Finally, we may have some detailed technical specifications as to what type of hardware Nintendo will be packing into their highly anticipated 3DS handheld gaming system.
IGN’s UK team has reportedly spoken to a source that is familiar with the upcoming 3DS and was willing to share some new information about the device on the condition of anonymity.
The follow-up to Nintendo’s DSi will apparently have two 266MHz ARM11 CPUs, though it’s unknown at this point which specific model they will be, and a 133MHz GPU. The GPU has been identified as the DMP PICA200, which is supposed to provide graphics that are comparable to the Xbox 360 and PS3.
The 3DS is also reported to include 4MB VRAM and 64MB RAM. Additionally, 1.5GB of flash memory will be installed for storage, and is a nice increase from the mere 256MB that is on-board the DSi. An SD card slot will also be available for expansion.
It was previously revealed that the handheld console will have a motion-sensing accelerometer and gyroscope, an IR port, two camera lenses to support 3D photo capture, and an increased resolution of 320x240 on the system’s bottom screen.
Unfortunately, it’s still not clear when the 3DS will launch, and a previous statement from Nintendo of America’s president that indicated a 2011 launch date has been disputed. The latest information seems to indicate that Nintendo is poised to make an official announcement regarding the release date on September 29th.
Pricing on the system is also not yet available, though it is expected retail for under $200 in the United States.
I’m definitely looking forward to the US release of the 3DS and the opportunity to see one function in person. I’ve always enjoyed my DS and still play it on a regular basis. The DSi is impressive, but not quite enough to convince me to spend the money to upgrade. If the 3DS is as impressive as it sounds, it will quickly be added to my gadget wish list.
