Quote Originally Posted by Mo-Nercy View Post
I remember Nintendo once saying that the DS wasn't the successor to the Gameboy and that there was a strong possibility of a new Gameboy co-existing alongside the DS series, but this now seems unlikely. I
I'm with you on this and Vivi with pretty much everything else.

I do like my DS-Lite (launch, baby!) but let's not candy coat it - the best games on the DS are remakes. To the extent that it's not really a game system, it's my updated-classic-RPG player. New Super Mario Bros. copy and pasted all the levels from older Mario games and to say Mario Kart DS is a "new game" stretches the meaning of that term. However, I have just started the Mario & Luigi games and I have to admit I'm impressed, but when I play Final Fantasy VIII on my PSP-Go, it really drives home how FFVIII is a "big-boy" RPG.

That said I do feel the stylus overall was a success. RTS was made more feasible, Revenant Wings was a fun mash-up of my 2 favorite genres. And I may sound utterly insane to say this, but I feel Phantom Hourglass worked. I wrote it off because it sounded retarded, but when I finally gave it a try I was thoroughly impressed. I actually even use the stylus exclusively a lot on FFIII.

But Nintendo's really lost it over the years. They used to lead by example and now it's like they don't even try anymore. The DS and PSP are very similar to me in that both manufacturers should've put their own studios behind them more. There's been successes and a lot of mediocrity on both, but right now I have to give the edge to the PSP. Nintendo for the most part has always compromised with its handheld games. Smaller, tuned down versions of their console big brothers. But PSP just had SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 - which is essentially a console shooter on a handheld with 16-player internet multiplayer and 4-player co-op. They've released a full-fledged Motorstorm and a full-fledged God of War. You never see Nintendo doing anything like that. It seems like they shine most with original IP's like Advanced Wars, Pokemon, and Golden Sun which are primarily built for the handheld.

Anyway, long story short, the 3DS does seem gimmicky, and it's a real let down that this is essentially the end of the DS. On the one hand it seems like it does have plenty of original titles that could keep me occupied for years. But why on Earth would I want to try them when I could play Dragon Quest V, VI, or Final Fantasy IV instead? I just feel like it's never lived up to the tremendous legacy of the GBA, GBC, and original Gameboy. Nintendo truly is dead.