Taking inspiration from the WiiWare service on the company’s home console,
While DSiWare as a whole has certainly flown under the radar through these past two years, those players paying attention have had access to some truly great game designs. And, if you’re just tuning in yourself, we’re here to help elevate the notoriety of those efforts with this list of the best of the best. We’ve gone back over our thoughts and opinions on every DSiWare download released through the past 24 months, and we’ve compiled this list of our Top 15 picks for the service. These are the games that are guaranteed hits – well worth your time and money, and certain not to disappoint.
What’s more, Nintendo’s upcoming 3DS eShop is set to go live very soon – maybe even by the end of this month. When it does, these games will go on sale on that system as well, and you’ll also be able to transfer any you’ve already purchased on your older DSi to your newer 3DS.
So let’s dive in, see what DSiWare’s had to offer in its first two years, and hope for an even greater selection of original downloadable titles as the next era dawns.
Taking inspiration from the WiiWare service on the caller ‘s home comfort, Nintendo launched the DSiWare downloadable games avail on the like day as the DSi system shipped to stores. The new format, which allows you to download digital-only exclusive games from a virtual shopfront on the hand-held, positioned Nintendo ‘s portable in more send rival and comparison against some other options for getting games on the go – and competition is always dependable for the consumer.While DSiWare as a hale has surely flown under the radar through these past two years, those players paying attention have had access to some truly capital plot designs. And, if you ‘re fair tuning in yourself, we ‘re here to help elevate the notoriety of those efforts with this list of the best of the best. We ‘ve gone back over our thoughts and opinions on every DSiWare download released through the past 24 months, and we ‘ve compiled this tilt of our circus tent 15 picks for the service. These are the games that are guaranteed hits – well worth your clock and money, and certain not to disappoint.What ‘s more, Nintendo ‘s approaching 3DS eShop is set to go bouncy very soon – possibly tied by the end of this calendar month. When it does, these games will go on sale on that system american samoa well, and you ‘ll besides be able to transfer any you ‘ve already purchased on your older DSi to your newer 3DS.So let ‘s dive in, see what DSiWare ‘s had to offer in its first two years, and hope for an even greater survival of original downloadable titles as the future era dawn.
Reading: The Top 15 DSiWare Games – Flickroom
15. Tetris Party Live
Publisher: Tetris Online Inc. | Developer: Tetris Online Inc.
Release Date: November 22, 2010 | Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Kicking off our countdown is DSiWare’s resident Tetris game. Nintendo handhelds have gone hand-in-hand with the addictive puzzle action of Tetris since the game served as the pack-in title for the very first Game Boy, and it’s just understood that you should have some way to spin, shift and build lines of falling blocks on every Big N portable that comes along.
Tetris Party Live offers up that classic line-clearing gameplay in a variety of ways, from the traditional Marathon mode to a variety of multiplayer options – including support for online play over Nintendo’s Wi-Fi Flickroomn. It’s quite a lot of value for a five-dollar investment, and we’re happy to promote it as the beginning of our Top 15.
(Online play – goodness. We’ve come a long way since those bulky old Game Boy link cables.)
Kicking off our countdown is DSiWare ‘s resident Tetris plot. Nintendo handhelds have gone hand-in-hand with the addictive puzzle action of Tetris since the game served as the pack-in title for the very first Game Boy, and it ‘s merely understand that you should have some way to spin, shift and build lines of falling blocks on every Big N portable that comes along.Tetris Party Live offers up that classic line-clearing gameplay in a kind of ways, from the traditional Marathon modality to a variety show of multiplayer options – including support for on-line play over Nintendo ‘s Wi-Fi association. It ‘s quite a lot of value for a five-dollar investment, and we ‘re happy to promote it as the begin of our top 15. ( Online play – good. We ‘ve come a long way since those bulky old Game Boy connect cables. )
14. Mario vs. Donkey Kong : Minis March Again !
Publisher: Nintendo | Developer: NST
Release Date: June 8, 2009 | Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Much of DSiWare’s early first-party lineup from Nintendo consisted of the “Express” series, a branding that was given to a wide array of digital re-releases that had been carved out of old cartridge games. , , – the “Express” name got old pretty quickly, and we were already getting disillusioned with DSiWare as a whole just a few months in. Then, Nintendo announced ?
Well, no. That wasn’t the case. While this new sequel in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series does look and play similarly to the game that came before it, it is indeed its own design – with its own set of unique, new puzzle challenges where Nintendo’s main mascot must guide a legion of little Mini-Mario wind-up toys through obstacle-filled stages and safely into an exit door. The concept was inventive when it was first used in March of the Minis, and fits perfectly within the smaller scope of DSiWare here – picking up and playing a level or two at a time, without having to swap in a cartridge, feels great.
Minis March Again! also manages to trump its predecessor in its depth of customization, as its included level editor supports saves of over 15 times more user-created stages than MvDK2 did. So while the first few months of first-party DSiWare had us feeling a little wary, Mario and Donkey Kong helped settle our fears enough to earn a spot on our countdown.
much of DSiWare ‘s early first-party lineup from Nintendo consisted of the “ Express ” series, a brand that was given to a broad array of digital re-releases that had been carved out of old magazine games.- the “ Express ” identify got old pretty quickly, and we were already getting disillusioned with DSiWare as a wholly barely a few months in. then, Nintendo announced Mario vs. Donkey Kong : Minis March Again ! – and the concern continued. Would this just be another rehash, this time from the 2006 DS releaseWell, no. That was n’t the shell. While this new sequel in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series does look and play similarly to the game that came before it, it is indeed its own invention – with its own fructify of singular, new puzzle challenges where Nintendo ‘s main mascot must guide a legion of little Mini-Mario wind-up toys through obstacle-filled stages and safely into an exit doorway. The concept was imaginative when it was first base used in March of the Minis, and fits absolutely within the smaller oscilloscope of DSiWare hera – picking up and playing a degree or two at a meter, without having to swap in a cartridge, feels great.Minis March Again ! besides manages to trump its predecessor in its depth of customization, as its include level editor program supports saves of over 15 times more user-created stages than MvDK2 did. so while the first few months of first-party DSiWare had us feeling a little wary, Mario and Donkey Kong helped settle our fears adequate to earn a spot on our countdown.
13. Mighty Flip Champs !
Publisher: WayForward Technologies | Developer: WayForward Technologies
Release Date: June 1, 2009 | Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
One of the first, fresh, exclusive game designs to hit DSiWare and not be a port of an old product or a carved-out chunk of a previous cartridge release,
Controlling the young magic-wielding, wand-carrying wizardess Alta, Mighty Flip Champs! challenged you to solve puzzles in a completely new and unique way — by “flipping” through dimensions. Your character appeared up on the top screen, and could walk and climb ladders to move around the space there – but, all the while, a reflection of her position was also being projected down on the touch screen. Then, at any time, you could “flip” Alta into that next page – totally transforming the environment around here. Sound crazy? It was, and still is – because this one’s a challenging enough puzzler that even Day 1 purchasers probably still have a few of its levels left unsolved.
Mighty Flip Champs! also marked the DSiWare development debut of – and is set to debut a third major hit soon, with . No doubt its release will force us to have to update this countdown again sometime in the future.
One of the first, fresh, exclusive game designs to hit DSiWare and not be a port of an old product or a carved-out chunk of a former cartridge handout, Mighty Flip Champs ! explode onto the scene early in the new download service ‘s universe and promptly established itself as one of the first base must-have games in the DSi Shop. You might say it caused us all to flip out.Controlling the young magic-wielding, wand-carrying wizardess Alta, Mighty Flip Champs ! challenged you to solve puzzles in a completely new and unique way — by “ flick ” through dimensions. Your character appeared up on the top filmdom, and could walk and climb ladders to move around the space there – but, all the while, a mirror image of her position was besides being projected down on the touch screen. then, at any time, you could “ flip ” Alta into that adjacent page – wholly transforming the environment around here. Sound crazy ? It was, and still is – because this one ‘s a challenge adequate puzzle that even Day 1 purchasers credibly hush have a few of its levels left unsolved.Mighty Flip Champs ! besides marked the DSiWare development debut of WayForward Technologies, a studio that has since gone on to deliver another of the best DSiWare releases — – and is set to debut a third major hit soon, with. No doubt its release will force us to have to update this countdown again sometime in the future.
12. Cave Story
Publisher: Nicalis | Developer: Nicalis
Release Date: November 29, 2010 | Price: 1000 Nintendo DSi Points
The coming of
Then, with much less fanfare and notice, it also quietly slipped into the DSi Shop. This DSiWare port of Pixel’s classic is just as engrossing as its Wii edition, but its portability makes it even more attractive. This is a game that you really should play if you never have before, and the DSi gives you the chance to do so on the go.
Developer is set to release on physical media this August. It will offer a unique new visual version of the adventure, but purists will likely still prefer the pixel style of the original. That’s available now, here on DSiWare.
The coming of Cave Story to Nintendo ‘s WiiWare serve was an event. This game had been a free-to-play personal computer download for years and years, gathering an incredible follow for an indie title – and people were lining up to get the probability to play it again, and pay for the privilege to do so, on a veridical home console. It took a long prison term and a bunch of delays, but Cave Story last came to WiiWare in March of 2010.Then, with a lot less flourish and detect, it besides softly slipped into the DSi Shop. This DSiWare port of Pixel ‘s classic is good equally engrossing as its Wii edition, but its portability makes it even more attractive. This is a crippled that you truly should play if you never have ahead, and the DSi gives you the casual to do sol on the go.Developer Nicalis will be completing a hat antic of ports for the game soon, as a newfangled 3DS remake titled simplyis set to release on physical media this August. It will offer a unique fresh ocular version of the gamble, but purists will probably still prefer the pixel vogue of the master. That ‘s available now, here on DSiWare.
11. art stylus : Aquia
Publisher: Nintendo | Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: April 5, 2009 | Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Day 1 DSi adopters could fire up the newly launched DSi Shop and find six different downloads to choose from there – the free-to-own web browser, a camera-based WarioWare sequel, three games recycled from previous retail releases and, finally, this game.
The
The Art Style series has gone on to see the release of several different designs on DSiWare through the past two years, but Aquia still stands as one of the best – and we continue to be thankful that it was available as a choice on Day 1, so we didn’t have to waste all of our free DSi Points on the other, much less interesting options.
Day 1 DSi adopters could fire up the newly launched DSi Shop and find six different downloads to choose from there – the free-to-own web browser, a camera-based WarioWare sequel, three games recycled from previous retail releases and, finally, this game. Art Style : Aquia. The standout hit of launch day.The Art Style name got its start on WiiWare, but Aquia brought the branding down to the portable outer space with passion – this water-themed puzzle could wash your mind away in seconds flat with its deceptively complex new braid on the classical “ match three ” concept. Given a upright tower entire of blocks standing up across both the system ‘s screens, you used the D-Pad to control early blocks hovering outside the tugboat – before lining them up and pressing A to send them smashing into its side. The shock of your assault would knock other blocks out of the opposite side, and you ‘d rinse and repeat the serve – all the while trying to align three like colors together. difficult to manage, but a fortune of fun to try.The Art Style series has gone on to see the dismissal of respective different designs on DSiWare through the past two years, but Aquia hush stands as one of the best – and we continue to be grateful that it was available as a option on Day 1, so we did n’t have to waste all of our detached DSi Points on the other, a lot less concern options.
10. Dragon Quest Wars
Publisher: Square Enix | Developer: Intelligent Systems
Release Date: September 28, 2009 | Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Dragon Quest, while still a series in search of a larger audience in America, is a huge deal in Japan – so the announcement of this DSiWare-exclusive spin-off design made major waves overseas. Then the buzz only grew louder when it was revealed that the gameplay would be developed by Nintendo’s own in-house studio, and . All the elements were in place for a huge amount of hype and anticipation – and the final product delivered.
Like playing chess with classic Dragon Quest monsters,
The DSiWare service has yet to offer a more traditional chess design, but fans of the game of kings should look no further than this to get their fix.
Dragon Quest, while still a serial in search of a larger audience in America, is a huge distribute in Japan – so the announcement of this DSiWare-exclusive by-product design made major waves oversea. then the hum only grew brassy when it was revealed that the gameplay would be developed by Nintendo ‘s own in-house studio apartment, Intelligent Systems – the team normally known for the hit scheme seriesand. All the elements were in place for a huge sum of hype and prediction – and the final product delivered.Like playing chess with classic Dragon Quest monsters, Dragon Quest Wars gave you a small battlefield with an overlay grid of squares, the choice to field a fighting wedge of Slimes, Golems, Drackies and more, and entire Nintendo Wi-Fi Flickroomn back to face off against up to three other homo opponents at a time. intelligent Systems ‘ strategy background was clearly discernible in the design, as the interactions and abilities of each of the six unlike types of monsters became deceptively deep, even while remaining wholly accessible on the surface.The DSiWare service has so far to offer a more traditional chess design, but fans of the game of kings should look no further than this to get their fix.
9. starship Defense
Publisher: Nintendo | Developer: Q-Games
Release Date: January 18, 2010 | Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
You can’t have a portable gaming machine without a good tower defense design, and Nintendo’s Starship Defense fills that role beautifully well for the DSi. Developed by the same team responsible for hits like and the PlayStation’s PixelJunk series, this DSiWare-exclusive take on the genre looks just like it’s sprung to life from sketches scribbled onto sheets of graph paper – and the striking visual style is just the first of its many achievements.
Starship Defense is controlled entirely with the stylus, allowing you to lay down turrets on your ship’s hull wherever you like and navigate menus with ease. The enemies kindly present themselves to you up on the top screen in advance of their attack, which helps you plan your tactics ahead of time – and, as in all great tower defense games, it’s incredibly satisfying to see your strategy and placement of emplacements totally brutalize the opposition once the onslaught begins.
Fans of this hit can also look to two other DSiWare designs developed by , which is built on an interesting missile-reflecting mechanic and impressed us when it debuted, and , a satisfying 3D shooter that serves as a sequel to an obscure release from the original Game Boy.
You ca n’t have a portable bet on machine without a thoroughly column defense design, and Nintendo ‘s Starship Defense fills that function beautifully well for the DSi. Developed by the same team responsible for hits likeand the PlayStation ‘s PixelJunk series, this DSiWare-exclusive return on the genre looks just like it ‘s bounce to liveliness from sketches scribbled onto sheets of graph newspaper – and the hit ocular style is fair the first of its many achievements.Starship Defense is controlled wholly with the stylus, allowing you to lay down turrets on your ship ‘s hull wherever you like and navigate menus with ease. The enemies charitable present themselves to you up on the top screen in advance of their attack, which helps you plan your tactics ahead of clock time – and, as in all great loom defense games, it ‘s fabulously satisfy to see your strategy and placement of emplacements wholly brutalize the confrontation once the attack begins.Fans of this strike can besides look to two other DSiWare designs developed by Q-Games, which is built on an interest missile-reflecting machinist and impressed us when it debuted, and, a satisfying 3D shot that serves as a sequel to an obscure publish from the master Game Boy.
8. Photo Dojo
Publisher: Nintendo | Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: May 10, 2010 | Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Ever wanted to star in your very own fighting game?
Its gameplay isn’t all that deep, but that hardly matters when you yourself are the star of the adventure. You can even record quick voice clips that will play when you take damage, unleash super attacks and taunt your opponents – and those opponents, if you want, can be friends of yours that you’ve convinced to pose for the game as well.
It’s hilarious, it’s innovative and it was free. (For a time.) Nintendo gave this game away pro-bono for the first month it was available in the DSi Shop, but even now that that deadline has passed it’s only priced at two bucks. It’s a worthwhile spend for the chance to see your own self become a true street fighter.
ever wanted to star in your very own active game ? Photo Dojo lets you do just that. By following along with its body-positioning tutorial and using the DSi ‘s camera to capture a stage set of images of yourself punching, kicking and throwing fireballs, Photo Dojo pieces together a simple, photo-based brawler that is all kinds of funny.Its gameplay is n’t all that deep, but that hardly matters when you yourself are the star topology of the venture. You can even record agile spokesperson clips that will play when you take price, unleash ace attacks and taunt your opponents – and those opponents, if you want, can be friends of yours that you ‘ve convinced to pose for the game as well.It ‘s hilarious, it ‘s advanced and it was complimentary. ( For a fourth dimension. ) Nintendo gave this game away pro-bono for the foremost month it was available in the DSi Shop, but flush immediately that that deadline has passed it ‘s only priced at two bucks. It ‘s a worthwhile spend for the luck to see your own self become a true street combatant.
7. art expressive style : PiCTOBiTS
Publisher: Nintendo | Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: May 18, 2009 | Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Art Style: Aquia kicked off the recognition for Nintendo’s stylish series of inventive action and puzzle designs earlier on our countdown, but PiCTOBiTS is the brand’s clear pinnacle on DSi. This retro-fantastic puzzler combines three huge points of appeal into one must-own package – its gameplay is wonderfully unique and addictive, its presentation and stages are built on a foundation of classic 8-bit Nintendo sprites, and its soundtrack is greatest chiptune score ever compiled for a first-party project. Thanks, entirely, to the hard work of the frightfully awesome band YMCK (who composed every track).
PiCTOBiTS starts simply, as you learn to use the stylus to absorb squares of color on the touch screen, then re-position the sucked-up squares elsewhere in the playing field. Your goal is to line up the colors with blocks falling down from above – and if you’re successful, the completed shape you just built will rocket itself up to the top screen and slowly begin to fill it the pixel positions of an old 8-bit NES character. When the character’s complete, the stage is clear – which is easy to do. (For the first few rounds.) But PiCTOBiTS becomes devilishly difficult in later levels, and the pain is dished out even more severely in the unlockable “Dark” versions of every stage.
Stick with it, though, and you’ll earn a crop of coins for each cleared challenge – coins that can then be used to unlock new songs in the game’s jukebox. If you’re at all a fan of the chiptune scene, remixed video game music in general, or just the old sounds you heard playing games in the ’80s, it’s worth your time to try for the full collection here – you can have your own 8-bit radio station playing through PiCTOBiTS.
art stylus : Aquia kicked off the recognition for Nintendo ‘s fashionable series of imaginative action and puzzle designs earlier on our countdown, but PiCTOBiTS is the sword ‘s clear acme on DSi. This retro-fantastic puzzle combines three huge points of appeal into one must-own package – its gameplay is wonderfully singular and addictive, its presentation and stages are built on a foundation garment of classical 8-bit Nintendo sprites, and its soundtrack is greatest chiptune score ever compiled for a first-party stick out. Thanks, wholly, to the hard knead of the terribly amazing band YMCK ( who composed every cut ) .PiCTOBiTS starts just, as you learn to use the stylus to absorb squares of color on the touch screen, then re-position the sucked-up squares elsewhere in the act field. Your goal is to line up the colors with blocks falling down from above – and if you ‘re successful, the completed condition you precisely built will rocket itself up to the top sieve and lento begin to fill it the pixel positions of an old 8-bit NES fictional character. When the character ‘s complete, the stage is clear – which is easy to do. ( For the beginning few rounds. ) But PiCTOBiTS becomes devilishly unmanageable in belated levels, and the pain is dished out even more sternly in the unlockable “ Dark ” versions of every stage.Stick with it, though, and you ‘ll earn a crop of coins for each clear challenge – coins that can then be used to unlock newly songs in the game ‘s jukebox. If you ‘re at all a fan of the chiptune view, remixed television crippled music in cosmopolitan, or just the honest-to-god sounds you heard playing games in the ’80s, it ‘s worth your time to try for the full solicitation here – you can have your own 8-bit radio receiver place playing through PiCTOBiTS.
6. Dark Void Zero
Publisher: Capcom | Developer: Other Ocean Interactive
Release Date: January 19, 2010 | Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Old-school franchises are back in full swing these days, as it seems like nearly every classic video game brand is getting some kind of new sequel, spin-off or remake on modern machines. , a new sequel with intentionally old graphics – it was made to look and play exactly like an 8-bit NES title. Having had success with that attempt, then, the company branched out to other properties.
The game itself, too, is a really excellent one. Similar in ways to vintage side-scrollers like Bionic Commando, its use of shooting and jetpack mechanics combined for a very playable and definitely retro game experience. In fact, Dark Void Zero ended up being much better received and reviewed than the home console game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 – which is definitely funny, considering it was certainly not planned to outshine its big-budget brother.
Old-school franchises are back in wax swing these days, as it seems like closely every classic video game sword is getting some kind of new sequel, by-product or remake on modern machines. Capcom helped kick off this modern retro revival a few years ago with, a newfangled sequel with intentionally old graphics – it was made to look and play precisely like an 8-bit NES title. Having had achiever with that attack, then, the company branched out to other properties. Dark Void Zero takes a like way, besides presenting itself as a kind of “ lost ” NES game with its intentional low-resolution expect and gameplay style. But Capcom truly went all out for this one on the marketing slope – they invented a fabulously convolute backstory for the “ history ” of the game, claiming it was a shelve concept from the ’80s, that it was once in growth for the PlayChoice-10 arcade hardware and all sorts of other nonsense. You might not have fallen for that improbable fib or tied thought it was all that fishy yourself, but the more important fact is that Capcom put in the attempt – to promote a DSiWare intersection. DSiWare ‘s rarely had as much focus and attention as in the straddle of a calendar month when Dark Void Zero was getting so hyped.The game itself, besides, is a very excellent one. exchangeable in ways to vintage side-scrollers like Bionic Commando, its function of shoot and jetpack mechanics combined for a very playable and decidedly ex post facto game experience. In fact, Dark Void Zero ended up being much better received and reviewed than the home consolegame for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 – which is decidedly amusing, considering it was surely not planned to outshine its big-budget brother.
5. DodoGo !
Publisher: Neko Entertainment | Developer: Alien After All
Release Date: April 26, 2010 | Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Originally intended to be a full-on retail release,
DodoGo! is a puzzler in the tradition of the most recent Mario vs. Donkey Kong titles or the PC classic Lemmings, as you’re tasked to help a set of smiling, bouncing dodo eggs navigate levels filled with obstacles and enemies — first by directing their movements, then by pausing the action mid-level to draw in bridges, springs and other helpful objects. If you’ve successful the eggs make it to the safety of their nest and save the dodo species from extinction. If you’re not, they get scrambled.
DodoGo! was so well-received after its DSiWare debut that it’s gone on to inspire a bit of a franchise, with two sequels released so far. DodoGo! Challenge ups the difficulty considerably for expert players looking to test themselves, while DodoGo! Robo goes the opposite direction and simplifies the gameplay. All of them earn our recommendation, but it’s the original that gets a spot here on the countdown.
in the first place intended to be a full-on retail secrete, DodoGo ! arrived in the DSi Shop wholly intact and with no features cut in its transition to digital download – making it feel like it ‘s wholly overflowing with content compared to the generally much thinner competition on DSiWare.DodoGo ! is a puzzle in the custom of the most late Mario vs. Donkey Kong titles or the personal computer authoritative Lemmings, as you ‘re tasked to help a hardening of smiling, bouncing dodo eggs navigate levels filled with obstacles and enemies — beginning by directing their movements, then by pausing the action mid-level to draw in bridges, springs and other helpful objects. If you ‘ve successful the eggs make it to the safety of their nest and save the dodo species from extinction. If you ‘re not, they get scrambled.DodoGo ! was therefore well-received after its DSiWare introduction that it ‘s gone on to inspire a bit of a franchise, with two sequels released so far. DodoGo ! Challenge ups the difficulty well for expert players looking to test themselves, while DodoGo ! Robo goes the face-to-face guidance and simplifies the gameplay. All of them earn our recommendation, but it ‘s the master that gets a spot here on the countdown.
4. Link ‘n ‘ Launch
Publisher: Nintendo | Developer: Intelligent Systems
Release Date: February 8, 2010 | Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Intelligent Systems is a name that’s shown up once already on this list, but probably the best new DSiWare design to come from the creators of Fire Emblem and Advance Wars has been a game that doesn’t really draw on the developer’s strength with strategy gaming at all – it’s this simpler puzzler, Link ‘n’ Launch.
Similar to the idea behind the classic connect-the-pipes game , your job in Link ‘n’ Launch is to build a unified pathway to deliver fuel to a rocket. You have to pay attention to whether you’re influencing your rocket to blast off to the left or right, though, as veering too far off course could cause you to fail your mission.
With the several games in the Art Style series, the handful of uniquely-branded standalones and the dozens of third-party solutions already live in the DSi Shop, there’s no excuse not to be enjoying incredible puzzle action through DSiWare. But Link ‘n’ Launch, in its simplicity, its pedigree and its style, rockets up to sit at the top spot among all its genre competitors.
intelligent Systems is a name that ‘s shown up once already on this list, but probably the best new DSiWare design to come from the creators of Fire Emblem and Advance Wars has been a game that does n’t truly draw on the developer ‘s strength with strategy gaming at all – it ‘s this simple puzzle, Link ‘n ‘ Launch.Similar to the idea behind the classical connect-the-pipes plot, your job in Link ‘n ‘ establish is to build a unify pathway to deliver fuel to a skyrocket. You have to pay attention to whether you ‘re influencing your rocket to blast off to the exit or right, though, as veering besides far off course could cause you to fail your mission.With the several games in the Art Style series, the handful of uniquely-branded standalones and the dozens of third-party solutions already live in the DSi Shop, there ‘s no excuse not to be enjoying incredible perplex action through DSiWare. But Link ‘n ‘ launch, in its simplicity, its pedigree and its style, rockets up to sit at the top blot among all its writing style competitors.
3. equal Solitaire
Publisher: Nintendo | Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: January 11, 2010 | Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
A lot of the promise of DSiWare as a format was focused on its promise to offer small, accessible, pick-up-and-play game designs to compliment the bigger, more robust physical cartridge games in your library. Well, no game design’s ever been more complimentary than Solitaire. The long-standing staple of Windows operating systems for years on end now, this simple card game has never been a design that you’d push into the spotlight. But, as a supporting player, it’s probably been launched and played in quick sessions millions of times more than any other game, ever.
Nintendo’s two-dollar DSiWare edition of the game appeals in the same way, taking up residence in a strong supporting position alongside the more elaborate and higher-profile game designs you use your Nintendo handhelds to experience. It’s just an essential element – video game comfort food, cleansing the palette with its tried-and-true stacking and shifting of a deck of cards. And Touch Solitaire offers two different versions of the game – Klondike and Spider – in one package. That’s just bonus.
A lot of the promise of DSiWare as a format was focused on its promise to offer belittled, accessible, pick-up-and-play game designs to compliment the bigger, more full-bodied physical cartridge games in your library. Well, no game design ‘s ever been more complimentary than Solitaire. The long-standing basic of Windows operating systems for years on end now, this simpleton calling card game has never been a design that you ‘d push into the spotlight. But, as a supporting actor, it ‘s probably been launched and played in immediate sessions millions of times more than any other game, ever.Nintendo ‘s two-dollar DSiWare edition of the bet on appeals in the lapp manner, taking up residence in a impregnable confirm side alongside the more elaborate and higher-profile crippled designs you use your Nintendo handhelds to experience. It ‘s merely an essential element – video game consolation food, cleansing the pallette with its tried-and-true stack and shift of a deck of cards. And Touch Solitaire offers two different versions of the game – Klondike and Spider – in one package. That ‘s just bonus.
2. Flipnote Studio
Publisher: Nintendo | Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: August 13, 2009 | Price: 0 Nintendo DSi Points
Free! That’s the price you’ve got to pay to own one of the very best downloads DSiWare’s had to offer in its first two years of existence. Nintendo very wisely made this design, a flipbook-creating virtual sketchpad, a completely complimentary addition to everyone’s DSi channel array when it launched in August of ’09. And the decision was a great one, as it helped solidify Flipnote Studio as the DSi Shop’s killer app.
DSiWare was pretty take-it-or-leave-it for the first few months, but Flipnote defined the service and justified its existence, along with the existence of the DSi as a distinct piece of hardware itself. It’s a design that promotes creativity and user creation, offering an interface through which you can draw characters and scenes onto a flat canvas, but then link that drawing with others before and after it (each one altered slightly) to create moving animations.
Flipnote Studio became a new generation’s , and the impressive artistic efforts it’s brought into the world have been showcased on a tie-in website, , where anyone can upload their latest creations. (It’s kind of like YouTube.) Some developers have even gotten into the Hatena act, using the site to promote their own DSiWare games – and Flipnote Studio’s influence continued into physical media releases like as well, showing that Nintendo’s fully aware of the power of products that promote user creation as a priority. If you haven’t yet downloaded Flipnote Studio, you should do so immediately. Because it’s artistic, it’s awesome, and, of course, it’s totally free.
complimentary ! That ‘s the price you ‘ve got to pay to own one of the very best downloads DSiWare ‘s had to offer in its beginning two years of being. Nintendo very wisely made this design, a flipbook-creating virtual sketchpad, a completely complimentary addition to everyone ‘s DSi impart array when it launched in August of ’09. And the decision was a great one, as it helped solidify Flipnote Studio as the DSi Shop ‘s killer app.DSiWare was pretty take-it-or-leave-it for the first few months, but Flipnote defined the service and justified its being, along with the universe of the DSi as a distinct piece of hardware itself. It ‘s a design that promotes creativity and exploiter creation, offering an interface through which you can draw characters and scenes onto a flat poll, but then link that drawing with others before and after it ( each one altered slenderly ) to create moving animations.Flipnote Studio became a newfangled generation ‘s, and the impressive aesthetic efforts it ‘s brought into the world have been showcased on a link web site, , where anyone can upload their latest creations. ( It ‘s kind of like YouTube. ) Some developers have even gotten into the Hatena act, using the site to promote their own DSiWare games – and Flipnote Studio ‘s influence continued into physical media releases likeas good, showing that Nintendo ‘s fully aware of the power of products that promote user initiation as a priority. If you have n’t however downloaded Flipnote Studio, you should do then immediately. Because it ‘s artistic, it ‘s amazing, and, of course, it ‘s wholly free.
1. Shantae : Risky ‘s Revenge
Publisher: WayForward Technologies | Developer: WayForward Technologies
Release Date: October 4, 2010 | Price: 1200 Nintendo DSi Points
If you’ve paid any attention to DSiWare at all over the past two years, the placement of Shantae: Risky’s Revenge here in the top spot of our countdown should come as no surprise. This long-awaited sequel to WayForward’s Game Boy Color masterpiece is, itself, another masterpiece of game design – with beautifully animated visuals, gripping gameplay and the same lovable half-genie heroine we first came to love a decade ago.
Shantae: Risky’s Revenge was announced to be in development fairly early on in the life cycle of DSiWare, as WayForward tested the waters with Mighty Flip Champs! and decided to move forward with a larger project. The project was so large, in fact, that the studio originally intended to break it up into several episodic installments and release them one after another, a few months apart. Somewhere near the end of development, though, they just decided to deliver one jam-packed single download instead – which is why the pricetag on this one is bigger than any other release in the DSi Shop.
Spending twelve bucks is no big deal with a game as robust as this one, though, as Shantae still easily earns our highest accolade even with that higher price to pay. We liked this game so much that we actually awarded it DS Game of the Year for 2010. Not just DSiWare Game of the Year, mind you – but overall, for all of DS. Beating out all the physical media games.
Can you tell we love it? Well, you should too.
If you ‘ve paid any attention to DSiWare at all over the past two years, the placement of Shantae : Risky ‘s Revenge here in the top spot of our countdown should come as no surprise. This long-awaited sequel to WayForward ‘s Game Boy Color masterpiece is, itself, another masterpiece of game design – with beautifully animated visuals, gripping gameplay and the lapp lovable half-genie heroine we first came to love a ten ago.Shantae : Risky ‘s Revenge was announced to be in development fairly early on in the life cycle of DSiWare, as WayForward tested the waters with Mighty Flip Champs ! and decided to move forward with a larger stick out. The project was so large, in fact, that the studio apartment primitively intended to break it up into several episodic installments and release them one after another, a few months apart. somewhere near the end of development, though, they equitable decided to deliver one jammed individual download alternatively – which is why the pricetag on this one is bigger than any early release in the DSi Shop.Spending twelve bucks is no big deal with a game adenine full-bodied as this one, though, as Shantae still easily earns our highest award even with that higher price to pay. We liked this game so much that we actually awarded it DS Game of the year for 2010. not merely DSiWare Game of the year, mind you – but overall, for all of DS. Beating out all the physical media games.Can you tell we love it ? well, you should besides.
Read more: How to Download PSP Games to a Memory Stick
estimable Mentions
Throughout the course of just two years, Nintendo’s DSiWare service has seen the release of nearly 400 different game designs. We could have very well continued this list and expanded it into a Top 20 or 25 — and perhaps we will, in the future. But these 15 featured picks deserve the spotlight by themselves, without further dilution.
But, if you’re going to twist our arms about it, here are just a few more highlights from the past two years. These are some of the games that didn’t quite make the cut for the Top 15, but were definitely considered:
– — The best of Nintendo’s “Express” line of recycled bits from old games, the slick Sudoku portion of 2006’s Brain Age stands well on its own.
– — The exception to the “Express” rule, Dr. Mario Express is its own unique game, not ripped from an older release. It’s a solid single-player take on a classic design.
– – Mentioned briefly above in the Starship Defense discussion, this missle-reflecting design is slick fun.
– – A mash-up of Metal Gear and Pac-Man, this one impressively takes you on a stealth action trip through a gauntlet of mazes. Only two bucks, too.
– – Maddeningly addictive climbing action that appeals in the same way as Nintendo’s DK: King of Swing. And again, only two bucks.
And so on. Point is, there’s a ton of great content already available in the DSi Shop, and DSiWare should definitely be on your radar now before the next chapter of portable Nintendo downloads, the 3DS eShop, begins.
You can consider yourself up to speed now, and well-versed on the best of the best from Nintendo’s first handheld download shop. If you think we got things wrong or want to call attention to other DSiWare games this list has neglected, let us know in the Comments below. DSiWare’s been defined by being under-the-radar, so your own personal favorite may well have missed our notice.
Throughout the course of precisely two years, Nintendo ‘s DSiWare service has seen the dismissal of closely 400 different game designs. We could have very well continued this tilt and expanded it into a top 20 or 25 — and possibly we will, in the future. But these 15 featured picks deserve the spotlight by themselves, without further dilution.But, if you ‘re going to twist our arms about it, here are precisely a few more highlights from the past two years. These are some of the games that did n’t quite make the cut for the Top 15, but were decidedly considered : — The best of Nintendo ‘s “ Express ” line of recycle bits from erstwhile games, the slick Sudoku assign of 2006 ‘s Brain Age stands well on its own. — The exception to the “ Express ” rule, Dr. Mario Express is its own alone game, not ripped from an older dismissal. It ‘s a hearty single-player fill on a classical design.- Mentioned concisely above in the Starship Defense discussion, this missle-reflecting design is satiny fun.- A mash-up of Metal Gear and Pac-Man, this one impressively takes you on a stealth legal action trip through a gauntlet of mazes. only two bucks, too.- Maddeningly addictive climbing action that appeals in the same way as Nintendo ‘s DK : King of Swing. And again, only two bucks.And therefore on. point is, there ‘s a long ton of great subject already available in the DSi Shop, and DSiWare should decidedly be on your radar nowadays before the adjacent chapter of portable Nintendo downloads, the 3DS eShop, begins.You can consider yourself up to speed immediately, and well-versed on the best of the best from Nintendo ‘s first hand-held download shop. If you think we got things wrong or want to call attention to other DSiWare games this number has neglected, let us know in the Comments below. DSiWare ‘s been defined by being under-the-radar, so your own personal favorite may well have missed our notice .
