Nintendo DS Celebrates 20 Years of Gaming Innovation

The dual-screen handheld revolutionized gaming with its diverse library, touch-screen mechanics, and enduring legacy.

The Nintendo DS launched on November 21, 2004, introducing a dual-screen design and touch controls that set it apart from competitors like the PlayStation Portable.
Initially marketed as a 'third pillar' alongside the Game Boy Advance, the DS became Nintendo's most successful system to date, with a library appealing to both casual and core gamers.
Groundbreaking titles like Brain Age, Nintendogs, and Zelda: Phantom Hourglass showcased the system's ability to cater to a wide audience and innovate gameplay mechanics.
Developers creatively utilized the DS's unique features, such as its touch screen, microphone, and dual displays, to deliver experiences like Guitar Hero with a custom peripheral and Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword's book-like orientation.
Many DS classics, including Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective and The World Ends With You, have been re-released on modern platforms, though some titles remain exclusive to the original hardware due to its unique capabilities.