Nintendo DS Full Specs Allegedly Leaked

sarcastodon writes "Various sources such as GI.Biz are suggesting that detailed specifications of the upcoming Nintendo DS have been leaked. Surprising capabilities contained in the allegedly leaked Japanese-language document for the dual-screen handheld include 3D hardware acceleration, 802.11 wireless support, and the inclusion of a touch screen." However, GI.Biz notes: "Of course, a single leaked screenshot of a Japanese document doesn't constitute hard proof of any description, and this document should be taken with a pinch of salt - but if it is a forgery, it's a rather good one."

But what's the thing going to look like?

[meanfriend]

The most intriguing thing to me is how the two screens will be arranged and utilized.

According to the second article, it has two screens of 256x192 pixels each (which is slightly higher resolution than the GBA screen)

So will it two equal sized screens? Will they go with a clamshell device like the GBA with a smaller screen in the base (between the controls) and a larger screen in the flip-top part?

And I'm also wondering what compromises they'll have to make on the physical dimensions and battery life in implementing dual screens in a portable.

I've never owned a handheld gaming system before (blackjack on my cell phone doesnt count), but if the dual screens leads to be a real gameplay innovation and not just a novelty that many games fail to take full advantage of, then I could be convinced to buy one of these...

Re:That is a bitching line up.

[BlanketLord]

well, looks like I was slow with my comment :) I'm personally hoping that it is a primary gaming machine, with the extra functionality unlocked for use but not marketed. People should be buying it because they know it is a gaming machine, and be happy when they see "well, it can play mp3s, thats kind of nice"

The question I have...

[BruceTheBruce]

Has there been any information on how many of the screens will be lit? I would hope Nintendo has learned its lesson and would now consider this such an indispensable feature that it's a given thing on any future handheld. Or maybe lit screens will just be left for the "Nitro SP" released in 2006?

Translation Corrections

[mowph]

Here are a few things that I noticed have been left off or missed by the translation on the article [cube-europe.com].

Processor:

• There are unreadably small words between "Cache:" and "8Kb", as well as "TCM:" and "32Kb" which have been ignored by the translation. They probably refer to two separate types of cache under each category.

Memory:

• Main memory: 8MB on debugging version (developer model?)

LCD:

• Colour: R:G:B = 6:6:6 (referring perhaps to 6 bits of information for each color channel per pixel?)

Sound:

• Up to 8 channels may be assigned for PSG. (I don't know what that is. Anyone?)

Input Device:

• "Cross", a translation of "juu-ji kii", refers to what is commonly known as a direction-pad (similar to the four-way controller on most Nintendo gamepads)

Electric Power Control:

• Wake-up can also be timed.
• The "uknown" engine is the geometry engine.

Layout predictions

[nukem1999]

I believe that Nintendo has previously confirmed that the two screens will be next to each other, and can be used as one. This pretty much means that it's going to be layed out GB/GBC/GBASP style, with the controls below the screens, and not GBA classic style, with the screen between the controls, which would give it a really funky form factor that nobody would want to hold. Assuming this has been confirmed, there is almost no way that one of the screens will be touch sensitive, since you'd have to move one hand to reach a screen. However, with the two screens side by side, to make a rectangular clamshell form factor, there would be space in between the standard button sets, perfect for a standard touchpad.

Now let's think about this. Nintendo only really started doing 3d with the N64, when they introduced an analog stick to the controller. It's quite difficult to play a true 3d game with only a digital pad. However, you can't throw a stick on a handheld unit, it'll break off leaving many-a-user pissed. So the touchpad is probably going to be a replacement for the analog stick.

Basically I got all this from the premise that both screens are going to be next to each other, so in any case I'm almost definitely wrong, but speculation is fun!

Oops, small mistake.

[AzraelKans]

EDIT:
We just realized, the guys who got the "leaked" document, didn't read japanese very well at all. The documents are not entitled "DS design specs" but "N-Gage design specs" their Comment: "Seriously, that first Kanji kind of looked like "DS" if you look at it from this angle." Moderator note:"there's no such thing as a "DS" kanji you moron!"

--Seriously. Nintendo has stated like a 1000 times their best card against the PSP wont be technology but price, how could anyone with a realistic mind believe the freaking DS will have bluetooth and a 3d card? that will price it around $200-$300 bucks!

Re:But what's the thing going to look like?

[Yorrike]

It was confirmed around the time it was originally announced, that the screens would be stacked one above the other.

Going on that, and nothing much else, I sketched up a design: http://www.yorrike.com/graphics/nds-sketch.jpg [yorrike.com].

If the spec sheet is to be believed, I've put too many buttons on my design. Please excuse that and my inability to draw.