10 Best Nintendo DS Games For Kids To Try Out In 2024

The Nintendo DS was the company’s first handheld touch screen gaming device. It features some of the best Nintendo DS games for kids, filled with entertainment and educational value. These are divided into age groups and provide the best experience for all video game fans.

With so many fascinating Nintendo DS games ruling over the market, we understand if you feel overwhelmed to decide on the right one for your kid. To help you, we have compiled a list of some of the top-rated Nintendo DS games that your child may enjoy playing. Read on to find the right one.

In This Article

10 Best Nintendo Ds Games For Kids

1. Best Racing Game: Mario Kart DS

Mario Kart DS is one of the most popular Nintendo games. The fun game allows kids to race with four karts at once. It offers Tour courses from classic Mario Kart games along with brand-new tracks and arenas. Check out this simple review video to understand how the adventure game works.

Item Weight: 3 ounces | Product Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 0.75 inches

2. Best Graphics: Castlevania Dawn Of Sorrow

4.3

What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘home console’? ‘Castlevania’ would be the most popular answer. Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow is a must-include in any Nintendo DS game collection, as it features astonishing graphics, special effects, and an incredible musical score. This platform game for children offers a dramatic storyline along with a variety of memorable new characters. Here’s a review video that demonstrates exactly how fun it is to play the game.

Item Weight: 3.2 ounces | Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches

3. Best Augmented Reality: Tetris Axis

Give your kid a break from active DS games with Tetris Axis. The simulation game offers 20 Tetris game modes. It also has spectacular Augmented Reality Game Modes like AR Marathon and AR Tower Climber. Here’s a review video to help you understand the original game better and make an informed choice.

Item Weight: 0.8 ounces | Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 4.8 x 0.5 inches

4. Best Two-Player Game: Pokémon Rumble Blast

Pokémon Rumble Blast is the first Pokémon game for the 3DS system. Your kid has to battle and kill the Boss Pokémon character. Along the way, they will get plenty of opportunities to collect toy Pokémons and become the champion. The device’s built-in wireless connection will allow two gamers to team up on this fascinating, action-filled game.

Item Weight: 0.352 ounces | Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches

protip_icon Trivia
The Ultra Hand, an extended arm created by Gunpei Yokoi in his spare time in 1966, was Nintendo’s first toy.

5. Best Soundtrack And Visuals: The World Ends With You

Only a few games have the ability to leave a lasting impression on the players, and The World Ends With You is certainly one of them. Its Innovative Stride-Cross Battle System allows players to control two characters simultaneously. The role-playing game owes its popularity to the cool Shibuya fashion, incredible soundtrack, memorable characters, and fantastic modern art visuals. This game also features a multiplayer mode.

Item Weight: 3.2 ounces | Product Dimensions: 5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches

6. Best Puzzle Game: Mario And Luigi Partners In Time

Mario And Luigi Partners In Time is a sequel to the ever-popular Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga. Besides the puzzle-ridden environment and time-based battle system, the best feature of the fun-filled game is its humor.

Item Weight: 0.8 ounces | Product Dimensions: 4.75 x 5.25 x 0.5 inches

protip_icon Quick Fact
According to a study, people aged 60 and over who played Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes, five days a week had an increase in their brain’s gray matter after six months (1).

7. Best For World Building: Animal Crossing Wild World

Animal Crossing is one of the most beloved interactive Nintendo games. Your child and their friends can hang out in the same village and interact in real-time with this multiplayer yet simple game. He can interact with members of the original cast of Animal Crossing – K.K. Slider, Tom Nook, Blathers, and Mr. Resetti. He can also meet animals of different shapes and personalities.

Item Weight: 1.6 ounces | Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 5 x 0.75 inches

8. Best Educational: Super Scribblenauts

Super Scribblenauts is an enriching sequel to the original Scribblenauts. It will let your child write down nouns to summon creatures it denotes and modify adjectives to achieve the goal. Adjectives can change the color, size, elements, and behaviors of the object they describe. Your child can use multiple adjectives and let their imagination run wild with this handheld console game.

Item Weight: 0.01 ounces | Product Dimensions: 5.44 x 0.63 x 5.31 inches

9. Best Engaging: Professor Layton And the Unwound Future

Professor Layton and the Unwound Future is the third installment of the Professor Layton game series. The 100-puzzle game has the Professor and Luke, his apprentice, traveling through time. In this strategy game, your child has to solve puzzles, ranging from word puzzles to the tricky visual mazes. The background score is the icing on the cake and the clear graphic quality provides an immersive DS gaming experience.

protip_icon Did you know?
The Nintendo console, often known as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), is the oldest, which was first made available in Japan on July 15, 1983, as the Famicom.

Item Weight: 0.8 ounces | Product Dimensions: 5.31 x 0.79 x 4.8 inches

10. Best For Skill Development: My Baby 3 & Friends

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The game stimulates the nurturing side of your kid’s personality. Players have to clean, feed and dress the baby. It also helps your child improve hand-eye coordination with 30 new skills, making it a fun-filled yet functional addition to your DS game library.

Item Weight: 1.76 ounces | Product Dimensions: 5.31 x 0.51 x 4.84 inches

How To Choose The Right Nintendo DS Game For Kids?

Consider the following factors when choosing a suitable game for your child.

  1. Age: Consider the game’s age recommendation to ensure it is suitable for your child. The game should be easy enough for your child to understand and play.
  2. Graphics: Choose games with vibrant and detailed graphics to make them more engaging. Your child will enjoy a game with high-quality graphics that offer an exciting, immersive experience.
  3. Theme: Choose the game based on themes, strategies, and characters. Mario Kart, Tetris, and Pokemon Rumble Blast are a few of the popular ones. So, choose a game based on your child’s interests. If any theme-based game offers additional features, it would be a bonus point.

Ricky D Spears, a tech blogger and game specialist, says, “Games should have a compelling story, as children are always curious about what will happen next. The type of game you choose should pique their interest and help improve their creativity and imagination skills.”

Why Trust MomJunction?

Wedetso Chirhah is an experienced content writer and reviewer with a special interest in games and electronic products. His research skills help him present the best options in the market to his readers. Here, he has curated a list of the best Nintendo ds games for kids after going through their features and reviews. The list includes high-quality products along with all the relevant information that you need to know before choosing what best suits you.

The Bottom Line

Nintendo is a popular gaming brand with a massive fan following worldwide. The best Nintendo DS games can keep your child engaged for hours and improve their hand-eye coordination. If you plan to buy a Nintendo DS game for your child, choose according to your child’s age. For instance, the cartoon-themed Mario Kart DS is more appropriate for younger children, while the fantasy-themed The World Ends With You is more suitable for older children. Also, don’t forget to check if your child prefers a particular kind of game or genre. Kids tend to love games with vibrant visuals and simple rules, so you might want to pick accordingly.

Infographic: How Do Video Games Help Children?

Besides understanding the nuances of selecting the appropriate Nintendo DS Game, it’s also crucial to consider the impact video games have on children, which can help you narrow down your options more precisely. So, check out the following infographic to learn about the advantages of safe video gaming for children.

Benefits Of Educational Video Games For Children (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version



References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Greg L. West et al.; (2017); Playing Super Mario 64 increases hippocampal grey matter in older adults
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5718432/

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