Best DS Game for a 24hr Flight?

[Blue]

I'm heading to London in November, and despite the fact that I'll have two mates on the plane, along with alcohol, it can't hurt to dust off my DS and buy my first game in over a year.

I don't play it much, and the only game I've put much time into has been Pokemon. I'm thinking that maybe I'll buy an RPG, because with a lot of genres, I find that they're just worse versions of a game I've already become tired of on the old 360.

Maybe I'll get that robot fighting game, you know, the one where you build those robots and fight them.

Any suggestions? Not Chrono Trigger, though.

[Watchers]

I haven't played it yet, but Advance Wars DS? The first two were awesome, so I can only imagine this one is too.

[Lazlow]

Broken Sword Director's Cut.

Though you'll knock it over in 8hrs >_>

[Jay]

Leaves him 16 hours for the drinking. Perfect.

I'd suggest a Professor Layton, but you know the drill with them - you might hate them if they're not your thing. Two mates and three copies of Worms would be pretty good though.

[Nic Xtreme]

Maybe I'll get that robot fighting game, you know, the one where you build those robots and fight them.

Even I thought Custom Robo on DS was shit. Don't go there :/

Pokemon. Oh, wait.

Erm. Final Fantasy Tactics A2 is what I'd play. But that's me...

[ThePhotoshop]

Puzzle Quest

Puzzle Quest

PUZZLE QUEST

[Blue]

I already have Puzzle Quest, Advance Wars and FF: Tactics on GBA and iPhone, and I'm pretty much over all of them. I'd buy Fire Red, if I could find a ****ing copy of it. I could play some pass-the-DS Worms 2, but it's not really the same. I wouldn't even bother with Broken Sword if it's that short. Custom Robo DS is shit, as it turns out.

Professor Layton seems pretty good, but I'm not sure if it's my sort of thing. What about The World Ends With You? I've always been mildly interested in it. Will it last for a little while?

[BB2K]

I'm pretty wrapped up in Scribblenauts still, I only got it this morning but I'm sure the novelty lasts awhile.

[AranchineD]

What about The World Ends With You? I've always been mildly interested in it. Will it last for a little while?

Oh it most certainly will, you can waste a stupid amount of time in that time just doing little side quest things or just listening to the music or whatever, but the main storyline is pretty cool too.

[Dukotoja]

Trauma Center: Under the Knife is both funny and challenging. Might have already played it tho cause its an oldy.

[Starscream]

Advance Wars DS
Layton 1 and/or 2

[JubeiSaotome]

Castlevania - Any of them
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles - Either of them
Contact
Suikoden Tierkreis

[FX-GTZ]

mario and luigi 3: bowsers inside story, nothing else.

[Blue]

I can just see myself playing Trauma Centre, getting hit by some turbulence, and slicing someone's spleen in half. :p

I think TWEWY will be a good option, but I'm just hoping I can find a copy.

My main problem with portable gaming is that I now find myself wishing that I was playing something better, on a console. For some reason, even games that shouldn't suffer due to technical limitations, do. And if it's not that, the game is hampered by the more basic controls available. Worms, for instance, can't hold my attention on DS, because I'm sitting there wishing it had the resolution, options, levels and arsenal that came with World Party, instead of being a pared-down version.

Considering I hardly play my actual consoles anymore, a game has to be very good for me to enjoy it, and unfortunately, Halo, FIFA and Forza don't translate very well to a portable platform, because any racing, shooting or sport game I play just feels like I've gone back in time 10 years.

I wish I had a PSP with Metal Gear: PO and Rock Band on it. That'd keep me entertained. MGS3:SE and Amplitude are such good games.

Pokemon is the one portable game that I can't see being improved upon by a move to consoles, aside from superfluous graphical elements. It's always been the perfect handheld RPG. I wish they'd make a sequel to Pokemon: Trading Card Game. That game was ****ing sweet. And where the **** is Bookworm Adventures on the iPhone? I would play the **** out of that game!

Most of my reservations about handheld games apply to the Wii as well, funnily enough.

EDIT: Mario and Luigi 1 was shit, and it's put me off the rest of the series. So linear and dull compared to Paper Mario.

[Starscream]

24 hour flight? Don't you have a monitor to watch the inflight movies you want to watch?

[AranchineD]

Well Blue, with games like TWEWY and Layton, the thought that 'these could be better on console' probably won't even enter your mind, and certainly not the thought that they would control better on console either.

[Blue]

24 hour flight? Don't you have a monitor to watch the inflight movies you want to watch?Well, yeah … But do I really want to see I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry again? Yes. But that's beside the point.

Anyone just got a copy of Pokemon Fire Red or Leaf Green they'll sell me? Best game of all time.

[lex3191]

gta chinatown wars kept me entertain on a massive flight and bus ride through russia

[Blue]

gta chinatown wars kept me entertain on a massive flight and bus ride through russiaI didn't even finish GTAIV, I was that sick of the formula, so I doubt I'd enjoy it, despite its quality.

Argh, who am I kidding. Portable gaming sucks.

[Jay]

JB has TWETY for $24. I will buy it and mail it to you if you can't find it. My local had three or four today.

[Blue]

JB has TWETY for $24. I will buy it and mail it to you if you can't find it. My local had three or four today.Legend! :D

I'll check around tomorrow, as I'm sure I'll be able to find a copy amongst the many metropolitan Melbourne stores. Where's your store?

[Nic Xtreme]

Oh, if you're a fan of Castlevania, get the three DS games. Gold.

[Jay]

Legend! :D

I'll check around tomorrow, as I'm sure I'll be able to find a copy amongst the many metropolitan Melbourne stores. Where's your store?

The Essendon DFO had it, as did the Maribyrnong store (across the road from Highpoint, not the one in the centre). Let me know how you go and I'll grab it for you if you need it.

[FrozenSoul80]

I know it's been mentioned already, but please consider Professor Layton (preferably Curious Village to start you off). If you enjoy the smug satisfaction of knowing you are smart enough to solve the fiendishly difficult puzzles it likes to throw at you you will love it.

Also the story, characters and music are the best the DS has to offer.

[Blue]

Yeah, cheers Jay, I'll let you know how I go with it.I know it's been mentioned already, but please consider Professor Layton (preferably Curious Village to start you off). If you enjoy the smug satisfaction of knowing you are smart enough to solve the fiendishly difficult puzzles it likes to throw at you you will love it.

Also the story, characters and music are the best the DS has to offer.Man, I already feel that smug satisfaction of knowing I'm smart enough to beat that game, and I haven't even played it yet. :p

But seriously, I'll end up giving it a go too, I reckon. How long is a playthrough, you reckon? Bearing in mind that I'm, y'know, a stone-cold ****ing genius. >_>

[VanAce]

Space Invaders

WarioWare:Touched

[FrozenSoul80]

But seriously, I'll end up giving it a go too, I reckon. How long is a playthrough, you reckon? Bearing in mind that I'm, y'know, a stone-cold ****ing genius. >_>

It took me about 10 hours to complete the main story of Curious Village and probably another 10 after that to do all the puzzles, including the downloadable ones.

[Blue]

Okay, I picked up TWEWY at JB for $24, so that was easy. Cheers for the tip, Jay. It was marked at $47, so if you hadn't told me I wouldn't have known.

I almost went home with a $14.50 copy of FF Chocobo Tales as well. It looks kinda cool. Any good?

[Silverwolf]

Get a Flash Cart.

[Blue]

Funny, the plot of The World Ends With You bears a striking resemblance to certain elements of Scientology. The Noise = Thetans, really.

I also picked up Dragon Quest: Rocket Slime for $14.50, and FF Fables: Chocobo Tales for $10.

So I've just spent $58 on three Square Enix DS games. I guess they just don't sell.

[Lex]

Well, the fgt gamer population is only so big :P

[Blue]

Ha, yeah. But for a kiddie system, I would've thought that kiddie games would sell. Then again, I guess kids wouldn't even know what a Chocobo is, and would sooner get, yes, Barbie's Horse Adventures. I also bought the new Ian Brown album at the same time, so that the chick at the counter didn't think I was a complete fgt.

I also saw Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker there for $15 as well. I'm thinking I might grab that as well, because I know that despite efforts to the contrary, I'll have already played TWEWY by the time I leave, and I'll need all the Squeenix fluff I can get.

The World Ends With You is enjoyable. Jet Set Radio meets Paper Mario. Good stuff.

[AranchineD]

Well, the fgt gamer population is only so big :P

Okay, FF Fables: Chocobo Tales is a game you get for your kids when you really hate how girly and soft they are and you want to man them up. Some of the challenges in that game are just cruel!

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Get Picross

[Blue]

Not a fan of puzzle games like Picross, Lumines and Meteos, really. Peggle, Bookworm and Puzzle Quest are the only three that have really grabbed me. And, of course, Tetris.

Chocobo Tales is awesome, because it is about Chocobos. End of story. Pun intended.

[fearofthesky]

a kiddie system

Have to call you on that one, sport. Kiddie system? Lots of kids games does not equal a kiddie system! On the topic of Pokemon, it saddens me when I see people on the bus playing Pokemon, when there are countless awesome non-Pokemon games on DS! Pokemon games are very playable and are perfect handheld RPG-Lites, but they're really no different to Pokemon Blue, which I finished 11 years ago!

[Blue]

Have to call you on that one, sport. Kiddie system? Lots of kids games does not equal a kiddie system! On the topic of Pokemon, it saddens me when I see people on the bus playing Pokemon, when there are countless awesome non-Pokemon games on DS! Pokemon games are very playable and are perfect handheld RPG-Lites, but they're really no different to Pokemon Blue, which I finished 11 years ago!Sorry, sport, but outside of Japan, the majority of DS owners would be children. The games cater towards this market. The only people I see playing the DS in public are kids 13 and under, and Japanese people. Don't get fooled by ****ing Delta Goodrem, the DS is for kids, and hardcore gamers. Mostly kids. Why is this such a shock or an insult? Nintendo are a company that always have focused, and always will focus, on children. Nintendo is a cartoon company; adults can still enjoy it, but the fact remains, it's mostly for kids.

Sega make Sonic for kids, and Virtua Fighter for adults. Nintendo make Mario for kids, and … Punch Out for adults? Yeah. Look, I just bought ****ing Chocobo Tales, it's a kiddie game, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it. I don't know why Nintendo 'fans' need to get so defensive about the fact that their game company makes games predominantly for kids, as if it's an insult. Some of my best memories as a kid are playing Mario Kart or Smash Bros., but they're not as enthralling as they used to be nowadays, because I've grown out of them.

Pokémon is a kids game. It was designed for kids, and the vast majority of people who play it are kids. It is one of the best RPGs of all time (best series, technically, but they're pretty much the same game). Soul Silver will be the last one I buy, however, until they make some seriously big changes. It is the pinnacle of the series, and will remain so until a proper transition into 3D takes place.

[fearofthesky]

I see people on the bus playing them, constantly! Don't know if you catch public transport, but thats where I see people playing theirs. I love the DS and think its the best thing Nintendo have ever done, because it appeals to (and has games to cater for) every demographic. The kids have brilliant Ninendo games and no so brilliant kidz movie tie-ins, the non-core gamersd have Brain Training et al, and I have TWEWY, Advance Wars, Ouendan, Final Fantasy IV and GTA Chinatown wars! I agree with the part about Pokemon being great, but old hat. Nintendo don't care who they sell to as long as they buy crap-loads of their stuff. They are focusing on the younger generation it seems, but also on the non-core gamers (hence Delta) but not the people who kept them alive through the lean Cube years. Flogging a long dead horse here...

Anyway, didn't mean to come across as a smart-arse. I simply disagree with my favourite console being called 'kiddie' like its some sort of ages 8 and under toy. And that Pokemon is the be all and end of of handheld games. (please note Blue didn't make that point, I did) Try and get your hands on the Ouendan games, if you want something crazy to take your mind off DVT and terrible airline food :D

[AranchineD]

There's a difference between crappy 'kiddy' games, and great 'kiddy' games that adults can enjoy immensely as well, and the DS has the latter in droves.

[Jay]

And the former I'd suggest. But thankfully the latter as well, as you say.

[AranchineD]

Well every console has the first kind of 'kiddy' games really, so I suppose that could go without saying. >_>

[Australian Ninja]

Sorry, sport, but outside of Japan, the majority of DS owners would be children. The games cater towards this market. The only people I see playing the DS in public are kids 13 and under, and Japanese people. Don't get fooled by ****ing Delta Goodrem, the DS is for kids, and hardcore gamers. Mostly kids. Why is this such a shock or an insult? Nintendo are a company that always have focused, and always will focus, on children. Nintendo is a cartoon company; adults can still enjoy it, but the fact remains, it's mostly for kids.

Sega make Sonic for kids, and Virtua Fighter for adults. Nintendo make Mario for kids, and … Punch Out for adults? Yeah. Look, I just bought ****ing Chocobo Tales, it's a kiddie game, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it. I don't know why Nintendo 'fans' need to get so defensive about the fact that their game company makes games predominantly for kids, as if it's an insult. Some of my best memories as a kid are playing Mario Kart or Smash Bros., but they're not as enthralling as they used to be nowadays, because I've grown out of them.

Pokémon is a kids game. It was designed for kids, and the vast majority of people who play it are kids. It is one of the best RPGs of all time (best series, technically, but they're pretty much the same game). Soul Silver will be the last one I buy, however, until they make some seriously big changes. It is the pinnacle of the series, and will remain so until a proper transition into 3D takes place.

You make some good points, and I agree with most of what you said here, but Mario is for kids? News to me. Sure he's a mascot and all but the likes of Mario 64 and Mario Galaxy are clearly not kiddy games, given that people of a wide age range have played them and some of the challenges involved in playing them would be too difficult for most kids

[Richie]

I'm going on a 24 hour flight soon, well more with stop overs and stuff. I'm planning on taking Professor Layton, but I also have an R4 so I won't be restricted to one game. I'm just wondering if its worth bringing my DS or not because I won't use it once I land and I'll have to find a converter for the charger.

[Queenie]

Golden Sun 1 and 2 will be good fun (for the r4).