The Nintendo DS stands as one of gaming‘s most cherished and best-selling platforms with over 154 million systems sold. As an industry veteran myself, I still have fond memories of linking up wirelessly multiplayer Mario Kart battles during school lunches. Beyond social play, groundbreaking software kept me transfixed for entire family road trips too thanks to the DS‘s crisp dual screens and innovative touch controls.
In this article, I want to guide you through the absolute best action experiences to seek out for the handheld. The games listed here wowed critics and gamers over a decade ago, but their riveting gameplay and visuals have aged beautifully. Whether you are revisiting childhood favorites or discovering theseblockbusters for the first time, get ready for an expertly curated list of classics no action fan should miss!
Defining the Action Genre
Before highlighting standout titles, let‘s clarify what gameplay qualities classify a game as an "action" experience. Games emphasize real-time character control and combat over slower-paced strategy gameplay or long dialogue exchanges. Common action subgenres include:
- Platformers – Mario, Kirby adventures where players run/jump over environmental obstacles
- Shoot ‘Em Ups – Galaga, Space Invaders focused on firing at overwhelming waves of enemies
- Fighting Games – Punch Out!! and Super Smash Bros. focused on close quarters combat/combos
- Hack N‘ Slash – Castlevania and God of War focused on weapon/melee based combat
No matter the flavor, action games prioritize elements like:
- Quick reflexes/responses to threats
- Mastery of combat movesets and mechanics
- Epic screen-filling boss encounters
- Chaining combat abilities for high damage
Now let‘s examine the titles that truly perfected this formula on Nintendo‘s dual screen wonder!
10. Space Invaders Extreme – Modernized Arcade Action
- Release Year: 2008
- Developer: Backbone Entertainment
- Game Length: ~3 hours
Space Invaders Extreme reinvented the seminal 1978 arcade shooter for the Nintendo DS hardware. The core left-to-right alien blasting remains but it also remixes the experience with thumping electronic music tracks that evolve as you rack up combos and clear stages.
The dual screen setup allows you to see upcoming invaders more easily. The variety of modes like Ranking and stages with unique bosses also provide surprising depth and replayability. Overall it stays faithful to the tense, addictive fun that made Space Invaders an icon while adding welcome modern touches.
Key Features
- Addictive core blasting action intact
- Dynamic music visualizer reacts to play
- Sharp neon sci-fi visual overhaul
- DS dual screen enhances spatial awareness
For a masterclass in refreshing classic arcade gameplay concepts, Space Invaders Extreme is a must-try.
9. Castlevania Order of Ecclesia – Rich Side-Scrolling Action RPG Hybrid
- Release Year: 2008
- Developer: Konami
- Game Length: 15+ hours
Castlevania Order of Ecclesia employs the DS touch and dual screen capabilities to craft an engrossing, atmospheric adventure blending action and RPG elements. You control magic user Shanoa who must absorb enemy Glyphs for weapons/spells to take down Dracula and his minions.
The combat requires pattern recognition and quick reflexes to succeed against the imaginative bosses. You also explore non-linear levels, take on side quests in towns, and upgrade stats RPG-style between battles. Order of Ecclesia stands as one of the most content-rich Castlevania experiences that holds up beautifully.
Key Features
- Absorb enemy glyphs for 100+ spell/weapon combinations
- Non-linear progression with towns, NPCs and side quests
- Partner summons and magical unions for screen-filling attacks
- Multiple endings based on completion speed
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia perfects the art of hybrid action/RPG design on DS.
8. Super Mario 64 DS – Colorful 3D Platforming Perfected
- Release Year: 2004
- Developer: Nintendo
- Game Length: 20+ hours
Super Mario 64 DS brings the beloved Nintendo 64 platformer to the handheld. All 70+ Power Star collecting kingdoms return with colorful new touchups. You also can play as Mario‘s brother and rivals, each with unique moves to discover crystals and get through obstacle-filled levels.
The DS version adds wireless multiplayer mini-games supporting up to four players. It also takes advantage of the touch screen for fun novelty events like whacking race moles. While the camera and controls can be finicky, this remake packs in a staggering amount of 3D platforming creativity well worth mastering.
| Character | Unique Move | Game Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Mario | Punch/Wall Kicks | Balanced |
| Luigi | Higher Jumps | Reach Hidden Areas |
| Wario | Strength | Smash Enemies/Objects |
| Yoshi | Tongue Lash | Swallow Enemies |
Key Features
- Colorful graphics overhaul
- 30+ expansive 3D kingdoms to explore
- 4 playable heroes with diverse movesets
- Whimsical multiplayer mini-games
For one of Mario‘s finest outings, it‘s hard to top this content-rich remake of the legendary Super Mario 64.
7. Metroid Prime: Hunters – Lightning Fast First-Person Shooting
- Release Year: 2006
- Developer: Nintendo
- Game Length: 10-15 hours
Metroid Prime: Hunters brought intense first-person shooting action to the DS complete with solo campaign and 4-player online modes. You control galactic bounty hunter Samus Aran or rival characters with varied weapons/abilities for competitive multiplayer matches. Campaign levels fuse gunplay with adventure elements like finding key cards or hidden power-ups to progress.
The solo content alone is strong but the multiplayer shines brightest as one of DS‘s standout online titles. Tight controls, well-realized sci-fi settings, and diverse combatants give matches tremendous replay value. Whether playing solo or with friends, Hunters provides some of the most gripping first-person action available on a handheld.
Key Features
- Seven playable bounty hunters with unique abilities
- 30+ weapons and modifications
- Online and local 4-player multiplayer
- 100+ armor/helm combinations
For lightning-fast shooting action on DS, Hunters remains unmatched. I highly recommend giving the online servers a visit even today!
6. Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin – Dual Character Combat Innovation
- Release Year: 2006
- Developer: Konami
- Game Length: 10-12 hours
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin shakes up the formula with dual protagonists Jonathan and Charlotte who must work as a team. Each has unique special moves unlocked over time that prove essential against swarms of creatures and towering level guardians.
The portrait-themed stages shift between 2D and 3D perspectives. To progress further, the pair can also combine magic attacks into devastating super blows. Portrait of Ruin‘s partner mechanics, hidden secrets rewards, and Suspend save anywhere feature also give it great replay value.
Key Features
- Tag team combo attacks
- 100+ monster variety
- Secret treasure rewarded exploration
- Multiple endings based on clear time
This re-imagining of the Castlevania formula still feels fresh even 15 years later thanks to its innovative duo dynamics.
5. Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron – Definitive Pocket Battlefront Experience
- Release Year: 2009
- Developer: Rebellion Developments
- Game Length: 10+ hours
Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron delivers an incredible recreation of George Lucas’ iconic sci-fi universe. You battle as infantry and using iconic vehicles both in online 3v3 battles and a compelling story campaign that visits famous Star Wars locations.
The ability to level up, customize outfits/weapons, and unlock new heroes gives this ambitious, content-rich shooter great longevity. It also makes smart use of DS features like voice chat, custom character drawing, and swiping the touchscreen for saber moves as Luke or Vader. For Star Wars or shooter fans, this is easily among the DS‘s most impressive third-party action experiences.
Key Features
- Pilot X-Wings, TIE Fighters and more
- Robust soldier/hero customization
- Relive classic film battles
- Local and online multiplayer supported
If you want to experience the thrill of Star Wars battles in the palm of your hand, Elite Squadron is the game to grab.
4. Kirby: Canvas Curse – Touch Screen Platforming Mastery
- Release Year: 2005
- Developer: HAL Laboratory
- Game Length: 8 hours
The charming platform mascot Kirby got a particularly clever revamp on DS in Kirby: Canvas Curse. After being turned to a helpless ball form, the player taps to guide Kirby along drawn paths and ramps, gathering stars by reaching the end of each colorful stage. You must also tap enemies to stun them as well as use copy powers like flame and hammer.
This stylus control method leads to remarkably fun and tactical gameplay not possible in thumbstick-driven Kirby titles. Unlocking medals also gives high replay incentive to master the 70+ main levels and challenging mini-games too. Canvas Curse stands as one of the freshest and most delightful takes on the Kirby formula.
Key Features
- Touchscreen-exclusive ball rolling
- 7 worlds with 5 stages each
- Medal collection extends replayability
- Sparkling pastel fantasy visuals
Canvas Curse represents one of DS‘s most creative reinventions of a classic franchise.
3. Elite Beat Agents – Feel Good Musical Mayhem
- Release Year: 2006
- Developer: iNiS
- Game Length: 3-5 hours
Elite Beat Agents is a wildly energetic music game centered on tapping and tracing circles in rhythm to pop songs to help people get motivated. Laugh out loud weird scenarios see the agents cheering on athletes, an older couple‘s love, a TV star‘s career and more through music magic. It gets surprisingly addicting trying to get high scores even as songs ramp up to lightning fast beats.
With special agents, bonus stage variants, song customization unlocks and local competitive modes, this quirky music-meets-quick time event mashup has unbelievable replay value. For a unique breed of rhythm/action game there‘s simply nothing else like Elite Beat Agents even today.
Key Features
- Hilarious visual gags and scenarios
- 15+ cover songs to tap along to
- Challenge modes crank up difficulty
- Flicks and drags test precision
This humorous music title will brighten any gamer‘s day with its wacky charm.
2. New Super Mario Bros – Pure Side-Scrolling Magic
- Release Year: 2006
- Developer: Nintendo
- Game Length: 6-8 hours
The DS got its own defining Mario platformer in the form of New Super Mario Bros. Mario veterans and newcomers alike fell in love with its clever obstacle course level designs, accessibility for all skill levels and chaotic multiplayer races/battles. Mainstays like triple jumps sat alongside fresh power-ups such as the Mega Mushroom suit that let you smash through the 2D landscapes as a towering giant Mario.
With over 80 creative stages across snow, jungle and desert environments, this became not just one of DS‘s top sellers but a modern Mario masterpiece. It resurrected the demanding NES Super Mario Bros. design ethos, evolving it wonderfully for a handheld while keeping Mario‘s coin-bouncing, enemy stomping escapades feeling magical all over again.
Key Features
- 80+ clever side-scrolling obstacle courses
- Nostalgic 2D Mario action polished to perfection
- Creative new mega mushroom power-up
- Addictive competitive multiplayer modes
This game helped DS kick off a Mario renaissance that continued with sequels on 3DS and Wii U. It still remains one of Mario‘s finest platforming outings.
1. Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow – The Definitive DS Action Adventure
- Release Year: 2005
- Developer: Konami
- Game Length: 15+ hours
Claiming the crown for best DS action game is Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow. As hero Soma Cruz, you reenter Dracula‘s castle to stop its resurrection using the Touch Screen for spell drawing mechanics. This Castlevania nails the expected grandeur with gigantic bosses, environmental traps and visually arresting areas based on locations like theaters and laboratories.
At the same time, it innovates on the formula greatly. The Tactical Soul system lets you absorb enemy abilities for use in future battles – a brilliant twist enhancing replayability. Chaining souls also unlocks special attacks adding depth to slaying monsters. Collecting items as in the later Igavania games popularized also keeps the dangerous exploration compelling hour after hour. For whip-cracking, spell slinging 2D action spectacle, Dawn of Sorrow is one of gaming‘s finest hours.
Key Features
- 100+ monster abilities to steal
- Elemental weapon/spell combos
- Branching level routes and secrets
- Touchscreen quick spell access
From environmental visuals to deep combat mechanics, this exemplifies Metroidvania action gaming on a handheld.
Reliving DS Action Greatness
I hope this guided tour through my personal top 10 DS action titles compelled you to revisit these classics or try them for the first time. In every key genre from shooting to brawling to platform adventures, Nintendo‘s handheld saw multiple outstanding exclusives that remain tremendous fun today.
The innovative touch and dual screen features also allowed developers to realize creative gameplay concepts not possible elsewhere. These examples still stand as prime models of how to craft titles tailored expertly to unique hardware strengths. Thanks to the DS‘s vast library, there is an amazing variety of fast-paced, visceral adventures to choose from for almost any gamer taste. Just make sure to grab some extra styluses before these action dynamos suck you in for the long haul again!
