Do you ever feel like today’s game consoles are just a bit too predictable? I sure do. The charm and uniqueness seem to have faded over time. Sure, the Nintendo Switch stands out due to its hybrid design, but beyond that, it doesn’t fundamentally alter how we experience games. It merely shifts where we can play them. While that’s quintessentially Nintendo—quirky yet vastly influential—I still find myself craving something…extra.
Interestingly, Nintendo hit the nail on the head with what I’m yearning for two decades ago: the DS. Ah, what a remarkable device it was! From the moment I laid eyes on it as a kid, I sensed its uniqueness. Evidently, others felt the same since the DS became the second-best-selling console ever by the end of its lifespan.
The DS’s dual screens weren’t actually new ground for Nintendo; they had experimented with that concept before in the Game & Watch series. This once again showcased Nintendo’s knack for innovation. However, the DS took this idea to new heights, offering more power than previous handhelds like the Game Boy Advance. The second screen was not just an addition; it was an invitation. It begged the question: what more can I do with this?
That second screen cracked open fresh opportunities for gameplay, especially since it was a touchscreen. There are countless examples of creative uses, many originating from Nintendo itself. Take Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time as a case in point. This game turned a neat trick by letting players control adult and baby versions of Mario and Luigi across dual screens, cleverly utilizing this setup to solve puzzles.
Another standout was The World Ends With You, where battling occurred simultaneously on both screens with different characters. Mastering this dynamic was essential for success. Then there’s Hotel Dusk, which had a unique book-like feel by using the DS in portrait mode, perfectly complementing its text-heavy narrative. Even simpler tweaks, like relocating the main UI elements to the DS’s bottom screen in Pokémon games, brought the action to life on the top screen.
Reflecting on these experiences as I matured, I realized how much they reshaped my understanding of gaming. They changed my perspective on what games could become, or rather, how we might engage with them. Having that additional interface offered a deeper involvement, something that hasn’t quite been recreated in consoles since. Games felt expansive, with worlds richer and more detailed than what was previously possible.
The DS redefined gaming for me, turning it into a series of dedicated, playful spaces. While I might not have grasped it fully as a child, it instilled in me a thoughtful curiosity about game interaction. Nowadays, games and consoles feel more uniform, with controllers resembling each other in function if not in aesthetic, and menus stripped of personality, aiming to get players into games as swiftly as possible.
Though I don’t use my original DS much anymore, my 3DS still offers that playful spirit that shaped my gaming taste. It’s fascinating how, even after 20 years, this console remains a benchmark, a testament to what a truly innovative handheld can accomplish. That’s legacy for you—one of the best in the business, no doubt.
