Nintendo DS

Nintendo DS, two screens and a long shelf of surprises

The Nintendo DS arrived as a foldable handheld with two screens, the lower one touch sensitive, and that already set it apart. It moved through the era from 2004 to 2013 in our catalog, with 924 games to browse, so there is plenty to poke around in. The system’s clamshell design, wireless play, and broad mix of projects gave it a personality that still stands out, even when a game asks you to do something slightly odd and expects you to enjoy it.

What the Nintendo DS is

The Nintendo DS is a Nintendo handheld built around two LCD screens, with the lower screen acting as a touchscreen. That dual-screen idea is the whole point, and it gives the machine a different feel from the usual buttons-and-thumbsticks routine. It also supported wireless connectivity for local multiplayer and online play through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which made the system feel busy in the best way. The DS line later included the Nintendo DS Lite and the Nintendo DSi, before the Nintendo 3DS took over in 2011.

What it is known for, and where to start

This platform is known for range. In our catalog you can jump from action and espionage with 007 Goldeneye, 007: Blood Stone, and 007: Quantum of Solace to strategy in Advance Wars: Dual Strike and Advance Wars: Days of Ruin. There is courtroom drama in Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth and Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth - Prosecutor's Path, oddball mystery in Again: Interactive Crime Novel, and weird fantasy in A Witch's Tale and 7th Dragon. A platform this varied tends to make a neat little mess of your free time.

If you want a simple starting spread, try 1 vs. 100 for a different take on trivia, 100 Classic Book Collection for a quieter corner, 18 Classic Card Games if you want familiar decks with a handheld twist, and Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?!! if you prefer something more chaotic. Konami, Capcom, Nintendo, Ubisoft, and Square Enix are the developers with the most games here, so their names are worth following if you want to wander deeper into the catalog without wandering in circles.

FAQ

What makes the Nintendo DS different?

Its two-screen setup is the obvious answer, especially the touch-sensitive lower screen. The clamshell shape and wireless features also helped it stand apart. It was built to do things a standard handheld could not quite do without looking a bit self-conscious about it.

How big is the Nintendo DS catalog here?

There are 924 games in our Nintendo DS catalog, covering release years from 2004 to 2013. That gives you a long stretch of releases to browse, from early handheld experiments to later entries that lean into the system's strengths.

Which developers show up most often?

The developers with the most games here are Konami, Capcom, Nintendo, Ubisoft, and Square Enix. If you already like one of those names, that is an easy way into the catalog without spending the evening scrolling like it is a minor sport.

What are some good games to start with?

For a first pass, try Advance Wars: Dual Strike, Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth, 007 Quantum of Solace, 1 vs. 100, and Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?!!. They show how broad the system can be, from tactics to action to something cheerfully unhinged.

Nintendo DS, two screens and a long shelf of surprises

What the Nintendo DS is

What it is known for, and where to start

FAQ

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