Nintendo DS

Release: November 21, 2004 (North America)
DS Lite: March 2006 (Japan), June 11 2006 (North America)
DSi: November 2008 (Japan)

Nintendo showed off the Nintendo DS for the first time at 2004's E3 show. The handheld system features a new innovation—two LCD screens offering different perspectives of the game.

In addition to having two screens, the lower display is a touch-screen, much like those available in current PDAs.

Game-wise, the DS made its debut with a few titles, including an updated port of the N64 classic, Super Mario 64. Super Mario 64 DS has a few updates, including more playable characters and a level map in the second screen.

The Nintendo DS is also available to play multiplayer with nearby DS systems, or online, via a Wi-Fi connection. Nintendo kicked off this technology with Mario Kart DS. The Nintendo DS can also connect to a PC's Internet connection via USB when wireless Internet is unavailable.

The Nintendo DS is also able to communicate with the Nintendo Wii via Wi-Fi.

In terms of Graphics capability, the Nintendo DS is most comparable to the Nintendo 64 (N64) with a bit of polishing. This means that the handheld isn't quite as powerful as the competing PlayStation Portable (PSP) — but this hasn't slowed Nintendo down. In fact, the Nintendo DS has out-performed the PSP in sales.

Nintendo DS games come on small memory cards that slide into the top of the system. In addition, the system is capable of playing Game Boy Advance cartridges, which can be insterted into a slot at the base of the system.

Nintendo DS Lite

In late January 2006, Nintendo announced a new model of the Nintendo DS, the DS Lite. The system is 42% smaller and features a brighter screen and minor design changes. The DS Lite was released in March 2006 in Japan and June 2006 in North America.

Nintendo DSi

In October 2008, Nintendo announced that it would release a new model of the Nintendo DS. The Nintendo DSi will be a repackaging of the DS Lite with new features.

The DSi will feature larger (3¼ inch) screens, two built-in cameras and an SD memory card slot. The new handheld will also be able to play music and connect to an online store to purchase and download software directly to the Nintendo DSi. The console will be 12% smaller than the DS Lite, but will not include the Game Boy Advance cartridge slot.

The DSi was released to Japan on November 1, 2008, and will be released in North America, Europe and Australia in early April 2009.