The Nintendo DS Console
Monopolies are everywhere, but most of them go unnoticed by government regulations. I mean really, how is it that Microsoft was tried for having a monopoly, when Nintendo has slaughtered all competition mercilessly. Of course, I’m not talking about the console market (which they aren’t doing so hot in right now) but rather, their real cash crop. Handheld gaming. The original Gameboy (and it’s pocket and color incarnates) was in total control of the market. Numerous companies tried to steal some market share from this product, and even capable companies like Sega couldn’t break away enough marketplace for their handheld gaming devices to survive. As you would expect, Nintendo finally upgraded it’s line from the 8-bit Gameboy when they introduced the Gameboy Advance, which boasted 32-bits of processing power. The success immediately transferred to the advance line, and as such, Nintendo was becoming really lazy with very few original games that weren’t ports coming to their handheld. This seems to be changing though, as Nintendo is about to face the very company who once stole the console gaming throne from them, Sony. With Sony’s announced Playstation Portable PSP, Nintendo realized that a new handheld may be necessary to combat such a foe. This is where the Nintendo DS comes in, as it was revealed at E3 this year. So what exactly, is Nintendo doing differently this time? Read on to find out.