Nintendo DS
From RWP Wiki
| Nintendo DS | |
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| Codename | Project DS/Nitro |
| Released | North America: November 21, 2004 Europe: March 11, 2005 Japan: December 2, 2004 Australia: February 24, 2005 China: July 23, 2005 |
| Online Service | Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection |
| Discontinued | |
| Predecessor | |
| Successor | Nintendo DS lite |
The Nintendo DS is a handheld console developed by Nintendo.
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Description
Standing for both "Developer's System" or "Dual Screen", the Nintendo DS is the most recent handheld console from Nintendo. Advertised as a "third pillar" rather than a direct successor to the Game Boy Advance, its most significant selling point was its pair of screens, one being touch-sensitive.
History
Nintendo announced that a new system would be released in the later half of 2004. The stated over and over that it would be a "third pillar," meaning that it was not another in the Gameboy line. Nintendo went by the codename "DS" during development, and later to "Nitro." However, they soon want back to "DS" because of the system's most recognized feature: dual screens. The Nintendo DS launched on November 21, 2004 at $149.99.
In the wake of 2006, Nintendo launched the Nintendo DSlite, a sleeker version of the old model. Various improvements were made to the newer model, such as the power button now being a slider, and the mic being at an easier location. However, the model was also met with complaints from those with larger hands, unable to cope with the newer model's size.
Similar to the Nintendo 64's popular use of tagging "64" on the end of game titles (Super Mario 64, Duke Nukem 64, Mario Kart 64, etc), most DS titles have a "DS" on the end of it.
Homebrew
The Nintendo DS is a premiere platformer for homebrew development, mostly due to the two screens. Applications such as MoonShell convert the DS into a full-fledged media player, capable of playing movies and music. Games like Tetattds make use of the touch screen to move objects with the stylus instead of with the D-Pad. A coding language called PAlib is frequently used to make games on the handheld.
To have homebrew running on the DS, one needs a flashcart such as an R4. Carts can be used in either slot of the DS, and also in both at the same time for maximum use between GBA and DS platforms. Most flastcarts use a microSD card to store information.
Rare
Rare only has two releases on the DS: a Diddy Kong Racing remake, entitled Diddy Kong Racing DS, and an entry in the Viva Piñata series called Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise.
