Do you have fond gaming memories of the Nintendo DS? This revolutionary handheld pushed the envelope with dual screens, touch controls and wireless multiplayer. And it hosted some of the finest 2D and 3D platformers ever on a portable device!
Let‘s take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and celebrate the DS classics that made platforming magic. I will guide you through the technical innovations and sheer fun-factor behind the absolute best Nintendo DS platformers of all time. Whether you are a platformer fanatic like myself or simply owned a DS, read on!
Overview – How the DS Innovated Platformers
The Nintendo DS launched in late 2004 to an eager public. While skeptical critics questioned the need for a second screen and touch controls, these very features pushed the DS to stratospheric, record-smashing sales.
Developers realized the DS gave them unique creative tools for crafting incredible platformers:
- The dual screens enabled gameplay innovations like interactive maps, player inventories etc without cluttering up the main action.
- The accurate touchscreen stylus controls opened possibilities for drawing touch gestures to guide characters or activate moves. Traditional buttons were still available for precise platforming.
- Wireless local connections between multiple DS systems allowed fun competitive and co-op multiplayer modes during platforming adventures.
Acclaimed studios like Nintendo EAD, Konami and Capcom leveraged these features for exhilarating side-scrollers and 3D adventures. Combined with the DS horsepower enabling smooth 60 FPS animations and console-quality visuals, developers could craft platformers to rival home consoles. Iconic mascots got fresh adventures while new IPs dazzled gamers.
Let‘s look at the very best platformers that defined the DS legacy. I will analyze their novelty, review data and influence. Just observing screenshots here may induce nostalgia – or make one dust off their DS for replay marathons!
1. New Super Mario Bros (2006)
Fourteen long years passed between an original side-scrolling Mario and New Super Mario Bros in 2006. Could the classic 2D platforming that defined Mario make a comeback? This title answered with a resounding yes, becoming the DS top-seller. Along with critical acclaim, it paved the path for future 2D Mario titles.
Development history: Creators focused on translating Mario‘s quintessential traits to DS using simple run/jump mechanics. Playtesting led to the Mega Mushroom‘s addition for rampaging through enemies. Over 90 developers from various teams came together for different aspects in a development process lasting over 2 years.
Praise and reception:
Criticsapplauded how it modernized Mario side-scrollers for a new generation. Let‘s see how it fared on reviews:
| Website | Critic Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 89% |
| GameRankings | 91% |
| IGN | 9.5/10 |
My take: It nails responsive controls with the analog pad for veterans while touchscreen shortcuts ease newcomers. Levels dazzle with clever obstacles using DS capabilities without unnecessary gimmicks. This masterful design and sheer joy of traditional Mario platforming make it timeless.
With over 30 million copies sold, it remains the best selling DS game ever. New Super Mario Bros successfully sparked the ever-popular 2-D Mario sub-series that continues thriving on Nintendo portables.
Let‘s move from Mario‘s Mushroom Kingdom to the darker gothic realm of Castlevania next! This eternal classic series hit its peak on the DS.
2. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
With a 89 Metacritic score, Dawn of Sorrow is regarded by fans worldwide as the best Castlevania game ever on a handheld. It built upon the acclaimed Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow with even richer visuals and faster combat only possible on the beefed up DS processor.
Praise and reception:
Let‘s see how critics rated this installment:
| Website | Critic Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 89% |
| GameRankings | 91 % |
| IGN | 9.5/10 |
My take: Beyond the rave reviews, Dawn really shows how DS horsepower enables fast, silky animations critical for action games. Whipping through monstrous enemies with linked combos is viscerally satisfying. Touch gestures for executing Magic Seal attacks on bosses feel intuitive rather than tacked on. With diverse locales and rich score, it resembles a symphonic, visual epic accessible on the go!
It popularized the term Metroidvania – sprawling 2D worlds with areas unlocking new mobility skills. If you enjoy losing hours uncovering secrets in a dark brooding castle, Dawn is irresistible.
After blood-pumping action, let‘s check a platformer utilizing the touch screen in whimsical ways – Kirby: Canvas Curse.
3. Kirby Canvas Curse
This charming game has the distinction of never using buttons – only drawing touch gestures to manipulate Kirby like a magical ball. Players guide Kirby by tapping him to dash or drawing rainbow ropes for him to navigate levels, almost like controlling a sentient marble.
Development history: Creator Masahiro Sakurai focused on touch exclusive controls to exploit the DS capabilities. The team later found players needed an easier way to damage enemies, leading to the Tap Dash attack. Over 100 staffers were involved over a 21 month schedule.
My take: Surprisingly, using pure touch controls instead of tactile buttons does not detract once you adjust to the initial learning curve. Creating physical ramps and ropes for Kirby induces a natural feel and satisfying puzzles. Kirby transforms into classic abilities like Sword and Wheel form adding variety. Stage themes burst with artsy visual flair taking advantage of the DS resolution. With memorable bosses and catchy music in a compact 6 hour adventure, Canvas Curse showcases innovative touch-based platforming.
It paved the way for more touch-centric Kirby experiments on Nintendo portables like Mass Attack and Rainbow Curse while highlighting the character‘s unique versatility. This remains one of the most creative and replayable Kirby items on my shelf.
The DS featured the first portable 3D Mario game in Super Mario 64 DS. Let‘s see how this legendary platformer transitioned.
4. Super Mario 64 DS
Super Mario 64 DS was a graphical showcase adapting Mario‘s blockbuster 3D debut for on-the-go play. Gamers could experience the entire portability of the classic Super Mario 64 on DS with improvements. This involved playing as Yoshi, Luigi and Wario in addition to Mario across the castle grounds. Their unique abilities added variety to star collecting missions.
Development history: Porting Super Mario 64 was a technical challenge – retaining gameplay with enhanced models and environments suited to the DS resolution took effort. Around 5 directors supervised different aspects like gameplay, graphics, sound etc. They added touchscreen minigames and a multiplayer Versus mode showcasing system link up capabilities.
Praise and reception:
Being a faithful port meant critical acclaim:
| Website | Critic Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 85% |
| GameRankings | 87% |
| IGN | 8.5/10 |
My take: Graphically, the smoother models and expanded camera capabilities look fantastic even today. Core platforming gameplay translates well to button controls with circle pad added. Touchscreen minigames provide entertaining distractions without distraction. We take portability for granted now, but experiencing such a vast 3D adventure sans slowdown on a handheld was an achievement at release. This influential port set the template for modern remasters on mobile devices.
Beyond these, the DS enjoyed numerous acclaimed platformers leveraging unique hardware capabilities:
More Platforming Excellence
Castlevania Series
With their Metroidvania action focus, DS Castlevanias shone with fast combat, unlockable skills and secrets galore:
- Portrait of Ruin (2006) – Dual heroes with combo attacks across stunning worlds
- Order of Ecclesia (2008) – 100+ glyph spells and lighting fast battles
Shantae: Risky‘s Revenge
This hair-whipping adventure had fluid animations and clever touchscreen magic attacks adding to the Metroidvania fun.
Legacy
These memorable games proved the DS could deliver versatile platformers rivaling home consoles – whether traditional 2D side-scrollers, touch focused experiments or expansive 3D adventures. Their creative design forward and commercial success ensured platformers remained a Nintendo portable cornerstone for succeeding systems.
Why These Games Endure
We just relived some absolute classics that utilize the DS hardware for incredible platformers full of variety, responsive controls and dazzling visual flair. These set benchmarks for level design and combat still inspiring modern indies like Shovel Knight today.
It has been over 15 years since their release, yet these games endure as masterpieces due to their genius design, characters and sheer fun factor. Many fondly remember the DS heyday thanks to these trailblazers.
Whether you crave traditional 2D running/jumping, tactical combat enhanced by touch or captivating 3D exploration, the DS library delivered platforming magic in spades auction unmatched diversity. For millions, it made gaming on-the-go an addiction rather than a compromise to home systems.
I hope this guide stirred fond memories of defining Nintendo DS platformers that made full use of groundbreaking hardware. Do share your thoughts – I would enjoy discussing reader opinions of enduring portable classics!
