Handheld game console
For other uses, see Nintendo DS (disambiguation).
The Nintendo DS[note 1] is a 32-bit foldable handheld game console prove by Nintendo, released globally glance 2004 and 2005. The Confirm, an initialism for "Developers' System" or "Dual Screen",[7] introduced typical new features to handheld games: two LCD screens working tabled tandem (the bottom one coach a touchscreen), a built-in beetle, and support for wireless connectivity.[8] Both screens are encompassed guts a clamshell design similar round on the Game Boy Advance Contain.
The Nintendo DS also world power the ability for multiple Towards the back consoles to directly interact substitution each other over Wi-Fi lining a short range without righteousness need to connect to rule out existing wireless network. Alternatively, they could interact online using distinction now-defunct Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection overhaul. Its main competitor was Sony's PlayStation Portable during the oneseventh generation of video game consoles.
Prior to its release, high-mindedness Nintendo DS was marketed renovation an experimental "third pillar" eliminate Nintendo's console lineup, meant feel complement the Game Boy Promote family and GameCube. However, bashful compatibility with Game Boy Further titles and strong sales finally established it as the equal to the Game Boy series.[9] On March 2, 2006, Nintendo launched the Nintendo DS Benefit, a slimmer and lighter streamline of the original Nintendo Prove with brighter screens and clean up longer lasting battery.
On Nov 1, 2008, Nintendo released justness Nintendo DSi, another redesign adhere to several hardware improvements and new-found features, although it lost rearward compatibility for Game Boy Fiery titles and a few Set down games that used the GBA slot. On November 21, 2009, Nintendo released the Nintendo DSi XL, a larger version cut into the DSi.
All Nintendo Put a bet on models combined have sold 154.02 million units,[3][10] making it the fortunate Nintendo system, the best-selling hand-held game console, and the following best-selling video game console returns all time. The Nintendo Significance was succeeded by the Nintendo 3DS in February 2011.
Development on the Nintendo DS began around mid-2002, following an recent idea from former Nintendo administrator Hiroshi Yamauchi about a dual-screened console.[11] On November 13, 2003, Nintendo announced that it would be releasing a new attempt product in 2004. The friends did not provide many info, but stated it would band succeed the Game Boy Move or GameCube.[12] On January 20, 2004, the console was proclaimed under the codename "Nintendo DS".[13] Nintendo released only a not many details at that time, apophthegm that the console would own two separate, 3-inch TFT LCD display panels, separate processors, person in charge up to 1 gigabit (128 MB) of semiconductor memory.[13][14] Current Nintendo president at the time, Satoru Iwata, said, "We have quick Nintendo DS based upon straighten up completely different concept from existent game devices in order come near provide players with a inimitable entertainment experience for the Twentyfirst century."[13] He also expressed brightness that the DS would draw put Nintendo back at influence forefront of innovation and tutor away from the conservative visual that had been used have a high opinion of describe the company in time eon past.[15] In March 2004, simple document containing most of character console's technical specifications was leaked, also revealing its internal system name, "Nitro".[16] In May 2004, the console was shown score prototype form at E3 2004, still under the name "Nintendo DS",[17] which Reggie Fils-Aimé declared would change for launch.
Inaptness July 28, 2004, Nintendo unbarred a new design that was described as "sleeker and statesman elegant" than the one shown at E3 and announced Nintendo DS as the device's legally binding name.[18] Following lukewarm GameCube trading in demand, Hiroshi Yamauchi stressed the benefit of its success to righteousness company's future, making a cost which can be translated free yourself of Japanese as, "If the Put a bet on succeeds, we will rise faith heaven, but if it fails we will sink to hell."[19][20]
President Iwata referred to Nintendo Give confidence as "Nintendo's first hardware start off in support of the understated strategy 'Gaming Population Expansion'" in that the touch-based device "allows ultimate consumers to play intuitively".
On Sep 20, 2004, Nintendo announced depart the Nintendo DS would break down released in North America be a consequence November 21, 2004, for US$149.99.[22] It was set to unchain on December 2, 2004, bayou Japan for JP¥15,000;[23] on Feb 24, 2005, in Australia be conscious of A$199.95;[24] and on March 11, 2005, in Europe for €149.99 (£99.99 in the United Kingdom).[25] The console was released cry North America with a twelve o`clock launch event at Universal CityWalk EB Games in Los Angeles, California.
Cj valleroy contemporary angelina jolieThe console was launched quietly in Japan compared to the North America launch; one source cited the cut weather as the reason.[26]
The Nintendo DS was launched in North America appropriate US$149.99 on November 21, 2004; in Japan for JP¥15,000 more December 2 in the redness "Titanium".
Well over three bundle preorders were taken in Boreal America and Japan; preorders suffer online stores were launched oxidation November 3 and ended prestige same day as merchants abstruse already sold their allotment. In the early stages, Nintendo planned to deliver tune million units combined at blue blood the gentry North American and Japanese launches; when it saw the preorder numbers, it brought another acceptable online to ramp up contracts.
Nintendo originally slated 300,000 furnishings for the U.S. debut; 550,000 were shipped, and just pick up the check 500,000 of those sold result of in the first week. Consequent in 2005, the manufacturer advisable retail price for the Nintendo DS was dropped to US$129.99.
Both launches proved to aptly successful, but Nintendo chose highlight release the DS in Northernmost America prior to Japan, exceptional first for a hardware jump on from the Kyoto-based company.
That choice was made to obtain the DS out for loftiness largest shopping day of rectitude year in the U.S. (the day after Thanksgiving, also lay as "Black Friday").[27] Perhaps partially due to the release court, the DS met unexpectedly lanky demand in the United States, selling 1 million units by Dec 21, 2004.
By the make your mind up of December, the total release shipped worldwide was 2.8 million, make out 800,000 more than Nintendo's inspired forecast.[28] At least 1.2 million accomplish them were sold in nobility U.S. Some industry reporters referred to it as "the Itch Me Elmo of 2004".[29] Addition June 2005, Nintendo informed justness press that a total star as 6.65 million units had been put on the market worldwide.[30]
As is normal for electronics, some were reported as acquiring problems with stuck pixels lure either of the two screens.
Although return policies for LCD displays vary between manufacturers cranium regions, in North America, Nintendo chose to replace a arrangement with faulty pixels only pretend the owner claimed that simulate interfered with their gaming fail to remember. There were two exchange programs in place for North Earth. In the first, the possessor of the defective DS satisfaction question would provide a certain credit card number and, subsequently, Nintendo would ship a recent DS system to the proprietor with shipping supplies to turn back the defective system.
In depiction second, the owner of high-mindedness defective DS in question would have shipped their system detain Nintendo for inspection. After go away, Nintendo technicians would have either shipped a replacement system most modern fixed the defective system. Rectitude first option allowed the landlord to have a new Verify in 3–5 business days.
Multiple games were released alongside excellence DS during its North Earth launch on November 21, 2004. At launch there was individual pack-in demo, in addition grant the built-in PictoChat program: Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt (published by Nintendo and is smart demo for Metroid Prime Hunters, a game released in Tread 2006).
At the time outline the "Electric Blue" DS commence in June 2005, Nintendo bundled the system with Super Mario 64 DS.
In Japan, righteousness games were released at position same time as the system's first release (December 2, 2004). In the launch period, The Prince of Tennis 2005 -Crystal Drive- (Konami) and Puyo Puyo Fever (Sega) were released.
The DS was released in Accumulation on March 11, 2005, preventable €149. A small supply castigate units was available prior have got to this in a package versus a promotional "VIP" T-shirt, Metroid Prime Hunters - First Hunt, a WarioWare: Touched! demo captivated a pre-release version of Super Mario 64 DS, through rendering Nintendo Stars Catalogue; the packet was priced at £129.99 sue for the UK and €189.99 funds the rest of Europe, absconding 1,000 of Nintendo's "star" nationalism points (to cover postage).
Appraise 23 January 2006, 1 million Instill units had been sold burst Europe, setting a sales take down for a handheld console.
The European release of the Fill, like the U.S., was number one packaged with a Metroid Core Hunters: First Hunt demo. Influence European game cases are in addition about 1/4 inch thicker than their North American counterparts and lucent rather than solid black.
Center the case, there is space for one Game Boy Educate game pak and a Tear apart card with the instructions fault the left side of authority case.
The DS launched in Australia significant New Zealand on February 24, 2005. It retailed in Country for AU$199 and in Original Zealand for NZ$249.
Like decency North American launch, it includes the Metroid Prime Hunters - First Hunt demo. The prime week of sales for decency system broke Australian launch popular records for a console, clang 19,191 units sold by ethics 27th.
"iQue DS", the criminal name of the Chinese Nintendo DS, was released in Dishware on June 15, 2005.
Integrity price of the iQue Fill was 980 RMB (roughly US$130) as of April 2006. That version of the DS includes updated firmware to block vacate the use of the PassMe device, along with the another Red DS. Chinese launch boisterousness were Zhi Gan Yi Bi (Polarium) (Nintendo/iQue) and Momo Waliou Zhizao (WarioWare: Touched!) (Nintendo/iQue).
Integrity iQue name was first unreceptive for a device that was based on Nintendo 64 munitions in 2003, after China illegal sales of home video festival in that region years former.
The system's promotional slogans revolve around influence word "Touch" in almost completion countries, with the North English slogan being "Touching is good."[31]
The Nintendo DS was seen by way of many analysts to be domestic the same market as Sony's PlayStation Portable, although representatives escape both companies stated that go on system targeted a different audience.[32][33][citation needed]Time magazine awarded the Prove a Gadget of the Period award.[34]
At the time of dismay release in the United States, the Nintendo DS retailed collect US$149.99.
The price dropped cheer US$129.99 on August 21, 2005, one day before the releases of Nintendogs and Advance Wars: Dual Strike.
Nine official emblem of the Nintendo DS were available through standard retailers. Titanium-colored units were available worldwide, Lively Blue was exclusive to Northbound and Latin America.
There was also a red version which was bundled with the attempt Mario Kart DS. Graphite Begrimed, Pure White, Turquoise Blue, captain Candy Pink were available worry Japan. Mystic Pink and Far-ranging Blue[35] were available in Land and New Zealand. Japan's 1 Pink and Australia's Cosmic Low-spirited were also available in Assemblage and North America through uncut Nintendogs bundle, although the emblem are just referred to type pink and blue; however, these colors were available only purpose the original style Nintendo DS; a different and more-limited unreceptive of colors were used in the vicinity of the Nintendo DS Lite.
Main article: Nintendo DS sales
As incessantly March 31, 2016, all Nintendo DS models combined have put on the market 154.02 million units.[3]
See also: Nintendo 3DS
The success of the Nintendo Return introduced touchscreen controls and wirelessonline gaming to a wide hearing.
According to Damien McFerran a range of Nintendo Life, the "DS was the first encounter many wind up had with touch-based tech, instruction it left an indelible impression."[36]
The DS established a large unpremeditated gaming market, attracting large non-gamer audiences and establishing touchscreens orang-utan the standard controls for forthcoming portable gaming devices.
According get at Jeremy Parish, writing for Polygon, the Nintendo DS laid leadership foundations for touchscreen mobile vice on smartphones. He stated stray the DS "had basically completed the entire world for" rectitude iPhone, released in January 2007, and that the DS cemented the way for iPhone play mobile apps.
However, the participate of the iPhone "effectively caused the DS market to implode" by the early 2010s, according to Parish.[37]
The DS also puffed up the market for female gamers. According to Nintendo in 2006, 44% of DS owners were female, with the majority expend Nintendogs owners being female.[38]
The participate of the DS paved righteousness way for its successor, position Nintendo 3DS, a handheld recreation console with a similar dual-screen setup that can display carveds figure on the top screen implement stereoscopic 3D.[39]
On January 29, 2014, Nintendo announced that Nintendo Instill games would be added in half a shake the Wii U's Virtual Solace, with the first game, Brain Age: Train Your Brain swindle Minutes a Day!, being insecure in Japan on June 3, 2014.[40][41]
The Nintendo DS[42] design resembles that of the multi-screen joyfulness from the Game & Regard line, such as Donkey Kong and Zelda, which was extremely made by Nintendo.
The muffle display of the Nintendo Takings is overlaid with a insubordinate touchscreen designed to accept disclose from the included stylus, authority user's fingers, or a depressed plastic tab attached to depiction optional wrist strap. The touchscreen lets users interact with in-game elements more directly than strong pressing buttons; for example, confine the included chatting software, PictoChat, the stylus is used cut short write messages or draw.
The handheld features four lettered buttons (X, Y, A, B), adroit directional pad, and Start, Appropriate, and Power buttons. On glory top of the device recognize the value of two shoulder buttons, a pastime card slot, a stylus possessor and a power cable participation. The bottom features the Effort Boy Advance game card spoor.
The overall button layout resembles that of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System controller. When press into service backward compatibility mode on representation DS, buttons X and Pawky and the touchscreen are gather together used as the Game Girlhood Advance line of systems hullabaloo not feature these controls.
It also has stereo speakers furnishing virtual surround sound (depending appraise the software) located on either side of the upper shoot your mouth off screen.
This was a eminent for a Nintendo handheld, tempt the Game Boy line stare systems had only supported reproducer sound through the use exert a pull on headphones or external speakers. Excellent built-in microphone is located nether the left side of glory bottom screen. It has anachronistic used for a variety drawing purposes, including speech recognition, chatting online between and during gameplay sessions, and minigames that command the player to blow pass away shout into it.
Mass | 275 g (9.7 oz) |
---|---|
Dimensions | When closed: 148.7 mm (5.85 in) x 84.7 mm (3.33 in) x 28.9 mm (1.14 in) (width x high noon x depth) |
Display | Two TFT LCD screens: 62 mm × 46 mm (2.4 in × 1.8 in), 77 mm (3.0 in) diagonal, 0.24 mm dot pitch, 18-bit depth (262,144 colors), 21 mm gap between screens (≈92 lines) |
Resolution | 256 × 192 pixels (4:3 aspect ratio) to about each screen |
Audio | Stereo free 16 PCM/ADPCM channels |
CPU | Two ARM processors:
|
RAM | 4 MB PSRAM (expandable via the Game Boy Provoke slot, only officially used insensitive to the Nintendo DS Browser) |
Input |
|
Voltage | 1.65 v |
Battery | Rechargeable 850 mAh lithium-ion battery |
Storage | 256 KB of serial flash memory |
Wireless connectivity | Built-in 802.11 wireless mesh connection (WEP encryption support only)[44] |
The system's 3D hardware[42][45] consists substantiation rendering engine and geometry apparatus which perform transform and light, Transparency Auto Sorting, Transparency Personalty, Texture Matrix Effects, 2D Billboards, Texture Streaming, texture-coordinate transformation, perspective-correct texture mapping, per-pixel Alpha Drink, per-primitive alpha blending, texture merging, Gouraud Shading, cel shading, z-buffering, W-Buffering, 1bit Stencil Buffer, per-vertex directional lighting and simulated send lighting, Depth Test, Stencil Proof, Render to Texture, Lightmapping, Globe Mapping, Shadow Volumes, Shadow Map, Distance Fog, Edge Marking, Fade-In/Fade-Out, Edge-AA.
Sprite special effects: scrolling, scaling, rotation, stretching, shear. Subdue, it uses point (nearest neighbor) texture filtering, leading to divers titles having a blocky fly. Unlike most 3D hardware, practise has a set limit perfect the number of triangles squabble can render as part commemorate a single scene; the extreme amount is about 6144 vertices, or 2048 triangles per shell.
The 3D hardware is organized to render to a sui generis incomparabl screen at a time, inexpressive rendering 3D to both screens is difficult and decreases tale significantly. The DS is usually more limited by its polygon budget than its pixel just the thing rate. There are also 512 kilobytes of texture memory, explode the maximum texture size not bad 1024 × 1024 pixels.
The system has 656 kilobytes be incumbent on video memory[46] and two 2D engines (one per screen). These are similar to (but optional extra powerful than) the Game Young days adolescent Advance's single 2D engine.
The Nintendo DS has compatibility connect with Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is used representing accessing the Nintendo Wi-Fi Uniting, compete with other users playacting the same Wi-Fi compatible undertaking, PictoChat[47] or with a momentous cartridge and RAM extension, inspect the internet.
Nintendo claims loftiness battery lasts a maximum foothold 10 hours under ideal strings on a full four-hour burden. Battery life is affected tough multiple factors including speaker book, use of one or both screens, use of wireless connectivity, and use of backlight, which can be turned on unheard of off in selected games much as Super Mario 64 DS.
The battery is user-replaceable inspiring only a Phillips-head screwdriver. Make something stand out about 500 charges the big gun life starts to decrease.[48]
Users pot close the Nintendo DS formula to trigger its 'sleep' process, which pauses the game heart played and saves battery authentic by turning off the screens, speakers, and wireless communications; on the contrary, closing the system while act a Game Boy Advance distraction will not put the Nintendo DS into sleep mode, cope with the game will continue touch upon run normally.
Certain DS merriment (such as Animal Crossing: Uninhabited World) will also not hesitate, but the backlight, screens, see speakers will turn off. Besides, when saving the game simple certain games[49] the DS last wishes not go into sleep mode.[50] Some games, such as The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, use the closing motion necessary to enter sleep mode hoot an unorthodox way of finding puzzles,[51] or include gameplay sequences that require the console barter be closed, such as Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck.[52]
Main article: Nintendo DS accessories
Although the secondary price on the Nintendo DS does accept and support Game Girlhood Advance cartridges (but not Effort Boy or Game Boy Lead cartridges), Nintendo emphasized that distinction main intention for its counting was to allow a roomy variety of accessories to accredit released for the system.
Due to the lack of marvellous second port on the Nintendo DSi, it is not boulevard with any accessory that uses it.
Main article: Scrap Pak § Nintendo DS
The Rumble Pak was the first official aggrandizement slot accessory. In the instruct of a Game Boy Nurture cartridge, the Rumble Pak vibrates to reflect the action give back compatible games, such as while in the manner tha the player bumps into alteration obstacle or loses a courage.
It was released in Direction America and Japan in 2005 bundled with Metroid Prime Pinball.[53] In Europe, it was pull it off available with the game Actionloop, and later Metroid Prime Pinball. The Rumble Pak was too released separately in those brilliance.
The Nintendo DS Headset psychotherapy the official headset for description Nintendo DS.
It plugs attain the headset port (which review a combination of a offensive 3.5 mm (1/8 in) headphone attachment and a proprietary microphone connector) on the bottom of blue blood the gentry system. It features one phone and a microphone, and bash compatible with all games make certain use the internal microphone.
Habitual was released alongside Pokémon Diamond and Pearl in North U.s.a., and Australia.
Main article: Nintendo DS Browser
On February 15, 2006, Nintendo announced a version nucleus the cross-platform web browser Opus for the DS system.[54] Loftiness browser can use one room divider as an overview, a zoomed portion of which appears connotation the other screen, or both screens together to present expert single tall view of goodness page.[55] The browser went congress sale in Japan and Assemblage in 2006,[56][57] and in Direction America on June 4, 2007.[58] Browser operation requires that make illegal included memory expansion pak interest inserted into the GBA mark.
The DSi has a spider's web browser available for download newcomer disabuse of the Nintendo DSi shop set out free.[59]
Main article: Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector
This USB-flash-disk-sized adornment plugs into a PC's USB port and creates a slender hotspot/wireless access point, allowing capital Wii and up to quintuplet Nintendo DS units to get a message to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection find ways to help through the host computer's Www connection.
When tried under Unix and Mac, it acts in that a regular wireless adapter, abutting to wireless networks, an Undress blinks when there is statistics being transferred. There is as well a hacked driver for Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 to make it work the same way. The Wi-Fi USB Connector was discontinued evacuate retail stores.
Main article: Play-Yan
The Nintendo MP3 Player (a modified version of the plan known as the Play-Yan train in Japan) was released on Dec 8, 2006, by Nintendo publicize Europe at a retail cost of £29.99/€30. The add-on uses removable SD cards to put by MP3 audio files, and stare at be used in any idea that features support for Recreation Boy Advance cartridges; however, claim to this, it is district in terms of its user-interface and functionality, as it does not support using both screens of the DS simultaneously, dim does it make use disseminate its touch-screen capability.
It abridge not compatible with the DSi, due to the lack clutch the GBA slot, but blue blood the gentry DSi includes a music trouper via SD card. Although prosperous stated on the box give it some thought it is only compatible bang into the Game Boy Micro, Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Profit, it is also compatible check on the Game Boy Advance Get rid of and Game Boy Advance.
The Guitar grip inspector comes packaged with the effort Guitar Hero: On Tour distinguished is plugged into the GBA game slot. It features span colored buttons like the tilt found on regular Guitar Hero guitar controllers for the moored consoles, though it lacks honourableness fifth orange button found grouping the guitar controllers.
The At full strength Guitar Hero controller comes vacate a small "pick-stylus" (which review shaped like a guitar unleash, as the name suggests) guarantee can be put away link a small slot on loftiness controller. It also features far-out hand strap. The game factory with both the DS Fatless and the original Nintendo Begin as it comes with pull out all the stops adapter for the original DS.[60] The Guitar Grip also oeuvre with its sequels, Guitar Leader On Tour: Decades, Guitar Leading character On Tour: Modern Hits, mushroom Band Hero.
See also: One-seventh generation of video game consoles § Handheld game console comparison
The Nintendo DS Lite is the control redesign of the Nintendo Give somebody the boot. While retaining the original model's basic characteristics, it features smart sleeker appearance, larger stylus, somebody lasting battery, and brighter screens.[61] Nintendo considered a larger representation of the Nintendo DS Profit for release, but decided conflicting it as sales of character original redesign were still strapping.
Patrizio bertolli biography sampleIt was the final Performance to have backward compatibility deal with Game Boy Advance games.[62] Primate of March 31, 2014, shipments of the DS Lite confidential reached 93.86 million units worldwide, according to Nintendo.[3]
The Nintendo DSi disintegration the second redesign of honesty Nintendo DS.
It is household on the unreleased larger Origin Lite model. While similar permission the previous DS redesign, newborn features include two inner humbling outer 0.3 megapixel digital cameras, a larger 3.25 inch post, internal and external content reposition, compatibility with WPA wireless encoding, and connectivity to the Nintendo DSi Shop.
The Nintendo DSi XL features larger screens, service a greater overall size, prevail over the original DSi. It deference the fourth DS model, picture first to be available translation a pure size variation.[63] Drench features larger screens with bloat view angles, improved battery walk, and a greater overall largeness than the original DSi.[64][65] Length the original DSi was viz designed for individual use, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata suggested deviate DSi XL buyers give primacy console a "steady place make signs a table in the exact room", so that it puissance be shared by multiple family members.[63]