uhmm......the top screen is in no way related to the bottom screen.....

I call BS Lite.

The DS Lite was a revision that need to happen because the first DS was ugly and unpopular, facing the threat of the much slicker PSP. It's far too soon for Nintendo to introduce a new platform (like the one pictured in the mockup above) because it wouldn't be compatible with previous games and developers would throw a fit. And there's no real reason for it - the DS is doing very well. There's little that can be done to improve the DS Lite at this point except maybe trimming the fat a bit, or improving the battery life, which might happen but I think it's unlikely.

Almost looks like a mash-up of a bad jak and daxter wanna-be and Advance Wars on bottom.

it's still a kid's game. no adult should be caught dead with this thing!

It's Battalion Wars for the DS.

WTF - I wish theyd just focus on making enough friggin WII's so I can appease the spousal unit.

@weatherman: While I agree that there is no way there is going to be a new DS yet, the original DS was hardly unpopular. While not as meteoric in sales as the revision, the original DS still trumped previous handheld sales.

Something unpopular does not do that.

@riqgeez:
Says the guy with a Thundercats avatar...

Hopefully the make it more ergonomicnthan the existing release

@riqgeez: you're dead inside. People like you deserve to miss out on all the great games you do.

I doubt that they would remove the GBA port. The upcoming Guitar Hero On Tour game, which is sure to be one of DS's best sellers ever, makes use of that port.

@tutelary: Dead or not I laughed so hard a drop or two came out!

I remember buying the DS on release date and Mario 64 DS. Then I bought nothing else for the system until Advance War DS came out and then there was another huge gap in terms of AAA titles. Once the DS lite came out there was almost a resurrection in terms of software (also when lite came out you could easily walk into stores and get one) and then that holiday season people were practically stabbing each other to get the system. If a new DS is in the works for a release this winter or next, Nintendo is most likely looking at their biggest holiday quarter to date. The DS was a success, DS lite printed money, and a next gen DS handheld would be on par with consumer electronics alchemy.

@jcrockerman: Or is so related that it just blew your mind?

The DS was released in 11/2004 and the GBA was released in 6/2001; so an early 2009 release makes perfect since. The Micro GBA was released in 2005; so another smaller DS lite edition would make sense as well. They need to release another DS because the graphics really piss me off as I am sure they do others. I don't care how fun the N-fanboys say the games are. A GOOD game has to excel in all areas, but the big N has a good track record of disappointing people so they will probably still be shittier than the PSPone.

Please nintendo. Give me a reason to use my Wii. SSB 2.1 isn't enough.

@hatboysam: If i every see someone using that thing. I am going to hardcore make fun of him, and I play GH/RB as much as the next guy

Two things I'd like to see in the next DS... built-in Opera Browser and built-in rumble. Oh, and louder speakers.

They can't change one screen size without messing up all games that expect both screens to be the same size and a certain distance apart. Keep in mind that bigger screen with the same resolution = jaggier pixels.

Rumor or not, this is FANTASTIC news for me, i decided last week that it was time for me to get a DS.

Ive been holding out for various reasons, and today was gonna be the day. UNTIL i saw this, now i have an excuse to hold out a little longer.

@riqgeez: Apologize to baby Jebus. You basically drop-kicked him by the head.

@navstar: They could just letterbox the older games like the current DS does with GBA games.

A real OS for the system would be huge too.

When it comes along you can bet that the Next Nintendo handheld will feature WiFi Broadband and on board memory.

@kingbob337:
I think it looks really cool. Depending on execution it could be a lot of fun.

One screen is enoguh, thanks.

(I'd buy it, if it only had 1 screen. I'm getting too confused with those double-screen-mumba-jumba.)

*enough

(Darn keyboard again)

Anybody else remember Nintendo saying that the DS wasn't the Gameboy replacement and that we'd see it again later?

Were they saying that in case the DS Flopped or is there a chance there might be another truly portable portable again... The DS and PSP are not pocket material... I want to see something like sp again.

@riqgeez: LOL. Narrowminded some?

Just a reminder: Pic isn't the actual thing.

I dunno... I don't see a reason to release yet another version of the DS unless it's DS2... something with more processing power, bigger screens, and more functionalities.

Don't really care for louder speakers and better battery life, but a better browser would be great. Because I bought that damn Opera, used once, and quoting the raven "nevermore".

I think the duel screen idea still has merit but they definitely need to upgrade the graphics and internet capabilities if they bring out an updated version.
A smaller form factor would help to make it far more portable, its a bit bulky. Now if you could store some games inside that would be awesome, but probably will never happen.

@the chansen: What you say is true but I think you may be missing the biggest point here. In order for a remodel to be worth the time and effort, there need to be significant improvements made to the model. Improvements that will entice the consumer into wanting to buy a remodel, even if he or she already has the original. Considering how small and light the DS Lite already is, I don't see a size or weight reduction again being cause enough for a redesign. The guess that Jason Chen makes about them removing the GBA port from the system entirely to save on production costs is a good one, but for the consumer it simply means reduced out of the box functionality and that certainly won't sell a new system over the older ones. I refuse to hazard a guess as to what features Nintendo might be looking to introduce on a redesign that would entice us to buy it, but I'd gladly toss out some ideas. *Replace (not remove) the GBA slot with an SD memory card slot: As with any system, added storage space opens up a world of opportunities. Also, this would allow for more inter-connectivity between the new DS and the Wii, which is I will touch upon next. *Greater out of the box connectivity between the new DS and the Wii: Can someone please explain to me why the heck the DS can't be used as a wireless controller for the Wii? There are plenty of games that this would work for just fine, as well as the majority of Virtual Console games. Speaking of Virtual Console, how about the ability to transfer VC titles to the DS for play on the go? Hello aforementioned SD slot. Wouldn't take much as it would be the SAME CARD YOU PUT INTO THE WII. Think of the added functionality this would also bring to Wii games, having two extra screens on the controller itself. The Dreamcast touched on this, but think of the possibilities. Multiplayer football games where each player could not only choose his or her play on the privacy of their controller's screen, but actually DRAW how they want the play to go. Multiplayer RPGs where each player controls their inventory, stat gains, and item usage independently and in real time. So many possibilities. Upgrade of the GPU: Probably the most significant upgrade they could make to the redesign as far as system functionality would be an upgrade to the graphical abilities of the DS. How about Gamecube quality graphics? How about then being able to port Gamecube games to the DS. There's always talk about how the Cube was the redheaded stepchild of the Nintendo lineup (really? I thought that was the VirtualBoy. Oh wait, he was the drunken-uncle-who-threw-up-on-your-sofa-and-passed-out-naked-on-the-floor of the Nintendo lineup), but the DS is doing stellar. How better to give the games that never got the exposure they deserved a second chance? Heckfire, it's perfectly plausible that if Nintendo loved you (they don't) they could let you put a Gamecube game in your wii and copy the game data to the DS for portable play. They could do that (they won't). Personally, I'd love to hear more ideas bandied about. While this is just a rumor, there's nothing wrong with hearing what folks would think would be worthy changes or additions to a new DS remodel. Please, let's hear what you all have to say :)

I want a DS UMPC. They would just have to make the DS 2-3 times bigger (not thicker though) and add more features that don't require cartridges (like web browser, e-mail, word processor, etc.). The bottom screen should be multitouch for typing and the screen should be higher resolution but be still look good when upscaling cartridges that already came out. It would be an Asus eee killer.

As long as it uses the WIImote's tilt technology, that takes gaming to a new extreme.

@Final: I think it's safe to say that Nintendo was being cautious during that time and was unsure how much a success or failure the DS was going to be.

I believe Kotaku had an article about Nintendo experimenting with ROMS via SD card. I wasn't able to find the article but did find another one [kotaku.com] . Take note at the end of the article where the author speculates on downloadable GB and GBA games.

It'll be silly to get rid of the gba port. They should actually make it fully backwards compatible and give it some hard drive space or a card reader so one can put stuff on it. Seriously now it doesn't need to be that much cheaper.

As long as there will not be "revolutionary" controls, I am down with a new ds.

@Nikongmer: Right. It's to be expected seeing how well the Wii's Virtual Console is doing overall. I could easily see Nintendo making Wiiware and VC games DSA (Dual Screen Advance) compatible. The real point to the idea is that Nintendo has two hit systems on their hands. They have the ability to cross the two systems over in a level of interconnectivity that up to this point has been nothing more than a gimmick really. Being able to not only use the DS as an effective controller for the Wii but also using the Wii as a games hub that you can transfer games to your DS from, not only increases the value of the individual systems in the eyes of the consumer but also makes the systems far more marketable to consumers who already have one of the two systems. Wii owners would have more reason to buy a DS and DS owners would have more reason to buy a Wii.

The only reason would Nintendo do this is to save production costs (by removing gba compatibility, for example).

a new model for the current DS being unveiled a very low maybe, but a next gen DS, may (may not?) get a mention.... Well maybe then it is possible to get mentioned then the next year they give details then the following year they unveil it.

I hope that if they ever do announce one it be soon because I'm a first generation DS owner and I'm itching to get a newer and better version.

@Guu: when your comment is LONGER than the article..FAIL

@One2ManyCords: When you dis someone for actually having an opinion and voicing it...FAIL

If they made a bigger screen DS I'd consider upgrading, but NOT if they remove the GBA slot. I still need to catch up on a lot of great GBA games.

I like my DS lite just fine thank you.

Why does the concept art have a Start AND a Pause button? Where's the Select? What the DS needs is storage space for Virtual Console titles transferred from your Wii. VC on the Go! Removing the GBA Slot-2 is a no-go. I think the DS Lite is perfect and as small as it should be. Anything smaller, you'd have to Mod yourself.

With Guitar Hero: On Tour using an adapter that fits in the GBA slot, coupled with the many uses third generation games have in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, I don't think that Nintendo would do away with the GBA slot, at least any time soon.

Also, as a purchaser of the original DS, I've noticed it's become much harder to find accessories (carrying cases, styli) that fit my system. It's not fair to be forced to choose between keeping my old and functioning system and being able to buy a stylus that fits. If a new DS is released, all current DS owners may end up with the same choice.

Give me a slim, cool gamepad accessory for iPhone and I would give my DS away in an instant. :))

@riqgeez: Well, being caught dead with a DS would be pretty useless now wouldn't it? Much rather be caught alive with it, thanks.
You should follow what Kaiser-Machead told you. Baby Jesus is dying of internal hemorrhage.

I don't think they'll remove the GBA slot, especially with Guitar Hero coming to the DS. They may be adding support for connection with the Wii and the Wii store, as is with the PSP and the PS3.

A GOOD game has to excel in all areas, but the big N has a good track record of disappointing people so they will probably still be shittier than the PSPone.

@kingbob337: As an owner of both a DS lite and a PSP I'm going to have to disagree with you. A GOOD game needs to be fun because a fun game with mediocre graphics is still fun.

@kingbob337:

Your comment is laughable at best. For starters you called SSBB SSB2.1 meaning you actually must suck very badly at both Melee and Brawl to not realize the VERY obvious differences between them as they are completely different.

Secondly if you're going to complain about graphics maybe you started gaming in the PS2 era. In which case I feel sorry for you and advise you to hold your tongue in conversations about games since you have no experience. Anyone whose played an Atari, NES, SNES, Genesis, and all the other ORIGINAL gaming console while find a DS game fun regardless of graphics. It's only the pseudo-gamers like you who complain.

@NeoAkira:

*gaming consoles will find

Honestly I'm calling BS on this too. Of all the Gameboy systems, each system's graphics were upgraded to the previous console. Gameboy was about the same as the NES without the color which was upgraded to color around the same time the SNES came out. Soon the Advance came out when the Gamecube was introduced. Now the DS has the graphics equilivent of an N64. But this new version looks like Gamecube graphics, graphics that haven't upgraded since 2006 or so. I doubt Nintendo would release a handheld system that already still looks like it's current system. Call it a long shot, but that's where my ideas are going. Plus the DS is still pretty new.

@NeoAkira:

Haha dude I'd dominate you with Young link in Melee and with the Chu in brawl. Or if I wanted to make quick work of you, I could use toon link and just juggle you around non stop, never letting you touch the ground.

@kingbob337:

Glad to see my verbal bitchslap left you pouting and crying insults from behind a net of anonymity. Good job showing you had no reply to your stupidity.

@kingbob337: Omg shut up.

I really think that if Nintendo is going to update the DS with a built in web browser, no GBA slot, better graphics, and an SD slot they might as well create a whole new system. The DS Lite was no different from the origional DS in terms of the system of gameplay. Just a brighter screen, a smaller GBA slot, different types of buttons, and a lighter unit. The DS/DS lite just sold 50 million units recently and routinely outsells the PSP, why change that? Also with the upcoming release of Guitar Hero on Tour with an attachment for the GBA slot I doubt that Nintendo is going to unviel a new main portable console to overshadow the DS.

@mr30gZune: #1, Zunes suck. I own both a Zune (30g) and an iPod. #2, don't buy a DS.