When it comes to turning their portable systems into convergence devices, Nintendo has casually turned the other cheek, leaving third party guys to go behind Ninty's back and create media players for the Game Boy universe without official licensing. Nintendo is taking a more active approach with the DS, it would seem, according to pictures of a European Nintendo DS brochure.

According to the pamphlet, an MP3 player designed specifically for the DS will be hitting Europe this October. To add even more interest to this, supposedly the player will come packaged with the Internet browser software, which came out in Japan earlier this year. The specs are as follows:

* For Nintendo DS (to be inserted into slot 2) and Game Boy Advance hardware
* To store music you need SD cards. Up to 2 GB cards are supported, this equals to 500 songs (best sound quality)
* Choose between different skins (including one with Mario)
* The interface shows all important information
* The unit itself features another headphone port

While this is a neat idea (especially the Mario skins!), I have to imagine that it would be extremely awkward using the DS as an MP3 player. It's very bulky compared to some of the slim SanDisk players, and half of the system wouldn't even be used (since it runs on a GBA pak). Though, if you plug this into a Game Boy Micro, now you're talking hip portability.

Via Joystiq

Report Published by: Mark Raby