In the past, Nintendo DS owners have enjoyed games such as Metroid Prime: Hunters, New Super Mario Bros, and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. But what does the future hold for Nintendo's dual-screen handheld? The following is a list of the top five games that Nintendo DS owners can look forward to in the near future.
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks – Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is part of Nintendo’s long-running, highly-praised franchise and the direct sequel to 2007’s Phantom Hourglass. The story takes place about a century after the events of the previous installment. The game introduces a few new gameplay features, but the element of transportation will remain intact. Instead of traversing the ocean on a boat, however, Link will travel the land on his very own train.
Two things that will remain highly unchanged are the game’s graphics, which have the cel-shaded look that first appeared in 2002’s Wind Waker, and the stylus-based controls from the previous game. These are two aspects which were widely praised by fans and critics alike, so keeping them in the game didn’t come as a surprise for gamers.
Due to its massive following, it is easy to assume that the latest installment in the Zelda series will reach favorable sales. And with a history of solid gameplay and lauded storytelling, Spirit Tracks may just be a game worth any DS owner’s time.
Phantasy Star Zero – Sega
Released nearly one year ago in Japan, Phantasy Star Zero will be making its way to retailers in North America and Europe later this year. The console RPG sold well in Japan with over 80,000 units sold its first week and received favorable reviews.
The game includes a single-player campaign as well as online play, a feature first introduced to the series in the highly-acclaimed Phantasy Star Online for Sega’s Dreamcast. With different play modes, a large online community of users, and a release date that’s not too far away, gamers with a DS should keep their eyes open for this one.
Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter – THQ, 5th Cell
Just about one month after releasing the noun-driven, Scribblenauts, developer 5th Cell is looking to have yet another intuitive, unorthodox game on Nintendo’s handheld. Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter is the sequel to the original Drawn to Life, released in 2007. In the game, you draw objects which come to life for you to use in order to get through each stage.
5th Cell has become notorious for its quirky, imaginative games, and The Next Chapter falls right under that category. In an interview, 5th Cell cofounder Jeremiah Slaczka stated that this latest game would be the last DS project before the company moves on to making home console games. Given the first game’s popularity and the fact that 5th Cell may want to make an impact before moving away from the DS, it is quite possible that The Next Chapter will be a big hit.
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver – Nintendo, Game Freak
If there is one RPG series that continues to accrue more and more fans, it’s Pokémon. The series has garnered a large following, and people of all ages enjoy the Pokémon games. The success of Pokémon Diamond/Pearl gave way to the release of Pokémon Platinum. While that game received its fair share of praise, it was essentially an enhanced remake of Diamond/Pearl.
The true set of sequels in the series will be Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, which are set to be released later this month. In Japan, the set has already sold impressively well, and critics have praised the games for their gameplay, which is a throwback to the original Gold and Silver games. When Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are released outside of Japan, fans will definitely be heading to their local video game retailers to pick up their copies.
Okamiden: Chisaki Taiyo – Capcom
Okami was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006 and was later ported to the Wii in 2008. The action-adventure game was set in ancient Japan. Gamers controlled the sun goddess Amaterasu, who was in the form of a wolf in the game, and explored dungeons as well as vast fields, solved puzzles, and battled enemies in a quest to save the nation from impending doom.
The game’s main draw was its Celestial Brush mechanic which allowed gamers to draw symbols on-screen in order to progress through the game. A sequel, Okamiden: Chisaki Taiyo, has been announced and is scheduled for a 2010 release in Japan. The Celestial Brush will return and be functional via the DS’s touch screen. Using the stylus, symbols can be drawn on the screen and put to use much like in the first game.
A launch date hasn’t been revealed outside of Japan, but the game has already received a large amount of coverage. While details on the story and gameplay were announced at this year’s Tokyo Game Show, nothing in the form of international release information was mentioned. The series’ move to the DS has raised a lot of eyebrows. Ultimately, though, if the game retains all the elements that made its predecessor successful, gamers with a DS are in store for an impressive adventure.
Top 5 Upcoming Nintendo DS Games – Conclusion
DS owners are sure to have their hands full within the next few months. Nintendo’s handheld is famous for its lineup of successful games, and with a constant barrage of solid releases, the console is sure to please many. Whether gamers are looking for an action-adventure game, role-playing game, or just a fun puzzle game to pass the time with, most people will find something they’ll enjoy within the coming months.
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