October 17th 2025.
Nintendo has been a dominant force in the gaming industry for decades, and while not all of their home consoles have been successful, their portable devices have consistently been top sellers. From the Game Boy to the Game Boy Advance, these single-screen devices have been a staple for gamers for over 30 years. However, their more unique designs, such as the DS and 3DS, have yet to be emulated on the Nintendo Switch. With the recent discovery of a patent, it seems that Nintendo is finally looking to change that.
The challenge with emulating the DS and 3DS lies in their dual-screen setup, with the bottom screen being a touchscreen. This makes it difficult to replicate on a single TV screen. The Wii U attempted to do so, but this feature was not carried over to the original Switch. However, rumors and datamined information suggest that Nintendo is working on a solution, with the possibility of dual screen support on the rumored Switch 2. And now, a newly discovered patent reveals that Nintendo is exploring three different methods to emulate these classic portable consoles.
Of course, as with any patent, there is no guarantee that these ideas will come to fruition. But the patent does provide insight into how Nintendo is approaching the issue. The first option involves using two physical screens, which has led to speculation about the possibility of attaching a screen to the bottom of the Switch 2 in handheld mode. While this would be the most accurate way to emulate the consoles, it may also be the most expensive and time-consuming option for both Nintendo and fans.
The second option would be to use a picture-in-picture mode to simulate the two screens through software. And the third option would involve manually switching between screens while playing. While the images used in the patent may not be the most impressive, the concepts are straightforward and show that Nintendo is actively thinking about how to bring these classic games to modern hardware.
It's worth noting that there is no mention of emulating the stereoscopic effect of the 3DS, which may not be necessary to play the major games. Given that Nintendo has already released the 2DS, which lacks this feature, it's unlikely that they would go to great lengths to replicate it. But even without the 3D effect, there are still plenty of unique and beloved games on the DS and 3DS that would benefit from being emulated on the Switch.
The recent release of the New 2DS XL, which was Nintendo's last dedicated portable, serves as a reminder of the need for emulation on the Switch. Fans have been clamoring for the ability to play older games on the Switch, and with the console's popularity, it only makes sense for Nintendo to explore this possibility. So while there is no confirmation of these plans coming to fruition, the patent discovery is a promising sign that Nintendo is at least considering bringing the DS and 3DS to the Nintendo Switch Online service. And for fans eagerly awaiting the switch 2, there may be even more to look forward to.
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