Homebrew hardware arrives for DS

We all know that the DS is a great piece of pocket gaming hardware, but peripheral specialist Datel apparently isn't content with that. Its aim is to transform Nintendo's dual screen wonder into a 'multimedia marvel' no less, and it has unveiled three new bits of kit intended to do just that.

First covered back in February, the MAX Media Player enables you to browse pictures, play music and watch video on your DS.

Based around a cartridge that slots into the DS's game slot, the MAX Media Player allows you to store media on a 4GB hard drive unit (enough for ten feature films or over a thousand music tracks) and then access pictures, MP3 audio tracks or video via a special browser on your DS screen.

Datel suggests there'll even be the possibility to activate programs, so we can expect to see a variety of interesting software in the near future – we're already looking forward to DS Spreadsheets. According to the blurb, transferring files will be as simple as connecting the unit to your PC via the bundled USB cable and then dragging them across, at which point they will be converted to an appropriate file type and resized to fit the DS screen.

Assuming this all works as promised, the only catch we can see is the price tag. At £129 it's considerably more expensive than a DS itself (and around the same price as the best DS package deals on the market). So, although it hits the streets next week, you might be best to wait for our review before you splash out.

Promising to make less of a dent on your wallet but more of a positive impact on your DS gaming is the £9.99 Communicator Headset. Designed to replace the DS's built-in microphone, the headset prevents you from having to lower your head and shout into your DS when providing commands for your Nintendog, offering 'objections' in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney or chatting to online opponents in the likes of Metroid Prime: Hunters over wi-fi.

Granted, the trade-off involves making you look like a call-centre operative, but at least you can keep your eyes on the screen whilst talking. Perhaps in the near future we might even see an audio-version of PictoChat?

Whilst the first two add-ons are designed to extend the DS's capabilities, the MAX Media Launcher brings things back to the old school gaming arena, enabling the more hardcore DS gamers to access the world of emulation and home brew software. Working in a similar way to the Flash Cart created for the Game Boy Advance, the MAX Media Launcher allows you to access any games, media or software stored on just about any type of flash card (including M3 and Neo). The Flash Cart supported the homebrew and emulation gaming scene on the GBA, and Datel is confident this will do the same for the DS.

If all of this is sounding a little daunting, look out for our special feature about retro gaming and emulation in the near future. If it doesn't, then you'll just want to know that the Max Media Launcher will be hitting the streets before the end of the month, priced £12.99.