Thu Nov 21 05:37:29 UTC 2024: ## Nintendo DS Celebrates 20th Anniversary: A Touchscreen Revolution That Changed Gaming

**Tokyo, November 21, 2024** – The Nintendo DS, a revolutionary handheld console, celebrated its 20th anniversary today. Released on November 21, 2004, the DS remains Nintendo’s biggest commercial success, having sold 154 million units worldwide, making it the second best-selling video game console of all time, trailing only Sony’s PlayStation 2.

The DS’s innovative touchscreen and stylus control, which predated the smartphone gaming boom, broadened the appeal of video games to a wider audience. Game history expert Hiroyuki Maeda highlighted the console’s intuitive design, stating its ease of use and adaptable vertical/horizontal orientation attracted even those unfamiliar with gaming. The dual-screen design and flip-open form factor further contributed to its mass appeal.

The DS’s success was a strategic turnaround for Nintendo, which had faced disappointing sales with its previous consoles, the Nintendo 64 and GameCube. Then-president Satoru Iwata sought to expand the gaming market, and the DS achieved this by shifting focus from skill-based gaming to accessibility, making gaming enjoyable for everyone regardless of prior experience.

An updated version, the Nintendo DSi, launched in 2008, adding features like cameras and app downloads. Maeda sees the DS as a crucial bridge between the classic Game Boy and the modern smartphone era, solidifying its legacy in gaming history.

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