The Nintendo DS boasts an impressive library of Japanese Role-Playing Games. Here are some of the standout titles that defined the genre on the handheld, offering deep narratives, engaging combat, and memorable characters.
Essential DS JRPGs
- Chrono Trigger: An exceptional port of the SNES classic, often considered one of the greatest RPGs ever. It features a timeless story, multiple endings, beloved characters, and a refined ATB 2.0 combat system, with DS-specific enhancements like a new dungeon and dual-screen presentation.
- Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies: A sprawling adventure with extensive character customization, a charming world, and hundreds of hours of content. Its local multiplayer and post-game support were significant features.
- The World Ends With You: A highly stylized action RPG set in modern-day Shibuya, utilizing a unique dual-screen combat system that heavily incorporates touch controls. Its compelling story, distinct art style, and fantastic soundtrack make it a standout.
- Radiant Historia: Praised for its mature narrative involving time travel and branching storylines. The strategic, grid-based combat system and compelling characters offer a deep and rewarding experience.
- Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver: Widely regarded as some of the best titles in the Pokemon series, these remakes of Gold and Silver expand significantly on the originals with enhanced graphics, added content, and the beloved feature of Pokemon following the player.
Highly Recommended Titles
- Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride: A poignant multi-generational epic. This was the first official English release for this classic, featuring a compelling story and the influential monster-recruitment mechanic.
- Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey: A challenging first-person dungeon-crawler set in a mysterious Antarctic anomaly. It offers deep demon negotiation and fusion mechanics, a dark atmosphere, and a demanding difficulty level.
- Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story: A creative and humorous RPG where players control the Mario Bros. (inside Bowser's body) and Bowser himself. Its witty dialogue and inventive gameplay mechanics are hallmarks of the series.
- Final Fantasy IV DS: A full 3D remake of the SNES classic. It features updated graphics, voice acting, a rebalanced difficulty, and the "Augment" system, allowing for greater character customization.
- Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City: The culmination of the series on DS, offering refined first-person dungeon crawling, deep character customization through skill trees, and the satisfaction of mapping out your own labyrinthine dungeons.
