Still Two Screens or Back to One? What’s Next for Nintendo?

We all love our DS, but what about the next handheld console from Nintendo? Will it have slight differences from the DS, or could it be something entirely different? Could Nintendo even go from two screens back to one? After the premiere of the unimpressive DSi, I’ve got a REAL wish-list for Nintendo. The DSi is not what I would call a worthy successor to the DS. While a camera and an internet browser are nice, they don’t exactly add to the gameplay. But these would:

Screens: Bigger, Better, & More Touching

The .25 inch screen on the DSi is okay, but couldn’t it be a little bigger? I don’t think that’s an unreasonable request. My eyes aren’t getting any better with all the typing and gaming I do. If this makes the system bigger (not necessarily Game Gear big though) all the better; I have giant hands. A bigger top screen would be nice, but a bigger touchscreen is definitely wanted. That’s where most of the game play should be happening anyway. The DSi may have a “bigger” touchscreen, but the regular LCD screen’s size makes it seem unbalanced.

Better Sound

Stone walls do not a prison make, nor do six holes make a speaker! Screw headphones! Sorry, calming down. Better sound quality and delivery would be much appreciated.

Battery Options

Because outlets aren’t always handy, I want to be able to use either a REMOVABLE rechargeable battery or regular batteries.

Move It and Shake It

A built in gyroscope or some other balance sensor could add another way to play along with the touchscreen. Plus, it’d be lots of fun.

My Thumbs Hurt

The next DS needs a bigger D-pad, or something like the Wii’s nunchuk; an external device with an analog stick or an omni-directional pad that’s a little easier on the thumbs.

One Screen or Two?

Two screens made a BIG difference. Well, at least in some games. For some the secondary screen, often the touch screen, serves only as a stat or map display. Such a waste. It wouldn’t surprise me if Nintendo decided to go back to one screen, especially if that one screen is a larger touchscreen; kind of like the iPhone. This would eliminate that annoying empty space between the two screens.

Backwards Compatibility

The DSi proves Nintendo is asking these dreaded questions: Do we still need backwards compatibility after DS games have flooded the market? Is anyone still playing GBA games, much less Gameboy Color or Gameboy games? As a gamer this is tough to talk about, but Nintendo hasn’t always been kind in this area. While they have shown more backwards-compatibility-love than both Sony and Microsoft have, frankly it could go either way.

Change is not always good, but lets hope this isn’t true for the next Nintendo portable.