Actually, I think I'd have a far easier time selecting and writing about a favorite candy than I would settling on 10 titles I consider to be my all-time favorite examples of the DS' wonderfully varied game catalog.
As such, you may want to take the following list with a giant grain of salt--or, rather, you may want to read it knowing that if I were to update this post tomorrow, and the next day, too, and then again the day after that, each iteration likely would include a few unique entries.
For this exact moment in time, though, I can somewhat confidently state that the games discussed below are 10 of my favorites for the now-10-year-old Nintendo DS system.
Daigasso! Band Brothers--You know how I mentioned in last Friday's post that I wasn't all that impressed with the early-2004 reveal of the DS? The one part of Nintendo's DS reveal that did impress me was this game. Sadly, it never made it to our shores, so I wasn't able to experience it until a good couple of years after its Japanese release. Was it worth the wait? I sure think so. Mind you, it's a very basic rhythm game--although calling it a "music" game may be more accurate. Regardless, I think Daigasso! Band Brothers' simplicity is a big part of why I enjoy it as much as I do.
Dragon Quest IX--I was pretty sure I was going to like this one before I ever got my hands on a copy of it. It just looked like something I would enjoy, if that makes sense. And you know what? Not only did I enjoy it, but I fell in love with it and played it until I'd wrung every last ounce of enjoyment out of it. (I believe I put just over 80 hours into it before calling it a day, but don't quote me on that.) I know some folks who are long-time fans of the series were a bit disappointed by this entry, but it captivated me completely with its engaging battles and touching storylines.
Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime--Do you want to know why I ignored Rocket Slime, a game that's been called a classic from one end of the Internet to the other (whatever that means), until a couple of years ago? Because I didn't like how it looked, for starters. Also, I didn't much like the idea of its gameplay. I guess I wanted it to be a more traditional RPG, a la its "mainline" namesakes. Boy, was I an idiot. I know I suggested earlier that it would be impossible for me to set aside a single DS game as being my absolute favorite, but if I were forced to engage in that kind of tomfoolery, it's quite likely Rocket Slime would be one of the top contenders for that title.
Etrian Odyssey--I was a late comer to this DS title, too, although that had nothing to do with me initially finding it unappealing in any way. Instead, it had to do with the fact that for some time new copies of it were pretty pricey. It finally got a reprint a couple of years ago, though, which caused prices to drop to far more acceptable levels, and that's when I jumped on board. It quickly earned both my admiration and respect thanks to its demanding gameplay and delectable soundtrack.
Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light--If I were forced to pick a favorite between this game and Dragon Quest IX, I'm honestly not sure which one I'd go with in the end. That said, I prefer most what's found in The 4 Heroes of Light--battles, graphics, overall art style, story, soundtrack (this last one's kind of a toss up, admittedly), chief among them--to the same elements that are showcased in Dragon Quest IX. Two noteworthy exceptions: the latter title's optional quests and visible-from-the-overworld enemies. So, I guess you could say I consider both games to be standouts in one way or another.
Kirby: Canvas Curse--Full disclosure: I wasn't all that enamored with this game after I first bought and played it. Oh, I liked the idea of it, no question about that, but I had a hard time wrapping my noggin around its stylus-centric gameplay. I of course came around to it eventually, though, and now I very much appreciate that its developers decided to go out on a limb and provide DS owners with a Kirby game that strayed from the series' tried-and-true formula.
Professor Layton and the Curious Village--I'm sure some will pooh-pooh my decision to include this game here, but the fact is, although the series has since become a bit stale (in my opinion, of course), there's little denying it was a fascinating blend of brain-busting puzzles and winsome storytelling when it first burst onto the scene back in 2008. Fun fact: of the five Professor Layton games currently in my collection, Curious Village is the only one I've actually finished.
Retro Game Challenge--How good is this game--assuming, of course, you geek out over old arcade and console games as I tend to do? It's so good that I can call it one of my favorites for the DS even though I've yet to experience all it has to offer. (Don't worry, I'm going to rectify that early next year.) Anyway, the retro-tastic mini-games included on this DS cart are so spot-on that I, like most folks who have spent any amount of time with Retro Game Challenge, can't help but despair that its 2009 sequel never earned an official English localization.
Rhythm Heaven--For me to call this one of my favorite DS games is no small feat. After all, I absolutely adored the GameBoy Advance original--to the point where I was pretty sure this follow-up was going to be a letdown of epic proportions. Thankfully, I was quickly proven wrong. Do a few of its mini-games suffer due to the touch controls? Sure, although not in any sort of game-breaking way--or at least that hasn't been the case for me. Plus, the grin-inducing art style and head-bopping tunes should be enough to entice even folks who consider the gameplay subpar to stick with it for a good while.
The World Ends With You--Sigh. Where has the Square Enix that produced this lovely adventure gone? Given its current output, it seems doubtful the company's head honchos will ever again green-light a game that's as packed with creativity as this one is. Which is a shame, as The World Ends With You was one of the first titles that proved to me that DS games (RPGs, especially) could offer up unique experiences that couldn't be accomplished anywhere else.
Note: another reason to not take my comments above as gospel--there are a ton of seemingly or supposedly stellar DS games I either have yet to play or haven't played enough of to include here, such as 999, Contact, Elite Beat Agents, Hotel Dusk, Nanashi no Game, Ni no Kuni and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.
28 comments:
The DS sure has some tempting games but I'd better not get yet another new system this year. Luckily, next year is just around the corner! :P
I really think you *have* to get a DS at some point, Simon--or even a 3DS, as that can play DS games, too. In fact, that's probably your best bet at this point, but I don't know if you want to go that route...
I wish Square Enix would remake Dragon Quest IX for 3DS. It cries out for full Street Pass support.
Awesome selection of games! I never realized it at the time, but the DS really has a super vast library (many of which I could consider "favorites"). That's not something I feel to be the case with 3DS yet, but again maybe that's just a realization that will come with time.
Don't say that, Terry! If the brass at SE read this, that's what they'll give us instead of DQ XI :| Oh, who am I kidding? We're not getting DQ XI on 3DS, are we?
Oh, yes, Marcus, the DS has a really great and varied library of games. I don't think the 3DS is ever going to match it in terms of variety, but I do think it's matching the DS' output of top-tier games.
Probably everywhere...and not in streaming form....I hope :)
Good taste Bryan, good taste indeed.
But man oh man these "top ten" lists must be hard. Can't for the life of me make such a list...everything becomes something I can appreciate and love. Or I just forget the ones that are bad.
All of these are really great! A few I haven't played (Four Heroes of Light, Retro Game Challenge, and Etrian Odyssey), but nonetheless tantalizing. I'm also here to boost Contact and Hotel Dusk, two wonderful DS games that I'll never get over.. Also glad as always to see some more DQ love. Also also: really wish that we got the DS version of Ni no Kuni with the book!! I'm still real peeved about that! I have the PS3 version and have enjoyed the new battle system, graphics and whatnot (I believe the DS one was more of a traditional turn-based system, right?), but man I would have killed for a portable game/book combo. That Japanese Christmas commercial of a little girl and her mom playing by the tree/fireplace in the snow still fricks me up.
Hey there, Zach! Oh, if you like DQ and RPGs in general, I really do think you should pick up 4 Heroes of Light eventually. It's a really special game, IMO.
I also wish we got Ni no Kuni for DS, of course. I mean, it's great that we got the PS3 version, but the DS version is the one I really want to play.
As for Contact and Hotel Dusk: I'll be playing more of both of them sooner rather than later, I can assure you!
Yes, Multiplatform. I'm ready to bet my hat on it :)
Just Hoping S-E do the hard thing and make sure it can run natively on all platforms they release for. The streaming of DQX to 3DS was not good :(
Yes I saw that...I blame the fact that I actually forgot while reading the rest and trying once again to find Rocket Slime in mint condition. Or I'm just getting absent minded :)
Wait. Wait. Stop the presses.
Okay, now go play Elite Beat Agents. I'll wait here...
Yeah, I know, Justin. I do have a copy of the game, but I've barely touched it so far. Same with 999 and Hotel Dusk :|
Oh, see, I think $50 or so for a new copy of Rocket Slime seems about right at this point. I mean, that can't be a whole lot more than what the game cost when it was first released!
Thing is that is $80 and that is without shipping fees. And chuckles at that checked eBay again now. See one for $55 with Shipping and import fees. Not new but looks really nice on the pics. :)
Thanks for reminding me of RS. Now I can finally play it again.
Yeah, I realized that (that £50 is quite a bit more than $50) right after I hit "post." Maybe you just need to look for used copies that aren't in such great condition? Either way, though, I hope you get your hands on a(nother?) copy of this game soon!
Or even Ouendan, the game that started it all ;) I actually imported it cos everyone was raving about it.
I missed out on 4 Heroes of Light (but in a way I'm glad I did, Bravely Default is much better hehe).
The World Ends With You is a fantastic game! I really do hope a sequel comes, but I don't think that's likely.
Sadly DQ9 has turned me off the series completely! I was fine with the game at first, but after three quarters of the way through it I was feeling grinding fatigue. Then when the game tells me to go to the final tower where the final boss lives, I just gave up.
Kirby's Canvas Curse was one of the first few games I got for the DS :) Though Mario 64 was the first game I got.
I think my ultimate favourite was probably Final Fantasy Tactics A2. The art style and graphics were well done, but the music just blew me away. Of course Final Fantasy has some of the best music, but what I mean is the high quality sound instead of MIDI type music. It seemed like they used MP3 or OGG format to store the music.
Some other mentions: the Castlevania games, Yoshi Touch & Go, Project Rub (the first and sequel), Electroplankton, Radiant Historia
Yep, it and its sequel have been on my "to buy" list for ages, Igor XD
Wait, Igor, how do you know Bravely Default is better than 4HoL if you've never played 4HoL?
I certainly wouldn't say that BD is better than 4HoL myself. I would say BD is better in some areas and 4HoL is better in others--and both games are great overall.
I, too, wish SE would release a sequel to TWEWY, but I also think it's unlikely at this point. And even if they do give us one, it'll probably be for iOS or something XD
I'm so sad to hear that you didn't like DQ9! I absolutely loved it :| Oh, well, at least you also liked Canvas Curse.
BTW, I will be buying a copy of FFTA2 shortly, and mostly because you've recommended it so many times! So, hopefully I'll be able to let you know sometime next year what I think of it :)
The same is true of Yoshi's Touch & GO. I finally got a copy of the JP version a few months ago, but of course I've yet to play it. Soon!
Finally, I too like/love Electroplankton, but I don't think I like it enough to include it in a list like this. Mainly because I "respect" it more than "enjoy" it, if that makes sense...
Sure I haven't played 4 heroes of Light, but from what I've learnt about it it has parallels. But I am afraid to touch it as I've also heard it is quite tough and grindy and that combo will irritate me haha
On TWEWY I found SE's reveal disingenous with regards to the iOS reveal for the game. I thought it would be a new game, not a port :( But I do hope a future sequel comes to 3DS or something.
On FFTA2 while it's story is fairly light, for me I found the game play elements and how it all worked was just perfect. Not to mention that intro sequence of getting sucked into the book always gives me goosebumps LOL
And yea Elektroplankton isn't really a game as such, just an experiment/experience and neat thing to own.
On Kirby canvas, will be interesting to see how the Wii U sequel will play.
DQ9: yeah that game really got to me towards the end LOL I've played some of the others in the series too. But after the excessive grinding (especially when you switch jobs, ugh!!!!) I just couldn't take it anymore.
Yes, there definitely are parallels between BD and 4HoL. And, yes, 4HoL cam be tough and grindy--but so can BD, if you ask me!
As for FFTA2, it certainly doesn't bother me that the game is supposed to have a "light" story. In fact, that sounds rather appealing right about now :)
On BD, I think because I enjoyed the characters and settings I was more forgiving of the grindiness hehe
On FFTA2: I kinda wished there was more to the story, but as I said I enjoyed the other aspects very much and it didn't really bother me.
Plus, in BD's case, you can change the battle "rate" whenever you like, which is really nice.
As for FFTA2, I'll def. let you know what I think of it after I get it!
Hey there, Ken! I have a copy of 999 and have played a smidge of it, but that's all so far. Very much liked what I played, but for whatever reason I walked away from it some time ago and have yet to get back to it. Soon!
You've listed a lot of my favorite DS games as well! Daigasso is such an under appreciated gem. The 3DS sequel was one of the first jp games i picked up for 3DS, but i haven't played it yet due to the weird tomato song-buying. I'm afraid my tomatoes will go bad before i get songs i like... I played it just enough to see the charming opening with my favorite under appreciated Nintendo character, Barbara the Bat.
Canvas Curse was the first big DS game that i actually enjoyed. Zoo Keeper was the first one i liked, but until then it was all pretty awful. Feel the Magic was okay but i hated that one after a 2nd play through.
Etrian remains one of my favorites even though i trudge through the games long enough that several sequels, remakes, and spin-offs have been announced since i finished Etrian 2 in 2012 after starting it when it came out!
As for the Layton games, I don't always like the puzzles, but i love the stories and the characters. I dislike Layton 4 and 2, and love Layton 3, probably my favorite. I think the 5th game, Miracle Mask was the one that had my favorite puzzles, even though they were less creative than those of the earlier games. I'm still making my way through 6, but I'll be surprised if I like it as much as the 3rd and 5th games. The action-puzzles are at least fun, and the graphics and music are both gorgeous. Level 5 really knows how to push a system for all its worth.
Layton vs. Phoenix Wright was a really wonderful crossover too! I think people who like one series or the other might be disappointed, but liking both, it was a treat.
Hey there, finchie!
Yay, another Daigasso fan! Seriously, you never hear anyone talk about how much they like this series, so it's great to hear you say you like it, too. BTW, I've avoided Daigasso P until now because of the issues you've mentioned here. I just don't want to deal with that. Oh, well, I've got both of the Japanese DS games and the Euro version of the second one, so I'm not exactly desperate for more Daigasso action at this point.
I'm glad to hear you're a fan of the 3DS Layton games, as I've been meaning to give the first one (can't remember its name right now) a try for some time now). Uh, maybe early next year?
I also want to give Layton vs. Phoenix Wright a try sometime soon. I've been curious about it since it was first announced, but I just haven't been able to even consider picking it up until now (and even now I have too many other games that interest me more than this one). So, hopefully sometime next year...
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