So...

It's that time of year again. Not many releases of note, at least from my perspective. It's mostly waiting for August to be over and all the games to start arriving. Well, I mean, obviously not for Nintendo consoles - we've had that discussion already.

Well, okay, we haven't really talked DS yet. DS has been practically dead for about a year. There are no games of interest on that system either. Where is New Super Mario Bros. 2? Where is the Super Metroid port, or the long rumoured Metroid Dread? Mario Kart 2? I mean, come on people! I can only guess that this is a sign that the focus has switched to the DS's successor. A proper successor, not the rumoured second redesign.

We're talking late 2009 here, maybe early 2010. Two screens, both touch. Tighter hinge for minimal gap between them. Gyroscope is a given, while rumble is a possibility. I'm pretty sure they'll use some form of SD cards, possibly with their own style of encription to make sure it's completely safe. Backwards compatible with DS, but I'm guessing the GBA slot is going bye-bye. In-built storage of 4-8GB, and a bigger range of features in the OS - calendar, diary, contacts etc. - to make it a more universal device. Launching with the DS2 will be the portable section of the Virtual Console, allowing for download and transfer of Gameboy and other pocket system games for emulation on the go. While it would be nice to see an aluminium unit, something sleek and a bit industrial, inoffensive plastic hues are more likely. Plays music and movie files off of SD cards.

See, Nintendo? If you decided to release some games this year, I wouldn't have to resort to making your announcement of the DS's successor seem so bitterly disappointing.