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Will The Nintendo DS Work Without The Battery?

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Nintendo is a Japanese electronics and video game company headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. Fusajiro Yamauchi found it as a producer of handmade hanafuda playing cards in 1889. It is one of the largest video game companies in the world. But it didn’t start its business from games. By 1963, it had tried many niche businesses without major success. Then in 1970, Nintendo developed itself as a video game company. 

Nintendo developed the Nintendo DS in the year 2004. It is a dual-screen, handheld console, in which DS stands for (Dual Screen)

So, will the Nintendo DS work without the battery?

In its design, the developers built the Nintendo DS with two screens. To support this function or feature it needs a continuous flow of power and electricity, which would not be possible without a battery. So, it will not be possible for the DS to work if you remove the battery.

If you would like to know more about if the Nintendo DS will work without the battery, you will want to keep reading this article or watch this video below if you prefer. 

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Nintendo DS Battery

Nintendo DS uses a Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery. Its life depends upon the games being played. If you play a lot of games which require high graphics, then the battery will drain faster. The battery lasts for about 10 hours on normal usage, which is a good life duration when compared with others. 

Nintendo has also launched further versions of DS such as:

  • Nintendo DS
  • Nintendo DS Lite
  • Nintendo DSi
  • Nintendo DSi XL

All of these worked great in the market and sold 154 million units in total. They featured the Nintendo DS with the ability for multiple DS consoles, in which consoles can interact with each other over a Wi-Fi connection within a short-range. But this type of play also puts a heavier load on the battery. Its main competitor was Sony’s PlayStation Portable (PSP).

Talking about running the console without the battery to operate any console, there are several connections and small electronic devices connected that work simultaneously to make the operation functional. 

When a battery is plugged into the console, the capacitors present inside get charged. Capacitors are small electronic devices which are used to store electrical power or electricity and release it collectively to provide a jerk. This works as a starter for the console. When the battery is not present in the console, this capacitor doesn’t receive the power. When we plug in the adapter, it gets connected and releases the power which makes the console start and shows the connection of the adapter. But this doesn’t last long as the battery is required to maintain current to the capacitor so that the system can run properly. That’s why batteries play a crucial role in the Nintendo DS.

The Nintendo DS uses a Lithium-ion battery (Li-ion battery) which can be a safety hazard because it contains a flammable electrolyte. It can also cause a short circuit if charged quickly and could lead to an explosion and fire. So it’s important to take proper care of the batteries and use them as recommended. It is also prone to damage if used beyond a safe voltage range. Exceeding this voltage range can cause reduced life of the battery and cause safety issues. These are all reasons to follow the manual and use the Nintendo DS with its batteries only.

Replacing the Nintendo DS battery

You also need to be careful while replacing the battery. It is a simple device, but the battery needs to be processed in the right manner. Here are the steps you need to follow when replacing the battery.

Step 1- Remove the adapter and any games that you may have in the device, then turn it off before removing the battery.

Step 2- Use a screwdriver, usually a Phillips head screwdriver, to open the battery compartment at the back of the Nintendo DS. After removing all the screws, remove the battery carefully.

Step 3– Dispose of the battery by following the instructions on it. 

Step 4– Put the new battery in place with the end with the two tabs first and then close it. Attach the cover and tighten the screws.

Step 5– Do not over tighten the screws. Then charge the battery before using the system.

These are the instructions provided by Nintendo. But what if you want to replace the battery without losing data?

For that, you need to keep the adapter plugged in, this will keep the capacitor charged. Remove the old battery carefully and replace it with the new one, then tighten the screws. You will need to do this process quickly as the capacitor will lose the current, which can lead to shutting down.

Nintendo DS Features

The Nintendo DS became a popular console due to its amazing features. Here are some features that make it stand out:

  • Microphone- Along with a touch screen, it also provides a microphone for the voice input in the game. Because of this, developers can produce games in which players can control the character with their voice. Also, it allows gamers to chat wirelessly while playing the games.
  • Wireless- The Nintendo DS provides wireless connectivity among gamers. They assumed that Nintendo would use Bluetooth technology in DS, but the company took one step forward and provided the wireless. It allows up to 16 people to play with each other wirelessly. It also adds in the game sharing among players without cartridges. 

Conclusion

The Nintendo DS is a successful handheld console developed by Nintendo.  We have learned that the Nintendo DS cannot be operated without the battery, as the current present in the capacitor will be lost within a few seconds and cannot be maintained without battery life. So, using the battery is the best option. We have also learned to be careful when replacing the battery and to properly take care of it.