The Rumour & Patent Filing
On October 16 2025, a report surfaced via gaming news sites referencing a newly published Nintendo patent that appears to outline methods for running dual-screen games (such as those originally released for the DS) on Switch hardware.
The patent reportedly describes three modes: a “Dual Screen (Parent/Child Screens)” mode, a “Single Screen Mode (Picture in Picture)” mode, and a “Switch Mode (Switch Between Screens)” option.
In plain terms this means Nintendo may be exploring how to recreate the DS experience (which has both a “top” and “bottom” screen) on modern hardware that only has one display or one display in a hybrid format.
It’s worth emphasising that while the patent is real (or appears to be), there is no official announcement from Nintendo confirming DS games will land on Switch. As one site put it: “This doesn’t mean Nintendo will actually see this project through to a public release.”
Why This Matters (Especially For Zelda Fans)
For Zelda-fans the idea has major appeal. The DS era gave us beloved entries like The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass and The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. Both of which made creative use of the DS’s dual screen, touchscreen, and stylus controls. If DS games were added to the Switch (or Switch 2) service, these titles could find a new audience (or a second chance) without needing to dust off an old handheld.
Additionally with the success of Switch Online and its expansion tiers which already offer NES/SNES/N64 libraries, the DS catalog is arguably one of the next “gaps” in Nintendo’s legacy-game strategy. Many fans have pointed out that the DS and 3DS libraries remain less accessible in official form compared with older consoles. The patent suggests Nintendo may have that gap in mind.
Challenges & Caveats
Despite the excitement, there are several hurdles that must be acknowledged. First, the DS’s dual-screen nature is not trivial to emulate in a modern single-screen environment. The fact that the patent describes multiple “modes” underscores that Nintendo understands this complexity. For instance the “Picture in Picture” option means the bottom screen might become a smaller overlay; the “Switch Between Screens” option might require the user to toggle between them rather than see both simultaneously.
Second, patents don’t always turn into features. It is common for companies to file patents for technology they may never commercialise. As the Reddit thread on this very rumour noted:
“Trademark and patent renewals and filings are very common … they are never a guarantee that a new product is coming.”
Third, from a licensing and logistics standpoint there are major decisions to be made about how DS games would be sold, offered in subscription services or unlocked as separate purchases, how controls are mapped (touch, stylus, microphone) and how the user interface would adapt.
What Could This Mean For The Switch/ Switch 2 Era
If Nintendo proceeds with bringing DS games to the Switch platform, here are some of the likely scenarios:
- Implementation via the Switch Online Expansion Pack: Given that Nintendo already uses this service to deliver retro games, the DS library might be rolled into the same subscription tier. This would tantalisingly open up titles like Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks (and potentially other Zelda-DS titles) to a wider audience.
- Multiple display modes: The patent’s three-mode strategy suggests this could accommodate standalone handheld play, TV docked play, and perhaps multiplayer/shared screen formats. For Zelda fans this might mean flexible ways to play DS titles on the big screen or handheld.
- A potential lead-in to 3DS support: While the patent appears focused on the DS, some commentary suggests this may pave the way for 3DS games later. For Zelda fans this could mean future access to titles like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D or The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D.
- Nostalgia and preservation: For many players the DS era of Zelda games is under-represented on modern hardware. A re-release would be both a preservation win and a fan-service win.
My Take & What I’m Watching For
I believe this rumour holds genuine promise. The patent details suggest Nintendo is thinking in concrete terms about how to adapt dual-screen handheld games to a single hybrid console. For Zelda fans that is exciting, because it means those DS-era entries could gain new life.
At the same time, I remain cautiously optimistic. Until Nintendo officially confirms DS games are coming to Switch I’ll treat this as “interesting possibility” rather than certainty. I’ll be closely watching for the following signals:
- An official announcement from Nintendo during one of their Direct or partner-showcase events that explicitly mentions DS titles or “dual-screen legacy” games.
- A listing or hint within the Switch Online subscription services referencing DS era games or “Nintendo DS Classics”.
- Leaked screenshots or imagery showing the display modes referenced in the patent (Dual Screen / Picture in Picture / Toggle Screen).
- Any developer commentary from Nintendo or associated studios about how they plan to handle touchscreen, stylus, or microphone functionality originally embedded in DS games.
What It Could Mean For Zelda Now
If this comes to pass, imagine:
- Being able to play Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks or other DS Zelda titles on your TV via the Switch dock, using Joy-Con or Pro Controller, with bottom screen functions mapped intelligently (perhaps to a second display, overlay, or button toggles).
- Revisiting DS-only Zelda gameplay mechanics (like stylus-based movement, stylised map interfaces, touchscreen menus) with a fresh interface optimised for modern systems.
- A renewed spotlight on DS Zelda entries—perhaps even bundled “Zelda DS Classics” collections that bring together the handheld era into one easy-access set.
For fans who might only have experienced Switch era Zelda games, this could open a new chapter of exploration. It could deepen appreciation for the handheld timeline and show how Nintendo’s design evolved across hardware generations.
