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How To Make the DS Even Better

Posted by Zonk on from the add-a-totally-wicked-spoiler dept.

Next Generation has up an interesting piece considering ways to make the ultra-successful Nintendo DS even better. Thoughts include streamlining the needlessly complicated 'friend code' system, adding internal flash ram to the device, and rolling out a virtual console system ala the Wii. Their best idea, I think, is to use the GBA slot on the system for a cartridge including all of these new elements: "The advantage over typical 'system upgrades', like the ram expansion for the N64 or the PS2 hard drive, is that this cartridge should have little direct effect on game software; it would simply transform the DS into a more useful and personal tool. Such an update would also weed out the necessity to offer a whole new DS model, further annoying people who felt forced to upgrade to the DS Lite - itself only a cosmetic adjustment."

3 of 82 comments (clear)

  1. Kind of already there... by B00yah · · Score: 4, Informative

    but not officially. Companies like m3 and Flashloader make devices that plug in to the gba slot on the ds, fit flush, and either have a set amount of onboard flash, or have a slot for an SD card (regular for the original ds, mini or micro for the lite). You can run homebrew applications off of these, as well as listen to music (with the winamp equiv. in moonshell), and play emulated games (though some snes games won't run full speed due to the fx chip issue).

    Now, this doesn't simplify the friends code issue, and it's definitely border line illegal, but it does exist.

    --

    How Jaded Are You?
  2. Forced to upgrade? by Aladrin · · Score: 4, Insightful

    People felt forced to upgrade to the DS Lite? Bullshit. People CHOSE to upgrade. It's a better, smaller system. It's more comfortable to hold, the screen is a lot bright and more colorful, and it's just over-all a better system. I upgrade only because I wanted to, not because there was some social pressure or something. There was certainly no pressure from Nintendo.

    --
    "If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you." - DM
  3. Imagine the perfect DS. What would it be like? by Kawolski · · Score: 5, Funny

    It should be soft and cuddly.
    ...with lots of firepower!
    ...and it should have telescopes! No, periscopes! No, microscopes!