The Nintendo DS was touted by its creator as their third pillar. It was meant to take gamers to places they haven't gone before, and create new gamers out of people. Well, in the time that has elapsed from its release it has become apparent that not only is the Nintendo DS Nintendo's third pillar, but it is THE pillar that is printing money for the company.
The success of the Nintendo DS was not guaranteed. Who wanted to play a dual-screened system with graphics that are on quality with the Nintendo 64? On top of all that, it has a touch screen! Who wants to mess with that? Well, the answer is a lot, since as of August 2006 the Nintendo DS has sold 10 million systems since it's launch in the land of the Rising Sun, making it the fastest selling console in Japanese history. That is no small feat when the system is up against such leviathans as the SNES or PlayStation. So for a system that had a lot of doubters, it has done surprisingly well.
What then makes the DS such an affable system? The honest truth is that the games and concept sell the system, and DS is able to facilitate games that people enjoy. It is hard not to find a title that you will enjoy. Even nontraditional gamers are appearing. Could you imagine your grandmother playing the DS? Well it could be true, older people are clamoring over Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day. Strange, no? Well, would it be stranger if your more feminine than feminine sister played the DS? Well, that too could be true had she found the girl game that is Nintendogs. Truly there is something for everyone.
The DS's history so far is a bright one, delivering excellent games to the masses while also creating gamers out of nontraditional folk. Hopefully this rosy story so far continues well into the future.