Support NeoGAF

[Deku]

Though choice.

On a per unit level of enjoyment, I had the most fun with Hotel Dusk (Wishroom 215) -- haven't played the sequel yet.

But then there would be nothing to play after blasting through the game in a few days, or maybe in one sitting. The only re-playability is just for revisiting the story, exploring the hotel at different 'stages' which sometimes only happen for a short chapter before the content is locked out, and or go for a perfect run for the alternate 'good' ending.

All that will add is maybe extend it to a week.


That said, the game is fantastic.

 

[red shoe paul]

Fixed. Love that game.

I never understood the hype for the game. I had no desire to play it, nor do I even want to now.

 

[mooooose]

It's really difficult to pick just one game. I guess Ouendan is a good choice, but it has such a diverse and stellar library. I think this thread totally justifies this fact, because very few people picked the same game (that game being Ouendan, for the most part).

 

[Dacvak]

Misleading title. There are LOTS of DS games in this thread.

 

[MikeE21286]

EBA is definitely my favorite DS game.

Not only is it IMO the best DS game, but it is also a game that benefits from the uniqueness that is the DS. Many other great games on the DS could be accomplished on many other systems. That is not the case with EBA

 

[chixdiggit]

My DS is pretty much a Civilization Revolution player. Amazing how well it translates to a handheld.

 

[2DMention]

Dragon Quest IV

 

[DeathbyVolcano]

Kind of off topic, but what the hell is coming for the DS in the next few months? I can't think of a single thing. New DS or bust Nintendo!

 

[Nemo]

Phoenix Wright has it right, though it kinda was on GBA before.

Hotel Dusk.

I would've said Another Code maybe, but this is definitely another good choice. Seriously, it's these games that showcase what the DS can do. Which are the only right answers.

Kind of off topic, but what the hell is coming for the DS in the next few months? I can't think of a single thing. New DS or bust Nintendo!

Heeeell no. Let them flesh out the DSi first. It needs at least a big RPG, at least 5 first party titles before they can even start thinking about another DS.

 

[Blair]

Kind of off topic, but what the hell is coming for the DS in the next few months? I can't think of a single thing. New DS or bust Nintendo!

pokemon superior silver is pretty much a must have. for nostalgia.

 

[Unicorn]

Animal Crossing: Wild World is the pivotal iteration and the top game for DS for me.

Can't wait for Soul Silver.

 

[Psycho Penguin]

Nostalgia.

 

[BorkBork]

Kind of off topic, but what the hell is coming for the DS in the next few months? I can't think of a single thing. New DS or bust Nintendo!

Ace Attorney Investigations
Pokemon Heart Gold/Soul Silver
Ghost Trick
Golden Sun
Hotel Dusk 2

It's poised to have a much better year this year than last (for me personally).

 

[Willectro]

pokemon superior silver is pretty much a must have. for nostalgia.

Exactly. Soul Silver is awesome.

 

[Bentendo]

Animal Crossing: Wild World is the pivotal iteration.

I totally agree. City Folk is probably overall a better game, but since Wild World is handheld it's miles better. I just can't wait to see what the developers do with the next game. It'll have to be different from previous iterations because of the criticism, but that's okay with me. It would be great if it were a launch title for the next Nintendo handheld.

 

[Soloist]

The World Ends With You

^ Was expecting this as the OP

 

[Boney]

Kind of off topic, but what the hell is coming for the DS in the next few months? I can't think of a single thing. New DS or bust Nintendo!

Just more Ace Attorney

 

[Brazil]

I totally agree. City Folk is probably overall a better game, but since Wild World is handheld it's miles better. I just can't wait to see what the developers do with the next game. It'll have to be different from previous iterations because of the criticism, but that's okay with me. It would be great if it were a launch title for the next Nintendo handheld.

I hope it's not the same game for the fourth time. I was able to enjoy Wild World for the fact that it's portable, but City Folk was a bit too much. The series has too much wasted potential.

 

[Gospel]

Golden Sun

Hm, I forgot about this game. Is there at least a time frame for release?

 

[The Alchemist Penguin]

I would say Phoenix Wright, but in the interests of posting something that hasn't (but probably has and I've missed it!) been posted yet:

It's up there with Picross as the most addictive puzzler on the DS. I try to just have a quick go, and then I end up losing an entire evening to it! :lol

 

[ThatObviousUser]

Kind of off topic, but what the hell is coming for the DS in the next few months? I can't think of a single thing. New DS or bust Nintendo!

You are a terrible person and should be exiled from civilized society for this comment, with people spitting on you and throwing rocks at you on your way out.

 

[Captain Sparrow]

So many good games, it's hard to decide. Phoenix Wright might get the slight edge

One game I didn't understand the raves about was Kirby Canvas Course. Maybe I was playing it wrong but it felt like a mechanic in a game that completely didn't belong.

 

[Jive Turkey]

Ouendan/Ouendan2/Elite Beat Agents

Any one of those will do.

Either this or Picross for me though Ouendan/Ouendan2/Elite Beat Agents edges that out.

EDIT: Crap...Forgot about Slitherlink. Why hasn't that gotten a US release yet?

 

[EvilMario]

The best villain, the best heroes, the best anti-hero, the best script, the best world.

The BEST DS GAME.

 

[Cipherr]

Puzzle Quest (the first one)

 

[Defcon]

Civilization Revolution.

 

[Fantastical]

I never understood the hype for the game. I had no desire to play it, nor do I even want to now.

Well clearly you have no soul. You should definitely try it out. I went in not sure if I would like it and ended up LOVING it.

Miles Edgeworth can't come soon enough.

 

[seat]

Elite Beat Agents

 

[major_killjoy]

Hotel Dusk: The closest thing you can get to an interactive 'Take on Me' music video.

 

[daemonic]

Ace Attorney is a good series in general, but the stories are so convoluted and far-fetched I can't possibly say anyone of them are absolute must owns. I did enjoy playing through all of them, just wish they were a bit more serious in nature.

Anyway, my must own is probably Devil Survivor, soon to be Strange Journey going by previews.

 

[Angie Liu]

Although the music is arguably inferior, Ouendan 2 is a more fun experience. It fixed everything wrong with the original, and allows you to skip all intros and endings

Agreed. In addition to the fleshed-out inclusion of the series' best cumulative features, the flow charts are worlds better than anything the first Ouendan or EBA had before it. Hit markers and phrase bar patterns alike are far more interesting and better thought out. Kibun Jojo and Music Hour on Magnificent Cheering alone are testaments to this fact.

I'm also in the minority camp who feels the music selection is as good, if not better than the first Ouendan's. It's certainly more varied between its ratio between rock and pop, and also introduces more female artists to the mix.

Unless I missed it, I haven't seen this specific game listed, which is a shame. The others you could borrow from a friend, or rent and that'd be fine, but this is something you MUST own. It touches you, it makes you think, and it is one of the few game I know which has the potential to become part of you. Truly a magnum opus in this monumental franchise.

Trials And Tribulations is total aces. Of the four Ace Attorney titles, I find myself frequenting back to this one the most. It bursts at the seams with strong characters, intriguing cases, terrific music, and consistently clever writing. What I love is that every major character from the Phoenix trilogy arc plays key roles here, especially in the final case, and the interaction between one another portrays a surprisingly natural ebb and flow within the game's world. The overarching story is a presence throughout, and the trilogy's focal story threads flow into a dramatic tapestry that will leave you stunned and genuinely satisfied by the time it's all over.

 

[catchabad0ne]

What the hell? Not one vote for Rocket Slime? For shame GAF.

 

[Allan Holdsworth]

I'd say either NSMB or Mario Kart. As in, games that have the most universal appeal

 

[AKingNamedPaul]

I cant believe how love/hate the reception for hotel dusk is. This is what I mean when I say know what you are getting before you judge it. The people who absolutely love the game aren't wrong, they just got what they wanted. The people on the other end of the spectrum expected something else, so people who fall in this category shouldn't blame the game.

That said, the game is definitely not for everyone and is a terrible answer for the OP. Not to mention it's limited re-playability.

 

[LethaL ImpuLse]

I never understood the hype for the game. I had no desire to play it, nor do I even want to now.

You'll never understand until you actually experience it. The 3rd in the series is one of my favorite games of all time.

 

[RadioHeadAche]

Elite Beat Agents

 

[DaBears985]

Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Fun problem solving game with a great storyline. I haven't had the chance to play Diabolical Box yet.

 

[rainer516]

Pokemon Platinum. Very addictive, highly customizable rpg, and it has online multiplayer for endless replay value.

 

[CreatureX3]

Elite Beat Agents!

 

[sasimirobot]

bomberman ds (single cart multiplayer)

 

[Slavik81]

It's down to PW and Ouendan for me...

Ouendan it is.
A unique gaming experience that cannot be duplicated on another traditional console/portable. Import it or play the other two iterations of the franchise.

YES!

Its destroys screens... I pass

No DS is complete without a screen protector.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FVVSZA/?tag=neogaf0e-20

 

[Eteric Rice]

Geometry Wars Galaxies for the DS.

It's cheap.
It's pick up and play.
It's awesome.

 

[ronito]

yes, yes, but why is hitler on the cover?

 

[deathberry]

.

I remember buying my second DS to play this game, along with Mario Kart and Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. After finishing all of these games I sold the DS, then purchased another one a few months later just to play Advance Wars again. Also, Trace Memory .

This was my first Advance Wars game, so I don't know what I missed with previous titles. In any case, the music, although repetitive, was pumping and memorable. And this might have been a turn off for many people, but I really liked turning the tables on a losing battle with the Dual CO Strikes!

What I really loved was the DS using it's other screen to show stats and maps. This really helped me in Castlevania (also my first game in the series), as it kept things quite manageable.

I miss the simpler days when most games on the NDS used to have a DS moniker in their title.

 

[A Link to the Past]

I'd have to say The World Ends With You, with honourable mentions for Phoenix Wright and Picross DS.

 

[thebaroness]

Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 days

Seriously?

Ok, let's pretend for a second that not everyone who owns a DS is a Kingdom Hearts fan. In fact, let's pretend most of install base know nothing of the horribly convoluted story. What gameplay does 358/2 offer to someone unfamiliar with the series? What substance is there, please enlighten me?

I'd say Layton is the absolute must haves for DS. They're charming and accessible for everyone.

My favorite DS game is Hotel Dusk, but it's probably too slow for most folks.

 

[Chuckman]

New Super Mario Bros.

This is such a great game! I've definately played this the most on my DS. I think everyone should own this.

 

[YourMaster]

bomberman ds (single cart multiplayer)

Not so special if everybody has this game.

 

[RadioHeadAche]

Seriously?

Ok, let's pretend for a second that not everyone who owns a DS is a Kingdom Hearts fan. In fact, let's pretend most of install base know nothing of the horribly convoluted story. What gameplay does 358/2 offer to someone unfamiliar with the series? What substance is there, please enlighten me?

No need to be so condescending.

 

[peakish]

I'm tempted to say Advance Wars Dual Strike since it's sooo fun, but it could've been better for what it was I suppose.

With that in mind, Ouendan still defines the system for me <3

whaaaaaaaat? What were your issues with Hotel Dusk? I just got it for my wife and she is loving it!

Not trying to speak for him but it's just pretty boring as an experience. It's half good when it's clear what you have to do to proceed, but there are so many times in the game where there's no clear lead to what you're supposed to do which for me meant that it was time to knock on every frickin' door in the hotel to see if anyone opened it and continued the plot. I'm not opposed to challenge but HD was all over the place, actual puzzles presented to you were so shit simple they could've been in trick books for kids. The story is not that good either, folks... not even for a vidyogame.

Spoiler

For some reason I've played through it twice

But seriously, "what game might appeal to everyone?" and "what's your favorite game?" are two very different questions. On the other hand, looking at the OP again, I guess he was asking the latter one after all.

Even so, I'm not arrogant enough to say "Everyone has to buy my favorite game!". Or maybe I'm supremely arrogant and think my favorite game is too good for the sorry masses. :lol

I think "The ONE DS game everyone MUST HAVE" can be interpreted into more things than "everyone will enjoy this". It can mean something that is pretty much unique for the DS (and still good) like Ouendan. It can mean something that's interesting in the way that I'd recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat on the off chance that they may enjoy it as much as me like Phoenix Wright (and again, Ouendan).