TheNintendo DS' library of games is large and varied, with everything from classic RPGs to smaller puzzle-based titles. A lot of DS games used the console’s dual screens, microphone, touchscreen, and more, making them completely unique experiences.
Many Nintendo DS games are still worth seeking out, even now, for their iconic stories, memorable characters, or fun gameplay. These DS games stand out above the rest and are remembered as some of the absolute best titles from this era of gaming. If you haven’t used your DS in a while, you may just want to dust it off for these games.
10Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Uncover Mysteries From Beyond The Grave
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective’s main character, Sissel, finds himself as an amnesiac ghost, and he only has until morning to figure out what happened to him. Sissel is able to use his newly acquired ghost abilities to possess objects and travel back in time to save characters who have just died.
It has enjoyable puzzles that encourage you to play around with the environment to see what the solution is, as well as an entertaining narrative with twists and turns to keep you engaged all the way to the end. Plus, Missile the dog is adorable, so it gets bonus points for that.
9999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors
A Mysterious Branching Narrative
In 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, Junpei finds himself an unwilling participant in the Nonary Game, controlled by a mysterious person only known as Zero. Zero forces each participant to complete various puzzles inside each of the nine escape rooms.
By successfully clearing each room, Junpei discovers more about the other people in the game and the Nonary Game itself. There are multiple endings to achieve, depending on who you choose to work with within the game. It has an excellent branching narrative that keeps you guessing throughout, enough to make you want to replay to receive all the endings.
8Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Sky
A Surprisingly Impactful Story
The enhanced version of Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness,Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky took the best of both games to create the ultimate mystery dungeon experience. Alongside completing requests as a rescue team for the Wigglytuff Guild, you uncover the truth behind the stolen Time Gears.
While it has the same dungeon-crawling gameplay as the previous entries in the series, the game has a surprisingly touching narrative and great characters you’ll connect to, such as Grovyle. If you playany Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game, it should be this one.
7Professor Layton And The Curious Village
Puzzles Abound
Professor Laytonand his apprentice Luke Triton travel to St. Mystere, hoping to uncover the location of the Golden Apple, something the Baron left behind after his death to decide who would receive his fortune. Professor Layton and Luke are able to speak with the villagers, who will ask them to solve brainteasers or puzzles in exchange for clues.
It has lots of thought-provoking puzzles that will tickle your brain and a pleasant art style that captures the village’s tranquil countryside atmosphere, even if the villagers themselves are a little… strange. While it’s the first in the series, it’s still one of the best.
6Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story
One Of The Best Spin-Off Mario Games
In a comedic turn of events, Mario and Luigi find themselves inside Bowser’s body after Bowser eats a Vacuum Shroom and inhales them. From within Bowser, Mario and Luigi help to stop the evil Fawful, who has taken over Peach’s castle, while Bowser simultaneously tries to find Fawful in the overworld.
Alongside controlling Mario and Luigi in Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, you can play as Bowser, which is a fun twist on the Mario games. Bowser’s Inside Story is one of the best games in the Mario & Luigi series, thanks to its wacky story and exciting turn-based gameplay.
5Dragon Quest 5: Hand Of The Heavenly Bride
A Beloved JRPG
Dragon Questis a beloved series, and fans consider Hand of the Heavenly Bride one of the best entries. Dragon Quest 5’s epic narrative covers the Hero’s birth all the way to adulthood and marriage.
The graphics use a blend of 2D and 3D to create a gorgeous world to explore, with lots to discover. The battle animations are also charming, bringing the designs of Akira Toriyama to life through the monsters’ movements and facial expressions. It delivers in all areas of story, gameplay, and style.
4Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials And Tribulations
Solve The Case
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials And Tribulationsis the third entry in the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney series, with five episodes that span multiple years, showing Phoenix meeting with Mia Fey as well as Mia’s first case defending Terry Fawles.
Trials and Tribulations expands on the backstories of the characters from the previous games while introducing even more incredible characters that the series is known for, including the enigmatic prosecutor Godot. It has perhaps the best story in the Ace Attorney series, withenjoyable cases that fit togetherexcellently to create a memorable narrative.
3Pokemon Black & White
The Original Unova Adventure
The fifth generation of Pokemon games takes place in the Unova region, whichlooks to New York City for its exciting locations, including the sprawling metropolis Castelia City and the fun Nimbasa City, which features a Ferris wheel.
Pokemon Black & White’s villainous organization, Team Plasma, is at the heart of the game’s story, with its ‘leader’ N being one of the best rivals in the series. Though they claim to want to liberate Pokemon from their trainers, there’s more to Team Plasma than meets the eye, particularly when it comes to N’s ‘father,’ Ghetsis.
Black & White’s story is arguably the best in the series, and it’s enjoyable not just for Pokemon fans but fans of RPGs in general.
2Chrono Trigger
A Masterful Port
A rerelease of the original SNES game,Chrono Triggeron the DS is the best way to experience the beloved RPG. The DS version includes the bonus content added in the PlayStation port, a new ending that links to Chrono Trigger’s sequel Chrono Cross, and other changes to the controls.
A classic RPG adventure, Chrono Trigger sees you traveling to multiple time periods in your mission to stop Lavos from devastating the world in 1999 AD. Your journey takes you to the Middle Ages, where you help a chivalrous knight-turned-frog rescue the queen from monsters; the future, a somber reminder of what will happen if Lavos succeeds, as what’s left of humanity struggles to survive; and plenty more time periods.
Battles happen seamlessly, with you dispacing enemies in the overworld. Characters can partner together to perform combined tech attacks, adding to the game’s fun battle system. It all adds up to an excellent experience and one of the best you may have on the DS.
1The World Ends With You
A One-Of-A-Kind JRPG Experience
The World Ends With Youoffers a unique RPG experience with an engaging story, great characters, and lots of inventive mechanics that use the Nintendo DS’ gimmicks to their full potential.
In The World Ends With You, jaded teenager Neku Sakuraba discovers that, to return to life and gain back his entry fee to the Reapers’ Game - his memories - he must team up with a partner. You must take on the dangerous Noise plaguing Shibuya and complete the missions set by Reapers for the various players to accomplish.
Combat makes use of both the DS’ screens, with the bottom screen being used to control Neku and the top screen his partner. By equipping pins, Neku can use different psych abilities, allowing you to customize your combat style. It has everything you could want inan RPG on the DS.
Next:Hidden Gems On The Nintendo DS And 3DS
