Nintendo DS

Nintendo DS
Released: Original Model: Nov. 21, 2004 Lite: June 11, 2006
Created By: Nintendo
Price: $129.99 / £99.99 / €129,99

On Nov. 21, 2004, Nintendo released their newest handheld video game console, the Nintendo DS (DS stands for “Dual Screen”, as well as “Developer’s System”, a nod to the unique opportunities the system affords for game developers, and the ease at which games can be developed). The DS released to major critical praise and sales around the globe. Nintendo actually had to bump up manufacturing of the handheld when demand exceeded the number of DS’ Nintendo initially expected to ship. The DS would go on to outsell the rival Sony PSP console 2:1, so far, and to break sales records by topping 40 million units sold by May 2007.

A redesigned DS called the Nintendo DS Lite launched in 2006 in Japan in March, the USA on June 11 (in white only) and Europe on June 23. Nintendo DS Lite (in black & white) is less than two-thirds the size of the original Nintendo DS and more than 20% lighter. The new design is thinner, weighs less (from 275 grams to 218), has 4 levels of brightness control (much brighter screens, twice that of the PSP), as well as different button placement. The microphone & power button have moved, and the GBA slot remains, but now has a cap to close it off.

The DS is the most unique mainstream video game system ever developed by a major manufacturer like Nintendo. And it is unlike anything ever released that was created exclusively to play video games. The DS has two screens, the bottom of which is a touch-screen where you can interface with it using your finger, a stylus (pen-type device) or anything else (like a strap-on numb that mimics a PC mouth in ways), and a clam-shell design (which means it closes, like the GBA SP or a laptop). It also features a built-in microphone, free Wi-Fi internet support, and wireless multiplayer for up to 16 players.

The DS has four face buttons, A, B, X and Y, and two shoulder buttons, R and L, as well as Start and Select. The control scheme mimics that of Nintendo’s classic Super NES. The DS has two cartridge slots, one for DS games and another that can play GBA games, and can also be used for accessories like the Rumble Pak, that came bundled with Metroid Prime Pinball. The system hardware can be compared to that of the Nintendo 64 graphics-wise, although the DS can pump out even better visuals, in addition to being able to display in-game graphics on both screens, as is demonstrated in the game Sonic Rush, which uses both screens to create a huge playing field.

Nintendo has stated that the DS is a “third pillar” for them, meaning that it is separate from their popular Game Boy line of portables, which you can read about here, and thus it isn’t associated with the Game Boy name (despite being backwards compatible with GBA games, although GBA games don’t support multiplayer if you use a DS, so a regular GBA will still be desirable). Some have stated that one reason Nintendo distanced the DS name from that of the Game Boy line was in case the system ended up being a failure, however, since that didn’t happen, some say that the DS will eventually phase out the GBA, even though Nintendo insists that that won’t happen. It is rumored that the true follow-up to the GBA is actually in the works, and that it will use discs ala Sony’s PSP.

The DS uses a flash-card medium, similar to memory cards that are used in consoles and other devices like laptops, digital cameras or PDAs. The cards don’t hold nearly the amount of information that a disc does, although so far that doesn’t seem to have effected the kinds of games that can be made, if the upcoming port of the original Resident Evil is any indication, since that game includes all the full-motion video, cut-scenes and voice as the original Playstation version, with no loss in detail or clarity. And it includes more new features, proving that space shouldn’t such a limitation to determined developers.

The DS comes bundled with a demo of Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt, as well as the communication feature “Pictochat”, which allows users to type text using the touch screen, or draw pictures and send them over to anyone within wireless reach. Similar to an Instant Messenger program.

So why would anyone want a DS over a PSP or GBA? The DS allows developers to make unique games that literally can’t be mimicked on any other console or portable system at this time.

The touch screen can be used in a variety of ways to offer new experiences, here are some examples. The game Trauma Center: Under the Knife has the player in the role of a surgeon, you use the touch-screen to work on patients, to do everything from cutting open the skin to removing tumors. Metroid Prime Hunters uses the touch-screen to effectively mimic the control of a PC mouse (which could also be used in upcoming RTS titles). The action is displayed on the bottom screen, from which you can look in any direction by moving the stylus, and shoot by tapping on enemies, as well as switch weapons by tapping the corresponding icon. In Wario Ware, the player uses the DS in several micro games to cut things, move things around the screen, scratch a person’s back, and other fun, random things requiring touch. In Meteos, a puzzle game in which pieces have to be matched and then launched up into “space” (the top screen), the player has to literally “fling” the pieces to launch them, by placing the stylus on the object and forceful “throwing” it up. You have to use more force depending on the weight of the piece. In the upcoming Animal Crossing: Wild World, the touch screen is used simply to write and send messages, or draw pictures and create art, and in Kirby: Canvas Curse, the user controls Kirby (who is rolled up into a ball) by drawing lines under him to get him to roll where he needs to go.

The touch screen can literally offer endless control schemes, everything from mimicking the precise control of a mouse or an analog stick, or even more complex systems by say, having the controls of a tank or jet be displayed on the bottom screen, having you pulling levers, turning dials, pushing buttons, etc. in true simulation style, or simply using the touch screen to cut something, like wood, or using the touch screen to move objects, write or type. This is a first for a game system however, and developers are just now getting the hang of having players control with touch, and it’s only the tip of the iceberg in relation to what can be done with this unique tool.

Even the DS’ built-in microphone is being used in unique ways. Some games have you blowing on the microphone to blow out candles or cool off food, others like Nintendo’s puppy-dog simulation Nintendogs, uses voice recognition to speak to your dog, after which it will obey your commands. The mic can theoretically be used to talk to people over the Internet, although implementation of this has yet to be seen in a game.

The two screens also offer unique capabilities. Some games use one of the screens to simply display a menu or a map, or other information, others have the bottom screen offering new controls, while others combine both screens into one huge display, or have you interacting with the top screen (by say having you attack airborne enemies where the top screen is the sky, as in Advance Wars: Duel Strike) or the bottom screen (for example, you could be playing on the top screen and fall into a hole, at which point you’d continue on the bottom screen).

And lastly, Nintendo’s online service, called Nintendo Online Connection, has been launched with the release of the first Nintendo game to use the service, Mario Kart DS. Wi-fi is freely available in “hotspots” throughout the country from which you can connect online to play other players (such as in book stores, cafes, McDonalds restaurants or other places, check Nintendo’s site here for a list of the places closest to you that support Wi-fi). You can also buy an Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector adapter that allows you to connect online at home, through your PC, though a broadband internet connection, is required, for more information go to nintendowifi.com. Although unofficial, there is a way to share a Mac wireless connection with the DS. Using OSX, your Mac Airport can function as an access point for your DS.

The DS is the first Nintendo system to officially go online in a mainstream capacity. Using wi-fi you can play people from all over the world, and Nintendo’s service is free, which is really nice (though third-parties have the ability to charge if they wish). Although the list of online games that have internet support is small right now, the list will hopefully grow substantially as new games that support the feature are released.

Any gamer looking for unique gaming experiences that are outside of traditional gameplay (although games that play in a traditional way are also in abundance) need look no further than the DS. The combination of two screens, a built-in microphone, touch-screen capability and free online play adds together to equal one heck of a unique package. And games will only get better as time goes on and developers experiment and refine the capabilities that the DS supports in their games.

Features: Top and bottom screens, the latter which doubles as a touch screen, built-in microphone, free online play through wi-fi

Pros: two screens, one touch screen (the bottom), both screens are backlit, backwards compatible with GBA games, built in microphone, free online play, unique gameplay that can only be found on the DS, relatively cheap price, strong third-party support, popular Nintendo franchises getting the DS treatment, strong sales mean the system is here to stay

Cons: Graphical capabilities aren’t any where near as powerful as that of the Sony PSP, likewise, the flash cards can’t hold as much information as a disc, some people might be scared off by the unique controls, which take some getting used to

Launch Games Included: Asphalt Urban GT, Feel the Magic: XY/XX, Madden NFL 2005, Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits, Ping Pals, Ridge Racer DS, Spider-Man 2, Sprung, Super Mario 64 DS, The Urbz: Sims in the City, Tiger Woods PGA Tour (Pictochat built-in, Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt demo bundled in initial systems)

Great DS Exclusives Include: (Newest Titles Listed First) Released in ‘06: Point Blank DS, Big Brain Academy, New Super Mario Bros., Lost Magic, Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes A Day!, Tetris DS, Metroid Prime Hunters, Super Princess Peach, Super Monkey Ball: Touch & Roll, Age of Empires: The Age of Kings, Resident Evil: Deadly Silence, Electroplankton
Released in ‘05: Animal Crossing: Wild World, Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, Viewtiful Joe: Double Trouble, Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land, Sonic Rush, Mario Kart DS, Metroid Prime Pinball, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Castelvania: Dawn of Sorrow, Trauma Center: Under the Knife, Lost In Blue, Trace Memory, Nintendogs, Advance Wars: Duel Strike, Meteos, Bomberman, Kirby: Canvas Curse, Pac-Pix, Polarium, Yoshi’s Touch & Go, Wario Ware: Touched!
Released in ‘04: Super Mario 64: DS, Feel the Magic: XY/XX.

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