[DS] Must Own Games for the DS

So I've got a DS now, and not a whole lot of time to wade through mediocre/shitty games (of which the DS seems to have plenty).

What games are out there that I absolutely need to play? (I'm also extra interested in games I can sit down and play for just 20 minutes at a time, since that's mostly all I have nowadays.)

Tetris DS and Planet Puzzle League are essential for those periods of killing 20 minutes at a time. Especially if you go the Wifi route and play 'em online. Tetris DS's 1P standard mode is different enough from previous games in any case, because of the way the lines set down and you can see a bunch of pieces that are upcoming. Mr. Driller is similarly a must.

And one oddball...Metroid Prime Pinball. Didn't expect much from this, but it really fits the bill for a game that offers cheap thrills in 15 minutes or less.

And there's that one package game that has Monopoly/Yahtzee/Boggle and Battleship on it. Very nice, especially with the touchscreen. I'm a Yahtzee whore, so that was sweet.

But I agree...There are a ton of crap games on the system that aren't worth 5 minutes of your time.

The great thing about the DS is that you can just flip it closed, no matter how much time you have to devote to a game. That being said, all of the Phoenix Wright games simply cannot be missed out on.

For fast plays, though, Meteos is fantastic, same with Picross and Mario Kart DS. Also if you're a Castlevania fan, both of the DS games are extremely fun.

If you can find it Wario Ware: Touched is another game you can just sit down and play for minutes at a time. Um, also if you're a fan of rythem games get Elite Beat Agents definitely. That's always a fun title.

For longer titles think about getting the Mega Man ZX titles as well as Final Fantasy 3. And since it can't be said enough, Phoenix Wright is just too good to pass up. It's probably one of the best series on the DS with replayability (for me anyways) set up high. And since it has a save anytime feature, it's definitely a time killer. Wasted a whole day playing Case 4 of the second game, pretty fun.

Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow
Castlevania Gallery of Labyrinth
Phoenix Wright 1, 2, 3 (Although I've only played 1, it's great)
Osu Tatakae Ouendan, Ouendan 2, Elite Beat Agents
Kirby Squeak Squad
Megaman ZX
Densetsu no Stafy 4
Daigasso! Band Brothers

Avoiding RPGs here.

So far, I completely agree with all the ones mentioned above. Especially Phoenix Wright.

I'll toss in Kirby: Canvas Curse. Definitely one of the most unique games for the DS. Really brought Kirby games into a new light. If you're into Pokemon, I'd recommend Pokemon: Diamond/Pearl. Both are fun and the Wi-Fi feature makes the game awfully fun.

If you need a quick fix game... I'd toss Wario Ware: Touched. Too damn quirky.

Tossing out a recommendation for Elite Beat Agents and/or Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan (and its sequel). If you hate rhythm/music games avoid like the devil, but otherwise check them out. Each round only lasts as long as the song, so you can play for as little or as long as you want. Another touchscreen-heavy game to try out would be Trauma Center. It doesn't take all that long to progress through each individual stage, but it may be difficult to return to if you keep putting it down (on account of difficulty going way up).

The king of short-but-addictive games is Puzzle Quest. It's Bejeweled with an RPG flair, and once you start it you instantly get sucked into the monotony of racking up mana and blowing up skulls.

Backing up the recommendation for Phoenix Wright / Ace Attorney games. They're actually one of the main reasons I bought a DS, and although I have a flash cart I actually own all 3 of the games released here (along with Mario Kart DS, which I bought while waiting for the flash cart to arrive). They're like an interactive book, so it's easy to start and stop it at your leisure. Plus you can save at nearly any point so you'll never have to lose data because you're in a hurry. If you like the series, you should also check out Hotel Dusk: Room 215.

Originally Posted by Sakabadger

If you like the series, you should also check out Hotel Dusk: Room 215.

I'll also throw in Trace Memory which is a previous game from the same publisher. A mystery/puzzle game that actually makes you think, some of the solutions were crazy sometimes. Plus they both have a really good story.

Puzzle solution:

Like looking at a picture frame, having to close the lid partially, then check the reflection of both sides to get a combination to a door?

Trace Memory was some good times. It doesn't help that it's also ridiculously cheap, I've been seeing it at Game Crazy brand new for $11.99.

Mario Kart DS and that Animal Crossing game are pretty fun to play.

You can't go wrong with Clubhouse Games. It's like 40 different games on one card, ranging from card games and board games to stuff like darts and bowling. Definitely very pickup and play, but you could be enthralled with it for hours if needed. And it has plenty of multiplayer types available as well (single card, multi card, online).

This game came out over a year ago and I still play it from time to time ('sup OLDK). Highly recommended.

I've found myself devoting insane amounts of time to Advance Wars: Dual Strike. I'd say that it has more replayability than most other games on the console by a mile and a half.

Other games which have consumed far more time than is healthy: Clubhouse Games (aka 42 All-Time Classics), Contact, Pokémon Diamond/Pearl, Ace Attorney series.

I predict a bright future for LostSol.

This wouldn't be a bad topic to revive, though, since a number of new games have come out recently. Megaman ZX Advent is money, although it's continuing the series' trend of getting easier with each incarnation. I have to give Capcom credit, though, I actually found legitimate excuses to use most of the boss forms outside of the specific obstacles they're used for. It's been ages since the special weapons in a Megaman game were actually kind of useful.

I haven't played much DS, but from my experience, quite a few have been listed above already, such as Meteos, Elite Beat Agents, Kirby Canvas Curse, and Mario Kart.

Other games I can recommend are Trauma Center and Bleach (especially if you like the franchise). Other games that kinda fit your requirements and seems fun (but I've never played) are Geometry Wars Galaxies and Jump Superstars, if you do imports or the R4 thing.

I was always a sucker for puzzle games prior to getting my DS swiped last year but Meteos and TetrisDS were two of my favorite games on the DS. I had a lot of the ones already mentioned so I won't repeat those but if you're into puzzle games at all, those two are a no-brainer.

If you're a fan of Worms: Armegedon, Worms Open Warfare 2 does a good job of channeling the classicness that is Armegedon. I bought it knowing full well the fuck ups THQ has had with the Worms franchise but was more than pleasantly surprised with the quality of game therein. It makes a good sit down and play sort of thing, but rushing too much will end in frustration.

Also if you're looking for good story based stuff i second Pheonix Wright, Trace Memory, and Hotel Dusk: Room 215.

Wait... There's a WORMS on the DS?

I have Worms on the Dreamcast

Yep. There is. :|

Updating the list of must owns in my book, Professor Layton and the Curious Village is definite if you're a puzzle junkie. Mario Party DS for facing other people who have a DS in your area.

Originally Posted by Encephalon

Wait... There's a WORMS on the DS?

I have Worms on the Dreamcast

Yeah, Worms Open Warfare 2 (not the first one) is excellent, almost on par with Armageddon. Since the online multiplayer support got dropped from the upcoming Wii game, this game is your best bet for solid Worms action.

And speaking of Worms, when the hell was our last OLDK session? I need an excuse to get back into the game again.