First Nintendo DS Model With Side Volume Sliders

This article examines the design history of Nintendo’s dual-screen handhelds to determine which unit first utilized side-mounted volume controls. It confirms that the original Nintendo DS launched with this feature, distinguishing it from later revisions that relocated the controls. The text outlines the hardware differences between the launch model, the Lite, and the DSi to clarify the evolution of the interface.

When Nintendo released the original Nintendo DS in 2004, it introduced a novel form factor that included a touchscreen, a microphone, and dual screens. Alongside these innovations, the hardware design featured a physical volume slider located on the right side of the lower unit. This placement allowed users to adjust audio levels quickly without navigating through software menus, setting a standard for the early iterations of the handheld console line.

The subsequent model, the Nintendo DS Lite, retained this design choice upon its release in 2006. While the Lite offered a slimmer profile and brighter screens, the volume slider remained on the right side of the bottom bezel, maintaining consistency for users upgrading from the original phat model. This continuity ensured that muscle memory for volume adjustment remained intact across the first two generations of the hardware.

A significant shift occurred with the launch of the Nintendo DSi in 2008. In this model, Nintendo removed the side-mounted slider and instead placed two volume buttons inside the hinge of the device. This change was made to streamline the exterior profile and accommodate new internal components, such as the cameras and SD card slot. Consequently, the original Nintendo DS holds the distinction of being the first model in the family to feature volume sliders specifically positioned on the side of the console.