Nintendo DS | handheld system from Nintendo

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022

The Nintendo DS (also known as DS, NDS, or the DS Phat) is a handheld system from Nintendo. Development began in mid-2002 and it was released in 2004/2005. It has a successor called the Nintendo 3DS, the very first 3D handheld, which also plays DS games. The DS is a small, nearly pocket-size fold-up machine that lets people play video games. The games are stored on small cartridges which are like memory card chips from digital cameras. Some games, such as Super Mario 64 DS, were released on the same day as the original DS.

For most of Nintendo's systems, there have been no load times, except for the GameCube and Wii. With the DS, a level in the game loads up quickly, just like with Game Boy games. This is because cartridges can be read a lot quicker than DVDs.

The DS also has many new features. It has a new surround sound system. The DS (as well as the DS Lite) also has backwards compatibility with the Game Boy Advance (only single-player mode). However, the DS and DS Lite are incapable of playing the Game Boy or Game Boy Color games. The DS features a touch screen, a screen often used for extra gameplay (like a PDA). The DS packaging comes with two styluses.

Questions and Answers

Q: What is the Nintendo DS?

A: The Nintendo DS is a handheld system from Nintendo that was released in 2004/2005. It is a small, nearly pocket-size fold-up machine that lets people play video games stored on cartridges.

Q: Does the DS have any special features?

A: Yes, the DS has many new features such as a new surround sound system and backwards compatibility with the Game Boy Advance (only single-player mode). It also has a touch screen and comes with two styluses.

Q: Are there any load times when playing games on the DS?

A: No, for most of Nintendo's systems, including the DS, there are no load times except for the GameCube and Wii. This is because cartridges can be read much quicker than DVDs.

Q: Is there a successor to the Nintendo DS?

A: Yes, its successor is called the Nintendo 3DS which is also capable of playing DS games but in 3D.

Q: Can you play older versions of gameboy games on the DS?

A: No, unfortunately both the original DS and its Lite version are incapable of playing Game Boy or Game Boy Color games.

Q: How do you store video games on your console?

A: Games are stored on small cartridges which are like memory card chips from digital cameras.