For years, Nintendo Switch owners have asked one persistent question: where are the DS and 3DS games? While the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service has steadily grown its library of NES, SNES, and N64 titles, the beloved dual-screen eras of the DS and 3DS have remained conspicuously absent. The reason has always been the hardware hurdle—how do you replicate a two-screen experience on a single display?
A newly surfaced patent, first highlighted by keen-eyed gaming watchers, suggests Nintendo has a potential solution in the works for its next console. The filing paints a picture of a versatile accessory that could finally bring the vast libraries of the DS and 3DS to the Switch 2 in a way that honors their original design.
The Patent: A Second Screen for a New Generation
The patent, published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on October 16th, details an accessory that can be attached to a "information processing system"—widely believed to be the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. This accessory incorporates an additional display, effectively creating a dual-screen setup reminiscent of the DS family.
The core challenge of porting games from systems like the Nintendo 3DS has always been their unique hardware. The dual displays weren't just a gimmick; they were integral to the gameplay. The bottom screen often housed touch-based controls, inventory management, or a real-time map, while the top screen delivered the primary action. Some games, like The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, used both screens for a continuous view, while others, like Brain Age, were built entirely around the touchscreen and stylus.
As reported by gaming insider Mike Odyssey on X (formerly Twitter), this patent directly addresses that problem.
https://img.icons8.com/color/48/000000/twitter--v1.png Mike Odyssey was among the first to spot the potential connection between the patent and classic games.
The documentation on the official USPTO website illustrates several modes of operation. In "Dual Screen Mode," the console would output the classic game across both the main screen and the accessory, faithfully recreating the original layout. A "Single-Screen Mode" would function more like a picture-in-picture display, and a "Switch Mode" would allow players to alternate the primary display between the two screens. This level of flexibility suggests a well-thought-out approach to backward compatibility.
A History of Patents and Patience
It's crucial to temper excitement with a dose of reality. Nintendo files numerous patents that never see the light of day as consumer products. The company is known for exploring every possible avenue of innovation, and not all of them are commercially viable.
However, there is a compelling pattern emerging. Nintendo has shown a renewed commitment to catering to its retro gaming fanbase with high-quality, specialized hardware. The release of a modernized wireless GameCube controller for the Switch was a clear nod to fans of Super Smash Bros. Melee and other GameCube classics available through the Expansion Pack service.
The bigger surprise came with the launch of the Virtual Boy accessory, which allowed a new generation to experience the ill-fated console's unique stereoscopic 3D. This move demonstrated that Nintendo is not afraid to resurrect even its most niche hardware to preserve its legacy. As discussed in a recent analysis on GSMGo Tech, the company's 40th anniversary of Super Mario has put a spotlight on its history, making the preservation and re-release of its classic games a priority.
This context makes the dual-screen patent feel less like a far-fetched idea and more like a missing piece of the puzzle. It's plausible that Nintendo has been holding back the DS and 3DS libraries not due to a lack of interest, but because they were waiting for the right hardware—the Switch 2—to do it justice with a dedicated accessory.
What This Could Mean for the Switch 2 Library
If this patent evolves into a real product, the implications for the Switch 2's library would be massive. It would instantly unlock a treasure trove of some of the most critically acclaimed games in history. Imagine having instant access to titles like:
- Chrono Trigger (DS version)
- The entire Professor Layton series
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and Majora's Mask 3D
- Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
- Fire Emblem Awakening
- Super Mario 3D Land
This accessory wouldn't just be a nostalgia trip; it would be a powerful statement about the Switch 2's commitment to being the ultimate Nintendo platform. By bridging the gap between its handheld and home console legacies, Nintendo could create an unparalleled ecosystem of games spanning decades.
While we wait for an official announcement from Nintendo, this patent serves as a tantalizing glimpse into a future where the beloved dual-screen experiences of the past are not just emulated, but faithfully resurrected. The wait for DS and 3DS games on a modern console may finally be coming to an end, and it might just be worth it.
Nintendo DS coming to NSO Confirmed! Patent Discovery of a lifetime! Breaking News! The following patent shows how Nintendo will manage the dual screen situation on Switch 2. You will have 3 options.
— Mike Odyssey (@MikeOdysseyYT) October 16, 2025
1. Dual Screen (Parent screen, child screen)
2. Single Screen Mode (Picture in… pic.twitter.com/MH1Ytv4Kfo
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