nintendo is going to steal from me again

How can I resist?  They obviously sit around on trans-Pacific conference calls in Seattle and Tokyo discussing, “What’s the next ridiculous thing that we can do that will take Derek’s money?” Aside from the N64 and Virtual Boy, they have always succeeded.  Those two were probably marketed at the Druish or something, and I’m no Dru.

Anyway, they’ve been hinting at a secretified handheld console again, so I’ve been waiting to hear the announcement of the GameBoy XXX or something equally dumb that would be yet another tiny (yet successful) step up in the GameBoy family.  Wrong.

The new device is codenamed the Nintendo DS, which I can only gather stands for “dual-screen” because, well, it has dual-screens.  No one’s seen a mockup, but we know that it’s not for a fancy way of playing two player games.  The screens both definitely face the same way, as they are taunting that developers will do some cool things with the two 3” screens.  For instance, one screen would have an overview map of a battle, while the other was a close up view.  Or different perspectives.  Me, I’m imagining games like Splinter Cell, and placing a camera, but still being able to move around on the other screen, controlling the camera at will via wireless goggles or something.  There are plenty of games that take advantage of dual monitors on the PC, and because of the market penetration that Nintendo will cause with this device, and the fact that *every* system has the two screens, I think we’ll finally see some innovation in the use of dual-monitor type setups, and these will no doubt lead to some cool games and gameplay concepts.

I love it when something so fresh comes out--especially in the stale world of video games.

Posted Thursday January 22, 2004 in News by Derek Jones

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Comments

Dude, I have a Virtual Boy and that thing kicks ass! I loved that gaming machine more than most. And for the time in which it came out, it was pretty impressive. The whole virtually reality dream has since died, but I think a more advanced remake of the Virtual Boy would be a pretty adventurous endeavor. I would probably buy another one.

By Mays on January 22, 2004 at 09:49am link

I read a couple of articles on this yesterday.  One article mentioned that the screens will be situated vertically—i.e. one above the other.  Not terribly important, but figured I’d mention it.

Unlike Derek, I’m no huge fan of Nintendo.  I liked a few N64 games (go “GoldenEye”!), but I’ve never owned a Nintendo system myself and don’t see any reason to in the foreseeable future, either.  The GameCube has managed to completely underwhelm me whenever I’ve seen it in use.  It’s not that the tech or anything is bad so much as that there’s just no “gotta have” features or games with their stuff for me.

Anyway, this new Nintendo DS does sound interesting, but it also sounds very much as if it will be using yet a third game format (in addition to GBA and GameCube), which means yet more investment for people who want to use it.  That would be a big drawback to me; at least if I’d already put a lot of money into a GBA and games as a lot of people have.

Me… I’m waiting for more info on Sony’s PSP since everything I’ve read makes it sound very interesting.  Not saying I’ll be getting one (I doubt I will), but it’s making me curious. :D

By Chris Curtis on January 22, 2004 at 10:20am link

yeah, GC has disapointed the hell outa me…

I hope this new thingt doesnt flop… it sounds neet, but it sounds big to.... how many people do you think will buy this? can nintendo afford another flop like the Gamecube? (the game cube had a worse opening sales and continuing sales than the dreamcast)

By Greg Ferrell on January 22, 2004 at 03:07pm link

The Gamecube didn’t flop.  They may not get the market penetration that Sony and Microsoft do, but unlike Sega’s outing, Nintendo *always* makes money.  It’s about profit, and 1st party titles.

When you look at VG sector profit margins, Nintendo is always in the lead, despite selling scads and scads fewer consoles and games.

And the GC hasn’t disappointed me at all.  Pikman was awesome--can’t wait for the second one.  Animal Crossing was a very fun diversion.  A loooong diversion.  Metroid Prime is still my favorite action/platform game of all time, not to mention Rogue Squadron and Zelda: Windwaker.  I think I’d buy a Gamecube all over again for any ONE of these titles.

By Derek Jones on January 22, 2004 at 04:07pm link

perhaps.. i still think its a flop though… it may have some great titles.. but damn this is the system nintendo has made with the least titles ive ever wanted. Im glad i have mine for the titles i do own… but im kinda sore at the selections.

I love nintendo dont get me wrong.

I do however think that eventhough they might be making good money, GC sales still suck.... and that is not good if GC wants more companys to make good games for them. I want nintendo to stay in the race. The GC is a neat system i think… but poorly marketed maybe? who knows. I just hope they’re around for the next-gen consoles.

By Greg Ferrell on January 22, 2004 at 04:15pm link

Oh I never said that Nintendo’s *selection* pleased me.  And Nintendo’s always been unfriendly to third-party developors.  And as long as Nintendo’s still making more money then everyone else, why change?

I’m not saying that it’s the best deal for the consumer, but you can have three walls of PS2 games and one wall of GC games, and still have the same number of “quality” titles.  So while GC owners have to suffer fewer titles and longer waits between releases, they are less often disappointed with their gaming purchase than with other consoles.  And their core base is used to this.  They’ve done it ever since the SNES.

Obviously, it’s a lot easier for me to be “ok” with this type of setup, as I have had every console, and have not had to pay for one.  Whatever the next console is, I’m sure my viewpoint will change since I’ll firmly be on the consumer end and not have the luxury of access to every system and the option of trying every game I want.  (Man I *do* miss checkouts...) wink

By Derek Jones on January 22, 2004 at 04:21pm link

i can imagine. I bought my ps2 new (love it and i would do it again, i like thier title selection the best) and my xbox and GC used. I love the xbox as its a great dvd player along with some cool games. As for the GC… well, i wanted it just for mario sunshine and PSOIⅈ...it was worth it

By Greg Ferrell on January 22, 2004 at 04:25pm link

I hereby predict that Nintendo will declare bankruptcy by the beginning of 2005. We must return hither to this string to see if it comes true. I mean it!

By caesar on January 23, 2004 at 03:37am link

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