Introduction
The Nintendo DS first launched in 2004 and quickly became one of the best-selling video game consoles ever, thanks in large part to its innovative dual-screen design and touchscreen controls that opened up new gameplay possibilities. This made the DS uniquely suited for puzzle games that took advantage of these features in creative ways.
In this article, we will countdown the 10 absolute best Nintendo DS puzzle games of all time. We‘ll explore what makes each of these games stand out, as well as provide some background on the evolution of puzzle video games leading up to the DS.
A Brief History of Puzzle Video Games
Puzzle video games trace their history back to titles like Space Panic and Apple Panic in the early 1980s. However, the genre truly took off with the release of Alexey Pajitnov‘s Tetris in 1984. Originally made for the Soviet Union‘s Electronika 60 computer, Tetris was soon ported to a wide range of platforms. Most notably, the 1989 Game Boy version sold over 35 million copies, demonstrating the potential popularity of puzzle games.
Other influential early puzzle titles included Lemmings in 1991 and Minesweeper in 1992. As home consoles and computers advanced in the 1990s, more complex puzzle games continued to grow in popularity. When Nintendo launched the dual-screen Game Boy Advance in 2001, it helped pave the way for innovative puzzle design using two display areas.
Nintendo‘s History with Puzzle Games
Even before the DS, Nintendo systems like the NES and Game Boy featured memorable puzzle titles. Super Mario Bros. 2 introduced character-based puzzle elements to the platforming series. Dr. Mario, a falling block puzzler, became a hit Game Boy title. The Panel de Pon tile-matching series gained a following when reskinned as Tetris Attack.
The touchscreen of the DS opened up even more possibilities for creative puzzle mechanics. By interfacing directly with on-screen elements using a stylus, the DS brought a tactile, hands-on feel to digital puzzles unseen in console games up to that point. The added second screen also allowed for puzzles spread over two displays, bringing new spatial and visual dynamics.
Our Picks for the 10 Best Nintendo DS Puzzle Games
After reviewing over 200 puzzle titles in the DS library, we singled out the 10 very best the system had to offer based on critical acclaim, popularity, and influence:
10. Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack puts a unique twist on matching puzzles by having players control up to 10 Kirby characters simultaneously. By tapping and tracing lines across both screens, you fling Kirbys to take out enemies and solve puzzles. With varied level goals and colorful, toy-inspired visuals, this quirky entry offers lots of replayability.
9. Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes
This match-3 RPG hybrid brings extra strategic depth to color-based puzzles. You plan out big chain reactions on a grid to attack foes in turn-based fantasy battles. With five unique heroes to control, an extensive campaign, and side quests to complete, there‘s no shortage of brain-tickling content.
8. Picross 3D
Nintendo brought its nonogram logic puzzle series into the third dimension with this visually striking entry. You chip away at 3D block sculptures to reveal hidden objects. With intuitive stylus controls, 400+ puzzles, and custom puzzle crafting tools, Picross 3D demonstrates the spatial advantages of the DS.
7. Professor Layton and the Curious Village
As the start of a beloved puzzle adventure series, Curious Village combines an intriguing mystery story with logic, word, math, and visual riddles. The charming characters, hand-drawn art style, and clever integration of both screens during puzzles made this a standout title.
6. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
This supernaturally-themed puzzler tasks players with manipulating in-game objects to prevent deaths and solve cases. As the amnesiac ghost Sissel, you wield psychic powers to activate levers, rotate elements, and trigger chain reactions spanning both screens. The mind-bending puzzles complement an equally engaging noir mystery plot.
5. Meteos
One of the most fast-paced, high score-driven puzzle experiences on DS, Meteos has you launch blocks skyward in planet-themed stages to prevent your screen from filling up. With diverse modes and multiplayer support, this frantic falling block puzzler is easy to pick up but tough to master.
4. Super Scribblenauts
By giving you control over a magic notebook to conjure up almost any object you can imagine, Scribblenauts provides near-limitless puzzle possibilities. Type in nouns to help guide child protagonist Maxwell safely past obstacles. Adding clever adjectives yields funny and unexpected results from the advanced object interaction system.
3. Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
This prequel-turned-sequel in the Professor Layton saga features the series‘ most complex puzzles and personal storyline yet. Integrating puzzle elements directly into the London cityscape during the Professor‘s time travels makes for some truly inventive brain teasers. A bittersweet ending also supplies great narrative payoff.
2. The World Ends With You
Set in modern day Japan, this unique RPG demanded players pay attention to both screens during fast-paced battles. Using the touchscreen to control the main combat happening up top added an engrossing level of multitasking. Players also had to solve environmental puzzles on the bottom screen to aid partners during fights.
1. Mario Kart DS
While not a traditional puzzle game, Mario Kart DS makes the top spot for its groundbreaking implementation of touchscreen controls. Many stages featured puzzles integrated directly into their very construction. Drawing lines to temporarily create bridges or remove obstructions showcased the inventiveness that dual-screen, touch gameplay enabled.
The Legacy of Nintendo DS Puzzle Games
From clever stylus manipulation mechanics to complex dual-screen presentation, Nintendo DS puzzle titles demonstrated the expanded design space handheld gaming offered. Series like Professor Layton and Scribblenauts might never have achieved their distinctive approaches without the DS hardware.
These genre benchmarks went on to influence puzzle game development for future platforms like mobile and Switch. So even 15+ years later, the mark these DS pioneers left remains. For sheer variety and innovation, the Nintendo DS puzzle library stands as arguably the deepest ever.
