Nintendo DS

The Nintendo DS (ニンテンドーDS, Nintendō Dīesu) is a Nintendo handheld console. Its major features include its two screens, one of which is a touch screen, a built-in microphone, and wireless capabilities allowing for multiplayer games and applications. Since its release in 2004, the Nintendo DS has seen great consumer success amongst the several versions of itself.
== History ==
It was originally stated that a new system was being developed on November 13, 2003, though no details were announced. On January 20, 2004, however, the system was announced with "Nintendo DS" being its codename - again, with minimal details. Later on, the codename was changed to "Nitro", but changed back when the system was shown at E3 2004; the "Nitro" codename can still be seen in the product codes for all Nintendo DS-related items, such as the system's code itself: "NTR-001". The system shown at E3 was an older version of the system, much blockier and the existing version of the standard system which was shown on July 28, 2004, when the name was officially said to be finalized as "Nintendo DS".
The Nintendo DS was released in North America on November 21, 2004, at US$149.99, with a demo version of the later-released Metroid Prime Hunters bundled. The Japanese release took place two weeks later on December 2, and later in other regions.
== Features ==
=== Dual Screens ===
The Nintendo DS has twin 3-inch backlit color liquid crystal displays. The lower display is touch sensitive and is operated with a stylus. The upper panel has stereo speakers on either side of the upper display. The lower screen's touch capability is utilized in most games, and many games utilize it as the primary, and sometimes only, method of control, such as in .
====Stylus====
The stylus is a pen-like object for use with the Nintendo DS and its touch screen. Nintendo has released several customized styli for specific games, including with -themed designs.
=== Wireless ===
The system comes with built-in 802.11 wireless capabilities, allowing the system to link with other systems for multiplayer games and applications, such as the system's built-in PictoChat. The wireless also allowed the system to connect to the Internet and take advantage of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which allowed for Internet play on several Nintendo DS games. However, the service was discontinued on May 20, 2014, making online play no longer possible.
=== Other features ===
The system features a microphone which can be used to pick up various sounds for whatever function the game developer chooses to use it for, be it voice-recognition (as seen in Nintendogs), voice chat (as seen in Metroid Prime Hunters), or many other potential applications.
It also features an extra game slot capable of playing Game Boy Advance games. Game Boy and Game Boy Color games are incompatible due to size issues, but the slot is also utilized for certain games that feature extra add-ons such as a Rumble Pak. All of this is run on a single rechargeable lithium ion battery, allowing for up to 10 hours of gameplay on a 3 to 4 hour charge.
 makes use of the DS internal clock. Certain events will take place at midnight according to the internal clock of the system.
==Later models==
*Nintendo DS Lite: Released in 2006, this model features a slimmer and more lightweight design, and a brighter screen.
*Nintendo DSi: Released in 2008 in Japan and in 2009 in Western countries, the Nintendo DSi features a larger but thinner design. It has a unique system software with a lot more features, and features two digital cameras, a SD card slot, and an online shop.
==The Legend of Zelda games ==
*
*
*
*
*
Due to the backwards compatibility, the console is also able to play the Classic NES Series versions of and , as well as and .
==Trivia==
* makes use of the DS internal clock, as certain events will take place at midnight according to the internal clock of the system.
==Gallery==
== See also ==
*Nintendo DS Lite
*Nintendo DSi
*Nintendo DSi XL
*Nintendo 3DS
de:Nintendo DS