Rumor: Japan to get DSi with even larger screens

(Credit: CNET)

GameSpot on Monday published a report from the Japan-based Nikkei news service saying that a new Nintendo DSi with two larger screens is slated to hit the market as early as this year.

Supposedly, the bump would increase the dual screens' size from 3.25 inches to 4.3 inches. While that sounds like a huge upgrade, there are a few reasons we're just not ready to believe this yet.

First of all, this new redesign would force the production of a brand new casing, something we're not sure Nintendo is ready to spend money on with the DSi still fresh in the market. Second, Siliconera got word from Nintendo PR saying the story is pure speculation.

Finally, we just don't think a 4.3-inch screen for a DS system makes any sense. Since DS games remain locked in a specific resolution, the larger the screen gets, the more likely it is the games won't look as good as they do on a DS lite or DSi. Not to mention a new DS would certainly be the ultimate slap in the face to those who just purchased a DSi.

[jcmark42]

I'm still happy with our DS Lite. There would have to be a drastic change for me to buy a new DS. A larger screen isn't a compelling reason.

[TechnoMan475392]

I had an original DS, lost it, bought the DS Lite, sold it, and finally bought the DSi (all over the course of about 4 years). My favorite has been the DSi just for the extra features, but I see what you mean about not such a compelling reason. The best overall general gaming system in the line has been the DS Lite (the original just sucked in every way). I mainly loved it for the smaller size, screen brightness, and insane battery.

The reasons I got the DSi were because the future camera-enhanced games, media playing, better buttons (quiet like the DS Lite, but really clicky like the original), and bigger screens. The matte finish was just icing on the cake (never really cared for the glossy-ness of the lite).

[DMBoricua]

Why not make the whole interior DS be two wide screens, making the bottom have touch-screen buttons on the sides instead of, well, buttons?

[JordyKun]

That would not fare so well... Most people still want the feel of buttons... Despite the fact that it may be "old" according to some, buttons are a necessity in gaming. Now there may be people out there who will argue this, for example the games that have almost no button interaction at all, or those who are iPhone gamers. Most likely these two types of games are casual games, where one can play them for a brief period of time while they have a break or something to kill 15 minutes or so with.

But in the elimination of physical buttons, this can prove difficult, since with them on screen in sacrifice for screen size, the user must memorize the location of the buttons, and without any physical object, it may be difficult at first to get used to. And either way then, the screen size would become limited because of the sides set off for those buttons, so in reality the entire screen being touch would be reduced to perhaps 2/3 of that due to the touch buttons.

It does not help also that new hardware and interaction with the games would have to be created, and probably most people wouldn't want to switch from a functioning DS lite or DSi with support from many add-ons, for sacrifice of a bigger screen.

[Firehazel]

@jordykun
I agree. although, it would be cool to have a dual screen iPhone esque thing...

[Renegade Knight]

They should make the entire top one large screen. I like my buttons though. It would be hard to go to all touch. I'm giving it a try on the touch and it's lacking on feedback.

[wavesmith]

There have been rumours that this version might feature NXT Soundvu where the screen doubles as a loudspeaker. Any evidence for or against this possibility?

[TechnoMan475392]

I don't have evidence for this, but I hope it doesn't transition to NXT.

I get how it would be good (I have a bunch of little portable NXT speakers) because the sound is really directional, but the sound isn't as rich and full as normal speakers, something I can't sacrifice.
(I use my DSi as a little boombox sometimes because it's just loud enough for me and the sound is pretty spectacular as far as tiny speakers go-or any portable speakers that are priced cheap enough to actually buy, for that matter.)

[Gianni_Simplicio]

Maybe before Nintendo thinks about changing their hand-held game system they should think about adding some games to their online store. It's got me really bummed. Seriously. I've had this DSi for months now and the best they've done is Paper Airplane? I remember playing that on my old 386. Give us the classics from the Advance and the new releases that are coming out for the DS and DSi the way Sony's going with the PSP.

[Renegade Knight]

You are raining on my parade. I'm wishing online stuff will fail so we can keep physical (and resellable) media and here you go and prove me wrong by actually wanting the online games. Oh well, maybe there's room for both of us in the market.

[HamadSH]

If they are going to release DSi with a larger screens in the us ... I think they will release it early next year .... however ... they are going to release the completely new DS this time next year in the Tokyo game show 2010 ... so the question is why will anyone buy the second version of the DSi and there is a completely new one with nvidia chip in it will release by the end of the next year.