The retro roll continues with ranking the 10 best Nintendo DS games of all time. Yep, that’s right, we’re doing another one, this time with the much beloved Nintendo DS. Sure, the graphical capability and gameplay in comparison to the Switch might feel like a mismatch, but we’re not pitting the two handhelds against each other. We’re celebrating Nintendo’s outstanding achievement in the handheld gaming market.
Which Nintendo DS Games are the Greatest of All Time?
If you’re a curious and avid retro gamer, your instincts will lead you to the obvious choices for the top Nintendo DS games. However, a little about us and how we operate, our lists tend to offer unique entries. Not for the sake of being different but because we always cater to a broader player base. Simply put, what we like, others won’t, and vice versa; it’s a relative and subjective issue.
However, we’ve got a few hard limits to streamline the selection criteria and make things clear for everyone. One of them is we’re going with one game per franchise. Also, only those Nintendo DS games with a combination of highly original and unique aesthetic and gameplay elements will make the cut. Alright, so with 10 spots to fill, let’s see which games make it to the GOAT list. Here we go!
10. Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood – The Sega Mascot’s Dip Into RPG Waters is A Fun One-Off
Kicking things off on our list of fantastic Nintendo DS games, we have Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. We’re ecstatic to talk about Sonic’s first and only RPG venture. Given the blue blur was at the height of his popularity, it’s surprising more games aren’t in this genre. Anyway, in Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, the gameplay is surprisingly way more fun than we expected.
The players control a party of characters from Sonic’s lore. Whether it’s Sonic, Knuckles, Amy, or Tails, each character is given a role in the game. Players depend on each of them to bypass the obstacles and solve puzzles to progress. Combat is also tons of fun but challenging with the standard turn-based formula in action. Fun fact, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood was made by RPG specialist Bioware, from Mass Effect and Dragon Age fame.
The overall pacing of Sonic Chronics: The Dark Brotherhood might feel slow, but trust us, the Nintendo DS game is compelling in its own way. The visuals and how each character’s functionality matters in the game feel sublime. Plus, the combat’s punchiness and the story’s surprising twists all come together spectacularly. If you like such games, check out our favorite PS4 JRPGS for more.
9. Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrow – The Upgrades and Combat System are Gamechangers for the Series
Next up on our list of fantastic Nintendo DS games we have Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrow. The game might not be as popular as the evergreen Symphony Of The Night, but here’s a newsflash; it doesn’t have to. The game’s majestic aesthetic with gothic architecture and mesmerizing soundtracks will pull you into the game. Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrow is perhaps best known for its unique upgrade mechanic, namely the Tactical Soul system.
Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrow relies on the classic Metroidvania formula, meaning the game’s not linear. Backtracking and revisiting older levels of the castle is a staple that remains intact in this stellar Nintendo DS game. Players must rely on quick timing and precision to dodge enemy attacks, of which there is plenty of variety. The bosses are quick and have outlandish reach, bordering on unfair Dark Souls-level shenanigans.
The icing on the cake that really sets Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrow apart from the other excellent Vampire games is the Magical Seal mechanic. After you’ve done the hard part of reducing the health of a boss to zero, you’re not done just then. Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrow requires players to draw a magical seal on their Nintendo DS screen to finish the boss for good. Otherwise, it gets resurrected.
8. Hotel Dusk: Room 215 – Mysteries Abound in the Nintendo DS’s Atmospheric Narrative-Driven Puzzle Game
Hotel Dusk: Room 215 is our next choice for the list of best Nintendo DS games. The game’s mysterious vibes and unpredictability are its most intriguing traits. Players see a masterful unraveling of the narrative as the layers of the mysteries slowly untangle. Players assume the control of Kyle Hyde, a former detective now a delivery man for a company, who goes to the titular Room 215.
Hotel Dusk: Room 215 isn’t a complex Nintendo DS game, but there is an endless amount of dialogue to read. It’s sort of like a visual novel but with more interactive elements. The game allows players to switch up the positioning of the DS in a book-like style, and the stylus also comes into play. Hotel Dusk: Room 215 is an emotional rollercoaster of a ride with a tragic undertone that becomes apparent as you solve the puzzles.
The game’s not action-oriented. Rather Hotel Dusk: Room 215 is more of a slow-burn that will suit players who can remain patient. However, if you can stomach the pacing, it’s one of the most rewarding Nintendo DS games out there. For games with more rapid pacing, we point you toward our fantastic adventure games like Game Of War.
7. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective – The Fun Story, Innovative Gameplay, and Cool Visuals Dazzle
For the next pick on the list of top-tier Nintendo DS games, we’re going with Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective. Yep, another mystery game, but don’t worry, this one’s more of a fun style and has much better pacing. The gameplay is surprisingly more engaging than many of the other similar types of mystery games. Players can possess objects and corpses to revisit a character’s past just before their death.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is tons of fun because the ability to alter the fate of a character feels satisfying. Players play as a spirit, Sissel, who can possess objects. Sissel can manipulate and tempt characters not to follow the same pattern to their death. In return, his own origins slowly unravel as his memories are a blur at the start of this intriguing Nintendo DS game.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective has lots of cool features; the best one is where players can possess a dog. Yep, players can play as a dog! How awesome is that? The answer, it’s super! If you enjoy games where you play as an animal or an anthropomorphic character, you’ll love our selection of fantastic adventure titles like Stray.
6. The World Ends With You – A Highly Eye-Catching JRPG that Impresses Greatly With Originality
To cap off the first half of our list of top Nintendo DS games, we have The World Ends With You. Quite the fancy and attention-grabbing name, but that’s not the only feature that impresses. The World Ends With You is a unique musical-themed JRPG that can stand against the top-notch classic PS1 JRPGS. The game’s influences and inspirations are sure to enthrall players in the game’s setting.
The complexity of the gameplay is not easy to explain. All you need to remember is that time is of the essence in the Nintendo DS game. You get a limited amount with each companion character. The World Ends With You takes quite a bit of time to grasp the combat mechanics and how everything in it works generally. The exploration allows several side-missions to unlock new context for the main narrative.
The World Ends With You takes players on a wild ride with loads of angst and dark thematic elements. The character designs are some of the best in video games, and the urban themes are such a unique element. This makes the Nintendo DS game not only look distinct but influences the gameplay as well. The pins players equip give the player unique attacks that functionality.
5. Trauma Center: Under The Knife – Tense Medical Procedures Bring Thrilling Gameplay Fun
The criminally underrated Nintendo DS game Trauma Center: Under The Knife is our next pick for our list. Players step into the role of a gifted surgeon known for his ‘healing touch,’ an actual game mechanic. Players must perform surgeries and treatment and learn the major cause of the affliction. The catch is to do it all within an allotted time, or the procedure will fail.
Sure, it’s not the most radically outrageous concept, but few games that tackle the medical niche. Trauma Center: Under The Knife does a superb job of using both screens of the handheld console. It’s part of the game’s strengths to make the interactivity with the Nintendo DS feel authentic. The upper screen showcases the game’s story with tense moments and statistics. The bottom one is for the surgical portion of the gameplay.
The game offers plenty of variety regarding medical cases. There is no one treatment that cures all the conditions of patients. Trauma Center: Under The Knife boasts impressive attention to detail. The character designs are anime-inspired, and the plot certainly feels like it, too. Everyone possesses the right amount of exaggeration and cheesy dialogue with a serious expression. You love to see it.
4. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Pay Attention to Detail and You’ll Win, Don’t and Lost Spectacularly
For the next entry on our list of top-tier Nintendo DS games, we’re going with Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. The game puts you in the shoes of the titular character, Phoenix Wright, who happens to be the titular Ace Attorney. The gameplay presentation is once again in a visual novel format, and players must pay attention to the details. Any screw-up or missing critical information can result in a loss.
The game presents complex narratives, each case having loads of twists and turns in the story. The rival attorneys pose an imposing and competitive challenge, who won’t hesitate to pounce at any error from the player. The goal is to come up with ironclad defense arguments, evidences, and statements. All of these will serve to exonerate the accused clients of Phoenix Wright.
Players can use the zoom functionality to zone in and focus on various angles of evidence and items of interest. The intention behind this game mechanic was to make the gameplay feel immersive on the Nintendo 3DS. The story line of each case in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney feels immensely engrossing. For games with a similar vibe that catch you unaware, we recommend our top story-driven games.
3. Metroid Prime Hunters – Classic FPS Action Game Greatly Impresses on the Nintendo DS Hardware
Next up, we’re entering the upper echelon of Nintendo DS games, and we couldn’t be happier. The reason for our giddiness is we get to ramble about Metroid Prime Hunters. Not only is the game one of the best FPS games of all time, but it’s one of the most compelling entries in the franchise’s history. Players once again fill the shoes of fan-favorite protagonist Samus Aran.
The plot bridges the events of the first and second mainline Metroid Prime games. A telepathic message becomes the catalyst that sends Samus and six other bounty hunters to Alimbic solar system. There, the threat escalates because of a sinister entity waiting for them. The gameplay requires players to be observant of the clues and hints in the game’s lore prophecy.
Metroid Prime Hunters tasks players with a confrontation with the six bounty hunters. Each one fights differently, and the strategies need to be switched up to best them. Along the way, there are puzzles and backtracking to pick up new items and upgrades for the final confrontation with the true enemy. Metroid Prime Hunters is one of the finest FPS games on the Nintendo DS.
2. GTA: Chinatown Wars – Chaotic and Mindless Mayhem Elevates the Nintendo DS Game to Our Runner-Up Spot
Believe it or not, but Nintendo’s notorious family-friendly image doesn’t stop it from releasing exclusive games for adults. Case-in-point, our runner-up pick is one of the most infamous game releases on the Nintendo DS, GTA: Chinatown Wars. Aside from the brutal depiction of violence and chaos that’s synonymous with GTA, the game features several exciting features.
The first noteworthy facet of GTA: Chinatown War is the game’s graphics. The comic-book-esque art style gives the Nintendo DS game a distinct visual identity. As for the gameplay itself, you know the drill for any GTA game. The game’s all bout causing chaos and rampaging across the city. It combines the view of the earlier iteration of GTA titles with the open-world rendition of recent entries.
GTA: Chinatown Wars encourages players to embrace the dark side fully. The more havoc a player creates, the more police will come after them in the game. To get rid of the heat, it’s not about escaping a zone or cooling off. To eliminate the wanted star level, players must destroy the corresponding number of police vehicles. This will get law enforcement to stop pursuing the player.
1. Ultimate Mortal Kombat III – The Brutal Fighting Game is Our Top Choice for the Best Nintendo DS Game Ever
Our final entry, the best Nintendo DS game of all time that trumps the competition, is Ultimate Mortal Kombat III. The fighting game is the definitive version of the third mainline installment of Mortal Kombat that improves the game significantly. For one thing, the roster was severely lacking in the vanilla version, hence the need for Ultimate Mortal Kombat III.
The game has all the fan favorites, from Scorpion and Kitana to Mileena. The enemy A.I. also sees a host of improvements, with more hardcore difficulty also unlockable. Also, Ultimate Mortal Kombat III is the platform for Noob Saibot’s debut as a playable character. The game’s a mess at times; seriously, you can trap your enemies in a corner and hammer away to win, but it’s the fun kind of game exploit.
There are tons of secrets to unlock, plenty of codes to enter for new stages, and variant skins of characters. The old-school vibe of Ultimate Mortal Kombat III is what tipped the scales in its favor. It’s why the game’s our top pick for the best Nintendo DS games of all time. For more Nintendo games that give us retro vibes, consider checking out our top NES games of all time.
Final Thoughts About the Best DS Games of All Time
Phew~ that took a while to compile, but we’re proud of our work, and it’s over! Hopefully, all of you find it an enjoyable read. We aim to help you find your next favorite Nintendo DS games to revisit or play for the first time. Please tell us if that’s the case. Of course, as always with these kinds of lists, it’s a sad reality that we’re probably missing plenty of fan-favorite titles. Please tell us about them in the comments below.
In the meantime, if you’re wondering how to play your retro Nintendo titles on their latest hardware, we answer if it’s possible to play 3DS games on the Switch. It’s a longshot to hope Nintendo can at least entertain the idea of DS games, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Anyway, that’s it for today; stay safe, everyone, and take care until next time; Happy gaming!
