Dragon Quest V is a great RPG on the go, also if you don't mine more hardcore CRPG inspired games you might want to pick up Etrian Odyssey 3 and The Dark Spire. Advance Wars Dual Strike is the final game in the original trilogy of the strategy game series. Advance Wars Days of Ruin is also good but a little more basic in gameplay but grittier in story and has no direct relation to the original trilogy in terms of story.
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Just got a used DS...where to start?
- Thread starter MickeyPhree
- Start date
MickeyPhree
Member
Thank you sir. GameStop is doing buy two get a third free. Might go back there tomorrow and pick it up.
MickeyPhree
Member
Honestly I've never played a DQ game before. If I like the older final fantasy games(pre Psx) would I probably enjoy it?
jeremy1456
Junior Member
OP I'm jealous of you.
It's just the best handheld system of all time
It's just the best handheld system of all time
MickeyPhree
Member
I've owned a vita and a Psp in the past, but this is my first Nintendo handheld since getting the original gameboy back in 89. I'm not a big Nintendo guy anymore, but this system has always intrigued me.
jeremy1456
Junior Member
Not necessarily. They're all incredible games, but if you're playing for character driven stories with a ton of melodrama you will be disappointed.
MickeyPhree
Member
I looked at some videos of it and I'm not sure it's my cup of tea.
Spieler Eins
Member
Probably.
I would say really try someone's copy of SM 64 DS before buying it, if you can. I am a big fan of the original and found that port terribly clunky to control and frustratingly so. I'd check out some reviews online as well because I think a lot of reviewers felt similarly.
Seconding huge recommendations for:
Mario and Luigi games, in order, starting with the GBA game (assuming you have a DS with a GBA port)
Layton games, in order
Soul Bubbles
Ghost Trick!!!
NSMB
Kirby Canvas Curse, Squeak Squad and Mass Attack
Seconding huge recommendations for:
Mario and Luigi games, in order, starting with the GBA game (assuming you have a DS with a GBA port)
Layton games, in order
Soul Bubbles
Ghost Trick!!!
NSMB
Kirby Canvas Curse, Squeak Squad and Mass Attack
TheWorthyEdge
Member
ACE. ATTORNEY.
Never regret.
Never regret.
Alex Connolly
Member
Glory Days 2.
You could probably ask someone for a better comparison than me tbh, I don't know much about FF games (I've played a lot of FF spinoffs ironically), and I've only made it to the last area in FF3.
jeremy1456
Junior Member
Animal Crossing: Wild World is a solid choice. The franchise truly shines on the handheld.
All of the Rune Factory games are amazing. Some of the Harvest Moon games are really good too.
If you're gonna play one Dragon Quest game then I suggest V (it's not my favorite, but you said you're fond of early FF games and that comes closest)
I'm just suggesting things that I haven't seen yet suggested here, but I just lightly browsed.
All of the Rune Factory games are amazing. Some of the Harvest Moon games are really good too.
If you're gonna play one Dragon Quest game then I suggest V (it's not my favorite, but you said you're fond of early FF games and that comes closest)
I'm just suggesting things that I haven't seen yet suggested here, but I just lightly browsed.
themagicalkitsune
Member
Well the older FF entries mostly don't have those things too.
jeremy1456
Junior Member
Dragon Quest is less story based than Final Fantasy. The DS remakes aren't very graphically intensive.
Dragon Quest is a more rewarding series in general to me than FF. Spell options are more significant here. The difficulty is higher, and while you could get by just grinding exploring your options is extremely rewarding.
Where the DQ series excels is in its world building, and battle system. The dungeon designs are a step above most.
NHarmonic.
Member
"The world ends with you" is a must!
jeremy1456
Junior Member
He pointed out pre-psx. I'm assuming Snes era.
These, and add the Professor Layton games too.
The DS had a bunch of awesome games, looking back at it.
SolidSnakesMyStepDad
Member
What do you guys think of Rocket Slime? I remember playing it a lot when I was younger and loving it. So idk if I'm blinded by nostalgia or something but that was a serious underrated gem for me.
Mario 64 port is fine. Most people renounce the dpad controls, but i think while obviously not the best method, it's not a bad way to control because of how fluid Mario 64 controls, running in circles, turning and everything works fine really. Has some added content but I think it's trash. Splitting Mario into Mario, luigi wario is terrible and the new stars are mediocre. Still it's Mario 64, it runs great, and plays great.Very funny ha. Anyways I picked up these three to start.
How's the Mario 64 port? And is phantom hour glass better than spirit tracks? I think lttp is the best Zelda by far if that helps any.
In terms of DS Zelda's, some people like PH better while others like ST better. ST is a lot harder and has some interesting gimmicks but ultimately I hated the Phantom/Zelda gimmick which slowed the pace of the game down a lot. PH is relatively by the numbers with the exception of the touch controls which work remarkably well and are a nice alternate take to traditional controls. Both of them are on the lower end of the Zelda spectrum for me even though I prefer the top down ones by far, but they're still great games.
I'll let you in a lil secret. Nintendo's traditional franchises had some of their worst titles on DS. Mario, Zelda, Metroid and Starfox for example are some of the worst in their series, ranging from great to mediocre. But Nintendo's less popular or even their new franchises on DS had outstanding releases along with third party titles which are fantastic.
You're gonna get swamped with recommendations but I'll recommend three titles.
First Advance Wars Days of Ruin; it's a fantastic turn based military strategy game. 4th one to come to the west and my favourite in the series. One of my favourite Nintendo franchises as well. Tons of content and hours to sink, very deep gameplay and super satisfying. You need to capture properties to provide funds to build your army consisting of tanks and bombers and stuff, there's a lesser emphasis on CO's which have special abilities regarding who you are using (which is like the heart of the series) but they balanced it out great here. Don't sleep on this game.
Second, Etrian Oddysey III. Don't let the cutesy art style fool you, this game is absolutely brutal. It's a classic old school dungeon crawling rpg updated with modern sensibilities. You build a party of explorers consisting of classic fantasy jobs and you venture deep into the labyrinth. You need to pay attention or you'll end up dead pretty fast because the game doesn't pull any punches. Enemies hit hard and your resources are relatively thin, you'll keep progressing via smart use of your characters abilities (and how you build them via the skill tree) and knowledge and weaknesses from enemies. Light on story but it's super engrossing. The big twist for the franchise is that you chart the map of the dungeon floors on your own with the touch screen. It's really easy to do as it tracks your position on this grid while your draw the walls, short cuts or another interesting things you need to keep track on, it's not a hassle at all because how easy it is and you really value your maps and how you build the.
Last, Rhythm Heaven is a fantastic new ip from Nintendo (there is an equally fantastic GBA prequel but it's japan only). It's a rhythm game but it's based on completing short "minigames" with completely different graphics and style, but tapping and swiping along the different instructions they keep giving you. Each scenario is incredibly unique and nothing alike the past ones, it's weird, funny, catchy and a joy to play and perfect.
Hope you enjoy it, it's a fantastic handheld. And if you got a ds lite, be sure to chase after the GBA library as well. It's incredible and it's 2d action, adventure and rpg Heaven.
Ah, this one is fantastic. Came out of nowhere, but it's great. Whatever happened to the 3ds sequel?
itchyass86
Member
Advance Wars for the GBA. It's fairly expensive at 18 bucks on eBay right now but it's worth it!
Ambience7817x
Member
The World Ends With You is an absolute must. Easily the best game on the DS, if not top 5
Retromelon
Member
I always hear from people how amazing elite beat agents is. Also the mario 64 port is fine if you've never played it before, it has more stars and better graphics and more playable characters n stuff, but if you are used to analog control and the dive move from the original you wont be able to deal. (I think they took the dive out)
Im just happy i get to play as yoshi
Im just happy i get to play as yoshi
I would suggest games that are uniquely Nintendo DS titles: Kirby Canvas Curse, Pac-Pix and Elite Beat Agents. Some of my favorite games for the DS.
Also, Mario Kart DS is one of the best in the series, Infinite Space is a deep and very fun space ship RPG, and Final Fantasy 3 is a great remake. All of those are good DS pickups, too.
Also, Mario Kart DS is one of the best in the series, Infinite Space is a deep and very fun space ship RPG, and Final Fantasy 3 is a great remake. All of those are good DS pickups, too.
Gaylord Sweetwood
Member
You can't go wrong with Front Mission DS. Probably one of my favorites on the system and judging from the recommendations thus far, underrated.
Apoleptica
Banned
It's really easy to buy too many games for the DS and then be overwhelmed with choice and end up just being bored with all. I recommend getting new super Mario bros, and 2 other games of your choice and leave it at that until you get bored of those three. I believe this will actually increase your enjoyment vs purchasing a large stack of games all at once and not knowing which to play first.
AnkiRendan
Member
No love for Okamiden? I recommend that. Shorter than Okami (of course) and cute as hell.