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Nintendo To Launch New Machine Next Year?
EvilDonut writes "According to Bloomberg.com, Nintendo intends to launch a new machine in Japan next year, in order "to boost sales". There are no details as to wether the machine will be hand-held or not, but Bloomberg does describe it as a next-generation console. This is pretty odd, as Nintendo has previously stated that the GameCube successor wouldn't be out until 2005, and the GBA is doing so well that I can't imagine they'll replace it as early as next year. The article also mentions the Nintendo iQue, so it's pretty clear this is not just a mix-up regarding the new, China-only system." Update: 11/13 23:44 GMT by S : GameSpot has a very cryptic clarification from Nintendo, that "the new product will be a unique item that is different from any traditional machine", and will be "be [neither] a home console nor a portable machine."
Why don't they just stick to the Gameboy? They're good at that. They've pretty much cornered the retrogame market and the cute-and-fluffy-characters market.
The GBA may be selling well but customers today expect 3D acceleration, MP3 and video playback... if Nintendo intruduces something like that while maintaining compatibility to GBA, it could be a big success.
Besides, as Nintendo is AFAIK not connected to any record- or film-company, that could mean a non-crippled non-DRM device.
I don't need a signature.