Known for their groundbreaking inventions, they are particularly recognized for one such creation – the Nintendo DS, a follow-up to their established Game Boy series. This device, featuring a unique dual-screen layout and a lower touch screen, promised immense possibilities.
Many Nintendo DS games truly showcased the console’s distinctive capabilities, earning a reputation for innovation. However, over time, some of these games have lost their charm. Titles such as “Animal Crossing: Wild World” and “Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars,” among others, may not hold up as well today.
Release Date – Nov. 21, 2004
- Developer and Publisher: Nintendo
Super Mario 64 DS is a reimagining of the original Super Mario 64 game for the Nintendo 64, but designed specifically for the Nintendo DS console. The initial Super Mario 64 was groundbreaking and aimed to showcase the capabilities of the Nintendo 64. Similarly, Super Mario 64 DS aimed to highlight the potential of the Nintendo DS, particularly in terms of its graphical prowess. To put it simply, it accomplished this goal quite well.
Although the graphics in Super Mario 64 DS have held up over time, its gameplay hasn’t kept pace. In this game, players initially control Yoshi with the objective of rescuing Mario, Luigi, and Wario, each possessing unique skills. However, it seems that Mario could manage most of what Luigi and Wario perform, making their presence appear more like unnecessary additions. This is particularly evident due to the significant time required to unlock them all.
Release Date – June 13, 2005
- Developer and Publisher: HAL Laboratory and Nintendo
Kirby: Canvas Curse is an action-packed platform game designed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo. It’s actually the eighth spin-off in the Kirby series, but it might not seem so at first glance because instead of using a traditional D-pad, you control Kirby using the touchscreen on the Nintendo DS.
This unique feature might have offered an appealing change from typical Kirby games due to its potential for brighter and more varied experiences. Nevertheless, the touchscreen mechanic in Kirby: Canvas Curse can create frustrating challenges in certain sections, excessively increasing the game’s difficulty level. As a result, it leaves players with a sense of intrigue tinged with disappointment rather than a lasting positive impact.
Release Date – Oct. 1, 2007
- Developer and Publisher: Nintendo
Phantom Hourglass” is an action-adventure video game where you play as Link, who uses a special item called the Phantom Hourglass, which works like the Ocarina of Time but controls time instead. The main feature of this game involves using the hourglass to adjust time, reviving specific locations and solving riddles and obstacles along the way.
The problem with Phantom Hourglass lies in its complexity, making it overly complicated and challenging for players, which ultimately detracts from its flow and user-friendliness, disappointing fans of such a renowned series.
Release Date – Dec. 5, 2005
- Developer and Publisher: Nintendo
Wild World” is a video game where you live in a virtual world filled with animals, and it’s the second game in this series made for international players.
In Wild World, they introduced a rolling log effect for smooth transitions between large areas, a feature that continues to be a key aspect in subsequent Animal Crossing games. Even with this advancement, it’s intriguing to ponder about what else could have been included in Wild World. The hardware constraints resulted in the omission of several engaging features from the initial Animal Crossing game, which somewhat hampers its appeal when compared to its potential.
Release Date – April 22, 2008
- Developer and Publisher: Jupiter and Square Enix
The World Ends With You is an action role-playing game created by Jupiter and distributed by Square Enix. This game takes place in modern Tokyo, focusing on the bustling district of Shibuya. Over a span of three weeks, you’ll follow the story of Neku and his companions as they engage in a lethal competition known as a Game. Winning this Game could either lead to their demise or potential rebirth.
Though the game is frequently lauded for its distinctive mechanics and aesthetic, it might be given more acclaim than necessary. The narrative can feel sluggish, and the charm of the gameplay can start to diminish following an initial hour.
Release Date – March 17, 2009
- Developer and Publisher: Rockstar Games
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an action-packed adventure game and the sixth portable installment in the Grand Theft Auto series. It tells the story of Huang Lee, a member of the Triad who travels from China to Liberty City to deliver a significant family sword to a local Triad gang. Unfortunately, events take an unexpected turn as he becomes embroiled in a tumultuous quest to retrieve the stolen weapon.
Although Chinatown Wars is frequently commended for its stylish presentation, it isn’t the most engaging portable game in the series. Previous titles such as Liberty City Stories were more technically accomplished on handheld devices and could probably have been accommodated within a Nintendo DS cartridge with some adjustments. In contrast, Chinatown Wars features an isometric viewpoint, lacks voice acting, and seems to take a step back in certain essential aspects.
Release Date – April 16, 2006
- Developer and Publisher: Nintendo
The game titled “Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!” – also known as “Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training: How Old is Your Brain?” in Europe and Oceania – is an engaging educational puzzle game created and distributed by Nintendo for the DS. Its main purpose is to evaluate the player’s mental agility through various puzzles, ultimately assigning them a “brain age” based on their performance.
Initially, Brain Age was quite impressive when it first came out, even being included with the Nintendo DSi system software. However, over time, it seems less like a sophisticated brain-training tool and more like a casual Facebook game people might share for likes or attention. The user experience is also compromised by puzzles that can be easily mishandled due to the game’s unreliable text recognition.
Release Date – Oct. 4, 2005
- Developer and Publisher: Konami
In the continuation of the established horror-themed action-adventure series, “Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow” is an action RPG produced and released by Konami. This game serves as a direct sequel to “Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow,” set one year afterwards, where the character Soma Cruz, now possessing Dracula’s powers, fights against a perilous cult.
In the gaming world, stepping back into Dawn of Sorrow on the Nintendo DS feels a bit like returning to an old friend who’s grown up but hasn’t quite found their stride yet. Over time, I’ve noticed a few rough edges that make revisiting this Castlevania title less enjoyable compared to its siblings in the series.
The visual design, for one, lacks the vibrancy and creativity I’d expect from a Castlevania game. This bleeds into forgettable boss battles and a cast of characters that don’t leave much of an impression.
Release Date – Sept. 16, 2008
- Developer and Publisher: Square Enix
Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen is a role-playing game that is a remake for the Nintendo DS of the original title from the NES. This version includes many of the features found in the 2001 PlayStation 1 remake, which was not released outside of Japan. The narrative focuses on a group led by several of the world’s most sacred dragon slayers as they band together to confront a growing danger.
Although the remake of Dragon Quest IV brings back fond memories, it doesn’t address all the issues present in the original game. The DS version introduces a sixth chapter, yet this extra chapter fails to compensate for the mediocre combat system or subpar boss battles. Other games within the Dragon Quest series offer more compelling experiences that are worth revisiting.
Release Date – Nov. 25, 2008
- Developer and Publisher: Tose and Square Enix
Chrono Trigger” is a role-playing game, a revamped edition of the original SNES hit famously known as “Chrono Trigger DS“. The remake maintains the original narrative, where the protagonist Crono, a silent hero, and his team journey through time to avert the apocalypse. Although the game remains a timeless classic, the DS version falls short in certain aspects.
Essentially, there wasn’t much need for Chrono Trigger to make its way onto the DS, primarily because it was essentially the same game as the original SNES version, with only a couple of extra storylines that didn’t significantly alter the main narrative. In essence, if something isn’t broken, there’s no need to mend it.
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2025-05-05 05:38