Rumors are interesting things. The more their viral presence increases, the more likely they are to be true. Having said that, some tasty speculations are under way regarding a wildly popular handheld gaming device.
If any video game system is in need of an update, it's the Nintendo DS. Despite several iterations like the DS Lite and the DSi, the core processing power and feature set hasn't really improved since it's original release in 2004. What was revolutionary 6 years ago has been improved upon graphically and stylistically with products like the iPod Touch.
SPEAKING OF APPLE:
Several anonymous sources from inside this year's Game Developers Conference have leaked that the Nintendo DS2 is in development, and may even have an accelerometer (the device inside an iPhone that detects movement), reports Raymond Padilla of Shacknews. (please Nintendo, we still want our buttons!)
IN DEVELOPMENT:
Clues to a system's features and power can normally be found by examining it's development kit (which is what developers use to create the games), and according to these anonymous sources, the successor to the Nintendo DS could be as graphically powerful as the Gamecube. It will reportedly be powered by an NVidia Tegra chip (currently being used in the Zune HD).
Several developers also told Padilla they are working on DS2 games scheduled to be finished by the end of 2010.
Also of note: The DS2 will certainly still have two screens, but the distance between them will be tiny, possibly allowing you to combine them into one large display.
Keep in mind that none of this is official news, but it does come from a reputable reporter with deep connections in the industry. Certainly Nintendo is working on the next proper DS, and we can only hope it's as powerful as these rumors suggest.
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