Stylus

The Stylus is a pencil-like accessory that comes with the Nintendo DS. The instrument is often used in conjunction with the Nintendo DS touch screen. Usually, the stylus is used to make menu selections, which the player can accomplish by bringing the stylus in contact with their selection on the touch screen. The stylus is often helpful or required in gameplay. For example, New Super Mario Bros., Super Mario 64 DS, and Wario: Master of Disguise require the use of the stylus for mini-games such as Wanted! and Roach Smash, and the stylus is also necessary to make Mini Mario toys jump, in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis.

On the DS, the stylus slot is located on the back, and is inserted downwards, relatively to the DS itself. On the DS Lite, however, it was relocated to the right side of the DS Lite, and is inserted from right to left, relatively to the DS Lite.

The stylus for the DS is noticeably thinner than the stylus for the DS Lite. A DS generally comes with two styluses, and extras can usually be purchased from stores.