The Nintendo DS Remains the Ultimate Travel Handheld for Gamers
Even with the threat of rising prices, there’s never been a better time for portable gaming. The Steam Deck has kicked off a new era of handheld PCs, while the Analogue Pocket and various Game Boy-style remakes are making retro gaming more accessible than ever. The Playdate has introduced a quirky selection of unique portable titles, and Nintendo continues to roll out new versions of the Switch. If you’re looking to game on the go, your options are plentiful. However, if you’re planning to travel and want to take some games with you, I’d actually suggest skipping those devices in favor of a classic: the Nintendo DS.
Before you dismiss this idea, hear me out. From a travel perspective, the DS line is hard to beat. It’s compact enough to fit in your pocket, the clamshell design protects the screens when tossed in a bag, the battery life is sufficient for long flights, and you can play nearly any game without needing Wi-Fi, which can be hit or miss while traveling. If you need to pause your gaming for any reason, just close it like a book, and the system goes to sleep instantly. In contrast, the Switch 2 is bulkier and heavier, with a battery that often lasts only a few hours depending on the game. That’s fine for lounging at home, but not ideal for a long flight from Toronto to Tokyo. The DS and its successors don’t come with those drawbacks.
When it comes to games, few platforms boast a lineup as vast and diverse as the DS (launched in 2004) and 3DS (released in 2011 and backward compatible with the original). Even if you’ve had one for years, there are likely many fantastic titles you haven’t experienced. This includes much more than just the usual Nintendo franchises. I’ve been carrying my slate gray 3DS XL while traveling, juggling three games based on how much time I have to play. For longer sessions, I dive into the delightful dungeon crawler Fantasy Life from Level-5; for a story-driven experience, I’m replaying the original Ace Attorney trilogy; and when I only have a few minutes, I tackle a Picross 3D puzzle or two.
Of course, the main downside is that no new games are being released for the DS or 3DS anymore. If you want to find some new (to you) games, it means hunting for cartridges, which can be a fun adventure but isn’t as quick as grabbing a copy of a new title. There’s also the issue of digital games. With the eShop now closed, you can’t purchase anything digitally, although you can still redownload games you’ve previously bought. That’s great if you stocked up on smaller digital titles, but if you didn’t, you’ll miss out on gems like the BoxBoy series or Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure, which are now lost to the digital void.
However, with a few fresh games, the DS becomes an easy-to-carry device for your travels. Plus, Nintendo has released several iterations of the hardware, giving you options to choose from. The original DS and the smaller Lite version even have a Game Boy Advance cartridge slot, expanding your game library even further. Just keep in mind that going this route means you won’t be able to play 3DS-exclusive titles, so your choice depends on the games you want to enjoy. Personally, the 3DS XL has been my go-to; I can access my extensive library of DS and 3DS games, and I still have all the digital titles I downloaded before the eShop closed. (Time for a Super Metroid replay!)
It might seem like an unconventional choice, but as someone deeply invested in portable gaming—sometimes even pulling out the Vita—I’m continually surprised by how often I return to the 3DS. It’s just so comfortable and user-friendly, with an incredible selection of games that I still haven’t fully explored. And it appears I’m not alone; somehow, in 2026, I still receive StreetPass notifications from fellow enthusiasts who can’t seem to put down their Castlevania machines.
