The current COVID-19 pandemic has sent countries around the world into total lockdown. With Stay-at-Home guidelines keeping people inside, everyone is looking for ways to pass the time. For those searching for a positive way to spend their free time, nostalgia might just be the perfect solution. What better way to distract yourself from 2020 than to bask in the glory of the early 2000s? For many people, theNintendo DSwas their first introduction to many popular gaming franchises and characters. Now, revisiting some throwbackNintendogames can be a great way to make quarantine a little bit easier.
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10Mario Kart DS
One of the best-selling Nintendo DS games of all time,Mario Kart DShas long been a staple for gamers of all ages. The series has gotten a few updates in the past few years, but this DS version improved upon the previous installments.
Mario Kart DSallowed for Wi-Fi connection so that players could race with their friends. Also, the game included a single-player mode for users to enjoy the iconic series without having to worry about the competition. Thisiconic titleprovides a fun, fast-paced game that everyone can remember playing as a kid.
9Pokémon Black and White
BeforePokémon Gocaptivated the world in 2016, the famous series had many versions of the game on the Nintendo DS.PokémonBlack and Whitewas one of the most popular of these installments and brought fresh content to the beloved franchise.
Taking place in the NYC-inspiredUnovaregion,Black and Whiteexpanded on everyone’s favorite features ofDiamondandPearlwhile breathing new life into the gameplay. The popular role-playing game is considered one of the best of the franchise and remains relevant for gamers in 2020.
8Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends
The sequel to the original DS game,Cooking Mama 2is a relaxing and wholesome opportunity to spend a few hours cooking up virtual delicacies. Where other installments have more features, this simple cooking simulator provides simple gameplay to make the game accessible for everyone.
In a world where everyone has to stay six feet apart, the joy of making dinner with your friends is something people need right now. Now, the warm world ofCooking Mamais a comforting and sweet supplement for distanced communities.
7Super Princess Peach
A unique entry on this list,Super Princess PeachfollowsMario’slove interest and goes on a mission to save him from Bowser. Using four emotions to fight her way to the castle, Peach becomes the hero after spending decades in distress.
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Another best-seller,Super Princess Peachmade Peach and her story a new favorite. Fans have often called for a reboot to this fun departure from the classic series. This makesSuper Princess Peacha great game to revisit while waiting for a sequel.
6LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
Before LEGO video games and movies exploded, the originalLEGO Star Warsfor Nintendo DS was everything. Following the storylines of the franchise’s original and prequel trilogies,LEGO Star Warsbecame an instant classic.
The simplistic charm of LEGO games has lasted for years, and this installment is no exception. On the popular app Tik Tok, the game’s characters are often featured in videos or used as account profile pictures.LEGO Star Warsremains relevant in pop culture and replaying it can still provide hours of fun.
5The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
BeforeBreath of the Wildtook Switch by storm, Link and company dominated the Nintendo DS. This action-adventure game picks up whereThe Wind Wakerleft off with Link sailing the seas to save Tetra from the villain Bellum.
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Phantom Hourglassis one of the best-selling DS games of all time and for good reason. Fans loved the unique mechanics and classic storyline. For those who love the newestLegend of Zeldagame on Switch, this DS staple is a fun way of looking back on the series.
4Brain Age
Unlike other games on this list,Brain Ageis a puzzle-based game not linked to Nintendo’s most famous characters. However, this didn’t make Brain Age any less successful or entertaining.
Designed to be played every day,Brain Ageuses word and number games to improve critical thinking skills and memory. Though this game is not action-based, people of all ages loved the sudoku puzzles and tongue twisters ofBrain Age. When you’re bored in quarantine, these brain teasers can help you stay sharp while you stay home.
3Animal Crossing: Wild World
It’s no secret thatAnimal Crossing: New Horizonshas captivated the Internet. But before that, theAnimal Crossingseries had a long history on the Nintendo DS.
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Animal Crossing: Wild Worldaltered the format of the original versions with the addition of wireless connection for users to play with friends. This, along with more detailed updates to the games, laid the foundation for the current installment of the series. If you likeNew Horizons,Wild Worldremains a classic and beloved memory forAnimal Crossingfans.
2Nintendogs
No list of Nintendo DS games is complete without the legendaryNintendogs. The pet simulation game lets every user experience the joy of getting a new puppy without ever leaving the house.
This wholesome game brought many new users to the Nintendo brand and was a big hit with kids. Although the graphics may seem dated today, the gameplay is less about skill or strategy and more about having fun with pets.Nintendogswill always be adored by audiences and is a nostalgic way to brighten your day.
1New Super Mario Bros.
New Super Mario Bros.changed the game, literally. This installment of the Mario series was the best-selling game for the Nintendo DS console and one of the best-selling video games of all time.
The platformer game kept everything fans loved about the previous side-scrolling games. In addition,New Super Mario Bros.alters the original mechanics to give users new experiences. With updated graphics, this chapter of Mario’s story led to countless sequels. In 2020, gamers can enjoy the predecessor to more recent fan-favorites and still play a solid game.
