Nintendo DS Beats Switch 2 as Best Travel Handheld 22 Years After 2004 Debut

3 articles · Updated · The Verge · Jun 12

A 2026 travel-gaming recommendation puts the Nintendo DS line ahead of newer handhelds, arguing its small clamshell design, long battery life and offline play make it better suited to flights and carry-ons.
The comparison centers on travel trade-offs: the Switch 2 is described as larger, heavier and often limited to a few hours of battery life, while a DS can be closed instantly to sleep and packed without much worry.
The DS case also rests on software depth—DS launched in 2004, 3DS in 2011—and the 3DS adds backward compatibility, giving travelers a broad library that ranges from Nintendo staples to games like Ace Attorney and Picross 3D.
The main drawbacks are age and access: no new releases, reliance on used cartridges, and a closed eShop that blocks new digital purchases, though previously bought titles can still be redownloaded.
For buyers choosing among old models, the original DS and DS Lite add a Game Boy Advance slot, while the 3DS XL offers access to both DS and 3DS catalogs, underscoring why older hardware still retains a niche in 2026.