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Sleep mode is a standby feature that allows a platform to reserve power while still keeping the system on and the game's progress intact. Sleep mode has been present since the Game Boy Advance; however, only the Nintendo DS and up can go into sleep mode in any game. The Game Boy Advance requires a game that allows sleep mode.
Game Boy Advance[]
The Game Boy Advance does not have a proper sleep mode. Instead, some games support a form of sleep mode that is accessed from a menu. The Game Boy Advance's sleep mode causes the screen and sound to shut off while still retaining the game's progress. The purpose of this is to augment the system's battery power. Getting the system out of sleep mode is a bit more complicated. To do so, the player has to press the L and R buttons at the same time and hold down select. After releasing these buttons, the system will turn back on. Because sleep mode is software-based, this works the same way with the Game Boy Advance SP, and the Game Boy Micro.
Nintendo DS and 3DS[]
To put a DS or 3DS family system into sleep mode, simply fold down the top screen of the system to close it, like a clamshell. However, the original 2DS cannot enter sleep mode this way as it lacks a clamshell design. Instead, users have to switch the sleep mode slider on its side.
Some games like The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass uses this feature as a gameplay mechanic.
Nintendo Switch[]
The Switch features a sleep mode. It can be activated manually by hitting the power button. However, the console features a built-in power down mode which makes the system go into sleep mode after a certain amount of hours set by the user.