The Very Last Nintendo DS Game Signals the End of an Era
On October 28, 2014, the dual-screen handheld that had captivated gamers for over a decade saw its final game release: Big Hero 6: Battle in the Bay. This lightly publicized licensed title closed the book on one of gaming‘s most monumental chapters – the dominance of the Nintendo DS.
Overview of the Very Last Nintendo DS Game
Developed by 1st Playable Productions using Disney‘s new Big Hero 6 film IP, Battle in the Bay featured mech battling arcade gameplay across 30 single player missions and local 4 player multiplayer. Reviews painted it as a mediocre but inoffensive movie tie-in release typical of the DS‘s waning days. Sales lagged due to declining DS hardware install base, only moving a couple hundred thousand copies. As a long-time Nintendo handheld gamer, I purchased it out of curiosity and to complete my DS set. Despite flaws, I found it a reasonably enjoyable title especially with friends. Most importantly, it marked the historic final release for the landmark DS product line.
By late 2014, Nintendo DS game output was running on fumes after years of slowing production. The previous first-party DS game came earlier that year with Mario Party: Island Tour. Ubisoft‘s adventure platformer Imagine: Babies 3D released just a month before Battle in the Bay in September 2014. The writing was clearly on the wall – with flat hardware sales and Nintendo focused on the 3DS, diminishing third-party developer support soon dried up completely. Just like that, this dual screen pioneer exited the stage.
The Steady Decline of DS Game Output
The revolutionary Nintendo DS first launched in 2004 and introduced intuitive touch screen gaming alongside traditional controls. Dominant sales above 150 million systems made the DS home to the largest handheld gaming market ever. However, 2011 saw Nintendo shift focus towards promoting the glasses-free stereoscopic 3D capabilities of their new 3DS successor. As the installed base of 3DS consoles grew over the next 3 years, DS hardware sales plateaued and new games gradually became scarcer.
Let‘s analyze the downward trajectory. 2009 represented the peak of DS game development with nearly 400 new titles released just for that year. The next 3 years floated between 200-300 before plummeting below 100 in 2013 following two full years of the 3DS on market. As gamers migrated to the more advanced platform, publishers allocated creative resources toward the future. When even Nintendo began porting franchises like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros to 3DS instead of developing original DS entries, the writing was clearly on the wall. The DS featured groundbreaking touch gameplay for its time, but mobile phone tech advancements soon eclipsed its processor and display capabilities. Nintendo‘s next handheld would have to go far beyond what the DS could offer. Their solution – glasses-free stereoscopic 3D gaming built around enhanced Internet connectivity.
By ceasing their Wi-Fi connected services in 2014, Nintendo hammered the final nail in the DS coffin themselves. Battle in the Bay‘s release later that year almost felt like an afterthought. The DS flame, once burning so powerfully, had now reduced to dim glowing embers.
DS Hardware and Top Sellers Stand the Test of Time
Let‘s examine the stellar sales figures cementing the Nintendo DS range as all-time bestsellers despite the 2014 cessation of new software.
| System | Release Date | Units Sold | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DS Original | 2004 | ~35 million | Revolutionary dual screen + touch input |
| DS Lite | 2006 | ~95 million | Brighter improved screens + design |
| DSi | 2008/2009 | ~35 million | Built-in cameras + storage |
| DSi XL | 2010 | ~15 million | Oversized screens – final DS iteration |
DS software sales equally dominated. New Super Mario Bros DS became the first single DS title to break 20 million units, ending up at over 30! Other evergreen triple-A titles like Nintendogs, Mario Kart DS, and Pokemon Diamond & Pearl each individually outsold the entire competing Playstation Portable platform.
My personal favorite game remains The World Ends With You, a fantastically stylized and deep action JRPG with a killer soundtrack. Its innovative dual screen combat cementing it as one of the DS‘s quintessential gaming experiences. I also have fond memories of playing tactical strategy classics like Advance Wars: Dual Strike with friends. And quirky surprises like Elf Bowling and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney perfectly showcased the unique gameplay made possible by touch controls and dual display functionality.
While Nintendo has ceased active support, DS game development, and online services, the platform‘s hits still attract strong second-hand sales today. As the breath-taking breadth of its library becomes ever more apparent, DS nostalgia keeps building. I predict collectibility for rare titles and hardware variants will only expand more over time. If you can find boxed copies of games like Pokémon HeartGold or Mario & Luigi: Bowser‘s Inside Story, don‘t hesitate to pick them up!
Closing Thoughts on a Monumental Mobile Gaming Legacy
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