The Nintendo 3DS is coming out at the end of this month. The latest member in the wildly successful handheld family of Nintendo is bound to make massive sales, break plenty of potential records, and maintain Nintendo’s firm grip in the non-console market. While companies like Apple and Sony have made major strides in handheld gaming, there is no question Nintendo still dominates. However, there isn’t much linking to the past in the handheld regime, especially when compared to the console classics. This article is dedicated to all the wonderful games (most forgotten) that helped the Game Boys and DSs reach their phenomenal sales and maintain its lasting appeal. These are the 40 greatest games in the history of Nintendo handheld gaming....so far.
#40: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Year: 2009
System: Nintendo DS
This goes out to anyone that had no faith that Grand Theft Auto would ever make its way into a Nintendo system (successfully). While the DS lacks the graphical so-called capabilities of the console GTA games (Playing Devil’s Advocate, the GTA games don’t look that good to begin with) Rockstar managed to upload all the mayhem, violence, and absolute fun of the franchise and convert it into a DS cartridge. Chinatown Wars has the presentation, gameplay, music, and replayability of the console GTAs, and upends them by offering a massive assortment of mini-games that includes a phenomenal drug ring aspect to the experience. While the PSP got this version, it failed in comparison to this one because of the lack of the second screen. In the DS version, the second screen allows you to distribute drugs, hack cars, fix cars, and even mess around with fridge magnets. It sounds trivial and pointless, but all these little things add to the overall experience. While Nintendo really doesn’t have games aimed just for adults, this one title alone nearly makes up for it.
#39: Super Mario 64 DS
Year: 2004
System: Nintendo DS
Super Mario 64 remains in my opinion the greatest video game of all-time. All the new gamneplay elements it brought to the table, all the eventual imitators, and just the pure freedom of running around a massive world with minimal direction made this an instant masterpiece back in 1996. So what better way to show the world what your new toy is capable of then re-creating the experience, and then adding some more? While this version lacks the magic and pure freedom of the N64 version (analog is so underrated), it’s still a great game with plenty of added goodies once the original adventure is over. There is a multi-player mode, tons of mini-games, and more characters to use when playing the original quest. It was the perfect way to start a record-setting run for the DS.
#38: Mega Man in Dr. Wily’s Revenge
Year: 1991
System: Game Boy
The Mega Man franchise was already known for bringing endless fun and even more frustration. But one of the first great handheld translations of console classics came in Dr. Wily’s Revenge, which was a remake and a sequel at the same time. While you do fight the four baddies of the original Mega Man, there were some extra bosses not before seen—including the infamous Enker. Just like the console games, Dr. Wily’s Revenge was fun, tough, varied, tough, mildly addicting, and tough.
#37: The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Year: 2005
System: Game Boy Advance
The Game Boy Advance had been around for 4 years already and not only had there not been many adventure games on the system, there also was a total lack of original Zelda. Surely we got Link to the Past, but now with SNES-style graphics, it was about time that Zelda got some love. Minish Cap diminished the complaints by delivering a new, wholly original, and satisfyingly epic quest which pits Link against the forces of evil, and the forces of...size. While I am not a fan of the Four Sword arc of the Zelda timeline/franchise, Minish Cap still offered all your typically fun elements of Zelda: great dungeons, nice story, plenty of side-quests to perform. This definitely made up for Wind Waker’s final act. Tee hee, another anti Wind Waker joke on the blog….
#36: Street Fighter Alpha 3
Year: 2002
System: Game Boy Advance
Handheld gaming was delivering all types of great games from a variety of genres: except for fighting. The lack of buttons severely limited fighting games for the first 11 years of Nintendo’s handheld run. The Game Boy Advance however delivered two shoulder buttons, resulting in a total of four buttons to use. This sounds stupid, but fighting games are nearly impossible to pull off with just two buttons (Super Smash Brothers for the N64 was darn close). Street Fighter Alpha 3 would finally end the drought by delivering a wholesome and wonderful Street Fighter experience without stripping away too much from the original source. Now add extra characters and you have yourself your first truly great fighter in the history of handhelds.
#35: Sonic Advance
Year: 2002
System: Game Boy Advance
If you had told me back in 1994 that eventually Sonic and Sega would fail and crash down like the weakest of aircraft, I would have laughed at your face and called you stupid. Amazingly years after Sega put up an amazing fight against Nintendo, Sega would lose so much money and fan support that they had to stop making systems and instead become a third-party developer. Sonic Advance was not only a great game that brings back the roots of Sonic, but would make history as the first time Sonic would show up in a Nintendo system. Why Sega didn’t continue making 2-D sonic games in consoles, I’ll never understand. Luckily for all of us, Sonic was limited to 2-D in the handheld, bringing old-school gameplay plus some new-school elements, resulting in Sonic Advance, one of the best Sonic games since the mid-90s. Oh how the mighty have fallen.
#34: Metroid Fusion
Year: 2002
System: Game Boy Advance
Although this Metroid was a bit more straightforward than all the other titles (Excluding Metroid: Other M, but most of you should know I deny its existence) it is still just as addicting, just as fun, and just as borderline-creepy. The smaller screen makes for better terror as you don’t get to see as much and its excellent musical score and variety of sound effects enhance the one-vs.-all experience. The Dark Samus aspect of the game works perfectly well, as you have a Samus just as powerful and well-equipped as you….hunting YOU down. It is a shame chronologically we have yet to receive a sequel to this powerhouse adventure.
#33: Elite Beat Agents
Year: 2006
System: Nintendo DS
This game is so quirky it hurts. And why this game failed in the midst of the Guitar Hero/Rock band craze, we shall never ever know. A spiritual sequel to another quirky Japan-only game, Elite Beat Agents is stylish, unique, innovative, and takes full effect of the DS capabilities in ways never thought before. This addicting game will make you look silly, but whenever a game asks for you to press a bunch of targets in a certain order using certain maneuvers to help three characters (that look like rejects of the Men in Black) dance their way out of situations---you know you’ve got something special.
#32: Sonic Rush
Year: 2005
System: Nintendo DS
The full capabilities of Sonic were finally acknowledged here. Sonic the hedgehog 2, the best game in the series, was striving to become this game. Although this game still slightly lags behind the Genesis classics, it definitely has the speed, mayhem, and presentation to become one of the best Sonic games you’ll ever play. This is what the console Sonic games should look and play like. It is fast, furious, frustrating, and just all-around exhilarating. Now add a great Sonic CD-like musical score and you have yourself Sega’s best handheld game ever.
#31: Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Year: 2008
System: Nintendo DS
The Nintendo DS was the first system to feature a plethora of games that actually challenge the mind. There was a New York crossword video game, the successful Brain Age games, Big Brain Academy, and this little gem. Containing multiple puzzles wrapped around by a decent storyline, Professor Layton is one of the most unique games you’ll ever play, and one of the most challenging. There are games that were meant to be played on the DS and upcoming 3DS, and Professor Layton is definitely one of them. Over 130 brain teasers inside, be prepared for a long adventure.
#30: Super Mario Advance
Year: 2001
System: Game Boy Advance
If there was a game that paved the way for Nintendo remakes, this one would be it. Although it was very odd they chose the black sheep Mario title to become the launching game for the GBA, it works perfectly because they improved upon an already-decent game with many little details. They added the original-original Mario Bros., added some challenges and a score tablet, enhanced the audio and visuals, and even some continuity fixings (Princess Peach). It was a game that was already good, looking and playing better, for a much smaller screen. The success and praise of this remake would lead to the unfortunate plethora of Nintendo remakes later that decade.
#29: Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
Year: 1993
System: Game Boy
One of the most underrated franchises in the history of all gaming (Yes, I will go that far) got its start here. Containing more gameplay than most modern-day video games, Wario Land contains multiple endings, an entire secret world, over 30 stages, and so much variety within these stages you’ll feel like you played 4 games in one adventure. Nintendo’s anti-hero got its look, personality, and attitude here. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between gamers and the greediest character in Nintendo history.
#28: Kirby’s Canvas Curse
Year: 2005
System: Nintendo DS
Kirby peaked way back in 1996 with the ultra-awesome Kirby Super Star. No other Kirby game has come even close ever since its release. But they haven’t tried moving forward, instead sometimes moving backwards, and sometimes drifting off to the side. There’s Kirby’s Air Ride, Kirby’s Pinball Land, etc. But every so often, they make a Kirby game that works. Canvas Curse only lets you use the stylus, but it becomes quite fun as you draw a path for Kirby to follow and ride on. It is an innovative concept that grows on you as the game progresses. While the game could have been longer, it was far too clever for you to avoid, and far too fun for you to shun.
#27: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Year: 2005
System: Nintendo DS
Remember my mentioning that the Nintendo DS has the most variety in terms of video games from any system in history? Oh wait, never mind, I didn’t. The ultimate example of the previous statement is this gem of a game. It pits you in a courtroom as you try to win your case. While it’s a very tough concept to sell, Capcom infuses it with the microphone feature, excellent use of the stylus, a clever storyline, great writing, and a simplicity that makes it accessible to all gamers, even those not too aware of the justice system. Just like Elite Beat Agents and Professor Layton, this franchise was totally meant to be played in DS/3DS systems, and nowhere else. Just keep those fun lawyer games coming Capcom.
#26: Kirby’s Dream Land 2
Year: 1995
System: Game Boy
While the franchise had been around a couple years already, the franchise didn’t really take off until Dream Land 2. In here not only were you able to swallow up abilities and maneuver through a variety of fun levels, but you even got some animal friends to help you out. The modern-day formula to making a great Kirby game was built here, unlike what other gamers may tell you. It is a simple, winning formula that for some odd reason wasn’t copied enough times later in the franchises’ history.
#25: Pokemon Diamond/Pearl
Year: 2007
System: Nintendo DS
For seven years the franchise of Pokemon had been going ridiculously downhill with inferior versions, inferior remakes, and just a total lack of attempt to throw the brand into the next plateau of quality. Diamond and Pearl, although they were still eerily similar, improved upon most of the PokeMistakes of the past. The adventure is longer, the technical capabilities of the system were actually being utilized, all Pokemon are actually in the stinkin’ game, and there is a wi-fi online mode to boot. While it didn’t quite reach the stratosphere of quality it can achieve with a little more effort, a mere step in the right direction is enough to make this a worthy purchase. Too bad with Black/White they went backwards again.
#24: Wario Ware Inc.: Mega Microgames
Year: 2003
System: Game Boy Advance
Wario is known for being in very creative, weird, and bizarre games. In later installments of his adventures, he couldn’t die, and he’s even engaged in battle against Bomberman. But nothing could prepare you for the brash insanity of this brilliant game. In this underrated gem, you play a series of little games that you have to complete in mere seconds. That’s right, a couple seconds. And as you complete them, they get harder, and the speed increases infinitely. Then there is a multi-player mode, a Dr. Mario remake, and so many extra goodies, it will be months before you run out of things to do in this little game. And until that day arrives, it will be hella fun playing it. Describing this game doesn’t do it justice, you need to play it for yourself.
#23: Donkey Kong 94’
Year: 1994
System: Game Boy
This video game became infamous for coming out at the same time as Donkey Kong Land, and many parents accidently buying this game instead of Land, which was the one all the kids had been wanting to play. While Donkey Kong Land was by no means a flub, neither was this underrated gem. The original levels of Donkey Kong start you off, and then you unexpectedly get thrown into an adventure with over 100 levels, over a dozen abilities to learn, and many obstacles that stand before you and Pauline. This is the original Donkey Kong on a pure mix of steroids, speed, and Four Loco. Addicting, and blazingly fun. There are not enough games in the world with over 100 levels….
#22: Mario Golf: Advanced Tour
Year: 2004
System: Game Boy Advance
Camelot is one of the most underrated gaming companies out there, nearly cranking out a flawless resume, ranging from the Golden Sun series to their addicting sports games. But it’s the handheld versions of the Mario sports games that really excel. Take Advance Tour for example: it’s the usual Mario Golf gameplay with an added RPG-like adventure in which you take a character and try to move up in the ranks. This great mix of sports gameplay with RPG leveling-up and exploration doesn’t happen quite enough, and when it does, it deserves the utmost praise. Unlike most games on this list, this game wasn’t played much, and shouldn’t be this way. Where the heck is the DS sequel?
#21: Pokemon Pinball
Year: 1999
System: Game Boy Color
Pokemon has had a plethora of remakes, re-releases, and spin-offs that helped propel the franchise to becoming the second-biggest franchise in the history of gaming—behind only Mario. But to be honest, most of the spin-offs are rather weak. And then in 1999 we were treated to two excellent Pokemon spinoffs that have yet to see true-blue decent sequels. First was Pokemon Snap for the N64, and the other one is this frustratingly unforgiving yet satisfyingly addicting game. Just like in regular Pokemon, you have the chance to “catch em’ all” but its much harder here, as you play one of two pinball machines, and they are both different (and equally fun) in many, many ways. Yet, you can play the two boards for hours on end and not get bored. And unlike most pinball video games, you can actually even shake the machine a little for some extra points. That little gameplay feature alone warrants a special place on this list…almost in the top 20.
Have you enjoyed the list so far? Are you afraid I am going to totally miss out on a game? Have I totally underrated a game on this list? Please, comment away. As for the top 20, I will try to reveal them later this week.
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