Nintendo prepping a DS update for the 16th?

Now that Macworld has played out, we're turning our rumoring prowess over to Nintendo and their possible DS update. The news comes from gamer importer Lik-Sang, stating that they're hearing from a "Japanese contact" that Nintendo will announce a NDS: SP on the 16th of this month. This comes in the wake of Reggie Fils-Aime's statement that a DS redesign was in the works, and jives with the word from Japan's Famitsu magazine stating that a current Nintendo console would be revised soon. SPOnG.com thinks Nintendo will go for a mix between an SP and a flip-phone form factor, and bring the VOIP action (DSpeak anyone?) with the update, but we'd just be happy for something a bit easier on the eyes and a few millimeters thinner.

(Image is Ryan Cooper's entry in Joystiq's Nintendo DS redesign contest.)

[Via Joystiq]

[Princess Zelda @ Jan 12th 2006 9:38AM]

Yes.

I've beem holding out on buying a DS because of the redesign rumors. I'm hoping for a sleek ergonomic design, brighter screen, and the same vibrant colours as revolution.

Also the just announced Tetris from Nintendo as a pack in game would force me to buy one for myself and one for my mom.

[Isaiah @ Jan 12th 2006 9:47AM]

This is exactly what I have been waiting for. I am so happy that I didn't get one for Christmas!

[david @ Jan 12th 2006 9:52AM]

now it looks like an ibook.... or should i say the new macbook regular

[Timerider @ Jan 12th 2006 10:12AM]

Dammit. I bought my DS when it came out, I don't want them to release a redesign. I don't want to have to buy a new one.

[Kazer @ Jan 12th 2006 10:30AM]

This would be nice, but I just bought a DS and a Micro within the last month, so I'm rather disappointed by this news.

[n8 @ Jan 12th 2006 10:42AM]

david: that's a mock-up done for a redesign contest a while back. Is not official Nintendo (but wouldn't it be nice!)



I'd buy one for $150 if it has the improved screens of the Micro and more the Micro size. A smaller screen would actually make the images look better since they'd be sharper. I think it's a good move by Nintendo, since they really do need to keep up the hype, but I'd be surprised if it happened so soon. Guess we'll know soon'uf.

[Mr B @ Jan 12th 2006 11:16AM]

Timerider. Chill. If they do bring out a redesign you don't have to buy it. But it sounds like you'll want to buy it. But really you don't want to want to buy it. But you will.



I'd say that that's shallow, but then I've held back from buying a DS 'cause I hate the case and I've been waiting for a redesign. So up until now I haven't wanted to want to buy it. But I have.



Is that clear?

[Mike @ Jan 12th 2006 11:22AM]

I can't help but think that upgrading to a cell phone size would also involve taking something away. I see the GBA slot disappearing, if anything.



Of course, my wish would be for added GB support, or at least, GBA link cable support.

[Chris @ Jan 12th 2006 11:40AM]

maybe they'll build in the play-yan features... eh? kinda-sorta in your face, psp.

[mike @ Jan 12th 2006 11:53AM]

maybe they'll build in the play-yan features... eh? kinda-sorta in your face, psp



---



they've been stomping over the psp for months.. that's not what it's about

[Jarrett Kaufman @ Jan 12th 2006 12:01PM]

The updated design is likely, but believe nothing written by Spong.com. They've proven themselves to make foolish leaps of logic time and again, and nothing they say is trustworthy. And I find the idea of Nintendo, famous for pushing game systems that simply play games, releasing a phone-factor DS, especially after the debacle of the Nokia n-Gage, absurd.

[josh @ Jan 12th 2006 12:14PM]

it would be really cool if they added a feature that simulated the GB Link cable, but wirelessly.

[Robert @ Jan 12th 2006 12:16PM]

Well I had the GBA and when they released the SP, I upgraded to that, so I'll do the same with the DS, now a built in play-yan like feature would be slick and would kill the crappy PSP, I use to have one. If Nintendo makes the DS more like what they did with the revolution, a clean looking device, then the new DS will look even better. But that is just me.

[BigDavid @ Jan 12th 2006 12:22PM]

In my opinion, the DS present design has been hampering sales a bit.



I know it is keeping me from buying one. It is anal ugly.

[Avinash Tyagi @ Jan 12th 2006 12:28PM]

First off you don't have to buy a redesign, the game will continue to work fine with your old one.



Secondly the GBA slot won't be leaving, the rumble pak for DS requires the slot.

[Jason Millard @ Jan 12th 2006 12:36PM]

Looks like everyone keeps saying the same thing. It should have had a GBA link port. I know that's the only reason I have held back from buying one. I'll bet it was intential just to help continue sales of GBA SPs.

[xbit @ Jan 12th 2006 2:02PM]

I hope the rumours are true.



I'd really like to play the new Advance Wars game but there's NO WAY I'd be seen with something as ugly as the Nintendo DS. It would just be embarassing on the train to work.

[DtotheBerry @ Jan 12th 2006 2:41PM]

#15:



Well gee, I'm glad to know that you would let the wary eyes you might have cast in your direction stop you from playing video games.



A gaming device should NOT have to equal a status symbol, people. You shouldn't want to buy a console because it "looks cool". Likewise, if you're buying a console like the PSP over the DS because it looks better (noting all the while that it's widely noted that the DS has superior games), guess what? You aren't really a gamer. Sheesh. I remember the days when gaming made you a dork or a nerd. Now that it's accepted, I guess people have to use like the cell phone to gain the envy of others around them.

[Avinash Tyagi @ Jan 12th 2006 3:07PM]

#15



How old are you?



Seriously you must be a teenager with a comment like that, get over yourself dude.

[Eggplant Glue @ Jan 12th 2006 3:15PM]

WTF is up with people being embarrassed at the look of their console? That's as stupid as saying "I'm embarrased to make toast in this toaster because it doesn't look stylish enough." Give me a break.



Besides, I think the DS looks just fine the way it is.

[xbit @ Jan 12th 2006 4:01PM]

I'm not a teenager. I wear a suit to work and playing on something that looks like a fisherprice toy just wouldn't feel right.



I wouldn't buy an ugly car, I wouldn't buy an ugly phone and I wouldn't buy an ugly portable console.



I'm sorry if wanting to look good offends you gaming snobs.

[Matt Robinson @ Jan 12th 2006 4:13PM]

This in my opinion isn't Ds it's BS! Y the heck is nintendo working so hard to beat sony. This is merely a case of sor loser. Nintendo has finally realized that they created a crap system so now they are trying to fix it with a new system. I am a nintendo and sony person and i just have 2 say. Nintendo...Quit

[Jon @ Jan 12th 2006 4:32PM]

Stop talking and go buy a PSP, they rock all portables!

[Jen @ Jan 12th 2006 5:28PM]

to #20 : In the hand-held market, Nintendo DS has pooped all over the PSP and back again. Read up on the sales unit figures as well as see what games dominate the handheld chart - mostly DS titles (in the JP market at least). The PSP is a beautiful unit and has a fantastic screen, but the games just aren't fun and for something portable, the PSP is just not a robust system.

[Rodney L. @ Jan 12th 2006 6:03PM]

Is this really a surprise? Nintendo is the Daddy for this kind of thing. Now, second only to Apple, who seems to pull out an Ipod every 2 days. #22: while I would agree that Big N has a hold on the handheld market, (without beating a dead glued-up horse) i'm curious to know what is not robust about system that lets you play games (even if there aren't many good ones right now), videos, music, and such. That seem to be the very definition of robust.

It is an acquired taste, though. I've got love for both.

[XGM @ Jan 12th 2006 6:10PM]

I think they should all be called Nintendo BS. It suite them well, like 200$ for some crap that gets owned by the psp and costs aroubd the same price.

[mrk @ Jan 12th 2006 6:20PM]

#20



HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA





...





HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA



Oh, that's good stuff.

[Corbin @ Jan 12th 2006 7:02PM]

I can't believe you people. If it's not arguing "OMG PSP BETTER THAN NINTENDO BS LOL", it's "Oh you insolent fool, the DS should never have to be redesigned, a TRUE gamer doesn't even look at the system he's playing because he's so wrapped up in the game!"



#20 is one of the only sensible people here.

[Tgk @ Jan 12th 2006 7:29PM]

I never thought about having play-yan features built in, but now that people have mentioned it, it makes a certain amount of sense. It would definitely be one killer feature, and that alone would be enough to have me RE-buy my DS. Add in VoIP, and I'd truly be sold.

[Mr B @ Jan 13th 2006 6:07AM]

#20 Since when do they allow you to wear a suit to work in McDonalds? It's one thing not wanting to own something that looks crap because you don't want to look at it yourself, but when you're talking about games machines and other people seeing you playing with it.. If you want chicks to dig you, stop playing games consoles in public and start smoking. Smoking's cool.

[Touhid Choudhury @ Jan 13th 2006 6:47AM]

It seems there are a lot of young and/or immature people commenting.



I love my DS and I play it in public. But it IS a little on the fat side. I would definitely like to see it slimmed down, and won't complain if it became better looking OR had added features (VOIP, multimedia functions, built in Tetris anyone?). Nothing wrong with wanting both quality games and extra features/style.



Oh, and as #27 said, stop arguing about which system is better than which. This posting is about a DS redesign.

[scott @ Jan 13th 2006 8:52AM]

just fyi. in the text it should be "jibes" not "jives".

[play games @ Jan 13th 2006 12:14PM]

The DS is great, and N is the king of the handheld hardware revisions, but the DS could use a little slimming down in the waist, and maybe a slicker design. Oh, and Voip would be killer.

[Yoshi_50 @ Jan 15th 2006 4:16PM]

#22, 23, and 26, your Idiots. PSP Fanboys even. This is about the rumored redesign of the DS, not a "OMG!!1!11 Teh PSP iz teh l337!11!! W00T!!64!!7! Nintendo BS sux!11!!one" topic. Now, get away from the computers and go sit in a corner, like a good PSP Fanboy and Girlfriend-less person.



I like the DS the way it is, but a redesign would be nice. or at least an upgraded version with new Firmware. Eighter way, It's a DS and it's made by Nintendo. I mean, I like the Orignal PlayStation, all the SEGA consoles, and the X-box (not the 360), but I grew up with Nintendo.



Ok, look at it this way, Microsoft is going to re-release the 360 for "the customers." BS. Microsoft knows that the 360 has some major problems (like, oh lets say, setting itself on fire). Aslo, there re-releasing the 360 to save money, because Microsoft is losing money per 360 sold. Nintendo, on the other hand, is making money with the DS, but they want to make it lighter, sexier, and more user-friendly. what's wrong with that? Oh, and Sony released five Different PS2's (PS2 vr.1, PS2 vr.1.2, PS2 vr.2, PS2 vr.2.2, and the PSTwo (the mini one)) Nintendo, on the other hand, has only released one Gamecube but with four revisions (GCN vr.1, GC vr.1Re.a, GC vr.1Re.b, GC vr. 1Re.c, and GC vr.1Re.d)

[zsavior @ Jan 16th 2006 11:09AM]

Personally I like the DS Design just cause it keeps away the non gamer, I mean if the ds makes you feel bad infront of people well I mean look that speaks for itself I got nothing, do need to add to that. Ds is the perfect example of why console gaming in america is bound to die of stagnation, to many people worried about how they look as a gamer rather than being a gamer.



So instead of playing a challenging fun games on a cool system you get people yelling, XBOX Looks UGLY! GAME CUBE LOOKS KIDDY. Never mind it had great games, it only matter how it looked and how one could brag about finishing it. Remember when Tekken first came out and everybody thought they owned at fighting games cause they finished it in ten seconds? So I like DS design I don't want to have something in common with a gaming poser. If you bought a PSp cause you thought it would be a cool system and fun to play cool, if you bought one as a status symbol, stop riding the train buy a Bently Coup others wise sorry to tell you this the ladies don't care, and the guys sure as hell don't care.

[brandon @ Jan 23rd 2006 5:11PM]

nds redisign cool
psp - gimmick