It is nice to have great graphics in a game, but you know which is better? A great game with amazing graphics! These are seven of the best games on the DS boasting great-looking visuals too.
Best nintendo ds games with the best graphics
7. Metroid Prime: Hunters
Nintendo aimed to showcase the DS's capabilities by bundling a Metroid Prime Hunters demo with every system in 2004. The strategy generated excitement, with players anticipating stunning graphics and innovative gameplay. However, the full game's release took longer than expected, leading to heightened expectations. When it was finally launched, the promised visual flair was served hot.
Aside from looking absolutely fantastic, Metroid Prime Hunters delivered solid gameplay, particularly in its first-person shooter elements. The game features diverse planets, puzzles, and formidable bosses, encouraging players to explore and strategize. The graphics, an obvious focal point of this game’s developer, impressed with detailed maps, realistic characters, and enemies that pushed the DS's limits.
6. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 days
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days has a lot going for it but the remarkable graphics on the Nintendo DS were the most standout. Despite the common expectation of limited visual capabilities on the DS, this game defied the norm by replicating the impressive graphics of Kingdom Hearts 2 on the PS2. The flawlessly rendered characters, the absence of severe graphical issues, and a diverse range of textures is a miracle to pull off on a handheld as weak as the DS.
The captivating aesthetic experience extended to the sheer variety of textures, offering at least 144 distinct weapon types when considering each Organization XIII member's weaponry. This attention to detail contributed to the game's visual appeal, dispelling the notion of bland DS graphics. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, with its visually stunning presentation, is not just a form over factor. It is skillfully combined with engaging gameplay and a compelling story, making this game a timeless addition to the Kingdom Hearts series.
5. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Castlevania embarks on a new chapter, presenting the threat of Dracula looming over the Transylvanian countryside with no Belmonts or Alucard to stand against the darkness in Order of Ecclesia. A group known as Ecclesia rises to the challenge.
The Castlevania series has been well-known for its sprite work. Order of Ecclessia retains this magnificent visual flair with detailed environments, impressive sprites, and a dark, gothic aesthetic. There may be palette swaps, especially on the later part of the game, but this is a DS-sized game. Besides, the repetition of a good thing is still a good thing. With its solid controls, immersive gameplay, and a notable increase in difficulty, Order of Ecclesia emerges as one of the best entries in the Castlevania series with good looks to boot.
4. Okamiden
Okamiden is a sequel to Okami, a critically acclaimed PS2 game that featured stunning Japanese art-inspired graphics and gameplay. The game follows the adventures of Chibiterasu, the son of the sun goddess Amaterasu, who must save Nippon from a new evil threat. Along the way, he teams up with various children who help him overcome obstacles and grow as a character.
The game retains the beautiful and unique visual style of its predecessor, using cel-shaded graphics and brush strokes to create a vibrant and colorful world. The game also makes use of the DS’s touch screen to allow the player to draw symbols and shapes that affect the environment and combat. The game’s graphics are impressive for the DS hardware, but the art direction is really the one to behold.
3. Golden Sun: Dark Dawn
Golden Sun: Dark Dawn is a visually stunning JRPG. The game surpasses other DS titles with its meticulous attention to detail and realistic environments. The art team's dedication shines through, delivering some of the most impressive visuals on the system. Dark Dawn manages to present diverse and captivating landscapes, keeping the experience fresh even with a multitude of locations to explore.
Noteworthy is the ability to feature over ten characters on-screen simultaneously, a feat rarely seen in DS games. While some minor instances of pop-in and occasional cut-scene slowdowns exist, they are negligible and don't detract from the overall visual excellence.
Golden Sun: Dark Dawn stands as a solid RPG experience on the DS, blending exceptional graphics, a commendable soundtrack, and a well-executed narrative. While the game is on the easy side, even for a Golden Sun title, Dark Dawn remains a noteworthy addition to the Golden Sun series and for any collector's trove of good-looking graphics.
2. Solatorobo: Red the Hunter
Developed by CyberConnect2, a Japanese studio mostly known for the .hack series Solatorobo: Red the Hunter features visually appealing character designs, with Red and his companions portrayed as expressive and endearing figures, including adorable dogs and cats. The attention to detail in the character animations and the two dozen well-drawn facial expressions of the protagonist, Red, is the reason for this game’s placement on this list.
The game's graphical strengths extend beyond character design to encompass the world itself. The floating continents and airship commutes are visually stunning, creating a unique and immersive environment. The graphics are just purely mesmerizing, providing a charming and nostalgic aesthetic that complements the relaxed narrative approach. This is not just a visually delightful experience for players who appreciate well-crafted and expressive character designs but also a great gaming experience.
1. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, created by Shu Takumi, the mind behind the Phoenix Wright series, delivers an outstanding gaming experience that revitalizes the point-and-click genre. With a compelling storyline and innovative gameplay, Ghost Trick offers a fresh perspective on the adventure game formula. The game introduces players to a recently deceased spirit with the ability to manipulate objects in the living world, solving puzzles to uncover the mysteries surrounding its own death.
The visuals of Ghost Trick are a masterpiece, with gorgeously animated 2D sprites that surpass typical point-and-click aesthetics. Attention to detail in character movements and expressions contributes to the overall immersive experience. The sound and music are equally praiseworthy, with tense, suspenseful tracks complementing the gameplay, and distinctive character themes enhancing the overall atmosphere.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is a standout title in the adventure game genre for its innovative gameplay and, of course, its timeless aesthetics. This game has since been released on PC and it is best experienced there with all the enhancements.