The Nintendo DS is 20 years old. I remember back when I got Pokemon Platinum for Nintendo DS, I was so excited I didn’t put it down for days. While the DS brought a bunch of games to its library, it not only evolved how we played games but allowed a new generation of Pokemon to be introduced along with other series.
However here we are going to take a trip down memory lane and remember the old generation and just how it used to be, while we look through the games, this is not in any particular order but just to travel back in time.
Generation 4
Generation 4 was introduced on the DS. This brought a new generation, new mechanics, characters, and more Mons. With the touchscreen being added it allowed certain mechanics like the battle screen to move down to allow a more detailed look at the Pokemon and their styles. It allowed the Sinnoh Region to be introduced through Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. While Diamond and Pearl was a hit, it is safe to say Platinum fixed everything they had wrong with the quality of life changes that the original three needed.
Team Galactic made the world interesting and rather than Team Rocket, who just wanted to do mainly crime, Team Galactic wanted to rewrite reality. Adding to the rewriting of reality, Sinnoh’s legendaries were the first to come in and have reality-altering abilities, giving legendaries a lot more meaning with Dialga being able to control time and Palkia being able to control space. It added new animations and ost that made the sequel better.
Generation 5
White and Black were introduced to the DS, along with their sequels White 2 and Black 2. Both sequels introduced quality-of-life changes, new OST, and new ways to enjoy the game. It added new Pokemon and characters that players had started to enjoy. The Unovia region introduced so much that was both good and controversial, it was the first that Nintendo introduced Pokemon that players considered “lazy” and “undeveloped.” But a lot of it players loved, it connected into lore and made a story that players learned to love despite the few downsides.
Pokemon Rangers and Mystery Dungeon
Rangers was one of the better spin-off games in my opinion. You played as a… well Pokemon Ranger, tasked with getting Pokemon under control as they were being rampant due to ecological problems. Rangers use Capture Stylers to wrap them around your target after a few successful laps you capture them and they can assist you down the line.
This was a good game allowing players to experience a new PoV, while also destroying some touch pads in the process. Mystery Dungeon added a new twist allowing players to play as a Pokemon. It gave players the chance to take a personality test and that would determine what they would come out to be in their new life. It added roguelike elements with dungeon crawling, giving Pokemon players a new taste. Mystery Dungeon was controversial itself, it was one game you either enjoyed or you didn’t.
Final thoughts
The DS brought a lot of new things that changed the world for many players. Adding new adventures and new innovative gameplay helped shape the game as it is today. While all of it wasn’t enjoyable to everything, it was to their fans and the generation starting out in the series. Regardless, it’s the 20th Anniversary of the Nintendo DS, congratulations, and thank you Nintendo for starting something fresh.
