For RPG's I'd say:
Final Fantasy Tactics A2 - aka srpg made for the little crowd, Has some decent customization for individual units, around 300 quests in total and it is relatively simple as far as srpg's go.
Bowser's Inside Story - Nothing speaks Crowd pleasing RPG than the Mario&Luigi RPG series. The Reflex mixed turn-based battle system is a breath of fresh air with minigames thrown in for diversions.
Custom Robo Arena - Story is a 40 hour crap-fest, but the Real timed battles and robot customizations themselves more than make up for it. Think of it as a low budget Medabot anime series.

If I were you, I'd be playing the Kirby games since they Fit your description. I'd recommend Super Stars Ultra which is the best of the bunch.

Totally agree! rhythm Heaven is close to my favourite DS game EVER!!!!! Seriously, get it!

So far, here are the games I have in prioritized consideration:

• Animal Crossing- this game will probably cheer me up from exhaustion, and meeting the critters sounds like fun.
• Super Robot Taisen...- it sounds decent and ready to consume my time, but I'm a bit weary of the boob jokes
• Pokemon B/W

The rest except Locke's Quest are in my maybe-list. Solatorobo may be short, but that might be to my advantage by reducing my break time. Bowser's Inside Story looks like a very fun game that warrants an extended playtime beyond break. I fear Partners in Time isn't easy to find. I looked up the trailer for Lock's Quest, and it looks too engaging.

I have Rhythm Heaven. It won't take much of my time, since I already got a perfect on all the games and played all the other mini-games for a while D:

The boob jokes in SRT are pretty regular and rediculous. The localization team definitely had fun making the English script for the game. I don't think any were obscene, but there's a lot of them. It's down-right silly. I personally loved it, although it isn't everyone's cup of tea.
Pokemon B/W is the bestter game RPG-wise in pretty much every department outside of story, diologue and price, but SRT is something that's unlike anything that came to the West. Animal Crossing is a pretty good choice too, as it fits all of your criteria with flying colors.

If you're willing to take a risk, I'd say go for SRT. Pokemon and Animal Crossing are safe bets that will satisfy you, on the other hand.

At first I thought you guys were talking about real Super Robot Taisen games...:sigh:...

Is there anyone who thinks Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood is good? I'm too lazy to see if anyone has recomended but if not I'd say it's a pretty fun Sonic RPG considering it's Canadian and not Japanese made and even though most of Bioware's games are either too sloppy or not enough story/gameplay balance, this one is actually fun.

^I've been meaning to play that game. I see it a lot at Jay St. Maybe I'll pick it up there if the price is reasonable (which it usually is there).

Hello there, i'm new to the DS scene, but I have 3DS since last year... i don't know much from DS library as i'm more familiar with PSP library... may i just ask some help/recommendation/suggestions for some great DS games (with my preferences on types of game)... i might look up for it in some online shop and buy it as "pre-owned" to save me some money...

my preferences on types of games:

*pick-up-and-play, something that can become frantic for long plays like tetris but i already have tetris axis in 3DS... something that is arcadey type with few highscore records... i'm thinking of something that is warioware, i have the ambassador game GBA wario minigames and i love it, are there similar titles like this in DS???

*challenging, as in really challenging platforming games... something like rockman series... as hard as Fractured Soul (eshop)... i'm already thinking of contra 4 (is it great?), which also has 2 old games (nes contra & snes contra correct me if i'm wrong) integrated into the cartridge (i read from a review)... any similar to this kind of games or better than these games??? by the way, i already have NSMB 1, and it's fun to play even just those minigames, but not the challenging difficulty that i'm looking for...

*challenging rhythm games with full music track... much like Theaterhythm (3DS) over Rhythm Thief (3DS)... i think i like the Taiko no Tatsujin 3DS, i've seen some gameplay in youtube and it's pretty challenging but its only in japan, were there any taiko drums series in DS before? is it good? or any better similar type of game?

*and i don't prefer rpg games or strategy turn-based game or something that has heavy storyline... i can tell you why but i think it's not necessary... , if you know some DS games that have a good replayability... a lot of game modes, smart and challenging AIs, something that even if finishing the campaign/story mode, there are still lot of things to do....i;m actually eyeing for metroid prime hunters, i enjoyed kid icarus 3DS so much, so i'm thinking if i may also enjoy playing the metroid prime hunters....

*i also don't like puzzle games, tetris was just an exception...

sorry for wall of text, but i wish that you can help me, thanks!

No problem, the DS has an extensive library so-

i don't prefer rpg games or strategy turn-based game or something that has heavy storyline...

*i also don't like puzzle games,

This is going to be a lot harder than I thought...

Mega Man Zero Collection would be my recommendation. Also nothing wrong with some Metal Slug 7 or maybe even Commando Steel Disaster--they've released an eShop version of that game too with what Nintendo Power called a 'more sane difficulty'. Contra 4 might give you that Fractured Soul fix since you'll need to actively watch both screens--I played it but I can't tell if it has the difficulty you're looking for.

I think you'll ultimately find more of what you want on the 3DS and eShop. For example I would pass on DS Castlevania (I'm not a fan) in lieu of the upcoming Lords of Shadow-Mirror of Fate.

Mega Man Zero Collection would be my recommendation. Also nothing wrong with some Metal Slug 7 or maybe even Commando Steel Disaster--they've released an eShop version of that game too with what Nintendo Power called a 'more sane difficulty'. Contra 4 might give you that Fractured Soul fix since you'll need to actively watch both screens--I played it but I can't tell if it has the difficulty you're looking for.

I think you'll ultimately find more of what you want on the 3DS and eShop. For example I would pass on DS Castlevania (I'm not a fan) in lieu of the upcoming Lords of Shadow-Mirror of Fate.

wow! thanks for those suggestions, i just watched some gameplays of the titles you mentioned, and i'm sure i'm gonna buy the zero collection! and yes i forgot the metal slug series, i loved playing the metal slug anthology in psp so i think i'll also enjoy the metal slug in ds... the commando steel disaster seems really a metal slug clone, but anyway, if i can find a bargain i might buy it... i think i'll also get contra 4 not just solely because of contra 4 but because of the package of contra NES and super contra, i don't have nes so might as well get it from the DS game package...

i see lot of good ratings for castlevania titles in DS, but i've only played a few castlevania titles: the symphony of the night and rondo of blood so i don't know what to expect... but since there's the mirror of fate, might as well just wait for it... in fact, i don't want to buy same franchise in the same handheld gaming console... if i just knew that NSMB2 is coming, i shouldn't bought NSMB1 XD

anyway big thanks for your time in answering my question, really appreciate it

i hope you don't mind asking again a simple question, is there a quick way of checking if the DS cartridge is original or class A(imitations)? or even in their packaging??? i'm afraid i might bought a pre-owned class A DS cartridge...

I wouldn't pass the DS castlevanias just yet, especially with Mirrors of fate getting not so hot impressions. They are the best DS action platformers after Megaman Zero and Contra 4. If you had to choose one though to tide you over for MoF, Order of Ecclesia is the best out of the three DS games and it has the most satisfying Difficulty of all recent CVs. I even think its superior compared to SotN and AoS. Plus the lead Character, Shanoa is one Black magic lady.

EDIT: Just to add a few games...
Rhythm Heaven Is definitely one of the DS' best rhythm game stock full of charm and catchy music. You play the ds on its side and all you need to do is either tap or flick to the rhythm. Since you loved Warioware, you will love this since it is from the same creator not to mention the other unlockable trinkets you earn from getting medals from the stages.

You like games with a pick up and play nature and with decent challenge right, how about Nanostray 2 or Geometry wars? They are two of the DS' best Shmups IMO. Perfect for arcade style play sessions on the go.

@Spanish_Bread Seeing as how you have a 3DS, you'd probably love Cave Story. It's a platformer with some pretty big challenges, and in a lots of areas people consider it to be one of the best games ever made. Get the eShop version though, since it has the most content.
Another game you might like is Henry Hatsworth. It's a platformer combined with a puzzle game, and it works really well. It's also crazy hard. The puzzle elements are about as basic as can be, but you will have to do some stuff there constantly. Maybe look at some reviews?
Bangai-O is a crazy hard shooter with a pick up and play nature. I had a lot of fun with it. It has quite a few levels and its own level editor as well.
Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword is one of those DS games that I really liked. Think Ninja Gaiden on XBOX, but only using the touch screen, and it somehow works. It's not quite as hard, but there's definitely some challenge in it, and it's a very good game.
And yeah, Zero Collection, Contra 4, and Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia are all awesome games with brutal difficulties. I don't think you'll be dissapointed.

As for the class A DS cartridge thing, I've never heard of that before. I can't help you there.

@Onikato - I'm having a hard time looking for rhythm heaven gameplay videos in youtube as i'm always getting search queries from rhythm heaven fever which i think is a Wii game... but luckily i found few videos, and yes i'm totally sold! it looks like a rhythm thief (without story) meets warioware! and it has endless mode for each rhythm type right? well that's a plus for me! i'm always trying to beat my record while playing some warioware in GBA... also, i found the elite beat agents a challenging rhythm game... much like a theaterhythm (3DS game) - EMS mode - much more intense than Ultimate difficulty...
As for shmup, nanostray2 pick more of my interest (saw this one guy doing hard difficulty in stage 1 and it's pretty challenging!!)... i haven't seen much gameplay videos of geometry wars with decent difficulty, but i might try it if i find very cheap copy of the game...
And thanks for suggesting Order of Ecclesia, will watch some of video gameplays and will read reviews tomorrow...sometimes it's intimidating to choose just a single game (due to budget constraints) from a series(like CV games for DS) and all of those series got great reviews lol... i'm actually aware of MoF not getting that much great impressions, some were even mentioning IGA (which i think is a great creator of CV series) wasn't part of it so which means it's not a great CV game... but anyway still looking forward for MoF, hopefully it will be a decent game for 3DS when it release.

@Moo-Moo - thanks for your suggestions!
Bangai-O, is that a japanese game? or it has an american release counterpart? anyway we'll look into that tomorrow for some videos and reviews...
Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword - i assume that's ninja gaiden meets phantom hourglass?? just kidding XD... but the "stylus only" gameplay is intriguing
Henry Hatsworth - i have no idea what to expect with the name of that title, not really familiar... but will look into it also tomorrow thanks for giving some brief description!
as for the Cave Story... one thing that hinders me in buying it is as far as i know it can be played in PC for free... so i don't know XD... i'm actually waiting for some megaman (NES) in eshop and my 3ds prepaid card is already reserved for those megaman goodness XD... but thanks for suggesting, i wish it will be on sale some other time..

class A are similar to fakes and counterfeit copies... while searching for videos in youtube, i tried searching for fake copies and i saw this guy making comparisons... he said original DS games have white letters on the gold pin while the fake ones doesn't have... i just checked my 2 DS games and i'm glad they are both original

Pick-up-and-play: I recommend Warioware: Touched!
Challenging: I can't think of any "challenging" DS games I have played, but Mutant Mudds and VVVVVV should give you that fix on the 3DS eshop.
rhythm game: Can't do any better than Rhythm Heaven!
Other: (even though you don't like turn-based rpgs) Mario & Luigi: Bowsers Inside Story is fantastic! It has really fun gameplay, lol humour and a completely ridiculous story that you will laugh at too!

Well that's what I urge you to get, so I hope this helps!

^^^ Wholeheartedly agree with this. Even if you're not into RPGs, the Mario & Luigi series has a way of "hiding" the hardcore RPG elements behind a wall of sheer fun and funniness, too. It's not a super stat-heavy game like your typical RPG. Mario & Luigi and Pokemon go hand in hand. I'd be quite shocked if you tried and didn't like either series.

I highly recommend Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time! Today (November 28) is the 7th anniversary of its North American release date! It is among my favorite Nintendo DS games. I have wonderful memories playing it. The exploration and battle system is a blast! Also, I love the music!

http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/c6e9969e-692f-47e1-b82a-...

Rhythm Heaven is must!
Also, Warioware DIY is good if you want to make your own microgames.

Assassin's Creed II Discovery is great DS game, highly reccomended. Perfect balance of stealth and combat, and enough stealth kill and counter animations to keep things from getting stale.

Are any of the Code Lyoko games any good?

I highly recommend Kirby: Squeak Squad! Dec. 4 is the sixth anniversary of its North American release. I purchased it then, and I love it! I have wonderful memories playing it. It is very fun, and the music is wonderful.