Nintendo DS Marks 20th Anniversary

The Nintendo DS, celebrating its 20th anniversary, remains a monumental achievement for Nintendo, selling 154 million units and shaping the landscape of handheld gaming. Launched on November 21, 2004, it introduced innovative features like a touchscreen, dual screens, and a stylus, making gaming accessible to a wider audience, including casual gamers. Titles such as 'Super Mario 64 DS' and 'Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training' left lasting impressions, showcasing the console's capacity for unique gameplay experiences. Game history expert Hiroyuki Maeda highlighted that the DS served as a bridge between the Game Boy and modern smartphones. The success of the DS prompted Nintendo to rethink its strategy after previous console disappointments and ultimately influenced the development of subsequent platforms, including the Nintendo Switch. Overall, the DS's legacy is marked by its ability to transform gaming into a universal form of entertainment.