Snowtendo DS Line
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The original Snowtendo DS featuting two screens with the bottom one being touch. | |
Manufacturer | Snowtendo |
Type | Handheld video game console |
Generation | 7th/8th generation (current) |
Release date |
June 11, 2004 (Japaland) November 12, 2004 (USA and UnitedTerra) |
Introductory price | 120 pebbles |
Units shipped | Worldwide: 150.28 million (as of 2010) |
Media | Standard 3GB DS Game Cartridges |
CPU | 1 GHz |
Storage capacity | 4 MB RAM |
Graphics | Snowtendo Standard Compact Video Card |
Controller input | Touchscreen (with stylus pen/finger), DS Manual Controls |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
Online services | DS Server 1 and 2 |
Best-selling game | TBA |
Predecessor | GameSphere and WaddleBoy. |
Successor | Vii N |
The Snowtendo DS is a handheld video game console created by Snowtendo. It is currently the best-selling handheld video game console line and also the first dual-screen handheld game console ever released on the market. The original DS, first released in 2003. The Snowtendo DS is in direct competition with the Muffin-Snony Computer Fun PengStation Portable and Vita consoles. The Snowtendo DS is well-known for its touchscreen features that promises ease-of-use towards the user.
The Snowtendo DS has four variants: Original, Light, i and ixl. Among the four variants, 'Light' sold the most, with half of the sales contributed to the Light. A successor to it, the Snowtendo 3DS, was released afterward and had an innovative 3D graphics display. There are three variants of the Snowtendo 3DS: Original, xl and 2DS.
Development
In 2003, Icmer wanted a simple-to-use but expansive game console made for his new Pancakes video game brand, Snowtendo. Several heated debates later, the concept for the Snowtendo DS was drawn. As a solution for simplicity, the console would include a touchscreen, located on the innovative dual-screen the DS employs. The dual-screen helps organize all running tasks so the user wouldn't be overwhelmed. And finally, a 24 hour miniature battery kept the user happy until they decide a gaming session is over.
Once it was released, it was an instant hit. To make use of the large amount of sales, Snowtendo released over 100 games in its first year. The console has since gone to be the best-selling handheld game console, having a large share percentage of the portable game console market. The new Snowtendo 3DS is considered to be the successor to the Snowtendo DS, offering full 3D capabilities and improved hardware and software.
Variants
There are four variants in the Snowtendo DS line, Original, Light, i and ixl.
Original
The original Snowtendo DS was introduced in November 2004. With a depth of 3cm and a mass of 300g, it was the basis for the concept of the other variants. It spans a length of 4cm and a breadth of 12m in total. The screen size length is 4cm, whilst the height is 4cm. The DS included 'X', 'B', 'A', 'Y' buttons, arranged in the clockwise order starting with X at the top. It also includes the D-pad and two L and R shoulder buttons. The on/off switch is a slide one.
It contributed to 20% of the sales. The variant was succeeded by the Light in 2006.
Light
The Snowtendo DS Light was released on April 23, 2006 in Japaland and on November 27, 2006 in the USA which is widely considered as the actual birth of the DS line. The mass dropped to 200g and the depth decreased to 1.5cm. Everything else remains the same, although the screen size is 6cm. Everything else quite about remains the same. It is available in multiple colors, but Snowtendo has not produced an official report regarding the colors available for the variant.
The Light was introduced in mid-2006 and has been succeeded by the 'i' in the line in 2008, although it continues to be produced to this day and is abundant in stores. It contributed to 55% of the units sold in the DS line. It is also the most eco-friendly variant in the line.
i
The Snowtendo DSi was introduced on May 31, 2008 in Japaland and on December 13, 2008 in the USA. It was a major improvement from the Light version of the DS, including two cameras, one at the front and one at the back. It also had a major software change, including many new additions (See Features). The mass increased to 230g, and the power slide has been replaced by a power button. The volume slide was also replaced by two buttons. The shoulder buttons were slightly improved, and the system is technically more eco-friendly than the Original. It was succeeded by the ixl in early 2010. It contributed to 30% of the units sold in the line.
i XL
The Snowtendo DSi XL was introduced on May 7, 2009 in Japaland and on November 28, 2009 in the USA. The mass increased to 250g in this variant, however, other features have been improved. The size of the dual screens also increased dramatically. The new design also brought along better sound speakers and a larger than normal stylus for the touch screen. However, its units sold contributed to only 5% of the total DS sales, as it was overshadowed by the announcement of the Snowtendo 3DS that was released in a year. The line has not been discontinued, and is sold side by side with the i and the Light.
3DS
The Snowtendo 3DS was the fifth version of the Snowtendo DS ever released. It is considered to be the successor to the Snowtendo DS line. It was launched on February 26, 2011 in Japaland and on March 27, 2011 in the USA. The 3DS was known for its stunning 3D special effects, produced without the need of any external accessory. It also boasts upgraded hardware from the Snowtendo DS line. It costs around 170 coins, and over 40 million devices have been sold currently.
3DS XL
The Snowtendo 3DS XL is the second version of the Snowtendo 3DS. Like the Snowtendo i XL, it was an enlarged version. It was launched on July 28, 2012 in Japaland and on August 19, 2012 in the USA. The 3DS XL has the normal two screens, but both are 90% larger. It also features numerous improvements, such as better speakers. It is currently being sold alongside the normal 3DS and 2DS.
2DS
The Snowtendo 2DS is the seventh version of the DS line and third version of the 3DS line. It was launched on October 12, 2013 all around Antarctica. Unlike any previous iteration in the Snowtendo DS line, it has a flat, tablet-like form and eliminates the iconic flip design. As the name suggests, the 2DS lacks 3D technology making it much cheaper than the original 3DS. The 2DS aims to sell towards the younger demographic due to these features.
New 3DS
The New Snowtendo 3DS is the eighth version of the DS line and fourth to the 3DS line that launched February 13th, 2015 in the USA. It includes face-tracking 3D, several button reconfigurations, and wiibo support.
Games
Features
Original DS and DS Light
- Snowtendo DS Video Game playing
- Beaktochat (parody of Pictochat)
- Clock and Calendar
- Calculator
- Settings
DSi, DSi XL, 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS
- Snowtendo DS Video Game playing
- Snowtendo 3DS Video Game playing (3DS line only)
- Beaktochat with colors
- Snowtendo DSi/3DS Camera
- Snowtendo DSi/3DS Shop
- Snowtendo DSi/3DS Internet
- Notes
- Snowtendo DSi/3DS Sound Shop
- Flipnote Studio
- System Settings
Gallery
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The logo for the Snowtendo 2DS
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The logo for the Snowtendo 3DS
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Puffle Crossing: Untamed Wilderness
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New Super Lollipop Bros.
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New Super Lollipop Bros. 2