Dual screen gaming is an era of Nintendo’s history that seems to have finally come to an end with the closing of the Wii U and 3DS’s eShop last year. With no official means of purchasing both the games and systems themselves, many have come to question exactly the best way to experience some of the great titles they might have missed over the years. Thanks to great emulators like Cemu and Citra, we have have the software to elevate these games thanks to higher rendering resolutions, easy mod access, and more. What we’re still chasing is the perfect hardware to play them on though.

Now it’s not to say that specific hardware doesn’t exist, but there’s always a catch. AYANEO released the Flip DS earlier this year with two displays, but the secondary display is low resolution. The Surface Duo exists as an Android device with two discrete 4:3 screens, but finding an ideal controller for that becomes a challenge. And for either of those you’re forking out hundreds for new hardware when you may already own a Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or any other number of handhelds that exist out there.

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The DNA Duo takes a different approach to the problem, and it’s one I appreciate. A 6.5 inch 1080p touch display that runs at 60Hz, the DNA Duo is a second screen designed to enhance the tech you already own. The screen attaches to your device of choice using a unique magnetic connector, leaving you with a hinged clamshell design. As it stands each system requires a unique adaptor, with the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Odin 2, and Retroid Pocket 4 Pro being available to order now. The creator Jordan, also going by Mister DNEH, has stated they’re looking into a more universal design, and that other adaptors for further compatibility are being considered in the meantime.

I reached out to Jordan for a little more on the story behind the DNA Duo. The larger design stems from their love of clamshell systems, starting with the GBA SP they got as a child. The project really found its roots back in March though when they picked up the DraStic emulator for the first time in years, discovering it had the capability to make use of a second connected display for emulating DS games via Media Projection on Android. From there they started their R&D journey buying and trying a number of off-the-shelf screens on Amazon, but none quite offered the full feature set they were wanting. It needed to have USB C for video, another USB C for charging pass-through, and some kind of Mini or Micro HDMI port for better compatibility. Realising they’d need something more bespoke, they looked overseas and landed on what we’re looking at today; a display that ticks all the boxes.

To get the project off the ground they require $50,000 CAD, which is the equivalent to the cost of 500 screens. The project is currently live on Indiegogo with the display itself being priced at $200 CAD, and system-specific adaptors ranging from $20 CAD to $30 CAD. The campaign is live for the next 42 days, with estimated shipping listed as November 2024. As with any crowdfunding campaign there are risks involved in pledging, but this is a project I do feel worthy of attention.

If you’re interesting in learning more, you can find the project page below:

DNA Duo Project Page

 

[HUNTERFOX]

Whoa! Pretty neat, a 3ds steam deck LoL

 

[TheStonedModder]

Neat, but I wish they offered an OLED version

 

[MikaDubbz]

Smart for someone to do this. Lord knows that emulating DS, 3DS, and Wii U games never feels right without the second screen.

 

[Chary]

Honestly? This is so much better of an idea than trying to make way overpriced 3DS clones. I love the versatility, too! Looks like it might be hard to hold with the Deck/Ally config, but it genuinely looks made for the Odin.

Wishing the best for this guy's project.

 

[Scarlet]

Honestly? This is so much better of an idea than trying to make way overpriced 3DS clones. I love the versatility, too! Looks like it might be hard to hold with the Deck/Ally config, but it genuinely looks made for the Odin.

Wishing the best for this guy's project.

I'm holding out for an Odin 2 Mini adaptor, but I'll definitely be putting money down for a display and Ally adaptor at the end of the month regardless. Should make for a fun review later if nothing else; finally I can play Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate portably! Finally!

 

[emigre]

Honestly, this has legs, it captures a usecase which no one is fulfilling. The 3ds screen are super low res and I loathe to use it. The price is reasonable.

Does this dude have any record in delivering any crowdfunding projects? Because I'm very tempted to put down my £125.

 

[Chary]

Honestly, this has legs, it captures a usecase which no one is fulfilling. The 3ds screen are super low res and I loathe to use it. The price is reasonable.

Does this dude have any record in delivering any crowdfunding projects? Because I'm very tempted to put down my £125.

It's his first project, it seems. At the bottom of the indiegogo page:

• The biggest risk for you is that this is my first InidieGoGo campaign so I am still learning as I go. I expect there to be hiccups in my planning, but will overcome any obstacles by being focused and fully transparent with you.

 

[Bladexdsl]

if i had a steam deck would totally get this but have other priorities at the moment

 

[x65943]

Neat for handhelds

Although if you are gonna attach to your PC just go buy a $10 used monitor from goodwill

 

[Augusto101]

This is so retarded....why people don't buy any 3/2ds xl and that's it lmao

 

[LokeYourLord]

This is so retarded....why people don't buy any 3/2ds xl and that's it lmao

Didn't know your New 3DS XL could run The Witcher 3 at 90FPS.

Jokes aside, obviously because people aren't intending to play only NDS/3DS games on that thing, the versatility and potential is huge.

That being said, it looks extremely rough for me and I will absolutely not back the first edition with this one, I'll hold off until the 2nd or even 3rd edition by which a lot will have been improved and/or perfected even.

 

[tech3475]

Whilst I won't be backing this, I honestly look at it and think it would be useful in making the Steam Deck more of a laptop replacement e.g. lower screen on screen keyboard, upper screen web browser.

This is so retarded....why people don't buy any 3/2ds xl and that's it lmao

A quick glance around where I live and they're not necessarily cheap or even more expensive, depending on the model, condition, etc.

Didn't know your New 3DS XL could run The Witcher 3 at 90FPS.

Jokes aside, obviously because people aren't intending to play only NDS/3DS games on that thing, the versatility and potential is huge.

That being said, it looks extremely rough for me and I will absolutely not back the first edition with this one, I'll hold off until the 2nd or even 3rd edition by which a lot will have been improved and/or perfected even.

They're likely 3D printed, the cost of molds is expensive.

I won't be surprised though if some other companies make 'clones' of this if the crowdfunding sees success, something you'll see on Alibaba or something within the year.

 

[TheGlitch]

Now we can finally play ds and 3ds games on the go. Wait....

 

[pustal]

Great for it having charging passthrough.

 

[MisterDNEH]

Whilst I won't be backing this, I honestly look at it and think it would be useful in making the Steam Deck more of a laptop replacement e.g. lower screen on screen keyboard, upper screen web browser.



A quick glance around where I live and they're not necessarily cheap or even more expensive, depending on the model, condition, etc.



They're likely 3D printed, the cost of molds is expensive.

I won't be surprised though if some other companies make 'clones' of this if the crowdfunding sees success, something you'll see on Alibaba or something within the year.

This is a prototype 3D printed at home for product placement, I have already reached out to a company that is professionally creating the enclosure and adapters for this as I've already spent money on one company but didn't like their product so I'm trying another one already.

Post automatically merged: Aug 10, 2024

This is so retarded....why people don't buy any 3/2ds xl and that's it lmao

I own multiple 3DS consoles but it's 2024 and graphics look amazing on 3DS emulation this way

Post automatically merged: Aug 10, 2024

Whilst I won't be backing this, I honestly look at it and think it would be useful in making the Steam Deck more of a laptop replacement e.g. lower screen on screen keyboard, upper screen web browser.



A quick glance around where I live and they're not necessarily cheap or even more expensive, depending on the model, condition, etc.



They're likely 3D printed, the cost of molds is expensive.

I won't be surprised though if some other companies make 'clones' of this if the crowdfunding sees success, something you'll see on Alibaba or something within the year.

Yes this was 3D printed however I have already sourced out the material and have already tested one company but didn't like their quality so I have another company I'm already testing for the end result for the DNA Duo and Adapters once they arrive. So sure if someone wants to make a clone go ahead however they won't be able to accomplish a clone until they reverse engineer what I have developed which is unique

Post automatically merged: Aug 10, 2024

Didn't know your New 3DS XL could run The Witcher 3 at 90FPS.

Jokes aside, obviously because people aren't intending to play only NDS/3DS games on that thing, the versatility and potential is huge.

That being said, it looks extremely rough for me and I will absolutely not back the first edition with this one, I'll hold off until the 2nd or even 3rd edition by which a lot will have been improved and/or perfected even.

If you're meaning it looks rough in a sense of material, that is because the prototype design was 3D printed at home yes. However I have already been sourcing old the final product material which will be shared on my YouTube channel and other social media once it arrives!

 

[ZeroFX]

Nice, good to play the DMCA'd 3ds emulator or CEMU, but not stretched like in the picture! Lets have some standards!

 

[Marc_LFD]

This is definitely a much clever idea than constantly releasing a new handheld for who knows who'll buy it.

Good on him.

 

[LokeYourLord]

This is definitely a much clever idea than constantly releasing a new handheld for who knows who'll buy it.

Good on him.

"Good on him" he's two posts above you

And @MisterDNEH: I wish you the best of luck on your endeavour, maybe I'll even grab one after all once I get to see the case mold you have planned that doesn't look like recycled PVC plastic (no offence, but the black one in particular currently looks extremely much like recycled plastic from the $1 bin ). So if you can make it to look neatly finished, then you got me down as well, as it is definitely an addon I'd love to have for my Steam Deck OLED

 

[eternal]

Hmm I like the idea of this, but I'm conflicted. I said it before...giant screens for handhelds kind of defeat the purpose, but also too small screens do too.
This is just my opinion, but as an example I think the steam deck is too huge length wise... Is there a perfect screen size for handhelds where you can see everything but not have hand fatigue and eye fatigue, in most folks' "eyes"?
I personally thinks its like between 5.5-6" on the screen for portability. But that's just me.

Maybe 6.5" might be a sweet spot too. Hmm...