The 35 Best Nintendo DS JRPGs

Two screens, one stylus, and a surprising number of 60-hour epics. Remakes of old classics sit next to oddities that only a handheld would have allowed.

1. 1
   The World Ends with You

   A stylish 2007 Tokyo action-RPG using both DS screens and a pin-based battle system.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Dragon Quest IX

   The 2009 DS entry with customisable heroes, cooperative play and a huge quest log.
   952pts
3. 3
   Chrono Trigger

   The 2008 DS port of the SNES time-travel classic with added content.
   898pts
4. 4
   Final Fantasy Tactics A2

   A 2008 DS tactics RPG about a boy and the Grimoire of the Rift.
   857pts
5. 5
   Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light

   A storybook-styled 2009 DS throwback to 8-bit Final Fantasy.
   857pts
6. 6
   Pokémon Black and White

   The 2010 Unova games that rebooted the roster with all-new Pokémon.
   857pts
7. 7
   Final Fantasy III

   A 2006 full-3D DS remake of the Famicom classic, the first release outside Japan.
   800pts
8. 8
   Knights in the Nightmare

   An unusual 2009 hybrid of bullet-hell and tactical RPG on DS.
   800pts
9. 9
   Radiant Historia

   A 2010 DS RPG about hopping between two timelines to rewrite history.
   735pts
10. 10
    Suikoden Tierkreis

    A 2008 Suikoden spin-off in a new world with Star of Destiny recruiting.
    659pts
11. 11
    Etrian Odyssey III

    A DS dungeon crawler adding sea travel and a deeper class roster.
    659pts
12. 12
    Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor

    A tactical RPG set in a locked-down Tokyo with a seven-day deadline.
    571pts
13. 13
    Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

    A 2009 comedy RPG where the plumbers explore Bowser's body.
    571pts
14. 14
    Infinite Space

    A 2009 PlatinumGames space-fleet RPG with customisable ships.
    571pts
15. 15
    Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2

    A monster-collecting RPG that deepens the synthesis system of the first Joker.
    467pts
16. 16
    Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

    The 2009 remakes of Gold and Silver, praised as among the best Pokémon games.
    467pts
17. 17
    Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky

    A roguelike take on Pokémon with a story about partners in a time-travel mystery.
    467pts
18. 18
    Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

    A 2009 action-RPG centred on Roxas and Organization XIII.
    467pts
19. 19
    Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2

    A 2011 sequel that blends tactics, demon fusion and branching endings.
    467pts
20. 20
    Dragon Quest VI

    A DS remake of the dual-world adventure with a deep class system.
    467pts
21. 21
    Golden Sun: Dark Dawn

    A 2010 Camelot RPG continuing the Psynergy-and-Djinn series.
    467pts
22. 22
    Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon

    A 2008 DS remake of the first Fire Emblem with touch-controlled tactics.
    467pts
23. 23
    Pokémon Platinum

    An enhanced Sinnoh adventure with the Distortion World.
    467pts
24. 24
    Dragon Quest V

    The DS remake of the generational tale where your hero marries and raises a family.
    343pts
25. 25
    Dragon Quest IV

    A DS remake that tells its story in chapters before uniting the heroes.
    343pts
26. 26
    Final Fantasy IV

    A 2008 DS remake with 3D visuals, voice-free cutscenes and extra challenge.
    343pts
27. 27
    Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates

    A 2007 DS action-RPG with a story about twin heroes and co-op play.
    343pts
28. 28
    Etrian Odyssey

    A 2007 first-person dungeon crawler where you draw your own maps on the touch screen.
    343pts
29. 29
    Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume

    A 2008 tactical RPG with a pivotal-ending feel in the Norse-themed series.
    343pts
30. 30
    Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker

    A monster-taming DS spin-off where you scout and fuse creatures.
    343pts
31. 31
    Phantasy Star 0

    A 2008 DS entry in the series, focusing on action and co-op multiplayer.
    343pts
32. 32
    Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

    A 2009 sci-fi dungeon RPG set in an Antarctic anomaly.
    0pts
33. 33
    Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

    A 2005 timing-based RPG featuring baby Mario and Luigi.
    0pts
34. 34
    Avalon Code

    A 2009 Matrix Software RPG built around the Book of Prophecy.
    0pts
35. 35
    Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals

    A 2010 remake-style prequel to the classic Lufia series.
    0pts

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