Author Topic: Rumor: Nvidia Tegra to be used on next-gen Nintendo handheld? (Read 3763 times)

Arbys Roast Beef Sandwich · « **on:** October 13, 2009, 04:04:43 PM »

Quote

When Jen-Hsun Huang, co-founder and CEO of nVidia announced that he expects to see Tegra capturing 50% of nVidia's revenue within the next couple of years, a lot of people thought that this is a smoke screen to sway the attention from its battles against AMD and Intel.

Incredibly how it may sound, from what we are hearing nVidia is dead on achieving its course. With a very aggressive approach, the company managed to sway not just Microsoft with the Zune HD multimedia player [based on Tegra APX 2600], but also a long-time IBM and ATI customer - Nintendo.

Launched in 2004, the Nintendo DS and its two latter redesigns [DS Lite and DSi] sold in massive 111.49 million units. With almost 40 million handheld consoles sold in United States alone, Nintendo DS owns 68.3% of worldwide market share.

As the time passed by, Nintendo started to work on the successor of its handheld console with a debut planned for late 2010 [Tokyo Game Show?]. According to our confidential sources, Nintendo is going to use Tegra System-on-Chip processor for the successor of DS/DSi handheld console. Unlike the current design, nVidia offered a single-chip proposal to Nintendo, a company famous for keeping the hardware platform absolutely simple.

Given the fact that Nintendo DS hardware is based upon 16-bit and 32-bit ARM cores, it looks like Next-Gen DS could be backwards compatible with the DS application library. According to our sources, all of the apps that came for old DS could run on a single ARM11 core, yet alone the next-gen CorTex-A9-based Tegra, leaving graphics subsystem to do "something smarter".

Currently, we have no information what exact chip is being used [just that nVidia won the contract], but with the debut set for February 2010, the second generation of Tegra chips could make an excellent base [to be launched at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona].
The question of power consumption and performance is quite aninteresting one. With Gen2 Tegra offering quite a graphics punch;GeForce 9 based hardware [CUDA-enabled design] should offer immenseexperience on small screens - we see no reason why you could not have4x Anti-Aliasing and 8x Anisotropic filtering on a dual-screen system.If Nintendo picked the current gen hardware, i.e. Tegra 600 or APX 2600- it will be getting 65nm chips. If they go with 2nd gen parts, theywill get 40nm chips offering higher performance and lower powerconsumption. The moment we learn about the exact hardware going intoNintendo's next-gen console, we'll inform you.

Thus, it is not hard for us to imagine that Tegra could outship GeForce boards just like Intel's Atom CPU shipped in more units than expensive Nehalem processors. Naturally, the profit ratio is significantly different, but something in the range of $4-5 per chip would mean nVidia could earn half a billion USD from a single deal [over the course of life for the Nintendo's next-gen part].

Now, the billion dollar question is: if Nintendo chose nVidia for the handheld console, does that mean nVidia may have an entrance into the lucrative Wii business? Bear in mind that Wii console was sold in 53.97 million units, taking almost half of current console market [48.4%, according to VGchartz.com]. Also, we wonder what is going to be in next-generation PlayStation Portable...

http://www.brightsideofnews.com/news/2009/10/13/nvidia-tegra-wins-contract-for-next-gen-nintendo-ds.aspx

Neat, I guess?

Himu · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:09:20 PM »

MAKE A NEW GAMEBOY

FUCK DS

Beezy · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:14:17 PM »

I thought you liked the current handhelds, Himuro?

Kestastrophe · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:16:09 PM »

non-games don't need graphix

Can you imagine a Microsoft^TM handheld

Himu · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:17:09 PM »

Quote from: Beezy on October 13, 2009, 04:14:17 PM

I thought you liked the current handhelds, Himuro?

I love them. But the worst thing about the ds is the touch stuff.

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:20:29 PM »

There's no reason to believe that Nintendo will use a semi-powerful GPU in its next handheld.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:32:04 PM »

you mean we will be getting zune hd level tech from the ds in the next couple years

well, at least nintendo is slightly LESS behind the curve this time around

E-DuB · « **Reply #7 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:49:34 PM »

Quote from: Professor Prole on October 13, 2009, 04:32:04 PM

you mean we will be getting zune hd level tech from the ds in the next couple years

well, at least nintendo is slightly LESS behind the curve this time around

Sweet, looks like they want to make Imagine: Babiez look as realistic as possible

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #8 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:51:39 PM »

can't wait to play that port of super mario galaxy using voice command or whatever the fuck new "innovative" control scheme they try to cram up in it

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #9 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:53:26 PM »

"TURN LEFT"

"itsa me!"

"TURN LEFT"

"itsa me!"

"TURN LEFT TURN LEFT TURN LEFT"

"itsa me!"

"GODDAMN YOU TURN LEFT"

"itsa -"

*stomps pocket wii*

archie4208 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 13, 2009, 06:30:04 PM »

Quote from: Edge™ of Kosma on October 13, 2009, 06:28:30 PM

Too bad handhelds dont get any good western RPGs cause western devs are too good for handhelds.

Imagine something like Risen on the DS. That would be awful.

pilonv1 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 13, 2009, 07:28:38 PM »

hey guys remember when oblivion was announced for psp? how'd that turn out?

Oblivion · « **Reply #12 on:** October 13, 2009, 08:00:59 PM »

Wow, very interesting that Nintendo would ditch ATi after working with them for so many years.

So how powerful would their next handheld be with this gpu?

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #13 on:** October 13, 2009, 08:18:24 PM »

Well it's not that much to go by, but it puts it above both the iPhone and PSP.

Rman · « **Reply #14 on:** October 13, 2009, 08:21:04 PM »

Quote from: Professor Prole on October 13, 2009, 04:32:04 PM

you mean we will be getting zune hd level tech from the ds in the next couple years

well, at least nintendo is slightly LESS behind the curve this time around

Is the Tegra chipset more powerful than the Wi? I would guess so since it could output to 720p.

Jansen · « **Reply #15 on:** October 13, 2009, 08:36:22 PM »

well that sounds nice

too bad it isn't going to happen.

Rman · « **Reply #16 on:** October 13, 2009, 08:58:34 PM »

Quote from: Jansen on October 13, 2009, 08:36:22 PM

well that sounds nice

too bad it isn't going to happen.

It's not that unfathomable. By the time Nintendo releases a DS successor the Tegra line would have been updated several times over. Since Nintendo historically tries to make money on hardware, they'll probably get a custom Tegra sku that is lower spec'd and relatively inexpensive.

originalz · « **Reply #17 on:** October 13, 2009, 09:00:50 PM »

The hell? They gonna announce a successor next year? Doesn't make sense, DS is still selling well and they just launched the DSi, people who bought that are gonna be pissed and they'll just kill off their current sales if they announce a successor.

Sho Nuff · « **Reply #18 on:** October 13, 2009, 09:22:09 PM »

That's all right, it's not like I need texture filtering or proper z buffering in my handhelds

(hugs psp)

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #19 on:** October 13, 2009, 09:43:53 PM »

Quote from: originalz on October 13, 2009, 09:00:50 PM

The hell? They gonna announce a successor next year? Doesn't make sense, DS is still selling well and they just launched the DSi, people who bought that are gonna be pissed and they'll just kill off their current sales if they announce a successor.

People said this about the various GBA incarnations and shit.

archie4208 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 13, 2009, 09:49:21 PM »

OG DS - 2004
DS Lite - 2006
DSi - 2008

A new DS iteration in 2010 doesn't seem unreasonable. I really wish Nintendo would drop the DSLite to $99, but I know it is still selling incredibly well.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #21 on:** October 13, 2009, 11:29:56 PM »

the zune hd is in the same performance class as the wii, yes

Dickie Dee · « **Reply #22 on:** October 14, 2009, 05:11:11 AM »

I don't get the thinking that Nintendo wouldn't use this just because the tech might be surprisingly capable in present-day devices. They didn't go low-tech just out of spite but because they're dirt cheap.

Can someone name a more cost effective thing coming out in 2-4 years then a (possibly) striped down version of the next Tegra?

EmCeeGrammar · « **Reply #23 on:** October 14, 2009, 06:07:53 AM »

All of these rumors about nintendo pursuing hifi chips and whatnot never amount to anything substantial. They'll go with something that won't lose them money and doesn't eat up the battery life. Remember broadway and hollywood? Remember all of the speculation threads about these customised components that were going to produce yadda yadda yadda

Turns out, the broadway/hollywood main interest to Nintendo was that it was a low heat solution that consumed less power. It was used to make sure the system didn't fry while in WiiConnect24 mode. And yet wii rot still occurs. Don't look too much into this.

maxy · « **Reply #24 on:** October 14, 2009, 06:14:29 AM »

Bah,Nintendo is not that stupid...real people don't care about xyz buffers,DS sales show that.

DS2 needs some genius control scheme or design to sell like crazy,not some wannabe HD chip.

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #25 on:** October 14, 2009, 10:01:23 AM »

Tegra chips are already pretty cost effective to produce, a 16GB Zune HD is only $219. By the time Nintendo gets around to it the Tegra will already be on the second iteration (which will draw less battery and more than likely be much cheaper to produce), and I could see a "DS HD" with a Tegra chip hitting the $169-179 price point.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #26 on:** October 14, 2009, 04:24:05 PM »

^ yup

cool breeze · « **Reply #27 on:** October 17, 2009, 08:36:26 PM »

Rumor fight!

Rumor: Sony PSP2 Arriving In 2010, Features PowerVR SGX543 Graphics Chip

Arbys Roast Beef Sandwich · « **Reply #28 on:** October 17, 2009, 08:44:36 PM »

Quote from: swaggaz on October 17, 2009, 08:36:26 PM

Rumor fight!

Rumor: Sony PSP2 Arriving In 2010, Features PowerVR SGX543 Graphics Chip

PSP Go

pilonv1 · « **Reply #29 on:** October 17, 2009, 09:35:47 PM »

PSP GONE

treythemovie · « **Reply #30 on:** October 19, 2009, 04:51:55 AM »

Quote from: originalz on October 13, 2009, 09:00:50 PM

The hell? They gonna announce a successor next year? Doesn't make sense, DS is still selling well and they just launched the DSi, people who bought that are gonna be pissed and they'll just kill off their current sales if they announce a successor.

This is the company that not only created the so called "third pillar" DS in order to combat the PSP, but then preceeded to strangle the life out of the GBA just to help the DS succeed. Logic need not apply.

EmCeeGrammar · « **Reply #31 on:** October 19, 2009, 05:25:19 AM »

The ds was successful and could do everything the gba did. It made perfect logical sense to kill it off. The gameboy brand itself had "kiddy" connotations anyway.

treythemovie · « **Reply #32 on:** October 19, 2009, 05:30:27 AM »

Quote from: EmCeeGrammar on October 19, 2009, 05:25:19 AM

The ds was successful and could do everything the gba did. It made perfect logical sense to kill it off. The gameboy brand itself had "kiddy" connotations anyway.

Except, the DS wasn't yet successful when Nintendo tried killing off the still very successful GBA.

EmCeeGrammar · « **Reply #33 on:** October 20, 2009, 06:19:28 AM »

Quote from: treythemovie on October 19, 2009, 05:30:27 AM

Quote from: EmCeeGrammar on October 19, 2009, 05:25:19 AM
The ds was successful and could do everything the gba did. It made perfect logical sense to kill it off. The gameboy brand itself had "kiddy" connotations anyway.
Except, the DS wasn't yet successful when Nintendo tried killing off the still very successful GBA.

LATE
but
If I'm not mistaken the micro came out during the same year, and they were releasing Rhythm tengoku, warioware twisted, drill dozer, and mother 3 during this timeframe as well. They weren't actively trying to kill the gameboy brand. That came later when brain training and nintendogs became runaway hits and they realised the success of these games proved there was a new market to exploit.

News:

Author Topic: Rumor: Nvidia Tegra to be used on next-gen Nintendo handheld? (Read 3763 times)