Best Nintendo DS Games That Are Still Worth Playing in 2025

This game came out of nowhere and surprised a lot of people. It's an action RPG set in modern-day Tokyo. The art style is different. The combat system is strange but fun once you get used to it. You control two characters at once, one on each screen. That sounds hard, but it works better than you’d think.

Story is solid. It's about life, death, and second chances. Music is good too. One of the most original games on DS.

Why it still holds up: It doesn’t feel like anything else on the system.

You know what you're getting with Mario Kart. But the DS version added online play (back when Nintendo Wi-Fi was still a thing). It also had a solid lineup of tracks and characters. The controls are tight, the drifting feels smooth, and the item balance isn't too annoying.

Battle mode was also fun if you had friends to play with locally.

Why it still holds up: clean racing with strong track design and fast loading times.

This is a follow-up to Aria of Sorrow on the GBA. It's a “Metroidvania,” meaning lots of backtracking and map-filling. Combat feels satisfying. The soul-collecting system gives you plenty of ways to build your character.

It’s dark, but not edgy. The art holds up okay. The stylus-based seal system is a bit clunky, but it's only used at key points.

Why it still holds up: deep progression system and fun boss fights.

Not really a game you “play” in the traditional sense. It's more like an interactive novel where you’re a defense attorney trying to prove your client is innocent. There’s a lot of reading, a lot of talking, and a lot of shouting “OBJECTION!”

The writing is smart. Some cases are funny, others get serious. If you like puzzles or courtroom dramas, it’s worth your time.

Why it still holds up: strong writing and characters that make you care.

This is a remake of the old Gold and Silver games, and it’s probably the best Pokémon game on DS. It adds features from newer games without breaking what made the originals work. You can have any Pokémon walk behind you, which people loved.

The Pokéwalker accessory was cool back then too, even though it’s hard to find now.

Why it still holds up: it respects the original but improves it in all the right ways.

Turn-based strategy done right. You move tanks, soldiers, planes—all that stuff. Each mission asks you to think. You can’t just rush in.

The dual-screen setup is actually used well here. You have to pay attention to both screens when making decisions. It’s not fast-paced, but it’s satisfying when you win.

Why it still holds up: smart strategy without being overwhelming.

Yes, this is technically a port from the SNES. But the DS version is one of the best ways to play it. They cleaned up the translation and added a couple of new areas. You don’t need nostalgia to enjoy it—this game is just good.

It’s got time travel, turn-based combat, and multiple endings. You can finish it in about 20–25 hours. Perfect length for a handheld RPG.

Why it still holds up: still one of the best RPGs ever made.

The DS version brought Mario back to 2D after years of 3D-only games. It’s simple, but solid. The levels feel good to move through. The mini-mushroom and mega-mushroom added something new, even if they weren’t used that often.

It’s easy at first, but it gets a bit tougher later on.

Why it still holds up: smooth platforming that still plays well today.

This one’s a mix of story and brain puzzles. You walk around a village and solve logic puzzles to move forward. Some of the puzzles are fun. Some are frustrating. But it keeps you thinking.

The music and tone feel cozy. It’s like reading a mystery novel while doing brain teasers.

Why it still holds up: chill vibe with a solid mix of story and puzzles.

This was a big deal back in the day. It brought the Animal Crossing formula to a handheld. You could check in for 10 minutes or play for an hour. Real-time clock, changing seasons, fishing, furniture collecting—it’s all here.

The online features are gone now, but the main game still works fine.

Why it still holds up: relaxing gameplay loop that still works without needing daily commitment.

This was Nintendo’s attempt at a first-person shooter on DS. It actually works pretty well. You aim with the stylus, which feels weird at first but becomes natural. There’s a short single-player campaign, but this one was really known for its multiplayer.

It had online play before most handheld games did. Fast, twitch-based gameplay that felt ahead of its time.

Why it still holds up: a solid portable FPS with responsive controls.

One of the better RPGs on DS. It’s part of the Dragon Quest series but wasn’t released outside Japan until this version. You follow a character across different stages of his life—childhood, adulthood, even fatherhood. That’s pretty rare for games.

Turn-based combat, simple graphics, monster recruiting—classic JRPG stuff, done well.

Why it still holds up: great story with emotional moments that hit harder than expected.

This one’s unique. You play as a ghost trying to solve your own murder. You can manipulate objects in the environment to help people or change the course of events. It’s part puzzle, part visual novel.

The animations are smooth. The writing is clever. And the mystery pulls you in.

Why it still holds up: fresh gameplay and a story that keeps you thinking.

A rhythm game that’s way better than it has any right to be. You tap and slide to music, but it’s not just about high scores. Each song has a weird little story going on in the background.

It’s over-the-top, in a good way. The music selection is a mix of pop and rock covers. Timing matters, and it gets tough near the end.

Why it still holds up: one of the most fun rhythm games on any handheld.

This is a tactical RPG. Lots of grid-based movement and turn-order planning. You build a team and customize jobs for each unit. There’s no rush, which is good because the game is long.

It’s not for everyone, but if you like turn-based strategy with deep systems, it’s a good pick.

Why it still holds up: lots of flexibility in how you build your squad.

Pure chaos. This is a collection of very short, fast-paced microgames that last just a few seconds each. You don’t have time to think—you just react. The DS touchscreen is used for almost everything.

It’s weird, funny, and doesn’t take itself seriously at all. That’s the point.

Why it still holds up: quick, no-pressure gameplay that’s still fun years later.

It’s still Tetris, but better. This version has Nintendo-themed skins and background music. There’s also a solid multiplayer mode. The game moves fast, and the controls are perfect.

If you like Tetris at all, this version is one of the best.

Why it still holds up: clean visuals, tight gameplay, and timeless design.

This one didn’t get a lot of attention when it first came out, but it became a cult hit. It’s a turn-based RPG with a heavy time-travel mechanic. You go back and forth between timelines to fix problems and find the right path.

Combat has a grid system, so positioning matters. Story is serious, but not heavy-handed.

Why it still holds up: solid writing and one of the better time-travel systems in any RPG.

You either liked this or didn’t care at all. But if you were into it, you probably spent hours feeding, training, and walking your virtual dog. It was a big deal when the DS launched.

Not much “gameplay,” but it had charm. The microphone and touchscreen made it feel interactive.

Why it still holds up: simple pet sim that works because it doesn’t try too hard.

One of the better Mario & Luigi RPGs. You play as Mario and Luigi inside Bowser’s body, and also control Bowser himself. It switches between perspectives in a way that keeps things interesting.

The combat is turn-based but active—you have to time your attacks and dodges. Writing is solid. Jokes mostly land. Art still looks good.

Why it still holds up: funny, creative, and surprisingly deep for a Mario RPG.

The Nintendo DS was around during a strange time in gaming. Touchscreen controls were still new, and a lot of developers were just figuring out what worked and what didn’t. Some games tried too hard to use every feature the DS offered and ended up being forgettable. Others kept things simple and just focused on being good games. Those are the ones that stuck.

The twenty games listed above are not just here because they sold well or got good reviews. They are here because they are still worth your time today. They play well. They feel complete. And most of them do something that is still interesting or fun even after all these years. That says a lot, especially in a world where most games come and go fast.

Some of these are slow, story-driven games where you think through every move. Others are fast, weird, or just plain fun without needing much explanation. But none of them waste your time. You can pick them up, get into them quickly, and actually enjoy the experience without feeling like you need to sit through endless tutorials or cutscenes.

The DS had something for almost everyone. Strategy, puzzle solving, action, rhythm, turn-based combat, even courtroom drama. And that variety made it one of the best handheld systems ever. If you are looking for games that still feel good to play, whether you are on the original hardware or using an emulator, the ones on this list are a good place to start.

They do not rely on nostalgia. They are just well made. And that is why they still matter.