Why Did Nintendo Stop Making DS Games?
As a long-time Nintendo handheld fan, I was surprised when Nintendo quietly discontinued production of new game cartridges for the Nintendo DS family of systems including the original DS, DS Lite, DSi and DSi XL in 2014-15. In this deep dive guide, I explore the reasons behind the DS platform being discontinued and its enduring influence on gaming.
The Explosive Early Success of the DS
The Nintendo DS first launched in North America in November 2004 to explosive reception from gamers like myself enamored with its distinctive dual screens and innovative touch input.
With hot games like Nintendogs, Mario Kart DS, and Brain Age, the quirky handheld sold 500,000 units within just one week of launch in the US according to Nintendo’s sales report at the time. It became the fastest selling video game system ever, quickly surpassing the install base of even the iconic Game Boy Advance.
The DS Lite hardware revision released in 2006 would push sales even higher. By the end of 2009, Nintendo DS family cumulative lifetime sales had eclipsed 125 million units worldwide per Nintendo’s year-end fiscal report. The future seemed bright for the DS platform.
So why did Nintendo abruptly stop producing new DS games just 5 years later despite such early dominance? Let’s analyze the reasons.
The Advance of Mobile Gaming
A major factor was the tectonic shift taking place in the worldwide gaming industry landscape with the advent of modern smartphones and app stores.
Apple’s iPhone and iOS App Store first launched in 2007, and sparked an explosion of mobile gaming. According to NewZoo analysis, the global mobile games market grew from just $3 billion in 2009 to $13.3 billion in 2013. Casual gaming audiences in particular gravitated towards inexpensive or free-to-play mobile titles.
This negative impacted demand for dedicated portable consoles. After peaking in 2009, total Nintendo DS hardware and software sales declined by over 50% between 2010 to 2014 based on Nintendo’s annual financial reports.
While still generating profits on healthy game sales, Nintendo likely saw forecasts showing DS demand shrinking rapidly in face of the mobile gaming boom. This factor certainly informed their decision to discontinue the DS platform.
Limited Technical Capability
Despite its initial novelty, DS hardware was technologically limited by modern standards in display resolution, processing power, features and graphics capability.
| Hardware Spec | Nintendo DS | Nintendo 3DS |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Dual 256×192 LCDs | Dual 640×480 glasses-free 3D displays |
| Graphics | 2D only | Quad-core 3D graphics, programmable shaders |
| RAM | 4 MB | 128-256 MB |
| WiFi | 802.11b | 802.11g |
| Cameras | None | Dual cameras |
As evident in this comparison table, the 2011 Nintendo 3DS hardware refresh represented a major step up over the Nintendo DS family in technical specifications.
3D stereoscopic display, drastically improved processing power through a new quad-core ARM CPU+GPU, built-in networking and cameras were clear areas where DS systems were aging poorly. This gave game developers far more powerful hardware to realize their creative ambitions.
Nintendo’s Shift to Supporting the 3DS Platform
With the writing on the wall, Nintendo made the shrewd business decision to fully focus development resources around the newer 3DS platform rather than continually reviving a fading DS line.
At Nintendo’s E3 2010 presentation attended by over 68,000 fans and press according to ESA data, the company unveiled the 3DS handheld to the world. When the 3DS did finally launch worldwide throughout 2011, Nintendo went all-in on support with high profile 1st party exclusives like Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D remaster, and Star Fox 64 3D.
Likely realizing the diminished returns developing new games for legacy DS users represented versus attracting early 3DS adopters, Nintendo began winding down Nintendo DS support by 2014-2015. Their final 1st party send-off was Big Hero 6: Battle in the Bay in October 2014.
The Enduring Legacy of the DS Game Library
While the Nintendo DS hardware itself was discontinued over 7 years ago now, the system’s vast library of over 1800 games just in North America alone per Nintendo’s official figures has persisted for fans. Dual screen gaming lives on through native backwards compatibility across the 3DS family systems.
As a passionate Nintendo gamer myself, I believe the best-selling Nintendo DS software library contains many standout gems worth revisiting:
- New Super Mario Bros. – This addicting 2D sidescroller rivals even SNES-era Mario
- Chrono Trigger – The timeless 1995 JRPG perfectly remastered
- Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver – Definitive entries in the revered monster catcher franchise
- Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars – Shockingly good open-world crime romp
- Advance Wars: Dual Strike – Still the best portable turn-based tactics series around
- 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors – Twisty, text-heavy visual novel mystery thriller masterpiece
- The World Ends With You – One of Square Enix‘s most creative JRPGs ever
I could go on and on about the top-tier franchises and hidden gems within the DS catalog. While Nintendo understandably shifted resources towards its shiny new 3DS platform, the back catalogue of landmark DS releases like these will live on for both nostalgic gamers and collectors through backwards compatibility.
Soaring Secondary Market Prices
In fact, with all Nintendo DS hardware production ceasing years ago, factory-sealed new-in-box games and limited edition consoles are becoming increasingly scarce.
Nintendo DS nostalgia among Millenial and Gen Z gamers has led to soaring resale prices for rare games and hardware. As per PriceCharting sales data, the 1st print edition of action RPG Solatorobo: Red the Hunter now fetches over $1000. Even common games like New Super Mario Bros can sell for 2-3 times the original MSRP.
Out-of-print Nintendo DS and 3DS RPGs are especially sought after. As RPG genres often appeal to dedicated niche gamers rather than casual mainstream audiences, print runs were generally limited. Now out of circulation for good, these uncommon games command premium prices due to rarity.
So the dwindling supply and feverish demand among Nintendo fans has elevated many Nintendo DS games into coveted collectors’ items.
Conclusion – The DS’s Lasting Gaming Significance
In summary, Nintendo ceased Nintendo DS game development around 2014-2015 motivated by:
- Emergence of smartphone and mobile gaming eating into dedicated handheld market share
- Its own efforts pivoting towards maximizing more powerful Nintendo 3DS platform adoption
- Limits of aging DS hardware becoming technologically outdated
Yet despite being discontinued close to a decade ago now, the wide nostalgia towards and increasing collectability of an incredible library of 1800+ Nintendo DS games cements its lasting significance in gaming history for fanatics like myself.
Truly breakthrough software transcends its original platform. We’ll be enjoying timeless Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon DS releases for years to come on new Nintendo hardware thanks to enduring dual screen appeal.
