Top 10 DS Games I Want To Play

The time in which I had an original DS seems quite short, looking back at it. I had the original silver DS model, not a DS Lite or anything like that. Despite only owning the system for a few years, I still enjoyed a number of quality DS games, and of course I loved the GBA backwards compatibility. Partially because the DS was the first system I owned with a built-in backlight, but also because the ability to play GBA and DS games on the same handheld was awesome! I only owned the DS up until Pokémon Soul Silver and Heart Gold came out. Then I traded it to a friend for a copy of Dragon Age: Origins on the Xbox 360, and my days of playing DS games game to a halt for many years.

But now I’ve got a New Nintendo 2DS XL, and that DS backwards compatibility is giving me the chance to experience all sorts of DS games I missed out on the first time around! Here are my Top 10 DS Games I Want To Play!

10. Magical Starsign

• Developer: Brownie Brown
• Release: October 23, 2006

I remember seeing an ad for this game somewhere, maybe in Nintendo Power, a long time ago. Of course I forgot about it after a while, but I really wanted to try this game back then. Something about it’s art style always seemed intriguing. At some point I was reminded this game existed, remembered my curiosity, and naturally I added it to my DS backlog.

I don’t really know anything about this game. I don’t know what the gameplay is like, or about the battle-system. I assume it’s turn-based. I’m okay with not knowing though, I kind of like that my idea of this game is just remembering seeing some of the art somewhere and maybe one screenshot, and thinking to myself, “that seems kind of neat.”

The one thing I’ve heard about this game is that it’s pretty easy, but that doesn’t sound like something I would mind.

9. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky

• Developer: Chunsoft
• Release: October 12, 2009

Sometimes I like the idea of playing a rogue-like. My understanding of the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series is that they’re rogue-likes, and since I also like Pokémon, this is a good game to fill that craving, right?

I’ve never played a game in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series before, if that wasn’t clear. I’m hoping this one is a good introduction to it!

8. Fullmetal Alchemist: Dual Sympathy

• Developer: Natsume
• Release: December 12, 2006

This game might be bad. The review scores aren’t great, sitting at 58 on Metacritic as of this writing. But I really enjoyed Fullmetal Alchemist’s 2009 anime, and the Brotherhood anime, so I’m willing to give this game a shot based on that. I may end up dropping it, but I want to at least give it a try!

7. Advance Wars: Days of Ruin

• Developer: Intelligent Systems
• Release: January 21, 2008

I loved Advance Wars Dual Strike, so naturally when I had my original DS I also got this game. However, I never finished it! The changed art style, tone, and mechanics threw me for a loop the first time, but I think if I approach this game as a standalone title, and don’t expect it to be like the previous Advance Wars game, I’ll be able to enjoy it more.

6. Professor Layton and the Curious Village

• Developer: Level-5
• Release: February 10, 2008

Edit: Finished! I struggled with a number of the puzzles, but I really enjoyed the experience overall! You can read more about my thoughts on it here

I recently got this game as a gift for a friend, and they loved it! So, now I’m pretty curious about the series as well.

Plus, Professor Layton games have a great reputation. They’re known for stellar presentation, clever puzzles…all of that just sounds really exciting! I haven’t played any of the game in the Professor Layton series, but I’m looking forward to my first foray into the series!

5. Dragon Quest V

• Developer: ArtePiazza
• Release: February 17, 2009

Okay, this one’s a bit flexible. I want to try one of the Dragon Quest DS remakes, IV, V, or VI…but I have no idea which one I should start with. Ideally, I’ll love whichever one I play, become hooked, and have no choice but to pick up another of the remakes. For now, I’ve decided to try Dragon Quest V since it has the highest Metacritic score of the DS remakes as of this writing.

I’ve never played a Dragon Quest game before. I have played one of the spin-offs though, Dragon Warrior Monsters 2: Tara’s Adventure. That was a Game Boy Color game I owned back when I had a Game Boy Advance. I had a ton of fun with that game, so hopefully I enjoy the main Dragon Quest series just as much.

Dragon Quest V might not necessarily be my first main Dragon Quest game though. By the time I get around to playing it, I may have played a different main series title…the 3DS remake of VIII is pretty high up on my list!

4. Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem

• Developer: Intelligent Systems
• Release: July 15, 2010 (Japan)

I remember thinking Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon was okay on the DS. After recently learning that New Mystery of the Emblem also existed as a Japanese exclusive, but had a fan translation, I was pretty pumped, since it sounds like it has a number of improvements over Shadow Dragon!

Side note, a huge thanks to all the dedicated fans around the world who’ve worked to translate region exclusives like this one!

3. Luminous Arc

• Developer: Imageepoch
• Release: August 14, 2007

Back when the DS was in full swing, I heard of this game. I was interested in it because it seemed like it might be similar to Final Fantasy Tactics Advance in some ways, a game I loved. But, I never got a chance to try it. Hoping to remedy that in the near-ish future!

2. Chrono Trigger

• Developer: Square / Tose
• Release: November 25, 2008

Edit: I’ve finally played Chrono Trigger, and it was excellent! The balance and pacing are great, and make it a joy to play from beginning to end. You can read more of my thoughts on it here.

Chrono Trigger, originally released in 1995 on the SNES, is a classic JRPG in the eyes of so many. I’ve heard it praised so many times online. Despite all that, I’ve never played Chrono Trigger. But, I’ve decided the DS version is how I’d like to do so!

1. The World Ends with You

• Developer: Square Enix & Jupiter
• Release: April 22, 2008

Edit: Another one down! Read my spoiler-free review on it here!

The World Ends with You has me so curious. I’ve heard it’s pretty unique. I’ve listened to the song in the OP before, Twister, and that alone has me wanting to play this game. Afterward I listened to the OST on YouTube and enjoyed what I heard there as well. If I find the gameplay enjoyable, this could end up being one of my favorite DS games.

I’m not sure when I’ll pick this one up but it’s definitely at the top of my DS backlog!