Nintendo DS Browser

Nintendo DS Browser
Developer	Opera
Publisher	Nintendo
System	Nintendo DS, DSiWare
Release Date	Nintendo DS JP July 24, 2006 EU October 6, 2006 AU January 18, 2007 US June 4, 2007 DSiWare JP November 1, 2009 AU April 2, 2009 EU April 3, 2009 US April 5, 2009

The Nintendo DS Browser is a set of software that allows users to browse the Internet through their Nintendo DS console. Initially released for the original DS and DS Lite models it was later upgraded and released as a free download for the DSi, eventually becoming pre-loaded with the DSi XL models. It was the first free application available for download as well the only DSiWare title available in Japan for nearly two months. It was developed by Opera, the company who would later release the Internet Channel for the Wii.

For the original DS and DS Lite models, it was released with a necessary Memory Pak to be inserted into the Game Boy Advance slot. Two versions were released to accomodate for the size difference of the GBA slot. Much like the Nintendo DS Rumble Pak the one for the original DS is compatible with the DS Lite but it doesn't work for the other way around. Because of the popularity of the DS Lite by the time this hit America and Australia only that version was sold in stores. The original version was only available through Nintendo's online store in America and wasn't sold altogether in Australia.

The Browser doesn't initially display the website on both screens, rather one screen shows the website normally while the other shows a zoomed in view. Users can switch which view they prefer to browse at any time. There is an option for a Column View that condenses the website to fit on both screens. When using the search function, users are asked whether they want to use either the Google or Yahoo search engines. When typing in a URL users have the option to use a keyboard or handwrite the address. The version released for DSiWare is slightly upgraded with faster load times, a more organized setup, and a slightly better grasp on larger web pages. Neither version has Java or Flash support rendering a lot of websites limited. Some websites, like Nintendo's, have modified version of their specifically for browsing on the DS. Unlike the Wii's Internet Channel, the DS Browser keeps a history of previously visited website.