The latest CNN Game Over column speculates that Nintendo might announce a new Game Boy system by the end of the year. The article quotes a P.J. McNealy of American Technology Research analyst who believes the big “N” is gearing up for a third handheld launch in so many years. The same analyst believes the system will launch during the Holiday time frame with a launch price of about US$99. How would gamers react to a new Nintendo handheld?

Here’s a clipping from the Game Over column:

Official confirmation of the new Game Boy could come as early as March 10, when Nintendo president Satoru Iwata is scheduled to give a keynote speech entitled “The Heart of a Gamer” at the upcoming Game Developer’s Conference in San Francisco.

It’s unclear at this point what sort of advances might be found in a new Game Boy. While this may be a graphical leap forward like many next generation consoles, it could just as easily be an incremental step, slightly enhancing the company’s current offering.