Ten DS Titles Every 3DS Gamer Should Own

Many 3DS owners would have previously owned a DS, which in its time, grew a huge library filled with fantastic video games. The 3DS’ backwards compatibility means you’ve got access to this fantastic catalogue of games!

But which titles deserve a place in your collection?

10. Super Mario 64 DS

The premier launch title for the DS actually plays better on the 3DS due to the inclusion of the circle pad. Mario 64 DS is an enhanced remake of the Nintendo 64 classic, which includes extra playable characters, extra stars to collect and a library of mini games. Whether you’ve played the original or not, this title is worth getting even if Mario 3D Land is on your wish list.

9. Elite Beat Agents

The music game fad may have passed, but if you search amongst all the Rock Bands and Guitar Heroes, you’ll find something quite special in the form of Elite Beat Agents. Each stage is presented in a comic book style, and the game is played by tapping, following and spinning your stylus over the icons that appear on the bottom screen. For such a simple concept, it sure is a lot of fun, and one that many gamers overlooked.

8. Shantae: Risky’s Revenge

Out of all the games on this list, Shantae: Risky’s Revenge is the easiest to acquire. Shantae received numerous awards and praise at its release, and for good reason. Its Metroid style of gameplay and intuitive combat system, along with lovable characters, really make this game come alive. Standing tall as the best (and most expensive) DSiware game, this is an experience you should not miss out on.

7. Professor Layton and the Curious Village

The first in the popular Professor Layton series is, if not the outright best, Curious Village is definitely the best place to start with the series. It successfully combines both the puzzle and the adventure genre, and created a truly immersive game. You go through the game playing as the titular professor with his sidekick, Luke Triton, solving various puzzles which guide you through the story. I won’t spoil anything more, just get this game!

6. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

If I thought it was appropriate, I’d put all three Castlevania games on this list. As it stands, this is the best of the DS Castlevanias, and one of the best in the whole series. Like Shantae: Risky’s Revenge, this is a Metroid-esque open world where you have free roam around an entire castle; this has been a staple of the series since Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. In this particular outing, you play as Soma Cruz, and for once, don’t come up against Dracula. The role-playing element is another great feature, making this is a must-have DS title.

5. Advance Wars: Dual Strike

After being introduced to the Advance Wars series on the Gameboy Advance, I was desperate for more. The strategy game is in a similar vein to Fire Emblem, but in modern day and without the RPG elements. You have different commanders, which boost certain units, and you have to use your tactical prowess to outsmart the enemy on many different maps. It takes a few minutes to learn, but a damn long time to master it. Of the two Advance Wars games available on the DS, this is by far the better one.

4. Pokémon: Heart Gold & Soul Silver

Everyone saw this coming; of course a Pokémon game was going to be in this list. The DS saw three distinct Pokémon titles and one slight expansion, but of these, Heart Gold & Soul Silver were the best. While the others where great, Diamond and Pearl’s design were lazy, and I have a suspicion we may get Pokémon Grey on the 3DS, making Black and White outdated. Heart Gold and Soul Silver were fantastic remakes of the classic Game Boy games which added the best features of the new games. If you decide not to get Heart Gold, at least get another of the Pokémon games.

3. Mario and Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story

A disease known as “The Blorbs” is spreading across Mushroom Kingdom. You play not only the famous plumber duo, but as Bowser in order to get to the bottom of it. With an engaging story, a fantastic battle system, and an intuitive way to develop your characters, this is one Mario RPG you do not want to miss, and which should tide you over until Paper Mario 3DS.

2. Grand Theft Auto: China Town Wars

What can I say about the Grand Theft Auto series that hasn’t already been said? Free-roaming a city and committing crimes may seem immoral in real life, but such things are necessary if you want to enjoy this game to its fullest. It’s played from a 2D birds-eye view, but that doesn’t take much away from this game. If you want a “mature” experience on your 3DS, this is worth your time and money.

1. Chrono Trigger

How could I choose a port of a game as the number one pick? Simply put, Chrono trigger may be the best RPG ever created, and despite originally being for the SNES, it really hasn’t aged apart from perhaps the graphics. It provides amazing, vivid worlds to explore through time travel, and a battle system that has been copied again and again. There is too much to say about this game, so I will summarise: buy it now; you will not regret it.

There are of course more than ten great DS games; titles such as Mario Kart DS and Animal Crossing: Wild World were omitted because they are receiving 3DS sequels. But I’d like to give special mentions to New Super Mario Bros., The Legend Of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Final Fantasy IV and Golden Sun: Dark Dawn. These games just missed out on a place in the chart for whatever reason, but if you have the cash to spend then I wouldn’t hesitate to add them to your library.