20 Best Retro RPGs for Nitnendo GBA & DS, Ranked (2024)

During the era before the Nintendo Switch, and before the advent of smartphones, Nintendo's various handhelds were among the most reliable and accessible ways for gamers to play deep and challenging games while on the go (or even just while waiting for your turn on the TV). While far from the most graphically advanced handheld systems available, the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS have expansive libraries full of classic RPG titles (Japanese and otherwise), including ports and remakes of iconic games from the early days of the genre and unique properties designed for the systems themselves.

Handheld RPGs have a unique appeal for many fans of the genre, as their pick-up-and-play-ability makes them a great choice for any occasion and any length of free time available. Whether players were forward-thinking enough to invest in a Game Boy Player peripheral or they weren't around for these classic games' original release, there are many gems from handheld gaming's heyday worth revisiting or searching for.

20 Breath of Fire II is a Worthy Port of a Classic Draconic Saga

Back At It Again With Ryu and Company

The first two Breath of Fire games made their jump from the SNES to the GBA in 2001, with both titles earning positive reception from critics and fans, but Breath of Fire II, thanks to its quality of life improvements and greater sound fidelity, proved to be a cut above its predecessor. The game picks up 500 years after the end of the first game and focuses on a new Ryu and his growing band of animal-human hybrid adventurers as they travel across the world, seeking answers to Ryu's past and draconic destiny.

Breath of Fire II made excellent use of the GBA hardware, improving upon the character portraits and sprites from the SNES original while also incorporating an item-sharing system accessible via connecting GBAs with a Link Cable. Add in a refreshed combat interface and an engaging, world-spanning narrative, and the game RPG fans were left with was an excellent addition to their collection, whether they'd played the original game or not.

Breath of Fire II

RPG

Franchise

Breath of Fire

Platform(s)

SNES , Game Boy Advance

Released

December 10, 1995

Developer(s)

Capcom

Publisher

Capcom, Laguna, Ubisoft

Engine

bof engine

ESRB

t

How Long To Beat

34 Hours

19 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is a Fresh Take on Order vs. Chaos

Recruit, Defeat, and Try to Survive

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is one of the DS' most unique strategy RPGs. Many of the Shin Megami Tensei titles accessible in the United States at the time of Devil Survivor's 2009 release were for home consoles — the Devil Children games, save for 2003's DemiKids: Light and Dark Versions, understandably never passed the US censorship smell test — and none played quite this title. Employing a hybrid of mainline SMT demon recruitment and fusion and a novel grid-based battle system, Devil Survivor is challenging, compelling, and excellently crafted.

Fans of the mainline series as well as the Persona series will note that Devil Survivor also utilizes a calendar-based time management system, but it does so quite differently than most series titles; rather than giving players excess time to develop bonds and do part-time jobs, Devil Survivor is a tense race against the clock to build allegiances, save friends from peril, and amass forces to survive a looming apocalypse. With a more polished plot and cast than its sequel, this SMT spin-off is a must-play.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor

JRPG

Franchise

Shin Megami Tensei

Platform(s)

Nintendo DS

Released

June 23, 2009

Developer

Atlus, Career Soft

Publisher(s)

Ghostlight , Atlus

Engine

Unreal Engine 4

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Blood, Partial Nudity

How Long To Beat

31 Hours

Metascore

84

See at Amazon

18 Lunar Legend Introduces Lunar to a New Generation

Break Out the Frying Pan

Some games are so good, their developers are dedicated to making sure each generation has access to at least one version. This is certainly the case for Lunar: The Silver Star, which has seen numerous remakes and ports since its 1992 release for the Sega CD. Its 2002 port for the Game Boy Advance, Lunar Legend, is one of the system's most elegant additions.

Although it lacks the fully animated cutscenes of its predecessors, Lunar Legend makes up for its technological limitations by putting greater investment into its in-game sprites as well as its battle system, which features a new mechanic similar to Final Fantasy's Limit Breaks. The end result is a game whose design focuses on what the Game Boy Advance does excellently — charming 2D sprite work, evocative character and battle animations — without getting too hung up on what it cannot.

An Overlooked, Quirky Gem

Some of the DS's best titles use its dual-screen hardware to take risks, both with storytelling and gameplay, and Grasshopper Manufacture's charming 2006 oddity, Contact, is no exception. Through the use of a fourth-wall-breaking narrative conceit, the player directs Terry to assist the diminutive and mysterious Professor in recovering the "cells" that power his ship. Terry's exploration through Contact's various locales and combat with the enemies he encounters carry a unique, real-time flow that helps distinguish Terry from the player as the game progresses.

One of the most distinctive elements of Contact is how it extends its real-time battle system to the accrual of experience and the development of Terry's many skills and abilities. Every action a player causes Terry to take causes him to gain experience and proficiency, whether they're cooking, attacking with a weapon, or walking around. With more in common with Western RPGs than its aesthetic might suggest, this is a noteworthy DS adventure that discerning RPG diehards will love.

16 Magical Vacation Dazzles With Cozy Sprites and Engaging Fights

A Vacation Like No Other

While most Western audiences may be more familiar with its DS sequel, Magical Starsign, BrownieBrown's Magical Vacation is one of the Game Boy Advance's most lush, gorgeous, and innovative entries. A turn-based RPG centered around the interplay of elemental magic, Magical Vacation is a 2D RPG-lover's treasure, with some of the most well-realized sprite work the GBA has to offer. The battle system offers a lot of depth as well, given the game's sixteen different magical elements and the fact that players can control parties of up to six combatants at a given time.

A noteworthy feature of Magical Vacation's design (which had to be pared down for its WiiU Virtual Console port) is the addition of the Link Mode (or Communication system), which enables players to use the Link Cable to register each other as friends and gain access to additional battle and story features. While modern players will be hard-pressed to find others with a Magical Vacation cartridge on hand, the presence of this system, coupled with several other ingenious elements, makes this title one worth searching for.

15 Final Fantasy IV Deftly Demonstrates Its Continued Relevance

Take Your Pick of Ports

There is no shortage of ways to play Final Fantasy IV, given the number of ports and remakes on the market. However, the DS port stands above the rest, as both the most graphically impressive version of the game and a compelling reminder of the original game's impact on the RPG genre. The first game in the series to feature the now-famed Active Time Battle system, Final Fantasy IV follows Cecil, a dark knight whose quest to thwart the sorcerer Golbez seems him allying himself with an eclectic mix of fellow heroes and heroines.

Final Fantasy IV stands apart from early Final Fantasy titles not only because of its gameplay but because of its mature, dramatic approach to storytelling. The game also features the first instance in the series of pre-determined classes for each party member. While the DS port features numerous enhancements such as New Game Plus, the Game Boy Advance version is also a worthy way of experiencing the game. For fans of Final Fantasy interested in exploring this entry in series history, it's hard to go wrong.

Final Fantasy 4

Final Fantasy IV is a fantastic and groundbreaking title in the Final Fantasy series that, although universally acclaimed, tends to get a lackluster amount of attention because of its release prior to the series' more popular titles (e.g., Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy X, etc.). But nonetheless, Final Fantasy IV is an amazing and impressive RPG with endless amounts of content to offer and a surprisingly relevant and time-resistant gameplay style.

JRPG

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:85/100 Critics Recommend:88%

Franchise

Final Fantasy

Platform(s)

Android , iOS , SNES , Game Boy Advance , PS1 , PC , Switch , PS4

Released

July 19, 1991

Developer(s)

Square

Publisher(s)

Square

Multiplayer

Local Multiplayer

Engine

Luminous

ESRB

e

How Long To Beat

22 Hours

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

14 Advance Wars Opened the Way for Strategy RPG Imports

Warfare Has Never Been Cuter

When Advance Wars broke ground on Western shores in 2001, its steps onto foreign soil were uncertain; Nintendo worried that American audiences would be turned off by the complexity of the turn-based strategy genre's mechanics. However, these fears proved to be unfounded, and Advance Wars not only endeared Western audiences to the genre but proved that Nintendo could trust audiences outside of Japan to support series like Fire Emblem, whose international popularity has only skyrocketed with time.

Advance Wars distinguishes itself from other turn-based strategy games by utilizing a bite-sized tanks-and-soldiers aesthetic (rather than the swords and sorcery of Final Fantasy Tactics or Fire Emblem) and offering arcade-style challenges and multiplayer modes alongside its main scenario. Its accessibility coupled with its increasingly intense strategic bouts has made it a standout title among fans of the genre, and a beloved part of what makes the Game Boy Advance's library great.

7 Images

7 Images

Advance Wars

Strategy

Franchise

Advance Wars

Platform(s)

Game Boy Advance

Released

September 10, 2001

Developer(s)

Intelligent Systems

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Engine

Sledgehammer Games

ESRB

E For Everyone due to Mild Violence

See at Nintendo eShopSee at WalmartSee at Best Buy$57 at Amazon

13 Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days' Heartwrenching Tale Fills in Key Gaps

Pass the Sea Salt Ice Cream

The time fans had to wait between Kingdom Hearts 2's release and Kingdom Hearts 3's arrival on modern consoles was a vast gulf, but far from an empty one. Between the PSP's Birth by Sleep, the mobile game-turned-DS-port, Coded, and the excellent 3DS release, Dream Drop Distance, Kingdom Hearts devotees had plenty of ways to stay engaged with the series' expansive (and expanding) lore. However, of the various interquels and spinoffs released between KH2 and KH3, 2006's Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days ranks among the most essential (and uniquely named) titles available.

Following the 358 days that Roxas spent as part of Organization XIII following the events of Kingdom Hearts (and during Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories), 358/2 Days is a resonant and revealing entry that serves to flesh out the sprawling membership of the Organization, helping players to more fully parse out which members are truly villainous, and which are merely misunderstood. Featuring one of the most heartbreaking endings of any Kingdom Hearts title, 358/2 Days also compellingly translates the Kingdom Hearts series' distinctive combat to the Nintendo DS, maintaining its fast-paced and challenging nature.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Like your heroes with impossibly spiky hair? Have a penchant for classic animation? Nifty with a Keyblade? Then prepare yourself for KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days on the Nintendo DS!Immerse yourself in the world of KINGDOM HEARTS, where Disney and FINAL FANTASY characters mix with epic results - where beings formed from corrupted hearts are the enemy and the emotionless 'Nobodies' are the bodies left behind with no heart...

Action RPG

Fighting

Action-Adventure

Franchise

Kingdom Hearts

Platform(s)

Nintendo DS

Released

May 30, 2009

Developer(s)

Square Enix , h.a.n.d.

Publisher(s)

Square Enix

Multiplayer

Local Multiplayer

Engine

The Infernal Engine

ESRB

e

How Long To Beat

27 hours

12 Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories' Bold Gamble Pays Off

A Memorable Sleight of Hand

Bridging the gap between 2002's Kingdom Hearts and 2005's Kingdom Hearts 2, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories appears at first glance to be a novelty and a thorny one at that. A 2D action RPG with a combat system built around customizable decks of cards, Chain of Memories plays like few other games out there, but within a few hours of retreading through Kingdom Hearts' iconic, now-isometric worlds, something clicks. The game's seemingly obtuse and stubborn design gives way to an addicting (if slightly unbalanced) experience that only the Game Boy Advance could provide.

Contrary to appearances, Chain of Memories is not just a bottle episode rendered irrelevant by Sora's memory reconstruction at the game's close; it is also the first game that gives players a chance to play as series deuteragonist Riku, who stars in a complimentary scenario unlocked after completing the main story. Narratively, the Castle Oblivion saga is one of the more consequential chapters of Kingdom Hearts' front story, and while its unique play-style may turn off some, Chain of Memories is a design risk with incredible payoff, resulting in one of the more distinctive titles in the Game Boy Advance's library.

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories

Action RPG

Digital Card Game

Franchise

Kingdom Hearts

Platform(s)

Game Boy Advance

Released

December 7, 2004

Developer(s)

Square Enix , Jupiter

Publisher(s)

Square Enix , Nintendo

Multiplayer

Local Multiplayer

Engine

Unreal Engine 4

ESRB

e

How Long To Beat

19 Hours

11 Pokemon Black and White Charts an Exciting Course by Looking Back

A Well-Needed Reset for the Series

The Pokémon series has garnered millions of fans (and billions in-game sales) over the course of its history, but not all Generations have landed with all players. By the time Generation IV was at its close, the constant expansion of the number of Pokémon available to players was reaching its saturation point, and Game Freak was receiving diminishing returns from its collect-a-thon franchise. Enter Pokémon Black and White, the first pair of games in Pokémon's fifth generation, in which Game Freak decided to (temporarily) limit players only to catching Pokémon native to the Unova region.

The result: Pokémon Black and White not only bears one of the more interesting stories in the series' history, but one of the most memorable and endearing rosters of new Pokémon additions in years. While many new Mons are direct design references to the series' first Generation of 151, many of them manage to stand out, such as the seasonally-changing Sawsbuck, the imposing Krookadile, and the adorable Oshawott. By giving its new contributions to the Pokédex some room to breathe, Pokémon Black and White are two of the most impactful and invigorating mainline Pokemon entries available on any system.

10 Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga Offers a Fresh Take on the Mario RPG Formula

Great Bros Jump Alike

The Mario and Luigi series is part of a storied history of Mario-themed RPGs beginning with 1996's Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars for the SNES. Between the release of 2000's Paper Mario and 2004's Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Game Boy Advance owners were treated to a fresh new take on turn-based plumber-pummeling in Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga. Set in the all-new Beanbean Kingdom, this RPG-platformer hybrid gives everyone's favorite ascended recolor Luigi a chance to shine alongside his brother as the two jump, spin, drill, and hammer their way through a myriad of enemies new and familiar.

As with most Mario RPGs, series antagonist Bowser gets to play a less serious role this time around. Nearly all enemies are somewhat comical in Superstar Saga, including Big Bad Cackletta's sidekick Fawful, who is essentially a pint-sized fountain of memes. Mapping Mario and Luigi's actions to the A and B buttons, for attacking, dodging, and platforming, also adds a tense dynamism to combat and playful puzzle opportunities in the game's various explorable locations. While the series has reached greater heights since, Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga is an excellent starting point for players in the mood for a portable adventure.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions

Save Princess Peach's voice, the Beanbean Kingdom and ... Bowser?! The game that launched the Mario & Luigi series returns looking better than ever before.In this renewed classic, Mario and Luigi journey to the Beanbean Kingdom with Bowser to restore Princess Peach's voice. Control Mario and Luigi simultaneously, making use of their unique Bros. Moves to solve puzzles and emerge victorious in action-packed battles. Pay heed to the enemy's patterns and time your reactions right to land satisfying counterblows. Included in this remake is the Minion Quest:The Search for Bowser mode tells the story of the game from the perspective of Bowser's minions. Recruit characters to grow your own Minion army as you fight to locate your missing leader!

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:82/100 Critics Recommend:83%

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

9 Radiant Historia Pays Exciting Homage to JRPG Greats

A Timeline-Hopping Adventure That Defies Expectation

The DS was host to numerous ports and remakes of RPG classics, but it also introduced audiences to brand-new worlds, characters, and stories that have stood the test of time. While it has earned numerous comparisons to all-time-great Chrono Trigger, Radiant Historia (and its 3DS enhanced re-release, Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology) remains fresh and original due to its unconventional protagonist, compelling exploration of time travel, and fantastic soundtrack.

While any story dealing with time travel has certain pitfalls that writers must avoid to maintain believability, Radiant Historia manages to keep its narrative fresh and interesting in large part due to placing Stocke, the game's mature and sensible protagonist, at its center. The game's battle system deserves praise as well, as its position-oriented and turn-based structure rewards players for careful management of turn order and enemy placement on the battlefield. Many fans and onlookers have loudly requested a port to modern consoles, but for DS owners everywhere, Radiant Historia remains a classic worth returning to.

Radiant Historia

RPG

Platform(s)

Nintendo 3DS , Nintendo DS

Released

November 3, 2010

Developer

Atlus

Publisher

Atlus, Atlus USA, Deep Silver

Engine

Game engine

ESRB

e

How Long To Beat

46 hours

$91 at AmazonSee at NintendoSee at WalmartSee at Best Buy

8 Fire Emblem Arrives Stateside and Recruits Armies of Fans

Better Late Than Never

The Fire Emblem series of turn-based strategy games had covered seven separate entries in Japan before most American gamers had even heard of it; much of the series' modern popularity stems from fan response to Roy and Marth's addition to Super Smash Bros. Melee back in 2001. However, despite what the box art would suggest, neither of those characters made a significant appearance in 2003's Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade (or simply Fire Emblem stateside). Fire Emblem instead follows the lords Lyn, Hector, and Eliwood (father of FE6's Roy) as they fight to protect their kingdom from the plots of bandits, assassins, and evil sorcerers.

While Fire Emblem features an extended tutorial in the form of Lyn's scenario, it maintains the series' signature level of challenge, causing players to lose their units permanently should they fall in battle before a chapter's end. There are also numerous missable recruits, which means players will have to carefully navigate enemy forces and connect with the right people to build an army worthy of their cause. Though its successor, The Sacred Stones, would dial down the challenge level for accessibility's sake, Fire Emblem remains the gold standard of classic tactical RPG action for the Game Boy Advance.

Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade

Tactical RPG

Franchise

Fire Emblem

Platform(s)

Game Boy Advance , Nintendo Switch

Released

November 3, 2003

Developer(s)

Intelligent Systems

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Engine

Unity

ESRB

e

How Long To Beat

26.5 Hours

How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)

46 Hours

See at AmazonSee at eBaySee at Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion

7 Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver are the Pokémon Series' Best Remakes

PokeWalk With Me

Pokémon fans who have been with the series since the beginning can remember the buzz surrounding Pokémon Gold and Silver's release. Pokémon Red and Blue's release brought with it the excitement of a brand-new thing, but Gold and Silver's promise of a bigger and better sequel, with a whole new region to explore and a fresh cast of Pokémon to capture and train, was unmatched. When Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver granted players a chance to return to the Johto region with Generation IV's level of polish, some players were skeptical. Even as good as the original Generation 2 games were, what value was there in a return trip?

As it turned out, HeartGold/SoulSilver wasn't merely an enhanced re-release put out to make a quick buck; it was arguably, next to Platinum, the definitive Generation IV pair of Pokémon games available. Chock-full of legendary Pokémon from each prior generation and plenty of new features to keep die-hard fans and newcomers busy for hours, HeartGold/SoulSilver exemplifies the virtues of its source material while improving upon the foundation laid by the Diamond/Pearl/Platinum versions. While the competitive scene has long since moved on from Johto, Game Freak did right by Gold and Silver's legacy, as well as the series' most ardent fans.

Pokémon SoulSilver

Prepare for an exhilarating adventure with Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version for the Nintendo DS! Play as a boy or a girl trainer and battle your way through the Johto region with your Pokémon in order to become the Champion! Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver Versions are fully-enhanced versions of the original Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version games from 2001.

JRPG

Franchise

Pokemon

Platform(s)

Nintendo DS

Released

March 14, 2010

Developer(s)

Game Freak

Publisher(s)

Nintendo , The Pokemon Company

Multiplayer

Local Multiplayer

Engine

MSYS2

ESRB

E For Everyone due to Mild Cartoon Violence

See at Walmart$226 at Amazon

6 Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Brings Handheld Strategy to New Heights

Don't Judge Too Harshly

While Final Fantasy Tactics Advance had many points working in its favor to attract players, what has kept players returning to its world again and again is the confidence and depth with which it approaches its storytelling, gameplay, and world-building. The version of Ivalice found in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is a fantastical dreamworld that nonetheless feels believable and compelling to 'create' and explore. As players fill in their map of Ivalice with various towns, battlefields, and crystal temples, they are drawn in by the game's engrossing set of systems, from combat to job progression to guild activities.

The main titles in the 'Ivalice Alliance' games — which include this game's DS sequel, Grimoire of the Rift — build upon the foundation of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Vagrant Story, and Final Fantasy XII, but without such a strong foundation, such a project could never have gotten off the ground. Whether players are in the mood for playable, heroic Moogles or challenging battle limitations, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is a game RPG fans love returning to — and will delight in discovering.

6 Images

6 Images

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

When it comes to handheld RPG's, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is the right game for anyone looking for the best of the genre on handheld. This game keeps things interesting by presenting you with versatile tasks in an RPG format.The game has an overarching and engaging narrative that introduces you to a slew of intriguing characteres throughout.

Tactical RPG

Franchise

Final Fantasy

Platform(s)

Game Boy Advance

Released

September 8, 2003

Developer(s)

Square Product Development Division 4

Publisher(s)

Square , Nintendo

Multiplayer

Local Multiplayer

ESRB

e

How Long To Beat

45 Hours

How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)

116 Hours

5 Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is the Series' Peak (So Far)

The Brothers Have Never Been Better

2005's Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time pushed the Mario RPG envelope, pairing the adult brothers with their baby counterparts to take on the invading Shroob threat, but not even that title reaches the heights of the series' third entry, Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. A story split between sections focusing on the mustachioed plumber duo and their sometimes formidable, always entertaining adversary, Bowser, Bowser's Inside Story gives the venerable King Koopa a greater degree of narrative real estate than many games in the series.

While a shrunk-down Mario and Luigi explore Bowser's cavernous bowels, Bowser burns and smashes his way across the Mushroom Kingdom, seeking to reclaim his castle from the mischievous Fawful (returning from 2003's Superstar Saga). Whether players are controlling the titular brothers or their unwitting ally, the timing-based combat in Bowser's Inside Story feels incredibly satisfying, and as far as Mario RPG plots go, it's among the most compelling and entertaining entries. Yoko Shimomura (composer of the Kingdom Hearts series) lends a bouncy and infectious score to the game as well, helping to make the third Mario and Luigi title a series highlight all DS owners should know.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

Laugh your way through a hilarious story told from three perspectives! Search the Mushroom Kingdom for a cure as Bowser, explore his innards as the Mario Bros., and discover the untold story of Bowser Jr.’s Journey. Overcome the fury of Fawful, action-packed battles, puzzling tasks, and giant bosses in a classic action RPG—stuffed with added content

RPG

Franchise

Super Mario

Platform(s)

Nintendo DS , 3DS

Released

September 15, 2009

Developer(s)

AlphaDream

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

ESRB

E For Everyone due to Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence

How Long To Beat

22 Hours

See at Nintendo eShop$45 at Amazon

4 Golden Sun Ushers The Dawning of a New RPG Age

Always Promote Psynergy

Much has been written about Golden Sun, Camelot's lauded series for the Game Boy Advance and DS, but its reputation as one of handheld gaming's greatest RPGs did not come out of thin air. Boasting an expansive world map (especially if we include the map of its 2002 sequel, The Lost Age), a unique approach to exploration and environmental puzzle solving, and one of the most nuanced class systems in all of gaming, Golden Sun makes up for its very linear story with plenty of design virtues.

A big part of what makes the Golden Sun games memorable and noteworthy are the ways that the game's magic system, 'Psynergy', is utilized not just for exploration and combat, but to flesh out the game's world. Every town, cave, desert, and lighthouse gives players numerous opportunities to Move, Reveal, Frost and Mind Read toward increasingly inventive ends. Even when some of its areas can grow frustrating, Golden Sun's combat, soundtrack, and character designs more than make up for these shortcomings — and with an equally expansive sequel completing its tale, players will be hard-pressed to find an adventure more worthy of a return trip.

Golden Sun

Captivating and engaging, Golden Sun is the perfect game for anyone looking for a game that will keep you on you glued for its entirety. This game has an interesting narrative and exciting challenges. You will love it!Golden Sun has an overarching narrative that all the characters revolve around, as well as magnificent adventure and solving puzzles. However, there are subplots throughout the game. These subplots offer relief from the involving main plot and build on the main narrative.

JRPG

Franchise

Golden Sun

Platform(s)

Game Boy Advance

Released

November 12, 2001

Developer(s)

Camelot Software Planning

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Multiplayer

Local Multiplayer

Engine

GSHTML5

ESRB

e

Release

2001-11-12

See at Amazon

3 Chrono Trigger Reminds Modern Fans How Great Adventures Are Made

Hop In, Frog, We're Canceling the Apocalypse

Chrono Trigger is one of the best RPGs on any system, from any era, but it deserves to rank among the best games for the Nintendo DS not only because its 2008 version is an excellent port, but because, even when compared to modern RPGs, this era-spanning odyssey still holds up exceedingly well. With a clean, updated menu interface and numerous new bells and whistles, Chrono Trigger's DS iteration preserves what made the original game great while introducing it to a new generation.

The SNES version of Chrono Trigger coined the term 'New Game Plus' and the DS version more fully lives up to this feature's potential by including numerous dungeons and challenges that can only be pursued by players playing through a NG+ file. Players also will have an easier time keeping track of which endings they have and have not unlocked, which, considering how many discreet endings there are to enjoy, is a major boon. Whether it's a return trip or a player's first encounter with the title, Chrono Trigger is an essential part of any DS owner's collection.

5 Images

5 Images

Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger may be one of the oldest entries on this list however there is nothing outdated about this gaming experience. Chrono Trigger is developed by the same minds that brought us the famed Final Fantasy series. It’s no surprise that yet another RPG franchise of theirs would receive widespread acclaim. The game was first released on the SNES in 1995. Today the most accessible version of the game is the Nintendo DS port.

RPG

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Platform(s)

SNES , PlayStation (Original) , PC , Nintendo DS , Android , iOS

Released

March 11, 1995

Developer(s)

Square Enix

Publisher(s)

Square Enix

Multiplayer

Local Co-Op

Engine

Cocos Creator Engine

ESRB

T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood

How Long To Beat

23 Hours

See at Amazon

2 Mother 3 is the GBA Masterpiece Most in Need of a Re-Release

American Fans Deserve to Cry, Too

The best RPG for the Game Boy Advance is, unfortunately, one of its least accessible (for Western audiences anyway). Although fan-translated cartridges and ROMs of the game have circulated for years, Mother 3 has never seen an official Western release, but this has not prevented a fanatical culture from arising around it. With one of the most poignant, affecting stories in all of gaming history, and a gorgeous pixel-art style that has spawned countless imitators, Mother 3 demonstrates the power that interactive media can have when crafted with nuance and care.

Fans of its predecessors, Earthbound Origins and Earthbound as they are known stateside, will find numerous fresh mechanics in Mother 3 alongside the series' trademark quirkiness. The addition of the Sound Battle combo system rewards players for precise button timing when landing attacks, and while the setting and story of Mother 3 are imbued with more pathos than Earthbound, NPC dialogue remains humorous and worth multiple reads. Nintendo has indicated a North American release of Mother 3 is unlikely, but considering Earthbound eventually made it to NSO, never say never. This modern masterpiece belongs in the collection of any JRPG fan.

Mother 3

RPG

Platform(s)

Game Boy Advance

Released

April 20, 2006

Developer

Brownie Brown, HAL Laboratory

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Engine

M4A sound/music engine

ESRB

e

How Long To Beat

25 Hours

1 The World Ends With You Proves the Weird Can Be Wonderful

A DS Delight Without Rival

The World Ends With You is far from a conventional RPG, in gameplay, aesthetics, or story, but that's the main reason why it is a perfect choice for the Nintendo DS's finest RPG, and one of the system's best games, period. Backed by some of Tetsuya Nomura's most idiosyncratic writing and character designs and Takeharu Ishimoto's eclectic and memorable soundtrack, the Shibuya-set RPG sees players living through the coming of age of Neku Sakuraba, an angsty young man whose trials in the Reaper's Game are foundational both to his growth as a person and to the betterment of any player who might encounter this game at the right time in their life.

The Nintendo DS is an ingenious piece of gaming hardware and few games dared to truly explore its full potential. The World Ends With You is one such game, utilizing both screens for both its frenetic, stylus-slashing battles and its stylish presentation. Certain pins are activated using the system's microphone feature, while others gain experience while the game is turned off, utilizing the system's clock and calendar. While players today have numerous ways to enjoy The World Ends With You, the best way to enjoy the game remains on its home system. DS owners owe it to themselves to add this game to their libraries and offer it a place in their hearts.

5 Images

5 Images

The World Ends With You

The World Ends with You is an awe-inspiring tale created by Square Enix. Originally having been released on the Nintendo DS with limited promotion, this game outperformed release week expectations, and over the years has subsequently reached cult classic status. Fans of Kingdom Hearts will immediate notice the similarities between The World Ends with You and Chain of Memories (a Kingdom Hearts title released on the GameBoy Advance): namely, the gameplay and combat, the graphics, and the world navigation. But unlike Chain of Memories, The World Ends with You innovated with its controls by incorporating the Nintendo DS’ novel touchscreen feature

Action RPG

Systems

Platform(s)

Nintendo DS , Switch , Android , iOS

Released

July 27, 2007

Developer(s)

Square Enix

Publisher(s)

Square Enix

Multiplayer

Local Co-Op

Engine

Unity

ESRB

T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes

How Long To Beat

25 Hours

See at Official SiteSee at SteamSee at Playstation StoreSee at Nintendo eShopSee at WalmartSee at Best Buy$57 at Amazon