Glow Artisan (DSiWare)

Glow Artisan (DSiWare)
Glow Artisan (DSiWare)
Publisher: Powerhead Games / Developer: Powerhead Games
Release Date: 28th Dec 2009 (USA) / 22nd Oct 2010 (UK/EU)

Once you've got the hang of how Glow Artisan works, you won't want to put it down. It's easy to pick up and play thanks to the handy in-game tutorials and explanations of each new feature as they pop up. The original 100 puzzles will keep you busy for quite a while, and after those trophies are assembled there's still the medals for completionists. If you're just in the mood for more puzzles there's always the "Randomizer Mode" and creating your own puzzles is a snap. If you can find a friend who has downloaded this game — more of an ask these days, granted — the multiplayer mode will have you sharing, racing and handing off puzzles to one another in no time. Glow Artisan is a hard game to explain, but it's definitely a solid choice for any puzzle game fan.

Price: £4.49

WarioWare: Snapped! (DSiWare)

WarioWare: Snapped! (DSiWare)
WarioWare: Snapped! (DSiWare)
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo SPD
Release Date: 5th Apr 2009 (USA) / 3rd Apr 2009 (UK/EU)

Although certainly an inessential entry in the WarioWare canon, you know you'll want it the moment you can't have it, so perhaps best to add it to your library while you can. WarioWare: Snapped! definitely isn't a series high point; it feels more like a tech demo than anything else, and there's no replay value because high scores and full games have been removed, and you have to be content with the fact that there are only 20 microgames to play (instead of the hundreds available in every other WarioWare!).

However, it's still a WarioWare game, however small and disappointing. Hmm. If you've bought everything else on this list and are still hungry for more, perhaps take a look at this.

Price: £4.49 / $4.99

Mighty Milky Way (DSiWare)

Mighty Milky Way (DSiWare)
Mighty Milky Way (DSiWare)
Publisher: WayForward / Developer: WayForward
Release Date: 9th May 2011 (USA) / 27th May 2011 (UK/EU)

Another WayForward joint following the studio's DSiWare debut with Might Flip Champs. It was refreshing to see a developer continue to take chances the way WayForward did, and Mighty Milky Way was yet another shining example of the studio's creativity. It might not be the true Mighty Flip Champs sequel some were hoping for, but it's every bit as addictive and a game absolutely no DSi owner should miss.

Price: £7.19 / $7.99

Inchworm Animation (DSiWare)

Inchworm Animation (DSiWare)
Inchworm Animation (DSiWare)
Publisher: Flat Black Films / Developer: Flat Black Films
Release Date: 25th Apr 2011 (USA) / 26th Apr 2012 (UK/EU)

Much like Flipnote Studio (sadly no longer available), what you get out of Inchworm Animation will depend heavily on what you're willing to put into it. The wealth of powerful animation tools and functions make it even more potent than Flipnote Studio, but with that added functionality comes a slightly higher learning curve if you want to get the most out of the package. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but those who are willing to put in the time to come to grips with the more advanced feature set will be rewarded with an absolutely fantastic animation creation tool for your (3)DS.

Price: £4.49 / $4.99

Soul of Darkness (DSiWare)

Soul of Darkness (DSiWare)
Soul of Darkness (DSiWare)
Publisher: Gameloft
Release Date: 5th Jul 2010 (USA) / 16th Jul 2010 (UK/EU)

If you're going to create a clone of a game, you might as well make sure it's a great one and Gameloftdid just that with Soul of Darkness. Taking many of the enjoyable visual, musical, and gameplay aspects of the DS Castlevania releases, the game moulds together an absolutely terrific platforming experience that's not only extremely playable, but also wildly enjoyable. Sure, it's a bit more condensed and linear than its inspirations, but this helps it function more efficiently as the DSiWare release it is. It goes without saying that if you're even the slightest bit a Castlevania fan, you absolutely won't regret taking this wonderful title for a spin.

Price: £4.49 / $4.99

Art Style: INTERSECT (DSiWare)

Art Style: INTERSECT (DSiWare)
Art Style: INTERSECT (DSiWare)
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Q-Games
Release Date: 16th Nov 2009 (USA) / 2nd Oct 2009 (UK/EU)

Another Q-Games entry in the DSi library, Art Style: Intersect or Digidrive outside Europe) is a masterpiece of addictive puzzling – a potent culmination of the series’ trademark soothing aesthetics and completely frantic and infuriating gameplay. Though not the simplest puzzle game around, once you’ve mastered some of its tricks Art Style Intersect will have you hooked.

Price: £4.49 / $4.99

Maestro! Green Groove (DSiWare)

Maestro! Green Groove (DSiWare)
Maestro! Green Groove (DSiWare)
Publisher: Neko Entertainment
Release Date: 28th Jun 2010 (USA) / 2nd Jul 2010 (UK/EU)

Maestro! Green Groove manages to take two very different gameplay styles and combine them into one of the most unique and enjoyable gaming experiences available on the system to date. Not only is the game extremely playable, it also features some absolutely diabolical challenges in the later levels that should challenge even the most seasoned gamers. Although the game only features one area from the retail release (which never saw release in the US, with only a limited release in Europe), with all of the extra goodies and rampant replay value, you'll more than get your money's worth out of this wildly enjoyable DSiWare release.

Price: £4.49 / $4.99

Pop Plus: Solo (DSiWare)

Pop Plus: Solo (DSiWare)
Pop Plus: Solo (DSiWare)
Publisher: Nnooo
Release Date: 24th Aug 2009 (USA) / 21st Aug 2009 (UK/EU)

For the uninitiated, Pop+: Solo was an enhanced remake of the original game, Pop, which released originally on WiiWare (RIP). The game garnered a reasonable amount of popularity and was widely praised for its simple yet addictive and eloquently executed gameplay. The DSiWare version came with new additions and, of course, touch screen control and is a highly recommended purchase. With heaps of game modes to try your hand at, you’ll find yourself coming back time and time again to better your previous high-scores. This is arguably the best version of Nnooo’s addictive bubble popper and well worth investigating.

Price: £4.49 / $4.99

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition (DSiWare)

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition (DSiWare)
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition (DSiWare)
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Grezzo
Release Date: 28th Sep 2011 (USA) / 28th Sep 2011 (UK/EU)

Okay, we're breaking our own rules here because this one is not available, but we're also hoping that The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition will get a reprieve before it's too late.

You see, this four-player Zelda adventure was originally released to coincide with the series' 25th anniversary but was only available (for free) for a very limited time. It made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it reappearance on the 3DS eShop in 2014 (4 Swords, 4 Free, 4 Days Only!) before going back in the Nintendo Vault.

We'd dearly love to see it made available again in the dying days of the service — a fitting farewell gift to supporters who still treasure their DS. C'mon Nintendo, you know it makes sense.


Hang on, so we're not going to put Shantae: Risky's Revenge on the list — arguably the greatest game ever to come out of DSiWare? Er, well you can get the Director's Cut on Switch now easy enough, but if you have to have the original version, go on and add that in there. You can also play Cave Story various other ways, but that's a good'un, too.

Think we've missed one? Let us know below and we might even add one or two extras.

Further reading: