The Nintendo DS---what is it?---Only days left

Well, whats your take on the "secret" DS?

Here's my take. I'm pretty sure [100%] I figured it out today while loafing around at work.

The second screen, the touch screen, will be the controller input. NO buttons.
The innovation? Each game has its OWN controller programmed by the game developer.

Or, a fighting game lets you punch by dragging your characters fists where you want them to hit---moving them how you want them to move. Etc, etc.

Anyways, the rest is up to your imagination. Pretty impressive if you ask me.

I'm not really sure what to think at this point. I'm a huge Nintendo fan, but they've proven that they're not above making less-than-brilliant hardware decisions. My hope is that for their sake, and more importantly for the sake of the industry, they are able to pull off something as dazzling as Mario 64 back in '96. I can dream, can't I ?

I think the DS has one touch screen similar to PDA screens and the other regular screen. It will have N64 like graphics at the least (though they will likely look better on the smaller screen). I think the second screen will be used mostly for stats to begin with, or for multiplayer stuff (similar to how Zelda: Four Swords uses connectivity). I think it will have wireless multiplayer, and meet the standards of the SP, featuring a rechargable battery and such. I think the screens will be of higher quality however. I think the overall hardware will feature more buttons than the Gameboy (six) and have a small analog stick like control (though this I'm warry of). I'm fairly certain Nintendo will have it backwards compatible with GB and GBA software, despite wanting it to be a "third pillar."

It could be possible for some developers to use the second screen as an extention to a controller and add in more buttons if needed, for camera control or something. Those are my expectations at least, though I'm sure I struck out on a few ideas.

Let's hope that developers can make good use of the dual screen setup from the start. I think Nintendo will be the only one to really do much with it for a while however. After some time, other developers will probably start to come out with some software that makes better use of the secondary screen then their intial software did.

Famitsu already said the DS won't have "traditional" buttons at all.

I think it'll have traditional buttons. Nice as the touch screen will be, some games require tactile button feeling to ensure you're hitting the right thing.

"This will not be a machine where you push the 'A' button or 'B' button and move the direction pad, but a completely different way to interact with the device," said Hirokazu Hamamura, president of "Famitsu" game magazine publisher EnterBrain.

from yahoo news.

I missed that bit of info, I suppose it could work, but I think having both options would be best for the system.

If that second screen is the main input I will shit myself, in a bad way.
That would suck soooo fucking bad.

I actually really like that idea.

It'd make room for some really interesting control mechanics for certain games, like sliding your thumb around to control your ship in shmups rather than using traditional d-pad motions. Or to mimic the JogCon controller that came with R4, instead of pressing just left and right, you slide your thumb in a circle like a wheel.

there could be so many set ups.
perhaps a tekki [sb for xbox] type game or two.
or three.
or all.

Kid Aphex said:

there could be so many set ups.
perhaps a tekki [sb for xbox] type game or two.
or three.
or all.

Click to expand...

Or imagine if the DS can link with other DS's or a Gamecube.

You could make a fighting game where in order to block correctly you have to place your thumb or finger over the correct position on the touch-screen on your DS. Playing against another human player would be a completely frantic punchfest, trying to keep up with each other.

Buro Destruct said:

I actually really like that idea.

It'd make room for some really interesting control mechanics for certain games, like sliding your thumb around to control your ship in shmups rather than using traditional d-pad motions. Or to mimic the JogCon controller that came with R4, instead of pressing just left and right, you slide your thumb in a circle like a wheel.

Click to expand...

Very good point about the shooters. That would be very interesting to try. THOUGH I hope I don't rub all the skin off my thumb if that's the case.

I'd rather play some games on it before judging it now.

Come on ! the product isn't even shown and a lot of people is already complaining abou it !

In the end, I bet most will buy it...

I can tell you guys that from personal experience (and i'm sure many of you have used PDA's, Pocket PC's in particular with videogames) that using a touch screen is great for point and click operations, RTS games, and dungeon hacks but very lousy for high speed action stuff. Several emulators out there will have virtual buttons on the screen for you to press but its no substitute for the real buttons.

If Nintendo is smart, this DS will be a GBA SP, with its traditional buttons, PLUS a 2nd touch screen above the main one for inventory control, etc.

And Nintendo must also remind themselves that Americans have larger hands than Japanese, and I hope they will size this device accordingly.

Electroman said:

And Nintendo must also remind themselves that Americans have larger hands than Japanese, and I hope they will size this device accordingly.

Click to expand...

For some reason they have a branch in USA...

Would be a death mistake if they didn't thought about it.

I still don't like the idea that the touch screen would be the main controls.

There's no feeling that you're *pushing* something.

Get yourself a piece of jello and press your thumb on it. That's what it's going to feel like. I know I don't want to play a fighter or anything on that.

I think what a lot of you need to understand is that the games appearing on this system will be far from traditional in your fighting game and platformer sense. Therefore, controls will be different. KA may have something in his idea, but all we have to expect is something different, and remember not to bash it until we see try it.

Nintendo: Became the innovator in Videogames, which to this day has been copied over and over. We all know how.

With the PSP from Sony, we know to expect a PS1/2 in portal form. They promise all this extra stuff, but we know what to expect; a miniPS. And we know what kind of games as well; Death Jr. smacks of cheesey character platformer. I can't wait to try the PSP, but I know it will only be predictable.

Nintendo is set to surprise us. Good or Bad, and that's what I like about the company.

Kid Aphex said:

Well, whats your take on the "secret" DS?

Here's my take. I'm pretty sure [100%] I figured it out today while loafing around at work.

The second screen, the touch screen, will be the controller input. NO buttons.
The innovation? Each game has its OWN controller programmed by the game developer.

Or, a fighting game lets you punch by dragging your characters fists where you want them to hit---moving them how you want them to move. Etc, etc.

Anyways, the rest is up to your imagination. Pretty impressive if you ask me.

Click to expand...

sorry to sound harsh, but this doesn't sound fun or interesting at all. it also sounds like it could break very easily if not properly taken care of (i.e. little kids who throw things around). if the nintendo DS turns out to be something like this, i'll definitely pass on it. actually, i'm probably gonna pass on it regardless, unless nintendo pulls off some sort of brilliance with it.

I stick with my idea that it's a beefed up I Que player with new functionalities.
backlibrary of games.
flash media on smart cards.
anything else imo would be pretty risky.
which, in case most of you haven't been paying attention to lately, isn't something nintendo does.
or does well anyways.

I was surprised as fuck when the SP came out.
really.
for them to actually take feedback?
how humble.

love nintendo though.
hope they don't screw themselves over.
they're one of the last reasons I care to stick my head around in today's gaming
scene nowadays.
good hard earned money that in all intensive purposes should be going to
my turbo collection now.

the interface MUST be good. that is make or break. I love the VB but it died due to to its extreme design.
Dual screen for games I think can be brilliant if used properly. Touch screen is interesting but if the normal controls aren't there, then say goodnight VB2.

Kid Aphex said:

Well, whats your take on the "secret" DS?

Here's my take. I'm pretty sure [100%] I figured it out today while loafing around at work.

The second screen, the touch screen, will be the controller input. NO buttons.
The innovation? Each game has its OWN controller programmed by the game developer.

Or, a fighting game lets you punch by dragging your characters fists where you want them to hit---moving them how you want them to move. Etc, etc.

Anyways, the rest is up to your imagination. Pretty impressive if you ask me.

Click to expand...

That's actually some pretty intersting thoughts and I must admit that you made the DS sound cool...