Shame that DSiware purchases are linked to a single handheld and are non-transferrable. That alone will keep me with my DSi until at least the "lite" iteration of this hardware.

If you're considering a DSi purchase, I'd personally skip it if you already own a DS. So... Yeah. DS2 might be on the way, but if it doesn't have a great launch set up, I'll wait until they release the DS2i Lite/ XL.

The DS2 will release in three colors: red, green, and orange. Each will have a different game installed on it's internal HD. Red comes with Super Mario Sunshine, green comes with Luigi's Mansion, and orange comes with Metroid Prime. It's going to have a store on day one with the entire Gameboy back catalog available for download, and they'll be slowly releasing GBA and DS games for download in their virtual console store. It'll have a slot based disc drive for playing Gamecube games, a slot for playing DS games, and an SD card slot for memory expansion. You'll be able to copy any of your DS or Gamecube games to the DS2's internal hard drive. You'll be able to let a friend borrow any of your copied games for up to 72 hours. The system will use it's built in 3G wireless internet to check the time and automatically delete any old "borrows".

Nintendo needs to make this disc based... and backward compatible with the Gamecube, DS, and GBA!!!

@DynamicSheep
Thanks for making the DS2 a dissapointment to me, unless it miraculously has those features. That would be an epic system! Except the colors.

@DynamicSheep
Those are some pretty awful colors. Nintendo never fails to disappoint. XD

Also weren't there rumors about second generation tegra processors going into this? That's pretty powerful processing.

MasterBalls brings up a good point with the XL/Micro comparison. It's not too crazy to think the XL will be released within a short time frame of the DS2.

E3. I'm calling it. Maybe Leipzeg or however you spell that crazy German nonsense.

Dear Nintendo,

I have been planning to buy a DS for the past eighteen months.

I want your stuff. You want my money. Why are you making it so hard for me?

Sincerely,
Shinryu108

The DS2 will be constructed from material made of carbon nanotubes... this combined with the OLED screens makes it nigh unbreakable. The DS2 will have an entire sheet's worth of LSD in it's shell that it'll release in tiny amounts (based on the user's size, as determined by it's cameras) to enhance the visuals and sounds in a way that no other console could've ever hoped to do. The DS2 will release tiny nano-machines that will clean out your lungs, colon, and mouth. There will also be nano-machines released that'll eat at your fat and strengthen your muscles and immune system. DS users will be fitter, happier people... more productive and attractive than all other video game players. The DS2 will randomly award 1 out of 10,000,000 of it's users a check for $10,000 (or ¥950,000) if they play the DS on their birthday. This only works if your DS is broadcasting a wireless 3G signal and will not apply to European DS2s (Big surprise!). Specially designed DS2s will be used by the most powerful governments in the world to help organize and streamline information. For instance, if Richard Nixon had access to a DS2 during Vietnam, we would've trounced those damn tree huggers in a week. The DS2 will be able to hack into and control any form of robotics within a 2 mile radius.

RUMOR

It's as if they took the "two gamecubes duct taped together" and ran with it.

I was suprised to see so many comments from people willing to not only buy a new DS, but be content playing last gen gamecube games on the new sysem.... odd?

@Dan CiTi

MOAR The World Ends With You would make me buy this. Also : Ace Attorney.

@BluDesign: in general it never pays to be an early adopter when it comes to new tech, this is specially true when it comes to consoles/handheld, so IMO best bet is to wait a year, maybe 2 and see how the market moves before making a purchase, this is even more important when it comes to handhelds, remember the great start of the PSP? how about the first year of the DS with tons of shovelware? and look where we are now, also waiting a bit let's you get a revised hardware for better/same price: DS Phat and DSlite, DS Lite and DSi, PS3 Phat and PS3 Slim, PS2 and PS2 Slim, PSP3000 and PSPG- wait, scratch that last one.

As for your DS library i'd suggest NOT to let go of it as almost 99% chances are that the DS2 will have BC with DS, it has been that way historically with older Nintendo handhelds.

OK guys... did a little more research... called my guys... and I found out a few more tidbits about the DS2. The DS2 will not only allow you to play Gameboy, GBA and DS games, it'll allow you to download and play PSP titles. Well, no titles will be available at launch, but there's a PSP emulator built into the DS2. Nintendo suspects that once Sony sees the awe-inspiring glory that is the DS2, it'll decide to stop supporting their doomed handheld and make whatever money they can by selling their games for play on the DS2. You'll be able to fold the DS2 4(!) times so that by the time it's down to pocket size, it'll only be about the size four inches wide and one inch long. You'll be able to use the DS2 as a controller for the Wii, and if your Wii is on and has a game in it, you can play it on your DS2 from anywhere in the world using the built in 3G wireless internet. The DS2 will never need to be charged because it runs off of a battery that recharges itself using the sun, the wind, and small amounts of ambient static electricity. It'll harness the heat of your body and the kinetic motion of bouncing around while you walk to charge itself when in your pocket. The DS2 will be the wave of the future in communications... even non-gamers will buy one for it's free, wireless video chat which can be used like a phone. You'll even be able to receive calls on it from traditional and cell phones. The DS2 will have a feature that enables a 'long second'... time will slow down for everyone except for the user. The user will have ten seconds before time catches up, and for everyone else one second will have passed. The DS2 will be able to fix your car, and make any minor household repairs you need done. After evaluating the problem, it'll make the necessary phone calls for you in order to figure out where you can get the necessary parts for repair cheapest, then it'll plan out your route based on terrain, traffic, and the gas mileage of your car to make sure you use the least amount of gas. The DS2 will make balloon animals for children at parties and put a smile onto the face of every little boy and girl dying of some incurable disease. The DS2 is immune to all forms of disease, and works as a good luck charm when trying to get a new job or pregnant. The DS2 will fight the good fight... when the time comes.

RUMOR

It won't have GBA, will it? >P

I'd love to see what this thing brings.

This had better be a rumor- I've had my DS Lite for less than a year, and I'm still trying out all the crazy games on this system.

Why don't they just make a portable GAMECUBE at this point....??

Oh yeah....Nintendo likes to milk its customers for the 20th re-release of the same game with a slightly different title. MARIO KART DS2 = MARIO KART 64 = MARIO KART Wii....etc. etc.

I'm glad I have an R4 for my DS Lite.....and have hacked my Wii.....serves you right Nintendo.

If it had smash bros with four player multiplayer I'm sold. Pure epicness I'd say!!! Or viewtifull Joe

Sure the DS is still selling amazingly. But you gotta realize that there are more players in the market now... Sony and Apple! If Nintendo wants to stay dominant in the handheld buisness, then they need to get the initiative in the next generation before they do.

About time. Nintendo has always been the uncontested master of the handheld market, and if they want to keep it, they'll need to keep dominating with new products. I haven't bought either the DSi or the DSXL so for me, a DS2 would be a great upgrade. As long as it's still backward compatible with the DS in the very least, I'll be pleased. I guess it's too much to ask for GBA compatability these days though. Crazy how many amazing GBA games there were.

It's a good thing I'm a cheapskate, otherwise I'd be buying 10 different Nintendo handhelds.

Heck, I'd be happy if they just push the damn screens together. No more new games that go "WHAT'S IN THE GAP? MAYBE IT'S IMPORTANT! WOAH!!" (Or maybe just Yoshi's Island DS did that?)

The thing is, what about the DS2 Lite? I got a DSPhat just when I shouldn't have, I know the same will happen here.

@atastysammich
Never had the issue.

psh this was confirmed forever ago!

They need to add Virtual Console support with CROSS-PLATFORM transfer. Also, a good idea would be to get rid of Friend Codes and adopt an account system like with PSN and Xbox Live so that you can log on and download all your games onto a new system in case you lose one. And graphically-enhanced backwards compatibility with DS and DSiWare please!

Guys, just because it's similar to a Gamecube doesn't mean it can PLAY Gamecube games. And knowing Nintendo, it probably won't unless they port them to make more $$$$$.

There should be a "Nintendo Cycle" that's similar to the "Sonic Cycle". Nintendo fanboys love setting themselves up for disappointment. (I should know. I used to be one.)

@Cortez

Its not strange at all. Nintendo's hand helds have always been consistently good, with great game support. Its only the Wii and Nintendo's lack of knowing what to to do in the home arena, and evolving with the pack, that has many people perplexed and vexed. Its hard to understand how they can get left behind in this home area, yet be awesome sauce in the hand held space.

But we won't go there, don't need some losing the lunch over it.

In case you're reading this old article, It has been officially announced. There is no such thing as a DS2. It is instead called a 3DS. It has tilt-sensing. 3-D without glasses. it will be shown off at E3