A new patent filing from Nintendo could indicate a potential DS app is on its way Nintendo Switch Online service The patent, possibly related to Nintendo Switch Online, shows users can wirelessly connect one or two Switch consoles to emulate the DS' dual-screen controls or swap between the top and bottom DS screens via controller input.
Originally released in 2004, the DS family of consoles is Nintendo's best-selling system, with over 154 million units sold as of 2016. The DS released several iterations during its lifetime, starting with the original “Fat DS” model and later including the DS Lite and DSi systems. The DS was known for its two screens, with touch input controls on the bottom. The original DS and DS Lite also included a Game Boy Advance cartridge slot for backward compatibility. The DS was also home to two mainline Pokemon game generations, since Pokemon Diamond and Pearl who Pokemon black 2 and white 2.
Nintendo patents coming to switch DS games online
Although Nintendo has filed patents regarding DS-inspired systems, this latest invention may be the most practical yet. As reported by Twitter user Mike Odyssey, a Nintendo patent filing published on October 16 will allow users with one or two Switch consoles to play Nintendo DS games through three methods. The first method was described in Nintendo's patent as a “parent and child” setup. In this scenario, the switch “parent” unit will wirelessly connect to the second switch console, which will be the “child” unit. The parent will become the top screen of the DS, and the child will act as the bottom screen of the DS to access touch controls. On paper, this method is similar to the Switch 2's GameShare functionality, which allows a host console with a supported game to share with nearby consoles, including those without the game in question.
Two other methods require only one Switch console, such as picture-in-picture mode and the Switch Screen option were also listed in Nintendo's patent. Both methods were previously used by the Wii U's Virtual Console lineup, which allowed DS games to be played on a TV or Wii U GamePad. The Wii U Virtual Console allowed users to prioritize which DS screen to control on the GamePad, and it was configurable on a per-game basis.
With Nintendo Switch Online periodically adding games to multiple apps, the possibility of a Nintendo DS app will add more value to the service. Needless to say, any patent filing from Nintendo should be taken with a good pinch of salt.
- brand
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Nintendo
- Original release date
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June 5, 2025
- Original MSRP (USD)
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$449.99
- operating system
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Ownership
- resolve
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1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
- HDR support
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yes
The successor to 2017's Nintendo Switch continues down the same path as its predecessor, offering a hybrid experience that supports both home and handheld gaming. Starting on June 5, 2025, along with games like Mario Kart World, the basic Nintendo Switch 2 bundle comes with the console, the Joy-Con 2, a strap for the controller, a dock, an AC adapter, an HDMI cable, and the Joy-Con 2 grip.
