DS Games buying guide

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Nintendo DS Games Buying Guide

Nintendo's latest handheld, released in October 2004, has soared to excellence since October 2005 with the introduction of WiFi connectivity. A flurry of deep, exciting titles have been released since then, introducing the DS's golden age. You can't go wrong with any of these games, none of which can be found on any other system. For more information, see our guide to the Nintendo DS and our guide to handheld gaming.

DS, DS Lite, and DSi

Nintendo released the DS in 2004 and replaced it with the smaller, superior DS Lite in 2006 and DSi in 2009. The systems have the same basic hardware and play the same games, but the DS Lite and DSi include adjustable screen brightness, a larger stylus, better button design and a lighter weight. The DSi also has two cameras, music and photo functions, and more interaction with the Nintendo Wii and online applications like Facebook. As time passes, the DS Lite is increasingly being referred to simply as the DS, because it's more prominent in the marketplace.
Top Rated DS Games
(from GameSpot.com)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

Mario Kart DS

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor

Final Fantasy IV

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

New Super Mario Bros.

Chrono Trigger

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney

New Games

You'll be able to play these cool titles before the year is out. You can also check out our full list of upcoming titles.

Featured Titles

Scribblenauts

One of the most creative ideas for a game in years and one of the most hotly anticipated games this season, Scribblenauts is a puzzle-action blend with a unique mechanic: the ability to create objects out of thin air. What's really novel about the idea is that by writing any word, you can create any object, so no two people will solve a puzzle the same way. As challenges get more complex, you can use more and more ridiculous items to solve the cleverly constructed puzzles. By the end of a level you may have created anything from a mouse that will startle people and animals to internet phenom Rick Astley. You'll be amazed at the way your creations interact.

Release Date: September 15

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

The Legend of Zelda series has become a fan favorite due to its innovative gameplay, epic storylines that establish a timeline between the games, incredible soundtracks, and perfect blend of adventure, fighting, and clever puzzle solving. The next DS installment will introduce several new ideas. You'll traverse the countryside by conducting a train, and you'll be able to control one of the massive, indestructible Phantoms to aid you in certain parts of your quest as you explore dungeons. Your hulking friend will be able to help you cross dangerous lava pits or shield you from harm, and the game promises to be another solid entry into the beloved franchise.

Release Date: Holiday 2009

Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing

If you love Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails, Knuckles, Doctor Eggman, AiAi, Alex Kidd, and the rest of the Sega lineup, you will love this kart racing game! This newest release promises the speed of Sonic, the originality of Monkey Ball, and the tight gameplay you have come to expect from Sega. A trailer was showcased at the San Diego Comic-Con this summer, and a demo was recently released at Summer of Sonic convention, so eager players only have a few short months more to wait.

Release Date: February 2010

Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box

The sequel to the outstanding original puzzle/adventure game is back with new brain-bending challenges and mysteries.

Release: August 24

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2

The Action RPG featuring characters from the Marvel comic book universe makes its return on the DS with new missions and an expanded roster of heroes.

Release: September 15

IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey

The combat flight simulator comes to DS, featuring loads of different planes to operate in WWII aerial missions.

Release: September 15

Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes

The expanded Star Wars universe's Clone Wars series makes the transition to touchscreen Jedi combat and force powers.

Release: October 6

Bleach: The 3rd Phantom

Based on the wildly successful Bleach anime and manga, this Strategy RPG shows the events that preceded the series' beginning.

Release: September 15

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

Nintendo and SEGA's characters are back at it, this time taking their competition to Vancouver for the Winter Olympics.

Release: October 13

Need for Speed: Nitro

The always popular arcade racing series is back on Nintendo's handheld with new gameplay, new challenges, and loads more licensed cars.

Release: November 17

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Filling in the gaps in the Kingdom Hearts storyline, the DS iteration also features four-player co-operative play.

Release: September 29

Rabbids Go Home

The Rabbids from Rayman get their own hilarious puzzle-adventure game in which they try to reach the moon by building a tower of swiped human objects.

Release: Holiday 2009

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

This complement to the family film will allow you to relive all the excitement of the movie in an adventure game.

Release: September 15

Must-Own Games

These have already been released and are great gaming you can get your paws on right now.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor : The role-playing series makes its first DS appearance with this mysterious new adventure. The in-game time system adds a level of tension that forces you to make quick decisions, and with staggering amounts of customization and multiple endings, you'll get a lot of value of this DS cart.

Chrono Trigger : Still considered by many to be the greatest game ever made 14 years after its release it on the Super Nintendo, this time-traveling RPG, its beautiful soundtrack and incredible storyline are reborn on the DS and remain an absolute essential for anyone with the slightest interest in gaming.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars : The DS version of the popular Grand Theft Auto series is a faithful recreation, bringing you an all-new storyline and a full portable version of Liberty City, replete with all the crime, police chases and mayhem that has made GTA one of the most well-recognized franchises in video games.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass : The sequel to Wind Waker on the Gamecube picks up where that game left off and brings a variety of old and new faces to this beloved gaming franchise. The first Zelda for the DS is a huge success, complete with an excellent new control scheme that uses the touch screen flawlessly.

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin : The latest installment in the portable turn-based military strategy series brings an entirely new storyline and cast of characters. The darker mood is met with new units, maps, and terrain types to enhance the franchise's already extremely deep strategy, as well as online play, a first for the series.

Metroid Prime: Hunters : Travel among the stars in this intense first-person adventure title, capturing lost relics that could lead to disaster in the wrong hands. While you're on the hunt, you must fend off other bounty hunters after the same artifacts as you. A WiFi game, it features online death matches.

Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day : This one refutes those who say video games make your brain rot. Based on research by Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, a battery of math, verbal and identification exercises will work your noodle daily to sharpen your intellect. Take a look at the first game for more mental mastery.

Animal Crossing: Wild World : Not for everyone's tastes, but Animal Crossing devotees savor every minute of this build-your-own home game. There are no enemies to kill or goals to complete. This is a peaceful, strategic life simulation experience, set in a village populated by charismatic, anthropomorphic animals.

Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 : Assume the role of a surgeon who must treat patients in critical condition. Use the DS stylus as a variety of surgical instruments and combat the deadliest diseases ever conceived. To see where Derek Stiles first became a master surgeon, try the original title.

New Super Mario Bros. : Mario's latest side-scrolling adventure recalls the very roots of the modern gaming era. This is a new twist on classic Mario running, jumping, and fireball-flinging, enhanced with beautiful 3D graphics in a 2D environment and featuring all-new power-ups like the Mega Mushroom.

Mario Kart DS : This racing title introduced the DS WiFi connection in style. You can make your way through the intense single-player mode, play locally using multi-cart or download play, or go online to face other Mario Kart maniacs worldwide. This is an excellent extension of one of gaming's most beloved franchises.

Tetris DS : Tetris is a classic that's simple to learn and difficult to master. You know the drill: rotate four-piece blocks as they fall from the sky and form lines. The real action picks up with new modes, including online multiplayer where you stack head-to-head and your lines push up your opponent's stack.

Final Fantasy IV : The masterpiece is back and better than ever. Not only is the new version of this classic title a portable one, but the legendary game has been reborn in beautiful 3D and enhanced with brand new content and a completely redone and vastly improved translation from the original Japanese.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney : A text-based graphical adventure that places you as a lawyer who must investigate crime scenes, talk to witnesses, formulate case strategy and present evidence to win a series of criminal cases. For more legal action, check out the first, second, and third games in the series.

Can't decide on just one game? Buy a multi-game bundle to keep your wallet full and the action going for months.

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Related Guides


Game Boy Micro	Nintendo Wii	PlayStation Portable	Nintendo DS	GameBoy Advance SP

External Links

Channel DS: Nintendo's DS-devoted page.
Gamespot: News, reviews, and all you need to know about the Nintendo DS.

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Featured Titles
	Scribblenauts One of the most creative ideas for a game in years and one of the most hotly anticipated games this season, Scribblenauts is a puzzle-action blend with a unique mechanic: the ability to create objects out of thin air. What's really novel about the idea is that by writing any word, you can create any object, so no two people will solve a puzzle the same way. As challenges get more complex, you can use more and more ridiculous items to solve the cleverly constructed puzzles. By the end of a level you may have created anything from a mouse that will startle people and animals to internet phenom Rick Astley. You'll be amazed at the way your creations interact. Release Date: September 15
	The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks The Legend of Zelda series has become a fan favorite due to its innovative gameplay, epic storylines that establish a timeline between the games, incredible soundtracks, and perfect blend of adventure, fighting, and clever puzzle solving. The next DS installment will introduce several new ideas. You'll traverse the countryside by conducting a train, and you'll be able to control one of the massive, indestructible Phantoms to aid you in certain parts of your quest as you explore dungeons. Your hulking friend will be able to help you cross dangerous lava pits or shield you from harm, and the game promises to be another solid entry into the beloved franchise. Release Date: Holiday 2009
	Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing If you love Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails, Knuckles, Doctor Eggman, AiAi, Alex Kidd, and the rest of the Sega lineup, you will love this kart racing game! This newest release promises the speed of Sonic, the originality of Monkey Ball, and the tight gameplay you have come to expect from Sega. A trailer was showcased at the San Diego Comic-Con this summer, and a demo was recently released at Summer of Sonic convention, so eager players only have a few short months more to wait. Release Date: February 2010


Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor : The role-playing series makes its first DS appearance with this mysterious new adventure. The in-game time system adds a level of tension that forces you to make quick decisions, and with staggering amounts of customization and multiple endings, you'll get a lot of value of this DS cart.	Chrono Trigger : Still considered by many to be the greatest game ever made 14 years after its release it on the Super Nintendo, this time-traveling RPG, its beautiful soundtrack and incredible storyline are reborn on the DS and remain an absolute essential for anyone with the slightest interest in gaming.	Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars : The DS version of the popular Grand Theft Auto series is a faithful recreation, bringing you an all-new storyline and a full portable version of Liberty City, replete with all the crime, police chases and mayhem that has made GTA one of the most well-recognized franchises in video games.	The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass : The sequel to Wind Waker on the Gamecube picks up where that game left off and brings a variety of old and new faces to this beloved gaming franchise. The first Zelda for the DS is a huge success, complete with an excellent new control scheme that uses the touch screen flawlessly.	Advance Wars: Days of Ruin : The latest installment in the portable turn-based military strategy series brings an entirely new storyline and cast of characters. The darker mood is met with new units, maps, and terrain types to enhance the franchise's already extremely deep strategy, as well as online play, a first for the series.


Metroid Prime: Hunters : Travel among the stars in this intense first-person adventure title, capturing lost relics that could lead to disaster in the wrong hands. While you're on the hunt, you must fend off other bounty hunters after the same artifacts as you. A WiFi game, it features online death matches.	Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day : This one refutes those who say video games make your brain rot. Based on research by Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, a battery of math, verbal and identification exercises will work your noodle daily to sharpen your intellect. Take a look at the first game for more mental mastery.	Animal Crossing: Wild World : Not for everyone's tastes, but Animal Crossing devotees savor every minute of this build-your-own home game. There are no enemies to kill or goals to complete. This is a peaceful, strategic life simulation experience, set in a village populated by charismatic, anthropomorphic animals.	Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 : Assume the role of a surgeon who must treat patients in critical condition. Use the DS stylus as a variety of surgical instruments and combat the deadliest diseases ever conceived. To see where Derek Stiles first became a master surgeon, try the original title.	New Super Mario Bros. : Mario's latest side-scrolling adventure recalls the very roots of the modern gaming era. This is a new twist on classic Mario running, jumping, and fireball-flinging, enhanced with beautiful 3D graphics in a 2D environment and featuring all-new power-ups like the Mega Mushroom.


Mario Kart DS : This racing title introduced the DS WiFi connection in style. You can make your way through the intense single-player mode, play locally using multi-cart or download play, or go online to face other Mario Kart maniacs worldwide. This is an excellent extension of one of gaming's most beloved franchises.	Tetris DS : Tetris is a classic that's simple to learn and difficult to master. You know the drill: rotate four-piece blocks as they fall from the sky and form lines. The real action picks up with new modes, including online multiplayer where you stack head-to-head and your lines push up your opponent's stack.	Final Fantasy IV : The masterpiece is back and better than ever. Not only is the new version of this classic title a portable one, but the legendary game has been reborn in beautiful 3D and enhanced with brand new content and a completely redone and vastly improved translation from the original Japanese.	Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney : A text-based graphical adventure that places you as a lawyer who must investigate crime scenes, talk to witnesses, formulate case strategy and present evidence to win a series of criminal cases. For more legal action, check out the first, second, and third games in the series.	Can't decide on just one game? Buy a multi-game bundle to keep your wallet full and the action going for months.