The 10 Most Promising DS Games of 2008
Monday, December 17th, 2007 at 4:30pm by David
With the holidays still wrapping up and not much being announced until the spring, let’s take a look at what we know is coming in 2008 for the hottest selling game system on the planet:
10 – Square Enix
Okay, not so much a single title here, but rather a nod to the continued and overwhelming support from Square Enix for the DS. Titles slated for 2008 include It’s A Wonderful World, Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates, Final Fantasy IV, and Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
9 – Assassin’s Creed
A thoroughly hyped and popular game for the highest definition game systems out there, how will they pull it off for DS? Rumors suggest it might feature card based play, rather than the free roaming of the current versions. Either way, could be an interesting title to see on a portable.
8 – Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
The fourth entry in the series that was started with Phoenix Wright, this new entry will star a new protagonist. It’s also the first Ace Attorney game built specifically for the DS (the others were all GBA ports). Also, Famitsu giving it a 9/9/9/9 score (36/40).
7 – Super Dodgeball Brawlers
This is an update of the classic NES game for the DS generation. The original is something of a cult classic, so a built-in audience should help push this game back into the gaming consciousness.
6 – N+
Based on the addictive web game, the DS version will feature downloadable levels and a level editing/upload mode. Portability would be nice for this puzzler, just as long as the floating physics of its online original stick around for the ride. Plus, it’s about a ninja .. nuff said!
5 – Fire Emblem DS
DS could be the perfect system for the Fire Emblem series. Control your commands on the touch screen and watch the battle play out on the top screen. Like Advance Wars’ new edition, it will feature online play. It also features Marth from the two original NES & SNES games in the series.
4 – Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword
If there’s one thing DS lacks, it’s games requiring you to hold the system vertically, or book-style. Controlling Ryu’s sword slashes and aiming his shurikens with the touch screen sounds like a blast.
3 – Professor Layton and the Curious Village
A new puzzle game franchise with Hayao Miyazaki inspired art direction. Weekly online downloadable puzzles provide longevity (until the sequel comes along).
2 – Sonic RPG
Little is known about this title, except that it is being developed by BioWare responsible for huge hits such as Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, KOTOR, and Mass Effect. Can they bring deep gameplay and story lines to the Sonic universe?
1 – Advance Wars: Days Of Ruin
This is the second title of the series to be released for DS and it features a much more mature art direction. The first Advance Wars title to have online multiplayer should make it a must-have.
For such a well-selling system, it doesn’t seem like a lot of must-have games. Maybe the hot list of Wii’s 2008 games is shifting the focus for developers, but again, it’s early. Anything here sound good to you?
December 17th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Just played the Ninja Gaiden demo at Target and I must say it was pretty good. The graphics are a little on the jaggy side, but the gameplay was very fun.
Must get once it is released.
December 17th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
I’m hoping they announce New Super Mario Bros. 2 out of nowhere and launch it next year. It would be great if this time around they gave us some new powerups or just a few old favorites (racoon suit anyone?!) And who knows maybe a few from Galaxy like the Bee or Boo suit.
-Priyesh
December 17th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Again with the non-titles huh?
If Assassin’s Creed DS is a card battler I will love it infinitely more than the console version. Because it was rather lame.
Also looking forward to FFTA2.
December 17th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Despite the fact it’s a remake, I do believe that the upcoming DS release of Kirby SuperStar has a lot of promise. Kirby SuperStar was one of my favorite SNES games growing up, and it still is one of my favorite games of all time. I’m pleased to see new components being added to the DS version, and I’m excited to see how new players will receive it when it is released.
I know I’ll be there on day one. I can’t WAIT to go through everything again. With the new and redone graphics, I can’t wait to see how Marx is handled…for a Kirby fan like me, it’s incredibly excited. Hopefully a number of other people are excited for it, too.
December 17th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
It is no coincidence that Marth is the lead in the DS Fire Emblem, the game is DS is a remake of the original NES game.
December 17th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
What? Etrian Odyssey 2 didn’t make the list??
OK, to be fair, it has only been announced in Japan… but given how well it was received, it is a sure bet it will be released in the U.S. next year!
December 17th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Sonic Rpg?
Not going to be fun.
December 17th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Dodgeball and N+ are on the top of my list. linerider could be a fun distraction too.
December 17th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
N+? You mean based on n-game? That is definitely an instant-buy for me…
December 17th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
I’m sure I’ve heard that Guitar Hero would make its way on to the DS. Whatever happened to that?
December 17th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
No idea what N+ is, but it sounds interesting…
I think that the big N has something up it’s sleeve… At least I hope so..
December 17th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
My top 5 out of that list : (1) Apollo Justice : Ace Attorney (2) Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword (3) Professor Layton and the Mysterious Village (4) Advance Wars : Days of Ruin (5) Fire Emblem DS
It must kill Blake to see all these excessive sub-titles.
December 17th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Wii Wii – have a look for the flash game called “N”. It’s a ninja game with fun physics that sees you running, jumping and skidding around, dodging enemies and collecting gold pieces to give you more time to complete the level. Great fun, and perfect for the DS.
December 17th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Kingdom Hearts 358? What?
Props to Ninja Gaiden though.
December 18th, 2007 at 12:52 am
Where are Nintendo’s games on this list? I’m shocked that there aren’t more first-party titles being developed for the DS (other than Advance Wars and Fire Emblem), but that might be a good thing. Who knows; I’m still holding out for Metroid Dread….
December 18th, 2007 at 8:47 am
I really have no interest for any of those games coming out on the DS.
Really I have not even taken a real look at the new games coming out.
December 18th, 2007 at 8:51 am
to the guy who said sonic rpg would not be fun, the game is developed by bioware;)
December 18th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
hey, what about Nintencats???
December 18th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Advance Wars 2? EEEEEEEEEK. That makes me excited. That’s easily the number 1 game on my list.
December 18th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
What? No Spore? NO SPORE?!! THOU HAST BLASPHEMED!!!
Seriously, put Spore on there. Everyone’s excited about that game and it’s supposed to launch for DS with the PC version.
July 15th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I WANT FIRE EMBLEM!!!!!!