Best Nintendo DS Games of 2026

Ethan Nicholls Avatar
Ethan Nicholls
Last Updated: 11 Feb 2026

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Nintendo DS games are a popular form of entertainment for gamers of all ages. These games are designed to be played on the Nintendo DS handheld console, which was released in 2004. The console features two screens, one of which is a touch screen, and a range of buttons and controls. The games themselves come in a variety of genres, from action and adventure to puzzle and simulation. With a vast library of games available, there is something to suit all tastes and preferences. Whether you're looking for a classic game from your childhood or a new release, Nintendo DS games offer hours of fun and entertainment.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Mario Kart DS for Nintendo DS Console Cover #TOP 1
Mario Kart DS for Nintendo DS Console
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Cooking Mama for Nintendo DS with Stylus Features Cover #TOP 2
Cooking Mama for Nintendo DS with Stylus Features
ftb score rating icon 9.8
New Super Mario Bros. for Nintendo DS Adventure Cover #TOP 3
New Super Mario Bros. for Nintendo DS Adventure
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 8 Nintendo DS Games

#TOP 1

Mario Kart DS for Nintendo DS Console

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Mario Kart DS for Nintendo DS Console Cover
Mario Kart DS (Nintendo DS)

Mario Kart DS is a thrilling racing game that lets you race against up to seven friends using just one game card, thanks to the local wireless DS Download play. With over 30 courses to explore, including beloved classics from earlier Mario Kart titles, there’s plenty of nostalgia and excitement. You will enjoy the chaotic fun of using crazy items to gain an edge over your opponents. Additionally, the new mission mode adds a unique challenge, making it perfect for both competitive and casual gaming sessions.

What We Like
Multiplayer racing with one game card
Over 30 exciting courses
Includes classic Mario Kart tracks
Fun items for competitive play
New mission mode challenges

Cooking Mama for Nintendo DS with Stylus Features

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Cooking Mama for Nintendo DS with Stylus Features Cover
Cooking Mama (Nintendo DS)

Cooking Mama DS offers an innovative gaming experience by making full use of the Nintendo DS stylus and microphone. You can engage in various cooking activities like chopping, slicing, and kneading, bringing a fun, interactive element to your gameplay. The ability to share recipes with friends via the DS wireless link enhances the social aspect, allowing you to connect with others. Additionally, it received accolades for its creative design at E3 2006, ensuring that you enjoy a game that's not only entertaining but also recognised for its quality.

What We Like
Innovative use of stylus
Engaging cooking activities
Recipe sharing with friends
Award-winning design
#TOP 3

New Super Mario Bros. for Nintendo DS Adventure

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New Super Mario Bros. for Nintendo DS Adventure Cover
New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo DS)

New Super Mario Bros. offers a thrilling side-scrolling adventure through beautiful worlds filled with the iconic Mushroom Kingdom. You will encounter familiar enemies like Goombas and Koopas, along with new challenges and formidable bosses. As you jump and bounce your way through, you can power-up and enhance your gaming experience. Additionally, the game supports local wireless multiplayer, allowing you and a friend to compete for stars in specially designed levels, making every play session exciting and competitive.

What We Like
Visually stunning graphics
Classic and new enemies
Multiplayer mode available
Engaging power-ups
#TOP 4

Professor Layton and the Lost Future for Nintendo DS

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One size
Professor Layton and the Lost Future for Nintendo DS Cover
Professor Layton and the Lost Future (Nintendo DS)

Professor Layton DS offers an engaging experience with a large cast of quirky characters and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the gameplay. You will enjoy over 165 new puzzles that challenge your logic and problem-solving skills, perfect for keeping your mind sharp. The game also features more hand-drawn animations and voice acting, creating a richer storytelling experience. If you find yourself stuck on a puzzle, the new "superhint" option provides helpful nudges towards the solution, ensuring you remain engaged and entertained.

What We Like
Engaging storyline with characters
Over 165 challenging puzzles
Enhanced animations and voice acting
Helpful "superhint" option
#TOP 5

LEGO Batman Videogame for Nintendo DS

Warner
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LEGO Batman Videogame for Nintendo DS Cover
LEGO Batman: The Videogame (Nintendo DS)

LEGO Batman DS lets you choose to fight for justice as Batman and Robin or cause chaos as villains like The Joker and Catwoman, giving you the thrill of playing from both sides in Gotham City. You can explore exciting locations by rocket through sewers or leap across rooftops, making gameplay dynamic and fun. The game offers battles on land, sea, and air with vehicles such as the Batmobile, Batboat, and Batwing, providing variety and action. Additionally, you can enhance your characters with new power suits, including the Magnetic Suit, which boosts your abilities during missions.

What We Like
Play as heroes or villains
Explore classic Gotham locations
Use various powerful vehicles
Enhance abilities with power suits
#TOP 6

Nintendo DS Mario Kart DS Racing Game

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Nintendo DS Mario Kart DS Racing Game Cover
Nintendo DS Mario Kart DS

Mario Kart DS is an action game designed for the Nintendo DS platform, published by Nintendo. It is suitable for players aged three and over, making it a family-friendly option for younger gamers. The game is packaged as a single unit, ensuring you receive everything needed to start playing straight away. As part of the Nintendo DS Games category, Mario Kart DS offers engaging racing fun that you can enjoy on the go with your handheld device.

What We Like
Family-friendly PEGI rating
Portable Nintendo DS platform
Single package quantity
Engaging action game genre
#TOP 7

1001 Addictive Puzzle Games for DS

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1001 Addictive Puzzle Games for DS Cover
1001 TouchGames (Nintendo DS)

1001 TouchGames offers an impressive collection of 1001 addictive puzzle games, ensuring endless entertainment for everyone. With popular classics like Hidden Object, Match-3, and Solitaire, you can enjoy a variety of gameplay styles. The intuitive touch-control using the stylus makes it easy to navigate through games, enhancing your overall experience. Additionally, the varying difficulty levels cater to your skill, providing the right balance of challenge and fun as you play against challenging computer opponents.

What We Like
Wide variety of games
Intuitive touch-control
Different difficulty levels
Engaging computer opponents
#TOP 8

Cooking Mama: Create 76 Real Dishes

Import
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Cooking Mama: Create 76 Real Dishes Cover
Cooking Mama / Game

Cooking Mama Game is a delightful cooking simulation on the Nintendo DS that allows you to create 76 real dishes. You can combine recipes to craft advanced meals, making it perfect for culinary enthusiasts. Using the stylus as your master kitchen tool, you can chop, slice, pan fry, knead, and grate, bringing an interactive cooking experience to your fingertips. Additionally, you can cool down hot food by blowing into the Nintendo DS microphone, adding a fun twist to your cooking adventures.

What We Like
Interactive cooking experience
Wide variety of dishes
Fun multi-player option
Unique cooling feature
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our nintendo ds game research, we found 306 nintendo ds game products and shortlisted 8 quality products. We collected and analyzed 54,045 customer reviews through our big data system to write the nintendo ds games list. We found that most customers choose nintendo ds games with an average price of £15.29.

The nintendo ds games are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of nintendo ds games, including Nintendo, 505 Games, Warner, Avanquest Software, Import.

Written by
Ethan Nicholls Avatar

Ethan Nicholls is a developer from Manchester, and he is also a web content writer. Ethan is a first-class graduate from the department of electrical and electronics engineering, University of Surrey. Ethan has programmed series of software and games. When Ethan is not programming or developing software, he writes tips and tricks on passing tough levels in popular video games.