The Nintendo DS is a handheld and portable gaming system that was introduced to the North American market and concurrently to the Japanese market in November 2004. Prepared similarly to the Nintendo Game Boy Advance, the Nintendo DS featured 2 small screens. LCD in a clamshell design. The upper screen was intended for display uses, while the lower screen is used as a touch screen for gaming use. The touch screen can be used with a stylus, similar to a PDA, and traditional buttons are also integrated into the sides of the bottom screen, similar to the button system used on the 1990s Super NES.
The system is integrated with a built-in stereo system microphone and speakers that can provide a virtual surround sound environment, which is extraordinary for a tool of this size. The microphone is used for various games that require a voice detection system such as Nintendogs, Brain Age or can be used for online discussion in internet game meeting.
The system is remarkably portable and many parents have a huge soft spot for it, as they can keep their kids entertained on an extended trip while riding in a shared or private vehicle. For people who like to play their games online together with other gamers, the DS console is perhaps the most sought after system as it offers 802.11 wireless connection. With this Internet connection, you can also use the integrated chat feature, PictoChat, which allows up to 16 people to chat with each other in a local environment. The DS’s battery lasts an impressive 10 hours of gameplay and takes only 3 hours to fully charge, which is why it’s so popular.
While dozens of game consoles are geared toward teens and kids, Nintendo’s DS has fans of all ages. Recognizing this, games intended for adults have been developed that can help with memory function. This has been popular with those who are getting older and is a great way to keep your intellect sharp. The game series is called Brain Age and consists of a couple of programs that can help keep your brain sharp. You can not only play games that help your brain, but you can also play games that are fun at the same time. Games like Memory Sprint, Clock Spin, Number Memory, Math Recall, and Piano Player not only help keep your brain sharp, but they can also be fun for adults almost everywhere to play.
After a booming run with the DS, Nintendo introduced the Nintendo DS Lite, which is very similar but with only a few differences. The DS Lite is getting lighter and the battery lasts longer. If the battery is fully charged for 3 hours, it can last up to 15-19 hours. The screen is usually brighter and the stylus is bigger and easier to grip and there are 12 colors available to purchase. Some additional design changes are also noticeable, rearranging the buttons and moving the microphone as well. Several limited edition models were also designed, including the Final Fantasy III edition, the Pokémon edition, and the Pirates of the Caribbean edition, among many others. Overall, between the Nintendo DS and DS lite, almost 175 million units have been sold worldwide.
For those of you who already have a Game Boy Advance, you’ll be delighted to know that your GBA games will work on the Nintendo DS, and Nintendo recently introduced a browser for the Nintendo DS that allows you to surf the Internet using wireless Internet. Based on the Opera browser, the Nintendo DS is more than just a video game console. A host of accessories can also be purchased for the Nintendo DS, including headphones, the Rumble Pak, and a Wi-Fi USB connector.