Editing Nintendo DS

{{Infobox information appliance
| title = Nintendo DS
| aka = iQue DS
| logo = Nintendo DS Logo.svg
| logo_size = 250px
| image = Nintendo-DS-Fat-Blue.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = A blue original Nintendo DS
| developer = [[Nintendo]]
| manufacturer = [[Foxconn]]
| family = [[Nintendo DS family]]
| type = [[Handheld game console]]
| generation = [[Seventh generation of video game consoles|Seventh generation]]
| releasedate = NA: November 21, 2004<br />JP: December 2, 2004<br />AUS: February 24, 2005<br />EU: March 11, 2005
| lifespan = 2004–2014<br/> 
| discontinued = 2014
| unitssold = '''Original''': 18.79 million <small>(2018-3-31)</small> <br> '''All models combined''': 154.02 million worldwide <small>(2016-6-30)</small> ([[Nintendo DS sales|details]])
| topgame = ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'', {{nowrap|30.80 million}} <small>(2016-9-30)</small>
| media = [[Nintendo game card]], [[ROM cartridge]]
| cpu = Two [[ARM architecture]] processors
| memory = 4&nbsp;MB [[RAM]]
| storage = [[Saved game|Cartridge save]]<br />256&nbsp;KB flash memory
| display = Two [[TFT LCD]], 256 × 192 pixels
| connectivity = [[Wi-Fi]]  (802.11b, WEP)
| service = [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]]
| compatibility = [[Gameboy Advance|Game Boy Advance]] (DS and DS Lite models only)
| predecessor = [[Gameboy Advance|Game Boy Advance]]
| successor = [[Nintendo 3DS]]
}}

=Introduction=

The '''Nintendo DS''', or simply '''DS''', is a dual-screen [[handheld game console]] developed and released by [[Nintendo]]. The device went on sale in [[North America]] on November 21, 2004. The DS, short for "Developers' System" or "Dual Screen", introduced distinctive new features to handheld gaming: two [[LCD]] screens working in tandem (the bottom one featuring a [[touchscreen]]), a built-in [[microphone]], and support for [[wireless network|wireless connectivity]]. Both screens are encompassed within a [[Flip (form)|clamshell]] design similar to the [[Game Boy Advance SP]]. The Nintendo DS also features the ability for multiple DS consoles to directly interact with each other over [[Wi-Fi]] within a short range without the need to connect to an existing wireless network. Alternatively, they could interact online using the now-defunct [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]] service. Its main competitor was Sony's [[PlayStation Portable]] as part of the [[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|seventh generation era]]. It was likened to the [[Nintendo 64]] from the 1990s, which led to several N64 ports such as ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'' and ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]'', among others.

Prior to its release, the Nintendo DS was marketed as an experimental, "third pillar" in Nintendo's console lineup, meant to complement the Game Boy Advance and [[GameCube]]. However, [[backward compatibility]] with Game Boy Advance titles and strong sales ultimately established it as the successor to the Game Boy series. On March 2, 2006, Nintendo launched the [[Nintendo DS Lite]], a slimmer and lighter redesign of the original Nintendo DS with brighter screens. On November 1, 2008, Nintendo released the [[Nintendo DSi]], another redesign with several hardware improvements and new features. All Nintendo DS models combined have sold 154.02 million units, making it the best selling handheld game console to date, and the second [[List of best-selling game consoles|best selling video game console]] of all time behind Sony's [[PlayStation 2]]. The [[Nintendo DS line]] was succeeded by the [[Nintendo 3DS family]] in 2011, which maintains backward compatibility with nearly all Nintendo DS software.

=Specifications=

=== Compatibility ===
[[File:Game-Boy-Nintendo-DS-Slots.jpg|thumb|[[Game Boy Advance]] game slot on Game Boy Advance SP (below) and Nintendo DS Lite (above).]]
[[File:Nintendo Game Cartridge Size Comparison.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Clockwise from left: A [[Game Boy Color]] game cartridge, a [[Game Boy Advance]] game cartridge, and a Nintendo DS game cartridge. On the far right is a [[Nickel (United States coin)|United States Nickel]] shown for scale.]]
The Nintendo DS is [[backward compatibility|backward compatible]] with [[Game Boy Advance]] (GBA) cartridges. The smaller [[Nintendo Game Card|Nintendo DS game cards]] fit into a slot on the top of the system, while Game Boy Advance games fit into a slot on the bottom. The Nintendo DS, like the [[Game Boy Micro]], is not backward compatible with games for the [[Game Boy Color]] and the original [[Game Boy]] because the Sharp [[Zilog Z80|Z80]] compatible processor is not included and the console has physical incompatibility with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. The original Game Boy sound processor, however, is still included to maintain compatibility for GBA games that use the older sound hardware.

The handheld does not have a port for the Game Boy Advance Link Cable, so multiplayer and GameCube–Game Boy Advance link-up modes are not available in Game Boy Advance titles. Only single-player mode is supported on the Nintendo DS, as is the case with Game Boy Advance games played via the Virtual Console on the 3DS and Wii U.

The Nintendo DS only uses one screen when playing Game Boy Advance games. The user can configure the system to use either the top or bottom screen by default. The games are displayed within a black border on the screen, due to the slightly different screen resolution between the two systems (256 × 192 px for the Nintendo DS, and 240 × 160&nbsp;px for the Game Boy Advance).

Nintendo DS games inserted into the top slot are able to detect the presence of specific Game Boy Advance games in the bottom slot. In many such games, either stated in-game during gameplay or explained in its instruction manual, extra content can be unlocked or added by starting the Nintendo DS game with the appropriate Game Boy Advance game inserted. Among those games were the popular [[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl|''Pokémon Diamond'' and ''Pearl'']] or ''[[Pokémon Platinum]]'', which allowed the player to find more/exclusive Pokémon in the wild if a suitable Game Boy Advance cartridge was inserted. Some of the content can stay permanently, even after the GBA game has been removed.

Additionally, the GBA slot can be used to house expansion paks, such as the [[List of Nintendo DS Rumble Pak games|Rumble Pak]], [[Nintendo DS Browser#DS memory expansion pak|Nintendo DS Memory Expansion Pak]], and Guitar Grips for the ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour series|Guitar Hero: On Tour]]'' series. The Nintendo DSi and the DSi XL have an SD card slot instead of a second cartridge slot and cannot play Game Boy Advance games or ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour series|Guitar Hero: On Tour]]''.

=== Regional division ===
The Nintendo DS is [[regional lockout|region free]] in the sense that any console will run a Nintendo DS game purchased anywhere in the world; however, the Chinese iQue DS games cannot be played on other versions of the original DS, whose larger firmware chip contains the required [[Chinese character]] glyph images; this restriction is removed on Nintendo DSi and 3DS systems. Although the Nintendo DS of other regions cannot play the Chinese games, the iQue DS can play games of other regions. Also, as with Game Boy games, some games that require both players to have a [[Nintendo DS game card]] for multiplayer play will not necessarily work together if the games are from different regions (e.g. a Japanese Nintendo DS game may not work with a North American copy, even though some titles, such as ''Mario Kart DS'' and ''Pokémon Diamond'' and ''Pearl'' versions are mutually compatible). With the addition of the [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]], certain games can be played over the Internet with users of a different region game.

Some Wi-Fi enabled games (e.g. ''Mario Kart DS'') allow the selection of opponents by region. The options are "Regional" ("Continent" in Europe) and "Worldwide", as well as two non-location specific settings. This allows the player to limit competitors to only those opponents based in the same geographical area. This is based on the region code of the game in use.

The Nintendo DSi, however, has a region lock for DSiWare downloadable games, as well as DSi-specific cartridges. It still runs normal DS games of any region, however.

=== Media specifications ===

Nintendo DS games use a proprietary [[solid state (electronics)|solid state]] [[mask ROM]] in their game cards. The mask ROM chips are manufactured by Macronix and have an access time of 150&nbsp;[[nanoseconds|ns]]. Cards range from 8–512 [[mebibyte|MiB]] (64&nbsp;[[mebibit|Mib]] to 4&nbsp;[[gibibit|Gib]]) in size (although data on the maximum capacity has not been released). Larger cards have a 25% slower data transfer rate than more common smaller cards. The cards usually have a small amount of [[flash memory]] or an [[EEPROM]] to save user data such as game progress or high scores. However, there are few games that have no save memory, such as ''[[Electroplankton]]''. The game cards are {{convert|35|x|33|x|3.8|mm|in|abbr=on}} (about half the width and depth of Game Boy Advance cartridges) and weigh around 3.5&nbsp;g (1/8&nbsp;oz).

== Hardware ==
[[File:Nintendo-DS-Styli.jpg|thumb|Stylus for the DS Lite.]]

The Nintendo DS design resembles that of the multi-screen games from the [[Game & Watch]] line, such as ''[[Donkey Kong (Game & Watch)|Donkey Kong]]'' and ''[[Zelda Game & Watch|Zelda]]'', which was also made by Nintendo.

The lower display of the Nintendo DS is overlaid with a touchscreen designed to accept input from the included [[stylus (computing)|stylus]], the user's fingers, or a curved plastic tab attached to the optional wrist strap. The touchscreen lets users interact with in-game elements more directly than by pressing buttons; for example, in the included chatting software, [[PictoChat]], the [[stylus (computing)|stylus]] is used to write messages or draw.

The handheld features four lettered buttons (X, Y, A, B), a directional pad, and Start, Select, and Power buttons. On the top of the device are two shoulder buttons, a game card slot, a stylus holder and a power cable input. The bottom features the Game Boy Advance game card slot. The overall button layout resembles that of the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] controller. When using backward compatibility mode on the DS, buttons X and Y and the touchscreen are not used as the Game Boy Advance line of systems do not feature these controls.

It also has [[stereophonic sound|stereo]] speakers providing [[virtual surround|virtual surround sound]] (depending on the software) located on either side of the upper display screen. This was a first for a Nintendo handheld, as the [[Game Boy line]] of systems had only supported stereo sound through the use of headphones or external speakers. A built-in microphone is located below the left side of the bottom screen. It has been used for a variety of purposes, including [[speech recognition]], chatting online between and during gameplay sessions, and [[minigame]]s that require the player to blow or shout into it.

=== Models ===
[[File:Nintendo-DS-Lite-w-stylus.png|thumb|150px|[[Nintendo DS Lite]]]]

The '''[[Nintendo DS Lite]]''' is the first redesign of the Nintendo DS. While retaining the original model's basic characteristics, it features a sleeker appearance, and brighter screens. Nintendo considered a larger model of the Nintendo DS Lite for release, but decided against it as sales of the original redesign were still strong. It was the final DS to have backwards compatibility with Game Boy Advance games. As of March 31, 2014, shipments of the DS Lite have reached 93.86 million units worldwide, according to Nintendo.

[[File:Nintendo-DSi-Bl-Open.png|thumb|150px|[[Nintendo DSi]]]]
The '''[[Nintendo DSi]]''' is the second redesign of the Nintendo DS. It is based on the unreleased larger Nintendo DS Lite model. While similar to the previous DS redesign, new features include two inner and outer 0.3 megapixel digital cameras, a larger 3.25 inch display, internal and external content storage, compatibility with WPA wireless encryption, and connectivity to the Nintendo DSi Shop.

[[File:Nintendo-DSi-XL-Burg.png|thumb|150px|[[Nintendo DSi XL]]]]
The '''[[Nintendo DSi XL]]''' (''DSi LL'' in Japan) is a larger design of the Nintendo DSi, and the first model of the Nintendo DS family of consoles to be a size variation of a previous one. It features larger screens with wider view angles, improved battery life, and a greater overall size than the original DSi. While the original DSi was specifically designed for individual use, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata suggested that DSi XL buyers give the console a "steady place on a table in the living room", so that it might be shared by multiple household members.

=== Technical specifications ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Mass !! Dimensions !! Display !! [[display resolution|Resolution]] !! CPU !! RAM !! Input !! Voltage !! Battery !! Storage !! Wireless connectivity
|-
| {{convert|275|g|oz|abbr=on}}
|| 148.7&nbsp;mm wide × 84.7&nbsp;mm deep × 28.9&nbsp;mm high (5.85&nbsp;in. × 3.33&nbsp;in. × 1.13&nbsp;in.)
|| Two [[thin film transistor liquid crystal display|TFT LCD]] screens:
{{convert|62|x|46|mm|in|abbr=on}}, {{convert|77|mm|in|abbr=on}} diagonal, 0.24&nbsp;mm [[dot pitch]], [[List of monochrome and RGB palettes#18-bit RGB|18-bit depth]] (262,144 colors), 21&nbsp;mm gap between screens (≈92 lines).
|| 256 × 192 [[pixel]]s
|| Two [[ARM architecture|ARM]] processors:
* 32 bit [[ARM9|ARM946E-S]] main CPU; 67&nbsp;MHz clock speed. Processes gameplay mechanisms and video rendering
* 32 bit [[ARM7]]TDMI coprocessor; 33&nbsp;MHz clock speed. Processes sound output, Wi-Fi support and takes on second-processor duties in Game Boy Advance mode
|| 4&nbsp;MB PSRAM (expandable via the Game Boy Advance slot, only officially used by the [[Nintendo DS Browser|Opera web browser]]).
||
* Power button
* 8 digital buttons
* D-pad
* [[Resistive touchscreen]] (lower screen only)
* Microphone
|| 1.65&nbsp;v
|| Rechargeable 850 mAh [[lithium-ion battery]].
|| 256&nbsp;kB of serial flash memory
|| Built-in [[IEEE 802.11|802.11]] Wireless Network Connection ([[Wired Equivalent Privacy|WEP]] encryption support only)
|}

The system's [[3D computer graphics|3D]] hardware consist of Rendering Engine and Geometry Engine which perform [[transform, clipping, and lighting|transform and lighting]], Transparency Auto Sorting, Transparency Effects, Texture Matrix Effects,  2D Billboards, Texture Streaming, texture-coordinate transformation, perspective-correct [[texture mapping]], per-pixel Alpha Test, per-primitive [[alpha compositing|alpha blending]], texture blending, Gouraud Shading, [[cel-shaded animation|cel shading]], [[z-buffering]], W-Buffering, 1bit Stencil Buffer, per-vertex directional lighting and simulated point lighting, Depth Test, Stencil Test, Render to Texture,  Lightmapping, Environment Mapping, Shadow Volumes, Shadow Mapping, Distance Fog, Edge Marking, Fade-In/Fade-Out, Edge-AA. Sprite special effects: scrolling, scaling, rotation, stretching, shear.  However, it uses point ([[nearest-neighbor interpolation|nearest neighbor]]) [[texture filtering]], leading to some titles having a blocky appearance. Unlike most 3D hardware, it has a set limit on the number of triangles it can render as part of a single scene; the maximum amount is about 6144 vertices, or 2048 triangles per frame. The 3D hardware is designed to render to a single screen at a time, so rendering 3D to both screens is difficult and decreases performance significantly. The DS is generally more limited by its polygon budget than its pixel fill rate. There are also 512 kilobytes of texture memory, and the maximum texture size is 1024 × 1024 pixels.

The system has 656 kilobytes of video memory and two [[2D computer graphics|2D]] engines (one per screen). These are similar to (but more powerful than) the [[Game Boy Advance]]'s single 2D engine.

The Nintendo DS has compatibility with [[Wi-Fi]] ([[IEEE 802.11 (legacy mode)]]). Wi-Fi is used for accessing the [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]], compete with other users playing the same Wi-Fi compatible game, PictoChat or with a special cartridge and RAM extension, browse the internet.

Nintendo claims the battery lasts a maximum of 10 hours under ideal conditions on a full four-hour charge. Battery life is affected by multiple factors including speaker volume, use of one or both screens, use of wireless connectivity, and use of backlight, which can be turned on or off in selected games such as ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''. The battery is user-replaceable using only a Phillips-head screwdriver. After about 500 charges the battery life starts dropping.

Users can close the Nintendo DS system to trigger its 'sleep' mode, which pauses the game being played and saves battery life by turning off the screens, speakers, and wireless communications; however, closing the system while playing a Game Boy Advance game will not put the Nintendo DS into sleep mode, and the game will continue to run normally. Certain DS games (such as ''[[Animal Crossing: Wild World]]'') also will not pause but the backlight, screens, and speakers will turn off. Additionally, when saving the game in certain games, the DS will not go into sleep mode. Some games, such as [[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass]] even use the closing motion needed to enter sleep mode as an unorthodox way of solving puzzles.

=== Accessories ===

Although the secondary port on the Nintendo DS does accept and support Game Boy Advance cartridges (but not Game Boy or Game Boy Color cartridges), Nintendo emphasized that the main intention for its inclusion was to allow a wide variety of accessories to be released for the system.

Due to the lack of a second port on the Nintendo DSi, it is not compatible with any accessory that uses it.

==== Rumble Pak ====

The Rumble Pak was the first official expansion slot accessory. In the form of a Game Boy Advance cartridge, the Rumble Pak vibrates to reflect the action in compatible games, such as when the player bumps into an obstacle or loses a life. It was released in North America and Japan in 2005 bundled with ''[[Metroid Prime Pinball]]''. In Europe, it was first available with the game ''[[Magnetica|Actionloop]]'', and later ''Metroid Prime Pinball''. The Rumble Pak was also released separately in those regions.

==== Headset ====
The Nintendo DS Headset is the official headset for the Nintendo DS. It plugs into the headset port (which is a combination of a standard 3.5&nbsp;mm (1/8 in) headphone connector and a proprietary microphone connector) on the bottom of the system. It features one earphone and a microphone, and is compatible with all games that use the internal microphone. It was released alongside [[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl|''Pokémon Diamond'' and ''Pearl'']] in Japan, North America, and Australia.

==== Browser ====

On February 15, 2006, Nintendo announced a version of the [[cross-platform]] web browser [[Opera (web browser)|Opera]] for the DS system. The browser can use one screen as an overview, a zoomed portion of which appears on the other screen, or both screens together to present a single tall view of the page. The browser went on sale in Japan and Europe in 2006, and in North America on June 4, 2007. Browser operation requires that an included memory expansion pak is inserted into the GBA slot. The DSi has an internet browser available for download from the Nintendo DSi shop for free.

==== Wi-Fi USB Connector ====

This USB-flash-disk-sized accessory plugs into a PC's [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] port and creates a miniature [[Hotspot (Wi-Fi)|hotspot]]/[[wireless access point]], allowing a Wii and up to five Nintendo DS units to access the [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]] service through the host computer's Internet connection. When tried under [[Linux]] and [[Macintosh|Mac]], it acts as a regular wireless adapter, connecting to wireless networks, an LED blinks when there is data being transferred. There is also a hacked driver for Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 to make it function the same way. The Wi-Fi USB Connector was discontinued from retail stores.

==== MP3 Player ====

The Nintendo MP3 Player (a modified version of the device known as the Play-Yan in Japan) was released on December 8, 2006 by Nintendo of Europe at a retail price of £29.99/€30. The add-on uses removable [[Secure Digital card|SD]] cards to store MP3 audio files, and can be used in any device that features support for [[Game Boy Advance]] cartridges; however, due to this, it is limited in terms of its user-interface and functionality, as it does not support using both screens of the DS simultaneously, nor does it make use of its touch-screen capability. It is not compatible with the DSi, due to the lack of the GBA slot, but the DSi includes a music player via SD card. Although it stated on the box that it is only compatible with the [[Game Boy Micro]], Nintendo DS and [[Nintendo DS Lite]], it is also compatible with the [[Game Boy Advance SP]] and [[Game Boy Advance]].

==== Guitar grip controller ====
The Guitar grip controller comes packaged with the game ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour series|Guitar Hero: On Tour]]'' and is plugged into the GBA game slot. It features four colored buttons like the ones found on regular ''[[Guitar Hero]]'' guitar controllers for the stationary consoles, though it lacks the fifth orange button found on the guitar controllers. The DS [[Guitar Hero]] controller comes with a small "pick-stylus" (which is shaped like a guitar pick, as the name suggests) that can be put away into a small slot on the controller. It also features a hand strap. The game works with both the DS Lite and the original Nintendo DS as it comes with an adapter for the original DS. The Guitar Grip also works with its sequels, ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour series|Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades]]'', ''[[Guitar Hero: On Tour series|Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits]]'', and ''[[Band Hero#DS version|Band Hero]]''.

== Software and features ==
=== Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection ===
{{Main|Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection}}
{{Globalize|section|North America|date=February 2011}}
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection was a free online game service run by Nintendo. Players with a compatible Nintendo DS game could connect to the service via a [[Wi-Fi]] network using a [[Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector]] or a [[wireless router]]. The service was launched in North America on November 14, 2005 with the release of ''[[Mario Kart DS]]''.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 15, 2005 |title=Mario Kart, Nintendo Wi-Fi Launch |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/15/mario-kart-nintendo-wi-fi-launch |publisher=IGN.com |accessdate=May 19, 2014}}</ref> Various online games and a web browser were released afterwards, with Nintendo later believing that the online platform's success directly propelled the commercial success of the entire Nintendo DS platform. The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection served as part of the basis of what would become the Wii.<ref name="Famitsu March 2006">{{cite journal | magazine=Famitsu | title=The Zen of Wi-Fi | date=March 2006 | url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2006/03/25/103,1143298259,50588,0,0.html | others=[http://famitsu.blogspot.com/2006/03/zen-of-wi-fi.html Translation] | language=Japanese | accessdate=November 13, 2015}}</ref> Most functions (for games on both the DS and Wii consoles) were discontinued worldwide on May 20, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=February 26, 2014 |title=Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service for Nintendo DS and Wii to end in May |url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/vyWpoM6CBIe6FjW8NIY7bvzOrgBURhzw |publisher=Nintendo.com |accessdate=May 20, 2014}}</ref>

===Download Play===

With Download Play, it is possible for users to play [[multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] games with other Nintendo DS systems, and later Nintendo 3DS systems, using only one game card. Players must have their systems within wireless range (up to approximately 65&nbsp;feet) of each other for the guest system to download the necessary data from the host system.

Download Play is also utilized to migrate [[Pokémon]] from fourth generation games into the fifth generation [[Pokémon Black and White|''Pokémon Black'' and ''White'']], an example of a task requiring two different game cards, two handheld units, but only one player.

Some Nintendo DS retailers featured [[DS Download Station]]s that allowed users to download demos of current and upcoming DS games; however, due to memory limitations, the downloads were erased once the system was powered off. The Download Station was made up of 1 to 8 standard retail DS units, with a standard DS card containing the demo data. On May 7, 2008, Nintendo released the [[Wii Menu|Nintendo Channel]] for download on the Wii. The Nintendo Channel used WiiConnect24 to download Nintendo DS demos through it. From there, a user can select the demo he/she wishes to play and, similar to the Nintendo DS Download Stations at retail outlets, download it (until the user turns off the console) to their DS.

=== Multi-Card Play ===
Multi-Card Play, like Download Play, allows users to play multiplayer games with other Nintendo DS systems. In this case, each system requires a game card. This mode is accessed from an in-game menu, rather than the normal DS menu.

=== PictoChat ===

PictoChat allows users to communicate with other Nintendo DS users within local wireless range. Users can enter text (via an on screen keyboard), handwrite messages or draw pictures (via the stylus and touchscreen). There are four chatrooms (A, B, C, D) in which people can go to chat. Up to sixteen people can connect in any one room.

On Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite systems, users can only write messages in black. However, in the DSi and DSi XL, there is a function that allows the user to write in any colour from a rainbow spectrum.

PictoChat was not available for the subsequent Nintendo 3DS series of systems.

=== Firmware ===
Nintendo's own [[firmware]] boots the system. A health and safety warning is displayed first, then the main menu is loaded. The main menu presents the player with four main options to select: play a DS game, use PictoChat, initiate DS Download Play, or play a Game Boy Advance game. The main menu also has secondary options such as turning on or off the back light, the system settings, and an alarm.

The firmware also features a clock, several options for customization (such as boot priority for when games are inserted and GBA screen preferences), and the ability to input user information and preferences (such as name, birthday, favorite color, etc.) that can be used in games.

= Hacking and homebrew =

Since the release of the Nintendo DS, a great deal of hacking has occurred involving the DS's fully rewritable firmware, Wi-Fi connection, game cards that allow SD storage, and software use. There are now many emulators for the DS, as well as the NES, SNES, Sega Master System, Sega Mega Drive, Neo-Geo Pocket, Neo-Geo MVS (arcade), and older handheld consoles like the Game Boy Color.

There are a number of cards which either have built-in flash memory, or a slot which can accept an SD, or MicroSD (like the [[Nintendo DS storage devices#DSTT|DSTT]], [[Nintendo DS storage devices|R4]] and [[Nintendo DS storage devices|ez-flash V/Vi]]) cards. These cards typically enable DS console gamers to use their console to play MP3s and videos, and other non-gaming functions traditionally reserved for separate devices.

In South Korea, many video game consumers exploit illegal copies of video games, including for the Nintendo DS. In 2007, 500,000 copies of DS games were sold, while the sales of the DS hardware units was 800,000.

Another modification device called [[Action Replay]], manufactured by the company Datel, is a device which allows the user to input cheat codes that allows it to hack games, granting the player infinite [[Health points|health]], [[power-ups]], access to any part of the game, infinite in game currency, the ability to walk through walls, and various other abilities depending on the game and code used.

[[Category:Nintendo handhelds]]