No Short-Term Plans For Nintendo 3DS Lite, Say Nintendo Management

By Ishaan . January 27, 2011 . 12:35pm

The original Nintendo DS was a bit of a brick, aesthetically. An adorable brick with two screens and fun games like Feel the Magic XY/XX, but a brick all the same. To rectify this, Nintendo released the DS Lite, a little over a year later, with a slimmer, more elegant design, brighter screens, and improved battery life.

 

The DS Lite was followed up by the DSi, which added new features such as increased RAM and cameras. For more than one reason, people began to compare Nintendo’s portable console iterations to those of Apple’s iPod and iPhone refinements. This was further cemented after the release of the DSi XL, which was essentially a DSi with bigger screens.

 

Naturally, some are concerned about what this means for the Nintendo 3DS. Will there be a new iteration of that, too, a year after release, that makes the original 3DS look outdated by comparison? According to Nintendo, no.

 

In an “Iwata Asks” interview with Nintendo president, Satoru Iwata, design manager of the company’s Research & Engineering group, Kenichi Sugino, revealed that the 3DS already capitalizes upon the experience gained during the design of the DS Lite. You can read the exchange below:

 

Sugino: When you changed your approach and got rid of all gaps, Nintendo DS Lite was born. I think that experience can be seen in Nintendo 3DS.

Iwata: The first thing (Nobuo) Nagai-san, who’s in charge at the Uji plant, said to me when he looked over the designs for Nintendo 3DS before mass production began was "This time it’s fully packed right from the start."

Sugino: Oh, really? (laughs) But he was right. That’s why we don’t have any short-term plans for creating a more compact version of Nintendo 3DS like we did with Nintendo DS Lite. (laughs)

Iwata: Yeah. (laughs) When making Nintendo 3DS, we used all our tricks for Nintendo DS Lite—and more—for cutting down on size right from the start.

 

Obviously, we’d recommend taking this conversation with a grain of salt. That said, Iwata has stated in the past that he dislikes the concept of decreasing the price of Nintendo hardware, as it feels like a punishment of sorts, from the point of view of early adopters. Since the only thing that could conceivably cause a 3DS price drop in the short term is a new system…well…


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  • Really there are several areas where they can cut down, mainly the speakers. There is a lot of space there that is just begging to be used, Im surprised they didnt decrease their size while increasing the screen size. Otherwise, maybe they can change material of the chassis in the future, and make it physically lighter?

  • Well….I won’t be buying one until you do Nintendo. (and when KH and Megaman is released)

  • thaKingRocka

    I’ll take this conversation with a whole shaker of salt.

  • Eddie

    I want to believe them…. I really do…..

    • Jellybit

      You can believe them. All they said was that they don’t have plans for making a “more compact version” soon. DS Lite was the only version that was designed to be more compact. DSi, then DSi XL just got bigger and bigger. Compact isn’t the only way to go with new revisions. I expect one to come out with a better/bigger screen (perhaps with a larger viewing bubble), more battery life, and possibly other things like better quality 3D camera or … well, this isn’t likely, but… second analog nub.

      So yeah, go ahead and believe them. Just know that they were very specific with their wording, and there WILL be another 3DS. Probably in a year and a half.

  • Yeah yeah, there will be a new 3DS in a year and a half.

    • That’s what I said when the Wii was released. Fat lot of help that did me.

      • Tokyo Guy

        But when has Nintendo ever released a redesigned console in modern days? The last console that had a redesign was the Super Famicom. And no I don’t count the Pikachu N64 or the Panasonic Q in this comment as they don’t apply.

      • thebanditking

        Nintendo does not have a history of home console hardware revisions, their handhelds on the other hand change design about every year to year and a half.

    • At a 200 dollar price point.

      • The 3DS is not going to drop in price within a year and a half.

        • It was in jest, but I’d laugh all the same if it happens.

          Actually, I’ll have to bookmark this, Ishaan. What do I get if I’m right about this?

  • Just look at that profile. It looks like three thin slabs stacked on one another. Why is it not rounded off and smooth as the DSlite and DSi? It’s ugly.

    • Maybe it has something to do with the way the stereoscopic 3D works? None of us know because we weren’t in the lab coming up with ways to engineer and design it.

    • Tokyo Guy

      Well it has nothing to do with the 3D element. That is contained entirely in the upper screen portion.

  • cass_c

    I’m ridiculously naive, and…I’m still going to wait for the second generation.

  • That’s not really true… They actually beefed it up rather than cutting it down if you look at the early prototype of 3DS (on Kotaku). Anyways, Iwata isn’t half the man Yamauchi was.

    • Confused-chan

      @_@;

      c-chan doesn’t get it… you comparing a flimsy prototype without any damage testing to the final, market-ready system? o_o;

      don’t understanding the Iwata comment either… why do you insult him for no reason??

    • Code

      Wow, I never thought I’d see the day someone was Pro-Yamauchi opo;

      • Tokyo Guy

        Well I don’t care for Iwata either. He comes across as a bumbling individual who arguably isn’t a proper selection for the job. It’s funny because in Japan, especially with conservative, traditional companies like Nintendo, the individual has to be transferred to many different departments over their career before they can ever be promoted to an executive position. This is to ensure balance and a total understanding of the company’s business. Yet Iwata seems to have been a game developer exclusively. Then again konami had the utter insanity to promote a music composer to game director so who says logic need apply.

        • Code

          I wasn’t really implying my preference for one more then the other, just that Yamauchi for a whole lot of years came across as an angry old man who didn’t understand gamers and made sure to voice his opinion of them whenever he felt the need opo; I can’t believe anyone would want him back.

        • Confused-chan

          Don’t understand at all… company appoints game DEVELOPER who understands process and quality as the president and it’s a bad thing…? Nintendo is doing better than ever! Iwata is even making relations with third party companies… @_@;

          Why you people complain about anything and everything eh?

          • Dude you really are confused, your statement should be amended. Nintendo was doing better than ever until facing two years in a row with declines (this year with a whopping 74% decline in income))…I dont see what “relations” they made with third party companies, as for the 3DS those were the same companies who already published titles for the Nintendo platforms, lol, am I right?!

          • Actually, no, you’re wrong. Dragon Quest appears to be primarily a Nintendo-exclusive series for the moment. Monster Hunter on the Wii was given a huge push by Nintendo. They’ve also established a very strong relationship with Tecmo Koei by way of Metroid: Other M and publishing Samurai Warriors 3.

            Not enough? Look at Level 5 and how well that relationship has worked out.

            Nintendo’s doing just fine in comparison to their competition. Iwata is probably the best thing to happen to the company in recent years. He’s open-minded, understands both business and development aspects of the industry, and I would also say that he’s done a good job of communicating his company’s vision through things like Iwata asks. How many other company presidents can you say that about?

            People just like to bitch on the Internet. :P

  • vadde939

    Liars. Of course there is plans for a 3DS hardware revision. And of course they’ll never admit it because they want everyone to rush out and buy a 3DS now instead of waiting for hardware revisions and price drops.

  • PrinceHeir

    “This time it’s fully packed right from the start.”

    i want to believe this too. and hopefully NGP is really packed on the start, since both manufacturers learned alot this handheld gen.

  • SolidusSnake

    Should’ve gone straight to 3DS XL, the screen looks WAY too small for my comfort.

    • thebanditking

      While I will admit my initial screen posting pics were wrong the screen is still too small and is one of my biggest problems with 3DS. The best comparison to give is this, the PSP 3000 (and those before it) have a 4.3 inch 16:9 widescreen, the PSP Go has a 3.8 16:9 widescreen and now the 3DS a 3.5. I’m sorry but the original PSP set a new standard for me and the 3DS being smaller then even the PSP Go’s screen is just not acceptable. The DSi XL was a great improvement for the DS (imo), the only down side being the original DS’s screen resolution and cart limitations (stupid compressed video).

  • neo_firenze

    I don’t think they are consciously planning a new update yet, but in time as developers and customers ask for changes or new features, and as component prices/selection change, I suspect we will get a second revision. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if a new version of the 3DS takes a bit longer to arrive than the DSlite or GBA SP though – maybe two years of the original 3DS before a revised system sounds realistic to me.

    At the very least though, being Nintendo, I’d count on new colors after the initial year or so of excitement wears off. Consistent with how they handled the N64, GBC, GBA, DS, Gamecube, Wii, etc. Still a little sore we aren’t getting the cool looking red one, so I’m going with blue for my launch system. New colors alone won’t make me trade in my system though.

    • OneOkami

      R&D for new hardware usually begins around the time current hardware launches. Regardless of what they say, I fully expect the next iteration of the 3DS to go into development soon if it hasn’t already. Of course they’re not gonna say that because they want everybody to go out and buy the model they’re getting ready to put out.

  • Nintendo always made new hardwares in the past (GB>GBC / GBA>GBA SP / DS>DSL), I really don’t think this 3DS will be the ONLY 3DS sold… and there’s always a way to increase the battery life :D

  • Caligula

    Eh, I still have my phat DS, and it serves me just fine. I don’t really care if a nicer version of the 3DS comes out after I get it. Fat or slim, they all do the same thing.

  • You can’t expect the man to tell the truth here. It’d be like saying, “You shouldn’t buy this at launch. Just wait a year or two.”

    • Jellybit

      He’s probably telling the truth. He specifically said they don’t have plans for making a SMALLER version of the 3DS. Doesn’t mean they can’t make a hundred other changes/improvements.

  • Ultimate_Tifa_Fan

    The fact that Nintendo needs to release so many versions of the DS means that not even they think their product is good enough. And then they tell us to buy a current version, only to have it replaced by a “better” version in a year or so.

    Fail designers are fail.

    • Confused-chan

      @_@

      PSP revisions:
      PSP-2000
      PSP-3000
      PSPgo
      Monster Hunter PSP

      @_@;

      • I’d consider the GO as an offshoot not really a revision, and Monster Hunter psp was just a “special edition” not a revision either.

        Considering there are pretty significant differences to the size/”options” in the 4 DS revisions vs. minor changes in the psp revisions it’s bordering on apples & oranges.

        • lostinblue

          Monster Hunter was a revision of sorts seeing the analog was improved.

          • too bad it was Japan only.

          • Testsubject909

            PSP is region free. I’m playing on a white Japanese PSP-1000 with a replaced analog nub for better control.

            Nothing, except money, prevents you from getting one.

          • Testsubject909

            You want an improved analog nub?

            PSP-1000, buy replacement analog nubs, replace analog. Tadaaa! Superior analog compared to the 2000-3000.

      • thebanditking

        Thats not entirely the same thing, the PSP revisions were not as severe as the DS ones. PSP 1000 owners can enjoy most of the same features a PSP 3000 or GO user can. The same can not be said for the DS, each old version lacks some major features from the one that replaces it. Effectively ‘screwing/punishing” the early adopters, and forcing them to update (in some cases).

        DS to DSLite – lite had better screens, better stylus size and placement and improved design for comfort.

        Lite to i – DSi has access to DSi store and firmware updates to improve or add features, 2 cameras, built in software for photo editing and facebook integration(Im sure someone cares), soft reboot option, and OS changes and improvement.

        • Confused-chan

          @_@;;

          PSP-2000 – lighter, easier to carry, TV-out, charge with USB

          @_@;;;

          • thebanditking

            Right, but nothing game changing.

            USB charge – only good if your bat was low while connected to a PC

            Lighter/easier to carry – completely negligible and more a matter of opinion

            TV/out – while cool I would bet 80% of PSP owners have never done this or care to.

            so over all these were minor revisions to their original design, which remains fairly unchanged. The DS revisions on the other hand were quite sever and almost night and day in some cases.

          • Testsubject909

            1: Lighter/Easier to carry. That wasn’t too much of an issue, it was already pretty easy to carry. In the case of some people, the actual reduced weight made the item feel too flimsy. I know that’s the case with a few friends of mine. Me, I’m neutral, I can deal with both the lack of and extra weigth of an additional protective casing. So the light/easier to carry thing isn’t really too much of a deal breaker and thus not really a feature people would ultimately feel cheated on.

            2: TV-out. That’s nice from time to time, but for the most part you need a pretty damn big TV, the cord costs a bit too and it’s extremely short for what it’s worth. It’s a bit annoying to make use of and that proximity to your TV unless you buy extension cords doesn’t make such a feature feel all that good unless you’re well prepared for it. And even then, it kind of defeats the purpose of a portable. So it’s one of those add-ons most people don’t really care for, I feel.

            3: Charge with USB. Well, if you’re like me and my sister, you’ve already got a cord that charges from USB to PSP. Or rather, a multi-charger, that can charge both your PSP and your DS at the same time on one USB plug, or a Car plug, or a wall-socket plug. An adaptive battery charger. It costs barely anything too, so really, the USB charge is one of those negligible features.

            Pre-emptive defense:

            4: The PSP-3000’s screen. There are arguments going around as to which one is actually the better screen between the 2000 and the 3000. As such, there’s really no reason to consider one all the better compared to the other.

            5: The PSP-1000 replaceable nub. The analog nub for the 1000 can be removed, replaced instead with an analog nub that sticks out. It gives a far better feel and controls better then the cord-attached PSP-2000/3000 nub.

            6: The PSP-Go’s lack of UMD. Though it has a better battery life, it removed the UMD which many of us need to play some of our games. That one removed features and only provided two things in return. Portability and battery life. But if you’re already accustomed to the PSP’s battery life, which is fair enough by now anyways, there’s really no need for the PSP Go. Not unless you’ve not already bought a PSP, want the longest battery life and don’t mind buying all your games in digital format.

            Sorry Confuse-Chan, but I don’t think you’re going to get any points for that post.

    • You learn from your mistakes. You can’t always get your design right the first time. And, yeah look at confused-chan’s post. Sony made tons of revisions too.

      • Tokyo Guy

        No I don’t think it’s an issue of mistakes so much as it’s penny pinching for budget /cost related demands. Nintendo could release cutting edge hardware but at what cost? The PSP2 will undoubtedly release at the $350 or so price range and absolutely no one will be even remotely surprised. Nintendo simply aims to provide lower specs or cost cutting measures until the things they want become cheap enough to incorporate and still meet with their pricing requirements and profit margin requirements.

    • Zero_Destiny

      Or it means it’s popular and they can keep making money off of new revisions. Said revisions can give new life in the console and increase it’s life span and offer new and fun ways to play games already on the console. This has been going since like the Super Nintendo/Genesis there’s nothing new or exclusive to Nintendo about this. And considering the revisions sell well I guess it means fans are more than happy to buy them be it they missed out on the earlier models, their models are beat up, or they just want new gear. Who are we to bash a company for having the gal to make money and give better products to their customers?

    • Tokyo Guy

      Well I don’t think that’s entirely accurate. Consider that on the one hand, Nintendo always takes the most price productive route possible. It never uses expensive, cutting edge hardware (case in point, compare the 3DS with the PSP2) and it always makes its products more affordable in comparison to the competition as a result. But this comes at the expense of hardware benefits.

      On the other hand, Nintendo doesn’t want to release a new platform every two years less people complain about constantly having to upgrade. To this end, releasing cosmetic or ancillary changes to the unit allow for more sales while at the same time not forcing the original adopters to upgrade their hardware.

      It’s a bit shameless yes, but there is a logical business strategy behind it.

  • Zero_Destiny

    No Nintendo make more revisions it’s what we want!!! And make the darn things Red while your at it!!! lol

    • lostinblue

      hay, I liked the red 3DS better.

  • Tokyo Guy

    LOL that’s a bit funny. Does anyone else find the name of that column to be a bit appropriate, given that Iwata frequently gives incorrect information during press related events?

    Anyway, as others have said, this is really just nonsense, though I will give Nintendo some degree of credit for at least keeping quiet about the inevitable future. The same can’t be said about say, microsoft, who processed to announce windows 8 on the day of release for windows 7. Talk about showing your customers you care.

    Nintendo basically created the re-release when it comes to portables given the endless variants of their products that aim to stretch out the hardware lifecycle as long as possible.

    There must be a lot of chatter making its way to kyoto for Nintendo to actually comment about it. It makes sense given the larger size of the 3ds and the battery. But again I point out that the 3ds completely pre sold out within 12 hours here. It most certainly will sell a ton even in its current configuration.

  • Tokyo Guy

    LOL that’s a bit funny. Does anyone else find the name of that column to be a bit appropriate, given that Iwata frequently gives incorrect information during press related events?

    Anyway, as others have said, this is really just nonsense, though I will give Nintendo some degree of credit for at least keeping quiet about the inevitable future. The same can’t be said about say, microsoft, who processed to announce windows 8 on the day of release for windows 7. Talk about showing your customers you care.

    Nintendo basically created the re-release when it comes to portables given the endless variants of their products that aim to stretch out the hardware lifecycle as long as possible.

    There must be a lot of chatter making its way to kyoto for Nintendo to actually comment about it. It makes sense given the larger size of the 3ds and the battery. But again I point out that the 3ds completely pre sold out within 12 hours here. It most certainly will sell a ton even in its current configuration.

  • Tokyo Guy

    LOL that’s a bit funny. Does anyone else find the name of that column to be a bit appropriate, given that Iwata frequently gives incorrect information during press related events?

    Anyway, as others have said, this is really just nonsense, though I will give Nintendo some degree of credit for at least keeping quiet about the inevitable future. The same can’t be said about say, microsoft, who processed to announce windows 8 on the day of release for windows 7. Talk about showing your customers you care.

    Nintendo basically created the re-release when it comes to portables given the endless variants of their products that aim to stretch out the hardware lifecycle as long as possible.

    There must be a lot of chatter making its way to kyoto for Nintendo to actually comment about it. It makes sense given the larger size of the 3ds and the battery. But again I point out that the 3ds completely pre sold out within 12 hours here. It most certainly will sell a ton even in its current configuration.

  • Yeah, okay. I’ll just for the wait for 3DSiXL.

  • I don’t buy it. I think we will see Nintendo revise the 3DS a few times with the first change coming after about a year. But I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I mean I’m glad I waited till the Nintendo DS lite came out.

  • I think the lesson to be learned here is that nobody ever gets anything right the first time. But if you get it good enough on your first release, it won’t matter since there will be supporters of it forever. Just look at any game series that still has people playing the first versions.

  • so … there will be no upgrade for the battery in short term

  • thebanditking

    “DS already capitalizes upon the experience gained during the design of the DS Lite.”

    What a crock, does this guy honestly believe anyone is going to buy that? If anything the 3DS looks like they took everything they learned and through it out the window, it seems that way with a lot of their portables anymore. The DS was a poor reflection of the design revisions done to the GBA, especially since the DS launched with the most atrocious form of back lit screens (they appeared side lit now that I think about it) compaired to the GBA SP Brite. This console ascetically is horrible, hard edges, multiple seams, and blatantly obvious use of left over DSi parts. Honestly he must think we are all morons, there will be a 3DS lite with in 16 months of the originals launch, I would bet anything on that.

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