We’re in the course of a Nintendo DS renaissance on Nintendo Swap, which is becoming as that traditional handheld turns 20 in 2014. Coming off the superb Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective re-release from final yr, extra DS classics are coming to Nintendo Swap this month. First, One other Code Recollection incorporates a full-on remake of the cult traditional One other Code: Two Recollections, and it’s out now. In a number of days, on January 25, Apollo Justice: Ace Lawyer will remastered as a part of a trilogy assortment that additionally bears its namesake.
This has all gotten me to consider what different Nintendo DS video games I’d wish to see make a comeback. Based on Moby Video games, There have been effectively over 2,000 DS titles, however not all of them matched the notoriety and success of titles like New Tremendous Mario Bros. or Nintendogs. Meaning the DS library continues to be filled with cult classics primed for a re-release or full-on collection comeback. These are the 5 I’d wish to see make a comeback within the wake of One other Code Recollection and Apollo Justice: Ace Lawyer Trilogy.
Lodge Nightfall: Room 215
Lodge Nightfall: Room 215 is an journey recreation that garnered its following not simply due to its stunning aesthetic and charming story, however due to its distinctive play expertise. This title had gamers holding their Nintendo DS programs sideways like a ebook. A few of its greatest puzzles had gamers messing round with the {hardware} in different methods, together with a puzzle the place gamers needed to shut the DS solely as a way to flip one thing and discover the answer.
The {hardware} specificity of those options has saved Lodge Nightfall locked to the DS for years, nevertheless it’s an expertise price adapting for brand spanking new {hardware}, using the Swap or its successors’ unique options in equally distinctive methods. Contemplating that Lodge Nightfall was made by the developer of One other Code: Two Recollections, we are able to solely hope that this recreation and its sequel, Final Window: The Secret of Cape West, are up for the same form of remake therapy if One other Code Recollection does effectively.
Radiant Historia
The DS library is filled with unimaginable RPGs, however Radiant Historia will get much less love than a few of the others. Its frequent turn-based battles keep participating as a result of enemies are laid out on a grid in order that they are often moved round, encouraging considerate technique. Its timeline-hopping narrative additionally feels primed for a zeitgeist that at present appears to be obsessive about the thought of a multiverse. And I don’t assume anybody ought to move on the possibility to take heed to one more excellent soundtrack from Yoko Shimomura.
All these issues make Radiant Historia a must-play RPG for followers, however sadly, it’s more durable to get ahold of these days. It had a remake on 3DS, however even that’s robust to get, due to the 3DS eShop shut down in March 2023. I’d love for Atlus to provide this underrated RPG traditional the identical find it irresistible’s giving Persona 3 with February’s Persona Three Reload.
Elite Beat Brokers
Possible the highest-profile recreation on this listing, Elite Beat Brokers is an entertaining touch-screen rhythm recreation for the DS. In it, gamers clear up a wide range of crises as secret brokers by — you guessed it — dancing. Its quirky humorousness and comedian book-inspired presentation are iconic, whereas tapping and dragging the stylus across the touchscreen can get surprisingly intense. The sport has fairly the next now, however Nintendo has hardly ever talked about it within the years since its launch.
The core gameplay of Elite Beat Brokers may work on any platform with a touchscreen or movement controls, so I’d like to see it return in some vogue. As a result of it’s primarily based round music, re-releasing it might in all probability be a licensing nightmare for Nintendo. As such, Elite Beat Brokers’ greatest likelihood at making a comeback might be with a brand-new sequel that includes new tracks.
The Legendary Starfy
Kirby has gotten a recreation virtually yearly for the final decade, however that’s meant one in all Nintendo’s different cutesy platformer collection has gone ignored since its final recreation on Nintendo DS. The Starfy collection from Tose, the studio behind Dragon Quest spinoffs like Treasures and The Darkish Prince, really bought 5 video games earlier than 2002’s The Legendary Starfy. Most of these by no means left Japan; The Legendary Starfy was the one recreation that did, and it delivered a easy but entertaining 2D platformer that stands out as top-of-the-line on a system with fairly a number of of them.
At instances, it could possibly really feel like a Kirby clone, as one in all its greatest gameplay gimmicks is giving gamers the power to vary into completely different varieties with distinctive skills. It nonetheless offers an adorably good time and isn’t intrinsically tied to the DS’ options sufficient for necessary facets of the sport to be misplaced in a port. As such, I’d like to see The Legendary Starfy, or maybe the whole collection, get touched up and re-released on Swap.
Aliens: Infestation
WayForward has made some surprisingly good licensed video games, with 2017 Metroidvania The Mummy Demastered being a selected spotlight. Earlier than that, there was Aliens: Infestation for the DS. An analogous Metroidvania shooter, this licensed venture punches above its weight due to an method to permadeath that primarily offers the participant as many lives as they’ve marines.
This technique makes an in any other case pretty easy licensed recreation right into a tense expertise filled with participant company and watercooler moments. The rights surrounding this one between WayForward, Gearbox, Sega, and Disney would in all probability make it tough to re-release, nevertheless it’s a incredible Alien launch that doesn’t need to be misplaced in time. The DS was filled with licensed video games starting from wonderful to horrible, so at the very least one in all them deserves to make a comeback.
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