At their press conference, Nintendo displayed their latest handheld, tentatively titled the Nintendo DS. This dual-screened system is equipped with many features and seems to be the perfect answer to the Sony PSP.
The wide, flip open handheld contains the traditional D-Pad, four buttons, as well as 2 analog controls at the corners. Each screen can be programmed to display both 2D and 3D graphics, allowing the developers of the game to utilize the display in entirely new ways.
Depending on the desire of the developer, a game can display a map on one screen, while allowing you to be immersed in the 3D world on the other. Or if desired, the game could spread across both screens allowing twice as much area for gameplay.
Nintendo was proud to explain that there was more to this machine than its two screens. The DS is backwards compatible with all GameBoy games using two slots (one for the DS cartridges and one for the GB and GBA games). Yes, the DS uses cartridges like Nintendo?s previous handhelds, but their reason for this is to utilize the non-existent load times and allow for backwards compatibility.
Nintendo then went on to boast the DS? dual wireless setup. One mode allows you to connect with up to 16 other DS players within a 100-foot radius for multiplayer or messaging applications. And if you have access to a wireless network or internet, then the DS? Wi-Fi compatibility will allow you to interact with another DS user.
An interesting twist for this system is the fact that the bottom screen is a touch screen and allows the player to interact with the game on a whole new level. At first I was skeptical about this. I was worried that this radically different interface style wouldn?t feel right, but when I got my hands on it and started playing some of the games and tech demos on display, I fell in love with the ease of use and the simple system.
The handheld also contains an internal microphone and headphone jacks (thankfully).
Several games were on display with the DS. These games include a new Metroid game where the bottom screen is a first person perspective (like that found in Metroid?s GameCube games) and the top was a map. This game showed off the DS? graphics capabilities the most. Though it doesn?t reach the level of the GameCube, its graphical prowess surpasses the Nintendo 64 easily.
Another game shown was Mario 64x4 where you can play the classic N64 game with up to three of your friends. There were also such games and tech demos as Wario Ware Inc. DS and a sci-fi themed air hockey game.
Though this device seems to be a reaction to the other handheld units attempting to make their mark, Nintendo?s focus on the younger gamer for the DS will probably allow the DS and PSP to coexist.