Under The Radar: DS Titles Worth Your Time

When the Nintendo DS first launched we were all pretty intrigued by the dual screen technology and touch capabilities, and looked forward to draw and tap our way through innovative titles. The DS has gone on to be a wildly successful handheld with hundreds of titles in its library and multiple hardware incarnations since its release (Lite, DSi, XL, and soon to come, 3DS). With so many titles to choose from, it's easy to let a few amazing gems slip through the cracks. As a service to you, we dug around our vault and picked out a few DS titles that you may have overlooked.

Contra 4

To celebrate the franchise's 25th anniversary, fans received Contra 4 as a direct sequel to the SNES version that holds on to Contra's classic gameplay elements and old school art style. Side-scrolling and shooting make up the action, and intense difficulty helps this DS title remain true to classic gameplay models. Contra 4 offers ultimate fan service for followers of the franchise. The difficulty may turn off a few folks, but it's worth checking out if you like a good challenge on the go.

 

 

 

Disgaea

The Disgaea series has always been successful at offering a deep, turn-based strategy experience and this DS entry is no different. The PlayStation 2 version has been recreated and configured to work with the dual screen technology to offer an equally engaging strategy experience, and attractive visuals and good humor are still in place. A worthy choice for strategy fans looking to invest quite a bit of time into the handheld.

 

 

 

 

Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime

Do you like Dragon Quest? Do you like Slime? Well then this one's a no-brainer. Players control the iconic slime, called Rocket, who narrowly escapes the mass kidnapping of 100 of its friends. It's up to the little slime to save everyone using its ability to hop, float and stretch through this charming adventure.

 

 

 

 

 

Hotel Dusk: Room 215

Development team Cing helped pave the way for a new form of interactive storytelling on the DS through engaging point-and-click, game/novel hybrids. In Hotel Dusk you'll play an ex-cop in the middle of a great mystery that requires an even greater amount of reading to solve (the DS is even held vertically like a book). While not for everyone, fans who have played through the popular Phoenix Wright series will find something to like here. With an intriguing tale, the dialogue is well worth clicking through to the end.

Kirby Canvas Curse

This DS installment features our favorite pink blob, Kirby, in a brightly-colored adventure that makes great use of the DS hardware. You will mainly use the stylus to progress in the game's worlds. Draw lines to create platforms and sketch barriers to block projectiles as you traverse across the game's levels. This is a title designed with the DS in mind that finally takes a different approach to the standard inhale/exhale gameplay element seen in Kirby's past.

 

 

 

 

Master of Illusion

Bet you didn't know your DS could do magic tricks. Take the role of an illusionist and perform mind blowing tricks to earn points for...even more tricks! The game is already packaged with a deck of cards to practice tricks learned in the game that you can show your friends. Rabbit and hat set sold separately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meteos

Fans of puzzle games take note, Meteos is created by Q Entertainment, the same team that brought the wildly innovative (and addicting) Lumines on PSP. As you can expect, the title takes a different approach to the puzzle genre. For starters, there's an actual storyline involving a sentient planet named Meteo attempting to destroy the galaxy. The game takes a cue from Tetris-style falling block gameplay, but is far from a clone. Use the stylus to manipulate blocks around the screen with the aim of lining up three or more matching blocks. Test your speed and reflexes in a puzzle game that is out of this world (Yup, I went there).

 

 

 

Metroid Prime Pinball

Take one of the most popular franchises of all time, create a pinball game around it and throw in a rumble pack for a solid portable pinball experience. Fuse Games took what it learned from its experience with Mario Pinball Land to create a solid pinball title worthy of the Metroid name. Environments were taken from the Metroid universe and condensed into pinball table form. Challenges were also added that include targeting enemies and other specified targets for a new twist on the pinball genre.

 

 

 

 

 

N+

This action platformer originated as a free Flash game, scored an enhanced version on XBLA, and went on to make an appearance on Nintendo's handheld. Using a minimal control scheme you'll navigate the game's levels toward each exit all the while collecting gold. The game's 200 levels deliver old school platforming at its best. Plus, you can share your own levels using the Level Editor, or play co-op or competitive multiplayer with friends for added replay value.

 

 

 

Peggle Dual Shot

Unless you've been living under a rock, you're already familiar with Peggle's pinball-meets-Pachinko style of gameplay in this ever-so-popular puzzler that has graced nearly every platform under the sun. Did you know it was on the DS? If your DS is your preferred piece of gaming hardware, be sure to check it out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picross DS

In traditional Picross fashion, this DS iteration requires players to use logic and precise tapping to successfully determine which squares are active and inactive to eventually reveal an image. Performance is based on how long it takes for you to solve a puzzle. Once you've exercised your brain in the game's included puzzles, you'll have the option to create your own puzzles to trade locally or online. With additional puzzles offered through Nintendo and their Wi-Fi connection as well, there is more than enough here to keep your brain occupied.

 

 

 

Robocalypse

This robot-themed RTS was created by SpongeBob writers Jay Lender and Micah Wright so as you can imagine the game is loaded with fun animations and good humor. The conventional real-time strategy gameplay is done well, and the personality Robocalypse exudes helps set it apart from the rest of the pack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retro Game Challenge

Retro Game Challenge is based on the Japanese TV show, Retro Game Master, that allows players to take on challenges from fictional NES titles across genres including survival shooters, racing games, and even an RPG. This game was designed for the nostalgia junkie at heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rhythm Heaven

Instead of trying to nail complex combinations of musical notes on screen, Rhythm Heaven offers a different approach to the music genre. In Rhythm Heaven you're presented with different minigame scenarios that require tapping of the DS touch screen to the rhythm presented. Pattern recognition is key, but it never gets too cumbersome. This makes a great entry-level rhythm game for folks interested in the genre.

The World Ends With You

Considered one of the top RPGs available for the DS, The World Ends With You drops all traditional role-playing clichés for a completely fresh experience fans of the genre can appreciate. With a unique art-style and interface, compelling storyline, amazing soundtrack, and immersive battle system that combines fast-paced minigames and touch controls, you won't be able to put this one down. This unique adventure quickly earned critical acclaim and should earn a spot in your DS cartridge slot.

 

 

 

 

This is just a portion of games that didn't get quite as much lovin' as they deserve, so this is where you come in. Have you gotten a chance to play any of these titles? What are some of your forgotten gems for the DS? (We're steadily working on covering all consoles. Check out the "Under the Radar" lists we have so far for Xbox 360 and Wii.)