Best games
Best RPG games on Nintendo DS
The 25 best RPG games on Nintendo DS, ranked from 5,220 critic and player ratings.
The best RPG game on Nintendo DS right now is Pokémon SoulSilver Version, with a critic score of 90/100 — updated August 2026.
01
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
02
Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
90
/100
03
The World Ends With You DS
90
/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
02
Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
90
/100
03
The World Ends With You DS
90
/100
04
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
89
/100
05
Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver
87
/100
06
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
07
FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS
87
/100
08
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
87
/100
09
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
In the near future, a mysterious, growing, black void appears at the Earth's southern pole. Unable to determine its cause and powerless to stop its deadly encroachment, humanity sends an elite team of explorers into the heart of the phenomenon, just as Strange Journey's look and feel represent a return to the heart of Shin Megami Tensei, bringing to mind the all-time classic Nocturne. With over 300 demons to bribe, coerce, and negotiate with to gain assistance in battle, Strange Journey is every bit the deep, rewarding RPG experience fans have come to expect from the SMT franchise, yet delivered with a fresh new sci-fi story that taps into mature themes of morality and introspection.
86
/100
10
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
86
/100
11
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl
85
/100
12
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
85
/100
13
The Sims 3
83
/100
14
Pokémon Platinum
83
/100
15
Puzzle Quest 2
83
/100
16
Pokémon Black Version 2
82
/100
17
Chrono Trigger
82
/100
18
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
81
/100
19
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
81
/100
20
Pokémon Platinum Version
79
/100
21
Might and Magic Clash of Heroes
76
/100
22
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
75
/100
23
KINGDOM HEARTS Re:coded
66
/100
24
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
62
/100
25
Pokémon Ranger
55
/100
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
89
/100
05
Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver
87
/100
06
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
07
FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS
87
/100
08
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
87
/100
09
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
In the near future, a mysterious, growing, black void appears at the Earth's southern pole. Unable to determine its cause and powerless to stop its deadly encroachment, humanity sends an elite team of explorers into the heart of the phenomenon, just as Strange Journey's look and feel represent a return to the heart of Shin Megami Tensei, bringing to mind the all-time classic Nocturne. With over 300 demons to bribe, coerce, and negotiate with to gain assistance in battle, Strange Journey is every bit the deep, rewarding RPG experience fans have come to expect from the SMT franchise, yet delivered with a fresh new sci-fi story that taps into mature themes of morality and introspection.
86
/100
10
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
86
/100
11
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl
85
/100
12
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
85
/100
13
The Sims 3
83
/100
14
Pokémon Platinum
83
/100
15
Puzzle Quest 2
83
/100
16
Pokémon Black Version 2
82
/100
17
Chrono Trigger
82
/100
18
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
81
/100
19
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
81
/100
20
Pokémon Platinum Version
79
/100
21
Might and Magic Clash of Heroes
76
/100
22
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
75
/100
23
KINGDOM HEARTS Re:coded
66
/100
24
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
62
/100
25
Pokémon Ranger
55
/100
FAQ
What is the best RPG game on Nintendo DS?
Pokémon SoulSilver Version currently tops the ranking with a score of 90/100 across 387 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.