by Nick - 06.03.05
[4cr Guest Columnist - Nick Rumas]

Though I’ve owned a Nintendo DS since launch, I’m still puzzled when I look at the little gadget. Despite the fact that I play it all the time, it doesn’t feel as familiar as it should, somehow. This isn’t because there is anything lacking on the part of the device or its games. Rather, I think it’s the inherent quirkiness, the newness of it all that still has me a bit dazed.
When you heard that Nintendo’s next portable system would feature two screens, a concept come up with by none other than the notorious Hiroshi Yamauchi, what was the first thing that crossed your mind? I can still vividly remember my response: ‘Um…okay…?’ The icing on the cake was a hilarious ‘concept’ drawing by Matt Casamassina on Ign the day the news hit. In short, the announcement didn’t do much to improve Nintendo’s public image. As we all know, however, the company ended up delivering a hit against the odds, even without a decent launch lineup. Let’s turn back the hands of time for a moment and try to figure out just what made the quirky portable such a success.
























