November 20th 2024.
Do you remember when Tingle, the quirky side character from The Legend of Zelda, was popular enough to have not one, but two solo titles? It may sound unbelievable to younger readers, but the original Nintendo DS was a huge success when it first came out. In fact, it remains one of the best-selling consoles of all time, only surpassed by the PlayStation 2. Although it may eventually be surpassed by the Nintendo Switch, the fact that it has held its position for so many years, despite newer and more powerful consoles being released, speaks to the love and adoration fans have for the DS.
Initially, our plan was to celebrate the DS's 20th anniversary by highlighting its top games, such as the original Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and Ghost Trick. However, we couldn't forget about the plethora of delightfully odd games that graced the DS's extensive catalogue - many of which may never receive a modern remaster and are already fading from our memories. So, let us raise a glass to the forgotten, more eccentric titles that are still worth experiencing to this day.
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland may have caught some gamers off guard with its release, as it featured Tingle as the main protagonist in a Zelda spin-off long before the more recent title, Echoes of Wisdom, gave Zelda her own lead role. The game almost feels like a parody, with Tingle embarking on a journey through dungeons, selling items, and accumulating enough rupees to build a tower and reach the paradise known as Rupeeland. Yes, you read that correctly - Tingle's health is directly tied to your rupee count. This unique gameplay mechanic was successful enough to warrant a sequel in 2009, which focused on Tingle pursuing relationships with different women. However, the sequel was only released in Japan.
While it may come as a surprise to some, there have actually been several Grand Theft Auto games released on Nintendo consoles, including the Game Boy Color. But on the DS, Rockstar took it a step further with Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, a big-budget touchscreen exclusive. Although it did receive a PlayStation Portable port a few months later, the original version was marketed solely for the DS and was even showcased at Nintendo's E3 2008 event. This was quite out of character for Nintendo, especially considering the game's controversial drug-selling mechanic. But despite the backlash, Chinatown Wars was a hit, as it was specifically designed for the DS's capabilities and not just a watered-down port of the contemporary title, GTA 4.
Henry Hatsworth In The Puzzling Adventure may sound like a knock-off of the popular Professor Layton series, with its British gentleman protagonist and puzzle-solving gameplay. However, it was much more than a simple match-three puzzle game - it also featured 2D action-platforming elements. The top screen was used for platforming, while the bottom screen showcased defeated enemies as puzzle blocks. You had to use the stylus to link chains of colored blocks and prevent the enemies from coming back to life, while also building up meters for super attacks. This unique blend of gameplay styles was surprisingly engaging, and the game was a refreshing change of pace from EA Tiburon, now known as EA Orlando, which primarily worked on sports games.
Before AI: The Somnium Files, director and writer Kotaro Uchikoshi made a name for himself with the Zero Escape series of visual novels, with 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors being the first installment. In this game, nine people find themselves trapped on a sinking ship and must solve escape room puzzles to survive in a deadly game of choice. Breaking the rules could result in bombs in their stomachs being set off. Initially released exclusively in Japan and the US, the game gained a devoted following due to its intricate storyline that touched on thought-provoking topics and its offbeat, sometimes juvenile, humor. The game also featured a unique gimmick where character dialogue appeared on the top screen, while ongoing narration was displayed on the bottom screen. Despite poor sales in Japan for both it and its superior sequel, Virtue's Last Reward, the series was able to continue and wrap up with a third game, all of which are now easily available on modern platforms.
Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan has been a favorite among GameCentral staff for quite some time. This charming title puts you in the role of a cheerleader squad, helping people in need by tapping your stylus to the beat of catchy Japanese pop songs. The scenarios are increasingly over-the-top and hilarious, with people calling on the squad for help with everything from studying to an asteroid crashing into the Earth. Although the game was never released outside of Japan, it was a popular import title and even spawned a more international-friendly follow-up, Elite Beat Agents. Sadly, the series has not seen another installment since the Japan-only release in 2007, but we can still enjoy their cameos in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Do you remember the time when Tingle, the quirky side character from The Legend of Zelda series, was popular enough to star in not one, but two solo games? It's hard to believe now, but it's true. As we celebrate the 20th birthday of the Nintendo DS, let's take a look back at some of the most bizarre and offbeat titles that graced its extensive catalogue of games.
For those who may not know, the original Nintendo DS was a huge success upon its release and remains one of the best-selling consoles of all time, second only to the PlayStation 2. It may eventually be surpassed by the newer Nintendo Switch, but its continued popularity despite the release of more powerful hardware is a testament to how beloved the DS was. Originally, we had planned to honor its anniversary by listing its top games, such as the classic Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and Ghost Trick, but then we remembered the plethora of delightfully odd games that may have slipped from our memories.
Let's raise a glass to the forgotten and weirder entries in the DS library - games that are still worth experiencing even today. From Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, where the eccentric character explores dungeons and sells items to build a tower, to Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, a touchscreen exclusive that even made an appearance at a Nintendo showcase, the DS was home to some truly unique and unexpected titles.
One such game was Henry Hatsworth in The Puzzling Adventure, a clever blend of platforming and puzzle-solving where the two gameplay styles intertwine in a surprisingly engaging way. Then there's 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, the first installment in the Zero Escape series which gained a cult following thanks to its complex storyline and thought-provoking themes. And of course, we can't forget Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, the delightfully silly game where you tap along to Japanese pop songs to help people in need - including a scenario where a cheerleader squad is called in to stop an asteroid from crashing into the Earth.
Although these games may not have gained the same level of recognition as some of the DS's more mainstream titles, they each have their own unique charm and offer a refreshing break from the norm. So let's take a moment to appreciate the odd and wonderful games that graced the Nintendo DS, and raise our styluses in their honor. Cheers to the DS's 20th birthday!
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