Datel, makers of things for consoles such as cheat cards and other wondrous peripherals sadly ignored by everyone else, has announced that it will soon be releasing a 4GB hard drive for Nintendo's DS portable, offering massive multimedia capabilities to its ballooning userbase.
The device is based (we assume) around the HD Datel launched for the PSP and comes with software enabling DS users to store and play music, image and movie files, though of course, publishers and Nintendo will view the storage unit with suspicion.
Security issues have blighted every Nintendo handheld to date, with Flash cards and writers available within weeks of machines hitting the market. Home piracy is compounded by Chinese operations centred in Honk Kong offering copied games, or game cards featuring up to 50 full titles, available at a fraction of the price of official software demands.
Datel did not make reference to any homebrew capabilities it's DS hard disc might contain.
However, those looking for a device for homebrew or anything else for that matter will have to dig deep to trick out their DS. Datel is reportedly going to ask a whopping $225 in the US for the unit, likely forcing it well out of the reach of most. Especially when you consider that at this price, American gamers could equip themselves with various iPod options, or even a PSP for pocket change difference.