Top Ten Must Have Nintendo DS RPGs 

And that's why I don't need to buy new consoles for 70 years.

Man Im glad you Mentioned The World ends with you, personally that would be my top spot, it's story,characters and game play were top-tier...

Always good to see someone remembering the DS. Most have forgotten about it. Except for the main Mario, Zelda and Pokemon Stuff :/

My picks would probably be: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Echoes of Time (No game has yet managed to reach the emotional landslide that this one was for me. I laughed, I cried and I cheered. This is the one that defined my love for video games.) Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (This is the game that led to my love of customization and collecting . I loved going out and collecting all the outfits and items and really making my character my own) Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift (If it wasn't for this game, I never would have started playing SRPGs. The story was great and the gameplay was excellent. One of the best) Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver (Possibly the pinnacle of the Pokémon series, everything about these games was just right. Some of the other games got some things better, but only HG and SS got everything right) Rune Factory 3 (I love the Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons series, but sometimes the gameplay gets real slow with nothing to do for In-Game days while waiting for crops to grow. In Rune Factory, I was never bored. I was on my 5th playthrough by the time I lost my copy.) Chrono Trigger (This is one of the all time greatest RPGs, if not the greatest. I have never put so much time in a game. I had to have played this game for thousands of hours.) These are the big ones, there's probably more but these are the ones that have stuck with me to this day. They are so good, that I still include them in my Top 20 today.

So many good RPGs on the DS! It must be partly due to the concurrent x360 and Ps3 lacking interest in them. I'd love to see HD remasters of: 1. Dragon Quest IX (WITH the Multiplayer intact) 2. Final Fantasy 4 Heroes of Light (WITH the multiplayer intact again) 3. Mario & Luigi Partners in Time (sadly with the recent bankruptcy of AlphaDream this seems difficult...)

Both the Devil Survivor series and Radiant Historia have enhanced versions on 3ds, if you have one.

I would recommend Etrian Odyssey 1 and 2 🙂 I am so happy seeing Golden Sun: Dark Dawn on this listv❤️

Pokemon HGSS and BW2 may actually be the DS games with the most content in general. Those are primarily happy and mildly exiting games though. If you want the full RPG package - joy, sadness, melancholy and tension, Radian Historia is your game.

Radiant Historia is a must play if you are an RPG fan. Absolutely amazing. Also cool to see you give some love to Avalon Code! I never ended up beating it, but enjoyed the time I put into it. Another fun action RPG that I consider an honorable mention would be Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals. It's another one that is overlooked, which is surprising since it has Lufia in the title.

Thanks for not slamming Golden Sun DS to the ground, I was surprised to see it on a top 10 list that's not about disappointing games.

I’m soooo glad golden sun was in the list I’ve played it so many times it’s amazing

I would consider Mega Man Star Force to be an RPG of sorts. I would recommend playing the first game (Either Pegasus, Leo or Dragon), as the story is dark, adult and surprisingly deep for a DS game.

Patreon shoutouts is actually my favorite RPG :)

I completely recommend Suikoden Tierkreis (my favorite game of all time) and Luminous Arc, both in the NDS. Greats games. Also, excellent list, all of the games are great, I think the only one I haven't played is Devil Survivor, but seeing your taste in games (because I'm liking your channel a lot), probably I'll love it. Thanks.

So thrilled to see you include Rune Factory 3 and Radiant Historia! Both needs more recognition honestly

I finally found a list that I can whole-heartedly agree with.

All the DQ Games + Chrono Trigger

It’s rather unknown but I can really recommend „Magical Starsign“ I don’t know if it’s because it was my first RPG other than Pokémon or Mario and Luigi, but it has a special place in my heart and I think it’s really worth looking at.

I didn't expect Pokémon HG/SS there 😭❤️ best Pokémon game ever

i first played TWEWY 11 years ago, and it’s still my number one favorite game of all time! the characters and plot really spoke to me and there’s just so much about it that makes it truly a unique and special game also radiant historia is soooo good i played it for the first time last year and i fell in love with it

I am getting these on my modded dsi! I have a new switch oled but the dsi xl was my first console and has a special place in my heart.

Devil Survivor 1, Smt Strange Journey, Dragon Quest 9, Pokémon platinum, heartgold and soulsilver is all you need

This list makes me want to dive into the DS library again even more than I already wanted to... I just feel like I don't have enough time to get into video games anymore... It's not that I don't enjoy them anymore, I just don't like being interrupted or being forced to stop playing them indefinitely and be forced to start the game over again because I don't remember what happened in the story when I finally get back to the game again. It frustrates me how I can never finish the games I start playing, so I've ended up just not starting them in the first place. It makes me sad...but it's the only solution I've come up with...so far. I guess it's even more incentive to work harder to be able to eventually get more time in my life to catch up on what I've been missing out on all of these years....

358/2 was my first Kingdom Hearts game, and it’s one of my favorite stories on the DS!

I loved seeing someone actually talk about games for the ds besides link and pokemon, the ds really deserves more credit then it's given. I played the devil survivor game, and the sequel record breaker they each have exciting plots and it's got a fighting system I'm used to.

Someone remembers TWEwY 🥺🥺🥺 Also thanks for not bashing Dark Dawn and 358/2 Days.

Dragon quest 9 had a bigger impact on me then 5 mainly because i could create my own character but also that it can be played in multiplayer

I think Final Fantasy Tactics A2 deserves a spot on the list ^^

Suikoden Tierkreis still not here huh... It is Highly Underrated damn.

Oh, I see Golden Sun Dark Dawn here! Golden Sun game series have always been my all-time favorite JRPG's But surprisingly though, the developers became more "merciful" in the Dark Dawn version. The puzzles were easier, boss monsters were a lot weaker, grinding levels was quicker, and lastly, they added a "Djinn Guide" so you don't always have to look up your next destination in the internet :>

Phantasy Star 0 is also a game that I very much enjoyed playing on the DS. It has a pretty good story and even has different playthroughs depending on the race you pick at the beginning of the game. This game is forgotten a lot and while it definitely has its flaws, I loved it.

I'm glad Devil Survivor got recognized, it’s so underrated!

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift - the winner

Not enough people know about Devil Survivor and The World Ends With You, dangit!

The Moon and the Prince was a great song to open with, the channel should have way more views.

Top Ten DS RPGs for me would be: 1. Dragon Quest IX 2. Mario & Luigi Bowser's Inside Story 3. Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver 4. Final Fantasy the 4 Heroes of Light 5. Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time 6. Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded (best leveling system in any KH) 7. Chrono Trigger 8. Dragon Quest IV 9. Dragon Quest V 10. Dragon Quest VI

Radiant Historia is one of my favorite games ever. Partially because I love games that involve repeating scenarios via time travel as you use your knowledge gained from the future to change it. i.e. Ghost Trick.

Would recommend the Rune Factory franchise, there are three gamed on DS, two on Wii (one of those also on PS3), one on 3DS, a port of the 3DS one waiting for a release date on the switch and another one in production for the switch (provisionally called Rune Factory 5 for now). They are rpg with farming and dating sim elements (you can have children, in one of them you can even play as said children), quite unique and a really nice atmosphere

Heartgold and Soulsilver are honestly the best Pokémon remakes I’ve seen so far.

Also, Soma Bringer Is a good game. Despite the story not being that big deal, the gameplay Is really exciting.

Man I would have liked to see the Pokémon mystery dungeon games on this list. They have the best storylines and music I’ve ever seen in any game!

Not sure if these are considered RPGs but Rocket Slime, Final Fantasy Fables Chocobo Tales, and Dragon Quest Monsters Joker are great hidden gems on the DS

I totally agree with Devil Survivor and it's narrative being superb, I even recommend it to non smt fans, especially If you're into strong narrative driven mangas or novels. It starts out feeling like a simple adventure, like the first episodes of Digimon Adventure, were the Protagonist, allthough being afraid and/or homesick sometimes, almost seemed to have fun on this exciting new trip and the mysteries to uncover and the strange creatures, but after the first third Devil Survivor really picks up with a more serious tone, giving you a lot of difficult choices in old SMT fashion.

I own DQ V, Devil Survivor, and TWEWY, I’m planning on completing them eventually

Me, in college, blazed out of my mind, playing SMT:DS - “This game is sick. You make demons kill each other and the whole soundtrack is just guitar solos.”

Sooo thrilled to see both 358/2 Days and TWEWY on the list!! 358/2 Days was the first game I ever played(alone with FF4- I played them both at once and both will always be special to me. Still my fave FF, even now!) and TWEWY I played when I was 12. I owe so much to that game and it's characters- really got me through abuse and bullying and forced me to actually see people COULD be good. It made me give life another shot and anytime I need that reminder I boot up my DS(or my switch but the ds is my personal preference!)

im a simple man. i see devil survivor, i click.

In that list Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Blue and Time/Darkness/Sky would have been more fitting than Hearthgold/Soulsilver.

great selection, I am missing only a few of these in my collection. I always look forward to be watching your videos!

Sad to not see some Suikoden Tierkreis love around here

It makes me really happy that Golden Sun Dark Dawn is on here cause that's probably my most favorite ds game I have

Thank you for this DS retrospective

Some nice games , I need to get my ds collection up , recently heard that Nintendo is stopping making 3ds games ...

My god man, legend of dragoon soundtrack over golden sun gameplay!? You sir, have good taste

Just got mine today...need to start looking for games. Thanks for the video.

When I got the DS, all I bought were RPGs on sale at Target, like 15 bucks each. I got stuff like Golden Sun Dark Dawn, Kingdom Hearts 358 Days, Kingdom Hearts ReCoded, Nostalgia, Mario and Luigi: partners in Time, ect. Nostalgia is good if you like PS1 RPGs. Actually it's more like Skies of Arcadia and Panzer Dragoon Saga, but just sorta bland.

banging these out dude!!!

Volume too low, otherwise awesome picks (tho I would rank them differently). On the other hand, I did like to see Radiant Historia on number 1, since it absolutely deserves that. For me the ranking goes: 1. Radiant Historia 2. Dragon Quest V 3. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 4. Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey 5. The World Ends with You 6. Dragon Quest IX 7. Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story 8. Pokémon Black 2/White 2 9. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky 10. Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver

Suikoden Tierkreis should be on top of the list.

No mention of pokemon conquest? Wish the game got more recognition

Civ Rev was very addictive on ds. sank hundreds of hours into it and made a score book to beat it with every leader on every difficulty level. It also has scenarios.

Golden Sun Dark Dawn is the Best, I just hope one day they will make another one GS for the switch

I recommend etrian odyssey and fire emblem shadow dragon

I love Rune Factory 3.

DQ5 was the best game ive played it talks about family,adventure,and amazing story try it But its expensive but it doesnt dissapoint

Strange journey is great also

I have the 3DS remake of Radiant Historia.

Unless you’re ready to experience emotional trauma, don’t get into kingdom hearts Ur gonna cry

Radiant Historia is my favorite game in DS everything about it is beautiful, the music, characters, and story. highly recommend it to people who love Action RPG

Lovely video! But we gotta wait, the market right now is way too expensive.

Avalon Code, Golden Sun Dark Dawn, Shin Megami Tensei 1&2, Rune Factory 2&3 are the best rpg games I played in DS

I'm loving your channel!

Man didn't mention DQ9

thank you for this :) just getting into rpg games and i have an nds emulator. Will try out these games :) for the next 70 years at my pace i guess

Just beat Kingdom hearts 358/2 days yesterday. It's a really good if slightly repetitive game, a good challenge but not too hard either (on standard).

Dragon Quest 4 5 6 all are on DS. Agree with Devil survivor, radiant historia and strange journey.

That’s crazy… Ive owned all of these for years, except Golden Sun…. Which I legit picked up less than an hour ago…. I’ve never seen this video before…. So glad you included TWEWY… if you’d missed that you’d never have gotten my sub lol My list though? TWEWY FFXII revenant wings Pokémon HGSS Chrono Trigger Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow SMTIV/ Apocalypse (either one but Apocalypse is my preference) Final Fantasy Explorers, or Monster Hunter 3 if no 3DS Kingdom Hearts DDD or 358/2 if again, no 3D Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles And lastly, Monster Hunter Stories. Or if no 3D, Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker. I get why no one talks about that game but it’s so cute! And for a bonus, any final fantasy mainline (not 4 heroes of light….) or any numbered Dragon Quest game. Everyone should experience at least one of the games in the mainline series even once.

I only seen one game on this list that I played and beat thanks for giving good recommend👍👍

I remember absolutely trashing my Pokemon Heartgold playthrough as a kid by using Action Replay. The only reason I used it is I couldn't figure out to go out the window to get to the top of the lighthouse, but once you open Pandora's box... Also, it sort of concerns me for my order that no one seems to mention the romance in Code Vein outside of a few old reviews. I heard it wasn't all too different than Rune Factory style and got excited.

Imagine if the Japanese-exclusive RPGs were also localized in the west.

Suikoden is nice too

Kingdom hearts 358 and The world end with you actually one of super best games on ds

Soma Bringer (English patch) is a great action RPG, very similar to Xenoblade Chronicles. Now I’m playing this game in Co-Op mode with my wife ))

God I love devil survivor

You forgot Chrono Trigger!!!!

what about the best gen of pokemon? Black and white and B2W2???😭 (Except this it is a wonderlful ranking)

I recommend megaman starfore , megaman ninja x zerker and megaman red joker. I love the story and character development as well as the fighting gameplay. Megaman starforce is part 1 , ninja x zerker is part 2 and red joker is part 3

devil survivor is a must play

Radiant Historia has a great story line

No Disgaea?? Loved the top tho, nice

Me: sees m&l bis in the list Also me: *likes the video*

Let me guess: one of them is Chrono Trigger which I can't buy because it's impossible to find a copy for less then 40 bucks.

Atlas really needs to port Radiant Historian to the switch. If you liked Chrono Trigger you’ll love it.

Tales of Innocence and Hearts were both really good. Shame we only ever got to play Hearts in the West with a pretty mediocre translation in R for the Vita but never got the chance to play Innocence in English (officially). They're pretty good though, imo.

Radiant Historia is really really good. And the 3ds version has added content on top of it.

Devil survivor could be one of my all time fav

Don't forget, Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume. That game deserves praise as well for its story and difficult gameplay.

Time to break out the DSi again.

You definitely can't make a top 10 Nintendo DS RPG games without Pokemon, but surprisingly I have never played Heart Gold and Soul Silver. I've heard so much good things about it, and I might pick it up somewhere! 😄😁👍

Megaman StarForce is my favourite