Mario Kart DS

Nintendo’s kart racer has spent the most time out of any game in my Nintendo DS console. Personally it’s my favourite instalment in the series and it’s the best multiplayer game on the handheld for both online and offline wireless play. It looks absolutely superb for a DS games, and more importantly has fantastic gameplay. Featuring over 30 courses, including brand new tracks and old favourites remade; Mario Kart DS offers a lengthy experience in both single player and with mates. Best of all is that it can be enjoyed by all ages; if you only buy one game for your new Nintendo DSi I suggest it be Mario Kart DS.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass proved that a 3D adventure game could both work on the DS, and be successful with touch only controls. If you’re a ‘hardcore’ gamer Zelda’s classic puzzle solving gameplay will be right up your alley (despite being slightly easier than the console versions) and if you’re a casual gamer Zelda is a great stepping stone to move to the next level of gaming. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks has been announced for a release at the end of the year or early next year. Before you play that make sure you play the debut Zelda adventure on the DS. You can read our full featured review here.

The World Ends with You

Games like this come around once in a generation. Taglines such as this flooded the Internet when TWEWY, as it became known, was released. And rightly so, TWEWY is one of the most amazing games I’ve ever played, and the standout RPG on a console that is known for them. The combat uses the duel screens to perfection, while the story fully encapsulates you with characters you actually care about. The graphics are stylized to perfection, the use of colours make everything seem hyperactive and TWEWY one of the best looking games on any handheld. The sound is the icing on the cake; it’s the best soundtrack this generation from any game by far. Anyone who’s played it will know what I’m talking about. This is the only game that has ever compelled me to purchase the soundtrack, and to this day one of the main tracks remains my ring tone (listen to ‘Calling’ it’s really appropriate for a phone ring tone being about calling and all). You can read our full featured review here.

Chrono Trigger

It took 14 years to finally be release in Australia. While nothing really excuses our shunning the first time around you’ll forget about that when you finally get your hands on Chrono Trigger DS. Despite being almost 15 years old Chrono Trigger DS is still one of the best RPG’s available, and truly has stood the test of time. It still looks great with its colourful sprite-based graphics and has one of the best soundtracks ever written. The battle system is one of the best out there and puts more recent turned based RPG’s to shame with its innovative take on the gameplay. Chrono Trigger DS is one of those rare games with a meaningful story, one that captivates the player to the point where an emotional link can be created between the characters and player. That alone is rare in this day and age, combined with fantastic gameplay Chrono Trigger DS is truly a must have for any RPG fan who missed it the first time around. You can read our full featured review here.

Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars lives up to the strong reputation of its predecessors. It maintains the strong ‘sandbox’ elements, and shows why GTA is at the top of the pack when it comes to open-world gameplay. There’s so much to say about Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars, more than can ever be expressed in a single review. It’s one of the best gameplay experiences you’ll ever have on the DS, the narrative is great for a handheld platform, the graphics are superb and the multiplayer will ensure you keep coming back long after you’ve spent 20+ hours completing the single player campaign. If you only buy one game for the Nintendo DS this year, make sure its Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will win countless awards this year, and surely must be in contention for game of the year. You can read our full featured review here.

Elite Beat Agents

What a joyous story driven rhythm-action title. Yes Elite Beat Agents somehow turns tapping along to some tunes into a story about saving the world. While the story may utter nonsense this is one of the most infectious experiences on the console. Once you start tapping along to the songs you just can’t stop. Even though some of the songs in the English version may not be in your personal collection (unless you love Avril and her wanting to be your girlfriend), it’s still a great game, with great rhythm, that’ll have you hooked for hours.

Brain Training

After all that gaming we may as well do some that’s good for us, although feel free to substitute this for a training game of your choosing (Sight or Maths Training anyone?). Our good mate Dr. Kawashima is here to help stimulate your mind through a series of exercises for the brain. Using it each day can help your brain to stay sharp (apparently, the woman in the ad doesn’t seem too sharp to me). The non-game features activities such as memory games, and sodoku. While it may not sound like too much fun, it’s surprisingly enjoyable and good for you at the same time. Win, win.

Tetris

Good ol’ Tetris, simply the best! Best game ever when you’ve got 10 minutes to kill during your lunch break or on the bus. Best game ever for spending countless hours trying to beat your own high score. There’s not much more I can say besides Tetris on DS boasts impressive online play, and fantastic visuals complimented by Ninty’s classic tunes. What more could you want?

Animal Crossing: Wild World

Animal Crossing is one of those games you’ll either love or hate. The basic premise is that you live your life in a town of animals (yet you’re human) trying to make ends meet. Neighbours can offer you work; you can go fishing, dig up fossils and renovate your house. Via Nintendo Wi-Fi connection you can visit a friend’s town to get their valuable fruit which will be worth more money if it isn’t native to your town or leave them a message. Animal Crossing takes home the award for ‘the game that sounds extremely boring, yet has consumed my life’. Back on the GameCube I must have spent hundreds of hours on AC, and the game has been improved for the Nintendo DS. Animal Crossing needs to be tried before you make any harsh assumptions about it, the description doesn’t do it any favours and it is in actual fact fun for anyone looking for a relaxing game.

New Super Mario Brothers

Its old school Mario, and we love it. New Super Mario Brothers takes the series back to it’s roots as a side-scrolling platformer, and proves that the genre is not dead. It feels like one of the older Mario games, but at the same time provides a new experience. While the game can be completed within a day, it’s still a necessity. New Super Mario Brothers shows that while we have the technology for full 3D adventure games, it doesn’t mean the 2D side-scroller should be forgotten.

Super Mario 64 DS

Metroid Prime Hunters

Pokemon Diamond/Pearl

Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Advance Wars: Dual Strike

So what do you think? Do you agree with these choices, or do you think something has been left out?

Article by: MMGN 113Kudos 13/04/2009

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