Summary
- A new iOS app replicates the classic PictoChat messaging service found on Nintendo DS consoles.
- Despite being unofficial, PicoChat for iMessage includes pixel emojis and features reminiscent of the original app.
A new iOS app has been released that simulates PictoChat, a popular messaging app released for the lineup of Nintendo DS consoles. Still one of Nintendo’s most popular handheld consoles, the Nintendo DS still has a loyal fanbase over two decades after the hardware first appeared on store shelves.
First released in 2004, the original Nintendo DS console featured a built-in microphone, wireless connectivity, and two LCD screens, with the bottom being a touchscreen. The PictoChat messanger service came preloaded on Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite, and Nintendo DSi consoles, and allowed up to sixteen people to text chat, paint, or even create flip books. While a successor titled Swapnote was included on the Nintendo 3DS, the service didn’t include instant messaging, and the 2016 updated version Swapdoodle failed to capture a dedicated audience. Now, 20 years later, those eager for some nostalgia have a way to recapture their memories of Nintendo’s original instant messaging app.
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A new iOS app (spotted by Overkill) allows users to send messages that look straight out of PictoChat, though the app itself is not associated with Nintendo in any way. Titled PicoChat for iMessage, the nostalgic release was developed by solo dev Idrees Hassan, and features everything fans would expect to see in the original title, including pixel emojis. Unfortunately, the app isn’t available for Android devices, though many are hopeful that a similar release will appear in the future. Given the incredible cultural impact of the console, many are hoping to see more Nintendo DS titles made available for modern devices going forward.
New iOS App Emulates the Classic PictoChat Feature Found on the Nintendo DS
Remember pulling out your Nintendo DS on the bus and messaging your friends over PictoChat? To bring that feeling back, I made “PicoChat” for iMessage! It’s free and open-source (of course), so give it a try and let me know what you think! apps.apple.com/us/app/picoc…
— Idrees 💽 (@idreesinc.com) 2025-02-26T14:41:24.177Z
Over the past 20 years, new hardware has overshadowed the now humble DS, though the console still seems to find its way into the news. Recently, the wildly popular indie roguelike Balatro was made playable on the Nintendo DS thanks to a mod, and players have also found a way to play classic DS titles on the Steam Deck. As of 2025, all Nintendo DS models combined have sold over 154 million units, making the collection of consoles the second-best-selling video game systems of all time after the PlayStation 2.
In January, the Nintendo Switch 2 was officially announced, and fans are eager to see what the company’s next console will bring to the table. The hardware will feature magnetic Joy-Cons and an optical sensor, along with backward compatibility with Switch titles. More details will be revealed during a dedicated Switch 2 Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025.
Nintendo DS
- Brand
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Nintendo
- Original Release Date
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November 21, 2004
- Original MSRP (USD)
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$149.99
- Weight
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9.7 oz