The games will almost surely be DSi-enhanced titles

[Lynguist]

I expect that the first pair of Generation V games will be DSi-enhanced titles for the following reasons:

If you look back in time when Gold and Silver came out, they were released as downward compatible Game Boy Color games. That was done, so you didn't have to upgrade to the Game Boy Color just for these two games. But played on a GBC, these games had enhanced capatibilities: colour.

If you compare the technical specifications of the original Game Boy with the Game Boy Color, you notice that the GBC

has doubled CPU clock rate (4 MHz -> 8 MHz),
has quadruple RAM (8 kB -> 32 kB).
has a colour screen, but the screen resolution doesn't change.

Now if you compare the specs of the Nintendo DS with the Nintendo DSi, you notice an interesting fact. The DSi

has doubled CPU clock rate (66 MHz -> 133 MHz),
has quadruple RAM (4 MB -> 16 MB),
has a brighter, bigger screen, but the resolution doesn't change,
has two cameras.


Due to all of these analogies, I conclude that the first pair of Gen V pokémon games will work with the original DS, but have some enhaced DSi features. I would imagine that the casino has some sort of camera games (because of the newly added cameras) or that the game has more wind and water effects on the DSi (because of the faster CPU and more RAM).
Edit: Forum user Jeff had another idea:

Maybe even add an extra area akin to the Distortion World only it requires the DSi so it can take advantage of the extra horsepower. Of course it would be optional.

Moreover, I suppose that the third Gen V game will be a DSi-only game. (Pokémon Crystal was a GBC-only game, too.) So, Game Freak can abandon the old DS and use the full power of the DSi, and Nintendo can sell more DSi systems.


What do you think of my conclusions? (And what do you think of my English writing style? I'm no native speaker and still trying to improve my English.)


Edit:
Here's my expanded theory:

Spoiler

Game Freak always released a new generation for a new handheld. In addition, the first games came out long after the handheld's lauch and the last game came out after the next handheld had even been released except in the case of Crystal.

Check this table:

GB 1989, RG 1996
Y 1998
GBC 1998, GS 1999
C 2000
GBA 2001, RS 2002
E 2004
NDS 2004, DP 2006
Pt 2008
DSi 2008, Gen V 2010
Third game Gen V 2011
DS2 2011, Gen VI 2012

In my opinion, the relation (GB and Gen I) to (GBC and Gen II) is analogous with the relation (NDS and Gen IV) to (DSi and Gen V).

I also draw an analogy between Gen III and Gen VI. Both generations were/will be released on a much stronger system which heavily affected/will affect things that require more power like graphics.

The last two lines of my table are, of course, pure speculation. But I expect that the fifth generation will be a short generation, comprising only three games, as it was the case with the second generation.

But you have to accept that the DSi is a new handheld, even if it's only an enhanced DS. The GBC is just an enhanced GB, anyway. Even the game engines tell it: GS just used an enhanced version of RBY's engine. (Prove: same screen resolution, same sprite size, beta Bird type, ...)

Now I like how Jeff formulated my final thought:

Here's another thought. Making these games DSi- enhanced would be a good way for Nintendo to move some DSi units, while not ignoring all the people with the older models. Now, by the time the third version is released, the next DS model will be out, so almost everyone will have either that or the DSi, so making it DSi-exclusive (also playable on the next DS), won't be such a bad thing.

 

[The Outrage]

Your english writing style is way better than native speakers.

As for your predictions, I'm hoping that it is true. I wanted HgSs to be DSi enhanced.

You also forgot to mention that the DSi is capable of using WPA security settings.

 

[Falconwing]

Oh, yeah I expext them to have DSi only extras, but at the same time I also think it'll run on the Lite and normal DS. So, in conclusion, I agree with everything you said.

Except the DSi only third version. No. No no no no.

Plus, the DSi isn't a different console from the DS, just with flashier stuff. The GB and GBC were two different consoles.

 

[V Faction]

A fair argument. I see nothing wrong with your assumptions.

Functionality, such as the Pal Park, may be called into question, but there certainly isn't anything to discredit the idea of DSi-enhanced features.

In my case, I'll be waiting for the Generation V games as my excuse to purchase a DSi alongside the game itself.

 

[TM2-Megatron]

Your english does indeed seem superior to many native speakers I've encountered. The ability to express one's thoughts in written form (coherently) is becoming an increasingly lost art, so you're doing quite well.

Moreover, I suppose that the third Gen V game will be a DSi-only game. (Pokémon Crystal was a GBC-only game, too.) So, Game Freak can abandon the old DS and use the full power of the DSi, and Nintendo can sell more DSi systems.

Personally, I'm hoping for a DS2 game at that point. There've already been rumours, reported by Bulbanews and other sites, that some developers already have access to DS2 hardware. And that the DS2 itself could be released in Japan as soon as the end of this year (which coincides roughly with when Generation V is supposed to launch). If true, it's possible that the entire Fifth Generation could be shifted onto the DS2 platform during its development in the coming months.

This happened with The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. It started as a Gamecube title, but was then transitioned to the Wii during development. Of course Zelda didn't take full advantage of the Wii in many respects, as it was started targeting the Gamecube. However, if this happened with the first two Gen V Pokemon games, the third version would be developed entirely for the DS2 and make full use of its specifications. Even on a DS2, it's very likely that trading backwards to Generation IV would be possible... I doubt the DS2's local wireless would change very much (or at all).

 

[Garren]

Besides the technical enhancements, I wonder if the DSi's ability to download games and such from an online shop will play a role in possibly Legendary and Event Pokemon distribution?

It'd certainly be interesting if they did that. I wouldn't mind shelling out a few bucks instead of having to drive 30 minutes to the only Toys R'Us in town to download a Pokemon at the age of 20...

 

[The Outrage]

Besides the technical enhancements, I wonder if the DSi's ability to download games and such from an online shop will play a role in possibly Legendary and Event Pokemon distribution?

It'd certainly be interesting if they did that. I wouldn't mind shelling out a few bucks instead of having to drive 30 minutes to the only Toys R'Us in town to download a Pokemon at the age of 20...

If they did that, they might as well have just used the Mystery Gift feature. Maybe they'd make some free downloads in the DSi shop that integrate with the game like a screen shot taker or something.

Functionality, such as the Pal Park, may be called into question, but there certainly isn't anything to discredit the idea of DSi-enhanced features.

Since not everyone has a DSi, they can keep the Pal Park in for the old DS owners.

Plus, the DSi isn't a different console from the DS, just with flashier stuff. The GB and GBC were two different consoles.

How so? All it had was enhanced technical specifications and colour.

 

[Apex]

People need to get it through their heads that Generation Five won't transfer to a new handheld console, that has cards that are unable to work on the DS, run in the middle of its run.

Why the hell would they do that in the first place? Honestly.

Note, I'm talking about the DS to DS2 rumors, not having to do ANYTHING with the DSi.

 

[Falconwing]

People need to get it through their heads that Generation Five won't transfer to a new handheld console, that has cards that are unable to work on the DS, run in the middle of its run.

Why the hell would they do that in the first place? Honestly.

Note, I'm talking about the DS to DS2 rumors, not having to do ANYTHING with the DSi.

GSC did that. Crystal could not be run on the gameboy like the others could.

 

[TM2-Megatron]

People need to get it through their heads that Generation Five won't transfer to a new handheld console, that has cards that are unable to work on the DS, run in the middle of its run.

Why the hell would they do that in the first place? Honestly.

Note, I'm talking about the DS to DS2 rumors, not having to do ANYTHING with the DSi.

Yet if the rumours are true, and the DS2 is coming out by the end of this year (which seems likely to me... the DS will be 6 years old by then), then it makes little sense to have Generation V on the DS at all. By the time the third game came out, the DS would be even more archaic than it will be when the DS2 launches. A 6 year gap between one generation handheld and the next is more than enough, IMO. Neither the GBA nor GBC lasted anywhere near that long.

All of Generation V may still move to the DS2, including the first 2 games.

 

[Falconwing]

All of Generation V may still move to the DS2, including the first 2 games.

No. They. Won't. People, the games have been in development for years. The DS2 hasn't even been finished being developed. OBVIOUSLY the games where made for the DS.

 

[TM2-Megatron]

No. They. Won't. People, the games have been in development for years. The DS2 hasn't even been finished being developed. OBVIOUSLY the games where made for the DS.

Then Gen V may not last very long... especially if it comes out just as the DS2 is launched. What would even be the point? They'd have been better off delaying it 6-12 months.

 

[Apex]

There is no concrete evidence that the DS2 even exists. No mention of it at all. All the "concrete" evidence of it were never actually confirmed.

Also, if JP-Nintendo said "Coming out in 2010 for the Nintendo DS!" why would they do a sudden switch and release it for the DS2 which still isn't confirmed AT ALL. It would piss a lot of people off, and that's a fact.

 

[The Outrage]

Then Gen V may not last very long... especially if it comes out just as the DS2 is launched. What would even be the point? They'd have been better off delaying it 6-12 months.

Or not, and they can keep the generations relatively short and then Gen VI will look way better in comparison even if they don't push the DS2's limits. Then when they have to make another game for the same systems as system life is increasing, they still have all those unexploited features to create the illusion of innovation.

 

[TM2-Megatron]

There is no concrete evidence that the DS2 even exists. No mention of it at all. All the "concrete" evidence of it were never actually confirmed.

Also, if JP-Nintendo said "Coming out in 2010 for the Nintendo DS!" why would they do a sudden switch and release it for the DS2 which still isn't confirmed AT ALL. It would piss a lot of people off, and that's a fact.

Well, when the games were initially announced not even those rumours of the DS2 had surfaced. So what were they going to say? "New Pokemon title coming Q4 2010, for an as-yet unknown handheld"?

Whatever's going to happen with Gen V is still up for debate, and the coming months will probably reveal whether the DS2 rumours have any basis in fact. If they do, though, I maintain that releasing Gen V on the DS at the very end of its life is a death sentence for those games.

 

[Apex]

According to Wikipedia, the DS was officially announced November 3, 2003. It wasn't until December 4 of the following year of 2004 that it actually came out. Here we are in March 2010 and with an expected 2010 Generation V release and still no new Handheld announcement. There is absolutely no reason that Nintendo should split Generation V up between consoles. That right there is a death sentence.

 

[Falconwing]

According to Wikipedia, the DS was officially announced November 3, 2003. It wasn't until December 4 of the following year of 2004 that it actually came out. Here we are in March 2010 and with an expected 2010 Generation V release and still no new Handheld announcement. There is absolutely no reason that Nintendo should split Generation V up between consoles. That right there is a death sentence.

It worked well with GSC.

 

[TM2-Megatron]

According to Wikipedia, the DS was officially announced November 3, 2003. It wasn't until December 4 of the following year of 2004 that it actually came out. Here we are in March 2010 and with an expected 2010 Generation V release and still no new Handheld announcement. There is absolutely no reason that Nintendo should split Generation V up between consoles. That right there is a death sentence.

As would be releasing it on the DS with a DS2 right around the corner (which Game Freak will know about, if it turns out it is true). We'll probably find out more when E3 rolls around, if it's at all true. If not, I shudder to think at how long the DS may last.

Going by the dates you posted, the DS was announced was a mere 2.5 years into the GBA's lifespan (with the two units being seperated by about 3.5 years). We're now over 5 years into the life of the DS... personally I wouldn't blame Nintendo for wanting to pick up the pace a bit.

 

[The Outrage]

Way to hijack the topic guys, but honestly, stop making random assumptions that Pokemon games won't sell because they aren't on the newest console, when there's such a thing as backwards compatibility and that the DS survived on its own without a Pokemon game for a long time.

 

[Rocky505]

It was already confirmed that the 5th gen games will be on the DS. For all we know the DS2 won't be out until mid- next year or fall next year.