GameBoy Beyond

[Sovereign]

What do you think the next GAMEBOY will be able to do? Will Nintendo take the DS2 route when the next batch of Handhelds hits the market or will a portable Gamecube be in the cards?

I would really like to see a portable GCN but stupid batteries aren't meaty enough to really keep one going for very long. Who knows, we may see a breakthrough that allows us to play SSBM on the bus going to school.

[Lynk Former]

The DS2 should be released as the GameBoy Evolution.

[masonite]

^evolution insinuates the new one is just an updated version of the previous model - IMO the DS lite should have been called DS evolution.

[trinest]

lamo the GB"b" as you called it dosnt exist its called the GBE.

[Generosity of God]

i'd like the next iteration in the GB franchise to:
- have graphics capabilities on par with GameCube (or a little better)
- be cartridge based to save on batteries
- have backwards compatibility that follows the Revolution, be able to download GB, GBcolor and GBA games (becomes virtual portable console)
- SDcard slot for those downloads
- wi-fi and online same as the DS
- 12+ hours batterylife
- connect to Revolution in some way

things to consider

- movie/music playback using built in modified play-yan technology
- small built in flash drive (i think it would be better with just SDcards though)
- built in rumble
- have the Revolution motion sensing technology applied so that
a: yoshi universal graviation and wario ware twisted can be played when downloaded
b: new games can take advantage of it (ie games wont have to stick to traditional gameplay)
c: can be used as a controller for some revolution games (like the GBA/GC connection but much better because its wireless and has the Rev controller tech inside it)


this is my quick mockup to show button layout
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a95/gog1985/GBmockup.jpg

i based it on the SNES controller for nostalgia value. plus the SNES controller is pretty comfortable.

big screen, analogue stick, d-pad , a/b/x/y, l/r analogue shoulder buttons (not showing in mockup), start/select, dual stereo speakers

would have the obvious jacks: headphone, microphone, power adaptor.

batteries should be removable without having to unscrew stuff.

size: 160mm x 65mm x 15mm (in inches: 6.3 x 2.56 x 0.59) (little wider but shorter and thinner than current DS model)
screen size: 9.46cm diagonally = approx 7.87cm x 5.25cm [3.7in = 3.1in x 2.07in]

i suggest resizing the pic in your choice of paint program to the mentioned size and printing it out so that you can get a physical feel to what the size is (although it will only be paper thick in that instance). i like those size specs.

now if you say its too big, the screen size could be reduced so that the over all system size can be reduced and also the production cost can come down a little.

i'm sure i've missed some things i wanted to say.

there are a couple of pbvious problems that would apear though.

- cost. it seems like building what i've dreamt up would cost quite a bit (translates into alot). especially game cartridges because of how big they would need to be. would probably be high cost system and higher costing games.

- fanboys. they'll say its just a PSP with a Nintendo spin on it. which it isnt so much. but they will say it especially if the play-yan technology gets built in.

remember though that this is just my imagination gone to work.

i also have a request. could someone make my mockup in 3d and post it. i dont have the right program and skills to do such pics.

[SuperLuigiBros]

^That looks really cool, except if they are going to have an anoglogue stick, they should have another one about where the c-stick is on the gamecube controller. There is enough space.

Also, I think Nintendo should have their Gameboy's to stick with awsome graphics and new technologies, and have the DS's utilise all of the innovative things i.e. dual screens, touch screen, motion senors and what not. This way people who love nintendo for their innovation can go for the DS and those who love being 'cool' can spam up the graphics and play 'normal' games. (I would get both).

[Generosity of God]

there is enough space there for another stick but not one of the same size. plus its not in a good position to be very comfortable. its not actually a quick mockup like i said. alot of time went into thinking, printing, rethinking and reprinting until i got to that. but by all means try to fit another one in there. i wanted to but couldnt. i originally wanted it to play GC games so it would have needed the second one and the buttons would need to be GC style layout. but then it got too crowded and cramped. plus the batteries wouldnt last very long even if it is Nintendo making it.

but sort of agree and disagree with your second paragraph. agree with the GB to be the graphics powerhouse portable (thats why my wishing was GC graphics) but i think that it should have bits of innovation to make it stand out from PSP (and other competitors that go the same road who might pop up now and then). thats why i had the Rev motion sensing tech as a suggestion in this one because its got traditional gameplay to compete with PSP and then it would have innovation that would make it stand out from Sony and then even compete with DS.

the DS has been largely successful because of that innovation. if the next GB only has traditional gameplay it may not be able to sell as well as its predecessors (especially in Japan where innovation is being lapped up). now i'm not saying GB should take share away from DS. rather it have innovation attractive enough to make DS owners want both.

plus GB is the next portable to come out. it will be later after the Rev. the Rev could possibly expand the industry. if Rev tech is in the next GB for GB-Rev connection those new gamers the Rev pulled may buy the GB to take advantage of the connectivity. only other thing that is need is more developer support for the connectivity.

[SuperLuigiBros]

^The c-stick is smaller than the actual anologue on the GC, but I guess it would be pretty cramped...hmmm.....

Also, I completely agree that the gameboy should be like the PSP - graphics powerhouse and all - but needs something else to compete with the PSP that only Nintendo can provide.

[Ravster]

^Only Nintendo can provide INNOVATION, something that the PSP can not, and something that the future Gameboy will have!

[Generosity of God]

plus it should launch in australia first. man i hate waiting for releases. even though waiting means we miss out on faulty systems i just hate it. those 12-14 weeks approx i had to wait for the DS almost killed me. alot of sleepless nights. not healthy addiction.

oh btw the c-stick is smaller but the ball that its on is the same size. both are about 2 cm from one point of the hexagon to the opposite.

[SuperLuigiBros]

^I imported my DS. If the new GB does use cartidges and not CDs or whatever, then it should be region free, which means we can import and still play aus games on it. But yeh, Australia needs something first for once, I think the Rev would be good because they could gauge how well it does and improve for the US and Japanese (and everywhere else's) launch.

[Generosity of God]

even though i want it i would have to say that here is not the best place to launch a Nintendo system first.

but we do get some things first. main one i remember is Mario Kart Double Dash. it launch here couple of days before the next region.

[SuperLuigiBros]

^Yeh, that was awsome. We also got Another Code for DS before everyone else.

[Bloodman]

^Only Nintendo can provide INNOVATION, something that the PSP can not, and something that the future Gameboy will have!

You tell em' brother!

Nintendo Power!!

j/k

I would like the new GB to have BOTH batteries and rechargable batteries, so if the rechargable battery dies on you, you still have a safty net to save your game or whatever. Probably a bad idea, but who knows.

[Hyrule_Dude]

I personally don't really want another Gameboy if Nintendo starts making a whole DS series. I would much rather buy the next DS than the next Gameboy. I'm not very keen on buying both. I am really worried that if infact both are abound, other developers will have trouble developing for all these different handhelds, including Sony's. I see so much room for the "Designer's System" to expand where I can only see the next Gameboy as a Nintendo's PSP, albeit with much better software.

[Vishus]

I think the next Nintendo handheld will be a much more innovated DS that can play every GB game from the past and not just GBA. I just can't see a better GB since the DS is the better innovated GBA, unless they do something innovative again, have GB in the name, and then Release a DS2 while the current GB is still hotly supported.

[Bloodman]

I personally don't really want another Gameboy if Nintendo starts making a whole DS series. I would much rather buy the next DS than the next Gameboy. I'm not very keen on buying both. I am really worried that if infact both are abound, other developers will have trouble developing for all these different handhelds, including Sony's. I see so much room for the "Designer's System" to expand where I can only see the next Gameboy as a Nintendo's PSP, albeit with much better software.

I can see where you're comming from. I mean, if you really think about it, all DS is is a gameboy with a touch screen. And all PSP is is a gameboy with better graphics. So wouldn't Gameboy Evolution rather just be DS 2? I mean, DS can play anything any gameboy could ever play.

[Phoenix]

I'd like the next Gameboy to do nothing but play games. It would need to be very powerful, and have an analog stick (not nub). It shouldn't be a very innovative design, since we have the DS for that. The games can still be (and probobly will be) creative, but I want it to be a traditional handheld.

[MajoraBoy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Anfer/GameboyEvoFront.jpg

I love this design! It would be perfect! I added a C Stick to it. It wouldn't have to be an actual Joystick, it could be a disc like the PSP since it isnt used as much as the normal joystick.

My vision of Gameboy Evolution would be this...

Features -

- Have two slots like the DS. One slot on the bottom where you can play Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Gameboy Advance games on it. And a CD slot on the back of it similar to the PSP's.

- It would be CD based and run on CD's the size of Gamecube CD's.

- Would be able to play Gamecube games ONLY ON SINGLE PLAYER. Much like the DS how it can only play GBA games on it single player for obvious reasons.

- Would be able to play and store Mp3's, thousands of them like an Ipod. No movie player though.

- Have Wifi Online Play, Single Game Multiplayer, etc.

- Buttons = A,B,X,Y and Z1 and Z2 on the back of the unit (one on each side) that you can press with your middle fingers (this way, it can be compatible as a Revo Controller too).

- One true Analog Stick (small and compact) and a C Analog Disc, and Analog Pad.

- Connectivity to both the Revolution and the DS.

- Built in memory like the Revo that you can store things on.

- Do it's own handheld version of Virtual Console, lets say play Sega Gamegear games, etc.

- Have the glossy Revo design to it.

And that's all I can think of right now.

[Sovereign]

This is a little close to the PSP but on the right route. I beleive the next Gameboy should have that virtual console thing, good idea BTW. But to really make me buy it and DS2 would be a portable GameCube. Something else cool would be media playing abilities too. It has to be different enough from the DS line to continue the profit for both while offering much more than the DS line could.

[ScratchedAt]

I'm sorry, I can't comment too much on this. Right now I'm content with the DS and more concerned about them throwing out more good games...

[Vishus]

Can't you guys keep the second touch screen with your dream ideas? It's valuable enough to the point that if Nintendo would just make a GB with the power of a GCN they're obviously no different than Sony or any other company that just makes it "look" sweeter for money rather than actually caring about a system.

[Teh Roxor!]

Gamecube media = dead battery. Gamecube games were made with a constant power supply in mind, constantly streaming data. Other than that, it's okay... I just like the DS better. More possibilities.

[HolyPaladin]

If they're going to make another successor in the Game Boy line, it has to be able to do something that the DS can't. Either they A) take the Game Boy line along a similar route to that of the PSP by going with more graphic horsepower, B) incorporate some nifty new feature into its design that isn't available/possible with the DS, or C) don't bother making another Game Boy successor at all. If they do make another, it won't be anything like the DS.

[Phoenix]

You don't need an innovative system to make innovative games. Sure, it helps a lot, but it won't be an uncreative handheld just because it plays games in a traditional fashion. The Gamecube is a traditional console and you mean to say that it hasn't had any creative games?

[Calum]

"i'd like the next iteration in the GB franchise to:"- Game boy isnt a franchise,far from it,look in a dictionary.Or at least the definition of franchise her in Merry old England would mean that game boy,well couldnt be a franchise,neither could any individual product.Im not sure about the definition in America,though i doubt there would be much difference.

[Zeep]

lamo the GB"b" as you called it dosnt exist its called the GBE.
1. Can't you at least spell an abbreviation correctly?

2. Punctuation is your friend.

3. Rumor =/= fact. Guess what?! NEITHER OF THEM EXIST.

[Vishus]

You don't need an innovative system to make innovative games. Sure, it helps a lot, but it won't be an uncreative handheld just because it plays games in a traditional fashion. The Gamecube is a traditional console and you mean to say that it hasn't had any creative games?

It worked like this.

2d games
NES -> SNES

3d games
N64 -> GCN

handheld games
GB/GBP/GBC (not much difference between all three although some games did require that you have a GBC) -> GBA

DS -> still a start
Rev -> still a start

Nintendo just made the DS and the Rev. Why would they not try to do something innovative? The DS and the Rev can still play games with their controls in the traditional sense you just have to actually take the time to think about it and really its not much. I still think the next handheld is the successor to both the GBA and the DS.

[Victor]

Here's a link to some Gameboy Evolution mock ups.
http://www.das-games.com/GBEpictures.php

[Phoenix]

Nintendo just made the DS[...]. Why would they not try to do something innovative?Because Nintendo just made the DS. The DS is Nintendo's third pillar. Among the first two is the Gameboy. If Nintendo tried to innovate enough with the basic design of the next Gameboy, then what makes it the next Gameboy and not the next DS? Nintendo needs to distinguish between its 3 pillars, or there's no point in having them. I'm all for innovation, but for the Gameboy that doesn't need to come from the hardware. It needs to come from what developers do with it.

EDIT: Those mockups are attrocious.

[Generosity of God]

"i'd like the next iteration in the GB franchise to:"- Game boy isnt a franchise,far from it,look in a dictionary.Or at least the definition of franchise her in Merry old England would mean that game boy,well couldnt be a franchise,neither could any individual product.Im not sure about the definition in America,though i doubt there would be much difference.
its good that you say that and all but you should have at least explained why it isnt a franchise and say what it actually should be called (eg GB brand). what i meant was next GB.

anyway that post had nothing to do with the thread topic (what do we want the next GB to do?). i suggest that whenever you nitpick at someone elses post, talk about the content of their post and not just correct them for using the wrong word.

ok now back to topic

@ Synergy: i had a pretty similar idea with my mockup. (uses GC discs so that it could play GC games) but that would require alot more money to go into R&D.
they would have to shrink the GC disc reader so that it fits into a machine approx an 8th of the size of the GC that has a whole lot of other gadgetry inside of it.
as previously mentioned on the thread, battery life would be a major problem as the machine would constantly be reading from the disc. so i thought a bit more and ended up with what i posted before. GC graphics, cartridges would allow for longer battery life, and instead of having a disc reader taking up half the space inside the machine it could be used for internal flash drive and motion sensors.

@ Pheonixphire7: if a large majority of developers were truly innovating, then Nintendo wouldnt be making the Revolution and in the case of portable the DS. it is the innovation in the hardware that is inspiring the innovation in the developers minds. i agree that the 3 pillars (especially the DS and GB pillars) need to be distinguishable from one another, but it would be better for them to be different because of different innovations. if the innovation becomes really sought after (the DS innovation has already started to) the GB may get left behind because it lacks some innovation. as for your question "If Nintendo tried to innovate enough with the basic design of the next Gameboy, then what makes it the next Gameboy and not the next DS?". let me answer your question with a question of my own Matilda. how many abadiginals do you see modeling?...i mean...why did Nintendo put innovation into a GB and call it DS? it could easily have been the next GB. innovation doesnt need to happen but i think it may need to. doesnt have to be the greatest innovation ever but there may need to be something to help it stand out.

[Phoenix]

I never said it had to be another face in the crowd like the PSP (as far as games go), I just said that the main function should be playing games in a traditional style. The only way to get Sony out of the handheld market is to dirrectly compete and dampen Sony's profits significantly, which I find a very doable task.

[Sovereign]

Point, attacking Sony's fan base would cripple the already weaker PSP. For Nintendo to re-own the market again some kind or PSP replacement must be implemented. So it boils down to this, does Nintendo want to monopolize the market?

My guess is not really. Nintendo would rather see the DS destroy the coming of PSP2. Why, because the DS is already out which means development costs that would appear with the GameBoy Beyond aren't a factor. It is also less to worry about. Every time you'd make a game for the DS you'd have to have one for the Beyond, every game and every sale would be compared of the two, sides taken. Crap like that.

When the next handheld generation enters the fray I bet you'll see a portable GameCube with Nintendo engineering that can run for ten hours and they will call it the Game Boy. Since developers already know the GameCube front and back GB-B games could be very easy to produce. This goes along with the Revolution theory.

If I am wrong about portable awesome, then my next guess is the DS and GameBoy combine in the next gen to become one. Something like DS-GameBoy combo name used.

PS, I used 'beyond' only because I thought it sounded cool. That all yo.