It's been four full years since the introduction of the Nintendo DS. This dual-screen, touch-screen handheld was a system first received with skepticism when it launched in the US in November of 2004. Over time, it began to prove itself. The dual-screened handheld that had everyone, gamers and developers alike, scratching their heads has become the most popular and most purchased piece of video game hardware.
But it's not on the strength of the hardware alone. The reason why Nintendo's DS has enjoyed its success is that it's been a system supported by strong software. Games that have taken advantage of the opportunity presented by its unique capabilities -- its two screens, touch sensitivity, Wi-Fi connectivity and more -- and turned that potential into real, compelling gameplay. Games that we now seek to recognize.
Over the course of nearly a half decade on the market, there have been several hundred games made for the system. Though there are several dozen games we'd consider truly great Nintendo DS games, only a handful we'd truly consider an absolute classic. And that's what this list is all about: the best of the best. We all have our favorites, but the following 25 games are the most noteworthy, timeless games that absolutely must end up in your collection if you really want the highest quality Nintendo DS library at your disposal.
We will continually revisit this list as high quality games continue to appear on the platform. The following list has been updated as of July 1st, 2009.
25. Tony Hawk's American Sk8land
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Vicarious Visions
Release Date: November 15, 2005
The full feature set of the DS wasn't available on Day 1. It would take another year or so, after November 2004, for the system to really start showing what it could do -- in the area of Wi-Fi Connectivity. And for those players paying attention to the continuing progress being made in the then-already-venerable Tony Hawk's Pro Skater franchise, the realization of the potential of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection came quickly. In November 2005.
That's when Vicarious Visions checked in with its first installment in the series for the DS, a title that was developed with such detail and attention paid to its Wi-Fi capabilities that it served as more of a flagship for the service than Nintendo's own Mario Kart DS, in a way. Tony Hawk's American Sk8land took early-adopting Wi-Fi pioneers on the portable ride of their lives to that point, as they competed head-to-head against rival skaters across the country, or even around the world.
Now remember, for proper context, that Nintendo's anti-online stance was legendary through the '90s and the first half of the current decade. For the Big N to flip its opinion so quickly, and for Activision to be ready, on the spot, with a focused and well-realized online experience right away was truly impressive. And even today, with subsequent sequels having since arrived to take the Tony Hawk DS series in other, different new directions, Sk8land continues to stand out for the impact it made in its original release.
24. Planet Puzzle League
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Release Date: June 4, 2007
Panel de Pon was its name in Japan, and here it was sold as Tetris Attack. Pokemon were added into the mix for editions on the N64 and Game Boy Color, and Dr. Mario was placed alongside for its Game Boy Advance debut. But though its history, its look and its name have changed for every new update it's ever received, Nintendo's classic Puzzle League gameplay has always stayed the same.
Until last year, of course. Planet Puzzle League arrived on the Nintendo DS last summer, and once again remixed the presentation of the design built on the core gameplay of shifting and sliding stacks of tiles around a screen, matching three or more of them, and watching them disappear. But it also altered that core gameplay for the first time ever -- replacing the D-Pad-directed cursor control with direct stylus sliding.
The resulting increased pace of play made this take on Puzzle League even faster and more challenging than ever before, and ensured that it would go down in history as one of the most desirable and dangerously addictive puzzle game designs ever released for the handheld. There are likely still those of you picking up this game every day for a dose of the included Daily Play option -- and if that's you, we commend your dedication and recognize why you've felt compelled to continue visiting this Planet over and over again.
23. Space Invaders Extreme
Publisher: Taito
Developer: Taito
Release Date: June 17, 2008
One of our Top 25 List's most recent releases finds its roots firmly planted in one of gaming's oldest arcade classics -- Space Invaders Extreme is recognized here, at #22, for its brilliance in reviving the alien-blasting arcade design that celebrates its 30th anniversary of release this year.
Taito's classic Space Invaders was simple in its concept -- a swarm of pixilated alien enemies have appeared at the top of the screen, and it's up to you to blast them all out of the sky before their slow and steady downward march brings them into contact with the ground. That's where your tank is placed, fully armed and equipped with the ability to roll left, roll right, and fire straight up.
Space Invaders Extreme takes the same core concept and wildly expands upon it, in both gameplay and presentation -- your tank can now earn upgrades and power-ups, chains and combos of destroyed enemies open up newly-introduced extra challenges, the entire affair is faster than ever before and the lights, colors and sounds that shape the entire experience are enough to send the weak-willed into a catatonic state. It's an excellent update to an excellent classic game design, and Space Invaders Extreme's existence on the DS speaks to the reality that Nintendo's handheld, in addition to hosting a home for new and completely original gameplay concepts, can also just as easily breathe fresh life into the most familiar experience the industry has to offer.
VIA : IGN
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