5 Best Nintendo DS Games Of All Time, Ranked

Launching in 2004, the Nintendo DS provided players with an innovative way to play games on the go. True to its titular acronym, the handheld console featured a dual screen display, with the bottom screen offering touchscreen functionality. It also provided WiFi connectivity as Nintendo branched further into the realm of online multiplayer experiences. The DS became the best-selling Nintendo console in its history and would hold onto the top spot until it was finally surpassed by the Switch in 2026.

This commercial success was bolstered by some of the greatest games that Nintendo has ever produced. Many of Nintendo's marquee franchises received original titles on the DS, and some of the company's strongest third-party partners also published well-received games for the handheld juggernaut. As is the case with every console, there are some titles that tower above the rest. These are the five best Nintendo DS games of all time, ranked.

The fifth generation of Pokémon games debuted on the Nintendo DS with "Pokémon Black & White," two complementary games released simultaneously in 2010. The game introduces the Unova region, which is modeled after New York City as opposed to the Japanese-inspired regions for previous generational titles. As players collect the 156 new Pokémon debuting in this generation, divided across both titles, they contend with the crime syndicate Team Plasma. The game introduces a seasonal time cycle to the world, as well as rotational and triple battles in addition to the traditional one-on-one skirmishes.

Many of the best Pokémon games of all time were released for the Nintendo DS, including "Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen" and "Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver." What makes "Black & White" stand out, compared to those other titles, is that it's a wholly original game instead of a remake of existing titles. The mechanics and features added to the franchise with this fifth generation, including the region of Unova, does feel like the start of an exciting new era. While the Pokémon remakes on the DS are excellent, "Black & White" gives fans an expansive frontier and fresh territory to explore.

The 2003 Game Boy Advance title "Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow" got a direct sequel on the DS with 2005's "Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow." The game continues the story of Soma Cruz, the 21st century reincarnation of Dracula who rejects his evil heritage while studying abroad in Japan. The sequel has Soma targeted by a cult looking to resurrect Dracula by freeing the vampire lord's soul from the young man in a facsimile of Dracula's castle. Soma has the ability to absorb defeated enemies' souls, augmenting his powers as he investigates the castle with his allies.

"Dawn of Sorrow" improves upon the soul absorption mechanics introduced in "Aria of Sorrow" while providing a superior sequel to players. The story doubles down on the game's unique place in the "Castlevania" timeline, organically carrying Soma and his friends' character arcs forward in the face of a new threat. The game also uses the touchscreen and dual screen mechanics and layouts well, in a way that doesn't feel forced or gimmicky. Ranking highly among the best "Castlevania" games, "Dawn of Sorrow" is fondly remembered as a game that took the hack-and-slash franchise to new levels.

10 years after the "Super Mario" franchise made the leap to 3D gameplay with 1996's "Super Mario 64," Nintendo took things back to basics with "New Super Mario Bros." The game returns to the side-scrolling platforming that first endeared the series to millions, albeit with modern enhancements to keep the experience from feeling dated. The game retains the classic narrative of Mario and Luigi traveling across the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. The brothers get their usual power-ups along with a variety of new ones, and some of the gameplay mechanics introduced in the 3D installments — such as wall jumps and ground pounds — make their 2D debuts.

The truth about "Super Mario" is the franchise's 2D titles tend to age much better than its forays into 3D. This is especially true of "New Super Mario Bros.," which led to Nintendo making more 2D titles in this subseries for other platforms. The developers identified and retained what made the classic games work so well while expertly refining and expanding upon the experience. Returning to the franchise's roots, "New Super Mario Bros." found a fresh way to enjoy familiar gameplay for a new generation. It was a triumph for Nintendo and is undoubtedly one of the best DS games ever made.

Nintendo has been making turn-based modern warfare strategy games since "Famicom Wars" in 1988, which got several sequels. A sub-series began with "Advance Wars" in 2001 for the Game Boy Advance, and it moved to the Nintendo DS with 2005's "Advance Wars: Dual Strike," continuing the story from the preceding GBA titles. The main campaign mode has a resurgent Black Hole Army, led by a new commander, attack the Allied Nations, stealing resources to create a devastating bio-weapon. The game retains a versus mode, but also introduces a combat mode with real-time gameplay and online multiplayer functionality.

A dual screen display with touchscreen capabilities provided the perfect way to enjoy the "Advance Wars" series. Some of the newer features and mechanics, including its combat mode, are a bit awkward in execution, but the game wasn't playing things safe and was commended for that. Most of the commanding officers from the preceding games returned, but brand new ones (and whole new units) were also added. And, crucially, the gameplay remained as fun as ever. "Advance Wars: Dual Strike" took full advantage of the DS hardware to create something truly special.

2001's "Mario Kart: Super Circuit" for the Game Boy Advance sold well, but the reception was mixed — while most critics raved about it, the game doesn't have a sterling reputation among players. Nintendo set out to please everybody with 2005's "Mario Kart DS," and it succeeded — it was so good that it was able to compete with its home console counterparts. The game features 12 playable characters (four of which need to be unlocked) and boasts an impressive 32 tracks. The title is also the first in the series to feature online multiplayer functionality, continuing Nintendo's expansion into online gameplay.

Without sacrificing any of the high-octane gameplay fans had come to love from the series, "Mario Kart DS" set the direction for the Nintendo series moving forward. The game introduced some imaginatively designed fresh tracks alongside some classic returning courses, with a 50/50 split between old and new. And, with five different single-player game modes available, the game offered longevity. Perfect to pick up and play on the go, "Mario Kart DS" proved that handheld entries in the series could be every inch as entertaining as home console titles. Check out SVG's ranking of every "Mario Kart" game to see how it stands up against the franchise's big hitters.