There are many iconic games released for the Nintendo DS during the 2000s. This will list the most iconic games among them, ranging from casual games to those that helped make lifelong gamers.
Cooking Mama
Cooking Mama was first released in March 2006 and was a hit, going on to be redeveloped for Wii gameplay and released on Android and iOS. Cooking Mama is a minigame compilation-style game in which players follow Mama's cooking instructions using their stylus to perform different cooking techniques like chopping and stirring. In some games, players were even instructed to blow into the microphone to cool food items; failure to follow the instructions would result in the ‘Angry Mama’ face appearing on the screen.
Imagine
The Imagine series was a series of games targeted at girls between 6 and 14 and the series was simulation games based on different careers. Whilst they had very mixed reviews upon their release, they were popular amongst children. The careers available in the games included being in a girl band, being a rock star, a veterinarian, a journalist, a fashion designer, a dancer, a doctor, and a gymnast.
There were 45 games released overall, and the games would see you completing tasks for a score at the end of the game. The low-stakes, relaxing core of each game in the series made for great gameplay that players could genuinely enjoy.
The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda games follow Link, the protagonist, over time to finish quests. The game was developed by Japanese designers, and its creation was inspired by Shigeru Miyamoto's childhood in the hills and forests of his home in Japan. According to Miyamoto, one of his most memorable experiences as a child was finding a cave entrance in the middle of the woods. After some hesitation, he entered the cave and explored its depths with the help of a lantern.
Nintendogs
Nintendogs was a game based on being a dog owner, and each game was focused on a different breed of dog. The game wasn’t released as part of a traditional series; subsequent games were more like expansions of the original selection of dogs than standalone games.
The major gimmick of Nintentogs was the Nintendo mic and the ability to speak to the dogs to ‘train’ them. Over time, the dogs would learn your voice and commands like ‘sit’, and they would come running to the player when they heard a whistle.
For many players, this was an introduction to gaming, with its simple progression systems and clear goals. That kind of structured approach, where small actions build towards results, is something seen across different types of systems and tools, including resources like a betting odds calculator, which present information in a straightforward and easy-to-follow way.
New Super Mario Bros.
New Super Mario Bros. was released to massive critical and commercial success and featured Mario as the main player, using various power-ups to defeat enemies, with the aim of saving Princess Peach.
There are more than 80 levels for players to complete across different worlds, each world with unique obstacles and landscapes. Super Mushroom makes Mario grow in size, the Fire Flower lets Mario throw fireballs, and the Starman makes Mario temporarily invincible. The Blue Koopa Shell allows Mario to wear a shell to protect himself. He can also swim faster when he is in this form. The Mega Mushroom grows Mario to a huge size, where he can destroy everything in his path, and the Mini-Mushroom causes Mario to shrink, allowing him to enter tiny pipes and tiny pathways, too. Mini Mario also becomes so light that he can run on water and jump extremely high.
Mario Kart DS
Mario Kart DS is a racing game in which players race against seven other characters in go-karts, avoiding obstacles and using various power-ups to take the lead. The game features 5 single-player modes, which really show the game's strength: its versatility and its ability to remain interesting and entertaining over longer periods of gameplay.
The game features 32 courses across eight cups, half of which contain new tracks and half contain tracks from previous Mario Kart games, such as Baby Park. The game received universal acclaim and was incredibly successful among fans, new and old alike.
The Sims 2 DS
The Sims 2 for DS is nothing like the PC game. You are a hotel manager of the only hotel in the deserted area of the town, Strangetown, which also features in other The Sims games across different consoles. The Sim must maintain cleanliness and order in the hotel. From time to time, hotel visitors will make various requests, which the Sim must fulfil to increase their rating.
