The Nintendo DS is one of the most beloved and best-selling handheld consoles ever created. Released in 2004, its innovative dual-screen design, touchscreen controls, wireless connectivity and massive game library made it hugely popular around the world. One genre the DS truly excelled at was action games. Its versatile controls and hardware allowed developers to craft fast-paced, intense gaming experiences across various subgenres. From 2D platformers to 3D shooters, RPG hybrids to arcade-style challenges, DS action games showed impressive diversity.
In this guide, we will countdown 12 of the greatest DS action games and highlight what made them so memorable. Whether you enjoy hack-and-slash combat, strategic gunplay or precision platforming, the Nintendo DS has plenty of thrilling adventures to offer.
What Makes A Great DS Action Game?
Before diving into the games, let‘s briefly go over some hallmarks that defined fantastic DS action titles:
- Responsive and clever use of touch screen controls
- Smooth 60 FPS gameplay and great graphics pushing DS hardware
- Creative level designs and enemies that create fun challenges
- Upgrades, abilities and branching paths that add depth and replayability
- Local wireless and online mulitplayer offerings
- Epic soundtracks and audio immersing you into the experience
- Lengthy single player campaigns with hidden secrets and collectibles
The very best DS action gems check most of these boxes, while also introducing fresh ideas within their genres. Now, let‘s take a look at 12 diamonds in the rough, counting down to the absolute top must-play DS action title…
#12. Contra 4
The legendary Contra series made a triumphant return on the DS with Contra 4. It delivered the same hardcore sidescrolling shooting action the franchise was known for, while introducing some new elements. Players gun down aliens and other enemies using a variety of cool weaponry. The dual-screen setup allowed for more enemies and bullets to be shown on-screen without slowdown. Contra 4 really shines in co-op multiplayer, enabling friends to team up via wireless to blast their way through levels together. It faithfully retains the challenge and spirit of the 16-bit Contra titles that preceded it while looking fantastic with its 3D visuals and smooth animation.
#11. Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword
This hack-and-slash action game translated the fast-paced combat and combo systems from its console brethren perfectly into a handheld experience. The touchscreen allowed for intuitive but deep weapons-based gameplay requiring precision and mastery of varied combos to defeat demonic foes. Quick-time events, cinematic sequences and gorgeously gory ninja action made it extremely fun to slice enemies to shreds. With a great story mode filled with secrets, challenge missions to test your skills and addictive combat, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword is easily one of the DS‘s most polished action titles.
#10. LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
No handheld at the time offered a better way to experience the entire Star Wars film universe in blocky LEGO form. Combining levels from all 6 movies, LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga delivers a fun, humorous take on epic scenes like the Death Star trench run or Attack of the Clones arena battle. The gameplay captured the unique blend of platforming, puzzles and combat the console LEGO games offered. With its charming visuals, two-player co-op and wealth of replayability spanning the Star Wars films, this entry makes for an out-of-this-world action-adventure.
#9. Mega Man ZX Advent
This action platformer built upon Capcom’s Mega Man Zero and ZX series on GBA to deliver an exciting hybrid experience. Players battle through sidescrolling levels acquiring new weapons and abilities that open up Metroidvania-style progression. Additionally, you could transform into unique Biometals granting hero Model A new powers inspired by classic Mega Man characters like X, Zero and Harpuia. With quality anime-like presentation, great boss fights, optional objectives and a New Game+ adding lots of replay value, Mega Man ZX Advent remains one of the Blue Bomber’s most content-packed outings.
#8. Metroid Prime: Hunters
Before Metroid Prime would slide onto a Nintendo handheld in full 3D with Samus Returns on 3DS, Hunters realized the potential for first-person action on DS brilliantly. Exploring eerie alien locales in a stunning renderer with the touchscreen used for Morph Ball puzzle-solving and missiles made it an atmospheric Metroid. Deathmatches let friends and strangers test their skills against one another in intense multiplayer frag-fests across distinctive arenas. For anyone craving more Metroid or a Halo-caliber handheld shooter, Hunters delivers and then some.
#7. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
Often viewed as the greatest comic book video game of all time, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions let you step into the shoes of four different Spider-heroes. The cel-shaded comic visuals paired wonderfully with this ambitious action title‘s exciting combat and set pieces. Employing the touchscreen to direct Spidey‘s web projectiles at enemies creatively improved upon past Spider-Man games’ formulas introduced. With an eclectic blend of gameplay styles, fan-favorite Spider-characters from Noir to 2099 and wonderful voice acting, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is a portable web-slinging thrill ride.
#6. Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
The Castlevania series has enjoyed many amazing chapters, but Portrait of Ruin remains one of its most memorable thanks to the Neville family. Siblings Jonathan and Charlotte bring a fun cooperative dynamic, allowing them to combine powers for screen-clearing Dual Crush assaults. With the standard whipping and magic spells you expect from the franchise, plus varied locales and ominous bosses to battle while light platforming and puzzle beats break up the action, Portrait does the Metroidvania formula right.
#5. Chrono Trigger
This legendary time-travelling RPG made an encore on DS with some nice additions. The engaging story transports players across memorable eras filled with imaginative places and lovable characters. Combat blends real-time party battles with turn-based menus, magic and techniques. With multiple endings and sidequests adding replayability alongside a sweeping soundtrack, Chrono Trigger DS remains the definitive version of one of gaming’s most emotional adventures.
#4. New Super Mario Bros.
Mario’s 2D platforming brilliance arrived on Nintendo’s hottest handheld to rock the Mushroom Kingdom once more. New and familiar abilities like Wall Jumps and Ground Pounds combined perfectly with DS mechanics like touchscreen minigames. Finding hidden Star Coins and alternate exits amped up replayability. With nearly 100 clever stages spanning snow, jungle and volcanic settings, Mario’s debut on DS laid the framework for reviving his sidescrolling greatness in superb fashion.
#3. The World Ends With You
Few Nintendo games oozed as much urban style and flair as The World Ends With You. Set in modern-day Japan, its real-time combat system had players controlling characters on both screens to attack creatures from the UG layer of reality. From beat-driven environmental puzzles to deep character progression via Fusion abilities, this stylish title played unlike anything before it. Factor in hip-hop infused music and a riveting story tackling complex themes of identity and death, and TWEWY goes down as one of DS’s finest ever.
#2. Mario Kart DS
Mario Kart’s online revolution and still unequalled course diversity help its debut DS entry edge out the pack if just barely. Tagging ghosts and sharing times with players around the world keeps time trial leaderboards exciting forever. With 16 new tracks and 16 remixed retro ones, highlights like Airship Fortress display masterful level design. Balanced weapons, simplified drifting perfect for handhelds and local wireless multiplayer retaining the series’ charm land Mario Kart DS in the winner’s circle of multiplayer marvels.
#1. Kirby Canvas Curse
Utilizing the touchscreen to draw paths for Kirby to follow as he navigated enemies and puzzles made this charming adventure a real standout. The rainbow coloring filling each brush stroke remains delightful too and empowered players to guide the puffball through imaginative worlds. Finding hidden Medals kept replayability strong across campaign and challenge modes with time trials. Kirby Canvas Curse represents ground zero for unlocking DS hardware’s full potential while retaining that pure Nintendo magic.
The Legacy Lives On
The Nintendo DS era fostered some phenomenal action-centric experiences over its lifespan. From purely skill-based titles to heavily story-driven epics, the right thumb cramps and hand stretches were well worth it for many of these instant classics! With beautifully-aged retro appeal, tactical depth still unmatched on mobile and innovations that inspired future Nintendo handhelds, the DS catalogue has no shortage of thrilling journeys awaiting rediscovery by action fans today.
