Nintendo Just Patented a Genius Way to Bring DS Games to the Switch 2

Is Nintendo Bringing Back the DS Library?

Get ready for a major nostalgia trip. A new patent filed by Nintendo has surfaced, and it’s sending waves of excitement through the gaming world. The patent outlines a system that could finally bring the massive and beloved library of Nintendo DS games to the Switch and the highly anticipated Switch 2. For years, fans have wondered how Nintendo would tackle the challenge of adapting dual-screen games for a single-screen console, and it looks like they’ve been working on a few clever solutions.

What the Patent Reveals

The patent, published on October 16, 2025, details three distinct methods for emulating the DS experience on a modern console. This isn’t just a simple port; it’s a thoughtful approach to preserving the unique gameplay that made the DS so special. The discovery has led many to believe that a Nintendo DS collection could be coming to the Nintendo Switch Online service sooner rather than later.

Here are the three display options Nintendo is exploring:

Dual Screen (Parent-and-Child Mode): This is the most ambitious method. One Switch console acts as the “parent” (the top screen), wirelessly connecting to a second Switch that becomes the “child” (the bottom touch screen). This setup would most faithfully replicate the original DS hardware.
Single Screen (Picture-in-Picture): A more practical solution for single-console owners. This mode would display the main screen of the game while showing the second screen in a smaller, overlaid window. This is perfect for games that used the bottom screen for maps or inventory management.
Switch Mode: This option allows the player to swap between the top and bottom screens on a single display with the press of a button, a feature previously seen on the Wii U’s Virtual Console for DS games.

Why This Is a Game-Changer for Nintendo Fans

The Nintendo DS family is the best-selling console line in the company’s history, with over 154 million units sold. Its library is packed with iconic titles that defined a generation of gaming. Think about the possibility of replaying classics like Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, or Mario Kart DS on your Switch.

Gamers have been quick to share their excitement online. Many see this as the final piece of the puzzle for Nintendo Switch Online, which would make nearly all of Nintendo’s historic library available on one platform. Imagine having access to everything from the NES to the DS in a single subscription.

A Word of Caution

While the excitement is palpable, it’s important to remember that companies file patents all the time, and not all of them result in a consumer product. This patent shows that Nintendo is actively working on the problem, but it’s not an official confirmation. However, given Nintendo’s recent efforts to expand its retro offerings on the Switch, like the modernized GameCube controller, the odds feel promising.

Some fans remain cautiously optimistic, remembering how long it took for GameCube games to arrive. Others are simply happy to play their favorite titles again, whether through dedicated ports or the NSO service. The unique mechanics of some DS games, like the moment in Phantom Hourglass where you had to physically close the console, might be tricky to replicate, but the potential is undeniable.

Conclusion

This patent is the strongest clue yet that Nintendo is serious about preserving and reintroducing its DS legacy. While we await an official announcement, the prospect of carrying a huge library of DS classics in our pockets alongside modern Switch titles is incredibly exciting. For now, we’ll keep our fingers crossed and our Switch consoles charged.

Also Read: Dynamic Injury in GTA 6: Why Players Are Split on This Revolutionary Game Feature

FAQs

1. What is this new Nintendo patent about?: The patent details three different methods for playing dual-screen Nintendo DS games on a single-screen console like the Nintendo Switch or its successor.
2. How would DS games work on the Switch?: The patent suggests three options: using two Switch consoles to mimic the two screens, a picture-in-picture mode on a single console, or a mode that lets you swap between the two screens.
3. Is this a confirmation that DS games are coming to Nintendo Switch Online?: No, it is not a confirmation. It’s a rumor based on a patent filing. While it shows Nintendo is exploring the idea, it does not guarantee a future product or service.
4. Which DS games could be coming to the Switch?: There’s no official list, but fans are hopeful for major titles like the Pokemon games (Diamond, Pearl, Black, White), Zelda titles (Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks), and various Mario games that were popular on the DS.
5. Why is it difficult to bring DS games to the Switch?: The main challenge is adapting games designed for a dual-screen system, where one screen was often a touch screen, to a single-screen console. This patent shows Nintendo’s potential solutions to that problem.
6. Didn’t the Wii U have DS games?: Yes, the Wii U’s Virtual Console did support DS games. It used the TV as the top screen and the Wii U GamePad as the bottom touch screen, or showed both screens on the GamePad. The new patent suggests similar, but more advanced, methods for the Switch.