subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Thu, Nov 26 2009 

Published October 30, 2009 09:00 am - The newest version of Nintendo’s popular handhold game console, with its large screen that’s easier on the eyes and bigger stylus similar to an ordinary pen, has led some to assume it is intended to lure older gamers.

New portable Nintendo DS console meant for groups



TOKYO (AP) — The newest version of Nintendo’s popular handhold game console, with its large screen that’s easier on the eyes and bigger stylus similar to an ordinary pen, has led some to assume it is intended to lure older gamers.

But the company’s president said Friday the new Nintendo DS is designed to let small groups gather around a single device, watching and participating in game play. This would be a dramatic change — gaming on portable consoles, a popular category that also includes the rival PlayStation Portable from Sony, has until now been a private affair.

“It is bigger and about 100 grams heavier, so it is a little less convenient to carry around, but in exchange we hope it is accepted as a DS that is left on the kitchen table, which is bought for each household and shared among the family,” said company President Satoru Iwata.

The new Nintendo DS, called the “LL” for its size, is to go on sale in Japan from Nov. 21 at a suggested price of 20,000 yen ($220). It also has larger dual screens that can be seen clearly from sideways as well as straight on, encouraging group play.

If successful Iwata said it could help open up a new market for handheld consoles.

Nintendo could use a boost.

The console was announced Thursday, the same day the company said its first-half fiscal profit plunged and forecast annual earnings would fall for the first time in six years.

The well-known maker of Super Mario and Pokemon games has suffered as sales of its Wii set-top console have fallen. The Wii, with an innovative wandlike controller that senses motion, has been a smash hit since its 2006 debut, selling 56.14 million units around the globe.

But sales have fallen recently, and Nintendo has cut prices ahead of the upcoming holiday season.

Iwata said the company’s profits were also hurt by the stronger yen, and that a partial recovery was possible during the holiday season as higher demand spurred by the Wii price reduction kicks in. Nintendo’s consoles have been more popular gifts than rivals’ because of their family-oriented nature and low prices.

Iwata spoke to reporters and analysts at a briefing in central Tokyo.

When asked about other popular portable devices such as Apple’s iPhone and Amazon’s Kindle electric book reader, he said he was “more interested” in the Kindle because it has a pay-as-you-go business model as opposed to a monthly fee. Iwata said that such a business model was one possibility for future Nintendo devices as well.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story







autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Announcements


Click here to VOTE!!

Click here!!

: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!


Featured Transportation

1993 CHEVROLET LONG BED
runs good, 4.3 V6, new transmission, needs body parts, $400. (417)438-2508...>MORE

TOYOTA 2004 TACOMA PRERUNNER
Toyota, 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, TRD off road, double cab, V6, new tires, CD, bed liner, lid cover, 100,000 miles, excelle...>MORE

2002 KIA OPTIMA EX
4 door, sharp, loaded, leather, CD, sunroof, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

JEEP 2000 CHEROKEE SPORT
JEEP, 2000 Cherokee Sport, 6 1/2” lift, 35” foggers, locked front end, welded rear end, off road use, winch not included...>MORE

HONDA 2001 CIVIC EX
HONDA, 2001 Civic EX, 4 door, automatic, 94,000 miles, $5800; 1998 Accord, 4 door, $4200; 1999 Honda Prelude, automatic...>MORE

1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER
removable hard tops, automatic, air, CD, sharp, $2500. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

1997 OLDSMOBILE 88
runs good, $1900. 417-850-0731....>MORE

HONDA, 2007 FIT SPORT,
customized interior package, automatic, air, AM/FM/CD, cruise, great mpg, low miles, excellent condition, $11,800. (417)...>MORE

OLDSMOBILE 2003 SILHOUETTE VAN
OLDSMOBILE, 2003 Silhouette mini van, 107,000 miles, scooter/wheelchair hoist, nice, $7000. (417)776-3219....>MORE

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE

Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE

5TH WHEEL
5TH WHEEL, 2004 Prowler Regal, 26’, 2 slides, loaded, nice. (620)674-2127....>MORE

REWARD $50,000 REWARD

Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged
...>MORE

MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!

6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch
...>MORE

(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE

DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE

NEW IN BOX
New in box, Lucchese cowboy boots, black, size 9D, $200. (620)231-9256...>MORE

POODLE, FULL BLOODED
POODLE, full blooded, $75 or best offer. (417)385-8710 after 4:30 p.m....>MORE

POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE

INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition