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New Nintendo Handheld Next Year, Powered by Nvidia?

By Jorge Ba-oh (jb)

38885 on 14.10.2009 at 14:28

New Nintendo Handheld Next Year, Powered by Nvidia? on Nintendo gaming news, videos and discussion

Reports circling the interwebs today suggest that graphics whore Nvidia will don its visual prowess over a new Nintendo handheld.

Sources are claiming Nintendo's next handheld will be powered by a chip known as Tegra, a mobile ARM-based processor with integrated Geforce graphics, currently used in smartphones and visually-intensive devices like Microsoft's Zune HD.

A variation on the chip's specs to tailor to Nintendo would be ideal.

Nintendo's partnership with the company, at time of writing, is highly rumoured, but with a "DS2" looming, it could certainly be true. The pair has worked together before - back in March Nvidia signed an agreement to allow tools like PhysX SDK to be available to select Wii developers.

What do you think of the possible agreement - do you think it's the right time now to be talking future Nintendo handhelds?

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SuperLink on 14.10.2009 at 14:29#1

DS2 next year is too soon, especially with DSi exclusives only just coming out.

Now if this was for a Wii HD I'd say it was great news.

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Echoes221 on 14.10.2009 at 14:54#2

Awesome! Hmm, Well it has been a good four years since we have had a new handheld so I don't think it is. If it's annouced next year it will mean that it won't come out untill 2011 or late 2010.

Odd, though, Shunning ATI for Nvidia, though PhysX is pretty good move on Nintendo's part I must say.

Satoshi on 14.10.2009 at 14:55#3

well I think most of us thought at the time that the DSlite and DSi both came out too soon, so this could probably come out really early as well...

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Marzy on 14.10.2009 at 14:55#4

This is the new Gameboy, I believe.

Jacob4000 on 14.10.2009 at 15:02#5

I think they're done with Gameboy, personally. I don't think it makes sense for them to come out with one when the DS brand is proving to be even stronger than Gameboy ever was.

I'm hoping its DS2 -- its time for a new system. Roll it out with a much better integrated online system and a Virtual Gameboy service! I hear the Tegra chips are pretty powerful, too.

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welshwuff on 14.10.2009 at 15:02#6

I doubt it's a new DS for next year, if its a DS then it'll be later, however someone mentioned gameboys and that reminds me how the DSi has no GBA slot, so maybe GB is getting its own console line again, but then again, whats the point with the DSi just out? i expect its a new handheld for "next-gen" in like 2011.

SuperLink on 14.10.2009 at 15:10#7

I hope it's not a Gameboy. Can anyone honestly say that making a new handheld without touch is a good idea?

No they can't.

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Canyarion on 14.10.2009 at 15:24#8

Hm I never bought a DS (but my sisters got a DSL). I do think a new one would be soon. There are so many good games in development! Golden Sun for example.

SuperLink on 14.10.2009 at 15:29#9

I think the third pillar thing was just promotional talk, they didn\'t want people to think the DS was \"killing\" the GB just incase the DS failed big time.

Now I don\'t think the DS is a GB, but I do think it has replaced it, and why not? It\'s a good name free of potential sexual bias, is also associated with universal appeal, and it\'s superior to the GB series in very much every way.

If a new Nintendo handheld had a touch screen, I can\'t think of a single reason why they\'d call it a GB and not a new DS.

( Edited 14.10.2009 15:32 by SuperLink )

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Satoshi on 14.10.2009 at 15:52#10

They could call it gameboy DS - get the most of both brand names Smilie

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Supa_hyped on 14.10.2009 at 15:53#11

the gameboy is dead. if it comes back i would be surprised. nintendo should release some kind of gameboy clip on for the iphone/ipod touch and release gameboy games through the apps service. theyd make a fair bit of money off it

what ever machine the graphics card is for it needs to be brand spanking new tec. i for 1 am sick to death of nintendo rehashing tec. the ds/dsi still has legs so a new ds would seem way to soon

\"If a new Nintendo handheld had a touch screen, I can\'t think of a single reason why they\'d call it a GB and not a new DS.\"

maybe because it wont have 2 screens.

( Edited 14.10.2009 15:56 by MiiWiiKing )

Sonic_13 on 14.10.2009 at 16:27#12

In one respect it would make sense for a new handheld to be released since next fall would mark 6 years for the DS.

However, with the recent release of the DSi and what appears to be initial tidings into DSi exclusive games, I feel like it is a little too soon.

However, I'm going to go ahead and predict a next gen DS to be revealed at E3 2010.

Darkflame on 14.10.2009 at 17:11#13

far far too soon.
We shouldn't ever operate on set time-scales it should only be able sales and possibility's;

Is the DS still saleing?
Are there still great games?
Do we really think the DS has exhausted all that can be done with it? (let alone DSi).

No on all counts, imho.

I want the next handheld to be a massive game-changing step up.
Full augmented reality support.
Maybe even a head mounted display. Virtual Boy was way too ambitious for the tech at the time, but today we can do stuff a heck of a lot better then that.

If Nintendo is prepared to wait, I'm confident full optically transparent HMD will be available for decent prices within the next 3-4 years.
(Vuzix was going to release one this year, but changed at the last minute, a Japanease company is also developing one that might be out next year...screen technology is developing fast).

well I think most of us thought at the time that the DSlite and DSi both came out too soon,

They didnt stop game release's coming out for the normal DS. They are minor revisions, and in the DSi's case it might get a few specific games.

But its not a new platform, like this would be.

Please give our little random review show a try;
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Jacob4000 on 14.10.2009 at 17:44#14

Do we really think the DS has exhausted all that can be done with it? (let alone DSi).

Yes. The system has been on the market for five years, its time for some real advancements.

The DSi does have some extra potential, but not much. Its biggest advantage is the online shop, and it really isn't taking off. Release a new more powerful system with dual capacitive touch screens and a strongly increased focus on internet functions and you'd have a system that is pushing things forward.

The original DS has about tapped all it can do. Its still a fantastic platform with exciting games, but late 2010 is a good time for DS2.

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Ifrit XXII on 14.10.2009 at 17:49#15

I would love to see a DS2 announced next year for a 2011 release. The DS is almost 5 years old so would be almost 7 when the DS2 is released. Perfect time for a new handheld.

This would give the DSi a couple of years to itself.

PMD on 14.10.2009 at 18:12#16

SuperLink said:
I hope it's not a Gameboy. Can anyone honestly say that making a new handheld without touch is a good idea?

DS stands for Dual Screen, not touch screen. A graphically intensive single touch screen Gameboy would be nice, while the DS branches off into a less powerful multimedia device.

Regardless, I don't think the Gameboy is coming back soon. It would just create more confusion (even though people still call the DS a "gameboy").

2010 is not too soon for a new portable. If you look at the release dates for the GBC through the DSi, you'll notice that they are each released 2 years apart in Japan. Late 2010 probably means Spring 2011 for the west.

Jump_button on 14.10.2009 at 18:41#17

well i know it was going to happen sooner or later DS been around years DS 2 more year for DS sound about right cant see DS game just stopping I hope they be BC

Nvidia doing it maybe it look better then psp games im sure that what they be aiming for

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SuperLink on 14.10.2009 at 18:48#18

PMD said:
DS stands for Dual Screen, not touch screen. A graphically intensive single touch screen Gameboy would be nice, while the DS branches off into a less powerful multimedia device.

Common misconception, DS doesn't stand for anything, it's just two letters. The full name is "Nintendo DS", no abbreviations.

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Darkflame on 14.10.2009 at 19:12#19

It depresses me how much people are still, in this day and age, obsessed with tech specs and pre-conditioned ideas about release cycles.

The next DS shouldnt come untill something fundimentaly new can be done...not merely faster chips.

Also, I'm still not keen on a single touchscreen.
Claim-shell designs for portables are by far the best, imho. And if your going to have a clamshell, you might as well use it for extra screen space.

Not to mention the fact some games benefit from having a screen separate from your stylus/figure. (as your figure is obscuring the screen).
Metroid Hunters would be awfull to play on one screen, for example.

Jacob4000 said:
Do we really think the DS has exhausted all that can be done with it? (let alone DSi).
Yes. The system has been on the market for five years, its time for some real advancements.

So your not getting the excellent looking Ghibli/Level-5 game ?
You didnt just notice Scribblenaughts and Mario & Lugia just out?

No. The Ds -has not- even remotely used up what can be done with it.
Only maybe, in the most crude technical terms...but even then bigger carts are coming out.

Please give our little random review show a try;
http://randomreviewshow.com/index.html
We have special effects and umm...stuff...

SuperLink on 14.10.2009 at 19:30#20

Actually agree with Darkflame on this one. The DS still has plenty of mileage left, still churning out great title after title after around 6 years, once it picked up speed it never slowed down, unlike some other consoles on the market.

After games like Kingdom Hearts and Ghibli's new title, we still haven't seen the best the DS has to offer in terms of power, and they haven't even begun to show us what the DSi can do, supposing it is more powerful than the DS.

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Trepe on 14.10.2009 at 19:49#21

I doubt Nintendo will anounce anything new. The DS is still doing phenominally well and has much life left in it. It's also just getting into it's stride with great games coming out!

I also don't think we've seen the last of the Gameboy franchise. That name made them a lot of money and most people know that name. I don't think well see anything else DS or Gameboy wise for quite a while though.

Jump_button on 14.10.2009 at 20:04#22

Its best to start steping out when you ontop and come in with somthing new, this year E3 they will show it and it be out in 2 years or so.

( Edited 14.10.2009 20:05 by Jump_button )

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Jacob4000 on 14.10.2009 at 20:09#23

You didnt just notice Scribblenaughts and Mario & Lugia just out?

Yes I did, I bought Scribblenauts and I plan on buying Mario and Luigi. But these games don\'t do anything new with the hardware that we haven\'t seen before. The DS is still going to be a platform for great games, but the hardware itself is exhausted. If anything Scribblenauts is an example of this -- the number of items you can have on screen is substantially limited by hardware, and the physics is simplistic and often wonky, which I imagine has something to do with the capabilities of the system as well.

Late 2010 or early 2011 leaves plenty of time for the DS to experience its last wave of good games, and make room for a new system.

and they haven\'t even begun to show us what the DSi can do, supposing it is more powerful than the DS.

I find myself wondering if they ever will. No one seems to want to alienate the existing DS audience of over 100 Million. Its tough to really take advantage of the DSi in this situation.

( Edited 14.10.2009 20:11 by Jacob4000 )

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meeto_0 on 14.10.2009 at 20:22#24

A more powerful system would allow for certain genres to prosper better in my opinion. FPS games have not thrived despite the good control set up. Racing games and sports would also benefit. Bringing it closer to 128bit era would make all genres easy.

But the DS is thriving and has lots of games coming. But Im glad to know nintendo is looking to beef up the next console. My main concern is are the games still going to be released onto Cartridges. Are they going to strengthen ties between the home console and hand console. And is there going to be competent online services.

( Edited 14.10.2009 20:23 by meeto_0 )

SuperLink on 14.10.2009 at 20:23#25

Jacob4000 said:
I find myself wondering if they ever will. No one seems to want to alienate the existing DS audience of over 100 Million. Its tough to really take advantage of the DSi in this situation.

I think the fact that they even made it possible for DSi only games shows that it will inevitably have some exclusives worth playing, otherwise the DSi would have just been a media upgrade.

I personally still hate the idea of DSi exclusives, but they\'re already on the way :/

( Edited 14.10.2009 20:24 by SuperLink )