The Nintendo DS was the system that brought handhelds out of the gaming ghetto. This is especially funny considering Sony claimed the PSP was going to be the hardware that did so. Technically it’s true.The Nintendo DS after all a response to Sony entering the portable market. The system went on to become one of the best selling of all time. The Nintendo DS dominated in all markets surpassing even the Game Boy Advance which it directly followed. Because of this the library is vast, and has something for everyone. This includes those that play role playing games. This particular genre has excellent representation on the system with a ton of RPGs released on the dual screen portable. That’s where we come in. I thought it would be fun to highlight the best Nintendo DS RPGs. Let’s get started.
#25. – 7th Dragon
Developer Imageepoch put in some serious work in the seventh generation. At one point 7th Dragon was one of my most anticipated games on the Nintendo DS. This was a classically styled Japanese role playing game making use of the age old job system, turn based combat, and a fun art style to boot. The problem was that this game was never localized. Thanks to a fan translation we can now play it, and I’m happy to report it’s one of the best Nintendo DS RPGs. You start out by creating your own party including which job they belong to as well as their appearance and gender. From this point on you trek deep into dungeons and battle foes at a pretty constant rate. 7th Dragon has all of genre staples including a world map and fun story. It’s not groundbreaking by any means but the game is worth playing.
#24. – Nostalgia
I know, I know. It’s not a great, or even good name for a game. Once you start playing you’ll see that it’s actually pretty fitting. This is a classic style role playing game. You explore dungeons, towns, and a world map all the while engaging enemies in random battles. There are a few unique elements in play here. First of all the world here is based on real life locations. This includes cities, countries, and famous landmarks. Of course they’re all re-done in an anime steampunk style which I really liked. Second of all the game takes some notes from Skies of Arcadia. I’m talking in terms of airships. These play a huge role in exploration as well as combat. Nostalgia features airship battles where you face off against other aircrafts and more. The story is a little lackluster, but Nostalgia has a lot to offer.
#23. – Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2
Dragon Quest Monsters has always played second fiddle to Pokemon. These games are heavily based on the same premise, but with spins that make sense for the franchise. Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 was the second game in the spin-off series to be released on the Nintendo DS. It doesn’t quite live up to its predecessor. With that out of the way DQM Joker 2 is no joke. The game uses the same 3D graphic engine and it still looks great given the hardware it’s running on. Largely it’s the same experience but with more monsters and with new areas to explore. The breeding mechanics are deeper than those in Pokemon, and fans of Dragon Quest may find the creatures more interesting too. It’s a typical Dragon Quest Monsters game, but that’s certainly not a bad thing.
#22. – Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
While the subtitle may suggest that this is a spin-off make no mistake. Strange Journey feels like a full fledged Shin Megami Tensei game, and it’s a good one at that. It takes the classic gameplay and modernizes the interface and mechanics. Basic gameplay has you trudging through dungeons, and doing battle with demons. Some of these you can add to your team. It may sound like a Pokemon clone, but the Shin Megami Tensei series actually predates Nintendo’s Pocket Monsters franchise. Normally the confusing dungeon designs cause major problems in these games. Strange Journey fixes the issue by displaying a map on the bottom screen. This helps a huge deal with navigation. If you want an RPG experience that leans more into the hardcore mechanics then this is a great choice.
#21. – Suikoden Tierkries
At one point this was my most anticipated game. The Suikoden franchise has long been a favorite of mine, and by the time Tierkries was released it had been years since the last one. So what happened? Well Konami made the boneheaded decision to make this a Suikoden game in name only. It isn’t connected to the overarching story of the mainline titles. Suikoden Tierkries takes place in an original world with new characters and a disconnected storyline. Once I got over the sting of this fact I discovered that this is a pretty good time. Suikoden Tierkries is a traditional turn based RPG with high production values for a Nintendo DS RPG. It has lots of voice acting, and beautiful graphics. The combat system is classic Suikoden, but you’re limited to a four character party. Regardless it’s a good game, but Tierkries just doesn’t measure up.
#20. – Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon
By the time the Nintendo DS released Harvest Moon as a franchise was tired. We had too many sequels, and at this point they weren’t setting themselves apart enough. That’s where Rune Factory comes in. This game was a breath of fresh air for the series. It re-invented the farming/life sim as an action RPG, and the results were amazing. Rune Factory still has the basic foundation of a Harvest Moon game, but with dungeons and monsters to fight. The developers managed to blend these two elements extremely well. It also helps that the graphics are very pleasant as is the soundtrack. One of the major problems I had with Harvest Moon in the past was that at a certain point you ran out of things to do. That’s not an issue at all in Rune Factory.
#19. – Golden Sun: Dark Dawn
This one is kind of bittersweet for me. I can’t help but feel that Dark Dawn was the final nail in the coffin for the series. Golden Sun was absolutely groundbreaking on the GBA. The original and its sequel pushed the hardware in some crazy ways and were very impressive. Dark Dawn on the DS though? It didn’t have the same effect. Regardless this was a really good RPG. Golden Sun has always been known for its excellent dungeon designs and this one is no different. The puzzles and layouts are inventive, and just plain fun. It also helps that the battle system is good, if not a very traditional. The game looks very pretty by DS standards, but by this point it wasn’t particularly impressive in the grand scheme of things. I do love that this still feels like classic Golden Sun in the best ways possible.
#18. – Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker
I’ve already touched upon the history of the Dragon Quest Monsters series. With the release of a new handheld it was all but assured that Square-Enix would release another one, and Joker was better than I could have expected. For one thing the graphics are extremely impressive. This was the first fully 3D Dragon Quest Monsters title. It took advantage of the hardware in some really smart ways. For one thing the game uses cel shading to more accurately convey the anime trappings of the franchise. It works well, and despite the low polygonal graphics looks great on the small screen. It should be noted that the environments here are particularly fun to explore. You’ll want to check every nook and cranny trying to find each new monster to breed with your strongest one. It’s an amazingly addictive game and one of the best DS RPGs.
#17. – Tales of Innocence
There was a brief while when Namco was releasing their flagship titles in the Tales of series exclusively on the Nintendo DS. It seems like a smart move given how popular the hardware was. Tales of Innocence was the first of these titles. The game, like its predecessors, has the trappings of a traditional RPG but combat is semi real-time. You can move around freely and attack with your other characters controlled by the AI. You can set basic strategies for them but sometimes they do what they want. That’s okay because as long as you play smartly things always work out. Regardless this is one of the weaker installments in the series, but it’s still one of the best Nintendo DS RPGs. Unfortunately this one was never localized. Thankfully it can be played via a fan translation.
#16. – Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
This is the first, but not the last, Dragon Quest remake to make this list. While some may consider it sacriligous I think this is the weakest one. That goes for the base game too. Dragon Quest V is interesting in that it follows the main character from his birth all the way through adulthood. It even uses a generation system wherein at a specific plot point you can choose a bride, and it changes elements in the story and even characters that join. The Nintendo DS version fixes some of the problems of the original. For one thing you can now use four characters in your party at once. Additionally you have a third option for a bride at the aforementioned plot point. Gameplay is traditional Dragon Quest fare, and that’s not a bad thing at all.
#15. – Sands of Destruction
One of the things I was most excited about when it came to the Nintendo DS was brand new 64-bit big budget RPGs. Ports and remakes were good, but I wanted something original. Imageepoch delivered, and Sega released the game worldwide. Sands of Destruction feels like something that would have been a showstopper on the original PlayStation. The game follows a rag tag group of heroes who, rather than saving the world, are trying to bring about it’s destruction. It’s an interesting twist on the classic RPG plot. The game has traditional turn based battles and random encounters, but it sets itself apart by implementing a unique combo system. Combat requires a fair bit of strategy, but it’s fun to experiment within the parameters. Sands of Destruction is a great RPG.
#14. – Final Fantasy IV
The original release of Final Fantasy IV is my favorite RPG of all time. So why did the 3D remake on the Nintendo DS not make the top spot here? Let’s get into that. As I mentioned the game is fully 3D both outside of and in combat. Dungeon, town, and the world map designs remain untouched. Aside from aesthetics the balance has been altered. This is both a good and bad thing. On one hand it completely changes the dynamics of every boss encounter. Knowledge of the original actually hurts you here. This makes it interesting for long time fans. Unfortunately Final Fantasy IV on the DS is a lot more difficult too. It’s sometimes cheap. I also didn’t care for some of the new abilities that characters can be taught. Additionally the GBA version’s content wasn’t remade. I consider this one a monkey paw wish granted.
#13. – Contact
I love just how crazy this game is. Contact is one part Earthbound, and one part Secret of Mana. This one is an action RPG with a zany story that constantly breaks the fourth wall. Contact makes some serious references to the Mother series both in terms of art style and story. The concept is that you’re a person bridging communication between both screens. On the top you have a kindly professor and his space cat, and on the bottom a youth named Terry. Your goal is to track down parts to a ship. You guide Terry on this quest with input from the professor. It’s an interesting premise and makes good use of the system’s gimmicks. I particularly like the job system, and how it changes combat. For a game that no one remembers Contact is a fantastic RPG on the Nintendo DS.
#12. – Pokemon Black / White Versions
When the fifth generation of Pokemon games came to be Game Freak had finally realized one of the major problems with the franchise. Namely that the pocket monsters had been recycled too much. That is why for this installment they introduced an all new cast of critters. There are 156 Pokemon in this game and all are original. Gameplay is classic Pokemon as you’re tasked with catching them all and defeating the elite four.The creatures are now animated in battle but they’re still 2D sprites. While I really like this game there are some issues. First of all most of the new Pokemon are too similar to the older ones. Woobats replace Zubats in caves, and Roggenrolas take the place of Geodudes. It’s not different enough when it comes down to it. Still, I appreciate the game and love the new setting.
#11. – Radiant Historia
Chrono Trigger may have popularized the idea of a time traveling RPG, but Radiant Historia refined it. The game isn’t better than the concept it draws upon, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a standout RPG. What you do here can have drastic effects on the scenario. It’s like Chrono Trigger but with choice. The narrative admittedly isn’t as tight but that’s okay because Radiant Historia is a lot of fun regardless. The combat system is very traditional but with a few new twists. The skill system allows you to target multiple enemies at once or the same guy for more damage. As you progress things get more complicated, and the battle system really opens up to more strategy. Radiant Historia is a lot of fun, but the graphics do hold it back a little.
#10. – Final Fantasy III
Up until this remake Final Fantasy III had never been re-released on any platform. Square-Enix went all out for this version. They turned 2D sprites into polygons, and enhanced the story in some pretty significant ways. What was once a party of four nameless characters is now a memorable cast that all participate in the story. There are some changes but the gameplay remains largely the same. This is a very traditional RPG wherein you guide a cast of four (and sometimes five) characters through battles gaining experience and skill points, giving them jobs to determine their abilities, etc. It’s classic Final Fantasy down to its core. Some of the changes are questionable, but for the most part I feel like this version is an improvement overall.
#9. – Infinite Space
I’m always up for a good science fiction RPG. Too often the genre gets stuck in fantasy trappings. Infinite Space fits the bill, and does so with style. The game is far from traditional. Your characters don’t directly fight against enemies. Most of the combat is done via your ship (or ships) in turn based fashion. You customize your crew for each vessel, and even the spaceship itself. The amount of tinkering you can do here is insane. This ensures that almost every playthrough is going to be vastly different from one another. This title was developed by Platinum Games and it has their classic layers of polish behind it. If you’re into sci-fi, anime, and are looking for a very different kind of RPG then Infinite Space is an excellent choice.
#8. – Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
Part 9 is the first new installment in the series to be released only on a handheld. Many were let down following the release of VIII because this one was a clear step back graphically. In my opinion it is vastly superior in terms of gameplay. Sentinels of the Starry Skies moves the franchise back to its roots. You begin the adventure by designing the main character but options are kind of limited. Soon after beginning the quest you create and customize a party. The narrative suffers because of this, but let’s get real, no one plays Dragon Quest for its storyline. The gameplay is absolutely on point with a fantastic job system and some neat plays on the classic battle system. It also has a fun world to explore, and excellent dungeon designs. If you’re a fan of DQ then Dragon Quest IX is a perfect choice.
#7. – Pokemon Black 2 / White 2 Versions
The original Pokemon Black/White were really interesting titles. They tried to shake things up with a completely new cast of Pocket Monsters but this concept fell a little short in execution. Black 2/White 2 aren’t a full fledged new Pokemon game. There are no new Pokemon introduced here. Instead it blends the cast of the current (at the time) and classic games. It sounds insignificant, but this made a big difference and actually improved the lineup in my opinion. I really didn’t care for the continuation of the story though. Narrative isn’t something I look for in a Pokemon title. In my opinion this is what the original Black/White versions should have been. These are easily some of the best Nintendo DS games overall.
#6. – Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation
For some reason Dragon Quest VI has a bit of a bum rep. It was a Japan only release on the Super Famicom where it went on to sell millions, and was a tremendous cultural hit. For some reason fans these days consider it one of the worst installments. I wholeheartedly disagree with this assessment. Dragon Quest VI is amazing. The Nintendo DS remake re-creates the experience in a dual screen 3D set up using an engine similar to that of VII on the PS1. The game uses the classic Dragon Quest battle system, incorporates the age old job mechanics, and features a lot of interesting characters that join your quest. The main gimmick here is that there is both a light and a dark world. You move between the two by jumping into wells strategically located in various towns in this world.
#5. – Pokemon HeartGold / SoulSilver
Nintendo made it quite clear that the Pokemon remakes weren’t stopping with Fire Red and Leaf Green on the GBA. Gold and Silver are among the most popular versions of the classic game. There was something truly magical about these titles. Nintendo re-created the magic with the Nintendo DS versions. The graphics were updated to more closely resemble the fourth generation titles (but with a few upgrades) and all of the content was meticulously re-created. These games are easily the best way to experience the original journey through the world of Johto. What’s more is that Game Freak went the extra mile. They fleshed out the post game content by making Kanto larger and more explorable. This is an amazing game, and quite possibly the best Pokemon remake to date.
#4. – Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon
The original Rune Factory was a great game. It blended the farming mechanics of Harvest Moon with brand new action RPG elements. The only issue I had was that progression was a little unfocused. The narrative just wasn’t that interesting. Rune Factory 2 completely fixes this issue. The structure has been altered by taking advantage of a generation mechanic. Basically you play through the first part of the game until you get married (to one of several different ladies). Once you have a child the narrative shifts to focus on them, and that’s when the main quest really opens up. There’s a ton of replay value here because the choices you make greatly alter the scenario. Rune Factory 2 is still to this day the best installment in the series with solid farming mechanics, fun crafting, and a functional and rewarding battle system.
#3. – Chrono Trigger
Up until this point the only options we had to play Chrono Trigger was the original SNES release and technically ruined PS1 port. This Nintendo DS version was unexpected but very welcome. Chrono Trigger is an RPG with a fantastic story based around time travel. You play as a rag tag group of youths who team up to stop the end of the world at the hands of an alien creature called Lavos. The battle system, with it’s combine attacks and fast pace, is still incredible to this day. Even the amazing soundtrack is perfectly re-created here. What’s more is that there are bonuses included. The second screen on the hardware is used to show maps/menus which is surprisingly helpful. In addition there’s a lot of new content that fits the game well. Even the PS1 FMV sequences are included here.
#2. – Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen
This was the first (and best) Dragon Quest remake to hit the Nintendo DS. From what I gather it’s actually based on the PS1 version which was never localized. The game uses 3D backgrounds with sprite based characters. It looks amazing on this screen. Dragon Quest IV is a departure from the other sequels in the series because it focuses on a variety of different groups that come together in the final chapter. It’s a diverse group and their quests offer a lot of variety to the narrative and even gameplay. This one gets such high marks because it’s one of the most perfectly balanced Dragon Quest games. It doesn’t hold your hand, but the tools to push forward are always at your disposal. You just have to experiment with what you’re given. The characters are also some of the most memorable in the franchise, and the story is charming.
#1. – Pokemon Platinum
I didn’t include Pokemon Diamond and Pearl on this list because, frankly, Platinum blows them out of the water. It was the third release of the fourth generation of Pokemon titles, and it fixed a majority of issues from which the original titles suffered. For one thing the battle system has been sped up. That alone is a game changer. Additionally the Pokemon you encounter in this version are more balanced even though it’s simply a mix of what was available in its predecessors. Pokemon Platinum is good old fashion monster collecting and battling. You navigate the world of Sinnoh collecting a set of new Pokemon (and old ones too) training to become the very best. One thing I always loved about this generation was the new evolutions that it added to classic creatures. These are among my favorite critters in the series.
Discover more from Infinity Retro
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
