The Nintendo DS first launched on November 21, 2004, and is considered a nostalgic classic by many fans. Its dual-screen controls were revolutionary at the time and Nintendo's decision to make the DS appeal to as wide an audience as possible helped it to become the second best-selling video game console of all time. Simulation games especially pushed the DS' appeal.
Simulation games typically mimic real-world activities, meaning they're easy to pick up and understand, even for those who haven't played video games in the past. They offer fun, engaging experiences such as racecar driving and pet care, without any of the dangers or commitment associated with the actual activity.
10 The Urbz: Sims in the City Is A Totally Different Sims Experience
While the core gameplay of The Sims franchise is beloved, there are also a plethora of spin-off titles that experiment with different settings and ideas. One of these spin-offs is The Urbz: Sims in the City, which is a sequel to the 2003 Gameboy Advance title, The Sims Bustin' Out.
The gameplay of The Urbz revolves around players raising their reputation in various districts while completing the main missions. The Urbz is noted by reviewers to have high-quality writing, at least in comparison to its prequel, and mini-games scattered throughout the world for players to enjoy.
9 Walk, Groom, & Train Dogs In Nintendogs: Chihuahua & Friends
All the Nintendogs games are fan favorites, with the only real difference being which breeds are available to players at the start of the game. Players can raise a total of nine puppies, but only three of them can be kept in their homes at once.
The core gameplay loop of Nintendogs involves feeding, walking, and training players' pups, gaining accessories, and learning new tricks along the way. As players spend more time with their dogs, they'll be able to climb ranks in Contests, earning trophies and money to spend on items like accessories and new home designs.
8 GRID Puts A Fun, Explosive Experience Ahead Of Real-Life Accuracy
Simulation games don't always have to be incredibly realistic, and for racing games like Race Driver GRID, putting fun over realism pays off. Players note that getting into GRID for the first time can be challenging, but it's a thrilling, high-octane experience with tons of enjoyment to be found within.
GRID takes players across the United States, Europe, and Japan in a total of forty-three unique and beautiful cars. There's a variety of content for players to take part in, including competitions, street races, and random road events.
7 Play Doctor In Trauma Center: Under The Knife
Trauma Center: Under The Knife lets players experience both the high-stakes rush of performing surgery and the intrigue of hospital-based drama shows. In a future where previously incurable diseases are now treatable, panic spreads as a new disease emerges, and doctors race to find a cure.
Under The Knife takes full advantage of the DS' touch-screen controls, having players perform surgeries by using the stylus. Between surgeries, players get a taste of Trauma Center's story, providing both serious and silly moments that either add to the tension or provide much-needed relief.
6 LifeSigns: Surgical Unit Focuses More On Dialogue Than Operating
For those who want to play in a hospital setting but focus more on the story than the surgical gameplay, LifeSigns: Surgical Unit is a great choice. The story of LifeSigns is more reminiscent of an actual hospital experience as opposed to the soap opera-style drama of Trauma Center.
Surgical Unit's gameplay portion focuses more on examining and diagnosing patients, with the correct tools automatically being handed to the player during surgeries. It's a perfect game for those looking for a character-driven visual novel, though some feel it could have used more actual gameplay sections.
5 Take Care Of Dozens Of Animal Species In SimAnimals
SimAnimals is yet another spin-off title in The Sims franchise that tries to do something completely different, and it works out well in this case. Players can care for over thirty different types of animals while building up their habitats. Depending on how players treat their animals, their personalities will also evolve in different ways.
Not only is SimAnimals a good animal-care simulation game, but it also offers puzzles for players to solve and hidden secrets to be unlocked. The DS' microphone is made use of as well, with players being able to blow into the mic to knock berries off trees with gusts of wind.
4 Cook Over One Hundred Recipes In Cooking Mama 2
A total of eighty different delicious recipes are included in Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends, with twice as many mini-games as its predecessor. There are distinctly American dishes like apple pie and chili dogs, as well as cuisine from other countries like kimchi and macaroons.
Not only does Mama herself judge players' recipes, but she's also joined by a table full of friends who taste the finished dishes as well. Cooking Mama 2 takes full advantage of the DS' touch-screen controls, with essentially all the in-game cooking being done with the stylus.
3 Infinite Space Is An Intense, Hard-To-Master Sci-Fi Experience
Infinite Space is a complex science-fiction game that places players into the shoes of Yuri, the protagonist who travels across multiple galaxies while expanding his fleet of spaceships. The entirety of Infinite Space is controlled via the touch-screen, similar to point-and-click adventure games.
While the main story remains the same regardless of player action, there are branching paths that can affect other parts of the story, such as which characters join players' parties. Players note that Infinite Space can be hard to get into due to its high complexity and lack of a substantial tutorial, but it's highly rewarding once they get their footing.
2 Be Crowned The New Street King In Need For Speed: Prostreet
There's not much to do in Need for Speed: ProStreet aside from pure racing. There's no story mode or side content, but there doesn't need to be. Where ProStreet really shines is in its wealth of customization, allowing players to craft their very own car unique to them as they play.
There are four core game modes in Need for Speed: ProStreet, with Grip being a typical multiple-lap race, and the other three including additional mini-games. ProStreet puts a fast, destructive racing experience ahead of realism, and it works out incredibly well.
1 Live Alongside Colorful Villagers In Animal Crossing: Wild World
Animal Crossing: Wild World is the series' first handheld entry, and it quickly became one of the highest-selling Nintendo DS games of all time. Players take on the role of a villager who's just moved to town, living alongside colorful animal friends while they slowly chip away at their mortgage.
There's something charming and relaxing about doing everyday activities in-game, like fishing, gardening, and completing tasks for others. Animal Crossing is the perfect title both for those who want to lose hours wandering around and doing small tasks, and those who only have a few minutes to check up on their towns each day.