The Nintendo DS (ニンテンドーDS Nintendō DS, abbreviated to DS or NDS) is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP. The Nintendo DS also features a built-in microphone and supports wireless standards,[4] allowing players to interact with each other within short range, or online with the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. The Nintendo DS is the first Nintendo console to be released in North America before Japan.
On March 2, 2006, Nintendo released the Nintendo DS Lite, a redesign of the Nintendo DS, in Japan. It was released in North America, Europe, and Australia in June 2006. The DS Lite is a slimmer, smaller, and lighter version of the Nintendo DS; it also has brighter screens. Nintendo of America refers to the older model as the "original style" Nintendo DS,[5] but it has also been nicknamed by fans and the media as the "DS Phat."[6] On November 1, 2008, Nintendo released the Nintendo DSi, another redesign of the Nintendo DS. The DSi possesses more powerful hardware than the original DS, including a faster CPU and more RAM. Unlike previous models, it does not feature a slot for Game Boy Advance games, but instead features a slot for SD cards. On November 21, 2009, Nintendo released the Nintendo DSi XL, a model featuring larger screens, and a greater overall size, than the original DSi.
The Nintendo DS is the successor to the Game Boy Advance series of portable consoles, with the DS and DS Lite models featuring single-player backward compatibility with Game Boy Advance games. The console's name officially stands for "Developers' System", an expression of Nintendo's hope that the system would inspire innovative game design from developers. "DS" also stands for "Dual Screen", the system's most obvious and distinctive feature.[7] As of June 30, 2012, all Nintendo DS models combined have sold 152.05 million units,[1] making it the best selling handheld game console to date, and second best selling video game console overall, behind the PlayStation 2.
The Nintendo DS bears a striking resemblance to the multi-screen games such as Donkey Kong and Zelda in the company's Game & Watch line, their first handhelds. The system's code name was Nitro,[15] which can be seen in the model number that appears on the unit (NTR-001).[5]
An article written by blogger named Emily Rogers made claims that Nintendo DS was almost called '"City Boy" to continue the successful Game Boy line before it was changed to Nintendo DS. Rogers' article was later reported by Owen Good at Kotaku.com. On the official website for the United States Patent and Trademark Office, it was confirmed that Nintendo filed a trademark for "City Boy" two months before E3 2004. E3 2004 being the date that Nintendo DS was revealed. The trademark was not filed under software like most Nintendo games, but instead under goods and services such as electronics and hardware. [16]
On September 20, 2004, Nintendo announced that the Nintendo DS would be released in North America on November 21, 2004 for US$149.99.[17] It was set to release on December 2, 2004 in Japan (¥15000);[18] on February 24, 2005 in Australia ($199.95);[19] and on March 11, 2005 in Europe (£99.99/€149.99).[20] The console was released in North America with a midnight launch event at Universal CityWalk EB Games in Los Angeles, California.
The console was launched quietly in Japan compared to the North America
launch; one source cites the cold weather as the reason.[21] Regarding the European launch, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata said:
Styli for the DS Lite
The lower display of the Nintendo DS is overlaid with a touchscreen, designed to accept input from the included stylus,
the user's fingers, or a curved plastic tab attached to the optional
wrist strap. The touchscreen allows users to interact with in-game
elements more directly than by pressing buttons; for example, in the
included chatting software, PictoChat, the stylus is used to write messages, draw, or interact in game.
The handheld features four lettered buttons (X, Y, A, B), a directional pad, and Start, Select, and Power buttons. On the top of the device are two shoulder buttons, a game card slot, a stylus holder and a power cable input. The bottom features the Game Boy Advance game card slot. The overall button layout resembles that of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System controller. When using backward compatibility mode on the DS, buttons X and Y and the touchscreen are not used as the Game Boy Advance line of systems do not feature these controls.
The Nintendo DS features stereo speakers providing virtual surround sound (depending on the software) located on either side of the upper display screen. This is a first for a Nintendo handheld, as the Game Boy line of systems has only supported stereo sound through the use of headphones or external speakers. A built-in microphone is located below the left side of the bottom screen. It has been used for a variety of purposes, including speech recognition, chatting online between and during gameplay sessions, and minigames that require the player to blow or shout into the microphone.
The system has 656 kilobytes of video memory[24] and two 2D engines (one per screen). These are similar to (but more powerful than) the Game Boy Advance's single 2D engine; however, the cores are divided into the main core and sub core. Only the main core is capable of vertex 3D rendering.
The Nintendo DS has compatibility with Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 (legacy mode)). Wi-Fi is used for accessing the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, compete with other users playing the same Wi-Fi compatible game, PictoChat[25] or with a special cartridge and RAM extension, browse the internet.
The front and back of a Nintendo DS game card
Nintendo DS games use a proprietary solid state mask ROM
in their "game cards", which resemble smaller, thinner versions of
gaming cartridges for past generation portable gaming consoles as the Game Boy or Game Gear.[26] The mask ROM chips are manufactured by Macronix and have an access time of 150 ns.[27] Cards currently range from 64 Mb to 4 Gbs (8–512 MB) in size (although data on the maximum capacity has not been released).[28][29] The cards usually have a small amount of flash memory or an EEPROM
to save user data such as game progress or high scores. However, there
are a small number of games that have no save memory such as Electroplankton.
The game cards are 35×33×3.8 mm (1.4×1.3×0.15 in) (about half the
breadth and depth of Game Boy Advance cartridges) and weigh around 3.5 g
(1⁄8 oz).
Based on an IGN blog by the developer of MechAssault: Phantom War, larger (such as 128 MB) cards have a 25% slower data transfer rate than the more common smaller (such as 64 MB) cards; however, the specific base rate was not mentioned.[30]
The firmware also features an alarm clock, several options for customization (such as boot priority for when games are inserted and GBA screen preference), and the ability to input user information and preferences (such as name, birthday, favorite color, etc.) that can be used in games.
To sustain battery life in the midst of a game, users can close the Nintendo DS system, putting the DS in 'sleep' mode that also pauses the game that is being played; however, closing the system while playing a Game Boy Advance game will not put the Nintendo DS into sleep mode; the game will continue to run normally, including the back light. Certain DS games (such as Animal Crossing: Wild World) also will not pause but the backlight, screens, and speakers will turn off. When saving the game in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Zoo Tycoon DS, SimCity DS, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, Digimon World Dawn, Mega Man Battle Network 5, or The Legendary Starfy, the DS will not go into sleep mode.[31]
The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is a free online game service run by
Nintendo. Players with a compatible Nintendo DS game can connect to the
service via a Wi-Fi network using a Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector or a wireless router. The service was launched in North America on November 14, 2005 with the release of Mario Kart DS. Various online games and a web browser are now available.
Download Play is also utilized to migrate Pokémon from 4th generation games into the 5th generation Pokémon Black and White, an example of a task requiring two different game cards, two handheld units, but only one player.
Some Nintendo DS retailers feature DS Download Stations that allow users to download demos of upcoming and currently available DS games; however, due to memory limitations, the downloads are erased once the system is powered off. The Download Station is made up of 1 to 8 standard retail DS units, with a standard DS card containing the demo data. On May 7, 2008, Nintendo released the Nintendo Channel for download on the Wii. The Nintendo Channel uses Nintendo's WiiConnect24 to download Nintendo DS demos through the Nintendo Channel. From there, a user can select the game demo he/she wishes to play and, similar to the Nintendo DS Download Stations at retail outlets, download the demo (until the user turns off the console) to their DS' 4MB RAM.
In collaboration with fast food restaurant chain McDonald's, a service called "Nintendo Zone" will start in the Kanto, Chūkyō and Kansai regions of Japan. It is an extension of the DS Download Station that offers exclusive content to each area and demos of upcoming and currently available DS games. The DSi has the necessary software built-in to detect and use these zones, while previous versions require downloading the "Nintendo Zone Viewer".[32][33]
On Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite systems users can only write messages in black. However, the DSi and DSi XL includes a new function, letting users write in either black or rainbow colored pen.
Game Boy Advance game slot on Game Boy Advance SP (below) and Nintendo DS Lite (above).
The Nintendo DS is backward compatible with Game Boy Advance (GBA) cartridges. The smaller Nintendo DS game cards
fit into a slot on the top of the system, while Game Boy Advance games
fit into a slot on the bottom of the system. The Nintendo DS is not
compatible with games for the Game Boy Color and the original Game Boy, due to a slightly different form factor, voltage requirements, and the absence of the compatibility mode. The Sharp Z80
compatible processor used in the older systems is still included, and
indeed necessary for some GBA games that use the older sound hardware.[citation needed]
The handheld does not have a port for the Game Boy Advance Link Cable, so multiplayer or GameCube-Game Boy Advance link-up modes are not available in Game Boy Advance titles. Only single player power is supported on the Nintendo DS.
The Nintendo DS only uses one screen when playing Game Boy Advance games. The user can configure the system to use either the top or bottom screen by default. The games are displayed within a black border on the screen, due to the slightly different screen resolution between the two systems (256 × 192 px (approx. 0.05 megapixels) for the Nintendo DS, and 240 × 160 px (approx. 0.04 megapixels) for the Game Boy Advance).
Nintendo DS games inserted into the top slot are able to detect the presence of specific Game Boy Advance games in the bottom slot. In many such games, either stated in the game during gameplay or mostly explained in the games' instruction manuals, extra content can be unlocked or added by starting the Nintendo DS game with the appropriate Game Boy Advance game inserted. Some of the content can stay permanently, even when the GBA game has been removed after content has been added.
Additionally, GBA slot can be used to house expansion paks, such as the Rumble Pak, the Nintendo DS Memory Expansion Pak, and the Guitar Grip for the Guitar Hero: On Tour series. The Nintendo DSi and the DSi XL do not have a second cartridge slot and cannot play Game Boy Advance games.
On March 2, 2006, Nintendo released the Nintendo DS Lite, a redesign of the Nintendo DS, in Japan. It was released in North America, Europe, and Australia in June 2006. The DS Lite is a slimmer, smaller, and lighter version of the Nintendo DS; it also has brighter screens. Nintendo of America refers to the older model as the "original style" Nintendo DS,[5] but it has also been nicknamed by fans and the media as the "DS Phat."[6] On November 1, 2008, Nintendo released the Nintendo DSi, another redesign of the Nintendo DS. The DSi possesses more powerful hardware than the original DS, including a faster CPU and more RAM. Unlike previous models, it does not feature a slot for Game Boy Advance games, but instead features a slot for SD cards. On November 21, 2009, Nintendo released the Nintendo DSi XL, a model featuring larger screens, and a greater overall size, than the original DSi.
The Nintendo DS is the successor to the Game Boy Advance series of portable consoles, with the DS and DS Lite models featuring single-player backward compatibility with Game Boy Advance games. The console's name officially stands for "Developers' System", an expression of Nintendo's hope that the system would inspire innovative game design from developers. "DS" also stands for "Dual Screen", the system's most obvious and distinctive feature.[7] As of June 30, 2012, all Nintendo DS models combined have sold 152.05 million units,[1] making it the best selling handheld game console to date, and second best selling video game console overall, behind the PlayStation 2.
Contents |
History
On November 13, 2003, Nintendo announced that the company would be creating a new console for release in 2004.[8] Nintendo stated that it would not be the successor to the Nintendo GameCube,[8] but rather it would be considered a "new Game Boy".[9] On January 20, 2004, the console was announced under the codename "Nintendo DS"[10] (which initially stood for Developer's System). Nintendo released a few details at that time, only saying that the console would have two separate 3-inch TFT LCD display panels, separate processors, and up to 1 gigabit of semiconductor memory.[10][11] Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said, "We have developed Nintendo DS based upon a completely different concept from existing game devices in order to provide players with a unique entertainment experience for the 21st century."[10] In March, the codename was changed to "Nitro" and a document containing most of the console's technical specifications was leaked.[12] In May, the codename was changed back to "Nintendo DS" and the console was shown in prototype form at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). All of the features of the console were revealed by Nintendo at E3.[13] On July 28, 2004, Nintendo revealed a new design, one that was described as "sleeker and more elegant" than the one shown at E3. Also, the codename "Nintendo DS" became the official name of the console that day.[14]The Nintendo DS bears a striking resemblance to the multi-screen games such as Donkey Kong and Zelda in the company's Game & Watch line, their first handhelds. The system's code name was Nitro,[15] which can be seen in the model number that appears on the unit (NTR-001).[5]
An article written by blogger named Emily Rogers made claims that Nintendo DS was almost called '"City Boy" to continue the successful Game Boy line before it was changed to Nintendo DS. Rogers' article was later reported by Owen Good at Kotaku.com. On the official website for the United States Patent and Trademark Office, it was confirmed that Nintendo filed a trademark for "City Boy" two months before E3 2004. E3 2004 being the date that Nintendo DS was revealed. The trademark was not filed under software like most Nintendo games, but instead under goods and services such as electronics and hardware. [16]
Launch
See also: Nintendo DS launches
 |
It has been suggested that Nintendo DS launch be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) Proposed since October 2011. |
Europe is an extremely important market for Nintendo, and we are pleased we can offer such a short period of time between the US and European launch. We believe that the Nintendo DS will change the way people play video games and our mission remains to expand the game play experience. Nintendo DS caters for the needs of all gamers whether for more dedicated gamers who want the real challenge they expect, or the more casual gamers who want quick, pick up and play fun.[22]
Hardware
See also: Special versions of the Nintendo DS
The handheld features four lettered buttons (X, Y, A, B), a directional pad, and Start, Select, and Power buttons. On the top of the device are two shoulder buttons, a game card slot, a stylus holder and a power cable input. The bottom features the Game Boy Advance game card slot. The overall button layout resembles that of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System controller. When using backward compatibility mode on the DS, buttons X and Y and the touchscreen are not used as the Game Boy Advance line of systems do not feature these controls.
The Nintendo DS features stereo speakers providing virtual surround sound (depending on the software) located on either side of the upper display screen. This is a first for a Nintendo handheld, as the Game Boy line of systems has only supported stereo sound through the use of headphones or external speakers. A built-in microphone is located below the left side of the bottom screen. It has been used for a variety of purposes, including speech recognition, chatting online between and during gameplay sessions, and minigames that require the player to blow or shout into the microphone.
Technical specifications
- Mass: 275 g (9.7 oz)
- Physical dimensions: 148.7 mm × 84.7 mm × 28.9 mm (5.85 in. × 3.33 in. × 1.13 in.)
- Screens: Two TFT LCDs
- 18-bit depth (262,144 colors)
- Resolution of 256 × 192 pixels
- Dimensions: 62 × 46 mm (2.4 × 1.8 in); 77 mm (3.0 in) diagonal, and a dot pitch of 0.24 mm.
- Gap between screens: approximately 21 mm; equivalent to about 92 "hidden" lines.
- The lower display is overlaid with a resistive touchscreen, which registers pressure from one point on the screen at a time, averaging multiple points of contact if necessary.
- CPUs: Two ARM processors
- RAM: 4 MB of mobile RAM, expandable via the Game Boy Advance slot (expansion only officially used by the Opera web browser).
- Voltage: 1.65 v required.
- Storage: 256 kB of serial flash memory.
- Wireless connectivity: Built-in 802.11 Wireless Network Connection (WEP encryption support only).[23]
The system has 656 kilobytes of video memory[24] and two 2D engines (one per screen). These are similar to (but more powerful than) the Game Boy Advance's single 2D engine; however, the cores are divided into the main core and sub core. Only the main core is capable of vertex 3D rendering.
The Nintendo DS has compatibility with Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 (legacy mode)). Wi-Fi is used for accessing the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, compete with other users playing the same Wi-Fi compatible game, PictoChat[25] or with a special cartridge and RAM extension, browse the internet.
Media specifications
Main article: Nintendo Game Card
Based on an IGN blog by the developer of MechAssault: Phantom War, larger (such as 128 MB) cards have a 25% slower data transfer rate than the more common smaller (such as 64 MB) cards; however, the specific base rate was not mentioned.[30]
Firmware
Nintendo's own firmware boots the system. A health and safety warning is displayed first, then the main menu is loaded, similar to the Wii console. The main menu presents the player with four main options to select: play a DS game, use PictoChat, initiate DS Download Play, or play a Game Boy Advance game. The main menu also has some secondary options such as: date and time, GBA screen, and touch screen calibration.The firmware also features an alarm clock, several options for customization (such as boot priority for when games are inserted and GBA screen preference), and the ability to input user information and preferences (such as name, birthday, favorite color, etc.) that can be used in games.
Battery life
The Nintendo DS contains a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 850 mAh. On a full four-hour charge, Nintendo claims the battery lasts a maximum of 10 hours under ideal conditions. Battery life is affected by multiple factors including speaker volume, use of one or both screens, back lighting, and use of wireless connectivity. The biggest effect on battery life is caused by using the backlight, which can be turned off in the main menu screen, or in selected games (such as Super Mario 64 DS). The battery is user-replaceable using only a phillips head screwdriver. After about 500 charges the battery life starts dropping.To sustain battery life in the midst of a game, users can close the Nintendo DS system, putting the DS in 'sleep' mode that also pauses the game that is being played; however, closing the system while playing a Game Boy Advance game will not put the Nintendo DS into sleep mode; the game will continue to run normally, including the back light. Certain DS games (such as Animal Crossing: Wild World) also will not pause but the backlight, screens, and speakers will turn off. When saving the game in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Zoo Tycoon DS, SimCity DS, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, Digimon World Dawn, Mega Man Battle Network 5, or The Legendary Starfy, the DS will not go into sleep mode.[31]
Features
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
Main article: Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
 |
The examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with North America and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (February 2011) |
Download Play
With Download Play, it is possible for users to play multiplayer games with other Nintendo DS systems using only one game card. Players must have their systems within wireless range (up to approximately 65 feet) of each other for the guest system to download the necessary data from the host system.Download Play is also utilized to migrate Pokémon from 4th generation games into the 5th generation Pokémon Black and White, an example of a task requiring two different game cards, two handheld units, but only one player.
Some Nintendo DS retailers feature DS Download Stations that allow users to download demos of upcoming and currently available DS games; however, due to memory limitations, the downloads are erased once the system is powered off. The Download Station is made up of 1 to 8 standard retail DS units, with a standard DS card containing the demo data. On May 7, 2008, Nintendo released the Nintendo Channel for download on the Wii. The Nintendo Channel uses Nintendo's WiiConnect24 to download Nintendo DS demos through the Nintendo Channel. From there, a user can select the game demo he/she wishes to play and, similar to the Nintendo DS Download Stations at retail outlets, download the demo (until the user turns off the console) to their DS' 4MB RAM.
In collaboration with fast food restaurant chain McDonald's, a service called "Nintendo Zone" will start in the Kanto, Chūkyō and Kansai regions of Japan. It is an extension of the DS Download Station that offers exclusive content to each area and demos of upcoming and currently available DS games. The DSi has the necessary software built-in to detect and use these zones, while previous versions require downloading the "Nintendo Zone Viewer".[32][33]
Multi-Card Play
Multi-Card Play, like Download Play, allows users to play multiplayer games with other Nintendo DS systems. In this case, each system requires a game card. This mode is accessed from an in-game menu, rather than the normal DS menu.PictoChat
Main article: PictoChat
PictoChat allows users to communicate with other Nintendo DS users
within local wireless range. Users can enter text (via a small on screen
keyboard), handwrite messages or draw pictures (via the stylus and
touchscreen). There are four chatrooms (A, B, C, D) in which people can
go to chat. Up to sixteen people can connect in any one room.On Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite systems users can only write messages in black. However, the DSi and DSi XL includes a new function, letting users write in either black or rainbow colored pen.
Compatibility
The handheld does not have a port for the Game Boy Advance Link Cable, so multiplayer or GameCube-Game Boy Advance link-up modes are not available in Game Boy Advance titles. Only single player power is supported on the Nintendo DS.
The Nintendo DS only uses one screen when playing Game Boy Advance games. The user can configure the system to use either the top or bottom screen by default. The games are displayed within a black border on the screen, due to the slightly different screen resolution between the two systems (256 × 192 px (approx. 0.05 megapixels) for the Nintendo DS, and 240 × 160 px (approx. 0.04 megapixels) for the Game Boy Advance).
Nintendo DS games inserted into the top slot are able to detect the presence of specific Game Boy Advance games in the bottom slot. In many such games, either stated in the game during gameplay or mostly explained in the games' instruction manuals, extra content can be unlocked or added by starting the Nintendo DS game with the appropriate Game Boy Advance game inserted. Some of the content can stay permanently, even when the GBA game has been removed after content has been added.
Additionally, GBA slot can be used to house expansion paks, such as the Rumble Pak, the Nintendo DS Memory Expansion Pak, and the Guitar Grip for the Guitar Hero: On Tour series. The Nintendo DSi and the DSi XL do not have a second cartridge slot and cannot play Game Boy Advance games.
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