Nintendo DS

Nintendo DS Features

Nintendo has long dominated the handheld video game market with its line of Game Boy systems, most recently the Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP. The announcement of a new system came in early 2004 as a shock to the gaming community. More shocking was Nintendo's promise that the system was not a replacement or successor to the Game Boy series. Rather it would be a "third-tier" system independent of other handhelds.

To set the system apart from the rest of the market, Nintendo included a number of unique features on the DS that game developers utilize in many ways.

• Two Screens - The clamshell design of the Nintendo DS features a "lid" that pivots upward to reveal a second screen vertically parallel to the lower. The screens have separate processors and can display different, independent scenes or work together to create the illusion of one large playing field.

• Touch Screen - The lower screen on the DS is touch-sensitive, much like modern PDA systems. Using a stylus, the included thumb nub, other accessories (or even fingers), gamers have a whole new way to control the games they play. The touch screen breaks the traditional button input of gaming machines and allows direct manipulation of on-screen objects.

• Button Layout - The Game Boy Advance features a 4-way D-pad, Start and Select buttons, two shoulder buttons (L and R) and two face buttons (A and B). The Nintendo DS copies this layout but adds X and Y buttons that mirror the cross layout of the D-pad.

• Microphone - On the bottom of the system is a small opening that is a microphone. Players can interact with their games with their voice. A few examples utilized thusfar are recording small clips of speech, sounds, etc., shouting commands or blowing bubbles by breathing into the microphone.

• Wireless Features - In order to play Multiplayer games with several systems, Game Boy users had to connect with physical cords to their system. The Nintendo DS features wireless Multiplayer with a range of 100 feet. Players sitting within this radius can play the same game (often with only one copy of the cart).

Other uses for the wireless feature includes downloading game demos at Nintendo kiosks and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo's free online service allowing wireless Multiplayer across the world.

Technology

• Size: 5.85 X 3.33 X 1.13, weighing at approximately 9.7 ounces.
• Screens: Two 3-inch TFT LCD screens with a resolution of 256x192.
• Processors: ARM9 (main) @ 67MHz and ARM7 @ 33MHz.
• 4 MB main memory.
• 3D Engine: Capable of drawing 120,000 polygons per second @ 30 million pixels per second.
• Games: Proprietary flash-card approximately the size of a postage stamp. Cards hold up to 1 gigabit (128 megabits).
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery that allows up to 10 hours of continuous play.
• Built-in clock, alarm and PictoChat instant messaging software.
  • The Nintendo DS can also play Game Boy Advance games through the large slot at the bottom of the unit.

Launch Info

Japan

• December 2, 2004 at 15,000 yen ($135).

North America

• November 21, 2004 at $149.

Europe

• March 11, 2005 at œ99.99 in the UK and ?149 for the rest of Europe.

Australia/New Zealand

• February 24, 2005 at 199 AUD and 249 NZD respectively.

Future of the DS

Nintendo's early promise of unique gaming experiences has shown in the games being released for the system. Nintendogs, one of the best-selling video games of all time, hooked a wide audience of gamers and non-gamers alike and set a record for pulling in a 21% female crowd. Nintendogs allows gamers to own a virtual puppy to train, feed, bathe and become friends with, all through the use of the touch screen, microphone and other unique features to the DS.

Other games for the Nintendo DS have included unique play mechanics only possible with this device. However, some games fail to fully utilize these features and feel more gimmicky than ground-breaking. Nevertheless, Nintendo has provided a launching point for developers to flaunt their creativity and open a new range of gaming possibilities for the world.