What we are doing with [the Nintendo DS] has never been done before.” Nintendo VP of Sales and Marketing Reggie Fils-Aime may be prone to melodrama, but in this case it’s almost an understatement. With two screens (one also a touch-sensitive pad), a built-in microphone and chat program, plus wireless multiplayer and Internet capabilities, the Nintendo DS advances well beyond any Game Boy. Which means that when the system launches at $149 on Nov. 21, it’ll take some getting used to—it’s just a bit too big to fit comfortably in a pocket, and players (and developers) will need a little time to learn how to use the touch pad effectively. (Hint: When using the stylus, try swinging the pinky of your writing hand under the system to stabilize it.) Nintendo expects the adjustment to be smooth; although the company will release more than a million DS systems by the end of the year, it expects shortages this Christmas shopping season.

Basic Intel

Release Date: November 21, 2004

Price: $149.99

Media: Proprietary DS game cartridges that can hold up to 1 gigabit of info (roughly 1/14 the capacity of the PSP’s media).

Other:

• Also plays Game Boy Advance games (but not original Game Boy or Game Boy Color games)

• Includes built-in PitctoChat software for wireless instant messaging

• Battery life estimated at 10 hours; can be recharged with the same AC plug as the Game Boy Advance

• Wireless functionality allows DS users to network with up to 15 other DSes for multiplayer gaming or connect to the Internet using Wi-Fi hot spots and wireless networks

Hardware Concerns

The biggest advantage the Nintendo DS has at this point isn’t its cheap sticker price ($150 hardware, $30 games) or any of its fancy new features; it’s Nintendo itself. Plenty of developers are on board and talking up the great potential of the system, but so far nearly all the games worth getting excited about are being developed by Nintendo, including four of our top five picks.

Will the DS gain strong third-party support, or become yet another first-party-software delivery system for the Japanese giant? Nintendo points to launch games from juggernauts like EA (The Urbz, Tiger Woods, and Madden NFL 2005) and Namco (Ridge Racer and Mr. Driller), plus pledges from heavy-hitters like Capcom, Konami, and Square Enix (noticeably absent from the PSP camp) down the road. But then again, Nintendo promised strong third-party support in the past with the GameCube, and the Nintendo 64 before that....

Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Electronic Gaming Monthly.