Suggest any DS RPGs?

[Flamin Skull]

I'm ready to buy a red/black DS in a week or 2..

could anyone suggest any DS RPGs, I'd like to know about ORIGINAL RPGs, not remakes or ports... just DS specific rpgs... I think Sonic RPG is one of them...

[Shortay]

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings and Contact are both good.

Oh, and if you like Pokémon, you obviously can't go wrong with Diamond/Pearl.

[Flamin Skull]

Originally Posted by Shortay-01

Final Fantasy XII: Relevant Wings and Contact are both good.

Oh, and if you like Pokémon, you obviously can't go wrong with Diamond/Pearl.

Ive spent so much money on pokemon cards for my kid! Never really got into pokemon but I enjoyed their games because its basically a RPG, but it sucked there was only ONE save file and its for my son.. so I never really got to play it much.. now my sons in High school and pokemons are taboo (i think?) for kids that age..
whats the difference with the diamond and pearl versions?

ffxii revelant wings is already on my to get list (as well as all FF remakes)

[Shortay]

Originally Posted by Flamin Skull

Ive spent so much money on pokemon cards for my kid! Never really got into pokemon but I enjoyed their games because its basically a RPG, but it sucked there was only ONE save file and its for my son.. so I never really got to play it much.. now my sons in High school and pokemons are taboo (i think?) for kids that age..
whats the difference with the diamond and pearl versions?

ffxii revelant wings is already on my to get list (as well as all FF remakes)

Hardly any difference. The only noteworthy one being that some pokemon are exclusive to that version, so you would have to trade to have some of them, for example the main legendary pokemon (Dialga and Palkia) are divided up and Diamond gets one, whild Pearl gets the other.

[Flamin Skull]

Originally Posted by Shortay-01

Hardly any difference. The only noteworthy one being that some pokemon are exclusive to that version, so you would have to trade to have some of them, for example the main legendary pokemon (Dialga and Palkia) are divided up and Diamond gets one, whild Pearl gets the other.

sorry I dont know any of the pokemon names, only one I know is Charizard cuz I thought that name was cool

[Ashdude]

Originally Posted by Flamin Skull

I'm ready to buy a red/black DS in a week or 2..

could anyone suggest any DS RPGs, I'd like to know about ORIGINAL RPGs, not remakes or ports... just DS specific rpgs... I think Sonic RPG is one of them...

I just picked up a Cobalt Black DS last Wednesday and I'm looking for some good RPG's too. Some friends told me that Etrian Odyssey, Children of Mana, Rune Factory, and Puzzle Quest are some good ones.

I currently only own 2 DS games. Final Fantasy III and Izuna.

[-Regii]

Originally Posted by Ashdude

I just picked up a Cobalt Black DS last Wednesday and I'm looking for some good RPG's too. Some friends told me that Etrian Odyssey, Children of Mana, Rune Factory, and Puzzle Quest are some good ones.

I currently only own 2 DS games. Final Fantasy III and Izuna.

I already played Etrian Odyssey and Children of Mana, and I think that you can't go wrong with them if you like RPGs, but I think Etrian Odyssey as a Dungeon Crawler is somewhat more specific.

I didn't play Rune Factory and Puzzle Quest though, but I heard both of them should be quite good.


I also really like Dragon Quest Monsters Joker, a little bit like Pokemon but imo much more demanding and fun ^^

[Pocketim]

Originally Posted by Flamin Skull

sorry I dont know any of the pokemon names, only one I know is Charizard cuz I thought that name was cool

You don't even know about Pikachu? That makes me sad

[pdRydia]

Well, there is Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, and I hear good things of Etrian Odyssey. I got a lot of play from my Pokemon Pearl game, and also the dungeon crawler Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. Pokemon games are kinda short and shallow on story, though--they're more heavy on completionism.

I personally had a blast with Puzzle Quest (RPG/puzzle hybrid, obv) & am actually thinking of starting up a new game on my cart. Unless you're dead-set on playing the game on the DS, though, I'd see about getting one of the newer versions--the DS version has bugs and imbalances that were supposedly fixed in, say, the XBLA version or Wii version. Still, it's the buggiest game I loved to death.

GBA has a great big backlog of RPGs. I Lufia: Ruins of Lore.

If you're unaware of the website, rpgamer.com is a good site to browse in search of RPG titles and news.

[Flamin Skull]

Originally Posted by Pocketim

You don't even know about Pikachu? That makes me sad

OHH yeah I forgot all about him... LOL
BTW I got a cobalt blue/black DS and FF3, Madden 05 (7 bucks...) and mario kart DS, also got FF4 Advance... can anybody also recommend GBA RPGs?? GBA games seem to be abudant out here, all gamestops have TONS of GBA games!!

[pdRydia]

Originally Posted by Flamin Skull

BTW I got a cobalt blue/black DS and FF3, Madden 05 (7 bucks...) and mario kart DS, also got FF4 Advance... can anybody also recommend GBA RPGs?? GBA games seem to be abudant out here, all gamestops have TONS of GBA games!!

By the power of Metacritic and Wikipedia combined, I present to you--the top rated RPGs of the GBA! And also convenient links to multiple reviews and various informations, such as release dates, developers and whatnot. Careful, Wiki pages have spoilers in their plot summaries!

• Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance (multiplatform port; action RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link. I had no idea this game existed. It sounds kind of interesting.

• Breath of Fire (SNES port; cRPG) -- reviews link, wiki link
• Breath of Fire II (SNES port; cRPG) -- reviews link, wiki link. I have heard these games end depressingly, all Terranigma-esque.

• Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls (NES port; cRPG) -- reviews link, wiki link
• Final Fantasy 5 Advance (SNES port; cRPG) -- reviews link, wiki link
• Final Fantasy 6 Advance (SNES port; cRPG) -- reviews link, wiki link
• Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (GBA original; tactical RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link. The NES FF was the first RPG I was introduced to, and FF4 was the first RPG I beat. I really like the series. If you aren't so keen on the very old RPGs, you should probably pass on FF 1 & 2: Dawn of Souls--FF1 is pretty good for its age, and Square has certainly had experience remaking it...but it's still an old game in 2008. I was thoroughly unimpressed with FF2, myself (though it's leveling system is delightfully exploitable.) If you like tactical or strategy RPGs, perhaps consider FF Tactics Advance--its DS sequel, FF Tactics A2, has been out in Japan since October and is in the translation process. Also, FF12: Revenant Wings (DS game) takes place in the same world, which is kinda neat.

• Fire Emblem (GBA original; tactical RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link
• Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (GBA original; tactical RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link. I hear good things about this series. Apparently the Fire Emblem series started on the GBA--who knew? (Probably everyone on these forums but me...)

• Golden Sun (GBA original; RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link
• Golden Sun: The Lost Age (GBA original; RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link. I also hear good things about these two games, too. I think these are the only two in the series? I'm thin on the details, really.

• Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town (GBA original; sim-RPG hybrid) -- reviews link, wiki link
• Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town (GBA original; sim-RPG hybrid) -- reviews link, wiki link. There are cows, I hear. Cute ones. I need to try one of these games, though I'll probably start on the VC with the SNES version.

• Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (multiplatform original; action RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link. Don't know much about no Kingdom Hearts.

• Lufia: The Ruins of Lore (GBA original; RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link. I picked this game up on whim at the local GS and it promptly provided me with a timesink for the next several weeks. It's traditional, SNES-era cRPG style without much of anything fancy to it; there is an FF5/FFT-style job system (if you're unfamiliar, this is where you are given the choice to switch the "job" of the character to influence what skills they learn; eventually each character can master all or most skills--very twinky!) There's also a (totally optional) pokemon/DW monsters-esque monster capturing/merging system and an infinitely lootable dungeon you can run through whenever you don't feel like following the plot.

• Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (GBA original; RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link. This is the prequel to the DS game, Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time.

• Mega Man Battle Network (multiplatform original; action RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link
• Mega Man Battle Network 2 (GBA original; action RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link
• Mega Man Battle Network 3: Blue (GBA original; action RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link
• Mega Man Battle Network 3: White (GBA original; action RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link

• Phantasy Star Collection (multiplatform port; cRPG) -- reviews link, wiki link. I have this game but haven't played too much of it. The RPGs are, well, kinda old. I never played them as a kid so I don't have the nostalgia attached to the games or series to pull me through it.

• Pokemon XYZ (GB port, GBA original, DS original...) -- there sure are a lot of these games! I'd suggest either going for one of the DS games--Diamond or Pearl--or one the remakes, LeafGreen or FireRed. LeafGreen and FireRed are remakes of the original Japanese Gameboy PM games; they have the simplest gameplay mechanics while enjoying the more sensible English, better graphics, fixed bugs and more balanced battles that comes with the remake. Diamond and Pearl includes this and then some, with DS-unique features and some amusing pop culture "Easter eggs" here and there. There are a number of gameplay mechanics that can be used as diversions along the way of completing the plot--or they could be seen as obnoxious distractions. I found while playing Pearl that everything made sense once I started playing, but I'm a total completionist, so pokemon is up there with FFT and such games.

• Rebelstar: Tactical Command (GBA original; tactical RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link

• Riviera: The Promised Land (Wonderswan color port; RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link. This game generated a lot of talk on 4chan's /v/.

• Shining Force: Ressurrection of the Dark Dragon (Mega Drive/Genesis port; tactical RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link

• Summon Night: Swordcraft Story (GBA original; action RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link
• Summon Night: Swordcraft Story 2 (GBA original; action RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link

• Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation 2 (GBA original; tactical RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link

• Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (GBA original; tactical RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link. I hear good things about this game. My roommate had a copy of it but I didn't take advantage of the opportunity to play it (too busy with his NES games!) I'm thinking I might hunt down a copy, though.

• Tales of Phantasia (Super Famicom port; cRPG) -- reviews link, wiki link. I have this game and have never played it. I bought it because someone was selling me his GBA SP, GBA accessories and Dawn of Souls with it, shipped, for a very reasonable price, all together. I proceeded to put far too many hours into DoS and then go onto another game...and another game...and another...and really haven't looked into ToP. Don't know if it's any good or not.

• Yggdra Union: We'll Never Fight Alone (multiplatform original; tactical RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link

[SKTTR]

Originally Posted by pdRydia

• Fire Emblem (GBA original; tactical RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link
• Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (GBA original; tactical RPG) -- reviews link, wiki link. I hear good things about this series. Apparently the Fire Emblem series started on the GBA--who knew? (Probably everyone on these forums but me...)

The Fire Emblem games started in Japan on the NES.
The first came out in 1990 and the second in 1992.
Never released outside JP.

Then came a Trilogy on SNES. Also never released outside JP.

The sixth Fire Emblem game was for GBA. Again, JP Only.

But the seventh and eight (Fire Emblem and Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones) for GBA - the ones I quoted - were the first FE games released in the west.

Fire Emblem (Gamecube) was the 9th game.
And Fire Emblem (Wii) is the 10th.

So, JP got 10 FE-games, USA has four games, and Europe soon gets it's fourth game.

[jackaroo]

I recommend any of the megaman battle network games. They are quite unique in terms of the battle system and its alot of fun. Strategy is required to win a battle but if you have fast movements you can win some tough battles with some of the weaker stuff.....But that doesnt mean its easy. Its still hard.

They are on GBA and there is Megaman Battle Network 5 Double Team on DS. They are all pretty good though.

[The shoemaker]

Final Fantasy cristal cronicals ring of fates comes out March 11th. I was looking forward to it, but I read some reviews and it changed my opinion. It still sounds good, but has some flaws the fighting doesn't really get hard, kinda ment for a younger age group, and might get a bit repetitive

[pdRydia]

Originally Posted by SKTTR

The Fire Emblem games started in Japan on the NES.
The first came out in 1990 and the second in 1992.
Never released outside JP.

Then came a Trilogy on SNES. Also never released outside JP.

The sixth Fire Emblem game was for GBA. Again, JP Only.

But the seventh and eight (Fire Emblem and Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones) for GBA - the ones I quoted - were the first FE games released in the west.

Fire Emblem (Gamecube) was the 9th game.
And Fire Emblem (Wii) is the 10th.

So, JP got 10 FE-games, USA has four games, and Europe soon gets it's fourth game.

Oh is that how it goes?

I knew I could count on this forum to show how little I knew.

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

If you want an actual fun RPG that's out on the DS, get Dragon Quest Monsters. Think of Pokemon made better without hundreds of hours of grinding and being challenged by NPCs weaker than you by 20 levels.

This is old fashioned go out and beat up on monsters in the field, but you collect those monsters if you wish. And every type of monster in the game (of which there are hundreds) can be collected and made vastly improved by being on your team. As well as there being a fusion system, combining the monsters you have already caught together with the skills you have taught them to make even stronger monsters with new abilities you can't get with caught monsters (another benefit you can get with Pokemon, but DQM does better and MUCH faster).

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Riddle me this: has anyone here had a chance to play the Front Mission port? I've only played FM3 on the PS1, but I thought it was pretty neat. I like supercustomizable strategy-RPGs like Final Fantasy Tactics, but I've heard the customization in Front Mission DS is a bit more forced (i.e. you have to upgrade everything all the time or you'll die).

[pdRydia]

Speaking of DS RPGs...

Final Fantasy 4 DS has finally gotten a US release date: 22 July 2008.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by pdRydia

Speaking of DS RPGs...

Final Fantasy 4 DS has finally gotten a US release date: 22 July 2008.

At first the gross art style and dubious-quality added story content turned me off. But after getting a little more used to FFIII, and taking the new developments with a grain of salt, I think FFIV DS is going to be just as rockin' as all of the other instances of this game (FFIV being the best old-school FF game—nay, RPG—overall).

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

I've tried FFIV DS. The game is fine. Its overly dramatic with the typical Square drama and yet you're looking at cheesy pre-N64 sprites, but the gameplay is solid (even upgraded from the original game) and really the graphical upgrade is needed to this admittedly dated game with overly dramatic plot and characters.

The major problem is going to be how the voices turn out. As they really focused this game around the dramatic cutscenes and duologue sequences. With heavy voicework. If you have more of the usual cheesy or annoying typical game dubbing, its going to be pointless.

The Japanese voices are over the top dramatic. But that's better than something like Tidus/Yuna from FFX...

[pdRydia]

No matter how good or bad the VA, a large portion of the game's fans won't be pleased anyway. Since they'd have already played it before on the SNES, PSX, GBA, emulator, or a combination thereof, they'll already have an idea of what the characters should sound like--and chances are, the chosen VA's won't match up.

Oh, and of course, there'll be the "But the Japanese VAs are so much better!" contingent. ;]

I think all games with VA should have an option to remove the VA or replace it with a suitable substitute--as has been my opinion since my introduction to the feature in Legend of the Dragoon and later in FFX.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Rydia, I'm pretty sure I've read that the VA in FFIV DS can be turned on/off.

The thing that I'm most intrigued about will be this new skill adoption system. That could make or break this remake for me.

[pdRydia]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

Rydia, I'm pretty sure I've read that the VA in FFIV DS can be turned on/off.

Sweet!

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

The thing that I'm most intrigued about will be this new skill adoption system. That could make or break this remake for me.

Yeah. I'm slightly skeptical but rather interested. I sure wish I could read Japanese! I'd be all over those game reviews.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by pdRydia

Yeah. I'm slightly skeptical but rather interested. I sure wish I could read Japanese! I'd be all over those game reviews.

I've heard decent reviews of the system (well, one, from a friend who has the Japanese version). I don't mind some level of customization (even though part of FFIV's charm is the total lack of customization, and being forced to adapt to the parties the game gives you); I just hope it doesn't make the game too easy.

[pdRydia]

Well, I've never really found FFIV difficult...except, of course, the very first time I played through, on the SNES when I was still aged in the single digits and it was my first RPG. ;] But then, I am a twink.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by pdRydia

Well, I've never really found FFIV difficult...except, of course, the very first time I played through, on the SNES when I was still aged in the single digits and it was my first RPG. ;] But then, I am a twink.

Yeah, but there's a difference between easy and too easy. And if this system essentially means that we'll have more skills at our disposals, then the difficulty is going to have to be tweaked a bit to make up for it. At least, that's what I'm hoping.

[antster1983]

I heartily recommend The World Ends With You. It's a major departure for the RPG genre (with it being set in modern day Tokyo), the control system is unique and fresh, the story has several twists and turns, and the presentation style is modern yet not chavvy.

Definitely worth a purchase

[pdRydia]

I hear good things about that game, and for a Squeenix RPG, it looks amazingly silly. I might just have to pick that up!

-edit-

So I bought the new Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time (partner game: Explorers of Darkness) the other day. I have to say, it's leaps and bounds better than the last game duo. The mechanics are polished up (they improved recruiting, for example) and you're eased into the game mechanics very nicely as the game progresses. The translation is...better. It's good. Not just adequate, but good, without any of the awkward, jumpy stuff the last game had. This probably goes a long way toward helping with the characterization--it's a lot easier to get a feel for the characters in this game than the last. Though it doesn't take itself very seriously, all in all, it's a lot more like an RPG with roguelike features and less like a bad roguelike surrounded by RPG elements.

I'd recommend checking into it through your regular means--reviews, renting, borrow from a friend, whatever. Or, if you know you liked the last game, it's probably a pretty safe bet you'll like this one.

[Mickeymac]

Huh, I guess while it's here I might as well use it.

It's been well over a year now, anyone got any other recommendations?

I guess I'll start:

Contact(DS) - I haven't played this one as much as I should, but so far it's been pretty good. Got a lot of customization, a Final Fantasy 2-style stats and leveling systems, and gameplay and combat reminicent of old-school PC RPGs. The story is pretty charming and quirky, although I was rather disappointed that the Main character doesn't have much personality, nor does he ever interact with you(the game's "hook" is that it's a big fourth-wall breaker, yet it never really capitalizes on it when it should).

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by Mickeymac

Huh, I guess while it's here I might as well use it.

It's been well over a year now, anyone got any other recommendations?

I guess I'll start:

Contact(DS) - I haven't played this one as much as I should, but so far it's been pretty good. Got a lot of customization, a Final Fantasy 2-style stats and leveling systems, and gameplay and combat reminicent of old-school PC RPGs. The story is pretty charming and quirky, although I was rather disappointed that the Main character doesn't have much personality, nor does he ever interact with you(the game's "hook" is that it's a big fourth-wall breaker, yet it never really capitalizes on it when it should).

Yeah, I'm playing this game at the moment and am finding it okay but a bit underwhelming. I was expecting something a little more quirky from a developer like Grasshopper. Its also frustrating that combat is just a matter of standing in front of an enemy and being more powerful than them.

[Mickeymac]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

Yeah, I'm playing this game at the moment and am finding it okay but a bit underwhelming. I was expecting something a little more quirky from a developer like Grasshopper. Its also frustrating that combat is just a matter of standing in front of an enemy and being more powerful than them.

You can move, and it's highly suggested you do. You know, hit & run? It doesn't always help, but for some enemies, like the crabs, you can outrun their attacks and come out of the battle unscathed.

[Refa]

Originally Posted by Shortay

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings and Contact are both good.

Oh, and if you like Pokémon, you obviously can't go wrong with Diamond/Pearl.

Isn't FFXII RW an RTS? Don't flame me if I'm wrong.

Originally Posted by antster1983

I heartily recommend The World Ends With You. It's a major departure for the RPG genre (with it being set in modern day Tokyo), the control system is unique and fresh, the story has several twists and turns, and the presentation style is modern yet not chavvy.

Definitely worth a purchase

He speaks the truth.

BTW, Kingdom Hearts DS is out. A lot of people are raving about it, so it might be worth a check. For some reason, the critics are being harsh on it, considering how much they loved the first 3 (well, at least the first 1).

I recommend the Castlevania games for the DS. And yes, I do believe they are action RPGs. You can level up, collect equipment, get skills, and the like. I don't see why some people refuse to call these games RPGs. RPGs aren't neccesarily games that have a lot of emphasis on the story (or turn based combat).

[Mickeymac]

Originally Posted by Refa

Isn't FFXII RW an RTS? Don't flame me if I'm wrong.




He speaks the truth.

BTW, Kingdom Hearts DS is out. A lot of people are raving about it, so it might be worth a check. For some reason, the critics are being harsh on it, considering how much they loved the first 3 (well, at least the first 1).

I recommend the Castlevania games for the DS. And yes, I do believe they are action RPGs. You can level up, collect equipment, get skills, and the like. I don't see why some people refuse to call these games RPGs. RPGs aren't neccesarily games that have a lot of emphasis on the story (or turn based combat).

Relevent Wings is an RTS/RPG.

And I know that I don't call the DS Castlevanias RPGs because that would be a disgrace to the Castlevania name - Castlevania are, and always will be, hardcore action games in my eyes.

[ChakramStrike]

Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver are coming out next month. If you liked the original Gold and Silver on the GameBoy Color, you'll love this phenomenal remake even more. It'll easily be the best Pokemon RPG yet.

Of course, not everyone's into that. Final Fantasy III is alright when you have time to kill, since there's barely a plot to pay attention to and the job system is easy to follow.

Oh, and you can't go wrong with Mario & Luigi.

[The shoemaker]

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

Favorite DS game.

[Betagam7]

An Awesome one that hasn't been mentioned so far (as technically its not really an RPG despite its Japansese name) is Freshly Picked: Tingle's Rosee Rupeeland.

Easily one of the DS's most unique and best games in my opinion.

If you class Zelda as an RPG then this is a shoe in to get. It's also alot better than Phantom Hourglass in my opinion.

[The shoemaker]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

An Awesome one that hasn't been mentioned so far (as technically its not really an RPG despite its Japansese name) is Freshly Picked: Tingle's Rosee Rupeeland.

Easily one of the DS's most unique and best games in my opinion.

If you class Zelda as an RPG then this is a shoe in to get. It's also alot better than Phantom Hourglass in my opinion.

I wish Tingle was released in NA, it sounds like fun. And any DS gamer should try out Spirit Tracks. That one is my second favorite DS game.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by The shoemaker

I wish Tingle was released in NA, it sounds like fun. And any DS gamer should try out Spirit Tracks. That one is my second favorite DS game.

I believe one of the regulars (Ouenben?) has a stock of them that he's willing to sell to NA forumers at a very reasonable price. It really is worth the investment.

The sequel will be a must get for me when I'm over in Japan if, as looks likely Europe doesn't get it this time.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

I believe one of the regulars (Ouenben?) has a stock of them that he's willing to sell to NA forumers at a very reasonable price. It really is worth the investment.

If he'll ever ship them. I've been eagerly trying to push money into his hands since Christmas.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

If he'll ever ship them. I've been eagerly trying to push money into his hands since Christmas.

Sounds like he should go into business with Refa