It would be nice to see the next version look pretty much the same with some hardware upgrades (better graphics, cpu, etc). Also some changes to the whole friend code system would be welcome, but I don't think they should do anything to radical since it seems to be working and everyone likes it. The next version for me should just clean off some of the ruff edges.

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Based on their history, Nintendo probably won't move towards a multipurpose handheld, as the PSP has done. Plus, Nintendo's strategy has been to a produce a good but less expensive platform. So, while I would love to see them do more to support playing movies, running apps & homebrews, I doubt it.

+ Will they add a player-accessible flash hard drive, even if they maintain the DS and GBA slots? If they want to provide more download and multiplayer possibilities, I think they would?

+ Along those lines, I'd be thrilled if their next handheld actually involved a huge improvement in their online service, offering only games for download but supporting independent game development. But I don't that it'll happen, especially the latter. If the virtual console is successful, would they limit it to the Wii or make some version of it available for the next Nintendo handheld? Miis? Other channels?

+ Dual screen stays. I think it and the touch screen are analogous to the Wiimote: too much the core now of what makes it unique. But that doesn't mean they might not reconfigure the screens in some way.

+ I think GBA support drops. Supporting two generations is all I think customers really expect or demand.

+ Graphics will evolve, of course. My guess is that the next Nintendo handheld's graphics still won't match the PSP [because of costs] but might be close, not unlike the Wii and the PS2 or Xbox.

+ I think it'd be funny if they stuck with the DS name but got rid of the dual screens.

I think the real question is how, if at all, they would add features to the game experience, just as the touch screen and the lesser used mic were.

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I think Better graphics should be in the new 1 at least as good as the dreamcasts & wudnt it be cool if nintendo made somekind of partenership wit t-mobile and realesd the 'DS 2 sidekick edition' or something. They could keep the look of the sideick exept instead of the keyboard there could be the touch screen

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My main concern is that they don't dilute the device too much with other functionality. I think, and hope, they stay focused on the games.
I think that before we see a new form factor for their handheld we will see the firmware upgraded to take advantage of linking up to the Wii. The possibilities are enough to have even the most ardent Sony fan's mouth watering:
-Download Mii's to the DS. To edit and customise via the touch screen. Perhaps even designing clothing Animal Crossing Style.
-Multi-player games using the DS as additional game space, a la Four Swords on the Gamecube.
-Extension of emulators to the DS to enable you to play your purchased Virtual Console games on the move.
-Microphone and Voice input of the DS to be combined with motion and pointing of the Wii-mote, to provide the mother of all immersive experiences.
Well, a man can dream can't he?

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Well look at the progesion to the DSLite from the DS. The DS looked like it was just a prototype to fit all the new features in and get it sold. The DS Lite was the DSs Fintuning.

I imagine that Nintendo do somthing similar Next Gen. DS2 will be esecally the same but with much better graphics and sound (now that they have the core DS design sorted, they can start working on the iceing), mabye a better touch screen that can reconize more then one touched point on the screen, larger screens (but but to large).

Then the online will be improved. Instead of friend codes, you'll proabbly have Gamertags that work in the same way as the Friend code. I think there should also be some kind of lobby, and they should have a VC where you can download GB, GBC, and GBA titles.

One last idea for the online. Nintendo have always been very focused on keeping kids safe online. So i think the introduction of a Credit Card account that you must sign up for would work. Only adults and kids with there parents/gardians permission will be able to make a CC Account, which means Ninetdno can safly have a lobby and a downloadable internet browser that can only be used if you have a credit card account.

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Good point. Where could Nintendo go? Nintendo TS (Triple Screen)?
I really hope they don't get rid of GBA support.

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Isn't it obvious? Nintendo TS: a tri-fold game system with 3 screens!

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apply commonsence and easily work out ds 2,

bigger widescreens,

added media functions,

maybe a gamecube pad layout including a anolog stick

off course touchscreen and mic

spec embedded gamecube real time performance slighty better than gamecube

full ds backward play

full virtual console support

DS 2 put my sack in a blender if im wrong

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Whatever I'd do I'd make sure that I was sent a free one.

It's important.

Important to me.

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Hmm I think that they should increase the size to the size of the old DS b/c the new DS is just to small for me. As backward compatibility goes, the new handheld should play DS games hopefully ... I can easily see nintendo adding motion sensors to the DS allowing users to move the DS around in order to play. 2 Screens will most likely stay (3 screens, I doubt it). I'm concerned about whether or not nintendo will go to Disc format or stick with Carts. I'm hoping for a nice graphical boost meanwhile at the same time improving the efficiency of power consumption

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Besides a graphics upgrade and flash memory slot, how about an analog stick? It would make me want to replay Mario DS over and over.

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Why does the next DS have to have 2 screens? What's the difference between 2 screens and one very large screen divided into two through software that can track input and graphics differently on both halves of the screen? If Nintendo can do this, the next DS could have a screen the size of the PSP, with graphical power to match, yet still allow for DS backward compatibility.

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Why not a gamesystem with a wide touchscreen? Turn it sideways to play Nintendo DS games.

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The one thing I think Nintendo should do for the next DS: replace Pictochat with Clubhouse Games (or a variant thereon). Clubhouse is a fantastic piece of software. Think how many people would buy a DS if they knew that it had online chess built-in, totally ignoring all the other games. Clubhouse is fantastic piece of software, but it would benefit a lot from being built-in.

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Stick with two screens, but triple their size and resolution and make them widescreen, and align them flush with each other when open so there's a near-seamless gap between the two. Both touchscreens. License multi-touch from Apple. Include a real stylus.

Built-in tilt sensors and rumbling.

A true analog stick, and true analog triggers.

Full Wii integration including a virtual console, Miis, and the ability to use the handheld as a Wiimote.

Vastly improved online functionality out-of-the-box, and the games to go along with it. Halo. Better graphics too, but that's a given. Full, non-crippled multiplayer on a single game card, for every game.

Analog/optical audio out with (at least) 5.1 channel surround sound support, for the nerds like me who play in the living room. Integrated MP3 player (just MP3s, lest it end up like the PSP).

A more ergonomic shape that doesn't make your fingers fall asleep.

In addition to the virtual console, full backwards-compatibility with all GBA and original Game Boy games. 20 hours of battery life. 1/4" thick, super-light titanium construction that's built to last.

Built-in taser for when you're playing on the subway and the guy next to you decides he wants it.

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My thoughts:

What has been made avaiable via add-ons will be standard:
- Rumble
- Motion-sensing

What is easy and cost effective for them to do:
- new colors

And maybe something thats not too far off in the field:
- dual touch-screens!

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I think the most likely addition (should they make a successor to DS), would to make the Touch Screen accept more than one input (like how iPhone can accept two inputs at once). A multi-touch screen would make more ideas possible on DS than before.

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I'd scrap the cards (although it would still have a DS slot) and replace it with a bit of flash memory so anybody with WiFi or a Wii could download the games, or it gets uploaded in a shop. Widescreen's probable (though maybe just for the top screen, and I suppose the speakers would have to be smaller and next to the buttons), and i'd put an analogue stick in the centre underneath the touchscreen (where your middle finger goes). Microsd slot and mini usb, tilt sensor, anything really but adding too much would impact overall useability.

And a screen that doesn't mind being thumbed.

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Why not a wide screen Gameboy that can be turned on it's side to play DS games like the new IPhone?

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Hmm, I'd just like a bigger DS Lite, it's quite obviously designed for little hands. Although I guess it's really sleek they way it is. BRING ENAMEL NAVY STATESIDE OMG and I'll sell my Onyx ASAP and get one. Bigger screens and better 3D would be nice, bit of built in flash memory and dual multi-touch screens would be uber. Positions should stay the same, but if it was possible to make them flush that would be great. Bigger A/B/X/Y buttons might be better, they're seriously smaller than GBA I think. VC integration is a no-brainer, I wouldn't be too surprised if they were already making a VC cart for downloading games from Wii. Decent web browser would be nice, but if not I'm sure someone would make a better one in homebrew anyway. Wi-Fi Pictochat with friend's list and ingame notifications of messages or friends being online would be great, perhaps a smaller LCD on the side for that. Better overall online functionality, one code per system. That really makes more sense for DS than Wii because people don't normally share handhelds. In-game voice chat with options to turn it off, off by default maybe for the kids? At least for friends, lack of ingame communication makes tactical games impossible.

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