Nintendo DS – Release Dates, Full Spec Sheet, Pricing and More!
Dual Screen first from trap with essential details
PictoChat
Nintendo has made the first move in the ever-escalating war of attrition with Sony for the handheld gaming market, announcing full specs, pricing and release dates for the DS in two key territories.
Outlining the strategy for the US, Nintendo designated November 21st as the roll-out date, revealing a price point of $149.99. SPOnG believes it fair to say that both of these pieces of information come as a slight surprise, with most analysts predicting a launch in December with an asking price closer to $200.
Nintendo Japan has also played its hand, revealing a December 2nd release date for the DS, with an asking price of 15,000 yen - equating to around $136.
And what does this mean for European gamers? Not a great deal right now it must be said. Both Europe and Australia still has a Q1 2005 date, more than likely meaning the console will strike retail around Easter. As for pricing, if we take the US RRP, you can equate a tag of around £84, or 122 Euros. This will no doubt be rounded up somewhat, probably to £99 and 149 Euros.
In other news, a full spec sheet was shown detailing the DS for the first time from official Nintendo sources, repeated verbatim below:
Size (when closed):
148.7 millimetres (5.85 inches) wide, 84.7 millimetres (3.33 inches) long, 28.9 millimetres (1.13 inches) tall
Top Screen:
A backlit, 3-inch, semitransparent reflective TFT colour LCD with 256 x 192 pixel resolution and .24 mm dot pitch, capable of displaying 260,000 colours
Touch Screen:
Same specs as top screen, but with a transparent analogue touch screen
Wireless Communication:
IEEE 802.11 and Nintendo’s proprietary format; wireless range is 30 to 100 feet, depending on circumstances; multiple users can play multiplayer games using just one DS Game Card
Controls:
Touch screen, embedded microphone for voice recognition, A/B/X/Y face buttons, plus control pad, L/R shoulder buttons, Start and Select buttons
Input/Output:
Ports for both Nintendo DS Game Cards and Game Boy Advance Game Paks, terminals for stereo headphones and microphone
Other features:
Embedded PictoChat software that allows up to 16 users to chat at once; embedded real-time clock; date, time and alarm; touch-screen calibration
CPUs:
One ARM9 and one ARM7
Sound:
Stereo speakers providing virtual surround sound, depending on the software
Battery:
Lithium ion battery delivering six to 10 hours of play on a four-hour charge, depending on use; power-saving sleep mode; AC adapter
Languages:
English, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Italian
Colours Available:
Silver and black
Of note, the battery choice rises to the forefront of most discussions. Although ten hours is a decent enough span of play, SPOnG wonders why, with plummeting prices across the sector, the superior lithium polymer cell wasn’t a preferred choice.
SPOnG is expecting to spend some time with Nintendo US within the next two or three weeks, discussing all things DS, so rest assured, we will be putting the important grey areas of today’s announcement under the spotlight.
Stay tuned for updates!
Outlining the strategy for the US, Nintendo designated November 21st as the roll-out date, revealing a price point of $149.99. SPOnG believes it fair to say that both of these pieces of information come as a slight surprise, with most analysts predicting a launch in December with an asking price closer to $200.
Nintendo Japan has also played its hand, revealing a December 2nd release date for the DS, with an asking price of 15,000 yen - equating to around $136.
And what does this mean for European gamers? Not a great deal right now it must be said. Both Europe and Australia still has a Q1 2005 date, more than likely meaning the console will strike retail around Easter. As for pricing, if we take the US RRP, you can equate a tag of around £84, or 122 Euros. This will no doubt be rounded up somewhat, probably to £99 and 149 Euros.
In other news, a full spec sheet was shown detailing the DS for the first time from official Nintendo sources, repeated verbatim below:
Size (when closed):
148.7 millimetres (5.85 inches) wide, 84.7 millimetres (3.33 inches) long, 28.9 millimetres (1.13 inches) tall
Top Screen:
A backlit, 3-inch, semitransparent reflective TFT colour LCD with 256 x 192 pixel resolution and .24 mm dot pitch, capable of displaying 260,000 colours
Touch Screen:
Same specs as top screen, but with a transparent analogue touch screen
Wireless Communication:
IEEE 802.11 and Nintendo’s proprietary format; wireless range is 30 to 100 feet, depending on circumstances; multiple users can play multiplayer games using just one DS Game Card
Controls:
Touch screen, embedded microphone for voice recognition, A/B/X/Y face buttons, plus control pad, L/R shoulder buttons, Start and Select buttons
Input/Output:
Ports for both Nintendo DS Game Cards and Game Boy Advance Game Paks, terminals for stereo headphones and microphone
Other features:
Embedded PictoChat software that allows up to 16 users to chat at once; embedded real-time clock; date, time and alarm; touch-screen calibration
CPUs:
One ARM9 and one ARM7
Sound:
Stereo speakers providing virtual surround sound, depending on the software
Battery:
Lithium ion battery delivering six to 10 hours of play on a four-hour charge, depending on use; power-saving sleep mode; AC adapter
Languages:
English, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Italian
Colours Available:
Silver and black
Of note, the battery choice rises to the forefront of most discussions. Although ten hours is a decent enough span of play, SPOnG wonders why, with plummeting prices across the sector, the superior lithium polymer cell wasn’t a preferred choice.
SPOnG is expecting to spend some time with Nintendo US within the next two or three weeks, discussing all things DS, so rest assured, we will be putting the important grey areas of today’s announcement under the spotlight.
Stay tuned for updates!
Companies:
Nintendo
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Comments
Kaxxx 21 Sep 2004 10:51
1/14
Very impressive handheld and now a very impressive price. I cant see the PSP matching this price tag but surely Sony cant afford to release the console for anymore than $199 in the US.
Alot of people will be importing im sure.
Alot of people will be importing im sure.
ohms 21 Sep 2004 11:11
2/14
WOW! I was thinking of getting an SP fairly soon-ish, but at that price I may have to wait for a DS.
Might be better off actually importing one then waiting for the inflated UK price.
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Joji 21 Sep 2004 11:12
3/14
All looks good across the spec front, but I expect the battery choice was made a while ago and it might be hard to change it now. Perhaps in the future they might use the lithium polymer cell instead to improve play time. For now they just wanna get the thing off the ground.
The price of about 90 pounds make sense, since that was the GBASP's former price tag, and to be honest all previous GBs have been that price. What this spec sheet doesn't say is the price of the DS games, which makes me wonder what they have planned. I'd like to see a price drop on all GBA games to 15-20 pounds, while DS games go for 25-30 pounds. If they do this it'd be great for all buying a DS, to be able to pick from both types of game on release day.
As for the Pictochat software I think it's great that they are giving us something with our hand held. It might not be a proper game, but it helps. Not since the first GB and Tetris have we been given something like this, cheers Nintendo. It might not be a proper game but it helps. Perhaps some specific game included DS packs will follow in time.
I hope Game are taking deposits soon, cause I wanted mine yesterday.
The price of about 90 pounds make sense, since that was the GBASP's former price tag, and to be honest all previous GBs have been that price. What this spec sheet doesn't say is the price of the DS games, which makes me wonder what they have planned. I'd like to see a price drop on all GBA games to 15-20 pounds, while DS games go for 25-30 pounds. If they do this it'd be great for all buying a DS, to be able to pick from both types of game on release day.
As for the Pictochat software I think it's great that they are giving us something with our hand held. It might not be a proper game, but it helps. Not since the first GB and Tetris have we been given something like this, cheers Nintendo. It might not be a proper game but it helps. Perhaps some specific game included DS packs will follow in time.
I hope Game are taking deposits soon, cause I wanted mine yesterday.
YenRug 21 Sep 2004 12:38
4/14
I'm looking forward to being in LA from 13th to 27th November! :D Just hope there's enough in stock for me to get my hands on one.
As to game pricing, you can expect DS games to be potentially cheaper thant GBA games, with DS cards being about 30% cheaper to make than GBA carts. Though you have the problem of more complex games requiring larger development costs, hopefully it should still mean cheaper DS games.
As to game pricing, you can expect DS games to be potentially cheaper thant GBA games, with DS cards being about 30% cheaper to make than GBA carts. Though you have the problem of more complex games requiring larger development costs, hopefully it should still mean cheaper DS games.
Kaxxx 21 Sep 2004 12:45
5/14
I dont think ive heard any news on wether this thing is universal as far as games go.
Anyone heard anything cofirmed yet?
Anyone heard anything cofirmed yet?
Kaxxx 21 Sep 2004 13:26
6/14
More news just released is the DS will come packed not only with Pictochat but also with Metroid Prime:First Hunt.
Just gets better and better.
link: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/gear/entertainment/2004-09-21-nintendo-ds-launch_x.htm
Just gets better and better.
link: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/gear/entertainment/2004-09-21-nintendo-ds-launch_x.htm
Brown Force 21 Sep 2004 13:38
7/14
Woah...looks like November is going to be the golden month of gaming for me. Halo 2 and Pro Evolution 4 (Xbox) on the same week. Splinter Cell Chaos Theory (I think) Forza and Paper Mario. And now DS! Hopefully they'll be no regional lock. There shouldn't be.
I'll be importing mine then. Go Nintendo!
I'll be importing mine then. Go Nintendo!
Joji 21 Sep 2004 13:47
8/14
Well spotted Kaxxx. Damn Nintendo, love you lot even more now.
Now that's what you call value for money, something Sony are yet to learn properly. Hope we get the same First Hunters pack here too. What a result.
Now that's what you call value for money, something Sony are yet to learn properly. Hope we get the same First Hunters pack here too. What a result.
Kaxxx 21 Sep 2004 13:54
9/14
Im definetly importing this time Joji, as long as regional lock out isnt in place (dont see why it should as no gameboy ever has).
I dont think i can wait until next year, probably March by the sounds of it.
I dont think i can wait until next year, probably March by the sounds of it.
Joji 21 Sep 2004 14:11
10/14
I might second that. I'll have to check the import prices but I'm so up for it. It's either that or pay for mine in advance of the official release day.
Think I might bag one and walk into Game with it. I love doing that. LOL.
I just wish it was possible to win one off of Spong, now there is an idea. How about that Spong crew, a nice imported US DS or two for a prize? Hope you guys are reading this, and it's about time we had some import stuff as prizes.
Anyone agree?
Think I might bag one and walk into Game with it. I love doing that. LOL.
I just wish it was possible to win one off of Spong, now there is an idea. How about that Spong crew, a nice imported US DS or two for a prize? Hope you guys are reading this, and it's about time we had some import stuff as prizes.
Anyone agree?
Kaxxx 21 Sep 2004 14:18
11/14
Ill second that Joji. Yeah Spong control, we want a DS. :D
Anyway, back to topic. Unfortunately it sounds like that Maetroid title as actually just a demo. :(
However, it does show that Nintendo have finally came around to the idea of demos which the previous declined to do. Interesting for the future i reckon as i didnt think we would ever see demos being released on a Nintendo machine nevermind a handheld.
Anyway, back to topic. Unfortunately it sounds like that Maetroid title as actually just a demo. :(
However, it does show that Nintendo have finally came around to the idea of demos which the previous declined to do. Interesting for the future i reckon as i didnt think we would ever see demos being released on a Nintendo machine nevermind a handheld.
Pandaman 21 Sep 2004 20:31
12/14
I'll have to import mine too.
From the store and into my room on launch day that is.
From the store and into my room on launch day that is.
Ditto 22 Sep 2004 08:03
13/14
I'll be getting one too. Since the DS can play GBA games which have no region lock then I'd imagine that DS games don't either. Looking forward to it. Simple transformer and it's all done.
PSP don't stand a chance.
PSP don't stand a chance.
Kaxxx 22 Sep 2004 08:41
14/14
There are some titles im looking forward to on the PSP but im going to leave it closer to the launch date before i decide on getting one or not.
Having a look round the net at imports sites (for the DS) today and reading up from a few forums about wheres the best place to pick it up. Want to put my preorder in soon.
Having a look round the net at imports sites (for the DS) today and reading up from a few forums about wheres the best place to pick it up. Want to put my preorder in soon.