The Nintendo DS (ニンテンドーDS Nintendō DS, full known as; Nintendo Dual Screen), sometimes abbreviated NDS or DS, is a seventh generation era dual-screen handheld game console devoloped and manfactured by Nintento. The Nintendo DS has been released on November 21, 2004. The console features a clamshell design, with two LCD screens inside - one of which is a touch-sensitive screen. The Nintendo DS is the first Nintendo video game console that has been released outside of Japan, which it went first on sale in North America.
History
It had been announced on November 13, 2003 by Nintendo that they would release a new game product that make it's release in 2004. Nintendo didn't gave any information about their new project and stated that it would not succeed the Game Boy or the GameCube. On January 20, 2004, Nintendo announced the console under the codename "Nintendo DS". Nintendo only gave few information about their project, saying that the console would have two separate, 3-inch TFT LCD display panels, separate processors, and up to 1 gigabit of semiconductor memory. The name got changed into "Nitro" in March 2004 which also the document containing most of the console's technical specifications was leaked. The project name went back to "Nintendo DS" in May 2004 and a prototype was shown at the Electronic Entertainment Expo better known as the E3. Nintendo revealed on July 28, 2004 that the Nintendo DS has gotten a new design and the name of the console is the same as that of the project name.
Cost
Country | Cost |
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Japan | ¥15000 |
North America | $149.99 |
Europe | £99.99/€149.99 |
Australia | $199.95 |
Feature
Wi-Fi Connection
The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is a free online game service run by Nintendo which players who owns a Nintendo DS can connect to the service through the Wi-Fi network using a Wi-Fi USB Connector or a wireless router. During the other release of the Nintendo DS series they are more based on the wireless router instead of the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector. The usage of Wi-Fi was launched on November 14, 2005 in North America alongside with the release of Mario Kart DS.
Download Play
Download Play is feature on the Nintendo DS generations. It is possible for users to play multiplayer games with other Nintendo DS systems with only using one game card. It has the same effect as the Wireless Adapters that has been released alongside with the Pokémon LeafGreen Version and Pokémon FireRed Version. It can only up to approximately 65 feet within wireless range of each other for the other system to download necessary data from the host system.
Multi-Card Play
As being the same as Download Play, Multi-Card Play allows owners with a Nintendo DS play multiplayer games with other Nintendo DS systems. Unlike Download Play each Nintendo DS console requires a game card.
PictoChat
This app allows owners with a Nintendo DS systems to communicate with other Nintendo DS users within local wireless range. Users can enter text through the keyboard or sending them handwrite message or drawing pictures through the stylus and touchscreen. There are onyl four chatrooms (A, B, C, D) which only can allow up to 16 peoples in each chatroom. 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 Nintendo DS is backward compatible with Game Boy Advance (GBA) cartridges but not with the GameBoy or GameBoy Color cartridges only with Game Boy Advance cartridges. It gives the same screen display as that of a GameBoy Advance SP which the owner of the Nintendo DS can change the appearance of the game screen through setting which the appearance will be on the upper part or on the lower part of the Nintendo DS system. This compatibility is only so far used at the first Nintendo DS until Nintendo DS lite. Nintendo DSi until Nintendo 3DS doesn't have these backward compatible.
Redesigns
Nintendo DS Lite |
Nintendo DSi File:Nintendo DSi Logo.PNG |
Nintendo DSi XL File:Nintendo DSi XL Logo.PNG |
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File:Nintendo DS lite.PNG | File:Nintendo DSi.PNG | File:Nintendo DS XL.PNG |
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Game Boy Advance slot | ||
Slot on the bottom labeled as "SLOT-2" | None | |
Game Boy Advance slot | ||
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Nintendo DS Lite
The Nintendo DS Lite (ニンテンドーDS Lite Nintendō Dī Esu Raito) is the second version of the first Nintendo DS game console that is developed and manufactured by Nintendo. The Nintendo DS Lite has a much slimmer, brighter, and more lightweight design then of the first Nintendo DS which is designed to be aesthetically sleeker. The Nintendo DS Lite was announced on January 26, 2006 which was more than a month ago before its first release in Japan on March 2, 2006 due to overwhelming demand for the original model.
Cost
Country | Cost |
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Japan | ¥16,800 |
North America | $129.99 |
Europe | £99.99/€149.99 |
Australia | $199.95 |
Nintendo DSi
Nintendo DSi XL
Dragon Quest titles for Nintendo DS
Game Title | Game Release |
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Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime |
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Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker |
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Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 |
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Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen |
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Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride |
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Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation/Realms of Reverie |
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Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies |
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Itadaki Street DS - featuring characters from Dragon Quest and Super Mario. A Japan only title until the 2011 Wii port as Fortune Street |
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Dragon Quest titles for Nintendo 3DS
- Slime MoriMori 3, an upcoming sequel to the DS game Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime.
See Also
- Game Boy - article on Nintendo's handhelds prior to the DS; includes a listing of Dragon Quest games.
- Dragon Quest Wars - a Nintendo DSi title.