Design possibilities for the next GBA

[PC-Engine]

I think there are two major directions Nintendo can take:

1. Optical media

2. Matrix ROM media

I think backwards compatibility will be important and is possible in a portable based on either format. Here's my proposal for the optical media based successor to the GBA.

1. Make the mini-optical drive modular like on some laptops. This way you just slide out the drive and slide in a GBA cartridge adaptor module for backwards compatibilty with GBA games.

2. The optical drive could be the same drive used in the GCN except more compact so it could use the same GOD format.

3. The chipset would be a low power derivative of the GCN's or an ARM/SH-5/X-Scale/PowerVR MBX/Acceleon combo.

 

[Paul]

I still say keep GBA, there is no need to ditch it for a replacement so early when it's selling like mad. Not like PSP is going to just sneak up on 70 million units overnight.

 

[PC-Engine]

Yes, I think the GBA SP should still be sold as a cheap PSOne like device. The GBA2, however, would be the upscale version with true 3D capabilties but also backwards compatible with GBA kinda like how PS2 is backwards compatible with PSOne.

 

[Blade]

I know one thing.. they're going to need at least 1.5GB capacity on that GBA2 media.

Nintendo can't fall behind the PSP specs wise, unless they want to lose control of the market.

 

[PC-Engine]

Ok then change the mini-optical drive to a blue laser mini-AOD drive. That in turn will allow Nintendo to use an even smaller disc and still have loads of storage capacity..say a 50 mm disc that can hold 2 GBs.

 

[nondescript]

Maybe the mini-DVD's the gamecube uses? It would simplify manufacturing logistics...mini-DVD in a caddy, something like that. Actually, never mind, mini-DVD's would be too big for a handheld.

But I think Nintendo is sitting pretty with its GBA, GBA2 won't be for a while, by which time some newer technology will arrive, or flash will be so cheap they can stay with solid state. Since it has no designs for world domination unlike MS or Sony, I think it will stick to elegant, simple game devices. Avoid feature creep, keep costs down, battery life up.

 

[jvd]

I know one thing.. they're going to need at least 1.5GB capacity on that GBA2 media.

Nintendo can't fall behind the PSP specs wise, unless they want to lose control of the market.

THats not true at all . gb was inferior to the lynx , game gear and def the nomad. gba was inferior to the nego hand held and wonder swan. It still continues to sell like mad.



For the next gameboy why don't they just shrink the gamecube . I don't know how feasible it is . But i know ati has a ton of power saving tech that they can add into the flipper. I'm sure they can drop the process on the gecko (is this the name of the cpu) and reduce power consumption. Move the ram ondie . Use the disc format they use now. Add a gba adapter so you can play the old games. Price it at 200$ and it will go up well against the psp. Not only that but it would have the cubes library .

 

[zurich]

GBA > WonderSwan

 

[Phil]

PC-Engine:

1. Make the mini-optical drive modular like on some laptops. This way you just slide out the drive and slide in a GBA cartridge adaptor module for backwards compatibilty with GBA games.

Considering what market Nintendo is going to sell their future GameBoy, I doubt an exchangable drive would be a smart way to go. Their core market is still one made up by young players, so I think they should stick with something easy.

IMO, I see Nintendo a bit in a dilema here: they've had a significant advantage, mainly due to their backwards compatitibility, always building it up one bit further with every generation on their ancient catridges. The problem I see is, if they want to stay competitive, they need to at least get a few hundreds of MB's of space. If they go with a cheap optical media, they're indirectly going to give up their backwards compatibility (I doubt they'd even think about doing a exchangable drive thing), which in turn will only give them an edge in mindshare - and against Sony, not even that might be enough on its own.

jvd:

THats not true at all . gb was inferior to the lynx , game gear and def the nomad. gba was inferior to the nego hand held and wonder swan. It still continues to sell like mad.

this is Sony. Think about the mindshare among gamers world wide... (+ marketing).

For the next gameboy why don't they just shrink the gamecube . I don't know how feasible it is . But i know ati has a ton of power saving tech that they can add into the flipper. I'm sure they can drop the process on the gecko (is this the name of the cpu) and reduce power consumption. Move the ram ondie . Use the disc format they use now. Add a gba adapter so you can play the old games. Price it at 200$ and it will go up well against the psp. Not only that but it would have the cubes library .

I don't think that would be feasable. Too expensive, as they're relying on 3rd party makers (ATi) to manufacture the parts. Sony has a real edge here - they make all the technology that is needed (experties in CPU production, battery, LCD, optical drives and storage media etc).

 

[V3]

Good topic.

With Sony, being either cocky or under pressure from stock holder by releasing the spec well in advance.

I think Nintendo should go for that Matrix Rom technology, Hopefully giving 1 to 1.5 GB of space which is plenty for Handheld.

As far, as shrinking the Gamecube, its not very efficient for handheld. I am pretty sure Nintendo is at work with ATI for the next GB.

If Nintendo just concentrate on Games, I am sure they can come up with something that can top PSP.

Screen need to be good as well, no more small GB, GBA screen

 

[Phil]

how expensive is Matrix Rom technology, and how does it compare to the UMD medium? pros, cons?

 

[Deepak]

Matrix ROM is what? Cartridge or optical Disk?? GBA2 will die if it uses cartridges again.

 

[PC-Engine]

Matrix ROMs are high capacity ROM cartridges 256MB+ yet are cheaper per MB than existing GBA ROM technology.

 

[Phil]

Matrix ROMs are high capacity ROM cartridges 256MB+ yet are cheaper per MB than existing GBA ROM technology.

That was safe to assume. I however wonder how the cost compares to optical media, such as UMD?

 

[London Geezer]

Matrix ROMs are high capacity ROM cartridges 256MB+ yet are cheaper per MB than existing GBA ROM technology.

That was safe to assume. I however wonder how the cost compares to optical media, such as UMD?

MY THOUGHTS exactly.... it will NEVER be as cheap as optical media.

 

[V3]

Matrix ROMs are high capacity ROM cartridges 256MB+ yet are cheaper per MB than existing GBA ROM technology.

How much cheaper per MB ? You posted some info before on it, got anymore that are more concrete ?

ROM prices are also driven by process technology, so IMO, its a good chance by 2005-6, things might be cheap enough to rival optical. But still for handheld solid state is preferable.

But still, the optical seems to hold advantage in turn around time. I still like ROM better though.

 

[PC-Engine]

Tagrineth knows the specifics of Matrix ROMs. Maybe she'll post a reply soon.

I think costs aren't really an issue because Nintendo can just lower royalties to make up for the higher cost to developers.

 

[London Geezer]

Tagerineth knows the specifics of Matrix ROMs. Maybe she'll post a reply soon.

I think costs aren't really an issue because Nintendo can just lower royalties to make up for the higher cost to developers.

yeah of course, i wasn't saying it is a problem, i'm just saying that from a manufacturing point of view and optical media is always gonna be cheaper than chips of memory....

 

[Phil]

hmm 256MB+ compared to 1.8 GB. Is it just me, or do I see something similar happening like during the PSX and N64 days?

That is, assuming they use those matrix ROM cartridges...

 

[London Geezer]

do we really need FMV's on handhelds?
and with the power this thing is supposed to have, would it not be better to just stick to real time cut scenes?
current generation consoles can already get away with real time cut scenes...
of course FMV will always look better but we're talking about a handheld here...