List: Best 30 NDS Games (What do you want on yr shelf)

[Opa Opa]

I will vouch for bone's Intellivision Lives! selection. Probably the best INTV collection available and everything is fantastically emulated.

My picks:

Chrono Trigger- sorry to disagree bone but this is the most refined version of the game, has all the cut scenes, has more content, affordable, and portable. The DS port is the best version of Chrono Trigger right now. There's no need to play the SNES original anymore, as far as I'm concerned anyway.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift- +1 for Jmustang. I actually want to get back to this soon whenever I get a little time. I'm not even good at tactical RPG's but found this one was very approachable but still has a lot of depth for the hardcore strategists out there.

Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime- An action, tank battle game with all the monsters from the DQ series. This game is fantastic but, like all things Dragon Quest in the West, tends to get buried and forgotten.

Hotel Dusk/Last Window- Which one do we pick?
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Which CV is the best? I've only played Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin. Where does OoE stack up?

[samsonlonghair]

I'd like to suggest three games which so far have gone unmentioned.

Sonic Rush: One of the best post-genesis Sonic games. This one is better than all three Sonic advance games. This game properly utilizes both screens all the time to great effect.

WarioWare DIY: Arguably the best game in the WarioWare series, not because it's more fun than the others, but because this game actually teaches the fundamentals of game design to aspiring young gamers. I think years from now future game designers will look back on this game with the same nostalgia and reverence that digital artists/composers have for Mario Paint.

Mario vs Donkey Kong March of the Minis: This game rejuvenated the relatively bland MvsDK puzzle platformer from the GBA by adding a lemmings-inspired twist. March of the Minis is colorful fun, albeit easier than lemmings. There's plenty of replay value here. Once you beat the main game, you can create new levels and challenge your friends to beat your monstrous creations.

[Blu]

Wow, this will spurn some great debate, there's so many good DS games. Where to start?

Must Haves for Me:

Mario 64 DS - reasons have already been argued in favor of it, I agree.
New Super Mario Bros. - Revisioning of a classic. Ranks so good it needs to be in my collection.
Mario Kart DS - Wi-Fi racing? Count me in!
Sonic Rush / Sonic Colors - Side scrolling sonic, it's so fast. It's solid on a variety of criteria. They're both worth playing, for this list though I think we could consider one of the two for the list. I like Sonic Colors bonus stage and its homage to Sonic 2.
Feel the Magic XX/XY - Lots of fun mini games give this game a lot of variety.
Advance Wars Dual Strike - the best game out of the series.
Nintendogs - Whichever of the dogs seems the best to you.
Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars - One of the best games in the franchise, and the best to be offered on a portable. Love the camera control, the graphics are gorgeous, and the game is fun!
Professor Layton and the Curious Village - I know this is univerally acclaimed and the series is a great
Brain Age - How many DS' were sold because of the broad appeal to others and this game. It's helpful, it's fun, and it's easy to pick up and play for just a little bit. Train yo' brain!
Rhythm Heaven
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - One of them needs to be in here.
Tetris DS
Pokemon Black and White

Discussion Worthy:
Okamiden
Super Princess Peach
Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon
Contra 4

[dsheinem]

My picks:

Chrono Trigger- sorry to disagree bone but this is the most refined version of the game, has all the cut scenes, has more content, affordable, and portable. The DS port is the best version of Chrono Trigger right now. There's no need to play the SNES original anymore, as far as I'm concerned anyway.

woah woah woah

-The SNES is still the standard bearer. The NDS has a less-charming, less iconic translation (e.g. Frog's accent and dialogue is changed in the NDS version, lots of names/places are renamed, etc.)

-I think the added stuff distracts from the tightness of the original. Too much fluff, almost all of it panned by those who've played it. Sometimes having extra stuff makes something worse.

-The small screen with tinny speakers is a shit way to play a game this aesthetically gorgeous. It deserves a full screen treatment with good speakers, not a tiny screen with gimmicky stylus stuff thrown in.

The bottom line is that if people argued/we decided that Muramasa should be on the Wii list despite a content-added version on the Vita, then it follows that Chrono Trigger deserves to be on the SNES list and not here. The game is just a poor replica of the best way to experience it. I'd rather emulate the original SNES game (or even play the PSN/PS1 version) on the PSP if I really had a jonseing to play it on the go.

I get that the game is cheaper by far and more accessible on the NDS, but Mike suggested price shouldn't be a factor...and I think Chrono Trigger's inclusion would be just that. It would also be taking the place of a much more deserving original game.

[dsheinem]

Mario vs Donkey Kong March of the Minis: This game rejuvenated the relatively bland MvsDK puzzle platformer from the GBA by adding a lemmings-inspired twist. March of the Minis is colorful fun, albeit easier than lemmings. There's plenty of replay value here. Once you beat the main game, you can create new levels and challenge your friends to beat your monstrous creations.

I just played this for the first time and was disappointed to see that the series took a turn away from platforming at this juncture. It's well designed and cute enough, but marks the end of what I liked about the series, I am afraid.

[Opa Opa]

I personally prefer cleaned up translations. I'm not too much of a purist when it comes to video games.

From what I recall, the added content was optional and completely avoidable.

It looks okay to me? Sounds fine for a handheld (and you could use headphones if so desired). Granted I don't keep an Snes hooked up to a high quality sound system or anything so I can't compare.

Stylus controls are optional.

So other RPG's are okay but CT "deserves a full screen"? People have or are going to nominate games like DQ 4, 5, and 6; and they're no slouch and hold their own compared to CT. Do you take the same issue with those games too if they're already on another platform?

I'd actually rather play Muramasa on Vita. I didn't follow the wii thread that much. I must have missed that discussion.

I'd rather emulate the original SNES game (or even play the PSN/PS1 version) on the PSP if I really had a jonseing to play it on the go.

Okay, c'mon, now you're lying.

It would also be taking the place of a much more deserving original game.

Well I look forward to seeing suggestions! Maybe there is a multitude of other games worth selecting. We'll see what others come up with.

[retrosportsgamer]

Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars - One of the best games in the franchise, and the best to be offered on a portable. Love the camera control, the graphics are gorgeous, and the game is fun!

What's the difference between the DS and PSP/PSN (Vita) versions that warrants a DS pick-up?

[Blu]

It's virtually the same game, but the top down view and its resolution looks best on PSP. I'd say if you want an overall better experience -- the minigames are better on DS, the graphics are better on PSP and iOS. PSP does have a few more missions.

Plus you have the benefit of the DS battery life.

The game was designed for DS in mind, but then was ported. Both versions have universal acclaim, but the praise is just a bit more than the PSP version.

[CFFJR]

My picks:

Chrono Trigger- sorry to disagree bone but this is the most refined version of the game, has all the cut scenes, has more content, affordable, and portable. The DS port is the best version of Chrono Trigger right now. There's no need to play the SNES original anymore, as far as I'm concerned anyway.

woah woah woah

-The SNES is still the standard bearer. The NDS has a less-charming, less iconic translation (e.g. Frog's accent and dialogue is changed in the NDS version, lots of names/places are renamed, etc.)

-I think the added stuff distracts from the tightness of the original. Too much fluff, almost all of it panned by those who've played it. Sometimes having extra stuff makes something worse.

-The small screen with tinny speakers is a shit way to play a game this aesthetically gorgeous. It deserves a full screen treatment with good speakers, not a tiny screen with gimmicky stylus stuff thrown in.

The bottom line is that if people argued/we decided that Muramasa should be on the Wii list despite a content-added version on the Vita, then it follows that Chrono Trigger deserves to be on the SNES list and not here. The game is just a poor replica of the best way to experience it. I'd rather emulate the original SNES game (or even play the PSN/PS1 version) on the PSP if I really had a jonseing to play it on the go.

Gotta argue here, even though I really don't want to.

-I can't even begin to comprehend choosing the ps1 version over the ds. That version is crap, and if it were my only option to play Chrono Trigger, then I wouldn't play Chrono Trigger at all.

-I much prefer the ds version's new translation, and cleaning up Frog's (and Ayla's) speech is a good thing. In the original snes translation, no one else in Frog's time period spoke the way he did, including himself before he was cursed. It was a silly and completely unnecessary change that also didn't exist in the original japanese.

-I liked the added stuff, particularly the new boss that serves to better connect the game to Chrono Cross. Having said that, the game never forces any of the new content on you, and you can skip it entirely if you wish. You can argue that my statement there is proof that the extra content is fluff, and that's fine, but I say it also doesn't detract from anything. Its there if you want it, can be ignored if you don't.

-I completely agree with the issues of screen size and speakers. Its the one downside to the DS version. The stylus stuff is bunk though, because there is no gimmick. The only way the stylus is implemented simply allows you to use it to make combat selections. Its also optional, and you can turn it off entirely and make all selections with the buttons and the cursor. The presentation is also improved since the battlefield is no longer obscured by the menus.

To me, Snes is classic, DS is definitive, PS1 might as well not even exist.

Though for the record, I wouldn't be brokenhearted if the DS version didn't make the list. I think it deserves it on its own, but the space could probably be reserved for an original DS game. I just had to speak up since I so fiercely disagreed with everything you said about it!

Anyway, I've made my argument.

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I do want to take this moment to support Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. Its an incredibly fun, funny, and charming game.

I think the Mario and Luigi series is the best of the Mario rpgs, and some consider BIS the best of the four. I don't know if I agree with that, but its certainly superior to the other DS offering Partners in Time, and overall is an experience that should not be missed.

Regarding Professor Layton, they're all excellent games and the series deserves a rep on the list. I'm not sure it should be Curious Village though. Despite being the first, its eclipsed by both of its sequels, which sport a better, wider variety of puzzles, a larger world to explore, and a much better story. I think Unwound Future should take the spot.

[samsonlonghair]

Sonic Rush / Sonic Colors - Side scrolling sonic, it's so fast. It's solid on a variety of criteria. They're both worth playing, for this list though I think we could consider one of the two for the list.

I like Sonic Colors a lot, but I'd rather play it on Wii with classic controller or GCN controller. Sonic Rush, on the other hand, is a DS exclusive.