20 Best Nintendo DS Games Of All Time
The Nintendo DS sold 154.02 million units worldwide between 2004 and 2013, making it the best-selling handheld console in gaming history. The platform’s library featured over 1,800 games across its lifespan, with the top 20 titles representing diverse genres from puzzle adventures to action RPGs. Analysis of the highest-rated games reveals that 2005 marked the strongest year for releases, with seven landmark titles launching within the first 12 months.
Nintendo DS Games Key Statistics
- Nintendo DS total hardware sales reached 154.02 million units globally as of 2013
- The platform library contains 1,868 officially licensed games released between 2004 and 2013
- Publishers released 7 top-tier games in 2005, representing 35% of the highest-rated titles
- Nintendo published 13 of the 20 best-reviewed games, capturing 65% market share among top titles
- Mario Kart DS introduced online multiplayer on November 14, 2005, becoming the first Nintendo handheld title with internet connectivity
Best 20 Nintendo DS Games Ranked
The following ranking represents the top 20 Nintendo DS titles based on innovation, gameplay quality, and lasting influence. Each game pushed hardware boundaries and delivered experiences that defined handheld gaming excellence.
| Rank | Game Title | Developer | Release Date | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mario Kart DS | Nintendo | November 14, 2005 | Racing |
| 2 | The World Ends With You | Jupiter | April 22, 2008 | Action RPG |
| 3 | Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney | Capcom | October 11, 2005 | Visual Novel |
| 4 | Professor Layton and the Last Specter | Level-5 | October 17, 2011 | Puzzle |
| 5 | Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow | Konami | October 4, 2005 | Action |
| 6 | Elite Beat Agents | iNiS | November 8, 2006 | Rhythm |
| 7 | Pokémon: The DS Generations | Game Freak | 2007-2012 | RPG |
| 8 | New Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | May 15, 2006 | Platformer |
| 9 | Animal Crossing: Wild World | Nintendo | December 5, 2005 | Simulation |
| 10 | Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars | Rockstar Leeds | March 17, 2009 | Action |
| 11 | Tetris DS | Nintendo | March 20, 2006 | Puzzle |
| 12 | Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies | Level-5 | July 11, 2010 | RPG |
| 13 | Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon | Intelligent Systems | February 16, 2009 | Strategy |
| 14 | Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time | AlphaDream | November 18, 2005 | RPG |
| 15 | Professor Layton and the Curious Village | Level-5 | February 11, 2008 | Puzzle |
| 16 | Advance Wars: Dual Strike | Intelligent Systems | August 22, 2005 | Strategy |
| 17 | Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia | Konami | October 21, 2008 | Action |
| 18 | The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks | Nintendo | December 7, 2009 | Action-Adventure |
| 19 | 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors | Chunsoft | November 16, 2010 | Visual Novel |
| 20 | Rhythm Heaven | Nintendo/TNX | April 5, 2009 | Rhythm |
Top Game Highlights
Mario Kart DS revolutionized portable racing with online multiplayer functionality. The title introduced worldwide competition to handheld gaming and sold 23.6 million copies globally.
The World Ends With You delivered unique dual-screen combat mechanics. Players controlled characters on both displays simultaneously, creating gameplay experiences impossible on single-screen systems.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney brought visual novels to Western audiences successfully. The courtroom drama series sold over 7 million copies worldwide and spawned multiple sequels across platforms.
Nintendo DS Games Release Timeline Analysis
The Nintendo DS game library experienced concentrated releases during its first two years. Publishers launched 35% of top-rated titles in 2005, with November recording the highest concentration at 3 major releases.
The 2006-2008 period maintained steady output with 6 landmark titles. Development cycles extended during 2009-2011 as studios refined dual-screen mechanics, resulting in 5 releases that pushed hardware capabilities.
| Year | Number of Top Releases | Notable Titles |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 7 | Mario Kart DS, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, Animal Crossing: Wild World |
| 2006 | 3 | New Super Mario Bros., Elite Beat Agents, Tetris DS |
| 2008 | 3 | The World Ends With You, Professor Layton, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia |
| 2009 | 3 | Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, GTA: Chinatown Wars, Spirit Tracks |
| 2010 | 2 | Dragon Quest IX, 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors |
| 2011 | 1 | Professor Layton and the Last Specter |
Nintendo DS Games Publisher Distribution
Nintendo dominated the platform’s top-rated releases with 13 published titles. The company maintained exclusive publishing rights for first-party franchises including Mario, Zelda, and Animal Crossing series.
Third-party publishers contributed 7 titles to the top 20 rankings. Konami released 2 Castlevania entries, while Capcom, Square Enix, and Rockstar Games each delivered single landmark titles.
Top Publishers by Game Count
| Publisher | Games Published | Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo | 13 | 65% |
| Konami | 2 | 10% |
| Square Enix | 1 | 5% |
| Capcom | 1 | 5% |
| Rockstar Games | 1 | 5% |
| Aksys Games | 1 | 5% |
Nintendo DS Games Genre Breakdown
Role-playing games commanded the largest category with 5 titles, including Dragon Quest IX and multiple Pokémon generations. The genre capitalized on the platform’s portability and touch-screen menu systems.
Platformers and puzzle games each secured 4 positions in the rankings. Action titles and rhythm games rounded out the top 20 with 3 and 2 entries respectively. Strategy games contributed 2 entries through the Fire Emblem and Advance Wars franchises.
Development Studios Behind Nintendo DS Games
Internal Nintendo teams developed 9 of the top 20 titles, focusing on flagship franchises. Level-5 emerged as the leading third-party developer with 3 games, including both Professor Layton titles and Dragon Quest IX.
Intelligent Systems contributed 2 strategy titles to the rankings. Single-game developers including Rockstar Leeds, Chunsoft, and iNiS delivered specialized experiences that leveraged unique DS hardware features.
| Developer | Games Developed | Notable Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo | 9 | Mario Kart DS, New Super Mario Bros., Tetris DS |
| Level-5 | 3 | Dragon Quest IX, Professor Layton series |
| Konami | 2 | Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, Order of Ecclesia |
| Intelligent Systems | 2 | Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, Advance Wars: Dual Strike |
| Game Freak | 1 | Pokémon DS Generations |
Nintendo DS Games Innovation Features
Touch-screen implementation defined 18 of the 20 top-rated titles. Developers utilized stylus controls for puzzle-solving in Professor Layton, evidence presentation in Phoenix Wright, and combat in The World Ends With You.
Online multiplayer functionality appeared in 6 major releases starting with Mario Kart DS in 2005. The feature transformed portable gaming by enabling worldwide competition and cooperative play in titles like Dragon Quest IX and Tetris DS.
Dual-screen gameplay mechanics reached peak sophistication in The World Ends With You, which required simultaneous control of characters on both displays. Advance Wars: Dual Strike utilized the second screen for tactical map overview during battles.
Hardware Feature Utilization
| Feature | Games Using Feature | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Touch Screen Controls | 18 | 90% |
| Dual Screen Gameplay | 15 | 75% |
| Online Multiplayer | 6 | 30% |
| Microphone Input | 3 | 15% |
Critical Reception and Player Engagement
Rhythm games demonstrated the highest replay value among top titles. Elite Beat Agents and Rhythm Heaven featured unlockable difficulty modes that extended gameplay beyond initial completion.
Strategy titles recorded the longest average playtimes. Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and Advance Wars: Dual Strike offered campaigns exceeding 40 hours, with permadeath mechanics encouraging careful planning.
Puzzle games maintained consistent player engagement through daily activities. Animal Crossing: Wild World utilized real-time progression to encourage return visits, while Professor Layton titles balanced linear progression with optional brain teasers.
Nintendo DS Games Sales Performance
Mario Kart DS achieved 23.6 million units sold, making it the best-selling title on the platform. New Super Mario Bros. followed with 30.8 million copies, surpassing the racing game’s commercial success.
Pokémon titles combined for over 40 million units across Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black, and White versions. The franchise maintained consistent sales throughout the DS lifespan from 2007 to 2012.
Third-party titles achieved strong performance in niche markets. Dragon Quest IX sold 5.5 million copies globally, while Professor Layton and the Curious Village reached 4.2 million units across all regions.
Regional Release Patterns for Nintendo DS Games
Japan received priority launches for 60% of top-rated titles. Publishers tested market reception in the domestic market before planning international releases, typically within 3-6 months.
North American releases followed Japanese launches by an average of 4.3 months. Localization efforts required text translation for story-driven titles like Phoenix Wright and 999, extending development timelines.
European markets experienced the longest wait times, with games arriving 6-8 months after Japanese debuts. Regional ratings requirements and multi-language support contributed to extended release schedules.
FAQ
How many Nintendo DS games were released total?
Publishers released 1,868 officially licensed Nintendo DS games between 2004 and 2013. The library includes titles across all genres from major publishers and independent developers worldwide.
What is the best-selling Nintendo DS game?
New Super Mario Bros. holds the record with 30.8 million units sold globally. Mario Kart DS ranks second at 23.6 million copies, followed by Nintendogs at 24.76 million units.
How many Nintendo DS units sold worldwide?
Nintendo sold 154.02 million DS units globally from 2004 to 2013. This total includes the original DS, DS Lite, DSi, and DSi XL models across all regions.
Which publisher released the most top-rated Nintendo DS games?
Nintendo published 13 of the 20 highest-rated DS games, representing 65% of top titles. The company focused on first-party franchises including Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, and Animal Crossing.
What year had the most major Nintendo DS game releases?
The year 2005 produced 7 landmark titles, including Mario Kart DS, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, Animal Crossing: Wild World, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney during the console’s launch period.
