Spike, kudos for bringing this thread up. See folks, actual discussions do take place on FileForums
Anyways, at the time the discussion in this thread took place, Nintendo had yet to announce the DS System. That was only about 18 months ago. Now Nintendo is ready to launch in the US and Japan this November/December (from what I think I have read, the US gets the system first?). Web Advertising has started, and I'm sure in the US and Japan, TV Advertising is currently in full swing. Again, Europe is being treated badly as we wont see the DS until March 2005. But thats another discussion right there
The reason I point this out is that I feel Nintendo might have done a rush job on this System, just to answer the perceived threat that the PSP might be. The PSP was announced first (was that at E32003?), Nintendo, at the time, basically gave SONY the finger, and now Nintendo have a new System and ready to launch before the PSP? Thats messed up.
From what I have been reading as well, the developers for the DS are finding it tricky to come up with a Gimmick in order to use the Dual Screen feature. Heck, the Mario Kart DS one sounds lame to me; the second, lower, screen is basically a map of the track you are racing. Again, Nintendo insists on milking its mascot, Mario, for all he's worth.
The PSP on the other hand, is basically getting ports of familier Playstation franchises like Gran Turismo and Metal Gear. Thats the ****ing problem with the current generation of Consoles, the
Publishers focus on milking brands instead of trying to be inventive and making new ones.
Personally, I dont think either System will sell even half of what the GBA has sold. The developers love making games for that little beast (Best selling console of all time
). They wont abandon that machine overnight, and I think its wrong to say that its marketed soley at kids. I see more teenie boppers with it, heck I have one and I'm 23
. I think the older generation enjoy the fact they can visit yesteryear through the GB/GBA and enjoy such classics like Mario Kart all over again (still the only game I own for it)
In terms of exterior looks, both systems look ugly too....
