the second slidepad ? Was anyone asking for it ? I can understand lefties complaining, but they are still a minority. Dual analogs are great for playing FPS games on home consoles on big-ass screens, when you need lots of precision... but for a handheld ? You can aim/turn you head with the slidepad and run around using the directional pad, this is perfectly enough. Like mouse + WASD keys on your PC.
I second this. I personally find no need for one (although having them would still be appreciated).

I could understand reducing the strength of the 3D effect if it would dramatically improve viewing angles (the sweet-spot area). But just for the sake of it ? To satisfy parents panicking "My son will go blind 2 weeks after I buy 3DS" ? The 3D effect, whether it's a gimmick or not, defines the 3DS. Without it, it's just a DSLite with slighly-over-PSP graphics.
You're mistaken. Nintendo never wanted to reduce the strength (it can be adjusted with the volume slider anyway). They wanted to focus LESS on the 3D aspect and introduce other features not available on the DS.

QUOTE

Now,

What would be great to improve ?
Better battery - pretty straightforward and welcomed.
Better hinges - pretty straightforward and welcomed.
More powerful hardware - theoretically they could unlock CPU's higher frequencies like PSP did. But then also Pica200 would need to be accelerated...
More memory - doable, but not much point apart from speeding up the internet browser.
Higher resolution screen - no chance, although I would love to see 512x384 screen (for pixel-perfect DS emulation, just like Sony is doing with PSVita). The problem is that 3D screens a still not in mass production and we cannot expect Sharp producing all the different sizes, resolutions etc.

Better battery + hinges - obvious!
More powerful hardware - personally I feel that the 3DS is doing absolutely fine.
More memory - about the Internet browser speed up, please remember that the 3DS isn't a smartphone.
Higher resolution screen - no chance? Maybe Ninty may eliminate backwards compatibility and upgrade the vertical pixel count to 800 X 480 in 2D. Just me though.