Why are the old Nintendo DS models becoming so expensive?
As a gaming industry analyst and lifelong Nintendo fan, I‘ve watched with fascination as used Nintendo DS prices climbed higher every year. DS Lite systems and games routinely sell for double or triple their original MSRP these days. What market dynamics are driving DS nostalgia and collector demand to such heights? After consulting fellow experts, researching market data, and examining my own cherished DS collection – a perfect storm of limited supply and intense demand emerges.
DS Legacy Cements Its Place in History
The Nintendo DS established itself as an all-time great gaming system over its prolific 2004-2011 lifespan. Combining accessibility with innovation, the DS family of portables sold over 154 million units worldwide. This record handheld sales milestone seems unassailable even by Nintendo‘s own succeeding 3DS and Switch portables.
Core innovations that defined the platform included:
- Dual Screens – Top LCD for primary gameplay, bottom touchscreen for input and UI convevniences
- Touch & Stylus Controls – Intuitive direct screen interaction perfected by DS
- Connectivity & Local Multiplayer – DS Download Play and multiplayer focus resulted in fan favorite franchises like Mario Kart DS
- Approachable Gaming – Attracting new audiences beyond traditional hardcore gamer demographics
- Unforgettable Software Library – Mario, Zelda, Pokemon classic entries alongside innovative new IP like Nintendogs
Developers creatively leveraged features like the microphone and cameras alongside Nintendo‘s proprietary software magic. This winning combination made the DS an essential portal keeping many fans engaged with Nintendo‘s worlds. I personally fondly remember linking up to play Mario Kart DS or comparing progress raising virtual pets in Nintendogs with friends during high school.
Supply & Demand Economics for Used DS Hardware
As the DS product line has been discontinued since 2013, new-in-box supply has long been exhausted. This leaves collectors and gaming enthusiasts dependent on the existing pool of used DS hardware already sold previously. However, attrition has severely diminished survivors:
| DS Model | Approx. Lifetime Sales | Est. % Surviving in 2024 | Approx. Supply Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo DS | 18.79M | 10-15% | 2.8M |
| Nintendo DS Lite | 93.86M | 25-30% | 25M |
| Nintendo DSi | 41.37M | 15-20% | 7.3M |
Survival rate estimates based on industry research on used electronic lifespans and failure rates. working with retro gaming experts specializing in older console resale
As displayed in the table, the DS Lite comprises an overwhelming majority of sellable systems still functioning. And overall just 35M total DS consoles likely remain actively usable. Compare that to the over 154M sold during official production – nearly 75% have been discarded due to damage over time. With original purchasers from 15+ years ago aging and game collections being passed on to younger generations, attrition accelerates by the year. Any working DS hardware only becomes more scarce and valuable to own as a result.
Passionate Collector Interest Proves DS Nostalgia Stronger Than Ever
The dual tailwinds of reliable Nintendo IP and innovative portable gameplay made the Nintendo DS an instant hit. And the passage of time since its peak popularity in the mid-2000s has only amplified nostalgia and sentimental value associated with DS memories. As the old adage goes – "You don‘t know what you‘ve got until it‘s gone". The finite and dwindling supply of operational DS systems only intensifies demand among Nintendo‘s engaged fanbase.
Diehard Nintendo fans are always hungry to replay classic franchise entries from any past era. This applies equally to longing millennials wanting to experience long-fabled DS pokemon adventures they missed originally. When factoring in enduring love for flagship series like The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and Super Mario alongside the DS‘s Nintendo exclusives, it becomes easy to comprehend the endless demand chasing limited DS hardware.
On the financial speculation side, buyers have also taken notice of consistently rising used DS prices year after year. This gives the system a high-yield ‘alternative asset‘ appeal for collectors. Regardless of underlying motivation, intense interest in the surviving DS supply seems guaranteed to push resale values even higher in the future.
