20 Best Nintendo DS Games Ever

As is par for the course for the franchise, combat in this game focuses on timing and is generally more action-oriented than the typical RPG. Even better, the script pops as one of the funniest (and arguably best) in a series known for its excellent writing. All of the Mario & Luigi games are fantastic, but Bowser’s Inside Story still stands out as the pinnacle of the series for its outstanding gameplay and just plain fun weirdness.

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

4. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

The Nintendo DS was home to some of the better entries in the Pokémon franchise, but as great as generations four and five are, it’s hard to beat these fantastic remakes of the second generation games. It’s just hard to beat the quality of life improvements they offer (from the massive graphical overhaul to just having your Pokémon follow you around the overworld).

But what HeartGold/SoulSilver will always be remembered for is its massive quest. This epic campaign features not just the Johto region, but the entire Kanto region from the very first games. At the end of it all, the game offers a whopping 16 gym leaders to beat. Even as the series continues to evolve, adding more features and Pokémon, many would say this remains the very best game in the series, or at the very least, the perfect jumping-on point.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

3. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

Nintendo has always had a reputation as a family-friendly company, and its handhelds in particular have historically been home to libraries largely designed to appeal to all ages. However, Chinatown Wars is proof that mature games could also thrive on the DS if developers had the resources to make them. At its core, this is a classic open-world GTA experience borrowing many of the best bits of its predecessors.

But there are also a lot of cool DS-centric features in this gem. If you want to steal a car, you’re going to have to use the touchscreen to get it started with a screwdriver or by hotwiring it. It was also the first (and so far only) GTA game to feature a full-fledged drug dealing mini-game to make extra cash. It was just a fantastic realization of what kind of unique GTA experience the DS could offer.

New Super Mario Bros.

2. New Super Mario Bros.

As beloved as the Super Mario Bros. games are, it’s hard to believe that before the release of New Super Mario Bros. in 2006, it had been more than a decade since Nintendo released a 2D entry in the iconic series. Thankfully, Mario didn’t lose any of his magic during the hiatus. In some ways, New Super Mario Bros. actually feels superior to the original NES and SNES titles.

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