Unearthed Prototype: A Closer Look at the Nintendo Iris

Today, an intriguing piece of history in the world of Nintendo enthusiasts has surfaced. The focal point is a unique prototype known as the Nintendo Iris, a tantalizing glimpse into a direction that could have shaped the future of handheld gaming.

The Nintendo Iris represents a working model of a device that was originally destined to be the successor to the GBA SP. Interestingly, the original design featured a single-screen configuration, a feature that sets it apart from the dual-screen approach that later came to define the Nintendo DS.

The Journey of the Nintendo Iris

A video recently emerged, courtesy of an avid collector, showcasing the intriguing Nintendo Iris prototype. This device reveals an alternate vision for the evolution of Nintendo’s handheld consoles, showing what could have been had the company continued on its original design path.

The codename ‘Nintendo Iris’ refers to what was initially intended to be the next step after the GBA SP, a single-screen console adhering to a traditional layout.

This plan, however, shifted course due to the influence of Hiroshi Yamauchi, then-president of Nintendo, who suggested adding a second screen, harking back to the Game & Watch design.

The proposition found favor with Satoru Iwata, who was serving as Nintendo’s president at the time. Despite initial reservations from the hardware team, the concept gradually gained traction. This eventually led to the two-screen design that would become a hallmark of the subsequent Nintendo DS.

Behind the Screens: The Nintendo Iris Prototype

The video showcasing the Nintendo Iris prototype provides an intriguing snapshot of an alternate path in the evolution of handheld gaming.

The prototype demonstrates a software demo that showcases squares and cubes in a state of rotation and color transition, an interesting look into the nascent stages of Nintendo DS’s development.

This recent reveal has already sparked a buzz among fans and gaming historians alike. What are your thoughts on this piece of gaming history? Feel free to share your perspectives in the comments.

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