With the Nintendo DS being such a huge success, it was granted that many amazing games would release for the console. There were many fun experiences to be had on the DS, but there are some that can be recommended over others! We'll be looking at the most innovative or unique games on the DS that did well for its time!
Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2
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Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to be a surgeon? Well, now you have a chance to be one! You play as the young, handsome surgeon Dr. Stiles, a well-known and celebrated doctor. The story takes place three years after the first game, as the protagonists put a stop to the GUILT virus…or so they thought. GUILT is an artificial disease that turns the carrier’s body against its host. In this tense, high-stakes game, you have to uncover why GUILT has appeared again, and take it down once more!
The gameplay uses the DS touchscreen and stylus to maneuver around a patient’s body and treat their wounds, GUILT or not. Though the commands are straightforward, the pressure of being a surgeon is still present, as you are put to the test with every operation, being timed all the while. The game can be quite demanding, as you jay only have a few minutes to complete complex tasks, but it’s doable. The story for this game is strong, and it tackles many issues, such a racial tension, medical warfare, political interference, and much more. Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 is definitely not a game that you want to miss!
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Speaking of taking on certain careers, here’s an amazing game where you get to help clients as a defense attorney! Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a game that follows the protagonist, Phoenix Wright, as he makes his way through the world of law as a rookie straight out of law school. As the freshly-educated attorney, you’ll be tasked with investigating scenes, questioning people, and stocking up evidence for the trial.
In the trial, you’ll have to defend your clients against accusations of murder, usually with bizarre pieces of evidence. To successfully prove that your client is innocent, you’ll need to use all pieces of evidence in the correct order and connect The trials are always new, unique, and have their own quirks that separate each one from the last, making for an interesting experience. Get ready for supernatural tendencies, court room hysteria, and crash verdicts in this game!
Sonic Rush
As the first Sonic game to implement the boost formula, Sonic Rush was a very unique and innovative game that tried a lot of new things. In Sonic Rush, Eggman, is up to no good, as usual, but he has a new trick up his sleeve! Eggman has brought his counterpart, Eggman Nega, from another dimension to help plan domination over the world, but as the two dimensions are slowly coming together, a new character is thrown into Sonic’s dimension…a purple cat named Blaze!
You can play as both Sonic and Blaze to complete their story and stop both Eggman and Eggman Nega’s evil schemes before it’s too late! As said before, this game introduces boosting, but it also enables the characters to do tricks, filling up their boost meter. The level design is huge and built for speeding by as fast as possible, but there are the occasional bottomless pits to fall into. Sonic and Blaze play similarly, but have different speeds and abilities to enhance gameplay. The story is very short and keeps things brief, but still manages to make Blaze universally liked among fans. Even the amazing soundtrack has fans in agreement! Sonic Rush may not have been perfect, but it’s a great experience waiting to be had on DS.
Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
As the third entry in the Mario and Luigi RPG series, Bowser’s Inside Story is a fan favorite for a reason! The story of this game revolves around the Mushroom Kingdom falling victim to a disease called the “Blorbs”, causing citizens to balloon up and greatly increase in size. During a conference to figure out what to do, Bowser breaks in and starts his usual shenanigans, but after eating a tainted mushroom, he ends up inhaling Mario, Luigi, Peach, and some Toads. Now micro-sizes, you must play as Mario and Luigi as they venture through Bowser’s body.
In this game, you get to also play as Bowser, and you’ll often switch between perspectives. As the third game in the series, it offers a lot of fun to newcomers and experienced players. Because of how simple but nifty the game is, it’s a good starting point for anyone interested in getting into RPG’s! Mario and Luigi get pretty nifty attacks, while Bowser has the ability to use his armies help him during his battles. The game utilizes the two screen on the DS in some battles, and has many mini games to have fun with as you make your way through the adventure. The game has aged well and has great characterization, something any fan of Mario will appreciate!
Yoshi's Island
On an island full of Yoshi’s and a few familiar-looking babies, what could go wrong? Yoshi’s Island takes place on Yoshi Island, a somewhat secluded island inhabited by many Yoshis. Kamek, an evil koopa, is kidnapping babies and taking them to a castle far away. Luckily, a stork hits Baby Mario and Baby Peach, causing them to fall down to Yoshi Island. The Yoshis decide to help the babies get their friends back, and we start off on a new adventure!
The game, very much like the SNES release, is platform-heavy and includes some simple puzzle elements to keep the game fun. As you progress in the game, each baby you find will grant you with a new ability to help traverse the levels with more ease, making each of them useful. Getting hit will cause the baby to bounce off of your back and into a bubble, where you’ll have a limited amount of time to get then back before they’re taken by flying koopas. Overall, the game is very cute and a ton of fun, especially if it’s your first Yoshi’s Island game!
New Super Mario Bros
New Super Mario Bros for DS is a timeless, unforgettable experience to be had! The game’s story is nothing new, as Princess Peach gets kidnapped and you have to save her, but it’s Bowser Jr. who takes her away this time! In classic 2D Mario fashion, you’ll need to travel through various worlds to save Peach, but this game stakes things up a bit!
Though the gameplay and bosses are simple, the sheer amount of creativity and originality poured into this game is astounding. The game does a good job of adding in new things, such as new power-ups, new boss concepts, and new enemies. Though the game will keep you occupied enough, there’s a mini game mode to play if you need something new to do! New Super Bros definitely had a lot of things to offer, and while many of these things didn’t stick, they were and still are appreciated!
There are many DS games out there that deserve your time and attention, but these stuck out as games that give the player a totally unique experience while also being innovative and creative. They deserve to be remembered, and played from their release date to today!
