Joystiq readers redesign the Nintendo DS
by Conrad Quilty-Harper 
{ Nov 17th 2005 at 9:00AM }
On the heels of a hint from Reggie of Nintendo USA, we
asked our readers to submit their ideas and redesigns for a new Nintendo DS. Ideas ranged from decreasing the distance
between the two screens and making them widescreen to adding gyroscopic functionality like the Revolution controller.
You can read the brilliant ideas our readers have for the DS at
the original article's comment thread.
We promised to post any visual mock-ups of a possible new design, so here they are in order of the time we recieved
the tip. Check out the designs after the jump.
Ryan Coopers design was the first in and was the one that sparked off this little redesign effort. As we mentioned in the last article, this design is heavily inspired by the Apple iBook. Its clean lines and subtle colors make it much very easy on the eye. Now how about a top view Ryan!
Aaron was the next to send in a redesign with his Nintendo DS Nano. No clues as to which device inspired this DS design! Again as a design inspired by an Apple product, it features light colors and clean lines.
Nick had a couple of redesigns made up before we even posted the article, so he kindly linked us to his creations. The designs take cues from Nintendos other portable console, the GameBoy Micro. As we saw in the last two designs, a flat design seems to be more desirable than the DS bottom raised screen. The second design features a very nice looking slide out screen, which hides the fugly hinge and saves space if you only want play a GBA game (or watch a movie?).
M.Almasy sent us in his shiny DS redesign which looks to share some of the PSPs design elements. Although according the creator this design is a basic ergonomic principle and cannot be credited to the PSP. Read his blog entry for more of his musings on what the next DS could look like. Joystiq suggestion: maybe the thumb pad could electronically and physically limit itself to two axis when playing GBA games. For that authentic retro feel.
Anthony Perris design featured a prominent slide screen design. There are some similarities to the Gizmondo (the shape of the console), but theyre not too overwhelming. This design replaces the D-pad with an analog nub controller.
LaserBeams 3D mock-up was one of the most comprehesive redesigns we received. Created in a 3D program, the design seems to be closest to the Nintendo DS itself. According to LaserBeams that was the idea. Design cues from the NDS were used, I wanted to keep the sort of clunky Nintendo look, without it actually being clunky. It certainly seems to have achieved that look. The overall feel is of a more streamlined design that keeps all the old features as well as adds new ones without confusing the user.
We thought wed also look at Nintendos latest redesign effort (with a tongue in cheek). Overall it seems to be a very poor effort on the behalf of Nintendo. The only noticeable change appears to be the overwhelming fake gold color that theyve spray painted over the old silver design. Hopefully this wont result in owners dropping a load of its worth its weight in gold gags.
Thanks to our readers for the overwhelmingly positive response! Were open to posting any more redesigns, so keep em coming.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
vc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
Some of these mockups look fantastic!
jc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
Awesome job everyone, I really like laserbeam's model.
Kamalot @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
I like the idea of the hidden 2nd screen. Perhaps something like the Danger Sidekick would work too.
The DS Nano above (based on the Micro) is especially hot.
rico @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
eh am i the only one that think some of them look like a s##t psp
BXJoseff @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
I would honestly considering buying one if they can come up with a sleeker, smaller design--because as it stands--you can call me lame if you want, I just don't see my 23 year old ass on the NYC Subway playing Mario 64 with a bulky thing like the DS. I still want it though...and I new they were going to redesign it, they redesign the GB every other day.
Jack @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
I like M.Almasy's design it was kinda sleek.
Destin @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
What about a top screen that flips open, then can swivel around and lay back down flat but exposed, like those laptop/tablet PCs?
It seems like that would be more stable and easier to implement than the flipping/sliding screens. And it would still allow you to play GBA games without the whole contraption being "open."
Poragoya @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
if nicks first one came out id sell my normal Ds and then work my ass off to buy that.
one word "sweet"
vx2 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
i love the whole slide-screen thingy..really useful..espescially laserbeam's transformer design..now u can play gba games easier(or watch a movie), and still be able to protect both screens. However i would prefer a more flat plane leveled bottom screen.
DG @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
Laserbeam's looks absolutely terrific. I'm amazed at the talent of some people. My favorite, however, is Aaron's "DS Nano." It's taken from the Revolution controller and looks very sharp. It wouldn't be a bad idea for Nintendo to tie the DS to the Rev, much like the original GBA looked a lot like th GC.
Lectoid @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
I am going out on a limb and saying the screen dimensons (not size) will not change. Doing so would render all current games worthless. If they made a wide screen DS, all the current games would be stretched. But I am for making the screens closer together.
Julio @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
Whats with the "made in china"?
All my nintendo consoles have "made in Japan" under them.
And the designs are forgetting one thing, the DS has a space under the bottom screen to support the tip of the hand while using the stylus, great for those tough Kirby levels.
I cant see myself playing a frantic stylus-only game with any of the designs, and Aaron's one putting a power button where my frantic fingers mighta accidently press it... a disaster.
Functionality over form people, great ideas BTW.
ZaBlanc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
A big question I have is if games like Mario DS et al have 360-degree controller support built in to them already...with the anticipation that it may come.
In other words, is an analog stick a possibility? Will old games retrofit automatically, (i.e., the d-pad is merely an 8-way hardcoded form of it) or will newer games be required to also support the old d-pad?
...
If an analog nub is added to the DS, Mario 64 DS will see a nice re-surge in sales ;-)
Chiablo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
Once it gets redesigned, I'll pick one up.
Although, seeing my buddy play Mario Kart DS is tempting me...
Eran Hawke @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
Well, I think a lot of these already showed up on 4ColorRebellion's DS Mockup page but it is nice to see them here too.
Lots of these designs are neat, but as other commenters have noted, form should follow function. Much more consideration should be put into how the device plays and works with real human hands instead of how it looks.
And to the reader who does not want to be seen playing a DS on the bus, why not? Are you more worried about what other people think of you instead of enjoying yourself? Perhaps you should worry more about appearing shallow and concerned with image.
Personally, whenever I see someone playing a DS in public, I think that person is interested in gaming and would possibly want to play something with me. They show that they are people interested in having lots of fun for a little money.
People I encounter with a PSP (very few) are always using it to play movies, don't have any multiplayer games that I have (and no ability to play multiplayer games with one disc) and generally aren't interested in gaming. When I press them on why they have the PSP, they tell me cause it is a cool toy.
Now say what you will, but I don't carry my PSP with me at all any more. There is little-to-no chance of encountering interesting people with which I can play.
32_Footsteps @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
I'm just here to give a bit of love for the original design. It's no thicker than my wallet folded up, and that's not bulky either. It doesn't cramp my hands to play it (unlike the terribly tiny GBA SP), and it's light enough to balance in one hand.
And finally, if you're embarrassed to play one out and about, get over yourself. It's a game, and you should focus on having fun. Not on what complete strangers think of you.
Badison @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
I'm completely digging that red and black design (about 3 models down from top). Awesome
Spence @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
We really need an announcement before christmas from nintendo.
I want the new one.... but also want Mario Kart
poragoya @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
if nicks first one came out i would sell my normal one and work my @$$ off to buy it.
that is the coolest oe on this list
Blizz419 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
interesting
anyone wanna trade mario kart DS friend codes? visit my blogg
http://vgameviews.blogspot.com/
Trilancer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
It may not look it, but the design was first modeled in 3D, then the rendering was lightly photoshoped.
M.Almasy
JRM @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
I have no problem with the present design. If I could make any change, I'd just make it a tad lighter.
About the Gold DS: seems like joystiq is poking fun at Nintendo and lack of originality. But then again, Homer Simpson won a nuclear powerplant design award by just adding wings and racing stripes on the existing powerplant.
Andrew @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
The 3-D one is nice, but the location of the speakers seems to make it likely that one's fingers will cover them and muffle the sound.
$0.02.
Oscar @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
I like the last one its a really cool idea and it would probably make the DS lighter.
Guy N. @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
My favorites are Nick's sidekick style piece and LaserBeam's beutifully modeled slide screen piece. The latter is my very favorite because sometimes you need to adjust that screen to just the right angle.
Blueman @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
I'll take the iPod/iBook-ish DS
Lazy American @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
To Comment 9 who said "I am going out on a limb and saying the screen dimensons (not size) will not change. Doing so would render all current games worthless. If they made a wide screen DS, all the current games would be stretched. But I am for making the screens closer together."
If you read the notes on the design with a wider top screen he states that older games would have black bars on the side... this would not a be a problem at all.
If I had any skills at making these mock ups I would use
-Laserbeams design (seriously when I was looking thru the mockups I was totally thinking about making the screen slide and hinge).
-Increase the possible resolution for the screen, shouldnt be a problem since gba games are lower than ds games yet have no trouble. This would make it awsome for movies, along with the next spec
-WIDE SCREEN ON TOP!!!! thatd be SOOO SICK!
-Analog thumbstick, like the psp maybe both that and a dpad??
-Lighter (after playing mario kart ds for the last three days straight my right ring finger is totally wasted from holding the ds since you use the right shoulder button to initiate drifting.
-Finger contours for those same ring fingers
-Lots of soft rubber gripping on buttons contours etc
-Bigger buttons closer to the touchscreen
-Longer heavier stylus that slides in sideways like the nano redesigns
-Memory card slots... so i can get rid of my bulky gba movieplayer and still play my nes and sms emulators, along with movies etc. Just write a software program to create the same style menu, though I am sure nintendo could do a much better job.
-Web browser? (its not having anything to do with the physical design but i might as well put it down since I know I am totally dreaming with the above ideas)
Like i said just dreaming, mostly what i want is the design to be lighter and more ergonomic to decrease finger fatigue.
MARIO KART DS WILL ONE DAY RULE THE WORLD AND ALL WILL BOW TO ITS MAJESTY! that game roXXX!
Cdaghostie @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
I would have to rebuy it if they added the analog stick also the redesigned ds should have new hardware allowing for better game cartriges and gbc and gb compatibility.
Jonathan @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
I want to see one that looks just like the old dual screen game and watch goodness, now that would be cool and fit in with Nintendos current love of the old school.
Jonathan @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
I want to see one that looks just like the old dual screen game and watch goodness, now that would be cool and fit in with Nintendos current love of the old school.
LaserBeams @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
Thanks for all the comments! I wasn't expecting quite the reception it got, but it was certainly welcome.
Great job on the designs, everyone else who submitted.
Me @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
The second one looks like the Revolution buttons.
Lunker @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
People: They wouldn't add widescreen/analog nubs/whatever to a redesign of the DS. Yes, old games could play on the new system, but new games couldn't play on the old system. Which means it's not a redesign; it's another machine entirely.
Additionally, making the screens smaller or larger would affect the gameplay on the touchscreen; tell me you can play the scene from the end credits of Meteos on a smaller screen!
Frankly, I love the look of the DS as-is; if anything, I'd love for it to be slimmer and lighter, but it's not a necessity by any means. And really: the clamshell design is the best possible solution for screen safety. Anything ditching that for an exposed screen is ludicrous.
Pornboy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
http://www.freewebs.com/pactify/ds_sp_zelda_3.jpg
My design, a day or so late it seems. Whoops.
I could totally see myself buying Laserbeam's slick DS.
Trejkaz @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
Julio, my DS has "Made in China" on it. All of them probably do.
Christoph @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
Those sliding/pivoting screens would NEVER happen! That's far too fragile for a game system. It's a terrible idea on anything, but it's a monumentally terrible idea for a game system.
Lazy American @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
Ok so I played around and changed Laser Beams design, so I take no credit for this at all. All alterations have been labeled
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c367/eztips/Widescreenfrontcopy.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c367/eztips/widescreenclosed.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c367/eztips/WideScreenOpen.jpg
DownloadingData @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
All the redesgins looks quite nice.
It's just that the sliding screen looks VERY fragile.
LaserBeams @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
I guess I should be flattered that someone liked my design enough to take it and run with it!
Interesting ideas, even if not something I'd do.
Aaron @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
Thank you all for any comments you had on my Nintendo DS "Nano" I just got an ipod nano and loved it so much i decided to base mine on that. The screens are the same size of the original but everything else is smaller and the screens are closer together. I made the edges round and bigger buttons because after playing the original DS my hands hurt from the corners and it was heavy and the buttons were small.
And by the way, yes that d-pad is straight from the rev, everything else was custom made, this is my first (finished) photoshop project ever
Audie Murphy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
First, all the redisignes look great, and you guys should be congratulated. However, without making an actual "new" GB, significantly changing the features (analog thumb stick) would make existing owners unable to play new games that would use it. Most likely with it's huge existing install base, no developer would really use a stick to any real advantage. Other than the feel of the buttons (too small) and the move from stylis to pressing buttons (extend the touch screen so the buttons are on screen and pressed by the stylis?) the biggest issue I have with the design is the break between screens. Few games have really found significant use for 2 screens at once, and extending the picture into 1 big one always look weird with the hinge break in between. Lets hope that some of the "N" guys will see these.
PS- the Revolution controller idea is awsome. Put HD support on this thing and push some "real" use for the motion sensors and Sony & MS better look out.
Zounds (aka koyuga) @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
Heres a couple of concepts I made around the time Nintendo unveiled the DS at E3 04':
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/koyuga/anotherdsconcept.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/koyuga/anotherdsconceptcolor.png
Lazerbeam's design, as you can see, is pretty much simillar to how I envisioned it, except his a couple of better features.
Zounds (aka koyuga) @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
Heres a couple of concepts I made around the time Nintendo unveiled the DS at E3 04':
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/koyuga/anotherdsconcept.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/koyuga/anotherdsconceptcolor.png
Lazerbeam's design, as you can see, is pretty much simillar to how I envisioned it, except his a couple of better features.
Wok7 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
Why are you guys saying the Gold DS is a redesign or an effort of a redesign? I't just a different color. Are you guys just joking or are you that retarded?
Joey @ Dec 18th 2005 9:42PM
It's not a redesign, it's a new colour for the DS. What kind of morons are you?