As a seasoned gamer who has traversed the digital landscapes of countless consoles and platforms, I can confidently say that the Nintendo DS was home to some truly remarkable games – none more so than the ones listed here. Each title on this list represents a unique experience, a testament to the creativity and innovation that can be found within the world of video games.
The Nintendo DS stood out as an exceptional platform for Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPG), making it difficult to select only a few top choices due to the abundance of excellent games available. Choosing the finest among these remarkable titles proved to be as challenging as facing a tough end-level boss in a game.
Although the Game Boy Advance boasted some fantastic Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), it was hindered by its hardware capabilities. Essentially, these games performed similarly to those on the Super Nintendo, and unfortunately, they didn’t offer an online experience.
The Nintendo DS wasn’t limited to only two screens; it also hosted top-notch third-party game studios renowned for creating Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs). Notably, The Pokemon Company, Square Enix, and Atlus consistently delivered outstanding titles on this platform.
Among the legendary Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPG) found on the Nintendo DS, some of the most renowned series span across centuries. However, an underdog title unexpectedly surpassed these giants by masterfully playing their own strategic role.
10 Pokemon Platinum
Fixing Sinnoh’s problems
There’s no denying that Pokémon Diamond & Pearl encountered problems when they were first released, primarily due to a slow pace during battles and large gaps in levels between enemies.
Pokemon Platinum not only resolved previous problems, it also introduced an innovative narrative centered around the enigmatic Distortion World and Giratina, deepening the intrigue surrounding Team Galactic’s schemes.
Making these minor adjustments significantly enhanced the Gen 4 experience, resulting in what is arguably the finest version of the Sinnoh games. To be clear, Pokemon Platinum surpasses the remakes released on the Nintendo Switch; it seems that more time and dedication were invested in its development.
9 Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Sky
Heaven is missing an angel
In an unconventional move, Dragon Quest 9 incorporated customizable characters for the party and provided extensive multiplayer functionality. At first glance, this setup could give the impression that the narratives may lack a personal touch compared to typical games.
Absolutely contrary to what might be assumed, Dragon Quest 9 boasts among its finest quests and storylines in the franchise’s entire timeline.
In Dragon Quest 9, you assume the role of a Celestrian – a divine entity who experiences a catastrophe causing them to descend to the mortal world, powerless. To regain access to heaven, your character must perform virtuous acts and recover their lost abilities.
In Dragon Quest 9, you’ll find a vast job system and equipment crafting options, allowing you to tailor your in-game party to your liking. This level of customization serves as a compelling incentive to progress through the captivating narrative, all the way to its satisfying end.
Unfortunately, Dragon Quest 9 is only available on the Nintendo DS at the moment, and its graphics don’t look as fresh as they used to. However, there’s good news: the creators have given us hints that they plan to remake it, so fans might get another chance to enjoy this timeless game in the future.
8 Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded
Keyblade across two screens
For a considerable period of time, the primary Kingdom Hearts games were not available on Nintendo platforms, leaving fans to content themselves with spin-off titles. Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded provided an excellent recap of the earlier installments as it featured Sora revisiting places he knew from his past experiences.
The major challenge in creating a 3D action game for the Nintendo DS lies primarily in the absence of a secondary joystick to manage camera movement. Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded managed this obstacle rather effectively, predominantly through restricting the dimensions of the fight scenes.
As a devoted fan, I’ve got to say, Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded introduced an engaging skill point system reminiscent of Final Fantasy 10, seamlessly integrating it with the Command Deck mechanic borrowed from Birth by Sleep. This combat feels fantastic, despite the hardware constraints, offering a plethora of customization options to ensure each battle remains unique and thrilling.
Among the Kingdom Hearts games available for the Nintendo DS, this particular title (Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep) stands out as being particularly friendly to newcomers in the series. While Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is another great game, it might be more appreciated if you already have some familiarity with the franchise.
7 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor
Surviving demonic lockdown
From the get-go, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor starts off with quite an engaging introduction. The protagonist is a teenager caught along with friends within Tokyo’s boundaries, where monstrous creatures roam free. A timer appears above their heads, ticking down the number of days left until their demise.
As a gamer, I’m tasked with forging alliances, vanquishing foes, and collecting creatures, all in an attempt to rewind time and break free from this never-ending quarantine.
Shin Megami Tensei series games are recognized for their first and third-person journeys. In the case of Devil Survivor, it offered a unique isometric viewpoint, where battles unfolded on extensive maps. This distinctive feature helped establish Devil Survivor as a standout title within the franchise.
The player needs to link clusters of demons with their allies, resulting in managing a relatively large group of adversaries. To triumph in the tough fights, players should maximize every terrain and demon type advantage, allowing them to endure the terrors that arise in Japan.
6 Pokemon Black 2 & White 2
A true wilderness
The initial versions of Pokémon Black and White offered a good gaming experience, offering unique spins on traditional ideas and introducing fresh gameplay elements.
In the spotlight were the sequels. Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 delivered an exciting variety for players, featuring a wide range of wild Pokemon to catch, combining both the newly introduced species and beloved favorites from the Kanto region.
Playing Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 feels incredibly enjoyable if you’re looking for a fresh take on the series. These games are particularly appealing to those considering a Nuzlocke challenge, as the journey back to Unova provides a rich variety of choices for players limiting their team selections.
5 Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Judging the competition
The original Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is an amazing title, though its tone can be a bit too dark for some.
In the following story, a lively chapter unfolds where a youthful character from our reality travels to the realm of Ivalice, embarking on thrilling escapades. As they establish an exploratory guild, they delve deep into this fantastical universe, uncovering its many mysteries together.
In Final Fantasy Tactics A2, they’ve broadened the range of classes and races compared to the initial game. Yet, it still holds onto the “Law” mechanism that restricts certain abilities in battles, pushing players to make quick strategic decisions.
In Final Fantasy Tactics A2, you’ll find an incredible wealth of content, including hundreds of missions and battles to engage in. The excitement comes from building up your party’s and guild’s strength, which keeps things enjoyable. As you explore the truth about the enigmatic world of Ivalice, you’ll continually expand your power.
4 Dragon Quest 5: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
The game of life
As a devoted enthusiast, I’d like to highlight that Dragon Quest 5: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is exceptional in its narrative approach, as it charts a character’s journey from their youth to maturity, unlike many other role-playing games.
As a gamer, I embark on an incredible journey in Dragon Quest 5 where my character transitions from being a youth to breaking free from enslavement during adolescence. Along this epic adventure, I encounter the one who steals my heart, and together we start a family. Eventually, I gather a team of party members that includes my own kin, making every quest even more personal and meaningful.
Among the most outstanding JRPGs ever created, the Dragon Quest series includes Dragon Quest 5 as a particularly noteworthy title. While retaining the traditional gameplay mechanics, this installment is enriched by a compelling narrative and poignant scenes that truly tug at your heartstrings.
Man, I can’t help but feel a pang of regret that Dragon Quest 5 hasn’t gotten a modern makeover. Compared to Dragon Quest 3, it really packs a punch in terms of narrative depth. While DQ3 is fun and all, DQ5 has a richer storyline that deserves more recognition.
3 Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver
Johto’s final form
In essence, the pinnacle of the Pokémon series was reached on the Nintendo DS, particularly with the remakes of Generation 2. To be honest, subsequent releases have fallen short and failed to match up to those earlier versions.
In Pokemon Gold & Silver, players found that the Kanto region was sparsely populated, and many of the newly introduced Pokemon were located in late game zones. As a result, players often resorted to using Pokemon from Generation 1 instead.
In a more straightforward manner, Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver addressed previous concerns, thereby perfecting the games from the original series. Unlike any other Pokemon title, these games offer an abundance of content within their single-player experience, allowing players to traverse two distinct regions and embark on a grand adventure.
The high cost of Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver replicas on the internet is due to people’s reluctance to let go of their own copies. Selling it seems unnecessary since the urge to revisit Johto occasionally persists.
2 Chrono Trigger
Doing the time warp again (again)
Chrono Trigger might be the best JRPG of all time, so what can the Nintendo DS do to improve it?
As a dedicated gamer, let me tell you, this updated game has thrown quite a curveball. It’s introduced some divisive features such as a monster battle system reminiscent of Pokemon, new questlines set in the Prehistoric Age, and an extended post-game that subtly links back to Chrono Cross, creating a gripping ending.
skipping the monster arena and new quests is simple since they lack depth or meaningful content; on the other hand, the post-game is remarkable, providing answers to lingering mysteries from earlier in the story.
New versions don’t diminish the fact that Chrono Trigger remains one of the greatest video games ever made, and for many European gamers, these are their sole legal means to enjoy it.
1 The World Ends with You
The game that justified the Nintendo DS
Square Enix crafted an exceptional role-playing game in the Japanese style, specifically for the Nintendo DS, that made a lasting impression without needing “Dragon Quest” or “Final Fantasy” in its title.
In a unique twist, The World Ends with You features Neku, a youth who meets an untimely end in a puzzling incident. Reviving as a spirit on the bustling streets of Shibuya, he’s given the opportunity to engage in the “Reaper’s Game,” where he can accomplish tasks and, if successful, earn another shot at living his life.
One distinctive feature of The World Ends with You lies in its ingenious utilization of the dual screens of the Nintendo DS. Characters are controlled simultaneously across both displays. Interactions occur on the lower touchscreen, while button commands handle the upper screen.
In simpler terms, the original version of this game strikes a fine balance when controlling its characters during combat, which adds excitement – a quality that seems to be missing from its more recent adaptations.
Besides the captivating plot, well-developed characters, diverse battle choices, distinct environment, and an outstanding soundtrack, “The World Ends with You” is a complete entertainment experience that every Nintendo DS owner should indulge in.
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2024-12-03 17:39