I’ve been spending some time with my old DS lately, enjoying the nostalgia it brings from its 20th anniversary. It’s still my favorite system, and going back to classic games like Brain Training has been a blast. But what really stood out to me were the unique accessories that were available for the DS and DS Lite back in the day.
One accessory that I revisited was Band Hero, a guitar grip attachment that made playing music games on the DS a unique experience. While it may have caused some hand cramps, it reminded me of the fun Nintendo and third-party developers had with creating quirky peripherals for the handheld console. The drum skin accessory was another fun addition that transformed button mashing into a mini drumming session.
Reflecting on these accessories led me to remember other wacky peripherals, like the Easy Piano keyboard and the THMT (Tony Hawk’s Motion Trauma) cartridge. These accessories may have seemed silly at the time, but they showcased Nintendo’s playful side and added a fun element to gaming.
While the Switch has had its share of interesting peripherals, such as sports equipment replicas for the Joy-Cons and the Poké Ball controller for Pokémon games, there’s something special about the innovative and sometimes impractical accessories of the DS era. It’s a reminder of a time when handheld consoles had multiple ports for various add-ons, and Nintendo was willing to experiment with unconventional ideas.
Looking back on these accessories, it’s clear that they added a unique charm to the gaming experience and sparked creativity in game design. While I’m not necessarily calling for a resurgence of weird peripherals, it’s nice to reminisce about a time when gaming accessories were a bit more playful and unconventional.
Do you have any fond memories of using quirky DS peripherals? Share your favorite in the poll below and feel free to discuss any unique accessories that I may have missed in the comments. It’s always fun to look back on the innovative and sometimes bizarre accessories that enriched our gaming experiences.
