Best games
Best Adventure games on Nintendo DS
The 76 best Adventure games on Nintendo DS, ranked from 13,665 critic and player ratings.
The best Adventure game on Nintendo DS right now is Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, with a critic score of 96/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 1970 to 2026.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 13,665 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 50
01
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is the third game in the Mario & Luigi series of games. Players control Mario and Luigi simultaneously in the side-scrolling platform environment of Bowser's body, while also controlling the Koopa King himself in the top-down world of the Mushroom Kingdom. Similar to games like Earthbound, enemy encounters are seen as actual enemies that players can avoid or attempt to strike early. The actual battles are a combination of turn-based menu attacks, and timed reactions to enemies during battle. By watching the way an enemy reacts, you can anticipate their attack and avoid it or counterattack.
96
/100
02
New Super Mario Bros.
New Super Mario Bros. is a side-scrolling 2.5D action-adventure platformer game for the Nintendo DS, starring Mario and Luigi. The game features a solo story mode with Mario or Luigi, a two-player wireless game Mario Vs. Luigi, as well as a minigame mode for up to four players. The gameplay of New Super Mario Bros. is very much like that of the classic 2D platformers, mostly Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3, and substantially builds upon them to create gameplay both classic and contemporary. As the game is on DS, the touch screen allows players to store an additional power-up and view the distance still to go in a level.
95
/100
03
Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
As with previous Professor Layton games, Unwound Future is an adventure game where the player solves puzzles offered by local citizens to progress the story forward, through dialogue and around 32 minutes of full motion video. The player moves about the game through still images of locations. The player can use the DS touchscreen to tap on non-player characters to start a dialog or to obtain a puzzle, and also can search anywhere on the background for hint coins, with some areas needing to be tapped several times to reveal a secret hint coin or puzzle. Puzzles are brainteasers of many varieties, including visual, math, and logic. There is no time limit to solve puzzles, and the player can get up to 3 hints at a cost of one hint coin each; a new feature in Unwound Future is a "super hint", costing 2 coins, that can only be bought after the other 3 hints have been revealed, but that nearly reveals the puzzle's solution. If the player is correct in solving the puzzle, they gain a number of "Picarats", a form of currency within the game. Guessing the incorrect answer will reduce the number of picarats the player can get on subsequent attempts. Players can visit certain areas in order to play undiscovered or unsolved puzzles that are left behind as the story progresses.
93
/100
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is the third game in the Mario & Luigi series of games. Players control Mario and Luigi simultaneously in the side-scrolling platform environment of Bowser's body, while also controlling the Koopa King himself in the top-down world of the Mushroom Kingdom. Similar to games like Earthbound, enemy encounters are seen as actual enemies that players can avoid or attempt to strike early. The actual battles are a combination of turn-based menu attacks, and timed reactions to enemies during battle. By watching the way an enemy reacts, you can anticipate their attack and avoid it or counterattack.
96
/100
02
New Super Mario Bros.
New Super Mario Bros. is a side-scrolling 2.5D action-adventure platformer game for the Nintendo DS, starring Mario and Luigi. The game features a solo story mode with Mario or Luigi, a two-player wireless game Mario Vs. Luigi, as well as a minigame mode for up to four players. The gameplay of New Super Mario Bros. is very much like that of the classic 2D platformers, mostly Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3, and substantially builds upon them to create gameplay both classic and contemporary. As the game is on DS, the touch screen allows players to store an additional power-up and view the distance still to go in a level.
95
/100
03
Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
As with previous Professor Layton games, Unwound Future is an adventure game where the player solves puzzles offered by local citizens to progress the story forward, through dialogue and around 32 minutes of full motion video. The player moves about the game through still images of locations. The player can use the DS touchscreen to tap on non-player characters to start a dialog or to obtain a puzzle, and also can search anywhere on the background for hint coins, with some areas needing to be tapped several times to reveal a secret hint coin or puzzle. Puzzles are brainteasers of many varieties, including visual, math, and logic. There is no time limit to solve puzzles, and the player can get up to 3 hints at a cost of one hint coin each; a new feature in Unwound Future is a "super hint", costing 2 coins, that can only be bought after the other 3 hints have been revealed, but that nearly reveals the puzzle's solution. If the player is correct in solving the puzzle, they gain a number of "Picarats", a form of currency within the game. Guessing the incorrect answer will reduce the number of picarats the player can get on subsequent attempts. Players can visit certain areas in order to play undiscovered or unsolved puzzles that are left behind as the story progresses.
93
/100
04
Pokémon SoulSilver Version
Pokemon HeartGold Version and Pokemon SoulSilver Version return players to the scenic Johto region first introduced in the beloved original Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver games nearly a decade ago. The richly detailed adventure of Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver is now enhanced for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems with updated graphics and sound, as well as new touch-screen features and a host of surprises. Pokemon HeartGold Version and Pokemon SoulSilver Version bring dozens of Pokemon characters back into the limelight for a new Pokemon generation - and longtime fans - to catch, train and battle.
90
/100
05
Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors
The game is a murder mystery visual novel with a heavy story focus that requires multiple playthroughs to figure out and involves puzzle rooms used to progress through the story with dialogue choices to be made inbetween them.
90
/100
06
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise.
90
/100
07
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is the first Zelda game for the Nintendo DS and a direct sequel to The Wind Waker. The art direction is the same cel-shaded style as the Wind Waker but is displayed from a classic top-down perspective. The gameplay is structured similarly to other games in the series and is divided into two major gameplay sections: sailing between islands and exploring the islands and their dungeons on foot. The touch screen is used to make Link move and attack instead of buttons, you can also make notes of secret treasures and items on the map simply by writing them down. The game received critical acclaim from reviewers, who agreed that the game was a worthy sequel to The Wind Waker.
90
/100
08
Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver
Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version are paired Generation IV remakes of the Generation II games Pokémon Gold and Silver. Much like how Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen revisited the Generation I story of Kanto, HeartGold and SoulSilver retell the story of Johto, with the player's starting town being New Bark Town. While the games feature several expansions in key areas, the overall plot follows the same direction as the original Gold and Silver. Some aspects exclusive to Crystal are also included. Like how FireRed and LeafGreen could link up with Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald to complete the Pokédex by trading regionally exclusive Pokémon, HeartGold and SoulSilver can link up with Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum to obtain Pokémon unavailable in Johto and Kanto (such as the Sinnoh starters) and vice versa. Kris, despite being the female counterpart of Crystal's player character, is not included as the female player character, with a new character instead taking her place. Whether she is chosen to be the player character or not, this new character will still appear in the game. The unselected protagonist will take a pseudo-rival role similar to the unselected characters of Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. The games were released on September 12, 2009 in Japan, February 4, 2010 in Korea, March 14, 2010 in North America, March 25, 2010 in Australia and March 26, 2010 in Europe (this excludes the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of Belgium due to an in-game save error, with the patched copies later released on April 2, 2010).
87
/100
09
Pokémon Black, White
Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version are the primary paired versions of Generation V. Black and White follow the trends set up by previous games in the series. Two player characters (one male and one female) travel a new region, Unova, on their Pokémon journeys. This region is inhabited by various Pokémon, and unlike before, none of those available prior to Generation V can be obtained before completing the main story by defeating Team Plasma. The games' names were revealed on the official Japanese Pokémon website on April 9, 2010, and scans from the subsequent issue of the magazine leaked the following day, April 10. Pokémon Black and White are followed in 2012 by two sequels, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, which are set two years after the events of Black and White. Black 2 and White 2 are the second and final paired versions of Generation V.
87
/100
10
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is the second Zelda game for the Nintendo DS. The art direction is still cel-shading, but the game have notable changes from Phantom Hourglass with more puzzles and a new mode of transportation by train. You have to draw your route to the next area on the map and then let the train run its course. While the train is moving, caution will be needed to avoid obstacles, animals and enemies on the tracks. In certain dungeons, both Link and Zelda will be playable as they will need to work together to solve puzzles.
87
/100
11
FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS
87
/100
12
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl
85
/100
13
Super Mario 64 DS
85
/100
14
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
85
/100
15
Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
85
/100
16
Rayman
84
/100
17
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
84
/100
18
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations
84
/100
19
Pokémon Diamond Version
83
/100
20
S
Call of Duty: World at War
83
/100
21
Pokémon Platinum
83
/100
22
Cave Story
83
/100
23
Pokémon Black Version 2
82
/100
24
Pokémon Pearl Version
82
/100
25
Bejeweled 3
82
/100
26
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney − Trials and Tribulations
81
/100
27
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
81
/100
28
C
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
81
/100
29
LEGO The Lord of the Rings
80
/100
30
LEGO Batman
80
/100
31
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
80
/100
32
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
80
/100
33
Pokémon White Version
80
/100
34
Pokémon Black 2, White 2
80
/100
35
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice for All
80
/100
36
Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie
80
/100
37
Pokémon Platinum Version
79
/100
38
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
78
/100
39
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
78
/100
40
Ace Attorney Investigations - Miles Edgeworth
78
/100
41
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
78
/100
42
Syberia
77
/100
43
LEGO Star Wars - The Complete Saga
77
/100
44
C
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
76
/100
45
LEGO Star Wars III - The Clone Wars
76
/100
46
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney − Justice for All
76
/100
47
LEGO Batman 2 DC Super Heroes
75
/100
48
Transformers: War for Cybertron
75
/100
49
LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues
75
/100
50
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
73
/100
Pokémon SoulSilver Version
Pokemon HeartGold Version and Pokemon SoulSilver Version return players to the scenic Johto region first introduced in the beloved original Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver games nearly a decade ago. The richly detailed adventure of Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver is now enhanced for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems with updated graphics and sound, as well as new touch-screen features and a host of surprises. Pokemon HeartGold Version and Pokemon SoulSilver Version bring dozens of Pokemon characters back into the limelight for a new Pokemon generation - and longtime fans - to catch, train and battle.
90
/100
05
Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors
The game is a murder mystery visual novel with a heavy story focus that requires multiple playthroughs to figure out and involves puzzle rooms used to progress through the story with dialogue choices to be made inbetween them.
90
/100
06
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise.
90
/100
07
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is the first Zelda game for the Nintendo DS and a direct sequel to The Wind Waker. The art direction is the same cel-shaded style as the Wind Waker but is displayed from a classic top-down perspective. The gameplay is structured similarly to other games in the series and is divided into two major gameplay sections: sailing between islands and exploring the islands and their dungeons on foot. The touch screen is used to make Link move and attack instead of buttons, you can also make notes of secret treasures and items on the map simply by writing them down. The game received critical acclaim from reviewers, who agreed that the game was a worthy sequel to The Wind Waker.
90
/100
08
Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver
Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version are paired Generation IV remakes of the Generation II games Pokémon Gold and Silver. Much like how Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen revisited the Generation I story of Kanto, HeartGold and SoulSilver retell the story of Johto, with the player's starting town being New Bark Town. While the games feature several expansions in key areas, the overall plot follows the same direction as the original Gold and Silver. Some aspects exclusive to Crystal are also included. Like how FireRed and LeafGreen could link up with Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald to complete the Pokédex by trading regionally exclusive Pokémon, HeartGold and SoulSilver can link up with Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum to obtain Pokémon unavailable in Johto and Kanto (such as the Sinnoh starters) and vice versa. Kris, despite being the female counterpart of Crystal's player character, is not included as the female player character, with a new character instead taking her place. Whether she is chosen to be the player character or not, this new character will still appear in the game. The unselected protagonist will take a pseudo-rival role similar to the unselected characters of Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. The games were released on September 12, 2009 in Japan, February 4, 2010 in Korea, March 14, 2010 in North America, March 25, 2010 in Australia and March 26, 2010 in Europe (this excludes the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of Belgium due to an in-game save error, with the patched copies later released on April 2, 2010).
87
/100
09
Pokémon Black, White
Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version are the primary paired versions of Generation V. Black and White follow the trends set up by previous games in the series. Two player characters (one male and one female) travel a new region, Unova, on their Pokémon journeys. This region is inhabited by various Pokémon, and unlike before, none of those available prior to Generation V can be obtained before completing the main story by defeating Team Plasma. The games' names were revealed on the official Japanese Pokémon website on April 9, 2010, and scans from the subsequent issue of the magazine leaked the following day, April 10. Pokémon Black and White are followed in 2012 by two sequels, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, which are set two years after the events of Black and White. Black 2 and White 2 are the second and final paired versions of Generation V.
87
/100
10
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is the second Zelda game for the Nintendo DS. The art direction is still cel-shading, but the game have notable changes from Phantom Hourglass with more puzzles and a new mode of transportation by train. You have to draw your route to the next area on the map and then let the train run its course. While the train is moving, caution will be needed to avoid obstacles, animals and enemies on the tracks. In certain dungeons, both Link and Zelda will be playable as they will need to work together to solve puzzles.
87
/100
11
FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS
87
/100
12
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl
85
/100
13
Super Mario 64 DS
85
/100
14
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
85
/100
15
Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
85
/100
16
Rayman
84
/100
17
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
84
/100
18
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations
84
/100
19
Pokémon Diamond Version
83
/100
20
S
Call of Duty: World at War
83
/100
21
Pokémon Platinum
83
/100
22
Cave Story
83
/100
23
Pokémon Black Version 2
82
/100
24
Pokémon Pearl Version
82
/100
25
Bejeweled 3
82
/100
26
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney − Trials and Tribulations
81
/100
27
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
81
/100
28
C
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
81
/100
29
LEGO The Lord of the Rings
80
/100
30
LEGO Batman
80
/100
31
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
80
/100
32
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
80
/100
33
Pokémon White Version
80
/100
34
Pokémon Black 2, White 2
80
/100
35
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice for All
80
/100
36
Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie
80
/100
37
Pokémon Platinum Version
79
/100
38
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
78
/100
39
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
78
/100
40
Ace Attorney Investigations - Miles Edgeworth
78
/100
41
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
78
/100
42
Syberia
77
/100
43
LEGO Star Wars - The Complete Saga
77
/100
44
C
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
76
/100
45
LEGO Star Wars III - The Clone Wars
76
/100
46
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney − Justice for All
76
/100
47
LEGO Batman 2 DC Super Heroes
75
/100
48
Transformers: War for Cybertron
75
/100
49
LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues
75
/100
50
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
73
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Adventure game on Nintendo DS?
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story currently tops the ranking with a score of 96/100 across 149 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.