The Nintendo DS era represents a golden age for Pokemon fans, delivering an unprecedented combination of quantity, quality, and innovation that still resonates with players today. From mainline RPGs that pushed the franchise forward to experimental spin-offs that dared to be different, the DS library contains some of the most beloved—and controversial—games in Pokemon history. Whether you’re a returning trainer looking to revisit old favorites or a newcomer curious about where to start, this comprehensive ranking will guide you through every Pokemon game released for Nintendo’s dual-screen powerhouse.
What Makes the DS Era Special?
Before diving into the rankings, it’s worth understanding why the Nintendo DS Pokemon games hold such a special place in fans’ hearts. Unlike previous generations that primarily focused on core RPG experiences, the DS era embraced experimentation like never before. The system’s unique features—touch screen controls, dual displays, and online connectivity—allowed Game Freak and partner developers to reimagine what Pokemon games could be.
The DS also delivered an impressive five mainline RPG entries (counting paired versions as single releases), each bringing meaningful improvements to the formula. From the physical/special split that revolutionized combat to the introduction of online trading and battling, these games laid the groundwork for modern Pokemon mechanics. Meanwhile, spin-off titles explored genres ranging from strategy to puzzle to racing, creating one of the most diverse Pokemon libraries ever assembled.
The Complete Ranking: Every DS Pokemon Game From Worst to Best
14. Pokemon Dash – Racing Into Oblivion
Released as the DS launch title for the Pokemon franchise, Pokemon Dash represents everything that can go wrong when the Pokemon license is applied to a genre it doesn’t fit. This racing game tasks players with guiding Pikachu and other Generation 3 Pokemon through checkpoint courses using only the touch screen. The concept might sound charming on paper, but the execution is painfully simplistic.
What makes Pokemon Dash particularly disappointing is how it wastes the potential of both the Pokemon brand and the DS hardware. The touch screen controls feel unresponsive, the tracks lack variety, and there’s virtually no progression system to keep players engaged. With a mere two-hour completion time and no meaningful multiplayer features, Dash feels more like a tech demo than a full-fledged game. Even the most die-hard Pokemon fans would struggle to find enjoyment here.
Is it worth playing today? Absolutely not. Pokemon Dash serves as a historical curiosity at best and a frustrating experience at worst. If you’re interested in Pokemon racing games, the much superior Pokemon Dash 2 (released only in Japan) or even modern mobile alternatives would be better investments of your time.
13. Learn With Pokemon: Typing Adventure – Educational Misstep
The Pokemon franchise has never been afraid to experiment with different genres, but Learn With Pokemon: Typing Adventure represents one of the most bizarre departures from the norm. Never officially released in North America, this edutainment title attempts to teach typing skills by having players quickly type Pokemon names as they appear on screen.
While the concept of combining education with Pokemon isn’t inherently bad, Typing Adventure suffers from a fundamental identity crisis. The typing mechanics feel disconnected from Pokemon gameplay, and the educational content is too basic for anyone who already knows how to type. The game’s Japan-only release status also makes it difficult for Western fans to access, requiring either importing or emulation.
Is it worth playing today? Only for the most dedicated Pokemon collectors who want to experience every piece of franchise history. For everyone else, there are countless better typing tutorials available, and plenty of better Pokemon games to play instead.
12. Pokemon Trozei! – Puzzle With Potential
Pokemon Trozei! attempts to translate the Pokemon experience into a puzzle game format, with mixed results. The game challenges players to line up four identical Pokemon icons to clear them from the screen, temporarily reducing the requirement to three matches during bonus periods. While the core puzzle mechanics are functional, they never quite capture the addictive quality of genre classics like Tetris or Pokemon’s own Puzzle League.
What Trozei! does well is its presentation. The Pokemon sprites are charming, and the game includes a surprising amount of content for a puzzle title, including a story mode and various challenge stages. However, the gameplay never evolves enough to maintain long-term interest, and the connection to Pokemon feels superficial at best.
Is it worth playing today? Puzzle game enthusiasts might find some enjoyment here, but most Pokemon fans would be better served by the superior Pokemon Battle Trozei on 3DS. Trozei! remains a decent distraction but hardly essential playing.
11. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team – Humble Beginnings
The Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series has grown into one of Pokemon’s most successful spin-off franchises, but Blue Rescue Team shows that the formula wasn’t fully formed from the start. This dungeon-crawler puts players in the role of a Pokemon who has transformed from a human, teaming up with partner Pokemon to explore randomly generated dungeons and complete rescue missions.
Blue Rescue Team deserves credit for introducing many players to the mystery dungeon genre, and its story about friendship and perseverance has genuine heart. However, the game is held back by repetitive gameplay, limited Pokemon selection, and some questionable design choices. The difficulty curve can also be punishing, with sudden spikes that may frustrate younger players.
Is it worth playing today? More as a historical curiosity than a must-play title. Blue Rescue Team’s concepts would be refined and improved in later entries, making it primarily interesting for series completists who want to see where the Mystery Dungeon phenomenon began.
10. Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs – Running Out of Steam
The third entry in the Pokemon Ranger series, Guardian Signs shows signs of a franchise running out of ideas. While previous Ranger games introduced meaningful innovations, this sequel feels like a step backward. The core gameplay remains the same—using the Capture Styler to befriend Pokemon by drawing circles around them—but the new additions fail to excite.
Guardian Signs does introduce some interesting concepts, such as ridable legendary Pokemon and a time-traveling multiplayer mode. However, these features feel underdeveloped, and the story lacks the urgency of previous entries. The removal of the partner-swapping mechanic from Shadows of Almia is particularly baffling, representing an unnecessary step backward for the series.
Is it worth playing today? Only if you’re committed to playing through the entire Ranger series. Newcomers should start with the original Pokemon Ranger or Shadows of Almia for a better introduction to the spin-off’s unique mechanics.
9. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness & Time – Story Over Substance
Explorers of Darkness & Time represent a significant improvement over Blue Rescue Team, with a more ambitious story and refined gameplay mechanics. These entries follow a similar premise to the first Mystery Dungeon games but expand the scope with a more complex narrative involving time travel and dimensional threats.
The story in Explorers is genuinely engaging, with emotional moments that rival some of the best writing in mainline Pokemon games. The gameplay also sees improvements, with a larger selection of Pokemon and more varied dungeon designs. However, the core mystery dungeon formula remains repetitive, and the games suffer from pacing issues that can make the middle sections feel like a grind.
Is it worth playing today? If you enjoy story-driven RPGs and don’t mind repetitive gameplay, Explorers of Darkness & Time have plenty to offer. However, for the best Mystery Dungeon experience on DS, you’d be better served by the enhanced version…
8. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky – The Definitive DS Dungeon Experience
Explorers of Sky takes everything that worked in Explorers of Darkness & Time and expands upon it, creating the best Mystery Dungeon experience available on Nintendo DS. This enhanced version includes new story chapters, additional playable Pokemon, and quality-of-life improvements that make it the definitive way to experience the Explorers storyline.
What sets Sky apart is its incredible attention to detail and wealth of content. The new “Special Episodes” provide backstory for supporting characters, adding depth to an already rich narrative. Gameplay improvements include better mission variety and more balanced difficulty curves. While the core mystery dungeon mechanics remain repetitive, Sky does the best job of any DS entry in keeping the experience fresh through constant progression and rewards.
Is it worth playing today? Absolutely. For fans of story-driven RPGs or Pokemon spin-offs, Explorers of Sky represents the pinnacle of the Mystery Dungeon series on DS. Its emotional story and improved gameplay make it a standout title that’s well worth your time.
7. Pokemon Ranger – Innovative But Flawed
The original Pokemon Ranger deserves recognition for trying something completely different with the Pokemon license. Instead of catching and training Pokemon, players take on the role of a Pokemon Ranger who temporarily befriends wild Pokemon to help complete missions and maintain peace in the region.
What makes Pokemon Ranger special is its innovative use of the DS touch screen. The Capture Styler mechanic—drawing circles around Pokemon to befriend them—feels fresh and engaging, especially during boss battles against legendary Pokemon. The game also benefits from a charming story and a sense of urgency that many mainline Pokemon games lack.
However, Pokemon Ranger is held back by its simplicity. The capture mechanic, while initially fun, becomes repetitive over time, and the game’s relatively short length leaves little room for advanced strategies. The limited Pokemon selection and lack of post-game content also hurt its longevity.
Is it worth playing today? Yes, primarily as a historical curiosity and for its unique place in Pokemon history. While later entries would refine the formula, the original Pokemon Ranger remains an interesting experiment that’s worth experiencing at least once.
6. Pokemon Diamond & Pearl – Foundation of Modern Pokemon
Pokemon Diamond & Pearl represent a pivotal moment in franchise history, introducing mechanics that would define Pokemon for years to come. The physical/special split—the most significant battle system change since the series began—finally made typing make sense, while online trading and battling through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection brought Pokemon into the modern era of connected gaming.
The Sinnoh region introduced in these games is one of the most visually distinct and well-designed in Pokemon history, with diverse environments ranging from snowy mountains to tropical beaches. The story, while not revolutionary, introduced compelling concepts like the relationship between humans and Pokemon through characters like the enigmatic N.
However, Diamond & Pearl are held back by technical limitations. The games run noticeably slower than their predecessors, with even basic battle animations feeling sluggish. The regional Pokemon distribution is also problematic, with an overabundance of water types and a noticeable lack of fire options.
Is it worth playing today? Only for historical purposes or if you want to experience the original Sinnoh journey. For most players, the superior Pokemon Platinum offers the same core experience with significant improvements.
5. Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia – The Ranger Series at Its Peak
Shadows of Almia represents the high point of the Pokemon Ranger series, refining the original’s concepts while adding meaningful new features. The game expands the capture system with new stylus techniques and introduces the ability to choose from multiple partner Pokemon, adding strategic depth that was missing from the first entry.
What makes Shadows of Almia special is its confidence in its identity. The game fully embraces its action-adventure roots, with exciting set pieces and memorable boss battles against legendary Pokemon. The story is more engaging than its predecessor, and the larger world gives players plenty to explore. The addition of partner Pokemon switching adds a welcome layer of strategy to the capture mechanics.
While still held back by some repetitive elements, Shadows of Almia does the best job of any Ranger game in keeping the experience fresh through varied mission types and environmental puzzles. The game also benefits from a longer runtime and more substantial post-game content than the original.
Is it worth playing today? Definitely. For fans of action-adventure games or Pokemon spin-offs, Shadows of Almia offers a unique and engaging experience that represents the best of the Ranger series.
4. Pokemon Black & White – Bold Reimagining
Pokemon Black & White represent the most radical reinvention of the Pokemon formula since Gold & Silver. Game Freak made the controversial decision to limit players to exclusively new Pokemon until the post-game, forcing longtime fans out of their comfort zones and creating a fresh experience that felt unlike any previous Pokemon game.
The Unova region is a departure from previous Pokemon settings, drawing inspiration from urban American locations rather than Japanese landscapes. This change in scenery is matched by a more mature story that tackles complex themes like the ethics of Pokemon training and the relationship between humans and animals. The introduction of Team Plasma and their charismatic leader N creates some of the most compelling narrative moments in franchise history.
Gameplay improvements include better animated sprites, seasonal changes that affect the world, and the introduction of triple and rotation battles. The games also benefit from improved pacing and a more focused narrative than previous entries.
Is it worth playing today? Absolutely. Black & White’s bold vision and fresh approach make them essential playing for any Pokemon fan. While some of the new Pokemon designs are divisive, the games’ confidence and ambition make them stand out as some of the most interesting entries in the series.
3. Pokemon Platinum – The Definitive Sinnoh Experience
If Diamond & Pearl laid the foundation for modern Pokemon, Platinum perfected it. This enhanced version addresses virtually every complaint about the original games, creating what many fans consider the definitive Pokemon experience on Nintendo DS.
Platinum’s improvements are numerous and meaningful. The game’s notoriously slow speed has been significantly improved, making battles and menu navigation much more responsive. The regional Pokemon distribution has been rebalanced, providing better type variety throughout the journey. New story elements, including the Distortion World and expanded role for Giratina, add depth to the narrative.
What truly sets Platinum apart is its incredible attention to detail and wealth of content. The Battle Frontier returns from Emerald, providing some of the most challenging post-game content in the series. The Underground has been expanded, and new areas like the Survival Area and Resort Area give players plenty to explore. The game also features improved visuals and a more polished presentation than its predecessors.
Is it worth playing today? Without question. Pokemon Platinum represents the pinnacle of traditional Pokemon gameplay on DS, with refined mechanics, engaging content, and near-perfect pacing. It’s not just one of the best Pokemon games on DS—it’s one of the best games in the entire series.
2. Pokemon Black 2 & White 2 – The Ultimate Sequels
Pokemon Black 2 & White 2 break the mold of traditional “third versions” by offering full-fledged sequels rather than simple upgrades. Set two years after the events of Black & White, these games feature new protagonists, expanded locations, and a wealth of improvements that make them the most content-rich Pokemon games on DS.
What makes Black 2 & White 2 special is their confidence in building upon the foundation laid by their predecessors. The Unova region has been expanded with new areas like Aspertia City and Humilau City, while existing locations have been updated to reflect the passage of time. The games feature the largest regional Pokedex of any DS Pokemon game, including Pokemon from all five generations available at the time.
Gameplay improvements include the introduction of Challenge Mode and Easy Mode, the Pokemon World Tournament (which lets players battle gym leaders and champions from previous generations), and improved connectivity features. The story, while not as bold as the original Black & White, still offers compelling moments and satisfying character development.
Is it worth playing today? Absolutely. Black 2 & White 2 represent the peak of Pokemon content on DS, offering hundreds of hours of gameplay and the most robust feature set of any handheld Pokemon game at the time. They’re essential playing for any serious Pokemon fan.
1. Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver – Nostalgia Perfected
Topping our list are Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver, games that represent the perfect blend of nostalgia, innovation, and content. These remakes of the beloved Gold & Silver games don’t just update the classics for modern hardware—they elevate them to create what many fans consider the greatest Pokemon games ever made.
What sets HeartGold & SoulSilver apart is their incredible attention to detail and wealth of features. The games let players explore both the Johto and Kanto regions, effectively offering two complete Pokemon adventures in one package. The following Pokemon feature—allowing players to have their lead Pokemon walk behind them—adds personality and charm that had been missing from the series since Yellow.
The games also benefit from numerous quality-of-life improvements introduced since the original Gold & Silver, including the physical/special split, improved bag organization, and better connectivity features. The Pokewalker accessory, while optional, adds a fun real-world element to the experience.
HeartGold & SoulSilver also feature some of the best presentation in the series, with updated visuals that maintain the charm of the originals while taking advantage of the DS hardware. The soundtrack is exceptional, featuring remixed versions of classic tunes that sound better than ever.
Is it worth playing today? Without a doubt. HeartGold & SoulSilver represent the pinnacle of Pokemon on Nintendo DS, combining the best elements of the series’ history with modern improvements. They’re not just the best Pokemon games on DS—they’re among the best games in the entire franchise, and essential playing for any Pokemon fan.
Why These Games Still Matter Today?
The Nintendo DS Pokemon games represent more than just nostalgic favorites—they’re foundational titles that shaped the franchise’s future. The physical/special split introduced in Diamond & Pearl remains a core part of modern Pokemon battles. The online connectivity features pioneered on DS laid the groundwork for the global trading and battling systems we take for granted today. Even the experimental spin-offs pushed the boundaries of what Pokemon games could be, influencing everything from Pokemon GO to Pokemon Mystery Dungeon on modern systems.
For newcomers to the franchise, the DS era offers a perfect starting point. The games strike an ideal balance between accessibility and depth, with mechanics that feel modern enough to be engaging but not so complex as to be overwhelming. The sheer variety of experiences available—from traditional RPGs to action-adventure games to puzzle titles—means there’s something for every type of player.
Final Thoughts on Every Pokemon Game For The Nintendo DS, Ranked
The Nintendo DS era represents a remarkable period in Pokemon history, defined by both innovation and refinement. From the experimental missteps of Pokemon Dash to the near-perfect execution of HeartGold & SoulSilver, these games show the franchise at its most ambitious and diverse. While not every title is a classic, the DS library contains some of the most beloved and influential Pokemon games ever made.
Whether you’re revisiting old favorites or discovering these games for the first time, the Nintendo DS Pokemon offerings provide hundreds of hours of entertainment and a fascinating look at the evolution of one of gaming’s most enduring franchises. The ranking above should help guide your journey through this remarkable era of Pokemon history.