GeeZusGG 
Nintendo has always thrived at balancing nostalgia with reinvention. From the NES library on Switch Online to the surprise addition of Virtual Boy titles, the company has consistently found ways to reintroduce its legacy catalog to new generations. Now, a recently uncovered patent suggests that the Nintendo DS era may be next in line for revival on the Switch 2—and the implications are huge.
The discovery, first highlighted by content creator Mike Odyssey, shows a Nintendo patent detailing how the Switch 2 could handle dual-screen gameplay. The diagrams reveal three possible configurations:
- Dual Screen Mode – A parent and child screen setup, mimicking the DS’s original design.
- Single Screen Mode – A picture-in-picture approach, where the second screen overlays the main display.
- Flexible Configurations – Allowing developers (or Nintendo itself) to adapt DS mechanics to modern hardware.
While patents don’t always translate into consumer features, this one feels particularly aligned with Nintendo’s current strategy: expanding the Switch Online library with beloved classics while leveraging the Switch 2’s upgraded capabilities.
🎮 Why DS Games Matter
The Nintendo DS wasn’t just another handheld—it was a cultural phenomenon. Selling over 150 million units worldwide, it introduced millions to touch-based gameplay, dual-screen mechanics, and iconic titles that defined an era. Think:
- Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver – Where the second screen became your Pokédex and action menu.
- The World Ends With You – A cult classic that used both screens for simultaneous combat.
- Animal Crossing: Wild World – The first portable version of Nintendo’s cozy life sim.
For many players, the DS library represents a golden age of experimentation. Bringing these games to Switch Online would not only preserve them but also make them accessible to a new audience that may have missed the handheld boom.
🔧 The Technical Challenge
The DS’s defining feature—the dual screen—was also its biggest hurdle for emulation. Unlike the Game Boy or N64, simply porting DS titles isn’t straightforward. Nintendo’s patent suggests they’re tackling this head-on by offering multiple display modes.
This flexibility could allow:
- Faithful recreations for purists who want the original feel.
- Modernized layouts for players who prefer streamlined single-screen play.
- Hybrid solutions where menus, maps, or inventories live on a secondary overlay.
If executed well, this could be the most seamless DS emulation experience yet.
🌐 What It Means for Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) has become more than a subscription service—it’s a living archive of gaming history. Adding DS titles would:
- Expand NSO’s generational reach beyond NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy, and Virtual Boy.
- Reignite nostalgia-driven subscriptions, especially among millennials who grew up with the DS.
- Offer new merchandising and cross-promotion opportunities, from themed Joy-Con to DS-era anniversary events.
It also signals Nintendo’s long-term commitment to making the Switch 2 not just a console, but a hub for legacy preservation.
A Word of Caution
As exciting as this is, it’s important to remember: a patent is not a promise. Nintendo often files patents that never see the light of day. Still, the timing—just months after the Switch 2’s launch—makes this one feel more than speculative.
If Nintendo follows through, DS integration could be one of the most impactful updates to Switch Online yet. It would bridge handheld history with modern hybrid gaming, giving fans a chance to revisit classics while introducing newcomers to one of Nintendo’s most experimental eras.
The question isn’t just if DS games will arrive—it’s which ones. Will we see Pokémon, Professor Layton, and Mario Kart DS leading the charge? Or will Nintendo surprise us with deep cuts and cult favorites?
Either way, the DS’s second life on Switch could redefine how we think about game preservation in the subscription era.
What DS game would you want to see first on Switch Online? Drop your picks in the comments—bonus points if it’s a hidden gem that deserves a comeback.
About The Author
