TheNintendo DSlaunched in 2004. For a stunning seven years, it thrived as one of Nintendo’s best-selling devices across both consoles and portables. It was a huge mega-hit that was replaced in 2011 with the 3DS.
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That said, every DS game is still playable on that system no matter what version one plays it on from the 3DS to the 2DS. In that way, DS games are still somewhat accessible. However, as they have never been released digitally on the 3DS, getting ahold of some of these cartridges can be tricky. Some strangely did make it to the Wii U, but the following ten did not.
10Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrow
None of the DSCastlevaniagames ever left the system. This goes forDawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, and Order of Ecclesia.
All three of those games are classicMetroidvanias, butDawn of Sorrowis the best of the three. It’s like comparing rare diamonds but if one could only wish for a single port, it would be that.
9Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire Of The Rift
LikeCastlevania, there are plenty ofFinal Fantasygames trapped on the handheld game system. In fact, none of them have appeared on the Wii U Virtual console.
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The best handheld exclusive is the final, real title in theFinal Fantasy Tacticsseries. It, and its Game Boy Advance predecessor, are certainly different in tone compared to the original. However, make no mistake, it is still a classic.
8Pokémon Conquest
Another tactical spinoff game trapped on the DS isPokémon Conquest. This bizarre title crosses over the RTS simulation series,Nobunaga’s Ambition, with cute Pokémon as stand-in soldiers.
While flawed, this late addition to the console from 2012 not only deserves a port but a sequel as well. Getting the mainline games ported, likePokémon Black/White, would also be a treat.
7Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels Of The Starry Skies
This game launched in 2009 for Japan, but Western fans had to wait a year for it to be released in 2010. That’s right, 2020 is the tenth anniversary of its Western debut. What better time to release a port, or remake?
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This was the first main game to feature multiplayer along with being built from the ground up for a portable system. It was ahead of its time and deserves another spot in the sun. GettingDragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slimewould also be grand.
6Lunar Knights
Lunar Knightsis the last game in theBoktaiseries that started on theGame Boy Advance. Because those games relied on charging literal sunbeams into the game via solar panels, it makes emulating them incredibly tricky.
This is probably why theBoktaiseries in general isn’t on Wii U or the Switch. WhyLunar Knightsisn’t on the service is beyond anyone’s guess, though, as Konami did away with the gimmick of using real sunlight for the game. This then is just a cool hack-and-slash RPG.
5Golden Sun: Dark Dawn
Another sun-related RPG series isGolden Sun. Thankfully Camelot never felt the need to use solar panels though. The first two games from the Game Boy Advance did make their way to the Wii U.
As one could guess this final entry,Dark Dawn, did not. It has now been ten years since this released with Camelot focusing on various Mario sports-related titles forNintendo. They are good, and it would be nice to see them return to this series at some point.
4Okamiden
Since its debut on the PS2 in 2006,Okamihas been ported to nearly every console since. Its DS sequel, unfortunately, has not.
Of the two the original is definitely more worthy of the constant port and remaster treatments.Okamidenwas more like a half-step as a sequel, but for fans of the original that perhaps never got around to it, this is still worth a play and also deserves a new chance at life.
3Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood
BioWare has made some of the most iconic games of the past couple of decades. Even when they aren’t creating their own worlds, they do fine work with licenses such asStar Wars. Another, more forgotten, property they have worked on wasSonic.
This was an RPG that tried to tackle the Mario RPG series and they did an okay job with it. The game is rough, but still neat enough to deserve getting on another digital service. Funnily enough, noSonicgames from the DS ever made it to the Wii U or Switch, althoughMario & Sonic at the Olympic Gameshad a sequel released for the Wii and Nintendo 3DS.
2Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
Another flawed RPG, that honestly begins with the bizarre title, isKingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. This game follows Roxas and the beginnings of Organization XIII. It skips all over the place from the first and second main games so it is both a sequel and a prequel.
The cool thing this game tried to do was introduce multiplayer to the series. It was sort of like aKingdom Heartsversion ofMonster Hunter. The repetitive levels and poor controls made it hard to play with friends, but an enhanced port could fix some of these issues.
1Super Princess Peach
A Nintendo list would not be complete without aMariotitle. Not only wasSuper Princess Peachher first and only solo game, but it has never left the DS. It remains forgotten by Nintendo, but true Peach fans hold this wacky adventure close to their hearts.
It’s time for a port and a sequel. Throw Daisy and Rosalina in there for good measure too. That’s a free idea, Nintendo.
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