Nintendo DS

Well, Nintendo gave the DS a new name (same as the old name), and a swanky new look. The unit looks very nice now, and should be a big hit, especially with a sub-$200 price tag as the rumor would have it. You'll probably get it for even less if you're smart, and trade in your GBA or GBA SP, since the DS will play your previous GBA games as well. They've got a load of games lined up for the system, since the industry as a whole seems to have more faith in Nintendo's handheld dominance than they do the home console market. Quite frankly, I don't care. Nintendo's games have always been about pure fun, and that's why I've always enjoyed playing them. The DS is going to make things interesting, for sure.

The Nintendo DS should be out before the end of the year, presumably in November. Rumor has it that it just might even launch the week before it launches in Japan, which would be relatively rare. You might be able to get one even earlier than that, though, as Nintendo is apprently giving away DS units at their Camp Hyrule event this year. It's a virtural summer camp with web games, chat rooms, and while skewed towards kids, I usually find myself having a decent amount of fun.