@matthewbennion: Didn't they say spring for Europe?

ISChris

oh nintendo, why do you hate money....

Lethardicus

Late 2009 for Europe and the US, Could that mean December???

matthewbennion

isnt this counter intuitive since ppl now know that theres a new model and will hold back their purchases?

kitsuneconundrum

SO. . . will it works with the US shopping channel and DSi store once it launches if I import a Japanese one?

Who has answers?

freetyme

just another toy that will be banned from Federal buildings lol

DoomLight

[img223.imageshack.us] : i couldnt resist. it prints money!

kitsuneconundrum

Of course they are going to be vague.

They won't release the new one until the current model stops farting money for them.

Mact

@kitsuneconundrum:

Only if you're patient and are, ya know, aware of the DSi.

Keep in mind that most people buying the DS are the casual crowd and don't follow gaming news.

Mact

Maybe they're hoping our dollars are worth more than the paper they're printed on in late 2009.

Wolfers

Nintendo needs to stop. I think the DSi turned people on to their "lets keep milking them dry" business tactic.

mphz

@Lethardicus: its not that they hate money. its that they love it so much, they're willing to hold off on this new release until all the unsuspecting mothers go out and buy their kids a regular DS, just to have to replace it with a DSi come said kids birthday. its genius, although quite shit in my opinion.

uppitycracker

I'm not sure why we would expect Nintendo's stock to go up after this. They were already expected to sell a ton of DSs. Now, they'll be selling a metric ton of DSis, a slightly more expensive system with slightly higher production costs. From a business standpoint, it seems that not much has changed.

Fnor

@Cagny: Er. Correction: "to make people BUY the DSlite this year"

Cagny

@kitsuneconundrum: No, the late release is one reason to make people not buy the DSlite in the U.S. or EU. I'm guessing late Spring or Winter '09.. just in time for next year's holiday season... which is a very long time away.

Cagny

My concern, which has yet to be addressed by others, is what happens to the old DS systems? Will there be future upgrades to allow the same functionality to be had on older DS models? The idea of a DS store appeals to me.

StupidDufus

@Mact: i think hes talking about the disparity of supply lines stateside as compared to the rest of the world rather than the different models. We pretty much knew a new iteration of the handheld was coming out.

kitsuneconundrum

At least that will give me some time to put money aside for it.

EmeraldDragon

Always the same pose, Iwata, always the same :P

Whiternoise

@mphz:

Bite me.

Seriously. You act like Nintendo is some evil corporation inventing tactics to make more money.

How about Apple? They are the worst perpetrators of this. Sure, the company was good with announcing the new model of iPhone months in advance, but the new iTouch model came out of no where. And believe me, I was looking. I bought the now old version just a month before they went and added new features and made it cheaper. This same company annually makes the rest of their mp3 player line irrelevant by releasing new versions as well. They do the same with their personal computers.

As far as gaming goes, Sony has done the same thing. They actually now will have three versions of their handheld as well. What are they adding to their latest? An improved LCD screen and a mic. That's it.

In the case that that's not enough, we could also talk about how many versions of the PS3 and the Xbox360 there are too. Meanwhile, there's only one version of the Wii.

Mact

@shadowlegend:

*yawn*

[www.nintendo.com]

There seems to be an epidemic today.

Mact

@StupidDufus:

The problem is there really is no way for this to happen.

The premise of the DS store is that you can download software to the internal memory of the DSi or to an SD card.

Since the older models have neither of these, there really is no way for that to happen.

Mact

@StupidDufus: I doubt it. Nintendo seems to drop support from older systems when newer ones comes out. Once a new model comes out, the old one drops from the face of the earth never to bee seen or heard of again.

shadowlegend

@kitsuneconundrum:

You do? Because I'd be very interested as to how you pulled that out of the two sentences he posted.

As for the talk about supply line differences, I don't know what to tell you on that one. As I don't know how the production then distribution of Nintendo's products works, I can't make much of a call on that one.

For instance, if all the products for a region are made in that same region, it would make sense the their biggest buying country would be in a bit of a drought.

What I will say is that a scheme of "artificial understocking" isn't really a method of "milking" the consumer. The consumer can't buy what they cannot get.

Mact

I think ill pass on that, DS is all mini games and youth targeted games, I want ACTION!!

IceColdEskimo

I know the release date: when the ds lite quits selling. Normally that would be right away since most hardcore handheld players are in the know, but now that we have all these casual people who know squat about the game world will keep mindlessly buying them until everyone has one, then the DSi will come out, and they will throw them away (like, literally) and buy the DSi.

Swizzler121

@StupidDufus:

Hmm maybe will release a flash cart for the DS Lite that allows you to download DLC onto the DS.

But doubt that'll happen after all the shit they've put the R4 makers through.

NeoAkira

I rather expected this, Nintendo has had such a big problem keeping Wii's in stock that it makes sense that they'd want to avoid a similar situation for their second game machine. Even if they simply brought the DSi over in limited quantities it'll still reduce their ability to manufacture DSLites.

Frankly this isn't all that big of a deal. DS Lite is a pretty darn good platform and the Nintendo Marketplace feature, which I'm most looking forward to, likely wouldn't have much content this year anyway.

WolvenOne

@kitsuneconundrum: ROFL!

Macko

@Mact: True. I know it's "good business" but it's also, IMHO, dishonesty by omission. I know Nintendo doesn't HAVE to be as straightforward as they've been about the DSi's availability, and I can't say that I would do anything differently in their shoes. Today, though I had a revelation.

Nintendo has a clear history of "updating" hardware and franchises once they succeed. There were multiple versions of the Game Boy, but not so much the Game Cube. Once it has a good thing going, it milks the hell out of it and, as a result, seems to stagnate when it comes to genuine innovation.

Only with the comparitive failure of the GameCube to its competitors did Nintendo truly bring something unique and interesting to its hand-held and console offerings. Now, however, that they are succeeding, I think we will only see incremental and (at least in my opinion) updates.

When Nintendo fails, they respond with inspiration and innovation. When Nintendo succeeds, they license 100,000 copies of Imagine Babiez! Then again, these conclusions may be from my own lenses, no longer rose-colored.

MikeKelley

@ISChris: they said they're "aiming" to launch in Spring..that still doesn't confirm anything..

Macko

Here are the problems I see with the DSi:

It will fracture Nintendo's market share...though how much remains to be seen. My guess would be small but noticeable. You've got the obvious problem for the hardcore audience (which is undeniably huge on the DS) of the loss of the GBA slot. Not only is this a serious issue with regards to BC, but also to the loss of functionality in certain titles.

Though I'm sure I could come up with more given time, off the top of my head I can think of the following: Several Pokemon titles losing certain key connectivity features, Arkanoid DS and Space Invaders Extreme losing spinner control, Daigasso Band Brothers losing its expansion packs, any title that featured rumble will be losing it.

On the flip side of this is the added functionality. Iwata has essentially stated that the camera's primary purpose will be gaming and feature related (chat and so forth) as opposed to actual photography. This wouldn't be an issue if it weren't for the fact that future releases will be utilizing the camera, very likely as a primary function of the gameplay. This creates something of a Gameboy/Gameboy Color situation where those using the old hardware are simply unable to play certain titles because of additions to a later hardware revision.

This places Nintendo in something of a dilemma (and possibly why the investors are skeptical), because how do you make the DSi a desirable product? The same way you made the DS a desirable product - by creating high-profile titles that utilize the unique qualities of the hardware. But how do you do that on the DSi without alienating current DS (Lite) owners? Do you think they'll be happy they can't play the latest Mario, Zelda, or Pokemon title because the camera is an integral part of the gameplay?

And what about the other side of that argument: Do you think DSi owners will be happy with a stillborn product? A new unit whose features go woefully underutilized by Nintendo for fear of pissing off their current loyal DS userbase.

It creates the potential for something of a lose-lose situation for Nintendo. And there's every likelihood that if the DSi flops that the successful momentum of the DS will be derailed (not completely, mind you...but enough to create doubt). And that will force Nintendo's hand on a next-gen follow up (a DS 2) too soon and ultimately cost them a healthy chunk of the lead they've been enjoying up to now.

Now we get to the multi-media features...though it's harder to comment on these since the jury's out till (at least) November before we'll know if they're really any good. Even so, it's safe to say that based on Nintendo's track record of halting first steps into this type of territory that they may be a touch underwhelming. In the end it will likely result in something of a wash when compared to the PSP (which still boasts more in terms of multi-media functionality).

Of course this does beg the question of who exactly Nintendo is trying to target with this device: the four dozen people remaining in Japan who still don't own a DS Lite, teens and tweens who want an iPhone or iPod Touch, gadget enthusiasts, or the Nintendo handheld faithful?

If you'll permit me, let me engage in a little skit which portrays the hurdles facing at least one of those demographics:

"Hey, Nintendo redesigned the DS. I'm happy with my Lite, but what the hell, it's time for an upgrade! I'll just grab my $130 and...oh fuck!!!" And you'd be entitled to say "Oh fuck!!!", because it's going to cost you more to buy into this latest revision by quite a bit. In essence, Nintendo is asking you to jump back on to a wagon you don't recall falling off of in the first place.

It would also be fair to mention at this point that the DSi will cost more than the PSP currently does, approximately $10 more if the Japanese pricing scheme is followed throughout the world. Will people bite or will they simply pass on the DSi? Or will they consider taking that money and buying a PSP (and saving a few bucks in the process)?

And before anyone says anything, no, I don't think this will turn into any sort of windfall for Sony. I just don't think Nintendo will hit one out of the park either.

And while this last statement is my own opinion and really just boils down to everyone's individual aesthetics, it's also one I've seen echoed enough in the last twenty-four hours to warrant a mention: the DSi is ugly. We're not talking DS Phat ugly...but in terms of form factor it's definitely a step backwards when compared to the Lite. And let's face it, the appeal of the DS Lite's design was significant in moving as many units as it has over the last two years.

We'll know soon enough whether or not the DSi was a good idea. But right now there are fans out there tearing at each other like rabid dogs over wether or not it was a good idea...and that's a far cry from the typical unified confidence expressed in almost everything pertaining to this product to date.

Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic

@Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic: I agree with some of these points, but I will add, that backwards compatibility removal is fine as a step going forward, they are probably monitoring the sales and interest in that market segment and it's probably time to start weaning it off. The introduction of the new features will need to be supported by software that takes good advantage of them, but the DS will have plenty of titles as well. They will probably carefully balance that out.
My big concern is the price, at that price... no... I'm not interested... but I'm not probably their main target(not a long time nintendo franchise fan). 150 tops. I really think the ds needs a Graphics update though, this may be just a planned iterative step building compatibility for their next big hardware jump though. It's really going to be about the compelling software and how they position that(in regards to existing DS), that's going to really matter. I think, at least.

Ehardergardens

Nintendo, your business model is good for the business, but it sucks for us consumers...

See what happens when we buy into Wii-craze?

Nintendo thinks they can release same shit with little gimmicky things attached to it.

0.3 megapixel camera??? Enough...

We WANT DS2 with more processing power and dual multi-touch screens.

I'm starting to hate Nintendo... except Mario and other goodies... just the company business model & wii music...

Wii-Music is an insult to you and music itself.

"Hey you, not smart enough to play the real stuff? Yes, we have created PLAY buttons for each note just for you. It's like playing an CD/MP3s. Oh, you just have to mash PLAY buttons as you please until the song is over."

Wait, that sounds like Guitar Hero/Rock Band. LOL =P

neo177117

Love how he says "probably." Like he could care less...

hagridore

@kitsuneconundrum: Ha. Great image. Hope you don't mind me using it. Kudos.

Rollin

@Mact: i could, it was fairly obvious

kitsuneconundrum

Interesting. I am suddenly reminded of the whole Gameboy Pocket --> Gameboy Color upgrade along with Gameboy color only games Nintendo pulled on us nearly ten years ago. Can't say I'm not suprised this time. I held out on the DS until the Lite released (knowing how their hardware cycles work with the handheld market now). Won't get the DSi because I expect by this time in the next two years we will get the proper follow up do the DS, and not some feature ladened upgrade that will see a few releases only it can play.

nine07

@neo177117: You're incoherent babble is off topic and worthless to us all. Thank you very much.

I agree that Wii Music is an awful product that could have been something interesting (Wii Conductor, Wii Orchestra, etc...). However, It has nothing to do with the DSi.
Speaking of the "DS2" what would you do with dual multi-touch that would be more interesting or fun than the current design?
We all have our opinions, but blurting out random and nonsensical shopping lists of issues you have with Nintendo is neither productive nor prudent.

sneslink