According to a new analyst report, Nintendo is planning to ship the next version of the Game Boy portable gaming system by the end of 2005.

"We believe it is likely that the next version of the Game Boy Advance SP will ship as early as this holiday, ahead of most expectations of calendar year 2006," wrote P.J. McNealy of American Technology Research.

The new system is expected to launch at a $99 price point, with prices on the Game Boy Advance falling to $49. Nintendo representatives were unavailable for comment reports CNN

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. OK , time will tell .