Handheld gaming may be the domain of smartphone apps now, but even ten years ago, Nintendo was still king of that particular market. For the longest time, they had a chain of extremely popular gaming devices from the original Game Boy, to its Color upgrade, to the Game Boy Advance and the Nintendo DS, which is still the best selling handheld game console to date.
People were initially skeptical about the touchscreen controls and having to keep an eye on two screens at the same time, but great titles like Metroid Prime Hunters and Super Mario 64 DS put those worries to rest. The system caught on quickly and a slew of Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon titles kept the fires roaring, and updated versions such as the DS Lite and DSi kept interest going for several years more.
As great as some of these titles were, however, a few of them tend to get more praise than they deserve. Whether they were "games" that were more a casual novelty or simply flawed titles that gained popularity from brand recognition alone, there are several DS games that are just overrated. Not necessarily bad, mind you, just praised a little too much.
The worst part about those games, though, is that they overshadowed some far better titles that never really got much of chance to shine in the spotlight. Maybe it was because they didn't come directly from Nintendo that they were unfairly lumped in with the "shovelware" in the bargain bin, but they were far greater than most gamers initially judged.
Without further ado, here are the 15 Most Overrated DS Games (And The 15 Most Underrated).
Starting off the list, we have the game that started the "virtual pet" craze on the DS: Nintendogs. Not only is this game responsible for inspiring half the shovelware on the DS, but it received immense critical acclaim, including the 2006 Innovation Award from PC World and Best Handheld Game from the Associated Press.
Maybe petting a virtual dog was innovative back in 2006 (maybe), but the fact that this game was actually the second best-selling game on the DS is just something that cannot be overlooked.
via: twitter.comNo, we're not talking about the League of Legends player. We're talking about Meteos, the tile-matching puzzle game released for the DS in 2005. Inspired by Missile Command and (apparently) The Matrix, players match three or more blocks (meteos) of the same color to launch them and prevent them from destroying alien planets.
Critics loved the game and it reached number one in DS sales in the UK market during its first week, but after a Disney-themed sequel in 2007, people eventually forgot this charming and unique puzzle game. Fans of Lumines and Tetris need to check this out.
28 Overrated: Brain Age: Train Your Brain In Minutes A Day!
via: mercadolibre.comThough this is the game that inspired the other half of the DS' shovelware, Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day! was both a commercial and critical success. In fact, this collection of math problems and Sudoku puzzles somehow managed to be the fourth best-selling game on the DS!
I suppose there is some merit to a game that claims to be healthy for the mind, though there has been controversy over the actual effectiveness of this game. Thankfully, these kinds of casual games have all moved over to the far more saturated mobile app market.
27 Underrated: Rhythm Heaven
via: Rhythm Heaven WikiAs the name implies, Rhythm Heaven (known as Rhythm Paradise in Europe) is a rhythm game for the DS. Though critics liked the game and it sold very well in Japan, Western gamers weren't quite as sold on it. It's a shame, because they were missing out on one of the best rhythm games for the DS or any system.
The cute aesthetic and simple drum-like rhythm mechanics hide a deep and challenging game that few rhythm games ever reach. A must-have for people searching for the perfect beat.
26 Overrated: Radiant Historia
via: cheatcc.comNow we finally move onto real games, and this first one may seem like an odd choice. Though many gamers may not remember it, Atlus' Radiant Historia was actually very well received when it was first released. Though the game does have a really great story, the way it handled the branching paths left a lot to be desired.
The battle system was great, but parts of the combat were pretty frustrating, as were the more convoluted puzzles in the game. It also required a lot of grinding, which got old very quick. Only for dedicated JRPG fans.
25 Underrated: Fossil Fighters
via: Nintendo World ReportYou may have seen this game in your local game store's bargain bin and dismissed it, but Fossil Fighters is better than your standard Pokémon clone. First off, every monster you catch, train, and fight, is a superpowered dinosaur, so that's already awesome.
But other mechanics, like the part where you have to dig and clean fossils, are also strangely engrossing and help the game stand out on its own. Sure, it might be a strange mash-up of Jurassic Park meets Pokémon, but honestly, isn't that what every 90's kid dreamed of?
24 Overrated: Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor
via: gamepressure.comShin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is another Atlus game developed for the DS, and once again the critics praised the game for its story and gameplay, as well as the replayability that the different endings provide. However, the combat wasn't very deep, especially for a tactical RPG.
And though it does have a pretty solid story, you still have to sit through an abnormally large number of walls of text, which is kind of a turn off for anything that isn't a visual novel. It's a pretty good game, but maybe not one of the best RPGs on the system.
23 Underrated: Lunar Knights
via: youtube.comThere were plenty of JRPGs on the DS that weren't called Pokémon, and Lunar Knights was one of them. Developed by Kojima Productions, this sequel to the GBA Boktai series already became a great game when it removed that annoying real-life solar sensor from the previous games.
The game's two leads allow players to switch from a long-range run 'n gun style to up-close hack and slash at the drop of a hat, both of which feel immensely satisfying. If you're looking for a fun anime-inspired action RPG on the go, try this one out.
22 Overrated: Planet Puzzle League
via: YouTube (Sincero580)Planet Puzzle League is another in the Touch! Generations line of casual games started by Brain Age, so that should tell you how mild this game is. The game is your standard matching puzzle game that we've all seen a hundred times before. Despite that, it still got really high reviews from Destructoid and IGN.
It may have had some interesting combo mechanics and great online options back in 2009, but predictably, Planet Puzzle League did not have the same staying power of Dr. Mario or Lumines.
21 Underrated: Infinite Space
via: YouTube (SEGA Europe)In the same year Bayonetta was released, PlatinumGames also unveiled Infinite Space, a curious mash-up of JRPG, space simulation, and real-time strategy. It had a very large scope for a DS game, as the extensive customization, intricate story, and near infinite amount of space to explore was impressive.
Maybe too impressive, as some players felt it was a bit much, and the steep learning curve did not help. Still, if you're in the mood for an epic space opera, and are willing to toil through the learning curve and interface, you'll find a truly rewarding experience.
20 Overrated: Pokémon Black And White
via: wikiHowNow we're getting into some controversial territory here. Pokémon Black and White were our introductions to the fifth generation of Pokémon, and though critics praised the advancements in gameplay and the new Pokémon on offer, there were still some noticeable flaws.
While some Pokémon did look cool, others were downright ugly, and the "advancements" in gameplay were actually fairly minimal. At its core, it was still the same old Pokémon game we'd bought ten times before. And the supposedly "complex and stellar plot" may have been impressive for Pokémon, but it was only okay when compared to other JRPGs.
19 Underrated: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
via: YouTube (Serg7398)Many people forget that there was once a time when GTA was available on Nintendo. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars may have been a portable game, but it had all the intensity and mayhem the series was known for. Nearly every critic loved the game, and it is currently the best reviewed DS game on Metacritic.
Despite critical praise, it was forgotten after only a few years. The controversy over the dealing mechanic and general intensity probably also hurt sales on the otherwise kid-friendly system. Still, if you want some classic GTA action on the go, check this one out.
18 Overrated: The World Ends With You
via: PolygonThe World Ends With You was unique among other JRPGs of the time (and even those of today), but it's definitely not the best. This urban fantasy action RPG was praised for its art style, soundtrack, and the hip Shibuya setting. However, it's clear that this game is a case of style over substance.
The battle system isn't necessarily bad, but it does take quite a while to learn. There's also the fact that the touch-screen controls weren't always the most accurate. The game can also feel painfully emo at times, which can put off quite a few gamers.
17 Underrated: Big Bang Mini
via: youtube.comHave you ever played Missile Command and wished it were brighter and more colorful? That's basically what Big Bang Mini is, as you shoot incoming enemies with fireworks. This very stylish shoot 'em up boasted a unique art style and was well-liked by critics, but it was forgotten soon after its release.
It's a real shame, as the game was a truly visual feast. Not only did it have some amazing pixelated backdrops, but the original soundtrack was one of the best on the DS. Plus, any game that has you shoot clowns and dragons is pretty wonderful.
16 Overrated: New Super Mario Bros.
via: wikiHowNow, it may seem like an obvious target to call the best-selling DS game of all time overrated, but New Super Mario Bros. really is. Granted, it did introduce some cool new power-ups and the multiplayer was pretty fun, but other than that, it's the same old 2D Mario game.
In 2006, people may have been starving for a new 2D Mario game, but the stages here really aren't as memorable as what we saw in Super Mario Bros. 3 or Super Mario World. Honestly, if we were making a Top Mario Games list, this probably wouldn't even break the Top 10.
15 Underrated: Retro Game Challenge
via: Amazon.comThere were a few retro game bundles on the DS, but Retro Game Challenge stands apart for being the best collection not based on any actual retro games. Unfortunately, the game sold less than 100,000 copies in North America, mostly because it's pretty weird.
You play as a kid in the 80s who is forced by Japanese comedian Shinya Arino to complete challenges in several original 8-bit games. At certain points, you even have to pause the game to look for tips in retro gaming magazines. A nostalgic experience for anyone who grew up with an NES.
14 Overrated: Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games
via: ebay.comAt the other end of the spectrum, we have Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. This may not look like an overrated game, but Mario & Sonic is actually one of the best-selling titles on the DS and is responsible for starting an entire series.
Do I really need to explain why a game in which Mario and Sonic jump on trampolines and race in canoes isn't that good? Well, while the Wii game wasn't much better, the DS lacked the level of interaction between players that made those games passingly amusing.
13 Underrated: Advance Wars: Days Of Ruin
via: MichibikuThe Advance Wars series as a whole doesn't get enough recognition today, and Days of Ruin doubly so. This game differentiates itself from the rest of the series with it's darker atmosphere and brand new independent storyline, which upset some of the fans.
Despite these changes, the gameplay is still largely the same simple, turn-based tactics the series was known for. As with all great strategy games, the real star is online multiplayer, which worked better than any other DS game at the time. Sadly, there hasn't been another Advance Wars since this game's release.
12 Overrated: Kirby: Canvas Curse
via: YouTube (NintendoGamingHD)Now here's a game that tried it's best to make use of the DS' touch-screen controls, only for it to blow up in its face. To be fair, Kirby: Canvas Curse is a pretty good and creative platformer. There's just one main issue: it exclusively uses stylus controls. There is no option to switch over to the D-pad and buttons.
Despite that, critics everywhere loved the reinvention of the platformer, and 1UP even called it "the DS's first great game." But honestly, just because you're doing something different doesn't automatically make it a masterpiece.
11 Underrated: Electroplankton
via: YouTube (EightBitHD)Before developer indieszero made Retro Game Challenge, they created this curious interactive music game. Electroplankton allows players to interact with animated plankton, each one producing a different musical note. Though critics loved it, the larger gaming audience seemed to ignore the game.
Maybe it's because this isn't really a "game" so much as it's a musical novelty for the DS, but it is still a truly fantastic one. All it takes is a few minutes of messing around, and soon you'll be making some genuinely mesmerizing songs.
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