Its main competitor was Sony's PlayStation Portable during the seventh generation of video game consoles. Alternatively, they could interact online using the now-defunct Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. The Nintendo DS also features the ability for multiple DS consoles to directly interact with each other over Wi-Fi within a short range without the need to connect to an existing wireless network.

Both screens are encompassed within a clamshell design similar to the Game Boy Advance SP.

The DS, an initialism for 'Developers' System' or 'Dual Screen', introduced distinctive new features to handheld games: two LCD screens working in tandem (the bottom one being a touchscreen), a built-in microphone and support for wireless connectivity. Nintendo DS is a handheld game console produced by Nintendo, released globally across 20.