Unveiling the Best RPG on DS: Your Ultimate Guide to Must-Play Titles

The Nintendo DS was a powerhouse for role-playing games, offering a huge variety of experiences for players. Whether you liked catching monsters, exploring fantasy worlds, or diving into deep stories, there was something for everyone. Figuring out the absolute best RPG on DS can be tough with so many great options. This guide breaks down some of the top picks that really stand out, making it easier to find your next adventure.

Key Takeaways

• Pokémon Heart Gold and Soul Silver are often called the pinnacle of the Pokémon series on the DS, bringing back beloved mechanics with modern flair and the innovative Pokéwalker.
• The original Pokémon Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow games laid the groundwork for a global phenomenon, offering a simple yet addictive adventure that still holds up.
• Paper Mario blends RPG elements with platforming in a charming and accessible way, making it a great entry point for newcomers to the genre.
• Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey provides a unique, challenging, and mature take on the RPG formula with its sci-fi setting and deep demon-collecting systems.
• Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride tells a compelling, lifelong story that is emotionally engaging and a standout in the long-running series.

1. Pokémon Heart Gold / Soul Silver

When the Nintendo DS rolled around, many fans wondered if Pokémon could recapture the magic of its earlier days. With Pokémon HeartGold and Soul Silver, Game Freak didn’t just meet expectations; they blew them out of the water. These aren’t just remakes of the beloved Gold and Silver versions from the Game Boy Color; they are complete overhauls that bring the Johto region to life with stunning visuals and gameplay enhancements.

The inclusion of the Pokéwalker accessory was a stroke of genius. This small, attachable pedometer allowed players to take their favorite Pokémon with them on the go, earning in-game currency and experience just by walking around. It added a whole new layer of engagement to the already addictive Pokémon formula, making it feel like your digital companions were truly a part of your daily life.

Beyond the Pokéwalker, these games offer a massive adventure. You get to explore not one, but two regions: the familiar Johto and the challenging Kanto. This means double the gyms, double the Pokémon to catch, and double the story to uncover. It’s a content-rich experience that keeps you hooked for dozens of hours.

Here’s a quick look at what makes these titles stand out:

• Dual Region Exploration: Journey through both Johto and Kanto, offering an incredible amount of playtime.
• Pokéwalker Integration: A unique peripheral that adds a new dimension to Pokémon training and interaction.
• Enhanced Graphics and Sound: A significant visual and auditory upgrade from the original Game Boy Color versions.
• Robust Post-Game Content: Plenty to do even after you’ve beaten the Elite Four, including challenging the Kanto gyms.

HeartGold and Soul Silver are often cited by fans as the pinnacle of the Pokémon series. They successfully blended nostalgia with modern gameplay, creating an experience that felt both familiar and fresh. The sheer amount of content and the innovative features made them a must-have for any DS owner, regardless of whether they were a long-time Pokémon trainer or just starting their journey.

2. Pokémon Green/Blue/Red/Yellow

Stepping back to where it all began, the original Pokémon games for the Game Boy – Red, Blue, Green (in Japan), and Yellow – are foundational titles that kicked off a global phenomenon. These games introduced us to the core concept of catching, training, and battling creatures called Pokémon, setting the stage for everything that followed. While they might seem simple by today’s standards, their impact is undeniable.

These titles are where the journey to "catch ’em all" truly started. The quest involves exploring the Kanto region, challenging eight Gym Leaders, and ultimately facing the Elite Four. It’s a straightforward yet engaging loop that proved incredibly addictive.

Here’s a quick look at what made these games special:

• Exploration: Discovering the vast Kanto region, from Pallet Town to Cinnabar Island.
• Collection: The primary goal of capturing all 151 original Pokémon.
• Battles: Engaging in turn-based combat using your team’s unique abilities.
• Trading and Battling: Connecting with friends via link cable to trade Pokémon and battle each other, a key social element.

Pokémon Yellow, in particular, offered a slightly different experience by closely following the anime’s storyline, with Pikachu as your starter that follows you around the map. It added a bit more personality to the adventure.

While the graphics are basic and the mechanics are less refined than in later entries, the charm and addictive gameplay of these original Pokémon games are still present. They offer a pure, unadulterated RPG experience that laid the groundwork for one of the biggest entertainment franchises in the world. For many, these are the games that first sparked their love for role-playing adventures.

3. Paper Mario

Paper Mario on the Nintendo 64 is a real gem, blending the familiar charm of the Mario universe with solid RPG mechanics. It’s not just a platformer with some stats thrown in; it’s a thoughtfully designed role-playing game that manages to be accessible for newcomers while still offering enough depth for seasoned players. The game’s unique visual style, with its flat, paper-like characters in a 3D world, is instantly recognizable and adds a lot of personality.

What really makes Paper Mario stand out is its combat system. It’s turn-based, but with a twist. During your turns, you’ll often have to press a button at the right time or perform a quick action to deal extra damage or defend effectively. This "action command" system keeps battles engaging and requires a bit of player input, making them feel more interactive than a standard menu-driven affair. It’s a smart way to keep the gameplay lively.

Beyond the battles, the game is packed with humor and charm. The writing is witty, and the characters you meet are often quirky and memorable. Exploring the Mushroom Kingdom feels rewarding, with plenty of secrets to uncover and side quests to undertake. It’s a game that respects your time, offering a satisfying experience without feeling overly long or padded.

Here’s a quick look at some of its strengths:

• Engaging Combat: Turn-based battles with active "action commands" that require player input.
• Unique Art Style: Distinctive paper-cutout characters in a vibrant 3D world.
• Humorous Writing: Witty dialogue and memorable characters add to the charm.
• Accessible RPG Elements: Introduces RPG concepts in an easy-to-understand way.

While the original Paper Mario was on the N64, its influence and design philosophy carried over to later titles, making it a foundational entry in the series. Its blend of action and RPG elements set a standard that many games have tried to follow.

If you’re looking for an RPG that’s fun, funny, and visually distinct, Paper Mario is an excellent choice for the Nintendo 64 and a great starting point for anyone curious about the genre.

4. Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey takes players to the frozen continent of Antarctica, where a mysterious anomaly known as the Schwarzwelt has appeared. You play as a soldier tasked with investigating this phenomenon, equipped with the advanced Demonica suit. This suit not only protects you from the harsh environment but also allows you to capture and summon demons. The game masterfully blends a compelling narrative with the series’ signature demon-collecting and fusion mechanics.

Unlike some other entries in the Shin Megami Tensei series, Strange Journey was designed with an international audience in mind from the start. The setting in Antarctica was chosen to allow for a diverse cast of characters and a unique atmosphere, drawing some inspiration from dystopian sci-fi films. The story often explores the complex relationship between humanity and technology, posing questions about control and reliance.

Gameplay in Strange Journey is turn-based, featuring strategic combat where exploiting enemy weaknesses is key. A notable feature is the "co-op" system, which grants bonus attacks when you perform well in battle, making the challenging combat more manageable. You’ll spend a lot of time exploring dungeons, battling demons, and recruiting them to your party. Recruiting demons involves talking to them during battle, and success often depends on your choices and their personalities.

Here’s a look at some key aspects:

• Demon Negotiation: Engage in conversations with demons to recruit them. Be prepared for them to ask for money or items.
• Demon Fusion: Combine two or more demons to create a more powerful one, inheriting their skills.
• Demonica Suit: Upgradeable armor that provides various resistances and abilities, crucial for survival.
• Schwarzwelt Exploration: Navigate diverse and dangerous environments, uncovering the secrets of the anomaly.

The game presents a unique take on the Shin Megami Tensei formula, offering a deep and engaging experience that balances challenging gameplay with a thought-provoking story. Its setting and themes set it apart, making it a memorable adventure on the Nintendo DS.

While the original DS version is excellent, an enhanced version, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux, was later released for the Nintendo 3DS, adding new content and refinements.

5. Octopath Traveller 2

Octopath Traveler II builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, offering a refined and expanded experience for fans of turn-based RPGs. This sequel manages to capture the nostalgic charm of classic 16-bit era adventures while introducing modern conveniences and innovative gameplay elements. You’ll once again choose from eight distinct characters, each with their own unique story, abilities, and motivations. As you progress, you’ll encounter the other travelers, weaving their narratives together into a larger, interconnected tale.

The game’s presentation is a standout feature, with its signature HD-2D art style that blends detailed pixel art with modern visual effects. This creates a world that is both beautiful and immersive, bringing the diverse regions and characters to life.

Gameplay-wise, Octopath Traveler II introduces several improvements that make the experience more engaging. The combat system remains turn-based but features new mechanics that add strategic depth. Character progression is handled through a job system, allowing for significant customization and replayability.

Here’s a look at the eight main characters:

• Ochette: A beast hunter with a strong connection to the natural world.
• Castti: A skilled apothecary with a mysterious past.
• Throné: A nimble thief driven by a desire for freedom.
• Osvald: A scholar seeking revenge for a wrongful accusation.
• Partitio: A merchant with a heart of gold, aiming to solve global problems.
• Agnea: A dancer who dreams of becoming a star.
• Temenos: A cleric investigating a dark secret.
• Hikari: A prince burdened by the responsibility of his kingdom.

While the stories of the eight travelers may feel somewhat separate at times, the game excels at making each individual journey feel meaningful and rewarding. The improvements over the first game are subtle but significant, leading to a more confident and polished overall experience.

6. Kingdom Hearts

Kingdom Hearts is a pretty unique game, blending Disney characters with Final Fantasy heroes. It’s an action RPG, so you’re not just picking commands from a menu; you’re actually moving around and fighting in real-time. The story is a bit wild, following Sora as he travels through different Disney worlds, fighting off creatures called the Heartless. It’s a crossover that sounds strange on paper, but it really works.

This game came out on the PlayStation 2 back in 2002, and it was quite a hit. It’s not a super long game, usually taking around 29 hours to finish the main story, which is pretty standard for an RPG. It’s got that classic Square Enix feel, with a good mix of exploration, combat, and story.

Here’s a quick look at some of its features:

• Genre: Action RPG
• Original Platform: PlayStation 2
• Metacritic Score: 85
• Estimated Playtime: 29 hours (Main Story)

The blend of familiar Disney settings with the more serious tone of Final Fantasy creates an interesting dynamic. You’ll find yourself exploring worlds like Wonderland and Agrabah, but with a darker threat lurking beneath the surface. It’s a surprisingly cohesive experience, considering the mix of IPs.

While this entry is for the PlayStation 2, the series has seen many follow-ups and ports on other systems. If you’re looking for something a bit different in the RPG space, especially if you grew up with Disney movies, Kingdom Hearts is definitely worth checking out.

7. Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne

Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, also known as Lucifer’s Call in Europe, is a game that really shook things up when it first came out on the PlayStation 2. It’s not your typical RPG; it throws you into a post-apocalyptic Tokyo that’s been transformed into a swirling vortex of demons. You play as a regular high school student who, after a bizarre event, becomes a half-demon, a Demi-fiend. This transformation is central to the game’s narrative and gameplay.

The core of Nocturne is its unique demon-collecting and fusion system. You’ll spend a lot of time talking to demons, negotiating with them, and then combining them to create more powerful allies. It’s a system that rewards strategic thinking and a bit of luck. The combat itself is turn-based, but with a twist. The Press Turn system means that landing critical hits or exploiting enemy weaknesses grants you extra turns, while missing or getting hit by an attack can cost you precious turns. It makes every battle feel tense and engaging.

What really sets Nocturne apart is its atmosphere and story. It’s dark, philosophical, and doesn’t shy away from complex themes about order, chaos, and the nature of existence. The world feels bleak but also strangely beautiful, with a distinct visual style that holds up surprisingly well. The music also plays a huge part in creating that unforgettable mood.

Here’s a quick look at some of its key features:

• Demon Negotiation: Talk your way into recruiting demons to your party.
• Demon Fusion: Combine two or more demons to create a new, often stronger, one.
• Press Turn Combat: A strategic turn-based system that rewards smart play.
• Unique Setting: A demon-infested, post-apocalyptic Tokyo.

The game’s narrative is a significant departure from many RPGs, focusing on the player’s choices and their impact on the world’s future. It presents a world where the old order has been destroyed, and the player has a hand in shaping what comes next, often through morally ambiguous decisions.

While the original release was on PS2, its enduring popularity led to a remaster, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster, which brought the game to modern platforms. This version includes some quality-of-life improvements, but the core experience remains the same challenging and rewarding adventure that made the original a classic.

8. Dragon Quest V

Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is a truly special entry in the long-running series, and its appearance on the Nintendo DS is a significant event for fans of epic RPGs. What sets this game apart is its ambitious narrative structure, which follows the protagonist through his entire life. You start as a child, accompanying your father on a grand adventure, and eventually grow to become a parent yourself, continuing a legacy that spans generations.

This life-spanning story is incredibly moving. It doesn’t shy away from hardship, showing the hero face loss and struggle, making the triumphs all the more meaningful. Even though the main character remains silent, the rich cast of supporting characters and their interactions help shape his personality and drive the emotional core of the game. It’s a story about family, destiny, and the choices we make.

Here’s a look at some key aspects of the DS version:

• Generational Storytelling: Experience a narrative that unfolds over decades, focusing on the protagonist’s personal journey, his relationships, and his eventual role in a larger conflict.
• Monster Recruitment: A hallmark of the Dragon Quest series, you can recruit a wide variety of monsters to join your party, adding a strategic layer to combat and team building.
• Marriage and Family: A unique feature allows the protagonist to marry and start a family, with your chosen spouse and children playing significant roles in the latter half of the game.

The DS version of Dragon Quest V offers a refined experience with added content, including a third marriage option and more recruitable monsters, making it a standout title for the system. Its focus on a deeply personal, multi-generational story makes it a memorable RPG adventure.

While the original Super Famicom version was never officially released outside Japan, the DS remake brought this beloved classic to a wider audience, and it remains a powerful example of how RPGs can tell deeply human stories.

9. Golden Sun: The Lost Age

Golden Sun: The Lost Age is a direct continuation of the first Golden Sun game, picking up right where its predecessor left off. This title really shines with its intricate puzzle-filled dungeons and a robust magic system known as Psynergy. You’ll spend a lot of time exploring the world of Weyard, gathering new Adepts, and mastering their elemental powers to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies.

The game’s strength lies in its blend of traditional turn-based combat and engaging environmental puzzles. The Psynergy system isn’t just for fighting; it’s integral to progressing through the game’s many challenging areas. You’ll need to use abilities like ‘Move’ to push blocks, ‘Reveal’ to find hidden paths, and ‘Water’ to grow plants, all while managing your party’s stats and equipment.

Here’s a quick look at some key aspects:

• Psynergy System: A core mechanic allowing characters to wield elemental magic for both combat and puzzle-solving.
• Djinn System: These elemental spirits can be equipped to Adepts, granting stat boosts, new abilities, and powerful summon attacks.
• Class System: Adepts can change classes by equipping Djinn, leading to diverse character builds and strategic combat options.

The story continues the quest to gather the four Elemental Stars and prevent the misuse of Alchemy. While the first game focused on a group of heroes, The Lost Age shifts perspective, allowing you to control the antagonists for a portion of the game, offering a more complex narrative.

The transition from the original Golden Sun is handled smoothly, with players able to carry over their progress via a password system or by linking Game Boy Advance systems. This continuity rewards players who invested time in the first game and makes The Lost Age feel like a truly epic, cohesive adventure.

While the combat is solid, some players find that the game doesn’t always push the strategic depth of its Psynergy and Djinn systems to their fullest potential. However, the sheer scope of the adventure, combined with its beautiful 2D graphics and memorable soundtrack, makes Golden Sun: The Lost Age a standout RPG on the Nintendo DS’s predecessor, the Game Boy Advance, and a worthy addition to any collection.

10. Final Fantasy V

Final Fantasy V is a classic turn-based RPG that originally launched on the Super Famicom in Japan. While it didn’t get a Western release on its original platform, its influence and gameplay have made it a fan favorite over the years. The game’s standout feature is its incredibly deep and flexible Job System. This system allows players to customize their party by switching between a wide variety of character classes, each with unique abilities and skills.

This job system really lets you experiment with different party setups. You can have a party of powerful mages, a group of swift attackers, or even a mix of everything. It’s this freedom that makes replaying Final Fantasy V so enjoyable, as you can tackle challenges in entirely new ways with different job combinations.

Here’s a look at some of the unique jobs you can unlock:

• Mime: This job allows a character to replicate the last action performed by another party member. It’s a bit of a late-game unlock, but incredibly powerful when used strategically.
• Geomancer: This class uses elemental earth-based attacks without consuming MP, making them a reliable damage dealer.
• Berserker: A high-risk, high-reward job that boosts attack power but lowers defense, often leading to critical hits.

The game’s story follows four heroes who must protect the world’s crystals from falling into the wrong hands. While the narrative might not be as complex as some later Final Fantasy titles, it serves as a solid framework for the engaging gameplay and character progression.

Final Fantasy V has seen several re-releases and remasters over the years, including the "Pixel Remaster" version, which updates the graphics and sound while keeping the core gameplay intact. If you’re looking for an RPG with a fantastic job system and plenty of replayability, Final Fantasy V is definitely worth checking out.

Your Next Adventure Awaits

So, there you have it – a look at some of the standout RPG experiences available on the Nintendo DS. This console was a treasure trove for fans of the genre, offering everything from epic, story-driven adventures to charming, accessible titles perfect for newcomers. Whether you’re drawn to deep combat systems, compelling narratives, or unique gameplay mechanics, the DS library has something to offer. We’ve covered a range of games that have left a lasting impression, and hopefully, this guide helps you find your next favorite game. Dive in and discover the magic that made these RPGs so special on this iconic handheld.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Pokémon Heart Gold and Soul Silver so special on the DS?

These games are like a super-upgraded version of the classic Gold and Silver Pokémon adventures. They bring back everything you loved, plus a cool gadget called the Pokéwalker that lets you take your Pokémon with you on the go. It’s super fun and a great way to get rewards in the game just by walking around!

Why are the original Pokémon Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow still loved?

Even though they’re older, these games are where it all began! They introduced the world to catching and battling Pokémon. For many players, they’re the first and most memorable RPG experiences they ever had, full of charm and simple, addictive gameplay.

Is Paper Mario good for beginners to RPGs?

Absolutely! Paper Mario is like a perfect introduction to role-playing games. It mixes fun platforming with RPG elements in a way that’s easy to understand but still really engaging. You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy its story and battles.

What’s unique about Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey?

This game offers a darker, more mature story than many other RPGs on the DS. You explore a mysterious, dangerous area called the Schwarzwelt. It’s known for its challenging gameplay and deep story, and there’s even an updated version called Redux with more content.

How long does it usually take to beat Octopath Traveler 2?

Octopath Traveler 2 is a pretty big adventure! If you’re focusing on the main story, you’re looking at around 60 hours of gameplay. But if you get into all the side quests and exploring, it can take much longer!

What makes Kingdom Hearts stand out among DS RPGs?

Kingdom Hearts blends the worlds of Final Fantasy and Disney in a really unique way. It’s an action RPG, so the combat is more about real-time fighting than just picking moves from a menu. Plus, the story is full of adventure and heart, making it a memorable journey.