Nintendo Mystery Machine?

LTEDDYBEAR · 01/15/2004, 08:12 AM

I read in the Feb of GamePro that Nintendo;s going to be releasing a new gaming system soon?
Is this true?
It said that they weren't sure if was going to replace the GBA or GC, it might even be a total different system.

Anybody have any other news on it?

Psycho_Lugia_X · 01/15/2004, 02:52 PM

2005 Nin's next next gen mech!

Silver Chaos · 01/15/2004, 03:42 PM

No, they said they wont be able to get it out in 2005.

Dek · 01/15/2004, 03:55 PM

ah yes...the N5 (or at least that what we Sega.com peeps are calling it). Well, I've heard a lot of rumors about this one...

one rumor said that it was gonna come out this year. Another one was that it was going to have backwards compatibility (aka, the ability to play GCN games). I also heard it will have GBA connectiveity (unless a new Gameboy comes out at the time). Oh well. They're just rumors anyways...

*Joe Monkey* · 01/16/2004, 06:35 AM

The N5, I like that

I still think there is more games they sould do with the GCN:D

Kyfogre22 · 01/18/2004, 06:53 PM

Arthas, u're a sega.com person? I was but my account doesn't work anymore.

Anyway, it has yet to be confirmed that nintendo is releasing a new console. They were quoted as saying 'we have... a big announcement to make at [this year's] E3.'

BTW: E3 = May. I'm going to see myself, taking a little trip.

Dek · 01/19/2004, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyfogre22

Arthas, u're a sega.com person? I was but my account doesn't work anymore.

yup. Same name, but the Zero part is a number instead of the word :D

Anyhoo, the big announcement that will be made by Nintendo is still a mystery. I have heard different things already...

1. a new console that will be GCN's predecesor
2. a new accessory for the GCN that will offer backwards compatibility (it will be like a Gameboy player, but for the other Nintendo consoles.

Kyfogre22 · 01/19/2004, 09:09 AM

From your name it looks like you're a WC fan (I am aah-thas. FOR THE KING!!11!!11!1111!!!), now I'm lost. lol

Number two would be good, but because they couldn't use a universal drive (NES is 92-pin, SNES is 68, N64 is 44, GB is like 6), that would be one big prehipial. IMO, a new GB would be more likely, because there hasn't been a new GB system sience 2000, and with the PSP (*Cough* LYNX *Cough*, yes I'm saying it's going to fail miserably) coming up Nintendo's gonna need to prepare with some dreamcast-esque technology of it's own ;)

*Red5bv06* · 01/21/2004, 09:36 PM

I guess I'll post it here.

Nintendo announced its new system! Its called the Nintendo DS (short for dual screen) as of now. It is a portable system with 2 front lit screens and 2 seperate processors. It is standalone and will not replace the GBA/SP or the GCN. This is pretty much all that is known. Check the article on IGNcube. http://cube.ign.com/articles/473/473998p1.html

Now, let the speculating begin!

Is this a smart business move on Nintendo's part? I mean, obviously, Sony's PSP is coming out, and at least in some way, this is meant to combat it some. Now, will this innovative feature get enough support and hype to be able to draw gamers to it, or will it just split the GBA and NDS system, letting PSP look better on paper?
I for one, thing Nintendo must have some great game idea that necessitated a whole nother screen. We can't concieve what that is, but its sure to be awesome. Now, we have to have more than one awesome game, so the true telling factor will be 3rd party support. Will other companies be willing to delve into this feature? Or will they just create a little gimmick for the second screen and not use the full potential of the 2nd screen.
Also, the last telling factor will be backwards compatability. It is supposed to be stand alone, but allowing GBA games to be played would greatly increase the game library immeadiately, and attract many more consumers. However, since the format probably isn't compatible (cartridges are a thing of the past pretty much), how much would the extra slot drive the price up?

This is an epochal move on Nintendo's part. With the current situation of Nintendo, this could make or break several plans in development. Another flop like Virtual Boy could seriously injure the company. But, I think knowing this, I respect Nintendo that much more for willing to try out and risk a whole lot on a concept they obviously believe in.

*The Anaconda* · 01/22/2004, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red5bv06

...
I for one, thing Nintendo must have some great game idea that necessitated a whole nother screen. We can't concieve what that is, but its sure to be awesome. Now, we have to have more than one awesome game, so the true telling factor will be 3rd party support. Will other companies be willing to delve into this feature? Or will they just create a little gimmick for the second screen and not use the full potential of the 2nd screen.

As a developer, I'd sure as heck use both screens (I wonder how much a dev kit for this will cost...). This is an awesome technological feat here. I've seen a few specs on it, and I'll see if I can find them and post it.

Kyfogre22 · 01/22/2004, 02:04 PM

thats either a hoax or buisness suicide.

1)No backwards compatability?! That means they have to start from scratch.
2)There's no telling if it will gather enough Third-Party support.

*Joe Monkey* · 01/22/2004, 03:39 PM

I don't think this is going to fly. (But if it had jets on it, then it would

)

Kyfogre22 · 01/22/2004, 06:29 PM

Maybe it can use its two screens to fly XD

*Red5bv06* · 01/22/2004, 08:45 PM

Ah Anaconda, nice to hear from an insider of sorts in the biz. I know developers will use the dual screens to their advantage, but there is so much potential. Will they just use the screen to have bonus stuff and clean up the "main" screen, or be truly revolutionary? Of course, that's where costs come in. Will it be too expensive to develop for this system and will creating full use of both screens cost even more? If too many games go the route of the bonus info theory, it would harm the credibility of the system. I think the given example of a soccer game where one screen has the whole field while the other zooms on one player is a lame example.

Any more game ideas?

*The Anaconda* · 01/23/2004, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red5bv06

Ah Anaconda, nice to hear from an insider of sorts in the biz. I know developers will use the dual screens to their advantage, but there is so much potential. Will they just use the screen to have bonus stuff and clean up the "main" screen, or be truly revolutionary? Of course, that's where costs come in. Will it be too expensive to develop for this system and will creating full use of both screens cost even more? If too many games go the route of the bonus info theory, it would harm the credibility of the system. I think the given example of a soccer game where one screen has the whole field while the other zooms on one player is a lame example.

Any more game ideas?

Heh. Well, I guess I could be considered an insider, though I'm actually currently a PC game developer. But as I was just saying that as a game developer I would develop to use both screens. And I would have both screens be something independant. There is an ARM7 processor (the same one in the GBA if I recall correctly) and I believe another ARM subprocessor in it, basically giving it the ability to do two seperate tasks on each screen (heck, you could have two different games going if you wanted to since there are two processors.)

As far as cost for using both screens, really the most it would cost more is if you were to develop more art for a second screen. All you would need to do in the programming is to make it output to a different screen. It's no different than if you were to output to two computer monitors on a video card that supports two cards.

For example:

Say I have two screens set up, one named lpDDS1 and lpDDS2 (just a bit of DirectX terms). And I have one picture in buffer1 and another picture in buffer2. And I want to put buffer1 on screen 1 and buffer2 on screen 2. A simple example (and my formatting will be wrong because I haven't written any directx code in awhile) would be as follows.

Code:

// Comment tag
buffer1->Blt(lpDDS1,0,0,640,480,0); //these commands go through when updating the screen
buffer2->Blt(lpDDS2,0,0,640,480,0); //Ignore the additional numbers I think I'm wrong there

And then say I wanted to show buffer2 on screen one in addition to screen to, I'd use this command the next time I updated the screen:

Code:

buffer2->Blt(lpDDS1,0,0,640,480,0);//writing buffer2 to lpDDDS1 
buffer2->Blt(lpDDS2,0,0,640,480,0);//also writing it to lpDDS2

And it would be essentially as simple as that. The real limitation to the technology and using both screens is what the developer decides to use it for.

Kyfogre22 · 01/24/2004, 10:03 AM

Yup. Great technology has gone to waste so many times, but one innovative example that I've seen put to good use was Dreamcast's VMU's. The minigames were great and they actually had in-game functions (fur fighter's hiding data, various other things)that made a huge difference if you had one.

Dunjohn · 01/24/2004, 02:53 PM

I'm a member of the Nintendo's official European site, and the following greeted me when I logged on earlier tonight:

"Mystery Product" to Launch Later this Year

An unprecedented approach to video game play -- holding two separate game screens in the palm of your hands -- hits the scene later this year when Nintendo introduces a new portable game system, Nintendo DS (temporary name).

Today's announcement is just a glimpse of the additional features and benefits that will be shown in full at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles in May. Once fully revealed, players will see the innovative advance in game interaction.

From information made available today, players can look forward to being able to manage their game progress from two different perspectives, enhancing both the speed and strategy of the challenge. For example in a football game, you can view the whole game on one screen, while simultaneously focusing on an individual footballer's tackle or goal on the other screen. Players will no longer be forced to interrupt game play to shift perspective, such as moving from a wide shot to a close up, or alternating between a character's ongoing battle and a map of their environment. Nintendo DS makes it possible to perform the tasks in real time by simply glancing from one screen to the other.

Satoru Iwata, Nintendo president, explains: "We have developed Nintendo DS based upon a completely different concept from existing game devices in order to provide players with a unique entertainment experience for the 21st century"

Nintendo DS features two separate 3" TFT LCD display panels, separate processors, and semiconductor memory of up to 1 Gigabit. It is scheduled to launch worldwide before the end of 2004. In addition to Nintendo developed software, the company is in discussions with third party game developers around the world.

Nintendo DS will be marketed separately from the existing Nintendo Game Boy Advance portable system and Nintendo GameCube home console.

Way forward or gimmick? I hate to beat up on a new system before it launches, I actually, really do, but I just can't get the memories of the Virtua Boy out of my head. Two screens; it's either revolutionary, or idiotic. Can we expect other companies to follow Nintendo's lead with this sort of creative thinking? A machine that stands out as much as this does is going to need friends.

Kyfogre22 · 01/25/2004, 10:15 AM

We can't expect other marketers to be creative. Microsoft is just in it to make money, and Sony's most creative idea is touchpad buttons on PSP.

Dek · 01/26/2004, 08:52 AM

After hearing about the NIntendo DS, I can already thkn of some good ideas as to why they would do it.

1. New Pokemon releases in the far beyond future, where one screen would have teh attacks and the other screen shows the animations.
2. Future system/Gamecube connectivity.
3. To compete with Sony's PSP (they did say, after all, that GBA wasnt going to compete with PSP...)
4. Maybe to make some money (and fast!)

Kyfogre22 · 01/27/2004, 11:23 AM

1. There are so many better things they can do with a second screen.
2. Probably.
3. GBA has a solid platform, it can compete with GBA darn good.
4. Ittl make money if it doesn't cost too much... *cough* n-gage *cough*

Dunjohn · 01/27/2004, 12:16 PM

What would I like to see done with two screens? Ehmm...

In platformers or RPGs, combat could be deepened by showing a standard top-down or over-the-shoulder view on one screen, while the other would be first-person, allowing precise moves and judgment of distances. Imagine dueling the guy in front of you in F-P, while being aware of the two guys behind you and dodging/slashing accordingly. Legolas simulator, anyone?

Stealth game uses are obvious. Keep Snake in action while the bug/camera/remote does it's work. Or, picture an escape scene where you have to pelt it throught a series of corridors (screen 1) while working a keypad (screen 2) to stop the bomb, or something.

The crazy Myamoto game. Whenever it's faced with a radical new departure, Nintendo can be counted on to come up with at least one completely new, unheard-of idea. There's absolutely no point in trying to guess what it will be with DS. It'll just happen.

They're the simple, off-the-head ideas. It's virtually guaranteed that not every game will use the two screens for completely different functions; many will likely just take the opportunity to unclog some status bars from the main screen.

01/15/2004, 02:52 PM	#2
Psycho_Lugia_X Images: 3	2005 Nin's next next gen mech! __________________ Anyone who says "it's just a game" shouldn't be playing.

01/15/2004, 03:55 PM	#4
Dek Blog Entries: 4	ah yes...the N5 (or at least that what we Sega.com peeps are calling it). Well, I've heard a lot of rumors about this one... one rumor said that it was gonna come out this year. Another one was that it was going to have backwards compatibility (aka, the ability to play GCN games). I also heard it will have GBA connectiveity (unless a new Gameboy comes out at the time). Oh well. They're just rumors anyways... __________________ Let's go to Da Beach!!!

01/21/2004, 09:36 PM	#9
Red5bv06 Frontier Brain	I guess I'll post it here. Nintendo announced its new system! Its called the Nintendo DS (short for dual screen) as of now. It is a portable system with 2 front lit screens and 2 seperate processors. It is standalone and will not replace the GBA/SP or the GCN. This is pretty much all that is known. Check the article on IGNcube. http://cube.ign.com/articles/473/473998p1.html Now, let the speculating begin! Is this a smart business move on Nintendo's part? I mean, obviously, Sony's PSP is coming out, and at least in some way, this is meant to combat it some. Now, will this innovative feature get enough support and hype to be able to draw gamers to it, or will it just split the GBA and NDS system, letting PSP look better on paper? I for one, thing Nintendo must have some great game idea that necessitated a whole nother screen. We can't concieve what that is, but its sure to be awesome. Now, we have to have more than one awesome game, so the true telling factor will be 3rd party support. Will other companies be willing to delve into this feature? Or will they just create a little gimmick for the second screen and not use the full potential of the 2nd screen. Also, the last telling factor will be backwards compatability. It is supposed to be stand alone, but allowing GBA games to be played would greatly increase the game library immeadiately, and attract many more consumers. However, since the format probably isn't compatible (cartridges are a thing of the past pretty much), how much would the extra slot drive the price up? This is an epochal move on Nintendo's part. With the current situation of Nintendo, this could make or break several plans in development. Another flop like Virtual Boy could seriously injure the company. But, I think knowing this, I respect Nintendo that much more for willing to try out and risk a whole lot on a concept they obviously believe in. __________________ Chattanooga Pokémon League Leader "The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force."

01/22/2004, 08:45 PM	#14
Red5bv06 Frontier Brain	Ah Anaconda, nice to hear from an insider of sorts in the biz. I know developers will use the dual screens to their advantage, but there is so much potential. Will they just use the screen to have bonus stuff and clean up the "main" screen, or be truly revolutionary? Of course, that's where costs come in. Will it be too expensive to develop for this system and will creating full use of both screens cost even more? If too many games go the route of the bonus info theory, it would harm the credibility of the system. I think the given example of a soccer game where one screen has the whole field while the other zooms on one player is a lame example. Any more game ideas? __________________ Chattanooga Pokémon League Leader "The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force."

01/26/2004, 08:52 AM	#19
Dek Blog Entries: 4	After hearing about the NIntendo DS, I can already thkn of some good ideas as to why they would do it. 1. New Pokemon releases in the far beyond future, where one screen would have teh attacks and the other screen shows the animations. 2. Future system/Gamecube connectivity. 3. To compete with Sony's PSP (they did say, after all, that GBA wasnt going to compete with PSP...) 4. Maybe to make some money (and fast!) __________________ Let's go to Da Beach!!!

01/15/2004, 08:12 AM	#1
LTEDDYBEAR	Nintendo Mystery Machine? I read in the Feb of GamePro that Nintendo;s going to be releasing a new gaming system soon? Is this true? It said that they weren't sure if was going to replace the GBA or GC, it might even be a total different system. Anybody have any other news on it? __________________ I heard this from a song, please read. And when they ask me why I do what I do, and why I can't understand their point of view. And why I can't live with-out my Bows & Guns, it's a simple answer, IT'S THE THRILL OF THE HUNT. Thanks for reading. Please don't try and Ban hunting, everybody likes something different.

01/15/2004, 03:42 PM	#3
Silver Chaos	No, they said they wont be able to get it out in 2005. __________________ http://web.1asphost.com/poketruck/silver.png The Under Dog

01/16/2004, 06:35 AM	#5
Joe Monkey	The N5, I like that I still think there is more games they sould do with the GCN:D __________________ It has come to my atention that this forum now has nothing, good bye all!!! PS: god hates fan boys!!!

01/18/2004, 06:53 PM	#6
Kyfogre22	Arthas, u're a sega.com person? I was but my account doesn't work anymore. Anyway, it has yet to be confirmed that nintendo is releasing a new console. They were quoted as saying 'we have... a big announcement to make at [this year's] E3.' BTW: E3 = May. I'm going to see myself, taking a little trip. __________________ 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0

01/19/2004, 09:09 AM	#8
Kyfogre22	From your name it looks like you're a WC fan (I am aah-thas. FOR THE KING!!11!!11!1111!!!), now I'm lost. lol Number two would be good, but because they couldn't use a universal drive (NES is 92-pin, SNES is 68, N64 is 44, GB is like 6), that would be one big prehipial. IMO, a new GB would be more likely, because there hasn't been a new GB system sience 2000, and with the PSP (Cough LYNX Cough, yes I'm saying it's going to fail miserably) coming up Nintendo's gonna need to prepare with some dreamcast-esque technology of it's own ;) __________________ 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0

01/22/2004, 02:04 PM	#11
Kyfogre22	thats either a hoax or buisness suicide. 1)No backwards compatability?! That means they have to start from scratch. 2)There's no telling if it will gather enough Third-Party support. __________________ 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0

01/22/2004, 03:39 PM	#12
Joe Monkey	I don't think this is going to fly. (But if it had jets on it, then it would ) __________________ It has come to my atention that this forum now has nothing, good bye all!!! PS: god hates fan boys!!! Last edited by Joe Monkey; 01/22/2004 at 09:01 PM.

01/22/2004, 06:29 PM	#13
Kyfogre22	Maybe it can use its two screens to fly XD __________________ 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0

01/24/2004, 10:03 AM	#16
Kyfogre22	Yup. Great technology has gone to waste so many times, but one innovative example that I've seen put to good use was Dreamcast's VMU's. The minigames were great and they actually had in-game functions (fur fighter's hiding data, various other things)that made a huge difference if you had one. __________________ 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0

01/24/2004, 02:53 PM	#17
Dunjohn	I'm a member of the Nintendo's official European site, and the following greeted me when I logged on earlier tonight: "Mystery Product" to Launch Later this Year An unprecedented approach to video game play -- holding two separate game screens in the palm of your hands -- hits the scene later this year when Nintendo introduces a new portable game system, Nintendo DS (temporary name). Today's announcement is just a glimpse of the additional features and benefits that will be shown in full at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles in May. Once fully revealed, players will see the innovative advance in game interaction. From information made available today, players can look forward to being able to manage their game progress from two different perspectives, enhancing both the speed and strategy of the challenge. For example in a football game, you can view the whole game on one screen, while simultaneously focusing on an individual footballer's tackle or goal on the other screen. Players will no longer be forced to interrupt game play to shift perspective, such as moving from a wide shot to a close up, or alternating between a character's ongoing battle and a map of their environment. Nintendo DS makes it possible to perform the tasks in real time by simply glancing from one screen to the other. Satoru Iwata, Nintendo president, explains: "We have developed Nintendo DS based upon a completely different concept from existing game devices in order to provide players with a unique entertainment experience for the 21st century" Nintendo DS features two separate 3" TFT LCD display panels, separate processors, and semiconductor memory of up to 1 Gigabit. It is scheduled to launch worldwide before the end of 2004. In addition to Nintendo developed software, the company is in discussions with third party game developers around the world. Nintendo DS will be marketed separately from the existing Nintendo Game Boy Advance portable system and Nintendo GameCube home console. Way forward or gimmick? I hate to beat up on a new system before it launches, I actually, really do, but I just can't get the memories of the Virtua Boy out of my head. Two screens; it's either revolutionary, or idiotic. Can we expect other companies to follow Nintendo's lead with this sort of creative thinking? A machine that stands out as much as this does is going to need friends. __________________ There are two kinds of people in this world; those who play Magic and those who play Pokémon. Those who play neither aren't really people. Dec 2007: Status officially downgraded from "Occasional to Rare Visitor" to "Inactive." It's been great guys! Last edited by Dunjohn; 01/24/2004 at 02:56 PM. Reason: Italics didn't work...

01/25/2004, 10:15 AM	#18
Kyfogre22	We can't expect other marketers to be creative. Microsoft is just in it to make money, and Sony's most creative idea is touchpad buttons on PSP. __________________ 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0

01/27/2004, 11:23 AM	#20
Kyfogre22	1. There are so many better things they can do with a second screen. 2. Probably. 3. GBA has a solid platform, it can compete with GBA darn good. 4. Ittl make money if it doesn't cost too much... cough n-gage cough __________________ 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0

01/27/2004, 12:16 PM	#21
Dunjohn	What would I like to see done with two screens? Ehmm... In platformers or RPGs, combat could be deepened by showing a standard top-down or over-the-shoulder view on one screen, while the other would be first-person, allowing precise moves and judgment of distances. Imagine dueling the guy in front of you in F-P, while being aware of the two guys behind you and dodging/slashing accordingly. Legolas simulator, anyone? Stealth game uses are obvious. Keep Snake in action while the bug/camera/remote does it's work. Or, picture an escape scene where you have to pelt it throught a series of corridors (screen 1) while working a keypad (screen 2) to stop the bomb, or something. The crazy Myamoto game. Whenever it's faced with a radical new departure, Nintendo can be counted on to come up with at least one completely new, unheard-of idea. There's absolutely no point in trying to guess what it will be with DS. It'll just happen. They're the simple, off-the-head ideas. It's virtually guaranteed that not every game will use the two screens for completely different functions; many will likely just take the opportunity to unclog some status bars from the main screen. __________________ There are two kinds of people in this world; those who play Magic and those who play Pokémon. Those who play neither aren't really people. Dec 2007: Status officially downgraded from "Occasional to Rare Visitor" to "Inactive." It's been great guys!

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