The Nintendo DS is the most successful portable gaming console in history. It is no secret that it has the most impressive library in sheer quantity and quality of games. At its peak, the Nintendo DS was the go-to system for JRPG developers.
Here are the top 15 RPGs on the Nintendo DS.
1. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story
The Mario & Luigi RPG series is an RPG that differentiates itself from all the save-the-world somber narratives of RPGs led by brooding and skinny leads. The gentleness of the series in terms of narrative and gameplay makes it a must-play not just for RPG vets but especially for newcomers.
As the title suggests, this latest installment in the series tells its story from inside Bowser. Lord Fawful, the English-speaking maniac from Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, has returned as the main antagonist of the story, tricking Bowser into sucking Mario, Luigi, Peach, and many other Mushroom Kingdom dwellers into his own body. What follows is an Osmosis Jones-style adventure in which Bowser and the Mario Bros. team up to fight Fawful and save both the Mushroom Kingdom and the Koopa Kingdom from Fawful’s evil clutches.
Players will be able to manage not only the Mario Brothers as they attempt to escape Bowser’s digestive system, but also the King of Koopas himself. Old fans of the series will easily pick up the gameplay of Mario and Luigi because it is nearly identical to the previous installments. The brothers may increase attack power and perform counterattacks with well-timed button inputs, making the turn-based bouts more fascinating than usual. It’s entertaining, though rather repetitive, gameplay that makes the grind of turn-based battle a little more fascinating.
- Developer: AlphaDream
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: September 15, 2009
- Platform: Nintendo DS
2. Radiant Historia
Radiant Historia may look, sound, and feel like old-school SNES JRPGs. However, it is a totally modern game (at the time of its release) with some ingenious twists on its quests.
Those who grew up playing the Super Nintendo will enjoy this RPG. It’s like a cross between Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy Tactics. The enjoyable battle system and strong political intrigue in its narrative are up there with the aforementioned titles. The smart, time-bending gameplay, on the other hand, is Radiant Historia’s innovation.
You control the archetypal tough-guy mercenary Stocke and immediately you are faced with a major life decision: Should he stick with the mentor who taught him everything or resign to join his best friend’s platoon? At this point, his life splits into two parallel timelines, each one following the outcomes of the two choices.
- Developer: Atlus / Headlock
- Publisher: Atlus USA
- Release Date: February 22, 2011
- Platform: Nintendo DS
3. Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals
Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals is the re-release of Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistrals on the DS. But it is not a straight-up port, it is more of a remake that includes gameplay changes as well as its graphics.
The story is still the same, as you follow the adventure of Maxim. The world is being threatened by the four sinistral, and only Maxim can stop them. He will have to recruit five teammates with different sets of abilities to help him in his quest.
The incredibly significant change in the DS version from the original SNES is the changing of the combat from turn-based to hack-and-slash. Essentially, it transformed Lufia II from a turn-based JRPG into an action RPG.
During battles, players can control one character but can switch it up at willl, think of how Final Fantasy 7 Remastered plays as they are similar. It also has quality-of-life improvements like checkpoints, the option to reset puzzles, and an increase in stats when the party is defeated.
Lufia: The Sinistral Curse is a lovely, gorgeous, and welcoming game that dares to be unique while owing tribute to the original. It will be a welcome addition to the collections of both its admirers and action-RPG aficionados.
- Developer: Neverland / Square Enix
- Publisher: Natsume
- Release Date: October 12, 2010
- Platform: Nintendo DS
4. Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
If you’re looking for the archetypal made turn-based RPG for the DS, Dragon Quest IX: Sentinel of the Starry Skies is the game to play. Arguably, Dragon Quest is the game that laid down the foundation for the JRPGs to follow: elemental dungeons, world map and cities and towns, constant upgrades of armor and items, and random encounters.
Speaking of random encounters, Dragon Quest IX: Sentinel of the Starry Skies has enemies running around the world map and dungeons, ala Chrono Trigger, so you can effectively evade combat.
One of the main attractions of Dragon Quest IX: Sentinel of the Starry Skies is its production value. It has to be the best-looking DS game. Seeing your character actually physically equip an item and not just passively add stats without altering the looks is a great touch.
Overall, Dragon Quest IX: Sentinel of the Starry Skies is the type of game that appeals to players looking for a new RPG following the genre convention, one that feels like it was built more than ten years ago but with modern improvements.
- Developer: Square Enix / Level-5
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: July 11, 2010
- Platform: Nintendo DS
5. Pokémon Black 2 and White 2
Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 returns to form and reuse a well-established formula heavily influenced by its direct predecessors. At that point in time, the Nintendo DS is not really a powerful machine, no one expected such a rapid revolution of Pokémon gameplay to introduce drastic improvements and changes. Nevertheless, given the high quality of the prior efforts, honing the established quality is more than enough.
The events of the game take place around a couple of years after those of the previous titles, and while many of the locales have altered slightly in appearance fans of the saga will quickly recognize many familiar locations. There are locations added that are substantially larger than even the bigger cities in the first Pokémon Black and White titles.
The newer and larger areas serve to house all the Pokémon available in the game as these titles have the most extensive regional Pokédex at the time of their release, with roughly 300 monsters spanning all five generations. This provides for significantly more variety in the monsters you encounter, as well as plenty of opportunities to fill your dex without relying on previously saved games from older titles.
- Developer: Game Freak
- Publisher: Nintendo / The Pokémon Company
- Release Date: October 7, 2012
- Platform: Nintendo DS
6. Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy IV, known as Final Fantasy II in the United States, was the first 16-bit edition in SquareSoft’s storied franchise. Final Fantasy titles, as well as other JRPGs, had already established many of the clichés and this game embraces them all.
Yet, Final Fantasy IV still delivers a beautiful tale, with some of the best characters in the Final Fantasy universe, and an epic quest that included just about every emotion a human being could feel. It was a masterpiece, even if this game is merely a cosmetic overhaul of the original, just like Final Fantasy III on the DS before it.
The game’s 3D graphics and character models would be meaningless if Final Fantasy IV wasn’t already a fantastic role-playing game. Final Fantasy IV is packed with iconic characters, dramatic boss battles, and a head-spinning plot, everything now in glorious three dimensions.
- Developer: Matrix Software
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release Date: July 22, 2008
- Platform: Nintendo DS
7. The World Ends With You
The World Ends With You takes the old reliable template from Square Enix’s classic JRPGs, mixes and matches components, and further stir them up. This produces a part Final Fantasy and part Kingdom Hearts wacky gameplay.
The World Ends With You is set in modern-day Tokyo, with your adventure taking place in Shibuya, an overcrowded commercial district. Each section is lively and colorful, including buildings from the real Shibuya. You control Neku, a remnant of the emo subculture in late 2000 as he is a teenager, lonely, has antisocial tendencies, and on top of that, has amnesia. He has no idea who he is or why he is in Shibuya.
The battle system is where the game really shines, and it is inexplicable how brilliant it is. There are no random encounters with foes, but after a cut scene, you are sometimes forced into combat, however, you can typically choose to engage them only when you feel well-equipped and prepared.
The battle system entails you collecting and leveling up various pins that are given to you, purchased, or dropped by a fallen enemy. Each pin has a unique ability, such as the ability to create a path of flames or massive icicles. To begin with, you are only permitted three pins in the fight, but this number rapidly grows as you go. Some pins evolve while others level up.
- Developer: Square Enix / Jupiter
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release Date: April 22, 2008
- Platform: Nintendo DS
8. Golden Sun: Dark Dawn
Golden Sun: Dark Dawn is a fantastic example of Nintendo reinventing a series in the proper direction, and if you liked Camelot’s original titles in this RPG series, playing this game is a no-brainer.
The events of Dark Dawn take place 30 years after the events of the Golden Sun and the Golden Sun: The Lost Age. Players will take on the role of Matthew, Isaac’s son, rather than the silent protagonists Isaac or Felix.
The storyline is completely comprehensible to those who haven’t played the first two games, thanks to an encyclopedia feature that highlights major names and can be clicked on to give a short synopsis, which will update with fresh information as you progress in the game.
- Developer: Camelot Software Planning
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: November 29, 2010
- Platform: Nintendo DS
9. Kingdom Hearts Re:coded
Kingdom Hearts Re: coded is not a mainline title of the beloved series; rather, it is a Nintendo DS version of a Japanese mobile phone title.
While Re: coded borrows significantly from previous Kingdom Hearts games, it has aspects that are far different from the mainline titles upon its release.
Jiminy Cricket’s magical journal developed some problems, hence, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy work together in fixing the book by using a digital version of Sora inside. This digital Sora will find the bugs and return back the book to its pristine condition.
It is worth noting that it is mandatory to play the Kingdom Hearts games that were released prior to Re:coded. Most of the game is all about the journey back to those worlds and characters that the games tackled. You might miss the reference, and more importantly, those games are far superior to this one. Still, the varied gameplay Kingdom Hearts Re:coded introduces is quite interesting.
- Developer: h.a.n.d.
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release Date: January 11, 2011
- Platform: Nintendo DS
10. Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Ivalice is the setting of the best Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy Tactics. Lots of Final Fantasy games are set in this world because it is just too good. Final Fantasy XII, the first mainline Final Fantasy to happen in Ivalice, as well as the cult classic, Vagrant Story.
Naturally, the Tactics spinoffs will have to be set on Ivalice too. Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, the follow-up to the Game Boy masterpiece Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, retains everything about the former and added more. Unfortunately, Luso, the main protagonist of the game, had been the butt of jokes (admittedly, deservedly so) due to his overdesigned looks for a long time now.
The vast number of quests available in Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift is one of the game’s best features. The game’s structure is extremely similar to the original Final Fantasy Tactics, and it has a large overworld with only taverns, shops, and battlefields accessible.
Final Fantasy fans may be upset by the lack of exploration value in this title, but the fact that this game concentrates solely on tactics with no diversion is actually a good thing. It demonstrates that this title understands its audience and provides tactics games aficionados with exactly what they want.
- Developer: Square Enix
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release Date: June 24, 2008
- Platform: Nintendo DS
11. Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume
Nibelung Valesti! As of this writing, Valkyrie Profile is finally back with Valkyrie Elysium, after over a decade of nothingness since Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume was released. No, the freemium collecathon heresy that is the mobile game Valkyrie Anatomia is not a “real” entry in the series.
Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume is the first Valkyrie Profile that was released outside of the PlayStation systems and the first to be developed for the handheld. The first game had a mobile and PlayStation Portable port.
Although it adheres to the series’ established traumatic and emotional narrative, Covenant of the Plume makes various experiments with the battle system itself to an interesting result.
You control Wyl, who is a vengeful human about to exact revenge against Lenneth, the Valkyrie in the first game. Wyl is approached by a sinister underworld queen, who bestows upon him a strong magical plume capable of unlocking untapped potential in Wyl’s friends.
However, this comes with a price. Anyone who was unlocked with the power of the plume will die. The plot develops as Wyl learns that the plume needs blood to survive, and he must either sacrifice his friends or use The Power of Sin to stay alive and continue his journey.
Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume is an SRPG, a departure from the hybrid turn-based / action RPG gameplay employed in the first two installments.
- Developer: tri-Ace
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release Date: March 16, 2009
- Platform: Nintendo DS
12. Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain
The DS is full of JRPGs and it’s refreshing to finally discuss a WRPG in this list. This game was widely panned by video game journalists upon its release. This is just a function of these reviewers leaning not having the required taste level to truly comprehend how good a game is Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain.
This game is a dungeon crawler based on best selling dice-based role-playing book. Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of the Firetop Mountain has the following: (1) Dialog options, (2) reasonably-sized inventory, (3) stat customization, (4) weapon models, (5) varied enemy types, and (5) replayability.
- Developer: Big Blue Bubble
- Publisher: Aspyr
- Release Date: November 25, 2009
- Platform: Nintendo DS
13. Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes
While the Might & Magic intellectual property is more Western-flavored, the Might & Magic game on the Nintendo DS is an unashamedly JRPG (at least in its art style).
Ashan is home to four races: the elven kin of Sylvan, the humanoid Haven, Necromancers, and Mages. These four are at odds with a demon horde that has returned to Ashan in search of a mystical weapon capable of binding demons. You play five campaigns in a row as five distinct young adults caught up in the fight, a magnificently JRPG trope. Each race has its own distinct characteristics that play a significant role in the gameplay.
Clash of Heroes is a turn-based strategic RPG at its core with a puzzler twist. Clash of Heroes takes the match-three genre in a stylus-sliding direction. Each puzzle involves a struggle against opposing forces, with theirs on top and yours on the bottom: by sliding units in and out of place, you may create attacks with vertical trios and defensive barriers with horizontal lines. Each unit, of course, has its own set of skills and special powers, making this considerably more than a simple gem-matching game.
- Developer: Capybara Games
- Publisher: Ubisoft
- Release Date: December 1, 2009
- Platform: Nintendo DS
14. Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard
The major selling aspects of most games these days are groundbreaking technological advances and unique gameplay. Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard takes a different path. It’s proud of its archaic gameplay and spiked difficulties, and that is commendable.
Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard is just like Clash of Heroes. The former is obviously inspired by the Wizardy series, a first-person dungeon crawler that is incredibly hard. Early Dungeons & Dragons force players to draw the maps on a sheet of paper in order to not get lost.
Etrian has meticulously recreated this circumstance. Players can design maps on the touch screen thanks to the magic of the Nintendo DS, a convenient novelty introduced in the first Etrian that is greatly enhanced by its sequel’s more robust drawing mechanisms. The maps perform as well as, if not better than, traditional graph paper.
- Developer: Atlus / Lancarse
- Publisher: Atlus
- Release Date: June 13, 2008
- Platform: Nintendo DS
15. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is undoubtedly the most unique RPG on the DS. True to the series’ trademark bizarre narrative and ingeniously complex battles, Devil Survivor carries on the tradition of top-tier quality.
Devil Survivor’s strategic battles take place in an isometric grid-based combat area. Every unit in the game is represented by a sprite of its leader, and both the player and the opponent take turns moving their units around the stage. A unit is made up of two demons and one human who work together as a team. A player can have up to four units, however, opponents can have many more.
The levels of Devil Survivor are, for the most part, unique and entertaining. It’s unusual to come across a mission when your main purpose is to just kill a group of baddies. Instead, you’ll usually have to struggle with some sort of extra objectives; for example, certain missions need you to stop a flow of enemy reinforcements, beat specific foes without draining all of their hit points, escape from a formidable foe, or defend innocent civilians.
As a warning, Devil Survivor has a large number of escort missions in which you must protect various NPC allies from enemy attacks. However, in terms of design, Devil Survivor excels in escort missions.
- Developer: Atlus / Career Soft
- Publisher: Atlus
- Release Date: August 23, 2011
- Platform: Nintendo DS
Conclusion
Whatever you choose, you can play these games on the Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS. These RPGs, even though released on an aged system, are still playable to this day. The DS systems are just too unique of a system that can be replicated on modern hardware.
