The Nintendo DS is Still Amazing in 2023. Here’s Why.

Which handheld should I do a deep dive on next?

The DS is like the Nintendo PS2, huge library of mostly great games and tons of experimentation. Developers back then really took the risks to create original and interesting games. Not to mention all the great ports, like the call of duty games. This is something that completely died from the 3DS onwards, when development costs became more significant.

I used to enjoy writing NDS homebrew. Sadly, the XP laptop I used to code on died long ago, so now I'd have to build a retro PC just to get the dev stack back up and running. Glad to hear R4 cards are still available.

I bought a DS lite a couple of years ago instead of stressing about which retro emulation device to get. It just fills that retro need and it's so easy and convenient to play on.

Pro tip: If you have a (N)3DS XL you can boot a NDS game while pressing the Select button to play it in pixel-perfect mode, which will add black areas around the screens but will look about the same size as a regular DSi On a regular 3DS it will look too small to be usable

Thanks for the awesome coverage on DS. We've been actively developing new exclusive games via homebrew for DS and PSP and will continue that long term for years even as we focus on modern commercial game development. Your video reminded me of all the ribbon cable I've accidentally shredded while repairing and replacing shells years ago on DS Lites.

Easily my favorite Nintendo handheld line, this lineup is TIMELESS :D

I just got a practically new DSi XL for less than $50 and it’s been an amazing experience. I always preferred the DSi as a kid, I just liked the way the shell felt and the screens were amazing after coming from a GBAsp 001. I stopped playing handheld anything right as the 3DS came out so with Twilight menu on the DSi XL I get exactly what I need. It’s wonderful

Not quite the same, but the New 3DS has been my go-to handheld this year. Between the ROM injections, native DS/3DS support, and portability, it just outshines all the other handhelds I have at the moment.

Usually on DS consoles that have a "broken hinge" actually have a cracked shell in the hinge area. The metal hinge itself usually doesn't break under normal use.

Yo Taki, great vid. Just wanted to say that the top screen being a 'cooler' tone than the bottom was just how it always was. I always figured it was simply because one was touch screen and the other wasn't. But I DISTINCTLY remember that always being that way, where it was noticably different in the image

I really liked the DS/3DS form factor, it's very comforting to return to the dual screen/bottom touch screen, after leaving it behind for so long. It really was an underappreciated upgrade. I wish Nintendo would return to this form factor, but you know that's never going to happen. I've grown really tired of the slate/candybar form factor that's everywhere nowadays, it's so monotonous.

I've been playing on my DSi XL. There are just so many good games on it, you could realistically keep playing the DS until you die and still have tons of good games left over.

Really appreciate you hooking up to the headphone output for stereo sound on the game tests.

Cool to hear that tidbit about the original R4 devs. I remember 2006-2008 were magical when i got my first NDS R4 carts. It laid the seed for the currnt retro emulation addiction, including being able to back up my OG save files (170hours in FFTactics A2)❤

I really liked the Nintendo DS Lite, had mine for years. Recently, I noticed the bottom screen was getting messed up. Where the black text warning was when you boot up, it was becoming black with yellow edges. The blue URL was half blue and half black. I tried adjusting the adjustment screw and sometimes it would help, but then revert back. I adjusted that screw so many times I think I stripped it. Couldn't really tell if I did or not so I opened it up. I didn't. I closed it back up and the shoulder buttons were a pain trying to align the spring correctly. Finally got it closed but power switch wasn't springy anymore. Turns out I snapped the onboard nub on the power switch off while closing it. RIP DS Lite. You were a good friend to me.

I have been interested in getting a DS from time to time, and I learned a lot. Thanks for the video.

I did the shell swap for a DS lite and managed to break the top screen, bottom screen digitizer and the power switch (same way you did). Had to order replacement parts but got it all fixed up myself. Removing the power switch is not as hard as you think, but you definitely need some soldering experience.

I’m playing the 💩 out of my DSi and New 3DS at the moment. The DS is a gem, very interesting, very entertaining and a lot of fun!

Thank you for this video, the timing could not be better. I just found my DSi and started homebrewing it a few days ago. It feels good to play on it again :)