Nintendo DS

handheld gaming · touchscreen · Nintendo · 2000s

Dual screens. The Nintendo DS had two LCD screens stacked on top of each other in a clamshell design that folded open and closed, like a clam. The bottom screen was a touchscreen you could tap, swipe, and draw on with a stylus.

Wireless multiplayer. The DS was one of the first portable consoles that let you play games with friends wirelessly over short distances without needing cables. You could also connect online through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to play against people anywhere in the world.

Released worldwide. The Nintendo DS came out in 2004 and 2005 across the globe and became massively popular, competing mainly against Sony's PlayStation Portable handheld system.

Touch and stylus. Instead of just pressing buttons, you could interact with games by touching the bottom screen with a special stylus pen. Games used this feature in creative ways, from drawing to solving puzzles to writing answers.

Billions sold. The Nintendo DS became one of the best-selling game consoles of all time, with games like Pokémon, Mario, and Brain Age making it a must-have device for kids and adults alike.