With three DS types in existence -- we're including the Phat here, too; can't forget about the original just because these upstarts are hanging around -- you have the potential to build one weird system. If, that is, you combined aspects of all three. If you could, which features would you put into your handheld, and which would you discard? Maybe you don't care much for the DSi's camera, and you want a slightly thicker portable. Maybe you want the camera plus the GBA slot. Maybe instead you like one of the versions just as it is. How would your DS look?DS Daily: Your redesign
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With three DS types in existence -- we're including the Phat here, too; can't forget about the original just because these upstarts are hanging around -- you have the potential to build one weird system. If, that is, you combined aspects of all three. If you could, which features would you put into your handheld, and which would you discard? Maybe you don't care much for the DSi's camera, and you want a slightly thicker portable. Maybe you want the camera plus the GBA slot. Maybe instead you like one of the versions just as it is. How would your DS look?Reader Comments (35)
Posted: Dec 21st 2008 10:54AM (Unverified) said
I would add some slight curves on the back and sides so that the system was better ergonomically. Also, I'd replace the d-pad with a stick similar to the NeoGeo Pocket. That stick is more comfortable than any d-pad and may entice publishers to create fighters for the system.
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Posted: Dec 21st 2008 9:39PM Mr Mee said
DS phat D-Pad? I couldn't do it. Mario 64 DS was almost impossible to play with the DS phat D-pad as it didn't ever seem to pick up diagonal directions that well, not on my DS nor my step-brother's. The DS Lite however, though a bit more uncomfortable to use for long sessions, I have had no problems at all playing Mario 64 DS so I'd disagree with that opinion. Or rather I have the reverse of your opinion. Bring on a new DS phat with the DS lite's d-pad!
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Posted: Dec 21st 2008 11:37AM (Unverified) said
Just kidding with that, never really understood the whole "first" thing. =)
Anyway, my version of the DS would be a lot like the DSi, since besides the cameras, memory and new software it's received a lot of nice little tweaks (matte finish, slightly larger screens, hot-swapping of games, volume buttons, etc.), and I have an SP, so while a GBA slot's a nice feature, I'm okay without it. There are a couple other things I'd change though.
First, I'd include a higher capacity battery (the DSi only has an 840mah battery vs. 1000mah in the DS lite). I figure this is because the new battery's smaller size allows the system to be a touch thinner, but I'd prefer not taking a hit on battery life.
Second, I'd replace the shoulder buttons with small trigger buttons located on system's back bottom edge (kind of like the triggers on the Virtual boy, the N64's Z button or the Wiimote's B button.), they would be in a more natural position for your fingers, and would allow your index finger to support the system while playing games using both the D-pad and stylus, reducing hand strain.
Third, in a day when you can pick up a 1 Gigabyte USB drive for $9 at the checkout at Walmart, 256 Megs of memory is pathetic, I'd want at least a couple Gigabytes built-in, and an SD slot that's actually usable.
Last, I know it's a small thing, but I'd bring back the twin rectangle logo from the lite, tweak some of the system's lines and clean up some of the markings for buttons and lights. The DSi is attractive, but its look is a bit utilitarian and not quite as cohesive as the lite's. (on a side note, I also hope they release one in gray)
I've got some more ideas, but mostly they would be more fundamental changes more suited to a next-generation system.
Reply
Anyway, my version of the DS would be a lot like the DSi, since besides the cameras, memory and new software it's received a lot of nice little tweaks (matte finish, slightly larger screens, hot-swapping of games, volume buttons, etc.), and I have an SP, so while a GBA slot's a nice feature, I'm okay without it. There are a couple other things I'd change though.
First, I'd include a higher capacity battery (the DSi only has an 840mah battery vs. 1000mah in the DS lite). I figure this is because the new battery's smaller size allows the system to be a touch thinner, but I'd prefer not taking a hit on battery life.
Second, I'd replace the shoulder buttons with small trigger buttons located on system's back bottom edge (kind of like the triggers on the Virtual boy, the N64's Z button or the Wiimote's B button.), they would be in a more natural position for your fingers, and would allow your index finger to support the system while playing games using both the D-pad and stylus, reducing hand strain.
Third, in a day when you can pick up a 1 Gigabyte USB drive for $9 at the checkout at Walmart, 256 Megs of memory is pathetic, I'd want at least a couple Gigabytes built-in, and an SD slot that's actually usable.
Last, I know it's a small thing, but I'd bring back the twin rectangle logo from the lite, tweak some of the system's lines and clean up some of the markings for buttons and lights. The DSi is attractive, but its look is a bit utilitarian and not quite as cohesive as the lite's. (on a side note, I also hope they release one in gray)
I've got some more ideas, but mostly they would be more fundamental changes more suited to a next-generation system.
Posted: Dec 21st 2008 4:23PM (Unverified) said
If you were being sarcastic it flew right over my head. Dude, you just described the DSi.
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Posted: Dec 21st 2008 1:20PM (Unverified) said
DS Phat buttons+D-Pad, L and R triggers from the original GBA and a GBA slot (GBA cartridge doesn't stick out). The exterior would be close to the DS Phat, but with a less scratch-able surface and a smoother feel (less sticky-outie-bits).
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Posted: Dec 21st 2008 2:01PM GewurztraminerX said
As long as it was Enamel Navy in color it could be as hideous as possible.
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Posted: Dec 21st 2008 3:14PM (Unverified) said
I played with a DSlite for the first time outside of a shop display today- an present for a family member that i was setting up and charging so its good to go on xmas- and i was shocked at how shitty the speakers are compared to my phats. Personally that would be the first thing to fix for a redesign.
The second would be to make it as small and tough as possible so it was as insanely portable as the GBA Micro, but that would require a substantial change in screen size which would not be so good..
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The second would be to make it as small and tough as possible so it was as insanely portable as the GBA Micro, but that would require a substantial change in screen size which would not be so good..
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 6:12PM (Unverified) said
1.dsi system with gba slot.
2.glossiness
3.longer battery life
4.ds logo
5.ds d-pad
all i could think of for now.
Reply
2.glossiness
3.longer battery life
4.ds logo
5.ds d-pad
all i could think of for now.
Posted: Dec 21st 2008 5:50PM Laser Sanchez said
DSi or Lite with a bigger GBA slot so the games don't stick out. I actually prefer the buttons on the Lite to the Phat. I don't really need a GBA, but I guess I'd change that if I had a choice.
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Posted: Dec 21st 2008 5:27PM (Unverified) said
The DSi with DS phat buttons + layout, more memory, GBA slot that completely holds the cartridge, and better battery life.
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Posted: Dec 21st 2008 7:45PM (Unverified) said
Say what you want about the phat, I have a lite, but I like the start and select buttons much better if they were bigger. Not all of us have small hands/fingers you know. So design one with a bit bigger buttons, maybe even a better d-pad, although the current one works well.
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Posted: Dec 21st 2008 7:55PM jediliz said
Lite's Longer Battery life and keep the on switch on the SIDE (cause there's less of a risk of accidental shut off with games you MUST save (like AC:WW; if you don't save, you get Resetti)
I do have both the Phat and the Lite and honestly I don't see the difference between the d-pad?
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I do have both the Phat and the Lite and honestly I don't see the difference between the d-pad?
Posted: Dec 21st 2008 8:21PM Jacksons said
Take the Lite, kill the gloss and make GBA games fit flush. That's all I'd want for minor stuff. A higher resolution would be greatly welcomed, but that hasn't happened yet. Actually, the DSi has larger screens with the same resolution, right? So they actually made it worse. Boo.
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Posted: Dec 21st 2008 10:34PM (Unverified) said
Hmmm... I'd take the current DS Lite and make the bottom screen a little bigger, as big as you could and maintain having buttons, then I would make the top screen as big as it could be without losing speakers, I would upgrade the speakers.
Then even if the top screen was bigger, most games would really benefit because even though its "dual screen" most games end up having most of the action on the top screen anyway, with the bottom screen being a menu/map/mouse.
Games that do use both screens for action, could still benefit by having both screens bigger, and the bit left on the top screen that doesn't perfectly match the bottom could be blacked out, then could open up full screen for cut scenes.
Finally, the DS Litex2 could be offered in matte colors for those with COD/pefectionistic issues with the finger prints, it even gets to me after a while too, and I'm not a neat freak.
Losing the GBA slot urks me, and I don't need/want cameras.
If they really wanted to improve the system, I would have opted for better hardware. Because I pretty much got seduced into buying my DS Lite, it is almost perfect in my eyes as is.
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Then even if the top screen was bigger, most games would really benefit because even though its "dual screen" most games end up having most of the action on the top screen anyway, with the bottom screen being a menu/map/mouse.
Games that do use both screens for action, could still benefit by having both screens bigger, and the bit left on the top screen that doesn't perfectly match the bottom could be blacked out, then could open up full screen for cut scenes.
Finally, the DS Litex2 could be offered in matte colors for those with COD/pefectionistic issues with the finger prints, it even gets to me after a while too, and I'm not a neat freak.
Losing the GBA slot urks me, and I don't need/want cameras.
If they really wanted to improve the system, I would have opted for better hardware. Because I pretty much got seduced into buying my DS Lite, it is almost perfect in my eyes as is.
Posted: Dec 22nd 2008 4:48AM (Unverified) said
I think the lite's design is near perfect.
I would like the GBA carts to not stick out, though. I live in constant terror that something awful will happen because of that....though I suppose anything with enough force to cause the cart to act like a lever that would tear the DS apart would also shatter the DS itself, so it's sort of a silly worry.
I do wish an accessory was available that gave the DS contours similar to a console controller so that it was nicer to hold on to. I'd buy that in a heartbeat.
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I would like the GBA carts to not stick out, though. I live in constant terror that something awful will happen because of that....though I suppose anything with enough force to cause the cart to act like a lever that would tear the DS apart would also shatter the DS itself, so it's sort of a silly worry.
I do wish an accessory was available that gave the DS contours similar to a console controller so that it was nicer to hold on to. I'd buy that in a heartbeat.
Posted: Dec 22nd 2008 6:33AM (Unverified) said
1) I would like a system of a similar size to the current DS Lite.
2) Larger, higher resolution screens.
3) Lose the cameras.
4) Matte finish only! Not sure why they think fingerprint-magnet-gloss-finish is a good idea.
5) Improved touchscreen that doesn't require a stylus. (i.e. I-phone touchscreen)
6) Possibly even use a slider, or even a 'Sidekick' like design for the top screen, with the touch screen buried underneath. Don't worry about scratches either with the screen protectors and plenty of cases to use.
7) Give us a joystick!!! Or better yet, two!!
Reply
2) Larger, higher resolution screens.
3) Lose the cameras.
4) Matte finish only! Not sure why they think fingerprint-magnet-gloss-finish is a good idea.
5) Improved touchscreen that doesn't require a stylus. (i.e. I-phone touchscreen)
6) Possibly even use a slider, or even a 'Sidekick' like design for the top screen, with the touch screen buried underneath. Don't worry about scratches either with the screen protectors and plenty of cases to use.
7) Give us a joystick!!! Or better yet, two!!
Posted: Dec 22nd 2008 9:09AM (Unverified) said
Take shoulder buttons and volume scheme from the PSP.
I hate the volume on the DS lite. It doesn't seem to kick in until it's 25% across, and there's about 1 mm after that where the volume is reasonable. After that, it's just loud.
And of course the shoulder buttons on the DS lite are complete shite. Granted, I've gotten them repaired for free each time, but I believe I have sent in 7 different DS lites for shoulder button failure.
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I hate the volume on the DS lite. It doesn't seem to kick in until it's 25% across, and there's about 1 mm after that where the volume is reasonable. After that, it's just loud.
And of course the shoulder buttons on the DS lite are complete shite. Granted, I've gotten them repaired for free each time, but I believe I have sent in 7 different DS lites for shoulder button failure.
Posted: Dec 22nd 2008 11:47PM (Unverified) said
ok, i would put the headphone jack on the top of the system by the shoulder buttons, because when i play at night in bed its kind of uncomfortable to have headphones on with the jack sticking out. secondly as a good replacement to the GBA port i would have a GAMECUBE disk reader in the thing, and a nice analog stick along the lines of the psp. i still love the clam shell design though. nothing beats the piece of mind i get knowing the screen wont get scuffed if i shove the thing in a bag. boosh.
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Posted: Dec 23rd 2008 1:04PM (Unverified) said
all i want is the DSi to have GBA support, better shoulder buttons, and better speakers. And the matte finish it a blessing. =)
I know I can't have the GBA support, but I'm still hoping for better shoulder buttons and speakers. But the battery life is horrible =/
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I know I can't have the GBA support, but I'm still hoping for better shoulder buttons and speakers. But the battery life is horrible =/
Posted: Dec 23rd 2008 8:24PM treeofmana said
Hey,
My perfect DS would have the quality of face buttons as the original "Phat," have the new features of the DSi but otherwise maintain the form factor (as best it can with the updated features) and glossy polar white color as the lite. Oh, and the logo of the lite.
Peace,
manaman
Reply
My perfect DS would have the quality of face buttons as the original "Phat," have the new features of the DSi but otherwise maintain the form factor (as best it can with the updated features) and glossy polar white color as the lite. Oh, and the logo of the lite.
Peace,
manaman
Posted: Dec 28th 2008 4:08PM (Unverified) said
DSi with the DS Lite gloss. That's my only peeve.
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Posted: Jan 4th 2009 12:43PM APV said
here's my idea...
a new housing for the dsi where you have to install it yourself...
http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/12/3/1623319/macbook%20dsi%20housing.png
yes, it is macbook-ey.
Reply
a new housing for the dsi where you have to install it yourself...
http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/12/3/1623319/macbook%20dsi%20housing.png
yes, it is macbook-ey.
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 10:22AM (Unverified) said
start with the ds lite,
add the power to connect old GB-GB micro games i can trade all my pokemon's.
the steel hinges, steel and black colours "matted?"
have tetris built in.
i have a hard time with red and green's so i would like a power bar or a number.
have picto chat let you chat with voice, you know chat?
better wireless, larger range.
have the cool Wireless Charging Station "http://videos.howstuffworks.com/university-of-florida/3792-wireless-charging-station-video.htm"
Reply
add the power to connect old GB-GB micro games i can trade all my pokemon's.
the steel hinges, steel and black colours "matted?"
have tetris built in.
i have a hard time with red and green's so i would like a power bar or a number.
have picto chat let you chat with voice, you know chat?
better wireless, larger range.
have the cool Wireless Charging Station "http://videos.howstuffworks.com/university-of-florida/3792-wireless-charging-station-video.htm"
Posted: Jan 15th 2009 12:07AM (Unverified) said
I've been meaning to ask this for a while now. If nintendo knows the Wii has a memory crisis, and they're about to release a new console, shouldn't they add MORE MEMORY???
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