Nintendo DS

The Nintendo DS is a dual-screen handheld game console developed and released by Nintendo. The device went on sale in North America on November 21, 2004. The DS, short for "Developers' System" or "Dual Screen", introduced distinctive new features to handheld gaming: two LCD screens working in tandem, a built-in microphone, and support for wireless connectivity. Both screens are encompassed within a clamshell design similar to the Game Boy Advance SP. The Nintendo DS also features the ability for multiple DS consoles to directly interact with each other over Wi-Fi within a short range without the need to connect to an existing wireless network. Alternatively, they can interact online using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. Its main competitor was Sony's PlayStation Portable as part of the seventh generation era.
Prior to its release, the Nintendo DS was marketed as an experimental, "third pillar" in Nintendo's console lineup, meant to complement the Game Boy Advance and GameCube. However, backward compatibility with Game Boy Advance titles and strong sales ultimately established it as the successor to the Game Boy series.

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There have been numerous video game systems throughout the years, but which one is the best? Starting in the 70&#39;s the daddy of all home video game consoles, the Atari, was released. It introduced the world to games that were able to be played on your home television. With the rise of the arcade, people were jumping at the chance to take the video games home with them, and thus the popularity of the video game home system was born. So, what&#39;s the best gaming console of all time?.

There have been many different companies that have tried to release video game systems throughout the years. Companies like Atari, Sega, Nintendo, Coleco, Microsoft, and many more all tried their hand at the gaming console. Each of these companies have released a number of different consoles as the years and technology have progressed. Nintendo has had the NES, Super NES, Nintendo 64, Gamecube and Wii. (This is not even including the portable systems like Gameboy, DS and 3DS.) Sony has their PlayStation 1, 2 and PS3, along with their Vita and PSP. Sega had the Mastersystem, Genesis, Saturn and Dreamcast. Microsoft had the Xbox and Xbox 360.

After the mid-90&#39;s the playing field drastically changed and most other companies fell away since they couldn&#39;t keep up with the advancing technology. The big 3, Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft came out the clear winners. This is a list of the best video game console systems of all time so feel free to vote for your favorite and add any gaming consoles that aren&#39;t here.

The Best Game Systems Of All Time

General

The Best Gaming Consoles of All Time, Ranked by Gamers

Ranker Community

The 100+ Best Video Games of All Time, Ranked by Fans

Lists for every gamer who knows the physical world is overrated.

Game Is Life

Game Consoles

Ever wondered what&#39;s the single best handheld game console of all time? It&#39;s a surprisingly tough question.&nbsp;After all, everybody&#39;s heard of the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-pokemon-gameboy-video-games/ranker-games" target="_blank">Game Boy</a> and Game Gear, but who remembers the Neo Geo Pocket and the Atari Lynx? Or the Genesis Nomad? There have been some seriously successful handheld consoles over the years, but there have also been several&nbsp;stinkers.&nbsp;

Ever since the Game Boy revolutionized how people game on the go, developers have been trying&mdash;and sometimes succeeding&mdash;to break into the portable console market. The Switch Lite is the latest and greatest in handheld technology, but Nintendo went through a handful <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-nintendo-consoles/kyle-townsend" target="_blank">of different consoles</a> before they finally released one that included a backlit screen (or color for that matter). Was the Game Boy really as great as we all remember, or was the Game Gear the true MVP of<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-90s-arcade-games/video-games-lists" target="_blank"> retro &#39;90s</a> handhelds? You tell us.

There are oodles of crazy retro handheld consoles, but these are among the most popular, best remembered, and are likely to have sat somewhere in the bottom of your backpack at one point in time. Take a stroll down memory lane by checking out 15 of the most acclaimed handheld consoles&nbsp;below. Be sure to vote up all the gaming handhelds you remember owning (or still own),&nbsp;and vote down all the consoles you&#39;re happy you passed on.

The 15 Best Handheld Consoles Throughout The Years, Ranked

The 15 Best Handheld Gaming Consoles Ever Made, Ranked

BradSmith

One of the largest video game companies in the world, Nintendo has brought you everything from Donkey Kong and Zelda to Animal Crossing and Wii. 

Nintendo

Ever since the first Nintendo&nbsp;hit the shelves in 1985, Nintendo has been synonymous with making great games. Known for constantly ideating and developing innovative ways to game, Nintendo is&nbsp;truly a&nbsp;one-of-a-kind developer, and while some systems have become classics, others, well, not so much. That&#39;s why we&#39;re looking back at all the Nintendo consoles released over the years, including all the handheld ones.

Remember when Nintendo decided to try their hand at virtual reality in the mid-90s? It didn&#39;t pan out so well.&nbsp;Still, the ill-fated Virtual Boy helped pave the way for systems like the 3DS, and it introduced a handful of <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/video-game-series-that-should-come-back/nathan-gibson?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">new Nintendo franchises</a>, including Mario Tennis.&nbsp;

When ranking these consoles, it&#39;s important to factor in the games and legacy they created. While newer systems naturally have better graphics and, arguably, more robust games, the older generations are still classic in their own right. Can the Wii hold a candle to the SNES? And <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-gamecube-rpg-games/reference" target="_blank">is the GameCube better</a> than the N64? You tell us. From the NES <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-free-switch-games/ranker-games" target="_blank">to the Switch</a> (and even the&nbsp;Virtual Boy), we&#39;ve listed all 13 major Nintendo consoles throughout the years.

Vote up all your favorite Nintendo systems, and vote down all the do-dum duds.

Every Nintendo Console, Ranked Best To Worst

Ranking Every Nintendo Console, Best To Worst

Kyle Townsend

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Nintendo&rsquo;s mini handheld system released some great games, but there are plenty of obscure and underrated DS games that are worth a second look. Upon its initial release in 2004, the Nintendo DS took the&nbsp;industry by storm. Having two screens may have seemed a bit gimmicky to some, but the feature was used to create some truly unique game mechanics that were both inventive and unable to be replicated <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-nintendo-ds-rpgs/ranker-games" target="_blank">on any other platform</a>.&nbsp;

While the DS was redefining how we thought <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-handheld-consoles/bradsmith" target="_blank">about handheld consoles,</a> it also defined many of our childhoods. Games like Nintendogs and&nbsp;Animal Crossing&nbsp;were instant classics every time a new version was released, but there were also games like&nbsp;Infinite Spacekinds and&nbsp;Puzzle Quest that also deserve some forgotten praise.

Vote up all the overlooked and underappreciated <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/nintendo-ds-games-list-of-nintendo-ds-console-games/video-games-by-console?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Nintendo DS games</a> you think deserve more attention, and vote down the titles you think are best forgotten.

The Most Underrated Nintendo DS Games Of All Time

Computer Game

The 40+ Most Underrated Nintendo DS Games Of All Time

Best Games for Nintendo DS

These are the all-time best RPG games, including both tactical and action role-playing games across multiple platforms and franchises. 

RPGs: Role-Playing Games

If you owned a Nintendo DS at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-game-boy-advance-rpgs/ranker-games" target="_blank">probably a few RPGs</a> in your collection. There&#39;s something about role-playing games that really capture your imagination and make you feel like you&#39;re part of another world. Your party always has colorful characters, the abilities you gain along the way are amazing, and boss battles are usually nothing short of epic.

With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the best DS RPGs of all time.&nbsp;

This list will feature the most popular and best-selling RPGs that were released for Nintendo DS. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Examples of items on this list include Golden Sun: Dark Dawn and Dragon Quest IX.

Vote for your favorite video games below.

Final Fantasy IV

The Best Nintendo DS RPGs

Nintendo DS RPGs, Ranked Best to Worst

Ranker Games

RTOs, MOBA, RTS, MMORTS, RTT, TBS, TBT, and all the various acronyms your mind can muster. Best two out of three?

Sweet Strategy Games

Video Game Genres

If you owned a Nintendo DS at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a few strategy games in your collection. Using your brain to solve puzzles and battle opponents is a ton of fun, and with turn-based games, puzzles, tower defense games, and more, there are unlimited options to explore. With so many choices to pick from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the best Nintendo DS <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-strategy-games/ranker-games?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">strategy games of all time</a>.

This list features the most popular and best-selling strategy games that were released for the NDS. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. This poll features classic games like Civilization Revolution and Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon. Vote up your <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-games-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">favorite video games</a> below.

Pokémon Conquest

The Best Nintendo DS Strategy Games

Th3 30+ Best Nintendo DS Strategy Games, Ranked

If you owned a Nintendo DS at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a few <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-pc-puzzle-games-steam/ranker-games" target="_blank">good puzzle games</a> in your collection. Using your brain to solve challenge after challenge, whether it involves numbers, crosswords, and dungeons, is actually one of the most rewarding experiences in gaming. With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the best Nintendo DS puzzle games of all time.

This list&nbsp;features the most popular and best-selling puzzle games that were released for the NDS. While many of these games were console exclusives, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/professor-layton-games/video-game-info" target="_blank">Professor Layton</a> and the Unwound Future and Scribblenauts are included, along with many other&nbsp;top and challenging&nbsp;puzzlers. Vote up all your <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-games-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">favorite video games</a> below.

Plants vs. Zombies

The Best Nintendo DS Puzzle Games

The 100+ Best Puzzle Games For The Nintendo DS, Ranked

If you owned a Nintendo DS at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a few <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-graphical-point-and-click-adventure-games-all-time-list/ranker-games" target="_blank">adventure games in your collection</a>. There&#39;s something about exploring new places, finding treasure, and fighting enemies that makes adventure games so addicting. With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the best Nintendo DS adventure games of all time.

This list features the most popular and best-selling adventure games that were released for NDS. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Games featured on this poll include everything from Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective to Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. Vote up all your <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-games-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">favorite video games</a>&nbsp;to the top of the list below.

Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth

The Best Nintendo DS Adventure Games

The 25+ Best Nintendo DS Adventure Games, Ranked

Gaming

If you owned a Nintendo DS at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a few <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-mobile-card-games-android-ios/ranker-games" target="_blank">cool card games</a> in your collection. With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the best Nintendo DS Card games of all time.

This list features&nbsp;the most popular and best-selling card games that were released for Nintendo DS. While many of these games <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-psp-card-games/reference" target="_blank">were console exclusives</a>, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. This list contains popular games&nbsp;like Marvel Trading Card Game and Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2008. Vote up all your favorite games to see which titles reach the top of the list.

AFL Mascot Manor

The Best Nintendo DS Card Games

The 25+ Best Nintendo DS Card Games, Ranked

Lists that rank the best sports video games ever across every sport and gaming platform.

Play Sports with Your Thumbs

If you owned a Nintendo DS at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a few <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-playstation-racing-games/ranker-games" target="_blank">rad racing games</a> in your collection. With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the best Nintendo DS racing games of all time. If driving fast cars is your thing, then get behind the wheel and try out some of these fantastic games.

This list features the most popular and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-super-nintendo-racing-games/reference" target="_blank">best-selling racing games</a> that were released for the NDS. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well.&nbsp;Top DS racing games like Diddy Kong Racing, Mario Kart DS are included, as well as some of the more under-the-radar releases. Vote for your <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-games-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">favorite video games</a> below.

Mario Kart DS

The Best Nintendo DS Racing Games

The 25+ Best Nintendo DS Racing Games, Ranked

If you owned a Nintendo DS at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/nintendo-switch-educational-games/kyle-townsend" target="_blank">few educational games</a> in your collection. With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games for both kids and adults. But since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the best Nintendo DS educational games of all time.

This list features all the most popular and best-selling educational games that were released for Nintendo DS. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. This list includes <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/all-educational-games-list/reference" target="_blank">classic learning games</a> for gamers of all ages&nbsp;like Big Brain Academy, My Spanish Coach, and more. Vote up all your <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-games-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">favorite video games</a> below.&nbsp;

Mind Quiz: Your Brain Coach

The Best Nintendo DS Educational Games

The 25+ Best Nintendo DS Educational Games, Ranked

Fighting Games

If you owned a Nintendo DS at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a few fighting games in your collection. With challenging combos and finishing moves to pull off, fighting games are some of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-online-multiplayer-games/ranker-games?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best multiplayer games</a> you can get your hands on. Franchises like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat made the genre famous, but today there are a plethora of others that are just as fun.

With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the best Nintendo DS fighting games of all time.

This list will feature the top, most popular,&nbsp;and best-selling fighting games that were released for Nintendo DS. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. This poll contains classic games&nbsp;like Bleach: Dark Souls&nbsp;and Jump Ultimate Stars. Vote for your <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-games-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">favorite video games</a> below,.

Naruto: Shinobi Retsuden

The Best Nintendo DS Fighting Games

Nintendo DS Fighting Games, Ranked Best To Worst

RPGs

The Nintendo DS had a ton of great games and featured some of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-psp-rpgs/ranker-games" target="_blank">the greatest RPGs</a> to ever appear on a handheld console. There&#39;s something about role-playing games that really capture your imagination and make you feel like you&#39;re part of another world. Your party always has colorful characters, the abilities you gain along the way are amazing, and boss battles are usually nothing short of epic. With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. But since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the best 3DS RPGs of all time.

This list features the most popular and best-selling RPGs that were <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-nintendo-ds-rpgs/ranker-games" target="_blank">released for Nintendo 3DS</a>. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Popular RPGs&nbsp;like Fire Emblem Awakening and Etrian Odyssey IV, which is an extremely popular JRPG,&nbsp;are included below, as well as a handful of lesser-known titles.&nbsp;Vote for your <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-games-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">favorite video games</a>&nbsp;to the top of the list.

The Best Nintendo 3DS RPGs

The 25+ Best RPGs For The Nintendo 3DS, Ranked

If you owned a Nintendo DS at any time during your life, then it's safe to say there were probably a few sports games in your collection. With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we've decided to rank the best Nintendo DS sports games of all time. This list will feature the most popular and best selling sports games that were released for Nintendo DS. While many of these games were console exclusive, we're allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/things-the-world-is-running-out-of-090915/mike-rothschild?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Examples of items</a> on this list include Mario &amp; Sonic at the Olympic Games&nbsp;and Mario Hoops 3-on-3. Vote for your favorite video games below, and feel free to add any that you think deserve to be on the list.

Colin McRae: Dirt 2

The Best Nintendo DS Sports Games

Nintendo DS Sports Games, Ranked Best to Worst

Reference

Soccer

If you owned a Nintendo DS at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a few <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-super-nintendo-soccer-games/reference" target="_blank">sweet soccer games</a> in your collection. With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the best Nintendo DS soccer games of all time.

This list features the most popular and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-playstation-2-soccer-games/reference" target="_blank">best-selling soccer games</a> that were released for Nintendo DS and 3DS. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Everything from FIFA Street 2 to Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 is included.

Vote for your <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-games-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">favorite video games</a> below and see which titles scored the most votes.

Inazuma Eleven 2: Kyoui no Shinryokusha

The Best Nintendo DS Soccer Games

The Best Nintendo DS Soccer Games, Ranked

If you owned a Nintendo DS at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a few baseball games in your collection. And while there definitely weren&#39;t as many releases as, say, basketball, or football, the DS still has a solid library. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the best&nbsp;DS&nbsp;and 3DS&nbsp;baseball games of all time.

This list will feature the most popular and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/top-nintendo-3ds-games-ranked/ranker-games" target="_blank">best-selling baseball games</a> that were released for Nintendo DS and 3DS. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Games featured below&nbsp;include everything from MLB Power Pros 2008 to Major League baseball 2K8 Fantasy All-Stars. Vote up your <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-games-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">favorite video games</a> below.

Major League Baseball 2K8 Fantasy All-Stars

The Best Nintendo DS Baseball Games

Nintendo DS Baseball Games, Ranked Best to Worst

Calling all Pok&eacute;mon trainers, we&#39;re ranking&nbsp;the best&nbsp;Pok&eacute;mon games for Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS. This ranked list includes the most popular Pok&eacute;mon&nbsp;games right now.&nbsp;

Some of the top 3DS Pok&eacute;mon games and DS Pok&eacute;mon games&nbsp;are&nbsp;Pok&eacute;mon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon,&nbsp;Pok&eacute;mon Omega Ruby&nbsp;and&nbsp;Alpha Sapphire,&nbsp;Pok&eacute;mon X&nbsp;and&nbsp;Y, and&nbsp;Pok&eacute;mon Black&nbsp;and&nbsp;White.

Vote up the best&nbsp;Pok&eacute;mon&nbsp;games for console, and see where they rank among the&nbsp;best&nbsp;Pok&eacute;mon&nbsp;games of all time. Then take a look at our list of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-monster-battle-games-besides-pokemon/leo-reyna" target="_blank">The Best Monster Battle Games That Aren&#39;t Pok&eacute;mon</a>.&nbsp;

Nintendo DS

Lists about Nintendo DS

Nintendo DS is listed on