Nintendo DS will not be called Nitro

Nintendo Europe has dismissed "Nitro" or "Project Nitro" as little more than a discarded internal codename for Nintendo DS, rubbishing reports yesterday that the enigmatic handheld was to undergo a pre-launch re-branding.

Although "Nintendo DS" itself is little more than a working title for the dual screen handheld, Nintendo was quick to scotch current reports, which originated in an unassuming blog post from Martijn van der Meulen, online product manager for EA's Netherlands division.

"Nintendo has had a website for several years, for the people who develop games for their systems," he said on his blog earlier this week. "On this website, and on the part where I don't need to log in for, the name Nitro is being communicated. The Nitro? I can't say too much about it (NDAs) but I'm sure it's pretty obvious now for some people."

But it's not, at least according to Nintendo Europe. So, if it isn't "Nitro", and probably isn't even "Nintendo DS", then what is it? Given Nintendo's previously stated plan to formally launch the console at this May's E3 trade exhibition in Los Angeles, there's still plenty of time for further idle speculation. I like "Nintendo Handwich" personally. Or "GameBook".

Oh, and before you all get excited about the DS specs we're seeing reported, we are aware of them, and Rob is currently making things up about them. Did you know it was called Nitro because it spits balls of flame?