"The Nintendo DS: An Investigation"

Well here’s something to cause controversy and problems. I am now on draft four of this Investigation and I still can’t make up my mind on the subject. "What subject?" I here you ask. Well it’s the latest announced creation from Nintendo, the Nintendo DS.

My first draft looked upon the DS in disgust, with the other two I looked at the DS in different ways. I just couldn’t make up my mind over the subject. However, after one careful plan later I’m bringing you this draft, which will give my definite impressions of the Nintendo DS. Is this the weirdest thing to ever come out of Nintendo? Is it a good idea? And why oh why Nintendo do you have to be so stupid?

First I will start with the screens, as in my opinion it’s the most intriguing part of the DS. The original announcement stated that the DS will have two back-lit 3in TFT LCD screens (like the GBA SP), and that was it, leaving people to speculate over how they would be presented on the system (and also leading to some very funny drawings). The premise of the two screens is to allow gamers two different views in whatever game they’re playing. For example in a football game, one screen will show the match and the other will still show the match but in a different angle or display close ups. Seems interesting for sure, but I highly doubt it’ll work if not done properly.

It has since been revealed that the screens will be on top of each other and will be flush so it can be turned into one big screen (Yay! Some hope!), like a PDA. It has also been rumored that the DS will have a touch screen. And so this is where I’m now going to speculate and come up with a theory. The Nintendo DS is a PDA. Simple as that, there’s the evidence and then here’s the theory. Seems quite laughable doesn’t it?

However my theory could be wrong, Nintendo have announced that the DS will be, “completely different from anything that exists right now.” Yeah fine, two screens is a new concept in gaming, but really looking at Nintendo’s recent track record of making things sound better than they really are. The two screens are most likely the only different thing ever seen for a gaming system. It’s a ridiculous idea, but I want to know if they can pull it off properly.

I don’t want to speculate too much on what the DS will be capable of because of the lack of information. But Nintendo did announce that it will have “additional features”, which by all accounts could mean it’s a PDA and will come with a word processor, excel-like program and solitaire. I won’t say any more on this PDA idea as like I said, it’s pure speculation and more information is needed.

The DS will also utilize a small memory card, similar to the N-Gage’s or the recently launched iQue. I don’t really have an opinion on this just yet as they seem to work well for the N-Gage, though the only small gripe is that they’re easy to lose.

So far a few games developers have announced that they’re interested in the system, but have they even seen what it’ll look like? They could be jumping into the band wagon a bit too early if you ask me. So far the reaction to the DS hasn’t been particularly great, and has been frowned upon by Nintendo gamers. Sega and the rest of you listen up! Wait until E3 before you make a decision. This could be Nintendo’s biggest mistake since the Virtual Boy, so just be careful!

Now with all this said, the question on my mind is, why? It’s fair to presume Nintendo have announced this in light of the future competition from Sony’s PSP, however, what puzzles me is the fact that Nintendo have said that it won’t be in direct competition with the PSP and will be continuing the Game Boy franchise. Nintendo are you completely stupid? Of course you’re announcing this in light of the competition, why else would you announce a new portable gaming device? It’s just this bone headedness of Nintendo that will lead to the DS being an aweful flop. At the moment it seems more like an attempt to get back at Sony, and Nintendo are too blind to see that their ways are not always the best option.

Like I mentioned before, information is extremely sparse, making this investigation rather difficult to write. And it’ll end up being a case of waiting and seeing what it’s like when it’s revealed at E3 this year. However, from what we’ve heard so far and to quote from Max MagicFox, “that's the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. Nintendo, place that half-baked idea back into the oven and let it bake a little longer.”

It’s a view I will also stand to for now, until Nintendo reveal more and I’ve actually seen the DS in action.

So I shall return to this subject when Nintendo reveal the DS at E3.