Top 15 DS Era Video Games of All Time

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - November 28th 2025, 17:00 GMT+1

999 Nine Hours Nine Persons Nine Doors — 15. 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors (2010)

Locked-room mysteries aren’t supposed to get under your skin this intensely, yet this visual novel manages it by turning every choice into a small existential crisis. The tension keeps creeping upward as the puzzles tighten around you, and the story just keeps daring you to think you’ve finally figured it out. Characters who first seem like simple archetypes reveal layers that make every route feel essential rather than optional. The multiple endings play into the narrative in ways that still stand out as some of the DS era’s boldest storytelling swings. It’s the kind of game that has you muttering theories long after you close the system. | © Spike Chunsoft

Cropped Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow — 14. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (2005)

Jumping back into Soma Cruz’s world means signing up for a fresh sprint through gothic corridors, unpredictable monsters, and that addictive soul-collecting system fans never stop talking about. The sprite work pushes the DS surprisingly far, making each area look both atmospheric and unmistakably *Castlevania*. Combat feels fast from the first encounter, and the customizable abilities open up a wild number of playstyles once you start experimenting. Challenging bosses keep the pacing sharp, with patterns that demand actual attention rather than button-mashing bravado. Touch-screen mechanics show up just enough to remind you this is a DS game without getting in the way of the action. | © Konami

Cropped Mario Luigi Bowsers Inside Story 2009 — 13. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (2009)

There’s something irresistible about watching Bowser accidentally become the star of a game, especially when the writing leans fully into his grumpy charm. The constant switch between exploring the Mushroom Kingdom and navigating Bowser’s hilarious inner anatomy keeps the pacing lively and clever. Combat stays refreshingly interactive thanks to the timing-based attacks that define the series, making even standard encounters feel playful. The humor lands often, blending slapstick with surprisingly sharp character moments. As the story escalates, the synergy between Bowser’s bluster and the Mario Bros.’ teamwork becomes its own highlight. | © Nintendo

The World Ends With You 2007 — 12. The World Ends With You (2007)

Shibuya has never felt as stylish or charged with attitude as it does here, where every battle, character design, and soundtrack choice locks together like a statement piece. The dual-screen combat system asks you to juggle two perspectives at once, yet it somehow becomes second nature once the rhythm kicks in. Neku’s arc takes its time, unfolding in ways that give emotional weight to every new partner he encounters. Fashion-based stat boosts and pin abilities add a quirky layer of strategy that fits the setting perfectly. The whole experience feels like a love letter to youth, identity, and the chaos of city life. | © Square Enix

Cropped Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney 2005 — 11. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2005)

Nothing quite matches the thrill of slamming your stylus down at the exact moment you shout “Objection!” in your head. Courtroom drama becomes surprisingly addictive when every contradiction you uncover unspools another thread of the mystery. The cast feels larger than life without ever losing their charm, turning each case into a mix of comedy, tension, and deduction. Investigations provide just enough breathing room before the trials ramp the energy back up. With its sharp writing and memorable twists, it remains one of the DS era’s most beloved narrative-driven titles. | © Capcom

Dragon Quest V Hand of the Heavenly Bride 2008 — 10. Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride (2008)

Stepping into this journey means signing up for one of RPG history’s most charming life arcs, complete with childhood wonder, monster-taming antics, and that famous marriage choice everyone still debates. The storytelling feels unusually personal, unfolding in quiet beats that stick with you long after the battles are over. Turn-based combat keeps things comfortably classic, yet the monster recruitment system adds a fun layer of experimentation. Towns and dungeons fit neatly into the DS’s strengths, balancing nostalgia with thoughtful updates. It’s a slow burn in the best way, the kind that builds emotional weight with each chapter. | © Square Enix

Professor Layton and the Unwound Future 2010 — 9. Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (2010)

Time travel gets a puzzle-infused twist here, creating a mystery that unfolds with the series’ signature elegance and just the right amount of whimsy. Each brain teaser feels like an invitation rather than an obstacle, thanks to clever pacing and delightfully varied designs. The emotional center of the story sneaks up on you, grounding the charming visuals in something surprisingly heartfelt. Layton and Luke’s dynamic feels especially polished this time, with dialogue that clicks into place like another well-crafted puzzle. Animated cutscenes elevate the mood, giving the adventure a cinematic flair without losing its DS identity. | © Level-5

Cropped Ghost Trick — 8. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (2010)

Watching objects dance around the environment as you hop between them makes puzzle-solving feel more like choreography than logic work. The game’s vibrant animation style turns every character into someone instantly memorable, even when you only meet them for a single chapter. Jumping between life and death keeps tension humming quietly in the background, pushing the story toward twisty reveals that genuinely land. Its sense of humor blends perfectly with the dramatic stakes, giving the entire journey a buoyant rhythm. Few DS titles feel this inventive from start to finish. | © Capcom

Cropped Pokémon Black and White 2 2012 — 7. Pokémon Black and White 2 (2012)

Returning to Unova feels like visiting an old neighborhood that’s suddenly buzzing with new shops, new neighbors, and a slightly wilder energy. The expanded Pokédex and revamped areas give battles and exploration a refreshed momentum that keeps things constantly moving. Story beats feel tighter, leaning into themes of growth and responsibility without becoming heavy-handed. Competitive players found the deeper mechanics irresistible, but even casual trainers had plenty to enjoy thanks to thoughtful quality-of-life tweaks. It’s one of those rare sequels that quietly surpasses expectations while honoring everything that worked before. | © Nintendo

Cropped Kirby Super Star Ultra 2008 — 6. Kirby Super Star Ultra (2008)

This compilation sweeps you into a parade of bright worlds, each with its own flavor of chaos, charm, and sugary platforming bliss. The updated visuals give familiar adventures a crisp shine, making classic modes feel fresh without losing their cozy nostalgia. Copy abilities encourage playful experimentation, rewarding curiosity with flashy moves and cheerful chaos. New content blends seamlessly with the original material, offering both comfort and surprises in equal measure. It’s the kind of game that nails the feeling of “just one more run” every time you pick it up. | © Nintendo

Mario Kart DS 2005 Airship Fortress — 5. Mario Kart DS (2005)

Racing on the DS never felt quite as chaotic – or as deliciously competitive – as it does here, where every drift, boost, and item toss swings the race in ways you swear you’ll recover from “next round.” The track variety keeps the pace unpredictable, mixing inventive originals with clever retro revivals. Online play turned friendly rivalries into all-out bragging rights, and the mission mode quietly became one of the series’ most playful experiments. Every character and kart combo invites tinkering until you find that perfect setup you defend like a state secret. It all comes together in a package that still feels oddly modern in its simplicity. | © Nintendo

Cropped Pokémon Platinum 2008 — 4. Pokémon Platinum (2008)

Sinnoh gains a colder edge here – figuratively and literally – as the story leans deeper into its mysterious dimensional lore while tightening the pacing at every turn. The expanded Pokédex enriches team-building, giving even veterans new combinations to obsess over. Battles feel smoother thanks to careful rebalancing, and the Distortion World remains one of the franchise’s boldest visual swings. Side activities stick around just long enough to keep exploration lively without overstuffing the journey. It’s the kind of refinement that elevates not just the region, but the entire generation. | © Nintendo

Cropped Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations 2007 — 3. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials and Tribulations (2007)

Courtroom tension takes on a sharper flavor here, with cases designed to twist expectations while tying together long-running threads in unexpectedly satisfying ways. Characters you thought you understood suddenly reveal new angles, adding emotional heft to every testimony. The writing dances between comedy and high-stakes drama without missing a beat, making even routine contradictions feel electrifying. Flashbacks expand the narrative in ways that make earlier events resonate differently on replay. By the final case, everything clicks with the precision of a closing argument delivered at the perfect moment. | © Capcom

Cropped Pokémon Heart Gold Soul Silver 2009 — 2. Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver (2009)

Returning to Johto with a loyal Pokémon trotting behind you feels like slipping into the coziest nostalgia blanket imaginable – only this time, everything is richer and more polished. The refreshed visuals and revamped mechanics breathe new life into familiar towns and routes. The Pokéwalker adds a surprisingly addictive real-world twist, encouraging tiny adventures between play sessions. Postgame content remains one of the franchise’s crown jewels, doubling the journey without feeling bloated. Every detail feels tuned to honor the originals while polishing them into something timeless. | © Nintendo

CHRONO TRIGGER — 1. Chrono Trigger (2008)

Traveling across eras takes on renewed charm thanks to the DS enhancements, which preserve the classic heart of the adventure while smoothing its edges. The battle system still feels sleek and energetic, blending real-time movement with strategic depth that never gets old. Story beats land with the same force they always have, supported by some of the most memorable character arcs in RPG history. New dungeons and cutscenes enrich the experience without overshadowing what made it special. It remains a masterclass in pacing, imagination, and emotional impact – no matter how many timelines you juggle. | © Square Enix

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Figuring out which Nintendo DS classics truly earned their place in history is a little like trying to choose a favorite Pokémon: technically possible, emotionally chaotic. The DS wasn’t just a handheld; it was a two-screened experiment that ended up defining a generation of commutes, school breaks, and late-night gaming under the covers. Its library was massive, weird, brilliant, and sometimes all three at once.

So narrowing it down to fifteen means celebrating the games that pushed boundaries, surprised us, or simply kept us glued to those tiny screens far longer than we’d like to admit. Whether you lived through the era or are just now discovering its gems, this list brings back the touch-screen magic in all its glory. And hey, if you want to see what the best games of the Wii, Nintendo 64, SNES, and GameCube eras were, we’ve got you covered!