Nintendo Over a Barrel

[Rensa]

It's occurred to me that in terms of the next generation of handheld hardware, Sony has really got Nintendo over a barrel. This is probably the worst possible generation for Nintendo to be battling Sony i nthe handheld arena, especially because of the following problem. Consider the storage problem. Nintendo has two choices:

a) Stick to cartridges: If Nintendo were to do this, it would undoubtedly be hung out to dry by Sony's PSP, and would end up in the same "lagging behind" scenario that it's been in with the console scene for the last few years. Everyone will be woeing how much Nintnedo missed the opportunity to move up.

b) Move to optical media: If this happens, Nintendo will be safe in terms of its technology. However, the move to optical media will result in a loss of backwards compatibility, unless Ninty puts in both cartridge and optical slots (which would cost a bomb, and then some). Backwards compatibility with the GBA, GBC and GB is probably what's kept the GB going for so long, and if it loses it, the next GB will be significantly set back.

So, unless Nintendo have something miraculous cooking in their R&D depo, they're screwed either way. Any thoughts?

[sidcrazy]

First off, great post.

But I don't feel it will be that b&w.

Cartridge technology has come a long way since the 64 days. And you know Nintendo purchased a manufacturer of carts right? To cut down on the cost.

If Nintendo goes the optical route, they could always release a peripheral that uses a data port to use the older carts. That way it would keep the core system price lower. I personally think that backwards compatibility is the ONLY way to go. I think that is one of many reasons the PS2 sold so well.

To quote a Coldplay song "Everything not lost."

[Cooolcorey]

Well, my idea was to put an optical disk inside of a cart, and still use the same prongs that the GBA/C uses, so you can use the old games too.

[Adolf Disney]

Thats a real swell idea dude, I thought of that too!

[ETEP1]

I like that, kinda like a mini disc for MP3's?

[Cooolcorey]

Well, yes I suppose it could be used for that, but I was talking about game media.

[Monkeylord]

I think that if it uses disks it'll most likely need memory cards... unless it has some kind of onboard memory storage. What could possibly stop them from using memory cards the same size and shape as GBA games? It'll need 2 way data flow for a memory card... perfect for a game cartridge with battery back-up.

[JustUsOwls]

If Nintendo's next handheld is once again done with cartridges, then I predict another N64 vs. PS1 scenario(sp?). I hope Nintendo has learned from it's previous engagement with Sony.

[Adolf Disney]

The optical mini cd case/cartridge new GB could have a battery built in to every mini cd thing to save. No one wants to keep buying memory cards for a portable system.

[WarAllTheTime]

mp3's...we dont want an N-Gage...lol

[ETEP1]

Nooooo, I mean that if they were to use a disc but keep the cartridge format, they would place the disc inside the cartridge like in those mini disc players.

[sidcrazy]

Originally posted by Adolf Disney
The optical mini cd case/cartridge new GB could have a battery built in to every mini cd thing to save. No one wants to keep buying memory cards for a portable system.

But wouldn't that drive up the cost, and it seems like a technical nightmare to pull something like that off.

If they go with optical disks, then the gameboy itself should have some built in storage, with memory cards to expand it.

[ETEP1]

well they might as well do it before somebody else does...

[Ray-AMN]

Cartridge. I think they should ride the GBA and GBA SP still they start dying down. Stay with what works and what's popular - then adjust if necessary in the future.

[Rensa]

Originally posted by JustUsOwls
If Nintendo's next handheld is once again done with cartridges, then I predict another N64 vs. PS1 scenario(sp?). I hope Nintendo has learned from it's previous engagement with Sony.

That's what I mean: if Nintendo goes to optical, it loses backwards compatibility, which is paramount. However, if it stays with carts and the competition moves to optical media, people are going to look at Nintendo with the same disdain that they looked at the N64 with. Nintendo'll be unpopular for not staying afloat with current technology, regardless of whether optical technology is actually the best storage platform.

Isn't the PSP using an disc caddy like you mentioned above? :confused:

[rpguidry]

If Nintendo does go for the disc format they will need to have either built in memory or memory cards. And if you had memory cards then couldn't you make them the same size as the GBA cartridges? I'm sure they could engineer something that could read both games and memory cards.

[Lovebird]

yes...indeed, that would be very easy for nin to do and additioinally, that would incline others to buy gbf....hm, i smell a devilishly sneaky plot brewing in nin's hq...hehehe....

[Rensa]

'Tis quite possible, and in fact I thin kit's the best thing for them to do. Although using memory cards on a handheld is a bit awkward, it works. Tehr eare two other problems - the price will rise quite a bit, and the physical size will too - however, I thin kthis will actually work in Nintendo's favour. The low price is good, but it tends to add to Nintendo's image (as we've talked about many times). The size would be a pain, but it's not like the next-gen handheld was going to be SP size anyway. Although I know Nintendo hates to push the price up, I think it's a good idea, if it means backwards-compatibility. :D

[Cooolcorey]

Well, if they use disks, I hope to God that there will be no loading times....