It was the end of 2003 when Nintendo found itself in one of its most testing times. Even as the Game Boy Advance chugged along quite well, GameCube lagged woefully. As the PlayStation 2 at home easily continued to corner the market on console gaming, its release of a powerful, advanced 3D handheld game console, the PlayStation Portable, left Nintendo staring down the barrel.
Determined to be innovative, the outgoing president Hiroshi Yamauchi challenged the development team to come up with a totally new handheld concept. Drawing on the company’s Game & Watch devices of the 1980s, this was a development that emerged when the newly elected president, Satoru Iwata, took over and guided the group.
The Introduction of Nintendo DS
Unveiled in 2004 as the “Nintendo DS,” the system represented a new leap forward in portable gaming. The “DS” could stand for either “Developers’ System” or “Dual Screen,” a nod to the system’s dual-screen design. With two 32-bit CPUs, a clamshell design, and dual 3-inch displays (one of which was a touchscreen), the DS was the first of its kind. Onboard Wi-Fi also allowed online multiplayer gaming-an innovation that would change the landscape of handheld gaming.
Competing Visions
Launched in Japan in November 2004, the DS was positioned as a “third pillar” alongside the GameCube and Game Boy Advance. The PSP from Sony, with near-PS2-quality graphics and a multimedia format, was released soon after and targeted hardcore gamers. Nintendo, on the other hand, placed the DS to reach a wider audience by taking advantage of its accessible design and innovative features for casual and veteran gamers.
Expansion of Gaming Boundaries
The touchscreen and stylus of the DS streamlined gameplay mechanics, allowing for new franchises such as Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, which brought courtroom drama to players in a way that became synonymous with its iconic “Objection!” catchphrase. Nintendogs allowed casual gamers to capture their imagination with adorable virtual pets, while Professor Layton and Brain Age became staples among families with brain-training games.
Long-time Nintendo fans had their share of delights as well: fresh entries in the storied franchises that included The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and Dragon Quest. New Super Mario Bros. was the rebirth of 2D platforming, and Advance Wars: Dual Strike was some seriously compelling tactical gameplay. With free online multiplayer, Mario Kart DS became the staple for on-the-go competitive gaming.
Celebrating 20 Years of the Nintendo DS A Dual-Screen Revolution
Improving the DS
In the beginning of 2006, Nintendo launched an upgraded version called the DS Lite, which was somewhat more compact and less bulky. Then came the DSi in 2008 and the DSi XL in 2009, featuring new cameras and larger screens. The DS family was able to sell over 154 million units, making it Nintendo’s best-selling console and only second to Sony’s PS2 in terms of worldwide sales.
The DS paved the way for the 3DS, which added glasses-free 3D visuals, and its influence continues to resonate in Nintendo’s hybrid Switch system. By championing casual and innovative gaming experiences, the DS series left an indelible mark on the gaming industry, forever changing how players interact with handheld consoles.
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