From new patents to Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, Nintendo Classics could bring DS and 3DS nostalgia to life, redefining how old-school magic meets modern innovation.
Once more, rumors are going around the business world about what might be one of Nintendo’s most ambitious moves yet. According to new information, Nintendo Classics, which is the new name for Nintendo Switch Online, may soon add popular Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS games. If this news is true, it would be a big step forward in Nintendo’s ongoing effort to combine nostalgia with new ideas, bringing back a generation of dual-screen icons for the modern age.
It all started with information from a trustworthy source, Special Nick of XboxEra. Nick has been right about a number of Nintendo statements this year. His past work, from early information on the Super Mario Galaxy 2 remake to launch information about the next Switch game, makes the rumors stronger. His most recent research shows that DS games are being made to be added to Nintendo Classics, and 3DS support could come later. Since it’s happening at the same time as Pokémon’s 30th anniversary in 2026, it doesn’t seem like a coincidence.
Nintendo’s moves have made things even more interesting. A bunch of new patents that were filed in October show technology that can handle dual-screen rendering on a single display. These patents show systems that can put two picture layers on top of each other or switch between screens. The pictures look a lot like the dual-screen setup that was popular during the DS and 3DS era. Diagrams in one patent clearly show a two-screen layout similar to the 3DS hardware. This has led to rumors that Nintendo is working on technology to make older mobile games compatible.
Nintendo recently renewed trademarks for Metroid Prime Hunters and other titles from the DS era, which is more proof. Keeping up with trademarks might not guarantee re-releases on its own, but when you look at the trend of filings like these before remasters and revivals, it tells you a lot. Even though Metroid Prime 4 isn’t coming out until December, bringing back old DS games like Hunters or Prime Pinball would be a great way to connect generations by bringing old games to the attention of new players through modern channels.
The patents also show that Nintendo is looking into adding new hardware to the Switch 2, which is coming out soon. It is said to have two USB-C ports, which could allow an extra accessory to work as a separate additional screen. This would make it possible to accurately copy the DS and 3DS’s game features, including the ability to use touch screens, without making the device less portable. It’s still not clear if this will also apply to people who already own a Switch, but the company’s past of making sure that older systems can still be used suggests that it might be possible.
On the other hand, Nintendo Classics is being marketed as more than just a collection. When Virtual Boy games were added earlier this year, it showed that the platform could simulate hardware that wasn’t normally used. If Nintendo can bring that experience back, the switch to dual-screen ability doesn’t seem so far-fetched. It turns into a development where the nostalgic and the next generation can live together in peace.
There is also talk about how this rebirth might be connected to Pokémon’s big 30th anniversary. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Black and White, and X and Y were some of the most important games in the series, and they were all released on the DS and 3DS. Bringing these games back through Nintendo Classics would let fans relive important moments in their lives and give newcomers a chance to play Pokémon history on current hardware. When old material and a celebration of a milestone come together, they could create a cultural moment that Nintendo has never tried before.
If these things happen as planned, 2026 could be a turning point in Nintendo’s plan to stay in business. Bringing back DS and 3DS games under the Nintendo Classics label would not only bring back two of the company’s most famous handheld eras, but it would also show that it is very good at mixing old and new games. Nintendo seems ready to change what “classic” means in the game world with well-timed releases, smart patents, and a legacy that’s worth celebrating.
The secret stays for now. But it seems like every patent, brand, and whisper is like an extra piece of the puzzle coming together. As everyone in the industry waits and watches, one question remains: will Nintendo’s reveal be just a comeback, or will it be the start of a whole new era?
