Pokémon Black and White 2 (DS)

Those who would brush Pokémon Black and White 2 off as "more of the same" are sorely mistaken. On a superficial level the Pokémon games have not changed much, and for good reason; the foundation that was placed way back in Pokémon Red and Blue was solid and engaging.

By adding more around it and tweaking things under the hood for each release the series has grown and evolved far beyond its humble monochromatic origins.

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Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 (DS)

The great thing about Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 is that once the story ends the real fun begins. With an almost limitless number of monster and skill variations, you'll find plenty to do even after the credits roll. Once again, Square Enix has concocted an enjoyable adventure and bundled in a wealth of local and online monster fighting and trading functions for players to sink their teeth into.

While you can't help but wish the adventure mode was designed with a little more ambition, it's difficult to fault given the nearly infinite amount of replay value the tournament aspects bring to the table.

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (DS)

In some ways playing Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon today feels a little bit like going back-to-basics, however, the compelling gameplay, lovely retro artwork, memorable music and beautiful presentation ensures this is still a joy to play and it's definitely a world well worth re-visiting.

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon remains a great game even when put into context alongside its own sequels. Clearly, it's less complex than recent offerings, but this is still a fantastic example of an accessible yet deep turn-based strategy RPG.

Infinite Space (DS)

Infinite Space will provide many, many hours of epic entertainment for anyone with the patience to plumb its greater depths. While the combat is compelling and tense enough to justify the frequent encounters throughout the story, it's the rich, detailed ship buying and modifying component that provides the most satisfying part of the game.

Fooling around with the dozens of weapon and module combinations will provide hours of entertainment by itself. Just don't forget to keep a pen and paper handy.

The Dark Spire (DS)

Inspired by old computer RPGs like Wizardry, The Dark Spire is one of the most unforgiving role-playing titles on the Nintendo DS, and is all the more appealing for it. This isn't a title that will hold your hand and play nice; it delights in killing you over and over again.

While the Etrian Odyssey series (also published by Atlus) took the same first-person, dungeon-crawling approach around the same time, The Dark Spire is arguably the deeper and more challenging experience. If you like your RPGs to be as tough as possible with massive potential for experimentation, then you owe it to yourself to check this little-known gem out.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time (DS)

Far exceeding its DS and GameCube ancestors, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time is a superb game for fans of RPGs as well as anyone eager to explore the unique Wii to DS connectivity offered here.

If you own both consoles, we'd recommend picking up the portable version without a shadow of a doubt; it may be the first time a handheld game has outshone its home console equivalent, and for that is surely worthy of a purchase.

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey (DS)

From its demon collecting and killer combat to its sci-fi South Pole setting, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey is a fantastically engrossing adventure.

This MegaTen title also received an updated 3DS 'Redux' edition which, while more accessible, is usually considered the weaker version. Strange Journey, however, is beloved by fans, and if you've got access to a DS and can find a copy of this, you're in for a treat.

Contact (DS)

Developed by Grasshopper Manufacture and directed by former Square staffer Akira Ueda, Contact is one of the most unique RPG experiences on the Nintendo DS – a fact which has unfortunately led to it being somewhat forgotten when people come to discuss the best examples of the genre on the dual-screen handheld.

The game often breaks the fourth wall by having the player control Terry, a young boy who offers to help "The Professor", who has crash-landed on Terry's planet. There's a disconnect between the player and these two main characters which gives Contact its unique feel, and the fact there's so much to do often makes the experience somewhat daunting. Even so, this is well worth reappraisal.

Knights in the Nightmare (DS)

Let's be clear here: Knights in the Nightmare is a game designed for a very niche audience. It is a game that almost revels in being inaccessible to the average gamer.

By this point I'm sure you've already decided whether Knights In The Nightmare is or isn't for you, but those of you willing to take the challenge will find a beautiful, genre-bending game with near-endless amounts of strategy, customisation and content. Truly, Knights In The Nightmare is a game worthy of the title "hardcore".

Nostalgia (DS)

While Nostalgia never strays too far from the more traditional gameplay elements that have made Japanese RPGs so popular with fans of the genre, it does toss in enough unique design elements to make it stand out from the many other DS RPG titles available. It's honestly difficult to find much to complain about: the real-life locales and fluid story-driven quest offer RPG fans something to really sink their teeth into, and the side quests turn an already epic main quest into an even meatier adventure for those who choose to take them on.

Combine all of this with not only a very well-executed traditional turn-based combat system, but also some extremely enjoyable airship battles, and what you have is easily one of the more refreshing RPG releases to hit the DS system and a game that no RPG fan will want to miss out on.

Solatorobo: Red the Hunter (DS)

Solatorobo: Red the Hunter has been crafted with care and in painstaking detail, incorporating a lengthy, well-written story with engaging battle mechanics and an impressive variety of quest styles. The only negatives are the occasional dips in sound quality, and some gamers may bemoan the relatively low difficulty.

Likewise, if text-heavy Japanese RPGs don’t appeal to you, then this may not be a fit. However, fans of the genre or those seeking an original, enjoyable experience on their DS or 3DS should hesitate no longer; hunt this game down and enjoy.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (DS)

Overall, any fan of the Kingdom Hearts series with a DS should pick up 358/2 Days. The central narrative is easily the series' most emotional, but even though the game recycles a lot of content from the previous games, you'll find a very enjoyable experience overall.

Tons of side missions and playable characters mean you'll be glued to your DS for a long while. And sure, you can watch the story on the 1.5 collection, but the game hits differently if you experience it yourself.

Sands of Destruction (DS)

In the overall scheme of things, Sands of Destruction doesn't tend to deviate too far from many of the traditional gameplay aspects fans of the Japanese RPG genre have come to know and love over the years, yet somehow it still manages to introduce enough new twists into the mix to at least make the game stand out from the crowd.

Sure the game is a bit on the linear side and the toned-down difficulty might prove a tad easy for seasoned RPG fans, but if you can appreciate a well-designed experience, you'll likely find Sands of Destruction right up your alley. What it lacks in originality, it more than makes up for with its unique charm and engaging storyline.