What Games Can You Put in a DS Lite? Any Nintendo DS or Game Boy Advance Game Ever Released
As a long-time Nintendo fan and avid retro gamer, I‘m constantly asked what games can be played on the Nintendo DS Lite. As the slimmed down successor to the original DS released back in 2004, the DS Lite is compatible with the entire libraries of both Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance games – over 3,800 titles total!
In this guide, I‘ll be highlighting some of the absolute best from both platforms that hold up great on the DS Lite‘s bright screens to this day.
The Portable Powerhouse – Why the DS Lite is an Excellent System for Playing DS and GBA Games in 2024
Even 18 years after launch, the Nintendo DS Lite remains one of my favorite systems for on-the-go gaming. Its clamshell design, bright backlit screens, lightweight feel, and strong battery life measuring 15-19 hours make it a perfect companion for gaming sessions anywhere.
The DS Lite plays the entire DS game library flawlessly. Quintessential must-play Nintendo franchises like Mario, Zelda, Metroid alongside unique series like Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright all saw fantastic entries on the DS worth revisiting.
And with backwards compatibility, you can experience a whole other legendary console library. The Game Boy Advance is home to over 1,500 games itself across popular franchises established on Game Boy as well as technical marvels that pushed the hardware to its limits.
Let‘s dive deeper into the best from both platforms to experience on a DS Lite!
12 Essential Nintendo DS Games to Play on the DS Lite
With over 1,400 titles in its library spanning 2004-2011, the Nintendo DS saw some all-time great Nintendo games alongside experimental and genre-defining releases taking advantage of the dual screens and touch input.
Here are 12 must-play Nintendo DS games perfectly suited to the DS Lite:
New Super Mario Bros (2006)
This inaugral Mario sidescroller on DS brought back the classic 2D platforming action of the NES/SNES era. With new powerups like the Mini Mushroom and added challenge from 80+ levels spanning 8 worlds.
Mario Kart DS (2005)
The DS entry for Nintendo‘s cartoony kart racer adds dual screen multiplayer, online play via WiFi, and classics tracks from earlier entries alongside new additions. Snaking drift boosts also keep time trial leaderboards competitive nearly 20 years later!
Animal Crossing: Wild World (2005)
The addicting life simulator dropped on DS with player freedom to decorate your own home, fill up an expansive in-game museum with collectibles and fossils, and visit friends‘ villages online via Nintendo WiFi connection.
Chrono Trigger DS (2008)
This enhanced port of the legendary Super Nintendo JRPG classic adds anime cutscenes and dungeons previously only seen in the Japanese-exclusive PS1 version. With 6 endings to discover across multiple eras, it‘s considered one of the greatest game stories ever told!
Kirby Super Star Ultra (2008)
An expanded Nintendo DS version of the Kirby Superstar SNES original, this 2D platformer packs 9 copy abilities, 6 main games, and new modes like Helper to Hero putting another twist on playing as Kirby‘s usual enemies!
Professor Layton and the Curious Village (2007)
The launch of this puzzle adventure series on DS pioneered a new genre focused on logic, lateral thinking, and brain teasers. Make even the toughest puzzles feel elementary with the heroic Professor Hershel Layton!
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007)
Link‘s first DS adventure retains the open world exploratory feel of Wind Waker as you sail the World of the Ocean King discovering islands and gaining new abilities to advance. Players enjoyed the return of touch screen controls for directing Link and controlling items.
Metroid Prime Hunters (2006)
For the iconic sci-fi exploration series‘ first handheld entry, Metroid Prime Hunters nailed lightning-fast first person shooter gameplay in both single player and frantic online multiplayer modes supporting up to 4 players locally or via WiFi.
Advance Wars: Dual Strike (2005)
Dual Strike built onto the turn-based strategy gameplay of earlier handheld Advance Wars, with a compelling campaign, colorful commanders to lead into grid-based battle, and custom map creation for extending replay value!
Elite Beat Agents (2006)
This ultra-quirky rhythm game puts players in the role of government agents… who use the power of dance and music to assist citizens in need! Groove to licensed tracks through unique levels tapping and tracing your way to safety.
The World Ends With You (2008)
This story-driven JRPG is set in an alternate version of modern day Japan called the Underground. The real-time pin-based battle system, imaginative enemies called Noise, and eclectic soundtrack created an entirely fresh RPG unlike anything before it.
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Heavens
Considered one of the best in the expansive Dragon Quest franchise, Sentinels of the Starry Heavens boasted competitive multiplayer, side quests spanning hours of gameplay, and job system allowing players to customize a party of heroes.
While just a sampling, these 12 games represent must-play Nintendo DS classics covering platformers to RPGs and strategy games that all feel right at home on the portable DS Lite.
10 Essential Backwards Compatible Game Boy Advance Games
The Game Boy Advance has one of the deepest libraries in gaming history, which makes having backwards compatibility on Nintendo DS essential to unlocking its full potential.
From action platformers, to RPG epics, to innovative puzzle games, here are 10 must play GBA titles on DS Lite:
| Game | Release Year | Genre | Notable Elements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart: Super Circuit | 2001 | Racing | 40 tracks spanning retro 2D Mario Kart and Super Mario Kart on SNES |
| Metroid Fusion | 2002 | Platformer | First solo sci-fi adventure with Samus Aran set after events of Metroid III on Super Nintendo |
| Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | 2002 | Action-Adventure | Faithful enhanced port of iconic 16-bit Link to the Past adding Four Swords multiplayer |
| Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 | 2003 | Platformer | Classic NES Mario with e-Reader support for scanning cards to unlock extra levels |
| Pokemon Emerald | 2004 | RPG | Definitive Hoenn region main series Pokemon game with Battle Frontier postgame challenges |
| Fire Emblem | 2003 | Strategy | First Fire Emblem released internationally with permadeath and grid-based strategy intensifying battle |
| Astro Boy: Omega Factor | 2004 | Action | Sleeper hit Astro Boy tie-in with multiple endings branching the anime-inspired beat-em-up gameplay |
| WarioWare Twisted! | 2004 | Minigames | Wacky and rapidfire minigames utilizing built-in gyroscope for tilting and rotating the GBA itself! |
| Final Fantasy VI Advance | 2007 | RPG | Enhanced port of legendary SNES entry with additional dungeons, espers, gear |
| Mario vs Donkey Kong | 2004 | Puzzle/Platformer | Clever Lemmings-inspired puzzle platformer with Mini Mario toys marching to each level‘s goal |
Many games push the GBA hardware with layered level designs, smooth animations, detailed sprites and vibrant color palettes that shine even today. Becoming engrossed in these innovative and storied portable games is easy with the comfortable form factor of the DS Lite.
With innovative dual screen additions enhancing games in exciting ways unmatched since, there has truly never been a handheld library like the Nintendo DS. Experiencing these groundbreaking titles along with a whole preceding generation of Game Boy Advance greats makes the DS Lite a must-have system for on-the-go gaming in 2024 and beyond!
