Devs provide early clues to DS sequel features

Nintendo's rumored DS sequel may revolve around a particularly advanced tilt sensor. A third-party developer claims that multiple Japanese firms have received early developer kits and that the incomplete hardware has a tilt sensor (likely an accelerometer) that's like the iPhone's but "does a lot more." The worker cautions CVG that Nintendo is asking for feedback on the prototypes but that early results are very positive.

"It's genuinely the best thing I think I've ever worked with," he says.

The purported source isn't willing to provide a specific timeframe for the launch but says a showing at the Game Developers Conference next month would be too soon. The next most obvious event would be E3 in June, but this wasn't mentioned by the developer.

Nintendo is unofficially believed to be planning an aggressive replacement for the DS and DSi, which may include a Tegra 250, as a reaction less to Sony's PSP and more to Apple's iPhone and iPod touch. The nearly six years old dual-screen handheld is not only significantly slower and lower resolution than its new competitor but demands games that are much more expensive on average. A typical DS game costs $30 to $40 where an iPhone or iPod touch game is often $10 or less, even for direct ports of DS titles.

by MacNN Staff