Discover some of the finest games on two screens in our detailed guide of the Nintendo DS hidden gems you may not have uncovered.
There’s no doubt that the Nintendo DS is a special console for many of us, boasting an impressive library of creative games unlike any other console to date. You’ve probably played through its most popular casual titles like Nintendogs or New Super Mario Bros., iconic Pokémon entries like Diamond/Pearl and HeartGold/SoulSilver, or even RPG cult classics like The World Ends With You. But with such a huge library of excellent first-party titles and successful handheld hits, it can be easy to overlook some of the more niche, underappreciated games available on the Nintendo DS.
There are literally hundreds of games worth playing on Nintendo DS. I should know, I’ve played them!
In this article, we’ll focus on those games, and help you unearth some real hidden gems on the console. Games that you (probably) haven’t played, or maybe haven’t even heard of. And even better, these games are still affordable! With the retro market booming, it can be tough to afford the most sought-after titles, so instead, we’ll highlight the brilliant games that thankfully won’t hurt your pocket. To explore more of these or even The 10 Best Games on the Nintendo 3DS, be sure to go check out our Instagram, where we often discuss niche Nintendo DS games.
So which precious gems make the cut? Let’s uncover the first hidden gem on our list…
Nintendo DS Hidden Gem #1 – Contact
Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
Release Year: 2006
Genre: JRPG
Price: $60 – 70AUD / $40 – 45USD / £35 – 42GBP
Grasshopper Manufacture. Maybe you’ve heard of them? A Japanese game studio founded by acclaimed director “Suda 51“, responsible for series like No More Heroes, Killer7 and vulgar games like Shadows of the Damned and Lollipop Chainsaw.
But did you know they also made a quirky JRPG on the DS, which has very similar vibes to Earthbound? Well that’s Contact, and it’s one of the most underrated games I’ve ever come across. The title is an action RPG, and full of odd humour, exploration, plenty of collectibles and items, costumes that give you unique abilities, and an excellent real-time combat system. I’ve not played another game quite like it and only bought it on a whim after finding it for very cheap.
I seriously loved this game and consider it one of the best games on the console, yet few people have played it. Sadly it suffered from poor sales partially due to being released at the same time as Mother 3, but it’s a sleeper hit!
Nintendo DS Hidden Gem #2 – Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes
Developer: Capybara Games
Release Year: 2009
Genre: Puzzle / RPG
Price: $30 – 40AUD / $20 – 25USD / £18 – 25GBP
Might & Magic! No doubt you’ve heard of it, it’s such an iconic RPG series! Might & Magic has been around since 1984 and is best known for the “Heroes of Might & Magic”, a brilliant tactical turn-based strategy.
But did you know the series also had a game on the DS? Clash of Heroes is unlike any other Might & Magic game. In fact it’s more of a puzzle RPG, and one of the best of its genre. Combining elements of role-playing, high fantasy and puzzle games, you play as one of 5 factions throughout the campaign and undertake missions that utilise units aligned to a vertical grid. Definitely an underrated title on the DS and worthy of a spot in your collection.
Don’t own a Nintendo DS but still want to try it out? Well, you’re in luck, because it’s been ported to PC as well.
Nintendo DS Hidden Gem #3 – Lunar Knights
Developer: Kojima Productions
Release Year: 2007
Genre: Action RPG
Price: $50 – 60AUD / $32 – 40USD / £30 – 36GBP
Wait, Kojima Productions? You mean THE Kojima Productions, creators of the universally-praised Metal Gear series? That’s right, well while Kojima wasn’t creating cinematic epics on home consoles, he was busy crafting the unusual heldheld antics of the Boktai series.
Lunar Knights for the Nintendo DS is actually the fourth title in the series, which rely on the use of a sunlight sensor to influence certain aspects of the game. If you played Lunar Knights with one of the previous games inserted, you could even use the GBA cartridge’s sunlight sensor in-game!
You play as two characters each with a unique array of weapons and skills, and progress through a series of levels with a story focused around vampire hunters with a strange mix of Sci-fi and Western elements. The gameplay is thrilling, has a mix of exploration/puzzles/combat, controls well, and even features some shoot ’em up stages in between. It’s quite an impressive game!
I also had a lot of fun with the multiplayer mode, which allows you to face off against a friend in PVP. It’s such a gem and wish more people know of it.
Nintendo DS Hidden Gem #4 – Scurge: Hive
Developer: Orbital Media
Release Year: 2006
Genre: Sci-Fi Action Adventure
Price: $20AUD / $13USD / £12GBP
As they say, imitation is the highest form of flattery. And that’s certainly the case for Scurge: Hive, the best Metroid game you’ve never played! This entire game is unashamedly 100% a Metroid rip-off, and somehow manages this incredibly well.
Playing as a top-down isometric Sci-fi action RPG, you explore an alien planet as a female bounty hunter, Jenosa, tasked with the elimination of a parasitic lifeform known as the “Scurge”. Let me repeat that: female bounty hunter, parasitic alien species. Sound familiar? But don’t be fooled in thinking this game is just a cheap copy. It’s honestly a great game on its own and 100% worth playing if you’re a fan of the Metroid series!
Fun fact, the game’s composer is also none other than Jake Kaufman! Who is know renowned for his incredible work on Shovel Knight and the Shantae series. So at a bargain bin price of only $20, you’d be mad not to give Scurge: Hive a shot.
Nintendo DS Hidden Gem #5 – Squishy Tank
Developer: Natsume
Release Year: 2010
Genre: Arcade / Puzzle
Price: $20 – 30AUD / $13 – 20USD / £12 – 18GBP
Wait, a Match-3 game (think Bejewelled) deserves a place on the list as a hidden gem? Well, believe me, Squishy Tank is no regular Match-3 game. While Squishy Tank does feature pretty standard gameplay that you’d expect from the genre, its unique humour, adorable art style, and pop-culture references make it absolutely worth having in your handheld library.
The entire game focuses on adorable tanks who have been sent into warfare but are terrified and just want to have a good time. Each tank has a different cutesy design and various costumes can be unlocked over the course of the game. Probably the best thing is the huge amount of references to pop culture and other games. My favourite is a sequence where the Squishy Tank finds a cardboard box and decides to try stealth instead!
Nintendo DS Hidden Gem #6 – C.O.P: The Recruit
Developer: VD-dev
Release Year: 2009
Genre: Action / Third-Person Shooter
Price: $20AUD / $13USD / £12GBP
One of the most unusual titles on the DS. Not only does C.O.P. not stand for “cop” as in police, but it’s actually a spin-off of Driver: Parallel Lines despite not advertising its connection to the series. This gritty, action-packed shooter is about as ambitious as DS games come, and this is exactly why it deserves a spot as a Nintendo DS hidden gem.
Players assume the role of Dan Miles, a former street racer who is recruited into the “Criminal Overturn Program” (COP) to take down crime in New York City. His job eventually gets him involved in a crime syndicate planning a terrorist attack on the city. It’s half third person shooter and half open-world driving game, really pushing the DS to its limits. It does neither exceptionally well, but overall is an impressive technical feat for the console.
Nintendo DS Hidden Gem #7 – Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker
Developer: TOSE
Release Year: 2007
Genre: JRPG / Monster Battler
Price: $40 – 50AUD / $26 – 32USD / £24 – 30GBP
The final Nintendo DS hidden gem is the best Pokémon Dragon Quest game ever made!
Seriously one of the best monster-battling games you’ll ever encounter, and a refreshing change from the Pokémon formula. You take control of “Joker” (no, not the Persona guy), on a quest to win the “Monster Scouting Tournament” by collecting monsters from across a tropical island paradise.
Throughout the game you go on a quest to scout monsters and recruit them for your team, and along the way discover secrets about the island where the game is set. The cel-shaded graphics work incredibly well on the DS, and the monster capturing and 3v3 battling gameplay is incredibly rewarding and becomes increasingly challenging as you progress through the game.
In total there are 200 monsters to recruit, all the way from the iconic Slime to all the way up to monsters that appear as bosses on previous games! It’s an RPG-fan’s delight and easily one of the best games on the DS, which is why it takes the final spot as a hidden gem.
Are these hidden gem games still available for purchase, or are they only available through second-hand markets?
These hidden gem games are still available for purchase, although some may be more readily found through second-hand markets or online retailers that specialize in retro or used games. It’s worth noting that prices and availability can vary.
Are there any specific gameplay mechanics or features in these hidden gem games that set them apart from more mainstream titles on the Nintendo DS?
Each of these hidden gem games offers unique gameplay experiences that distinguish them from more mainstream titles. For example, “Contact” is praised for its quirky humor, exploration, and real-time combat system reminiscent of Earthbound. “Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes” combines puzzle and RPG elements in a way that sets it apart from traditional RPGs. “Lunar Knights” features a blend of sci-fi and Western elements with unique sunlight sensor gameplay mechanics.
“Scurge: Hive” offers a Metroid-like experience with its sci-fi action-adventure gameplay. “Squishy Tank” stands out with its adorable art style, humor, and pop-culture references. “C.O.P: The Recruit” is unique for its blend of third-person shooter and open-world driving gameplay. “Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker” offers a refreshing take on monster-battling RPGs, different from the Pokémon formula.
Are there any other similar hidden gem lists or articles for different consoles or platforms that the reader might be interested in exploring?
Yes, there are many similar hidden gem lists or articles available for different consoles or platforms, like our 3DS Hidden Gems article. These lists often highlight lesser-known games that offer unique or innovative gameplay experiences. Reading these articles can help gamers discover hidden gems that they may have overlooked.
Did your favourite Nintendo DS hidden gem make the cut? If not, reach out and share them with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! If you enjoyed reading this, be sure to also check out our Top 10 Games to Grab on 3DS and read more of our other retrospective articles here.
