Nintendo DS: Difference between revisions

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|narelease=November 21, 2004
|narelease=November 21, 2004
|eurelease=March 11, 2005
|eurelease=March 11, 2005
|aurelease=February 24, 2005
|aurelease=February 24, 2005<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20060625213053/http://www.nintendo.com.au/ds/system/index.php Nintendo of Australia] (archive)</ref>
|korelease=December 29, 2004
|cnrelease=July 23, 2005
|specs=
|specs=
*Two 256×192 LCD screens, the bottom touch-sensitive, capable of displaying 262,144 colors.
*Two 256×192 LCD screens, the bottom touch-sensitive, capable of displaying 262,144 colors.
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Unlike previous consoles, the Nintendo DS was not given the "Game Boy" moniker, likely because Nintendo did not want to tarnish the brand name in case of bad sales, as had happened with the earlier {{wp|Virtual Boy}}. Marketed as a "third pillar" to Nintendo's console lineup, the DS was initially said by Nintendo not to be a replacement for the [[Game Boy Advance]], but a partner to it.
Unlike previous consoles, the Nintendo DS was not given the "Game Boy" moniker, likely because Nintendo did not want to tarnish the brand name in case of bad sales, as had happened with the earlier {{wp|Virtual Boy}}. Marketed as a "third pillar" to Nintendo's console lineup, the DS was initially said by Nintendo not to be a replacement for the [[Game Boy Advance]], but a partner to it.


Despite this initial strategy, however, and perhaps because of the inclusion of the secondary Game Boy Advance slot on the console itself, the DS did in fact serve as the replacement of the Game Boy Advance, and as of 2010, the end of the Game Boy line. Developers and gamers alike flocked to the console, which featured a significant difference from any previous gaming console: a second screen. This second screen, which doubled the real estate that developers had to work with for displaying menus and gameplay, was also touch-sensitive, and could be used to select items without pressing buttons. In addition to this, the more "standard" upgrades, such as the addition of a second speaker for true stereo sound and a microphone, were included with the console.
Despite this initial strategy, however, and perhaps because of the inclusion of the secondary Game Boy Advance slot on the console itself, the DS did in fact serve as the replacement of the Game Boy Advance, and the end of the Game Boy line. Developers and gamers alike flocked to the console, which featured a significant difference from any previous gaming console: a second screen. This second screen, which doubled the real estate that developers had to work with for displaying menus and gameplay, was also touch-sensitive, and could be used to select items without pressing buttons. In addition to this, the more "standard" upgrades, such as the addition of a second speaker for true stereo sound and a microphone, were included with the console.
[[File:GBA and DS.png|left|thumb|A DS card of {{game3|Diamond and Pearl|Pokémon Diamond|s}} (right) compared to a GBA cartridge of {{game3|Ruby and Sapphire|Pokémon Ruby|s}} (left)]]
[[File:GBA and DS.png|left|thumb|A DS card of {{game3|Diamond and Pearl|Pokémon Diamond|s}} (right) compared to a GBA cartridge of {{game3|Ruby and Sapphire|Pokémon Ruby|s}} (left)]]
Most enjoyed by gamers, however, are the DS's wireless DS-to-DS and Wi-Fi capabilities, which allow gamers in close proximity to play with each other without the need for the [[link cable]] that the Game Boy line required, and for the first time, allow players to compete around the world with each other through the [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]].
Most enjoyed by gamers, however, are the DS's wireless DS-to-DS and Wi-Fi capabilities, which allow gamers in close proximity to play with each other without the need for the [[Game Link Cable]] that the Game Boy line required, and for the first time, allow players to compete around the world with each other through the [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]].


Game Boy Advance games can be played on the system, with players able to set in the DS's firmware menu whether the GBA game should be played on the top or bottom screen. The GBA game will be {{wp|windowbox (film)|windowboxed}} on the DS screen, as its resolution is slightly smaller than that of the DS. Multiplayer functions for GBA games are not supported, as the system's native wireless is different from the technology included in the [[Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter|wireless adapter]] that came included with {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}. [[Game Boy]] and [[Game Boy Color]] games are unplayable on the system, as the processor that runs them is not included in the system, and the GBA cartridge slot will not accept them.
Game Boy Advance games can be played on the system, with players able to set in the DS's firmware menu whether the GBA game should be played on the top or bottom screen. The GBA game will be {{wp|windowbox (film)|windowboxed}} on the DS screen, as its resolution is slightly smaller than that of the DS. Multiplayer functions for GBA games are not supported, as the system's native wireless is different from the technology included in the [[Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter|wireless adapter]] that came included with {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}. [[Game Boy]] and [[Game Boy Color]] games are unplayable on the system, as the processor that runs them is not included in the system, and the GBA cartridge slot will not accept them.
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All releases listed are the year in which the Japanese version was released.
All releases listed are the year in which the Japanese version was released.
{{consolegames}}
{{consolegames}}
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[Pokémon Dash]]
| [[Pokémon Dash]]
| Racing game
| Racing game
| 2004
| 2004
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[Pokémon Trozei!]]
| [[Pokémon Trozei!]]
| Puzzle game
| Puzzle game
| 2005
| 2005
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team]]
| [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team]]
| Dungeon crawler
| Dungeon crawler
| 2005
| 2005
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| {{ga|Pokémon Ranger}}
| {{ga|Pokémon Ranger}}
| Action RPG
| Action RPG
| 2006
| 2006
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}
| {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}
| Main series RPG
| Main series RPG
| 2006
| 2006
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time]]
| [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness]]
| Dungeon crawler
| Dungeon crawler
| 2007
| 2007
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness]]
| Dungeon crawler
| 2007
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
| [[Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia]]
| [[Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia]]
| Action RPG
| Action RPG
| 2008
| 2008
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| {{game|Platinum}}
| {{game|Platinum}}
| Main series RPG
| Main series RPG
| 2008
| 2008
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky]]
| [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky]]
| Dungeon crawler
| Dungeon crawler
| 2009
| 2009
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}
| {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}
| Main series RPG
| Main series RPG
| 2009
| 2009
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs]]
| [[Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs]]
| Action RPG
| Action RPG
| 2010
| 2010
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| {{game|Black and White|s}}
| {{game|Black and White|s}}
| Main series RPG
| Main series RPG
| 2010
| 2010
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure]]
| [[Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure]]
| Typing
| Typing
| 2011
| 2011
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[Pokémon Card Game: How to Play DS]]
| [[Pokémon Card Game: How to Play DS]]
| Card game
| Card game
| 2011
| 2011
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[Pokémon Conquest]]
| [[Pokémon Conquest]]
| RPG
| Turn-based strategy
| 2012
| 2012
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[Pokémon Black and White Versions 2|Pokémon Black 2 and White 2]]
| style="{{roundybl|5px}}" | [[Pokémon Black and White Versions 2|Pokémon Black 2 and White 2]]
| Main series RPG
| Main series RPG
| 2012
| style="{{roundybr|5px}}" | 2012
|}<br clear="left">
|}<br clear="left">


===By backwards compatibility===
===By backwards compatibility===
Due to the second slot, all [[Game Boy Advance]] games can be played on the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite; however, they are not compatible with [[Game Boy]] and [[Game Boy Color]] games. Game Boy Advance games cannot be played on the Nintendo DSi or later versions due to the lack of second slot.
Due to the second slot, all [[Game Boy Advance]] games can be played on the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite; however, they are not compatible with [[Game Boy]] and [[Game Boy Color]] games. Game Boy Advance games cannot be played on the Nintendo DSi or later versions due to the lack of second slot.
{{consolegames}}
{{consolegames}}
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}
| {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}
| Main series RPG
| Main series RPG
| 2002
| 2002
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire]]
| [[Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire]]
| Pinball
| Pinball
| 2003
| 2003
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}
| {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}
| Main series RPG
| Main series RPG
| 2004
| 2004
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| {{game|Emerald}}
| {{game|Emerald}}
| Main series RPG
| Main series RPG
| 2004
| 2004
|- style="background:#FFFFFF;"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team]]
| style="{{roundybl|5px}}" | [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team]]
| Dungeon crawler
| Dungeon crawler
| 2005
| style="{{roundybr|5px}}" | 2005
|}<br clear="left">
|}<br clear="left">
====Game Boy Advance Video====
Several Pokémon titles were released on [[Game Boy Advance Video]], a series of GBA cartridges that play videos.
{{consolegames}}
|- style="background:#FFF"
| Pokémon GBA Video: For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll!
| Video playback
| 2004
|- style="background:#FFF"
| Pokémon GBA Video: Johto Photo Finish
| Video playback
| 2004
|- style="background:#FFF"
| Pokémon GBA Video: Pokémon—I Choose You
| Video playback
| 2004
|-
| style="background:#FFF; {{roundybl|5px}}" | Pokémon GBA Video: Beach Blank-Out Blastoise
| style="background:#FFF" | Video playback
| style="background:#FFF; {{roundybr|5px}}" | 2004
|}{{left clear}}


==Special Pokémon editions==
==Special Pokémon editions==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:PokéPark DS box.jpg|Special {{OBP|PokéPark|theme park}} edition boxart
File:PokéPark DS box.png|Special {{OBP|PokéPark|theme park}} edition boxart
File:PokéPark DS.png|Special {{OBP|PokéPark|theme park}} edition
File:PokéPark DS.png|Special {{OBP|PokéPark|theme park}} edition
File:Mew DS.png|Special {{p|Mew}} edition
File:Mew DS.png|Special {{p|Mew}} edition
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==Trivia==
==Trivia==
* The Nintendo DS, like its predecessors (the [[Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Color]], and [[Game Boy Advance]]), is not region-locked. This means that a player could theoretically play a DS game from any region on their own locally purchased console. However, games released in the {{wp|People's Republic of China}}, which contain {{wp|Chinese character}}s, will only run on DS systems with the {{wp|iQue}} brand, as other versions do not have the larger microchip that supports these characters.
* The Nintendo DS, like its predecessors (the [[Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Color]], and [[Game Boy Advance]]), is not region-locked. This means that a player could theoretically play a Nintendo DS game from any region on their own locally purchased console. However, games released in the {{pmin|Greater China|People's Republic of China}}, which contain {{wp|Chinese character}}s, will only run on DS systems with the {{wp|iQue}} brand, as other versions do not have the larger microchip that supports these characters.
* In the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga, [[Team Aqua]] used a DS as a way for communication.
* In the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga, [[Team Aqua]] used a Nintendo DS as a way for communication.
* In the [[Phantom Thief Pokémon 7]] manga, [[Rocco]] whipped out a DS and began to play it when he began to get bored during {{p|Drifblim}}'s ride.
<!--* In the Pokémon Black and White manga, a Nintendo DS is seen in the [[Game Freak]] building in [[Castelia City]].-->
* The Nintendo DS is the only Nintendo handheld to have Pokémon games from two separate generations developed during its lifespan. While both [[Generation I]] and {{game|Gold and Silver|s}} were playable on the [[Game Boy]], the latter were designed for the [[Game Boy Color]]. The only other console that features multiple-generation Pokémon games developed during its lifespan is the [[Nintendo 64]], featuring Generation I's {{Jap|Pokémon Stadium|Japanese Pokémon Stadium}} and {{Eng|Pokémon Stadium|English Pokémon Stadium}}, along with [[Generation II]]'s [[Pokémon Stadium 2]].
* In the [[Phantom Thief Pokémon 7]] manga, [[Rocco]] whipped out a Nintendo DS and began to play it when he began to get bored during {{p|Drifblim}}'s ride.
** Because of this, the Nintendo DS has the most main series Pokémon games, currently holding nine: {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}, {{game|Platinum}}, {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}, {{game|Black and White|s}}, {{game|Black and White|s|4=2}}.
* The Nintendo DS has the most released core series Pokémon games, currently holding nine: {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}, {{game|Platinum}}, {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}, {{game|Black and White|s}}, and {{game|Black and White|s 2|Black 2 and White 2}}.<!--The Nintendo 3DS will have 10 in Japan upon the release of Sun and Moon, at which point this should be removed-->
* The Nintendo DS is the best selling handheld console of all time.
* Currently, the Nintendo DS is tied with its successor for having games from the most number of generations released for it: the [[Generation IV]] and [[Generation V]], as well as four side-games from [[Generation III]].


==See also==
==External links==
*[http://www.nintendo.com/ds/ Official Nintendo site] (English)
*[http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/ Official Nintendo site] (Japanese)
*[http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/ Official Nintendo site] (Japanese)


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[[Category:Electronic devices]]
[[Category:Electronic devices]]
[[Category:Nintendo consoles]]
[[Category:Nintendo consoles]]
[[pl:Nintendo DS]]


[[de:Nintendo DS]]
[[de:Nintendo DS]]
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[[it:Nintendo DS]]
[[it:Nintendo DS]]
[[ja:ニンテンドーDS]]
[[ja:ニンテンドーDS]]
[[pl:Nintendo DS]]
[[zh:任天堂DS]]

Revision as of 18:54, 12 April 2016

Nintendo DS
ニンテンドーDS Nintendo DS
NintendoDS.png
Official render of the Platinum Silver Nintendo DS
Release dates
Japan: December 2, 2004
North America: November 21, 2004
Europe: March 11, 2005
Australia: February 24, 2005[1]
South Korea: December 29, 2004
China: July 23, 2005
Hong Kong: N/A
Taiwan: N/A
Technical specs
  • Two 256×192 LCD screens, the bottom touch-sensitive, capable of displaying 262,144 colors.
  • Two ARM processors, ARM946E-S for DS-native gameplay and video rendering, and ARM7TDMI for sound rendering, Wi-Fi functions, and GBA processing.
  • 4 MB RAM, expandable through GBA slot.
  • Full list
Related information
Console generation: Seventh generation
Pokémon generations: III*, IV, V
Console type: Handheld
Colors:
Platinum Silver
Electric Blue
Red Hot
Turquoise Blue
Graphite Black
Candy Pink
Pearl Pink
Pure White
Mew PinkSp
External links

The Nintendo DS (Japanese: ニンテンドーDS Nintendo DS) is Nintendo's fifth series, seventh generation handheld game console. Released on November 21, 2004 in North America and Japan, and on March 11, 2005 in Europe, the Nintendo DS represented an experimental new era for Nintendo's game consoles.

History

Unlike previous consoles, the Nintendo DS was not given the "Game Boy" moniker, likely because Nintendo did not want to tarnish the brand name in case of bad sales, as had happened with the earlier Virtual Boy. Marketed as a "third pillar" to Nintendo's console lineup, the DS was initially said by Nintendo not to be a replacement for the Game Boy Advance, but a partner to it.

Despite this initial strategy, however, and perhaps because of the inclusion of the secondary Game Boy Advance slot on the console itself, the DS did in fact serve as the replacement of the Game Boy Advance, and the end of the Game Boy line. Developers and gamers alike flocked to the console, which featured a significant difference from any previous gaming console: a second screen. This second screen, which doubled the real estate that developers had to work with for displaying menus and gameplay, was also touch-sensitive, and could be used to select items without pressing buttons. In addition to this, the more "standard" upgrades, such as the addition of a second speaker for true stereo sound and a microphone, were included with the console.

A DS card of Pokémon Diamond (right) compared to a GBA cartridge of Pokémon Ruby (left)

Most enjoyed by gamers, however, are the DS's wireless DS-to-DS and Wi-Fi capabilities, which allow gamers in close proximity to play with each other without the need for the Game Link Cable that the Game Boy line required, and for the first time, allow players to compete around the world with each other through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Game Boy Advance games can be played on the system, with players able to set in the DS's firmware menu whether the GBA game should be played on the top or bottom screen. The GBA game will be windowboxed on the DS screen, as its resolution is slightly smaller than that of the DS. Multiplayer functions for GBA games are not supported, as the system's native wireless is different from the technology included in the wireless adapter that came included with Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. Game Boy and Game Boy Color games are unplayable on the system, as the processor that runs them is not included in the system, and the GBA cartridge slot will not accept them.

Like previous handhelds, the Nintendo DS later received a revised form in the smaller and sleeker Nintendo DS Lite, which shares its overall design with the Wii, and features a stronger backlight that can be set on varying brightnesses, rather than the simple on-off light the ordinary DS, called by fans the "DS Phat", has. In early 2007, the original DS was discontinued, leaving the DS Lite as the only DS on the market, until late 2008, when a second revision, the Nintendo DSi, was released. It featured a redesign of the system's menus, removed the GBA slot in favor of a smaller design, and added the ability to play music, take pictures, and more. The DSi's own revision, the Nintendo DSi XL, returns the system to the size of the DS Phat, at the same time increasing its screen size to nearly double that of the DS and DS Lite.

As of September 2008, combined sales of Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite have reached more than 84 million units worldwide.[2] By the end of January 2010, that number increased to over 125 million units sold worldwide, making it Nintendo's best selling console of all time.[3]

Pokémon games

All releases listed are the year in which the Japanese version was released.

Title Genre Release
Pokémon Dash Racing game 2004
Pokémon Trozei! Puzzle game 2005
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team Dungeon crawler 2005
Pokémon Ranger Action RPG 2006
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Main series RPG 2006
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness Dungeon crawler 2007
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Action RPG 2008
Pokémon Platinum Main series RPG 2008
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky Dungeon crawler 2009
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Main series RPG 2009
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Action RPG 2010
Pokémon Black and White Main series RPG 2010
Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure Typing 2011
Pokémon Card Game: How to Play DS Card game 2011
Pokémon Conquest Turn-based strategy 2012
Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Main series RPG 2012


By backwards compatibility

Due to the second slot, all Game Boy Advance games can be played on the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite; however, they are not compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. Game Boy Advance games cannot be played on the Nintendo DSi or later versions due to the lack of second slot.

Title Genre Release
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Main series RPG 2002
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire Pinball 2003
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Main series RPG 2004
Pokémon Emerald Main series RPG 2004
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team Dungeon crawler 2005


Game Boy Advance Video

Several Pokémon titles were released on Game Boy Advance Video, a series of GBA cartridges that play videos.

Title Genre Release
Pokémon GBA Video: For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll! Video playback 2004
Pokémon GBA Video: Johto Photo Finish Video playback 2004
Pokémon GBA Video: Pokémon—I Choose You Video playback 2004
Pokémon GBA Video: Beach Blank-Out Blastoise Video playback 2004


Special Pokémon editions

Trivia

External links

References

  1. Nintendo of Australia (archive)
  2. "Consolidated Financial Highlights" 11. Nintendo (2008-10-30). Retrieved on 2009-01-07.
  3. "IGN.com" (2010-01-28). retrieved on 2010-05-12.


Game systems with Pokémon games
Nintendo handheld consoles
GB (Pocket · GBL · SGB · SGB2) • GBCminiGBA (SP · GBm · GBP)
DS (Lite · DSi · DSi XL) • 3DS (XL · 2DS · New 3DS · New 3DS XL · New 2DS XL)
Switch (Lite · OLED)
Nintendo home consoles
SNES (BS-X · SGB · NP · SGB2) • N64 (DD) • GCN (GBP)
Wii (Family Edition · mini) • Wii U
Switch (OLED)
Sega consoles
PicoCoCoPadBeena