JFo Posted December 23, 2005 Report Share Posted December 23, 2005 Okay, in looking at the plethora of great and unique titles available on the Nintendo DS, I think it's high time I joined the club and try out some of these wacky games. Believe me, I'm all set to buy the system and a copy of Nintendogs and Kirby Canvas Curse, but one thing is holding me back. I have a very strong suspiscion that the Big N is planning on releasing a newer version of the DS using the same backlight technology they've now incorporated into the GBA SP and Micro. I realize the screen on the DS is pretty dang good, but I'd hate to spend the money on the system now only to find myself wanting to upgrade in a couple months time. So, tell me, have there been any rumblings that this might come to pass in the near future? Or should I quit my worrying and just go and buy my new toy now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark E Posted December 23, 2005 Report Share Posted December 23, 2005 Just buy it, Jeff, is my opinion. I really don't think there's any issue with the DS screen as-is and making it brighter will be nice but definitely not necessary. I have no issue with it and unless you have vision concerns I'm not aware of you'd get by perfectly with one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db Posted December 23, 2005 Report Share Posted December 23, 2005 I agree with Mark. There's not been a game of the many I've played where the current screen seemed in the least inadequate. It's fine as is, and I have no intention of "upgrading" should a newer version be released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted December 23, 2005 Report Share Posted December 23, 2005 In my opinion, if they made the screen any brighter on the DS it would be too much. But I would also have said the same thing about my GBA SP I bought two years ago. My DS is easy to see and play held at arm's length in all sorts of lighting condition. I have never had to twist it to a new position to see what I was doing. If they came up with a backlight solution that was a bit less battery intensive, then I'd be interested in that perhaps. I suspect any new releases of the DS will focus on thinning it out a bit before they go near the lighting technology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camp Posted December 23, 2005 Report Share Posted December 23, 2005 Has anyone compared the DS screen to the new, brighter SP screen? I wonder if they are already the same. Probably not. There were a couple rumor reports at Joystiq & Kotaku a few weeks ago about a more streamlined DS design coming for 2006. No solid info though. I'll buy a 2nd one if they update the design. Especially when the new Super Mario Bros. game arrives -two player simultaneous just has too much potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbert Posted December 23, 2005 Report Share Posted December 23, 2005 Has anyone compared the DS screen to the new, brighter SP screen? I wonder if they are already the same. Probably not. Yes, and they're not. The new SP screen is definitely brighter. The way I see it, this is a Nintendo machine. They're bound to re-release the DS at some point, but I doubt they'll do it this soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFo Posted December 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2005 Has anyone compared the DS screen to the new, brighter SP screen? I wonder if they are already the same. Probably not. I have. Believe me, the difference between the new SP and the DS is quite striking, which is why I ask this question. I'm not really concerned that the screen will be inadequate for gameplay. I would just like to see the best image possible on the system. Believe me, if you guys did see what the new GBA looks like in person, you would understand my hesitation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covak Posted December 24, 2005 Report Share Posted December 24, 2005 I have. Believe me, the difference between the new SP and the DS is quite striking, which is why I ask this question. I'm not really concerned that the screen will be inadequate for gameplay. I would just like to see the best image possible on the system. Believe me, if you guys did see what the new GBA looks like in person, you would understand my hesitation. Are the colours better on the new screen, too? One thing that struck me with the Micro was just how nice the colour was. It didn't just look like the same thing but brighter, it looked like a much higher-quality screen in every way (colours and contrast, too). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFo Posted December 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2005 I think the improved colors are a result of the fact that Nintendo is now using a true back-lit screen for their new Game Boys. That's bound to improve many facets of the picture, including the color, contrast, and overall vividness. When I look at these new GBAs, it actually reminds me of when I play a GBA title on my TV through the Game Boy Player. The colors just pop out of the screen now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Daisy Posted December 28, 2005 Report Share Posted December 28, 2005 It might just be me, but I'm more than happy with the screens on my DS. I was playing Gameboy games on mine all throughout the holiday weekend and didn't have a single issue with brightness. Glen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFo Posted December 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2005 Glen; Just to clarify, it's not that I think the screens on the DS are bad or that it's overly difficult to see games displayed on them. It's just that the screen on the new GBAs is that much better. Given Nintendo's recent history of re-releasing newer, better versions of their handhelds after a certain period of time, I just want to make sure that I don't waste money on a DS and come to find that this improvement (which I think is very likely to happen at some point) comes to pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted December 29, 2005 Report Share Posted December 29, 2005 To throw the cliche out there, look at the games. If there are games you do not want to wait for a brighter (allegedly) screen, then get your ass out there and buy that system. It's what, 129 USD now? I've spent more on video games just in boxing day sales already! I will admit I have not witnessed the new SP screen, but in comparing my SP to my DS, it seems like different lighting technology. I'm not saying the DS has the same tech as the newest SPs, but I know that I cannot play my DS with the backlight off, yet I could with my SP. For me, the fact I wanted to be playing Mario Kart, Trauma Center and Phoenix Wright was what pushed my decision on the DS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Daisy Posted January 11, 2006 Report Share Posted January 11, 2006 Rumor has it that there may be a DS redesign coming soon... (Jan 16th). info at Lik-sang.com. Glen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBardon Posted January 11, 2006 Report Share Posted January 11, 2006 I think a redesign at some point is an inevitability, but I'd bet that any upgrades are going to be pretty cosmetic. The lik-sang page speculates that the new DS will be able to make IP calls, but I don't think there's anything preventing the current DS from doing this except software, right? Either way, a smaller DS will definitely show up at some point. Perhaps it'll drop the GBA slot to cut the size? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Daisy Posted January 12, 2006 Report Share Posted January 12, 2006 I don't think they could cut the GBA slot, unless they built in rumble into the system. Glen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan FB Posted January 12, 2006 Report Share Posted January 12, 2006 I think a redesign at some point is an inevitability, but I'd bet that any upgrades are going to be pretty cosmetic. The lik-sang page speculates that the new DS will be able to make IP calls, but I don't think there's anything preventing the current DS from doing this except software, right?Perhaps it could be integrated into a new firmware along with a WFC settings menu? Nintendo has thus far only done silent firmware updates with new hardware shipments (and as far as is known they can't really update the main firmware from a DS/GBA cartridge, as you have to short a connection to make that area writable). Shipping a new hardware revision that has these software revisions built-in would be a clear way for consumers to know which is which. Although I still think Spong is incorrect in thinking that Nintendo is going to go ahead and try VOIP software on the DS this early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyjaw Posted January 13, 2006 Report Share Posted January 13, 2006 More about a possible new DS. http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/12/nintendo-prepping-a-ds-update-for-the-16th/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainmaykr Posted January 13, 2006 Report Share Posted January 13, 2006 "...no announcement at this time" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starhawk Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 "No plans" for DS redesign at E3 - David Yarnton "Nintendo UK boss pours yet more cold water on DS redesign rumours" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orpheus Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Redesigned DS info from this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry the Clown Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 It's nice. Not a significant enough re-design to make me go after one mind you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foogledricks Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Size is one of the reasons I didn't even consider the DS originally. I'll have to see it first hand, then this might now be on my radar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covak Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 It's nice. Not a significant enough re-design to make me go after one mind you. It's the "Also featuring brighter screens" bit that'll get me to buy one. I'll wait to hear what it's like, of course, but I'm a little bit excited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry the Clown Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 I find the existing model bright enough I must admit. The option on the ‘Lite’ to switch between four adjustable levels of brightness is nice touch though regardless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iainl Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 The most obvious thing is that the d-pad, buttons and general design all match that Revolution controller that Starhawk has in his sig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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