No—Nintendo no longer makes the DS as a current product line. Nintendo’s Japanese DS page marks the DS Lite as production ended, and official support pages list the original DS, DS Lite, DSi and DSi LL among systems whose Nintendo repair intake has ended. You can still find used or refurbished consoles and cartridges, but those are second-hand-market items rather than newly manufactured Nintendo hardware.
What Nintendo’s current status means
Nintendo still maintains a DS family information page, but that does not mean the consoles remain in production. The page covering the original DS, DS Lite, DSi and DSi LL identifies the DS Lite as “production ended” (生産終了). See the Nintendo DS family page.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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Nintendo DS Lite Console Handheld System Black (Renewed) | $99.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Nintendo DS Lite - Metallic Rose | $114.94 | Buy on Amazon |
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Nintendo DS Lite Cobalt/Black (Renewed) [video game] | $125.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Nintendo DS Lite Polar White (Renewed) [video game] | $109.91 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Nintendo DS Lite - Crimson Red & Black (Renewed) | $109.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Official repair information reinforces the DS’s legacy status. Nintendo Japan’s repair-termination list includes the original DS model NTR-001, DS Lite USG-001, DSi TWL-001 and DSi LL UTL-001. Nintendo of America separately says it no longer accepts service requests for DSi-family systems. These are Nintendo’s own service policies; an independent repair shop may still be able to replace a screen, battery or connector if compatible parts can be sourced.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsNintendo has not published one universal final-production date covering every DS model and every territory in the material available here. The defensible conclusion is therefore that the DS is discontinued, not that every unit left the factory in one precisely documented year.
#1 Best Overall
- The DS Lite system is a region free device, it can plays all Nintendo DS Lite games and Gameboy Advance Games
When production and official repairs ended
Production and repair support did not end on one shared date. Nintendo stopped accepting repairs model by model, with different regional policies.
| System or service | What Nintendo announced | Date and scope |
|---|---|---|
| Original Nintendo DS | Nintendo Japan would stop accepting repair requests because it was becoming difficult to secure necessary parts. | Systems received after April 30, 2016 were not accepted; announcement dated April 4, 2016. Nintendo notice |
| Nintendo DS Lite | Nintendo Japan announced the same parts-availability problem and ended intake. | Systems received after April 30, 2017 were not accepted; announcement dated April 4, 2017. Nintendo notice |
| DS, DS Lite, DSi and DSi LL repair list | Nintendo Japan’s current termination list identifies these model families as no longer accepted for official repair. | See the Nintendo Japan repair-termination list. |
| DSi-family service in North America | Nintendo of America says it no longer offers DSi-family service requests. | Regional policy; it does not determine what independent shops in other countries can repair. |
The different cutoff dates explain why one owner may have received a repair years after another owner’s model became unsupported. They should not be interpreted as a precise worldwide production timetable.
Can you still buy a Nintendo DS?
Yes, but normally only as a used, refurbished or old retail-stock console. The evidence here does not verify live inventory, prices, seller condition or any Nintendo-authorized resale channel. Treat a marketplace listing as second-hand unless the seller can independently document otherwise; Nintendo’s production-ended label means a listing described as “new” is not evidence of current manufacture.
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Rank #2
- DS Lite doesn't just play DS games – it also features an additional port for Game Boy Advance Game Paks
- Get up to 19 hours continuous gameplay on one charge
- Ready to take on the world? With Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, you can connect wirelessly, chat with friends while you play and compete with Nintendo DS owners across the globe. All you need to play is a Nintendo DS and a Wi-Fi-ready game
- Twin ultra bright LCD screens that combine crisp, punchy colors, along with touch-screen technology on the lower screen
- Powerful dual processors bring 3D graphics to life with lightning-fast rendering
What to check before buying
- Confirm the exact model. Ask whether it is the original DS, DS Lite, DSi or DSi LL. Model names are not interchangeable because cartridge and accessory compatibility differs.
- Check region and language. Verify the console’s region and the game cartridges you intend to use. A listing photo of the shell alone may not reveal the system’s region.
- Test both screens and touch input. Look for dead pixels, discoloration, flicker, a loose hinge and an unresponsive area on the lower touchscreen. Ask for a power-on photograph or video rather than relying on “untested” wording.
- Inspect the battery and charging setup. Old batteries can hold little charge or swell. Confirm that a compatible AC adapter is included or budget for the correct replacement, and ask whether the console remains stable while charging.
- Test the cartridge slot. A DS that powers on but cannot reliably read games may need dirty contacts or a slot repair. If you need Game Boy Advance accessories, verify that the model has the required slot.
- Check the stylus, hinge and buttons. Missing styluses are inexpensive but model-specific; a cracked hinge or sticky shoulder button can be harder to repair.
- Read the return terms. Because Nintendo no longer provides normal official repair intake for these systems, a return window is more valuable than a vague cosmetic-grade description.
These checks are practical precautions for a used purchase, not a Nintendo guarantee. Refurbishment quality varies widely between sellers.
Which DS model fits a particular game?
The four commonly encountered models share the DS software library, but they do not have identical hardware. Nintendo describes the DS Lite as smaller and sleeker than the original DS, with a brighter screen, a larger stylus and a longer-lasting rechargeable battery. The DSi and DSi LL add features such as cameras, SD-card support and access to DSiWare-era software, while removing the Game Boy Advance cartridge slot found on the original DS and DS Lite.
| Model | Practical strengths | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Original Nintendo DS | Runs DS cartridges and retains the Game Boy Advance cartridge slot for compatible accessories and games. | Older, bulkier design; condition and battery age are major used-market concerns. |
| DS Lite | Smaller, sleeker body, brighter screen, larger stylus and longer-lasting rechargeable battery than the original DS, according to Nintendo. Nintendo comparison | Still relies on aging batteries, hinges and screens; official Nintendo repair intake has ended. |
| DSi | Adds cameras, SD-card functions and DSiWare capability while playing DS cartridges. | No Game Boy Advance cartridge slot, so some accessories and GBA-slot-dependent features do not work. |
| DSi LL | Larger-bodied DSi-family option with the same DSi software and feature approach. | Shares the DSi family’s lack of a Game Boy Advance cartridge slot and ended official support. |
If a specific game is your reason for buying, check the game first and select the console second. Nintendo’s DS support Q&A explains that DS and DS Lite games requiring an accessory connected through the Game Boy Advance slot cannot be used on DSi or DSi LL. Some GBA-link functions are also unavailable on DSi-family systems. See the Nintendo DS support Q&A.
Rank #3
- DS Lite doesn't just play DS games it also features an additional port for Game Boy Advance Game Paks
- Get up to 19 hours continuous gameplay on one charge
- Ready to take on the world? With Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, you can connect wirelessly, chat with friends while you play and compete with Nintendo DS owners across the globe. All you need to play is a Nintendo DS and a Wi-Fi-ready game
- Twin ultra bright LCD screens that combine crisp, punchy colors, along with touch-screen technology on the lower screen
- Powerful dual processors bring 3D graphics to life with lightning-fast rendering
Can a DS play Nintendo 3DS games?
No. Compatibility runs in one direction: Nintendo DS software works on DS-family systems and on 3DS-family systems, but Nintendo 3DS software is designed for 3DS-family hardware. A DS, DS Lite, DSi or DSi LL cannot run a 3DS game. Nintendo’s compatibility guide documents the distinction at Nintendo Support.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →This makes a 3DS-family console the more flexible used purchase if your library includes both generations: it can play DS cartridges as well as 3DS software. Buying a DS because it is cheaper will not provide access to 3DS-exclusive cartridges. Conversely, a DS remains appropriate when your goal is specifically to play original DS games or use a Game Boy Advance-slot accessory on a compatible model.
What happened to DSi Shop purchases?
The DSi Shop is closed for new purchases. Nintendo of America’s FAQ records two historical deadlines: buying DSi Shop points ended September 30, 2016, and buying DSi software ended March 31, 2017. The same FAQ said previously purchased content could be redownloaded and transferred for an unspecified period after closure. It does not provide a final date that can be used to promise those functions today. Read the Nintendo of America DSi Shop FAQ for the original policy language.
Rank #4
- DS Lite doesn't just play DS games – it also features an additional port for Game Boy Advance Game Paks
- Get up to 19 hours continuous gameplay on one charge
- Ready to take on the world? With Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, you can connect wirelessly, chat with friends while you play and compete with Nintendo DS owners across the globe. All you need to play is a Nintendo DS and a Wi-Fi-ready game
- Twin ultra bright LCD screens that combine crisp, punchy colors, along with touch-screen technology on the lower screen
- Powerful dual processors bring 3D graphics to life with lightning-fast rendering
As a result, do not buy a DSi on the assumption that you can open a functioning storefront and purchase new DSiWare. Treat any software already associated with a second-hand console as subject to Nintendo’s current account, transfer and redownload availability rather than as a guaranteed feature.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How large was the DS platform?
Discontinuation does not diminish the DS’s historical scale. Nintendo’s worldwide, consolidated life-to-date figures list 154.02 million Nintendo DS hardware units and 948.76 million software units sold as of June 30, 2026. These are cumulative historical sales, not current production or a forecast of active users. The figures are published in Nintendo’s platform sales data.
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| Software | Worldwide life-to-date units | Measurement date |
|---|---|---|
| New Super Mario Bros. | 30.80 million | September 30, 2016 |
| nintendogs | 23.96 million | September 30, 2016 |
| Mario Kart DS | 23.60 million | September 30, 2016 |
Nintendo’s historical software table includes copies bundled with hardware. The detailed figures are available from Nintendo’s DS software sales page.
For additional context, Nintendo’s fiscal-year review reported 2.35 million DS-family hardware units and 33.38 million software units sold during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013. That total grouped the original DS, DS Lite, DSi and DSi XL, and reflects a period when Nintendo was transitioning attention to the 3DS. It is not a production-end date. Nintendo’s FY2013 annual report provides the period figures.
Is a used DS still a sensible purchase?
It can be, if you are buying for the DS library and accept aging hardware. The best choice depends on the software and accessories you need:
- Choose an original DS or DS Lite when a game uses a Game Boy Advance-slot accessory or you want the broadest compatibility with DS-era hardware features.
- Choose a DSi or DSi LL when you value the DSi family’s cameras, SD support or larger form factor and do not need GBA-slot functions.
- Choose a used 3DS-family system instead when you want one handheld that can run DS software and 3DS software. Remember that the reverse is not true: DS hardware cannot run 3DS games.
In every case, condition matters more than the model name on the listing. A clean cartridge reader, working touchscreen, healthy battery, intact hinge and clear return policy are more useful than cosmetic claims such as “mint” or “rare.”
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Nintendo no longer manufactures the DS as a current console line, and official Nintendo repair intake has ended for the family in the support regions documented above. You can still play the platform by buying a functioning used unit and physical games, but plan around second-hand condition, model-specific cartridge limits and the closure of DSi Shop purchasing. For DS-only libraries, a tested DS Lite is often the practical target; for both DS and 3DS libraries, a compatible 3DS-family console is the more capable option.
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