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Nintendo DS to Feature Wireless Connectivity?

Posted by simoniker on from the big-and-n dept.

Decaffeinated Jedi writes "As reported by GameSpot, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata indicated in a recent interview (Japanese-language) that the company's upcoming dual-screen portable (previously covered on Slashdot) will feature wireless Bluetooth-esque connectivity for multiplayer gaming. Iwata goes on in the interview to describe the Nintendo DS as a 'unique' machine, noting that 'not everybody will understand it right away. There might only be 10 to 15 people applauding during its unveiling at the E3, but they'll understand it once they touch it. At the least, it should serve as a hint towards [our] next-generation console.'" Although we've covered Iwata interviews recently, this now makes a little more sense given the context of the DS announcement.

8 of 45 comments (clear)

  1. Thats the ticket by redune45 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I just read an interview on IGN yesterday with Nintendo of America's vice president of corporate affairs Perrin Kaplan.
    He hinted that the DS would have some fancy features other than just the dual screens. Good to see that there may actually be meat behind this little handheld.

    --
    redune.com: The World 3.2 Megapixels at a time
    1. Re:Thats the ticket by oGMo · · Score: 4, Funny

      Yeah, I recall IGN mentioning something about that, too.

      ;-)

      --

      Don't think of it as a flame---it's more like an argument that does 3d6 fire damage

  2. As I predicted by Apreche · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I knew it would have wireless to be awesome. However, to be even more awesome both screens have to seperate from each other. If two people can play one game with one system and one cartridge and the two halves of the system connect wirelessly it will be the king of handhelds. Imagine the possibilities that before were difficult. Like battleship for instance.

    I'm definitely buying one. At best it rules and I get my moneys worth. At worst its another Virtual Boy and I can be that one guy who still has a working Virtual boy. It's a win/win situation.

    --
    The GeekNights podcast is going strong. Listen!
    1. Re:As I predicted by Babbster · · Score: 3, Interesting
      If the rumor is true that the second screen is a touchscreen, then two people on one console isn't even close to the goal. Of course, IMO, two players on a single handheld console is a just plain silly thing to attempt, unless it involves passing the handheld to the next player - RF wireless and decent prices should take care of multiplayer.

      As far as imagining the possibilities, I can't bring myself to care much about wireless multiplayer (I don't play multiplayer-friendly games on GBA), but I'm pretty excited about the idea of two-screen games, assuming they've got developers on board. There are many functions, like maps, inventories, text dialogs, etc. that would be much improved being shunted off to a second screen. RPGs, in particular, can gain huge benefits from a second screen. Since GBA has become the main RPG machine for many, I would think improvements in that area would be well received.

  3. So many handheld from same company by superpulpsicle · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Is it me or is nintendo seriously lacking competition in the handheld arena... to the point where they now release a new system just to fight among themselves. As if regular gameboy, gameboy color, gameboy advance isn't enough.

    Don't worry Sony will come by and clean up this mess.

    1. Re:So many handheld from same company by burns210 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      o please. that is like saying the super nintedo was released to compete with the regular nintendo. it wasn't, it was released to REPLACE IT. Just like the gb color(pocket?) replaced the gb pocket, the advanced replaced the color, the advanced SP replaced the advanced. Each being a better handheld system than the one before it.

      NOW, for the first time, Nintendo is releasing a system that is unlike any handheld we have see, and they do this in such a way that, if all hell falls on them, they can 'revert' to the amazingly great gameboy advanced sp.

      And no, the sony handheld won't kick anyone's ass. A $200-250 consol versus a sub $100 with a library of games 100 times the size of sony's new system? Please.

    2. Re:So many handheld from same company by MMaestro · · Score: 5, Interesting
      I've said it in a previous post but heres the short form...

      The Gameboy's biggest competitors in the handheld gaming history (lite) :

      Game Gear : Color screen. Nuff said.
      Wonderswan : Received Final Fantasy remakes (basicly selling an instant 5000+ units just for that). Again, had color screen and better resolution.
      NeoGeo Pocket Color : The little system that should've but didn't. A little joystick instead of a D-pad (FINALLY, lets see this happen some more), top notch SNK games like Metal Slug, and a battery life which outdid the Gameboy Advance's (not the SP's though.)

      Just because Sony is trying its hand at the handheld business doesn't mean they'll succeed either. So far the score is something like 5+ wins - 0 losses - 1 tie with Game Gear which did "fairly" well (debatable).

      Unless Sony can fit powerful hardware (a la Xbox sans the size), a SERIOUS gaming library (having all the third-party developer support in the world is useless if all the games are crappy and come out late), and a good launch success (the PS2 launch(es) couldn't have gotten worse) while fitting everything in a slick, cool handheld (ie. not N-Gage looking) yeah they have a CHANCE. Oh and, don't forget Tetris.

  4. Iwata makes a lot of sense by pommaq · · Score: 3, Funny

    Some choice quotes from the linked interview (thanks to babelfish):

    You say that it evolves graphics and should have kept making function complicated "golden law of success" is the collapse red sandal wood.
    I think Iwata says that design is a natural evolution from graphics, and that the DS will be collapsible and come in a nice wood finish. Bold move, in this age of clean, plastic designs! I had assumed it would look more like the SP, but we all know that big N aren't satisfied with jumping on bandwagons. I agree with Iwata here, the design needs to convey a more adult sense of purpose, so it doesn't have to compete with the GBA.

    The creator having suffered hardship 100 times, 100 times it can sell, instead of, in the circumstance that, even even maintenance of the status quo it is difficult, in the former route which wastes time and energy, as for future of the game as for without being it is clear.
    From this quote, I gather the DS will break easily. Iwata suggests that once you've bought a DS, you'll readily buy 100 more if they keep breaking (indicating that it will be a cheap unit, I suppose). I'm not so sure about this strategy, as Iwata says it will probably be a waste of time and energy to try and repair them yourself - but I'm still concerned about the cost. Time will have to tell on that one.

    Very useful information! Hopefully slashdot can keep posting interviews like these. This really helped shed some light on Nintendo's strategy with the DS.