Top Games for Nintendo DS

Harvest Moon DS

What is Harvest Moon?

Harvest Moon is classed as a Simulation.

In this game, you plan, design and build your own custom farm. You raise animals such as horses, sheep and cows and you plant a variety of crops and trees.

My thoughts:

The Harvest Moon series is an old favourite whatever the age and this particular game is no exception. Harvest Moon DS can be found originally on the Gameboy (I've still got it somewhere!) but this version is bigger and better than its counterpart. The storyline is still basically the same but it has been improved on.

This game will while away hours, days, weeks and months as you make the most of every day and year that passes. Befriend the Harvest Sprites to help you run your farm and help them get the Harvest Goddess back.

Harvest Moon Resources:
Harvest Moon Farm
Rising Star Games
Ranch Story

Dragon Quest IV is classed as a RPG.

Five untold stories, one epic adventure! A veteran Knight, a precocious princess, an ambitious merchant, grieving sisters...

Though the lives of these brave souls could not be more different, they are nonetheless alinke in destiny, for they - like you - have been chosen.

Guide them on their personal journeys and set out together on a quest that will decide the fate of the world.

My thoughts:

I do love RPG's; they are my favourite genre, though simulation and crime investigation are fast catching up!

Dragon Quest IV is a stunning game and you play to begin with, just as the description describes, as each separate character. I've yet to get further than this in the game as I've been side tracked with other, newer games, but it's something I shall return to very shortly.

RPG's are renowned for being games that last for ages as the storyline is usually complex and intricately woven. The battle systems, for me, have to be a particular type otherwise I tend to not enjoy the game. Luckily, in this game, the battles are turn based and they take place on the field. I steer clear of games that are battled via grids. Yuck! I can't stand them...

Anyway, this is a cute game with unique moves and is sure to please all those who play it. This is definitely a game that will appeal to all those who love RPG's and to many who don't.

Dragon Quest Series Resources:
Dragon Quest IV Official Site
Dragon Quest Portal

The Legend of Zelda:
Phantom Hourglass

What is The Legend of Zelda?:

The Legend of Zelda is classed as an Adventure.

When Link's friend Tera is whisked away on a mysterious shost ship, he sets out to rescue her! With the help of Linebeck the Sailor, you'll cross oceans, discover islands and explore trap-filled temples in your quest to find Tetra.

My thoughts:

Another classic which has been going for many years. Can anyone remember when this game first appeared? and on what platform?

This is one game I've been convinced into buying purely from the reviews alone. I'm not one usually, for taking much notice of reviews. I'm often hugely disappointed and waste far too much time and money on games that I really don't like.

However, I've been pleasantly surprised with this game. I've played The Legend of Zelda before back on the Nintendo 64 and Gamecube and enjoyed the games immensely, though I have to admit to not following the series religiously. I've probably been missing out on a lot!

I was looking for a game I could spend hours playing but I could also enjoy at the same time. This game will satisfy both elements for sure.

Legend of Zelda Resources:
Zelda Universe
Zelda Central
Zelda Legends

Sands of Destruction - Destroy the world to save the future. An Epic RPG.
Jewel Master: Egypt - Match 3 sources (wood, gold, food and more) to create Egypt. Will keep you occupied for ages!
Chrono Trigger - Journey through time to rescue a girl.
Bejeweled Twist (Nintendo DS)
Bookworm (Nintendo DS)

Puzzle Quest:
Challenge of the Warlords

What is Puzzle Quest?

Puzzle Quest is classed as a Puzzle Game.

Puzzle Quest is an enjoyable game in the style of Bejewelled. The object is to fight battles using a grid of coloured balls, skulls, stars and icons. This way you build up mana reserves in order to cast spells and defeat your opponents.

You travel via a map and visit cities, taking on quests, battling enemies and gaining experience, money, spells and mounts. For each mount you capture, you gain spells which you must then learn/research. You can lay siege to cities, upgrade your amour and weaponry and research spells.

This puzzle game is one of the best on the market at present and is a very extensive game. For example, one spell I had to research took 50+ tries. I'm now at the maximum level of 50 but there is still so much more I have left to do.

The storyline is good and you collect party members on the way which will help you defeat certain opponents. For example, the undead. I also have to admit to being extremely addicted to this game and have trouble putting it down, despite its frustrations!

One Review:

'This is not exactly a casual game. Each combat is very intense and can take a few minutes to play, and you definitely have to think as the AI certainly will. It's not something I can recommend to truly casual gamers as it takes some investment of time and brainpower.

Overall? A fantastic experience deserving of the hype, and a step forward in gaming. ' - Steven Savage

Final Fantasy XII:
Revenant Wings

What is Final Fantasy XII:

Final Fantasy XII is classed as a RPG.

Vaan is now a fully fledged sky pirate and Penelo his trusted navigator. When they stumble upon the legendary sky continent if Lemures, it's up to them to defend it from the evils of the outside world.

My thoughts:

No list could be complete without at least one Final Fantasy game as this has to be the most well-known game series ever.

Yes, it's another RPG but this is RPG at its absolute best. Most RPG's are compared to this series and you can see why.

The characters, the storyline, the graphics and the gameplay all make this game a pleasure to play. This is one game you will be loathed to part with.

Final Fantasy has not been without its bloopers though but its success far outweighs its failures. Even fans of the Final Fantasy series will still be happy to play the less than successful games in the franchise.

I'm building up my collection to include as many of these games as I can but some are elusive. Take Final Fantasy 11, for instance. A game that I probably will never play as I don't have netplay but I don't care! I'd be happy just to own it :) Crazy, huh?

Final Fantasy Resources:
Final Fantasy XII
Final Fantasy Wiki
Final Fantasy World

Unsolved Crimes

What is Unsolved Crimes?:

Unsolved Crimes is classed as an Action, 3D Crime Investigation and Crime Quiz.

You're a rookie detective - part of the Homicide Division. An aspiring model, Betsy Blake - the sister of your new partner - disappears. A loner is the prime suspect. But this case is a whole lot deeper than it first appears...Can you crack the cases the regular cops can't? And can you get to the bottom of the kidnapping that's all over the news?

My thoughts:

I have to admit to being, at first, slightly reluctant to buy this game. A number of reviews had stated that the game was good (although frustrating) but way too short.

So, am I glad I bought it?

You bet! It is a very frustrating but satisfying game. It will test your intelligence, observation and inspiration and will give you a rating of difficulty, on each, several times throughout the course of a case.

There are 12 cases in all; not that short but the cases will vary in length. Okay, it's not a game that you are going to be spending weeks playing but it's still worth buying.

As with any game there are Pro's and Con's and you have to weigh these up before you make a purchase. This game can be frustrating at times; I won't deny that. The answers to the cases can be very similar and even when you think you have the right answer you will be annoyingly surprised...

Some of the questions can catch you out too. This is where your observation skills come in. Make an error here and you will lost a star (you're given 3 stars at the beginning of each case and you have a chance to increase that depending on the case and the questions posed.) Oh, and your co-workers can make you feel really stupid! Aren't you allowed to make any mistakes? Sorry, not in this game!

Unsolved Crimes Resources:
Unsolved Crimes