At least Nintendo DS games have been listed as some of the best by multiple publications during and after the console's lifespan.
List
+ YearGameGenreDeveloperPublisher 2004Mr. Driller Drill SpiritsPuzzleNamcoSuper Mario 64 DSPlatformNintendoWarioWare: Touched!MinigamesNintendoZoo KeeperTile-matchingSuccessIgnition Entertainment2005Advance Wars: Dual StrikeTurn-based strategyIntelligent SystemsNintendoAnimal Crossing: Wild WorldSocial simulationNintendoBrain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!EdutainmentNintendoCastlevania: Dawn of SorrowAction role-playingKonamiKirby: Canvas CursePlatformHAL LaboratoryNintendoMario & Luigi: Partners in TimeRole-playingAlphaDreamNintendoMario Kart DSKart racingNintendoMeteosTile-matchingQ EntertainmentNintendoNintendogsPet simulationNintendoOsu! Tatakae! OuendanRhythmiNiSNintendoPhoenix Wright: Ace AttorneyVisual novelCapcomSonic RushPlatformSonic TeamSegaTony Hawk's American Sk8landSkateboardingVicarious VisionsActivision2006Castlevania: Portrait of RuinAction role-playingKonamiMario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the MinisPuzzle-platformNintendoElite Beat AgentsRhythmiNiSNintendoMetroid Prime: HuntersAction-adventureNintendoNew Super Mario Bros.PlatformNintendoPokémon Diamond and PearlRole-playingGame FreakNintendoTetris DSPuzzleNintendo2007Apollo Justice: Ace AttorneyVisual novelCapcomContra 4Run and gunWayForward TechnologiesKonamiDragon Quest IVRole-playingCattle CallSquare EnixFinal Fantasy IVRole-playingMatrix SoftwareSquare EnixFinal Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the RiftTactical role-playingSquare EnixHotel Dusk: Room 215Point-and-click adventure gameCingNintendoThe Legend of Zelda: Phantom HourglassAction-adventureNintendoPhoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials and TribulationsVisual novelCapcomPicross DSPuzzleJupiterNintendoPlanet Puzzle LeaguePuzzleIntelligent SystemsNintendoPokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of DarknessRoguelikeGame FreakNintendoProfessor Layton and the Curious VillageAdventure-puzzleLevel-5NintendoProfessor Layton and the Diabolical BoxPuzzle Quest: Challenge of the WarlordsPuzzle1st Playable Productions D3 PublisherRetro Game ChallengeMinigame compilationindieszeroXseed GamesSonic Rush AdventurePlatformSonic TeamSegaThe World Ends with YouAction role-playingSquare Enix2008Bangai-O SpiritsShoot 'em upTreasureD3 PublisherCastlevania: Order of EcclesiaMetroidvania horrorKonamiChrono TriggerRole-playingToseSquare EnixDragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly BrideRole-playingArtePiazzaSquare EnixFire Emblem: Shadow DragonTactical role-playingIntelligent SystemsNintendoGuitar Hero: On TourMusicVicarious VisionsActivisionJam with the BandMusicNintendoKirby Super Star UltraAnthologyHAL LaboratoryNintendoN+PlatformSilverBirch StudiosAtariPokémon PlatinumRole-playingGame FreakNintendoProfessor Layton and the Unwound FuturePuzzle adventureLevel-5Rhythm HeavenRhythmNintendoSpace Invaders ExtremeFixed shooterTaitoTrauma Center: Under the Knife 2Visual novelVanguardAtlusViva Piñata: Pocket ParadiseLife simulationRareTHQ2009999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine DoorsVisual novelSpike ChunsoftDragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry SkiesRole-playingSquare EnixFinal Fantasy IIIRole-playingSquare EnixGrand Theft Auto: Chinatown WarsAction-adventureRockstar GamesHenry Hatsworth in the Puzzling AdventurePlatformElectronic ArtsInfinite SpaceRole-playingNude Maker, PlatinumGamesSegaThe Legend of Zelda: Spirit TracksAction-adventureNintendoLego Rock BandMusicHarmonixWarner Bros. Interactive EntertainmentMario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside StoryRole-playingAlphaDreamNintendoPicross 3DPuzzleHAL LaboratoryNintendoPokémon HeartGold and SoulSilverRole-playingGame FreakNintendoPokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of SkyRoguelikeChunsoftNintendoProfessor Layton and the Last SpecterPuzzle-adventureLevel-5Shin Megami Tensei: Devil SurvivorTactical role-playingAtlusSpace Invaders Extreme 2Fixed shooterProject JustSquare EnixWarioWare D.I.Y.Minigame creation systemNintendo2010Ghost Trick: Phantom DetectivePuzzle adventureCapcomGolden Sun: Dark DawnRole-playingCamelot Software PlanningNintendoLast Window: The Secret of Cape WestAdventureCingNintendoŌkamidenAction-adventure gameCapcomPokémon Black and WhiteRole-playingGame FreakNintendoRadiant HistoriaRole-playingAtlusSuper ScribblenautsEmergent action5th CellWarner Bros. Interactive Entertainment2011Kirby Mass AttackPlatformHAL LaboratoryNintendoShin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2Tactical role-playingAtlus2012Pokémon Black 2 and White 2Role-playingGame FreakNintendoPokémon ConquestTactical role-playingTecmo KoeiNintendo
Publications For instances of at least four citations, reference numbers in the notes section show which of the following publications list the game.
Den of Geek – 2022 Destructoid – 2024 Digital Trends – 2024 For The Win – 2022 GamePro – 2008 GameSpot – 2026 HobbyConsolas – 2014 IGN – 2025 news.com.au – 2022 NGamer – 2012 Nintendo Life – 2025 Nintendojo – 2011 Nintendo World Report – 2011 Racketboy – 2020 Retro Gamer – 2026 Stuff – 2024 TechRadar – 2024 Time Extension – 2024 VG247 – 2023 Video Games Chronicle – 2024
Notes
References