Nintendo DS Specification and Features:

1) Dual Screens

Two LCD screens offer one of the most groundbreaking game-play advances ever developed: playing a game from two perspectives at once. Imagine the possibilities. In a racing game, drivers might see their main vehicle's view on one screen and a track map on the other.

In a role-playing game, the battles and fights could take place on the first screen while the second provides a handy items box or tools panel. The action itself could be spread over two screens, giving more display for huge end of level bosses or planetary vistas.

In the future, there will probably be games developed which allow users to play on one screen while text messaging other DS users on the other. Each 3-inch screen can create a true 3D view and is comfortably back-lit for ease of use and clarity.

2) Microphone

An available microphone port gives room for future applications such as voice-control software! You will be able to give it voice commands to perform various functions on the fly - especially useful for MP3 and music playing on the go.

You'll also most probably be able to control the characters in your games - imagine teams of SWAT soldiers at your beck and call. As the wireless applications grow, player-to-player voice chat applications will no doubt appear, allowing you to talk in-game with your fellow fraggers.


3) Touch Screen

The bottom screen offers something never before included in any game device: a touch screen similar to the kind you find on modern PDAs.

You no longer have to just use buttons to move their sprites or change perspectives. You can go through menus or access inventory items simply by touching the screen with the stylus or your fingertip.

The possibilities are endless. The screen is protected and you can get further overlays for added protection. A stylus is included in the package.


4) Wireless

Nintendo DS users can connect to a local wireless network, and have multiplayer games of up to 16 players! There's a 30ft transmission guarantee by Nintendo (which is great), but in clear circumstances, this will extend much further.

The technology involved is both IEEE 802.11 and Nintendo's proprietary communication protocol, which is an alternative that provides low battery consumption without loss of multi-player gameplay quality. Players can chat and play games without any connecting cables - completely wire-free and wire less.

The DS networking technology can also connect to a home or office Wireless LAN, which could allow a theoretically infinite number of players to connect to a global server from all around the world, depending on the game application itself.

With the growing popularity of MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games), especially in the Japanese handheld sector, it wont be long before you'll be playing on another planet with thousands of other players!


5) Wireless Game Sharing

Some games, depending on the developer, will allow players to play wirelessly when only one player has the actual game cartridge.

There is also the option of allowing other people to "test" your games, as long as they are still connected.


6) 3-D

The Nintendo DS 3D engine boasts output and framerate which is BETTER than the Nintendo® 64.

Games run at an amazing 60 frames per second, and allow details like fog effects, cel shading, and more! Experience worlds in the palm of your hand like never before!


7) Sound

A stereo output plug and stereo speakers provide 16-channel sound. This number of channels provides amazing quality playback with distinct notes and acoustics.

The on-board Nintendo sound chip will woo and charm you just like all the Nintendo consoles.


8) Battery & Power Management

The unit features a low-energy-consumption design and a rechargeable battery. Power Management functions of Sleep mode and Standby mode are included.

In Sleep mode, players can stop and resume game play at will, although it's usually easier to play games if you are awake.

If a friend on another DS tries to communicate with you, the Nintendo DS will automatically come out of sleep or standby modes.


9) Processing

The unit runs on two processors, an ARM9 and an ARM7.


10) New Media

Nintendo compact cards and DS unit use newly developed semiconductor memory. This allows for less cost, quicker manufacturing time and a capacity of more than one GIGABIT of info. Lots of space for anything you need!


11) Dual Slots

As well as it's normal slot, a Gameboy Advance slot is available, which means all your current Gameboy Advance games will be ready to use on this system! The exciting feature of this is that developers will most probably find a way to "link" GBA and DS games together somehow, giving new life to all the games you've already completed. The GBA port could also be used for new hardware, expanding the functionality of the DS by loads!

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