Nintendo DS: The Complete Buyer's Guide
Nintendo launched the Nintendo DS in North America on November 21, 2004. Its dual screens, touchscreen and built-in wireless play opened the door to games like Nintendogs, Brain Age and New Super Mario Bros., and it became one of the best-selling game systems of all time.
Quick facts
| North American launch | November 21, 2004 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
| Media | DS Game Cards |
| Screens | 2 (lower is a touchscreen) |
| Best-selling game | New Super Mario Bros. |
| Worldwide sales (all models) | 154.02 million |
Models and what changed
The original Nintendo DS (NTR-001) is the larger launch model with dimmer screens. It plays DS games in the top slot and Game Boy Advance games in the lower slot.
The DS Lite (USG-001), released in North America in June 2006, is slimmer with brighter, adjustable screens and keeps the GBA slot. It is the most popular model, but its hinges are prone to cracking.
The DSi (April 2009) and larger DSi XL (March 2010) add cameras, an SD card slot and support for DSi-enhanced games, but they remove the GBA slot. Choose a DS or DS Lite if you want to play GBA cartridges.
Tips for buying one today
- Decide whether you want GBA support. Only the original DS and DS Lite have the Game Boy Advance slot.
- Check the hinges on a DS Lite for cracks, especially at the outer edges, and confirm the screens are free of dead pixels.
- Test the touchscreen in each corner and make sure the stylus is included. A worn touchscreen may register touches in the wrong place.
- Check that the shoulder buttons click and register, since L and R wear out on heavily used units.
- Standard DS games are region free, but DSi-exclusive and DSi-enhanced features are region locked on the DSi and DSi XL.
Games to play first
- New Super Mario Bros.
- Mario Kart DS
- Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
- The World Ends with You
- Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
- Professor Layton and the Curious Village
- Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
- The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Shop by genre
Nintendo DS Action & Adventure Games · Nintendo DS RPGs · Nintendo DS Shooters · Nintendo DS Sports Games · Nintendo DS Racing Games · Nintendo DS Strategy Games · Nintendo DS Puzzle Games · Nintendo DS Simulation Games · Nintendo DS Party & Family Games
Guides
- Which Nintendo DS or 3DS Should You Buy? Every Model Compared
- Every Pokémon Game in Order: All 9 Generations Explained
- Games Like Pokémon: 10 Monster-Collecting RPGs to Play Next
- Games Like Animal Crossing: 10 Cozy Life Sims to Play Next
Frequently asked questions
Which DS models play Game Boy Advance games?
The original DS and DS Lite. The DSi and DSi XL do not have the lower cartridge slot needed for GBA games.
Are DS games region locked?
Standard DS games are region free. Only DSi-specific software and DSi-enhanced features are region locked on DSi hardware.
Can a 3DS play DS games?
Yes. Every model in the Nintendo 3DS family plays DS games, but accessories that plug into the GBA slot will not work because no 3DS model has one.
Can I still play DS games online?
Nintendo shut down Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in May 2014, so official online play is no longer available. Local wireless multiplayer still works.