DS Daily: Evaluation
by Alisha Karabinus 
{ Nov 7th 2008 at 9:04AM }
Now that the DSi is moving us into a newish era of Nintendo handheld gaming, it's a good time to look back on the DS library so far. Most of us seem pretty happy with the selection that's build up over the year, but do you feel there's been a good distribution of genres and plenty of replayable games? Great concepts? Too much of anything, or too little of another?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ian @ Nov 7th 2008 9:23AM
As someone who does not have a ton of time to play video games anymore, I only just bought a used DS last week. My main reasons for getting it were to play New Super Mario Bros, which I am totally in love with for it's old school-ness, and also for Pokemon, which I love for some unknown reason. So far, so good with that. Once I'm done/bored with those, I'm really looking forward to Phantom Hourglass and Professor Layton, which I haven't even taken the plastic off the packages yet.
Jangles @ Nov 7th 2008 9:43AM
I have not had such a large number of games I have wanted from a single system since I get my SNES. Even as much I love my PS and PS2 games I have never had a list 30 games at one time that I want to buy. I have had my DS a little over a year and I have 13 games for it which would be more if I had more money.
RupeeClock @ Nov 7th 2008 9:51AM
Looking back, here are some titles I really regret playing or buying.
Feel the Magic XY/XX
Polarium (at full price)
Pokémon Dash (at full price)
Bust a Move DS
Super Princess Peach
Mario and Luigi Partners in Time
Yoshi Touch & Go
Yoshi's Island DS
Drawn to Life
These ones either stunk out or just lacked that magic I expected. (ESPECIALLY partners in time.)
Abscissa @ Nov 7th 2008 5:39PM
Princess Peach eventually got good, but not until halfway through the game. Feel the Magic I always liked. Drawn to Life turned out to be overhyped garbage.
RupeeClock @ Nov 7th 2008 5:55PM
Yeah, it eventually got better, but the gameplay just became totally monotonous, as there was absolutely no depth to the puzzles or bosses.
Everything was explained to you, it was pretty sad, it was also pretty much impossible to die because you could heal, and even recover from falling in pits.
They even opted to remove the Koopalings, how sad.
aang1818 @ Nov 7th 2008 9:54AM
My only problem with the DS library is that some of these awesome titles can no longer be found new for a reasonable price. Elektroplankton, Kirby Canvas Curse, and Tetris DS are all good examples of games I want but can't afford. Then there are others like Metroid Prime Pinball, Metroid Prime Hunters, and Super Princess Peach that I only bought because I found them through dumb luck.
I don't understand why Nintendo keeps spitting out NSMB, Brain Age, and Flash Focus, but won't make anymore of these quality games.
Zealot @ Nov 7th 2008 10:04AM
I know, your list almost exactly mirrors mine. The only one out of all of those that I've had the fortune to find is Tetris DS, but things like Electroplankton, Super Princess Peach, Kirby Canvas Curse, and others have been long out of print despite there apparently still being a market for them. The fact that Hotel Dusk came back as a Touch Generations title gave me hope, and I'd gladly suffer the ugly orange bar for any of these.
Oh, if you live in the U.S., find a K-Mart if you want Metroid Prime Hunters/Pinball. They continue to stock games despite the fact that pretty much everything gathers dust on their shelves, and I've still seen it there (albeit for retail) at several locations.
aj @ Nov 7th 2008 7:56PM
Is Tetris DS rare? I see that thing everywhere, and cheap too.
Of course, I seem to be the only person who plays games that aren't Gears of War/Halo/Dead Space in town. Jeez, I keep finding brand new copies of fantastic GBA games for 5$ in places. (Seriously, "Tales of Symphonia" for 5$. Wtf?)
If anyone is desperate for Tetris DS, come to Edmonton, Alberta and just pop into a Roger's Video. They're full of 'em. 15$ (CAD, which is about.....14$ US) each, too.
Zealot @ Nov 7th 2008 8:33PM
Dude, if you have the requisite amount of initiative (and greed), sealed copies of Tales of Symphonia (even the GH version) go for a lot online. (unless you were actually talking about Tales of Phantasia, then the market is saturated with copies of that) Tetris DS is indeed rare in the States, and it was only in a run-down department store in the middle of nowhere that I finally found a copy.
There seriously needs to be a site online where gamers with no desire to scalp can ship each other games that might be regionally-rare at cost.
aj @ Nov 7th 2008 8:49PM
I did mean Phantasia, not Symphonia.
And I agree. There should be a site for gamers to help each other get things that may be rare one place but not another. I seem to find a lot of games where I am that are rare, and on the cheap. And I know that a fair few games I'd like to get which are impossible to find near me are quite common elsewhere.
We should start a gamer's site that frowns upon the kind of greed you get on eBay, and just helps people get games for whatever the retail cost is.
And you know what? If anyone wants a brand new copy of Tales of Phantasia for 5$ plus shipping, I can help you with that.
Zealot @ Nov 7th 2008 10:17AM
This year was possibly the best ever for the DS, with highlights being (off the top of my head and in no particular chronological order):
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Professor Layton
Etrian Odyssey II
Final Fantasy Tactics A2
Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword
Trauma Center 2
Apollo Justice
Disgaea DS
Izuna 2
Space Invaders Extreme
Final Fantasy IV DS
N+
The World Ends With You
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Dragon Quest IV
...and many others that I'm forgetting. And the year's not even over--we still have Moon, Black Sigil, Chrono Trigger, and who knows what else to look forward to.
The only dark spot was Nintendo's miserable first-party support. If I'm not mistaken, the only game in the above list that was both developed and published by Nintendo was Kirby.
Mert @ Nov 7th 2008 10:55AM
Wasn't Kirby developed by HAL?
Zealot @ Nov 7th 2008 11:42AM
It is, but I consider it developed by Nintendo anyway because of the fact that it's one of Nintendo's satellite studios (another example being Game Freak) that does nothing but develop games based on core Nintendo IPs. By now HAL is pretty much just a branch of Nintendo's own development team.
chivalry is dead @ Nov 7th 2008 10:30AM
I can't think of a single DS game I've purchased that I haven't really enjoyed (granted, time constraints keep my purchasing limited). I think there's been a great breadth of quality games across genres. I do think there is too little of something though - everything. It's frustrating when a new game comes out that you've been looking forward to, and going around day of release and finding it sold out everywhere. I still haven't picked up Etrian Odyssey II, and it was sheer luck that got me Lock's Quest the first week. So I would just say more copies of the great games already being produced.
David Kearns @ Nov 7th 2008 10:42AM
Although I'm still in the middle of Order of Ecclesia, more Metroidvania! More Prof Layton wouldn't hurt either. (Isn't there a #2 and #3 coming?)
Puddles @ Nov 7th 2008 10:58AM
I'm blown away by the size and diversity of the DS game library. When the DS was first announced, I had little interest in it as a system. But over the years, it has built up such a huge library that I consider it one of the best systems ever, alongside the SNES. If they stopped making DS games today, I would still have enough good games to keep me busy for years to come.
Some of my favorites so far are FF3, Mario Kart and Rune Factory.
BeoXion @ Nov 7th 2008 10:58AM
some games I have enjoyed for the DS include
Castlevania Dawn of sorrow, Order of Ecclesia
super Mario DS
Ninja Gaiden Dragon sword
the world ends with you
Advance wars Dual strike
Zelda phantom hour glass
Mario kart DS
final fantasy 3
final fantasy 4
Metroid Hunters
final fantasy 12 Revenant wings
Dave @ Nov 7th 2008 11:47AM
It is missing a second Zelda title FOR SURE.
Shirono @ Nov 7th 2008 12:34PM
I love the tactical games, Disgaea DS having been totally amazing, and FF Grimore of the Rift being a close second in my favorites. I hope to see more tactics games like Disgaea, with a really tight an interesting set of characters, as opposed to a moe troupe that scares me away from others.
nickux @ Nov 7th 2008 1:20PM
Some early games like Kirby Canvas Curse are still unmatched by their use of the touch screen. Other games include Elite Beat Agents and Zelda Phantom Hourglass which are shining examples, in my opinion, what how to use the DS functions really well. Games like Wario Master of Disguise do the opposite by providing very clunky, shoe-horned touch screen controls. This late in the DS life-cycle I'm disappointed to see so few games take control of the DS for FPS games. Love it or hate it, I thought Metroid Prime Hunters was a really innovative game in that it pushed the hardware in a new direction. Still, a return to 2D Metroid on the DS is one of my most-anticipated things for the DS. I also love the handheld's ability to play imports which has opened me up to many new gaming experiences. Osu Tatakae Ouendan 1 and 2 are my favorite games on the system. The KORG DS-10 is another example of how certain, innovative ideas are only possible on the DS.
Monodi @ Nov 7th 2008 2:49PM
Well this was a good year for getting new titles for myself. My whole library consists in:
Mario Kart DS
Brain Age
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Sonic Rush
Trace Memory
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Justice For All
Starfox Command
Metroid Prime Hunters
Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World (GBA)
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (GBA)
I think my only disappointment was Phantom Hourglass, by playing many 2D Zelda games, I expected it way more challenging. In fact, the last boss seemed a joke for me. The presentation was good but the challenge was lacking, it was just long.
Sonic Rush was a great purchase if you ask me (it was even in 50% off!), it is probably my most replayed DS title. I still havent defeated the final boss, but who cares the gamplay itself is really addictive.
As I really need new titles, I want to conclude the DS has an amazing library, probably the best in this generation. (I am a DS fanboy afterall, haha)
There has been one to another disappointment or so but I love how 2D as much as 3D is welcome in the system. It feels like a handheld by breeding the Super Nintendo with the Dreamcast.
Gennataos @ Nov 7th 2008 2:54PM
Sports games is a very weak genre on the DS. Tiger Woods 08 and FIFA 09 are the the only two DS sports games which I would consider "good". They both have great gameplay, tons of depth and very good DS visuals. MLB Power Pros has great gameplay and visuals, but the completely stripped down modes available takes away a lot of the replayability from it. Madden 08 is "good enough" for the DS, but it's not impressive by any means. I don't think there even is a basketball (Mario 3-on-3 doesn't count) or hockey game on the system.
I'd love to see more quality sports games on the DS. I'm looking forward to Tecmo Bowl, hoping it'll fill that football fix that Madden hasn't been able to.
chibi_wings @ Nov 7th 2008 3:51PM
a great year, maybe too great, because I can't seem to find the time to finish any of the games....there are too much of them =(
darksage @ Nov 7th 2008 4:12PM
DS has had a great library, especially over this year with all the great titles being released. One thing I was disappointed in was that I dont think that developers didnt utilize WiFi in there games as much as they could. I was really hoping for an MMO type game, and Phantasy Star Zero is the one thing that will come close. At least more WiFi multiplayer would have been greatly appreciated.
JRM @ Nov 7th 2008 4:52PM
Kirby: Canvas Curse is not all that. It's really short, terribly easy, and (in my opinion) has an annoying soundtrack. Also, there are only 3 minigames and they're not as good as NSMB.
It utilizes the touchscreen almost exclusively though, but I think there are better games out there that are both cheaper and more available. Personally, I don't think the game was worth the full price of $40 something. $30 would have been better.
Juicygoose @ Nov 7th 2008 5:37PM
I think there are too little kiddy games. My husband and I are gamers, yet when we try to get our child involved, there's not really a selection. The Japanese have games to teach children the basics like ABCs, and nothing really for English speakers. Also, I think there would be a market for digital novels, or short stories. If the Dr. Suess books got put on a DS game, I'd be the first to buy. I just want to give my child a head start in the digital world.
Abscissa @ Nov 7th 2008 5:39PM
"do you feel there's been a good distribution of genres and plenty of replayable games?"
Yes, but it makes the Wii look terrible by comparison. Where's the Wii's Contra 4? Where's the Wii's New Mario? (New Mario was *vastly* better than both Mario Galaxy and Super Paper Mario.) Where's the Wii's Order of Ecclesia? Where's the Wii's Sonic Rush? (Secret Rings got more disappointing the more I played it, and the jury's still out of Sonic Unleashed) Where's the Wii's Magical Starsign or Lost Magic or Kirby Canvas Curse or Dragon Quest Rocket Slime or Lock's Quest or NanoStray 2 or Polarium or Professor Layton? The DS's catalog is so good it makes the Wii look terrible.
aj @ Nov 7th 2008 7:59PM
The DS probably has TOO MANY good games. It's definately this gen's PS2.
I don't think the DSi will be taking anyone in any new directions. But I think that's a good thing. I'm really enjoying my vast DS library. And there are already games announced for 2009 that I'm ridiculously excited about. It just never ends.
Jacksons @ Nov 8th 2008 3:49PM
I've actually got a good balance going. Whatever I feel like I'm lacking on my DS, my PSP fills in, and vice versa. Between the both of them, I've got nearly every genre covered.
Amuli @ Nov 9th 2008 2:41PM
More mystery games! I know text based adventures and puzzles aren't for everyone, but the Phoenix Wright series, Professor Layton, and Hotel Dusk are my all time favourites.
agentgamma @ Nov 10th 2008 2:20AM
The DS has a lot of games - some excellent, some abysmal.
My favourite games on DS are
Ace Attorney
Super Mario 64 DS
Mario Kart
Elite Beat Agents (and its Japanese equivalent Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan!)
mddurden @ Nov 10th 2008 3:43PM
Hey Aj, I'm from Edmonton. Where did you pick up that T of P from?
Dylan @ Nov 10th 2008 7:31PM
Agreed: DS has an amazing library that just keeps getting better and more diverse as time goes on. Some personal recent favorites:
Soul Bubbles
Order of Ecclesia
Legend of Kage 2
Izuna 2
Lock's Quest
Rondo of Swords
Etrian Odyssey II
Not to mention my hands-down favorite DS game, Shiren the Wanderer.
As for getting your hands on copies of rare stuff, try befriending the guys at a local game store. That's how I got Tetris DS, Etrian Odyssey, Electroplankton (mint), and even the Japanese Taiko DS.
Zealot, you mentioned Black Sigil--does anyone know when it's really coming out? I've been following the game for forever and I can't pin down any solid data on it.