Nintendo DS

The Nintendo DS is a dual-screen portable handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. The name "DS" is short for either Dual Screen or Developer's System, the latter of which referring to the features of the handheld designed to encourage innovative gameplay ideas among developershttp://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/ds/faq.jsp. Its code name was "Project Nitro". The DS has a horizontal clamshell design, similar to some Game & Watch video games, and the Game Boy Advance SP.

Functionality

The Nintendo DS's primary function is as a video games console; no multimedia support is included, although Play-Yan, a special Game Boy Advance cartridge that can read an SD memory card and play movies and music, is available in Japan (see Accessories). The system is hoped to provoke more original development of titles in an industry that Nintendo perceives as being stagnant. Nintendo believes that the unit's unusual dual screen format will inspire creative game design by developers, both its own and third parties. While the most obvious unique selling point is the pair of screens, the system also includes some unexpected input devices: a microphone and touch screen functionality on the lower screen. To date, many games have used the touchscreen to emulate analogue joystick or mouse. The DS also supports wireless connectivity, using 802.11b (Wi-Fi) http://www.darkain.com/nintendo_ds/nifi.php. As of August 2005, no games have implemented online functionality, but there are games in development including Mario Kart DS, , and Animal Crossing DS which will take advantage of Nintendo's newly announced online service, called Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Related Topics:
Multimedia - Play-Yan - Game Boy Advance - SD - Accessories - Microphone - Touch screen - Joystick - Mouse - 802.11b - Wi-Fi - As of August 2005 - Mario Kart DS - Animal Crossing DS - Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

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