New DS to be unveiled at E3?

  • By thorsen-ink, GameSpot
  • Posted Apr 11, 2008 3:57 pm PT

Source: A story on the Bloomberg Japan financial news service. What we heard: Three and a half years ago, Nintendo launched its DS handheld in North America. Just over two years ago, Nintendo released a streamlined version of the handheld, the DS Lite. Combined, both models of the handheld have...

Source: A story on the Bloomberg Japan financial news service.

What we heard: Three and a half years ago, Nintendo launched its DS handheld in North America. Just over two years ago, Nintendo released a streamlined version of the handheld, the DS Lite. Combined, both models of the handheld have sold over 18 million units in the US alone, according to the latest figures from the NPD Group. According to Enterbrain, the publisher of Famitsu magazine, the handheld has sold a whopping 27 million units in Japan.

The handheld has also spawned yet another order in the cult of Nintendo hardware fetishists. True DS fanatics will often own multiple handhelds, either to color-coordinate their portables with their daily wardrobe or hoard unopened collector's editions so they can later sell them for nearly $300.

Given the DS's widespread and rabid fan base, it's unsurprising that news of a new model would be gobbled up like a rump roast tossed into a tank of piranhas. And that's exactly what happened today when Bloomberg Japan ran a story bearing the headline, "New version of Nintendo DS a possibility at US trade fair - Enterbrain president."

The piece covered a Tokyo press conference given by Enterbrain president Hirokazu Hamamura, who did indeed say "I think there is the possibility" of a new DS being unveiled at Nintendo's press conference at the E3 Media & Business Summit. Traditionally, Nintendo holds its conference the morning before the start of the expo, which runs from July 15 this year.

Unfortunately, that's about all Hamamura said, other than lamenting how a new model wouldn't solve an ongoing DS shortage in the US and Europe. The Japanese game-industry consigliere didn't declare that he felt a new DS was a lock for E3 or that it was even likely to be at the event--just that it might be.

The official story: Nintendo Japan told Bloomberg they "had nothing to announce," and Nintendo of America reps were unavailable for comment.

Bogus or not bogus?: Nintendo loves tinkering with and repeatedly reissuing its hardware, as evidenced by the three versions of the DS's predecessor: the Game Boy Advance (2001), the Game Boy Advance SP (2003), and the ill-conceived Game Boy Micro (2005). So it's 100 percent not bogus that eventually there will be a redesign of the DS--a redesign that's apparently already been completed.

Will it be unveiled at E3 '08? That's unclear. However, given the two-year lapse between the DS and the DS Lite, the time will definitely be ripe.

310 Comments

  • Zack_Fair_Hotty

    Posted Dec 31, 2008 7:10 pm PT

    how much is it and can i trade in my ds for this ds

  • JANDO602

    Posted Sep 20, 2008 11:41 am PT

    damit i just got a ds lite and now they are anew one

  • magic8ball88

    Posted Aug 27, 2008 1:50 pm PT

    they need to make a camera on the ds like they did with the color that would be cool

  • magic8ball88

    Posted Aug 27, 2008 1:49 pm PT

    i got my ds like a month after it came out originally and my sis got the pink nintendog one 3 years after i want a lite but if another 1 is coming out im not spending money on the lite

  • mgreco_1988

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 4:43 pm PT

    there is no need for an updated ds. the ds is selling like hotcakes. why fix something thats not broken. nintendo has a winning lineup right now. i love the ds and the wii.

  • shaman9116

    Posted Jul 7, 2008 6:46 pm PT

    if nintendo makes a new ds. then they should make it like the light except better batteries, more/better graphics. and i should be able to p[lay the older color games on the ds. or they should remake a bunch of old games ( pokemon gold ) into newer ds games with little touch screen features.and fudge all who dont want a new ds. the lite breaks easily! im on my fourth one. also they should make it more durable

  • -mostwanted

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 7:14 pm PT

    A new DS hm.. won't be the last either.

  • haloguy888

    Posted Jun 22, 2008 3:22 pm PT

    Looks like I'm gonna have to hold-off on getting a new Ds Lite on my birthday and wait an extra 10-12 days for any news on a new Ds. =/

  • 1aRmAnDo1

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 7:52 pm PT

    I still only have a DS fat. This is actually good news to me.

  • nintendofan659

    Posted May 18, 2008 4:37 pm PT

    i hope it does not hav new games with game cube graphics i just think that would be weird with the touch srceen

  • Kevinmaxtor

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 4:59 pm PT

    i think I like the current DS!

  • djsatan667

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 4:09 am PT

    it's funny they keep saying shortages but I see them all over

  • ninjarat

    Posted Apr 21, 2008 6:00 am PT

    Why mess about with a perfectly good design?

  • necronaux

    Posted Apr 19, 2008 9:48 am PT

    January '08 issue of Game Informer mentions that the new version is already done. Thinner, due to the removal of the 2nd GBA slot. Larger / Wider screens. And Internal memory. No plans to release it, because sales of the DS are still strong. And with people buying more than one unit, when different colors, or special editions come out, why would they?

  • caffaleine

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 8:36 pm PT

    I sure hope they don't launch a new one, because I just got mine a few months ago and I can't afford another. And it will bug me if I don't have the newest.

  • IKRITaiNT

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 4:14 pm PT

    first things first, kos1085, you are an idiot. Oh lets brag about what we own, what are you like 8. Secondly, i never said the Wii was anything less than innovative. As a matter of fact it has a great deal of potential, but wasted potential is all it is until it gets better third party support. And lastly, the sales. I'm quite aware of the wii and ds's staggering sales, but thats only for hardware. i know many people who have the wii and none of them own games other than wii sports or GH III. I'm not about to drop 250 on a console that I wont play, so enjoy all of your consoles and the two handhelds that you are so proud of. I'll be sitting here on my wallet full of money laughing at dumb asses like you!

  • kos1085

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 11:46 am PT

    The only way i would ever buy another edition of the gameboy DS is if they add the backwards compatiblity to all gameboy games back to original gameboy. @IKRITaiNT From a person who owns all three consoles and both handhelds.....First, on all consoles (including xbox 360 and PS3), there are more garbage games than good games. Second, A gimmick??? Have you look at sales lately. Only people who would say that are fanboys and people who cant afford to own all the consoles and handhelds. The DS and wii may not be one of the most advanced systems but it is the most original and innovative.

  • BPDecPimp

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 9:38 pm PT

    I would like a redesign that gives DS the ability to play my older game boy games - then I can get rid of my SP

  • IKRITaiNT

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 5:21 pm PT

    Who cares, the ds lite is nothing but a gimmick for gamers that arent really gamers. Much like the Wii, the ds's game selection is garbage. I suppose if being a virual babysitter or ice skater is your thing then the ds is the system for you. But while you are walking your virtual dog, which in and of itself is kind of sad, i'll be playing "REAL" games.

  • Rephin

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 4:18 pm PT

    LinconSixEcho
    We all know about the new DS lite that doesn't have the GBA slot. Nintendo confirmed this last year but never released photos for it.

    Which, if true, would be bad for the new Guitar Hero DS game coming out. Nintendo never officially confirmed a new DS unit, and with no photos there is of course no way to prove this. I'd like to see proof that Nintendo announced a new unit last year. This article is talking about a rumor to begin with.

  • synapticflow

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 4:05 pm PT

    I'm thinking they will take even more from the PSP by making a new DS with dual widescreen / dual touchscreen and on-board memory to play mp3s and video files. Some sort of software, like PDA functions may be included also. Hopefully a graphics boost will be included as well, and all of of this without much change in size. I could see it launching at $179 and I would definitely pick it up.

  • Jimbo9981

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 3:56 pm PT

    If there's ANY truth to this, it'll probably be either the next generation of the DS instead of a redesign or it could be the GO! that was shown behind closed doors at Nintendo of Japan the week before E3 2006.

  • rpg_lover_freak

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 3:07 pm PT

    sigh if it is a new design i hope they add 2 things 1a music player where you can listen to songs while playing games 2 i hope they up the graphics i also agree with the idea of it being easier /more comfortable sigh so far yet so close by the what who is going to get the FF for the DS the new one #4 I'm so getting it anyway hope this "rumor" is cleared up peace

  • rpg_lover_freak

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 3:05 pm PT

    sigh if it is a new design i hope they add 2 things 1a music player where you can listen to songs while playing games 2 i hope they up the graphics i also agree with the idea of it being easier /more comfortable sigh so far yet so close by the what who is going to get the FF for the DS the new one #4 I'm so getting it anyway hope this "rumor" is cleared up peace

  • ItsEvolution

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 2:43 pm PT

    I enjoyed my GB Micro, though I can understand why it was considered a failure. Not excited about a new DS. I enjoy my PSP too much to go back, technology-wise. No fanboy love/hate, just my opinion.

  • TheCheat23k

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 2:32 pm PT

    I'm not seeing this shortage they are speaking of. Every store near me has the DS Lite In stock (Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, Walmart, etc). On top of that, I have 6 gamestops around me and they all have stocks of new DS Lites and at least 3-4 used units. Target had a bunch of colored DSLites I didn't even know were out the other day, Blue and green I believe? Either way, my area is so dense with stores and yet they all have DS Lites...even with so many people. I don't see how their out of stock other places. I'm even starting to see Wii's in stock again.

  • ShadoweaverCode

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 1:57 pm PT

    Screw a redesign, I want a new Nintendo handheld!

  • mr_gouda

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 1:31 pm PT

    I'd love to see bigger screens if they were to release a newer model. Just as long as it still got decent battery life.

  • Asuran_Oberoth

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 12:19 pm PT

    what exactly is going to happen with a new DS design? there isn't alot that can be done, unless Nintendo make it really uncomfortable to hold.

  • Talldude80

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 11:30 am PT

    joestierman "i just got my third DS (second DS lite)... so.... i don't wanna buy another, but i'm a sucker for new colors. make one green or something and i'll take it lol"

    See this is why nintendo keeps releasing new colors of the DS. and no a new color is not a new model. I just wish they would make a portable that does 3-d better. the 3d games on DS are horrible, it's better for 2d games.

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 11:24 am PT

    The Nintendo TS... triple screen...

  • Ecco6t9

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 11:02 am PT

    The Game Boy Micro wasn't bad. Just poorly marketed and released about a year too late.

  • BringTheBlood

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 10:58 am PT

    nahh there wont be a new one, they are still selling out with the light, there would be no point in putting out another one.

  • MetalContra

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 10:31 am PT

    There will be a third gen DS, weather you like it or not. Nintendo has always done such things. This is why I still have my DS phat. I'm waiting for something better than the lite.

  • LinconSixEcho

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 10:15 am PT

    We all know about the new DS lite that doesn't have the GBA slot. Nintendo confirmed this last year but never released photos for it.

  • i_like_evil

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 9:13 am PT

    "a possibly" = Fail.

    But seriously I doubt they'll make a new one. Yet.

  • MiltoxBeyond

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 9:04 am PT

    They could design one that is as thin as a sheet of paper... capable of withstanding the impact of canon-fire (good for the pirates out there)... and capable of making breakfast the morning after...

    Oh and it can teleport you... great for when you need to go to the bathroom but your teacher won't let you. You just zap right onto the toilet... or ... it could teleport you into the girls locker room... because... you dropped something in there O_O...

    And last but not least... it can drive for you when your not sober... cuz we all need a designated driver... why not let it be your DS?

  • GonzoGuy

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 8:40 am PT

    I never replaced my DS phat because I thought we'd see a new one soon.

  • l10jon

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 8:37 am PT

    I'm thinking that if a new DS comes out, maybe it'll have a hard drive where people can download past Gameboy, Gamegear, Lynx, etc. games. Similar to the Virtual Console, but for handheld games. Granted there aren't that many noteworthy handheld games, but it's just a thought.

  • jmartin1016

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 8:10 am PT

    This just in.... the new Nintendo QS (Quad Screen) plays all of your favorite DS games, but has an addition of two new screens. One screen has a clock on it so you can see how much time your wasting, and the other screen displays realtime video of you playing your QS, so you can see just how ridiculous you look.

  • ftjx

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 7:51 am PT

    I believe it, probably with some cellphone ability

  • townsenda1

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 7:37 am PT

    Well I have to say I believe it. It's weird but this sounds just like something Nintendo would do getting ready for E3. I'm all about it. I wonder what new features this one will have?

  • klugenbeel

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 6:45 am PT

    Whats funny is people complain about Microsoft making all these different systems and brining out newer versions, but yet Nintendo has been doing the same thing for years, and no one gets mad at nintendo. I don't know about some people, but if i was a Nintendo owner, i would be pissed. The fact that Nintendo releases garbage for software and pretty much just makes new hardware all the time would piss me off. The only reason MS doesn;'t bother me is because, oh, they have software to go with their consoles and systems! What a concept! Leave it to MS to be the ones to want to cash in on SOFTWARE, where the real money is. :-P

  • Rect_Pola

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 6:17 am PT

    The DS lite, and all the GBAs were NOT spur of the moment urges to make a new hardware. That is stupidity of such profound resonance Gamespot and all other gaming media outlets should be ashamed for implying that steaming turd resembling logic.

    Where was I? Right, right. All those remakes were developed as either refinments of universally commented issues (DS lite, GBA SP) or final attempts to boost sales (NES/SNES redesigns, GBA micro). Nintendo may be prone to tinker and experiment, but if the sales don't need it or they don't feel it's worth saving (Virtual Boy, GBA eReader) they don't bother.

    That is 2/3 of the supreme law of game hardware shots in the arm: function fix, semi-obligatory last hurrah, or plain old "make it cheaper"

    That's how Microsoft does it (2 new 360 SKUs)
    That's how Sony does it (3 new PS3 SKUs; PS1 and PS2 redesigns; PSP Slim; DualShock 1)
    Why are you harping on Nintendo for doing it? I'm sure DS has earned a "last hurrah" as I'm sure the sun gives us light, but it's nowhere near being laid to rest. Anything beyond a new color would be foolish. It's the same principle to why people stopped discussing new colors and price cuts for the Wii.

  • angelGP32

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 5:47 am PT

    honestly, why is this a surprise? Nintendo, the kings of rehash, and there were 4 GBA's not 3, the original, the SP front lit, the SP backlit, and the Micro. Oh well, as long as idiots continue to buy the same old thing but in a new package, then Nintendo will do well.

  • MSG-Deathscythe

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 5:33 am PT

    the only improvement they can make to the ds is to add cell phone capabilities to it. this will sell even more than both old dses combined. it will also lessen the threat that is the nokia n96.

  • -Raiden-

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 4:12 am PT

    More power to the DS please!

    So i can play Metal gaer solid and other good games on it:-)

  • RyokoSparda

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 3:29 am PT

    What do Gamespot mean by "the ill-conceived Game Boy Micro", I have the GBA , GBA-SP and GBM. The GBM is the best one of the lot excellent build quality what with being metal, better quality screen, proper headphone connector etc, I havn't touched my SP since I got it so I fail to see how it was "ill-conceived".

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