New DS Announced Next Year?

Ah dammit, As much as I like the idea of a new DS, I have only just bought my DSi, I don’t want a new one to come out so soon! At least a year or two away, to make it feel like I’ve got my money’s worth with my DSi, before I feel the urge to buy the new Nintendo handheld, an urge I will undoubtedly feel strongly. Anyone know if Nvidia chips are any good? I have no idea about chips really at all. Or any knowledge on how powerful these chips or the similar chips in the Zune HD will be/is?

First, in attempt to answer the above question. Nvidia chips are very, very good. They’re the basis of those Geforce graphics cards which have been on the go for years, and more than a few other devices across the years.

I can’t comment on Zune, as I tend to steer clear of Microsoft products, as their Customer Services (and several aspects of their business model) stink.

Knowing Nintendo, though, I do think that these chips are primarily for use in the forthcoming Wii HD “update” console, tentatively pencilled for sometime next year or so. When thinking of a custom chip manufacturer to handle the HD capabilities, Nvidia is one of the couple that spring to mind.

Also, Nintendo being the wily old foxes that they are, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they’re going to look at using the chip in a handheld. But of course, working on a new device is a long, long way (in years) away from releasing the thing.

I bet my life that nothing new handheld-wise will be forthcoming anytime soon, as this would only serve to detract from their current portable consoles. In other words, they’d be cutting of their noses to spite their face(s).

I mean, we haven’t even had a single DSi game yet…

First DSI-only game is on the way though, and it’s a hairdressing sim

FWIW Nvidia may need this deal more than ever. They’re getting reamed in the PC graphics card market by ATI, and other hardware manufacturers are increasingly turning to ATI to come up with the goods (Microsoft have just announced they’ll be certainly using ATI stuff in their next console if not the next two).

The way things are happening for Nvidia at the moment, they’re beginning to sound like 3DFX did just before they bit the big one.

FWIW I still have a 9800 in my rig at home and have always preferred Nvidia’s drivers and support than ATI’s rather workmanlike approach but you can’t argue with the performance stats for a reasonable mid end ATI vs a very expensive Nvidia at the mo for PC gaming at least.

And I was actually considering getting a DSi for a moment. Infact, I was saving up for one. But now, hearing this, I’ll wait!

I’d still get one. Even if Nintendo announces a new handheld next year – and I again stress that this is only a rumour – it won’t be with us for at least another twelve months.