How Nintendo DS Could Have Looked Like

Let's travel back in time to a day before the Nintendo DS flew off store shelves. Behind the scenes Nintendo was experimenting with a toch screen adapter for the GBA. This technology was later used for a new handheld which we know very well now. However, a patent application filed by Nintendo in 2004 shows a different concept for the hardware.

An early Nintendo DS only had the top screen flip up and a different button layout. The X and Y buttons aren't in this prototype. A speaker takes up that spot. Game Boy Advance backwards compatibility wasn't part of the plan either. DS cards plugged into the bottom and there wasn't a second slot. Actually, this early design looks a lot like a rectangular Game Boy Advance with a second screen.

What do you think of this Nintendo DS? If Nintendo released it would it be as successful as the DS Phat pictured below?

Your pictures aren't working. You can just give a direct link, you don't have to post it in your post.

Article here.

Lol. That would look/feel terrible.

Lol. That would look/feel terrible.

awssk8er716

It's cool, but it looks like it would be akward to hold because the sides would feel a little flimsy. The stylus mode looks like a waste as well.

But an analog stick, now there's an idea!!

It looks pretty cool actually. I am not sure if it would be comfortable though.

It looks like a powder compact, and still stylish, but I think I prefer the current DS design now.

Haha, interesting look at the many different ideas Nintendo had for the handheld.The designs weren't terrible... But they made the right choice in making the DS as it is today.

That's really nice to start but the real output is much better, i'm just thinking that it would be nice if it has a big screen and touch screen also, anyways, dual screen is great!

That looks like one of those inflatable tube type deals that you drag people behind a speed boat on.

That actually looks really cool, but kind of flimsy. I like how they made the Lite, that was the right choice, but I'd like to just play one of those old-school looking ones once. :D

Let's travel back in time to a day before the Nintendo DS flew off store shelves. Behind the scenes Nintendo was experimenting with a toch screen adapter for the GBA. This technology was later used for a new handheld which we know very well now. However, a patent application filed by Nintendo in 2004 shows a different concept for the hardware.

An early Nintendo DS only had the top screen flip up and a different button layout. The X and Y buttons aren't in this prototype. A speaker takes up that spot. Game Boy Advance backwards compatibility wasn't part of the plan either. DS cards plugged into the bottom and there wasn't a second slot. Actually, this early design looks a lot like a rectangular Game Boy Advance with a second screen.

What do you think of this Nintendo DS? If Nintendo released it would it be as successful as the DS Phat pictured below?

Nice looking. I bet it would be kinda bad to hold and olay, possibly issues with weight (not the actual weight... but that kind of center of gravity stuff...) and i bet it could have some serious hinge problems.

Through it looks like a bit more resistant when closed.