Man, the DS was a game-changer! After years of the Game Boy, it felt totally fresh. That dual-screen thing wasn’t just a gimmick, it really let Nintendo do some amazing new stuff with their games. It was a huge step forward.
The Nintendo DS boasted an incredible library of games, thanks to the creativity of Nintendo and other developers who really maximized the system’s potential. It featured everything from stunning remakes, such as Chrono Trigger, to completely new and innovative titles like Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, giving game creators a fantastic platform to showcase their skills.
Super Mario 64 DS Was a System Seller
Super Mario 64 DS is a refreshed version of the beloved 1996 game, Super Mario 64. This new version features a different storyline: instead of Mario immediately rescuing Princess Peach, Yoshi first needs to rescue Mario, Luigi, and Wario before they can all work together to defeat Bowser.
Super Mario 64 DS wasn’t just a simple update; it really showcased what the DS could do. The addition of extra levels and Stars, along with some new gameplay elements, made it feel like a unique game, even though it was based on the original Super Mario 64.
Chrono Trigger Is Just as Great on DS as It Was on SNES
Chrono Trigger is a remake of the classic 1995 role-playing game for the Super Nintendo. The story takes place throughout history and across different eras, and centers on Crono and his diverse group of friends – both old and new – as they work together to prevent the destruction of the world.
For a long time, Chrono Trigger has been considered one of the greatest games of all time. While it could have been successful on many consoles, it feels particularly well-suited for the DS, fully utilizing the dual screens and demonstrating how well RPGs work on that system.
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Is an Amazing Metroidvania
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow is a Metroidvania-style game taking place in 2036, immediately following the story of Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. Players control Soma, who is a reincarnation of Dracula, and must stop a cult attempting to permanently resurrect Dracula.
Often praised as a standout title, Dawn of Sorrow lives up to the hype. Throughout the game, players can influence the story and gameplay by finding special items and battling a variety of enemies, some of which depend on the path taken.
Mario Kart DS Modernized the Series
Mario Kart DS was the second game in the series made for handheld devices. It included sixteen classic courses from older games, as well as sixteen brand new ones. These new tracks showed off the game’s improvements, particularly its focus on playing with others online.
Even though the online multiplayer for Mario Kart DS is no longer available (it closed in 2014), the game is still enjoyable when played with friends locally. And even if you don’t have anyone to play with, it’s impressive how well the classic Mario Kart experience was adapted for the Nintendo DS, a handheld console that was already surprisingly powerful.
Pokémon Black and White Introduced 150 New Pokémon
Pokémon Black and White are set in the Unova region, inspired by New York City. These games offer a more city-focused experience than previous Pokémon titles, and they also include new ways to connect with and challenge other players.
For a long time, the Black and White games were considered the peak of the Pokémon series in terms of how they played. Their online features made the games feel more dynamic and engaging than previous Pokémon titles, and with 150 brand-new Pokémon to discover, players were highly motivated to complete the Pokédex.
Kirby Super Star Ultra Has More Than the SNES Version
Kirby Super Star Ultra is an updated version of the classic 1996 Super Nintendo game, Kirby Super Star. It includes the original game’s eight different play modes, plus four brand new ones: Return of the King, Helpers to Heroes, Meta Knightmare Ultra, and The True Arena.
These new modes make the original games even more challenging. For instance, “Meta Knightmare Ultra” lets you play through the entire Kirby Super Star as Meta Knight, and “The True Arena” features a much harder version of a boss from Milky Way Wishes.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story Is One of the Funniest DS Games Ever
In the RPG Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, Bowser accidentally eats a weird mushroom that causes him to inhale everything around him, including Mario and Luigi! The two brothers must then navigate their way through the inside of Bowser’s body to escape. At the same time, Bowser is determined to find whoever caused this strange situation and get his revenge.
This RPG stands out for its surprisingly crude humor. While building on the established Mario & Luigi gameplay, it cleverly uses Bowser’s unfortunate bodily issues to help Mario and Luigi. It’s easily one of the best games available for the Nintendo DS.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Is the Best Handheld GTA Game
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars takes place in Liberty City in 2009. The game follows Huang Lee, a Chinese immigrant, as he searches for a family heirloom – his father’s sword. His quest quickly involves him in the dangerous world of Triad gangs and a complex plot surrounding his uncle.
This is easily the best Grand Theft Auto game on a handheld system. It brilliantly adapts the classic GTA gameplay to an overhead perspective, maintaining all the excitement and chaos you’d expect from the main series. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars proves that this franchise can thrive on any platform.
Dragon Quest IX Is the DS’s Best RPG
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies is a role-playing game and the ninth major game in the Dragon Quest series. The story centers around a character from the heavens who comes to Earth, called the Protectorate, on a quest to discover the source of the world’s magic – special, mystical fruits.
As a huge RPG fan, I can honestly say Dragon Quest IX isn’t just the best on the DS – it’s a massive game, period! Compared to other DS titles, it really goes above and beyond. The classic turn-based combat feels so polished and smooth, and you’ll definitely be challenged by some seriously tough bosses. It’s just a fantastic experience.
New Super Mario Bros. Reintroduced 2D Mario to a New Generation
New Super Mario Bros. brought a fresh take to the classic gameplay first seen in Super Mario Bros. in 1985. In this installment, Mario sets out to rescue Princess Peach after she’s kidnapped by Bowser Jr., who is working for the evil King Bowser.
Taking what players loved about the original Super Mario Bros. games, New Super Mario Bros. introduces some fresh changes. Inspired by Super Mario 64 DS, it features more dynamic movement and, combined with the Mega Mushroom power-up, allows for exciting new ways to smash through levels.
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2026-03-17 05:23