Best games
Best Platformer games on Nintendo DS
The 21 best Platformer games on Nintendo DS, ranked from 3,718 critic and player ratings.
The best Platformer game on Nintendo DS right now is New Super Mario Bros., with a critic score of 95/100 — updated August 2026.
01
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
02
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
89
/100
03
Super Mario 64 DS
85
/100
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
02
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
89
/100
03
Super Mario 64 DS
85
/100
04
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
85
/100
05
Cave Story
A side-scrolling platformer in which a robot traverses a strange world that has been thrown into disorder due to its violent history and a doctor that is attempting to exploit the inhabitants to aid him in his own pursuit for power.
83
/100
06
Sonic Rush
82
/100
07
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
79
/100
08
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
78
/100
09
Sonic Colors
78
/100
10
LEGO Star Wars - The Complete Saga
Play through a fun Star Wars galaxy that combines the endless customization of LEGO with the epic story from all six episodes of Star Wars. This is the definitive LEGO Star Wars comprising the first two games and expanding them with new characters, enhanced visuals, and more bonus levels than you can shake a lightsaber at. LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga is a family-friendly game, which is both funny and challenging. Pick and choose your characters wisely to engage in combat, solve puzzles and work together as a team to defeat the dark side.
77
/100
11
Mini Ninjas
77
/100
12
B
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
76
/100
13
Earthworm Jim
76
/100
14
Madagascar
73
/100
15
Tomb Raider: Underworld
72
/100
16
Rayman Raving Rabbids
70
/100
17
The Simpsons Game
70
/100
18
Rayman 2: The Great Escape
68
/100
19
Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
66
/100
20
Kirby: Squeak Squad
65
/100
21
Shrek the Third
58
/100
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
85
/100
05
Cave Story
A side-scrolling platformer in which a robot traverses a strange world that has been thrown into disorder due to its violent history and a doctor that is attempting to exploit the inhabitants to aid him in his own pursuit for power.
83
/100
06
Sonic Rush
82
/100
07
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
79
/100
08
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
78
/100
09
Sonic Colors
78
/100
10
LEGO Star Wars - The Complete Saga
Play through a fun Star Wars galaxy that combines the endless customization of LEGO with the epic story from all six episodes of Star Wars. This is the definitive LEGO Star Wars comprising the first two games and expanding them with new characters, enhanced visuals, and more bonus levels than you can shake a lightsaber at. LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga is a family-friendly game, which is both funny and challenging. Pick and choose your characters wisely to engage in combat, solve puzzles and work together as a team to defeat the dark side.
77
/100
11
Mini Ninjas
77
/100
12
B
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
76
/100
13
Earthworm Jim
76
/100
14
Madagascar
73
/100
15
Tomb Raider: Underworld
72
/100
16
Rayman Raving Rabbids
70
/100
17
The Simpsons Game
70
/100
18
Rayman 2: The Great Escape
68
/100
19
Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
66
/100
20
Kirby: Squeak Squad
65
/100
21
Shrek the Third
58
/100
FAQ
What is the best Platformer game on Nintendo DS?
New Super Mario Bros. currently tops the ranking with a score of 95/100 across 402 ratings. Ranking updated August 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.