Best Nintendo DS Platformer Games of 2026

Ethan Nicholls Avatar
Ethan Nicholls
Last Updated: 11 Feb 2026

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Nintendo DS platformer games are a popular genre of video games that offer players exciting and challenging gameplay. These games typically involve navigating a character through various levels, jumping over obstacles, and defeating enemies to progress. With a wide range of titles available, from classic franchises such as Mario and Sonic to newer releases like Kirby and Donkey Kong, there is something for everyone. These games are perfect for gamers of all ages who enjoy fast-paced action and engaging gameplay.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Teenage Zombies: Interactive Comic Adventure Cover #TOP 1
Teenage Zombies: Interactive Comic Adventure
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Sonic Rush (Nintendo DS) Cover #TOP 2
Sonic Rush (Nintendo DS)
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Yoshi Touch & Go Cover #TOP 3
Yoshi Touch & Go
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Nintendo DS Platformer Games

#TOP 1

Teenage Zombies: Interactive Comic Adventure

Bandai Namco
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Teenage Zombies: Interactive Comic Adventure Cover
Teenage Zombies: Invasion of the Alien Brain Thingys! (Nintendo DS)

Teenage Zombies Game offers a unique comic mode that immerses you in an interactive story, allowing you to engage deeply with the plot. As you play, you'll experience platform gameplay that encourages you to swap between characters, each possessing distinct abilities to navigate challenging levels. Additionally, the mini-games featuring zombies utilise all the Nintendo DS features, providing a fun and varied gameplay experience. Lastly, the Big Brain Challenge introduces quick micro mini-games at any moment, testing your skills and adding excitement to your adventure.

What We Like
Interactive comic book presentation
Character swapping for diverse gameplay
Utilises all Nintendo DS features
Exciting mini-games included
Unique abilities for each character
#TOP 2

Sonic Rush (Nintendo DS)

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Sonic Rush (Nintendo DS) Cover
Sonic Rush (Nintendo DS)

Features
Journey With Sonic And Blaze On Two Separate Adventures That Intertwine
Play As Either Sonic The Hedgehog Or Blaze The Cat
Wireless Play: 2P Battle Mode - Play As Either Sonic Or Blaze For An Amazing Race…Sonic Style!
Touch Screen Technology For Added Entertainment
The Storylines And Outcomes Will Differ Keeping You In Suspense For Double The Fun!
Long Steep Dives Across Both Top And Bottom Screens, Super High Jumps, Huge Loops And More!
Fully Utilizes Dual Screens
Boss Battles! The Challenge Is ‘touch ‘n Go' With Bosses Charging You From All Directions!
A New Arch Nemesis Threatens The World. Dr. Eggman Times Two! Beware!
2D AND 3D Action For Graphic Depth And Intense Gameplay
#TOP 3

Yoshi Touch & Go

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Yoshi Touch & Go Cover
Yoshi Touch & Go (Nintendo DS)

Features
On Vertical-Scrolling Levels, Use The Stylus To Draw Clouds To Encircle Enemies, Throw Coins And Guide Baby Mario Through The Dangerous Skies.
As Yoshi Charges Across The Island, Use The Stylus To Throw Eggs At Enemies, Lead Him To Egg-Replenishing Fruit And Make Him Jump Over Danger!
Yoshi And Baby Mario Are Back Together At Long Last, And It'll Take A Steady Hand To Guide Them Through Their Latest Adventure!
See How Far Into The Island You Can Get In Endurance Mode, Play For High Scores In Score Attack Or Take On A Friend In Vs. Mode Using The Wireless Link Of The Nintendo DS.
One Night, A Stork Was Soaring High In The Sky With A Precious Delivery Of Baby Twins. But Then, As The Stork Flew Over Yoshi's Island, A Speeding Shadow Crashed Into It, Causing It To Drop Its Precious Cargo!
#TOP 4

Drawn To Life: The Next Chapter

THQ
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Drawn To Life: The Next Chapter Cover
Drawn To Life: The Next Chapter (Ninendo DS)

Features
Let Your Imagination Run Wild: Ability To Draw Multi-Limbed Creatures Means You Can Create Your Own Hero In Any Form - Human, Animal Or Something Entirely Different.
Create Without Limits: Versatile Advanced Drawing Tool Features Allow For More Intricate Detail. Use Additional Colors, New Guides, And New Brush Tools To Create A Multitude Of Unique Items Though Out The Game.
Swap Your Creations With Friends Via Multi-Card Play: Trade Heroes, Weapons, Items And Hero Accessories With Friends Who Have The Game Too!
Morph Your Hero: Choose To Turn Your Hero Into A Blob Or A Spider, Each Has Its Own Abilities To Help You Advance Through The Levels.
Extensive Action Adventure Game-Play: Explore 4 New Worlds And Sail On A Special Ship YOU Create. Collect Color Drops To Progress Through The Game And Unlock Content Including Challenges, Quests, Customization Options And Much More!
Action Drawing: Draw Objects Directly Into The Game-Play To Help You Advance Through The Levels. Each Color Has Special Powers And Gives Your Creation Unique Properties.
#TOP 5

Heracles: Epic Action on Nintendo DS

THQ
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Heracles: Epic Action on Nintendo DS Cover
Heracles: Battle with the Gods (Nintendo DS)

In Heracles: Battle with the Gods, players can immerse themselves in 30 immense levels filled with non-stop action. As you navigate through each level, you'll discover treasures and magical items that enhance your gameplay experience. Expect to encounter numerous legendary enemies, such as Medusa and the Minotaur, each presenting unique challenges. The game also allows you to control weather effects by blowing into the DS microphone, adding a dynamic element to your adventure. This blend of features ensures exciting gameplay for users of all ages.

What We Like
Immersive 30 levels of action
Treasure hunting adds excitement
Variety of legendary enemies
Interactive weather control
#TOP 6

Mr Bean (Nintendo DS)

Blast
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Mr Bean (Nintendo DS) Cover
Mr Bean (Nintendo DS)

Features
12 Fun-Packed Levels Full Of Cunning Puzzles And Crazy Traps To Encounter. Even Dress Up As A Pirate On Your Mission To Save Teddy!
Battle Baddies With Frying Pans While Negotiating Your Way Through Exciting 3D Locations!
Utilises Touch Screen Technology In The Exclusive To Nintendo D, Whack-A-Mole Level!
#TOP 7

Garfield's Nightmare (Nintendo DS)

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Garfield's Nightmare (Nintendo DS) Cover
Garfield's Nightmare (Nintendo DS)

Features
4 Different Worlds: Haunted Castle, Cloudy Realm, Lava World And Winter Wonderland
Play Through 16 Challenging Levels To Find Each Of The Four Alarm Clock Pieces
Hidden Touch Screen Minigames In Each Level To Unlock Secret Chests
Help Garfield Maintain His Energy Level By Collecting Tasty Food Including Donuts And Lasagne
Each Piece Of The Clock Is Guarded By A Boss Of The Dream World
Classic Jump'n'run Gameplay With Outstanding 3D Visuals
#TOP 8

Max and The Magic Marker

Max and The Magic Marker Cover
Max and The Magic Marker (Nintendo DS)

Features
15 Inventive And Puzzling Levels
Unique Drawing Control In A Truly Dynamic Physics Environment
3 Beautiful Worlds Inspired By Children Drawings
Death Traps, Monsters And Challenging Puzzles
Unlockable Challenges, Secrets And Rewards
#TOP 9

Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant

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Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant Cover
Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant (Nintendo DS)

Features
Free-Romping Free-Romping
Mutant In Your Pocket - Not Only Does Crash Keep The Ability To Control His Enemies When He Jacks Them, Now He Can Store His Favourite Monsters In His Pocket, Upgrade Them And Use Their Powers When They Are Most Needed.
Roll And Counter Combat System - Crash Has A Fun, Agile Dodge Move And A Countermove That Inflicts Extra Damage On His Enemies.
REASONS TO BELIEVE:
Proven Gameplay Mechanics And Engine
NEW ABILITIES:
Greater Benefits To Jacking And Co-Op Play Features
Girl Power! - Your Co-Op Partner Is Crash's Sister, Coco, Playable For The First Time In The Cooperative Mode. Not Only Does Coco Make The Game That Much More Inviting For Girls To Pick Up And Play, She Also Brings With Her A New Tactile "treasure Hunt" Ability.
Digging - Crash Can Now Dig Underground As Real-Life Bandicoots Do,enabling Players To Unlock Bonus Items.Climbing - Crash Climbs Vertical Surfaces And Jumps Side To Side To Dodge Hazards.
Crash Is An Established Gaming Character With A Distinct, Recognised And Appealing Personality
#TOP 10

Kirby: Power Paintbrush

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Kirby: Power Paintbrush Cover
Kirby: Power Paintbrush (Nintendo DS)

Features
Make Ramps To Jump Danger
Draw Loops To Make Kirby Speed Up
Turn Into Wheel Kirby, Burning Kirby, Stone Kirby And Many More
Tough Challenges Seven Worlds
Draw Walls To Block Laser Beams And Cannon Blasts
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best 2D platformer?

The Best 2D Platformers Everyone Should Play Once. Super Meat Boy.Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove.Super Mario Maker 2.Sonic Mania.Celeste.N++Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair.Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.

2. What is the hardest platformer ever?

10 Hardest Platformer Video Games Of All Time, Ranked. 8 Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels.7 Battletoads.6 Super Ghouls N' Ghosts.5 Celeste.4 Rayman.3 Cuphead.2 Super Meat Boy.1 I Wanna Be The Guy.

Editor's Notes

During our nintendo ds platformer game research, we found 18 nintendo ds platformer game products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,732 customer reviews through our big data system to write the nintendo ds platformer games list. We found that most customers choose nintendo ds platformer games with an average price of £15.79.

The nintendo ds platformer games are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of nintendo ds platformer games, including Bandai Namco, SEGA, Nintendo, THQ, Blast.

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.