A new patent filing from Nintendo could indicate that a potential DS app is on the way Nintendo Switch Online service. The patent, possibly related to Nintendo Switch Online, showed that users could connect one or two Switch consoles wirelessly to emulate the DS's dual-screen controls, or switch between the upper and lower DS screens via a controller input.
Originally released in 2004, the DS family of consoles is Nintendo's best-selling system, with over 154 million units sold in 2016. The DS released several iterations over its lifespan, 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 the bottom one having touch controls. The original DS and DS Lite also included a Game Boy Advance cartridge slot for backwards compatibility. The DS was also home to two mainstream Pokemon game generations, from Pokemon Diamond and Pearl to Pokemon Black 2 and White 2.
Nintendo patent could lead to DS games switching online
Although Nintendo has filed patents for DS-inspired systems, this latest find may be the most practical yet. As reported by Twitter user Mike Odyssey, a Nintendo patent application published on October 16 would allow users with one or two Switch consoles to play Nintendo DS games via three methods. The first method was described as a “parent-and-child” approach in Nintendo's patent. In this scenario, a Switch “parent” device would wirelessly connect to a second Switch console, which would become the “child” device. The parent would become the DS's top screen, and the child would act as the DS's bottom screen to access touch controls. On paper, this method is similar to the Switch 2's GameShare feature, which allows a host console with a supported game to share it with nearby consoles, including those that don't have the game in question.
Two other methods would require just a Switch console, as a Picture-In-Picture mode and a 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 either on the TV or the Wii U GamePad. The Wii U Virtual Console also 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 regularly adding games across multiple apps, the possibility of a Nintendo DS app would add more value to the service. Needless to say, all patent filings from Nintendo should be taken with a grain of salt.
- Stamp
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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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Proprietary
- Resolution
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1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
- HDR support
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Yes
The successor to 2017's Nintendo Switch continues on the same path as its predecessor, providing a hybrid experience that supports both home and handheld gaming. Launching on June 5, 2025, with games like Mario Kart World, the basic Nintendo Switch 2 bundle comes with the console, Joy-Con 2, controller straps, a dock, an AC adapter, an HDMI cable and a Joy-Con 2 grip.
