Favorite Games: New Super Mario Bros DS, Super Mario 64 DS, Mario Kart DS, Pokémon series, Bomberman DS.
This is an incredible device with a huge amount, if not the largest along with the Nintendo Switch console library of games! Its backwards compatibility with Game Advance games allows you to play a huge amount of games along with the DS releases!
It has an audio out port, the GBA cartridge input is usually covered with its shipped cover that has the same color as the device, better audio quality than it's predecessor and it has a touch screen!
Having two screens allowed game developers to create very creative games that made use of both screens!
This was the first handheld from Nintendo that features an OS which can be accessed immediately after turning on the device, however it cannot be be accesed again unless the device is turned off. The OS features a clock and a calendar and a wireless download play function for multiplayer games that don't require both players to have the same game! Also very fun to do back in the days was PictoChat! You can send messages to persons in chat rooms! You can set up a name and a favorite color which are used in games!
You are no longer required to buy a wireless IR device for the GBA or use a link cable due to the build in IR sensor. The GBA input could also be used for rumble in some games and accessories in others, it was not used mostly for other reasons than that.
These devices came with some build quality issues though... The lite version has problems with its hinge breaking which results in display corruption at certain angles and a loosened screen. This problem seems very common and seems to happen after a certain amount of opening and closing the screen, due to mechanical wear iirc. I have not seen this problem occur with my 3DS's and DSi yet. My first DS from 2007 has failed due to this. The one shown in the picture is my newer model but unfortunately also suffers all the issues mentioned above.
It's Nintendo's best sold device ever and it almost sold as much as Sony's PlayStation 2 consoles, if the 3DS sales are combined, the DS's has sold over 200 million devices, making it the best selling console!
It is probably along with the Nintendo Switch the most iconic game console!
Games
New Super Mario Bros DS
A beautiful game featuring a major graphic upgrade to the 2D side scrolling platformer with new powerups, new enemies and mechanics which made this game really fun to play! A must play for the Nintendo DS!
Super Mario 64 DS
This game is often critised for its controls due to the lack of a joystick, but I found out when you use the touch screen at the right moment while using the D-pad in hard spots that don't require quick reflexes (due to enemies for example) it's quite playable, bugs were fixed from the N64 version and new content was added such as the unlockable characters, minigames, better graphics, new bosses and the new levels, it's also so nostalgic...
Mario Kart DS
This is where the Mario Kart got even better. Only those who grew up with this game would probably understand! I often hear now that it's criticised due to it's low-poly graphics, but for us, this was the competitive racing game back in the days!
Pokémon Series
This device got so many great pokémon games, it was the first generation to feature my favorite pokémon 'Glaceon', Pokémon battles were often played and Pokémon traded at schools in games such as Diamond, Pearl and Platinum! Heartgold and Soulsilver were the first series where you could play with pokémons out of the ball following you around in the overworld and Black & White added even more animations to the games! A lot of fun spin-offs were made for the device too!
Bomberman DS
The best Battle Royale game you could get for the device! I played it so much with friends, it features so many types of bombs and levels. The AI is good and fun to play with if playing alone and it featured good looking pixel art and a great story mode!