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When Nintendo said goodbye to the iconic Game Boy era, the pressure to deliver a worthy successor was massive. What came next wasn’t just a new console—it was a revolution. The Nintendo DS debuted with dual screens, touch controls, a microphone, and enough innovation to make gamers everywhere raise their eyebrows in curious excitement. And boy, did it deliver.
At first, some old-school Game Boy fans weren’t quite sold. A clamshell design? A touchscreen? But Nintendo had a trick up its sleeve: backwards compatibility with GBA games. That comfort blanket, combined with a constant stream of creative and compelling new titles, helped the DS carve out its own legendary status in handheld history.
From puzzle games and rhythm tap-fests to RPGs that stretched the boundaries of what a portable console could do, the DS library is stuffed with unforgettable classics. We’ve hand-picked 25 of the best Nintendo DS games of all time—timeless titles that showcase just how powerful a dual-screen device could be when imagination meets innovation.
The Best Nintendo DS Games Ever Made
1. 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors
Think Escape Room meets Hitchcock thriller. With multiple endings, a chilling atmosphere, and intense storytelling, 999 proves the DS was the perfect home for deep, narrative-heavy games.
2. Advance Wars: Dual Strike
Strategic brilliance meets handheld perfection. Dual Strike leveled up the series with dual COs and DS touchscreen controls, making every battle a satisfying tactical playground.
3. Animal Crossing: Wild World
Your pocket-sized town of talking animals never slept, and neither did your desire to check in daily. Wild World nailed cozy vibes long before “wholesome games” were a genre.
4. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
A Gothic masterpiece with slick gameplay, this entry is peak DS-era Castlevania. Tactical Soul System? Check. Killer soundtrack? Absolutely.
5. Chrono Trigger
A legendary RPG reborn. With new dungeons, an updated UI, and touchscreen enhancements, the DS version became the definitive way to experience this time-traveling adventure.
6. Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
Classic RPG charm with a powerful emotional punch. This DS remake introduced a whole new generation to the magic of Dragon Quest.
7. Elite Beat Agents
Part rhythm game, part fever dream, this gem had you saving the world with the power of dance. Tap, drag, and feel the beat—because saving the day has never been this funky.
8. Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Deep, satisfying strategy layered with charming fantasy storytelling. Tactics A2 may not have reinvented the wheel, but it delivered hours of engaging, grid-based fun.
9. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Solve murders… as a ghost. With clever puzzles, time manipulation, and a surprisingly touching story, this one is unforgettable.
10. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
The DS goes gritty. With stylized visuals and touchscreen-driven mini-games, Chinatown Wars proved that handheld GTA wasn’t just possible—it was awesome.
11. Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure
A gentleman and a puzzle-platforming hero? Yes, please. Hatsworth blended action and brain-teasing gameplay in a weird, wonderful mix that still feels fresh today.
12. Hotel Dusk: Room 215
Like reading a noir novel on your DS, this moody mystery pulled players in with its hand-drawn art and compelling story. Don’t forget to turn your DS sideways—it’s part of the experience.
13. Kirby: Canvas Curse
A game where you don’t control Kirby, but guide him by drawing rainbow roads? Bold. Brilliant. And totally suited to the DS’s unique control scheme.
14. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Zelda on a touchscreen? Risky. But Phantom Hourglass made it work, delivering Wind Waker-style visuals and smart dungeon design that used every inch of the hardware.
15. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story
Ever wondered what it’s like inside Bowser’s body? This RPG answers that and more, blending hilarious writing with fun dual-perspective gameplay.
16. Mario Kart DS
Drift, boost, and blast your way to glory. With online play and tight mechanics, this was the start of a new golden age for Mario Kart on handhelds.
17. Meteos
Puzzle fans, rejoice. Meteos took match-three mechanics and launched them into space—literally. Fast, frantic, and addictive.
18. New Super Mario Bros
Classic 2D Mario with a fresh coat of paint. Big Mushrooms and polished platforming made this a must-have for fans of the original side-scrolling adventures.
19. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials and Tribulations
The courtroom was your battlefield, shouting “Objection!” into the DS mic never got old. This final entry in the trilogy wrapped up the story with style.
20. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
The best Pokémon games got even better. Enhanced visuals, gameplay improvements, and the beloved Pokéwalker made these remakes fan favorites.
21. Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
Top hats and tough puzzles—what more could you want? This third Layton game blended mystery and logic in the most charming way possible.
22. Radiant Historia
This underrated RPG used time travel and branching paths to deliver a surprisingly emotional and clever story. A real hidden gem for DS and 3DS players alike.
23. Rhythm Heaven
Silly, addictive, and endlessly fun. Rhythm Heaven had you tapping to the beat across a range of bizarre mini-games, each one catchier than the last.
24. Tetris DS
You’ve played Tetris, but you haven’t really played Tetris until you’ve tried Tetris DS. With Mario-themed modes and snappy controls, this was the puzzle classic reborn.
25. The World Ends With You
Stylish. Smart. Unique. This JRPG had dual-screen combat, incredible art, and a killer soundtrack. It’s the kind of game you play once, then obsess over for years.
The DS Legacy Lives On
The Nintendo DS wasn’t just a handheld console—it was a creative explosion. It encouraged developers to think differently, experiment boldly, and connect players through gameplay experiences unlike anything before.
Even now, with no official backwards compatibility on the Switch and rumors swirling about the Switch 2, DS fans still hold out hope that Nintendo might someday re-release these gems. Until then, whether you’re dusting off your old DS or grabbing remakes on the 3DS or Switch, these 25 games prove that lightning did strike twice after the Game Boy.
