The 31 Best DS Games (Page 2 of 4)
- August 13, 2008 11:01 AM PST
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Why It's Great: While previous handheld Metroid titles delivered console-quality 2D adventures, Nintendo took a real risk adapting the Metroid Prime series to the DS. Thankfully, the company succeeded. The game is one of the nicest-looking DS titles, and the gameplay emulates its GameCube predecessors quite ably. It's more about one-on-one encounters with other "hunters" than the puzzles from previous Primes, but the fast-paced action fits the DS better. Also a good fit; voice-enabled online play, which no other Nintendo title--console or portable--supports.
Why It's Great: Castlevania games on handheld consoles each have the difficult task of living up to their predecessors. Portrait of Ruin proved to be another DS success with all the things that veteran vampire killers love -- memorable bosses, intricate 2D environments, chilling music, and more. Even if the art style made series snobs turn up their noses, the tag team combat system was second to none.
Why It's Great: Fans everywhere cocked their heads in confusion when Hideo Kojima announced Lunar Knights, a unique sci-fi RPG for the DS. The Metal Gear creator didn't disappoint, however, as he weaved an intriguing gothic tale, requiring the player to use every device on the DS. Players could create hurricanes by blowing into the microphone, spin up tornados with the stylus, and even engaged the vampiric protagonist with a dangerous, yet amazingly innovative real-time weather system. Say what you will about Kojima, but there's no denying his creativity.
#20: Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Why It's Great: The third installment in the wildly popular Final Fantasy Tactics series brought us back to the land of Ivalice. While A2 didn't have the deepest story in the franchise, it definitely had the fun gameplay and addictive battles that made the original Final Fantasy Tactics great. Add in over 400 freelance missions and side-quests and you're all but guaranteed to spend plenty of time on the grid-based battlefield.
Why It's Great: Taking full advantage of the DS touch screen, Planet Puzzle League was a colorful, fast-paced blast. Using the stylus, the player would slide colored panels across the screen, matching colors ala Tetris and creating combos. With simplistic, addictive gameplay, Planet Puzzle League may not have been the most innovative title, but damn if it wasn't a blast to play!
Why It's Great: Unfortunately, Hotel Dusk didn't get the recognition it deserved. Not many games have a story that's as intriguing and deep as the mystery that surrounded sleuth Kyle Hyde and the motley crew of tenants in Hotel Dusk. Whether you were dusting for fingerprints, solving puzzles, or picking locks, this title got innovative by using every bit of DS functionality that was possible.
Why It's Great: SEGA's ridiculous habit of mascot murder thankfully didn't rear its ugly head in this Sonic game. Sonic Rush was thankfully separated from the lackluster titles that preceeded (and followed) it with one thing -- SPEED. As if the tricky task of making dual-screen comprehensive levels wasn't enough, the Sonic Team went beyond our expectations with classic-style boss battles, an addictive trick system, and one hell of a soundtrack.
Why It's Great: Contra 3 came out in 1992. The following 15 years were filled with titles that couldn't quite live up to true sequel status, be it awful 3D titles or slightly underachieving attempts to recall the older series with 2.5D gameplay. Finally, Konami realized that gamers simply wanted more of the same sprite-based 2D action onslaught they'd experienced on the NES and SNES. Contra 4 gave it to them with twice the battleground, filling both screens with enemies presenting double the difficulty.
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- Aug 12 2008 at 05:55:35:PM PST
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so whats up with GP popping up with handhelds? Sure it's portable but it rarely gives out AAA ratings and what not.
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The only game I have for my DS is Phantom Hourglass, this list showed me that I definately need to get more.
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