RPG List for the Nintendo DS (dsrpgs)

[Daria]

Other Topics You May Enjoy:
RPG List for the PS2 (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73673)
RPG List for the PS3 (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125565)
RPG List for the Xbox 360 (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123589)
RPG List for the PSP (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126374)
RPG List for the Wii (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=129111)

***************** TABLE OF CONTENTS *****************

1. MAIN LIST - Sorted by Genre
1a. Turn Based RPGs
1b. Real Time RPGs
1c. Tactical RPGs
1d. Simulation RPGs
1e. Non-RPG RPG Spin-offs
1f. Mystery Dungeon RPGs
1g. Not Yet Categorized
1e. Upcoming Releases

2. SPECIAL EDITIONS
2a. System Bundles
2b. Deluxe Packaging w/ Extra Content
2c. Regular Packaging w/ Extra Content
2d. Preorder Bonuses
2e. Dual Covers
2f. Stylus

***************** MAIN LIST *****************

- Total: 133

Traditional/Turn-Based RPGs - Total: 44 - Amazon Listmania! (http://www.amazon.com/Traditional-DS-RPGs/lm/R20R2QUGPBI5KV/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_full)
Atelier Annie: Alchemists of Sera Island - dev.Gust, pub. NIS, 10/27/09
Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled - dev. Studio Archcraft, pub. Graffiti Entertainment, 06/09/09
Blue Dragon Plus - dev. Feelplus & Brownie Brown, pub. Ignition Entertainment, 02/24/09
Chrono Trigger - dev. Square Enix, pub. Square Enix, 11/25/08
Code Lyoko - dev. DC Studios, pub. Game Factory, 03/17/07
Code Lyoko: Fall of X.A.N.A. - dev. DC Studios, pub. Game Factory, 06/20/08
Dark Spire - dev. Success, pub. ATLUS, 04/14/09
Di-Gata Defenders dev. Mistic Software, pub. Game Factory, 09/15/08
Digimon World Dawn - dev. BEC, pub. Namco Bandai, 09/18/07
Digimon World DS - dev. Bandai, pub. Namco Bandai, 11/14/06
Digimon World Dusk - dev. BEC, pub. Namco Bandai, 09/18/07
Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans - dev. Monolith Software, pub. Namco Bandai, 11/10/09
Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen - dev. ArtePiazza, pub. Square Enix, 09/16/08
Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride - dev. ArtePiazza, pub. Square Enix, 02/17/09
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker - dev. TOSE, pub. Square Enix, 11/06/07
Etrian Odyssey - dev. Atlus & Lancarse, pub. Atlus, 05/15/07
Etrian Odyssey II : Heroes of Lagaard - dev. Atlus & Lancarse, pub. Atlus, 06/17/08
Final Fantasy III - dev. Matrix Software, pub. Square Enix, 11/14/06
Final Fantasy IV - dev. Matrix Software, pub. Square Enix, 07/22/08
Fossil League: Dino Tournament Championship - dev. MTO, pub. D3 Publisher, 1/16/07
Foto Showdown - dev. Konami, pub. Konami, 03/09/10
Glory of Heracles - dev.PAON, pub. Nintendo, 01/18/10
InuYasha: Secret Of The Divine Jewel - dev. Frontier Developments, pub. Namco Bandai, 01/23/07
Lunar Dragon Song - dev. Game Arts, pub. Ubisoft, 09/27/05
Magical Starsign - dev. Brownie Brown, pub. Nintendo, 10/23/06
Master of the Monster Lair - dev. Global A Entertainment, pub. Atlus, 10/21/08
Naruto: Path of the Ninja - dev. TOSE, pub. TOMY, 10/23/07
Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2 - dev. TOSE, pub. TOMY, 10/14/08
Mazes Of Fate - dev. Sabarasa Entertainment, pub. Graffiti Entertainment, 08/22/08
Nostalgia - dev. Ignition Entertainment, pub. Matrix Software, 10/23/09
Orcs & Elves - dev. Id Software, pub. Electronic Arts, 11/13/07
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief - dev. Griptonite Games, pub. Activision, 02/09/10
Pokemon Diamond - dev. Game Freak, pub. Nintendo, 04/22/07
Pokemon HeartGold - dev. Game Freak, pub. Nintendo, 03/14/2010
Pokemon Pearl - dev. Game Freak, pub. Nintendo, 04/22/07
Pokemon Platinum - dev. Game Freak, pub. Nintendo, 03/22/09
Pokemon SoulSilver - dev. Game Freak, pub. Nintendo, 03/14/2010
Retro Game Challenge - dev. Namco Bandai, pub. XSeed Games, 02/10/09
Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure - dev. Nippon Ichi Software, pub. NIS America, 09/23/08
Sands of Destruction - dev.ImageEpoc, pub. SEGA, 01/12/10
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey - dev. ATLUS, pub. ATLUS, 03/23/10
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood - dev. BioWare, pub. SEGA, 09/30/08
Suikoden: Tierkreis - dev Konami, pub. Konami, 03/17/09
Witch's Tale - dev. Hit Maker Co., pub. NIS, 10/6/09
The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road - dev.Media.Vision, pub. XSeed Games, 10/1/09

Real Time/Action RPGs- Total: 40 - Amazon Listmania! (http://www.amazon.com/Action-RPGs-on-the-Nintendo-DS/lm/R7UUIZC8N7S6U/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_title_full)
Avalon Code - dev. Matrix Software, pub. XSeed Games, 03/10/09
Away: Shuffle Dungeon - dev. Artoon, pub. Majesco, 10/29/08
Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow - dev. tri-Crescendo and Bird Studios (Mistwalker), pub. D3 Publisher, 05/18/10
Children of Mana - dev. NEX Entertainment, pub. Square Enix, 10/30/06
Contact - dev. Grasshopper Manufacture, pub. Atlus, 10/17/06
Deep Labyrinth - dev. Interactive Brains, pub. Atlus, 08/15/06
Dungeon Explorer: Warriors Of Ancient Arts - dev. Hudson Soft, pub. Hudson Soft, 02/12/08
Dragon Ball Origins - dev. Namco Bandai, pub. Atari, 11/04/08
Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero dev. pub. Konami, 01/6/09
Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain - dev. Big Blue Bubble, pub. Aspyr, 11/24/09
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time - dev. Square Enix Production Team 2, pub. Square Enix, 03/24/09
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates - dev. Square Enix, pub. Square Enix, 03/11/08
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupee Land - European Exclusive - dev. Vanpool, pub. Nintendo, 09/14/07EU
From The Abyss - dev. Sonic Powered, pub. Aksys Games, 08/26/08
Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days - dev. h.a.n.d. Inc., pub. Square Enix, 09/28/09
[b]Legacy of Ys Books I & II - dev. Falcom, pub. Atlus, 02/24/09
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, The - dev. Nintendo EAD Software Group No. 3, pub. Nintendo, 10/01/07
Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks - dev. Nintendo EAD Software Group No. 3, pub. Nintendo, 12/7/09
Lock's Quest - dev. 5th Cell, pub. THQ, 09/08/08
Lost Magic - dev. Taito, pub. Ubisoft, 04/25/06
Lunar Knights - dev. Kojima Productions, pub. Konami, 02/06/07
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story - dev. AlphaDream, pub. Nintendo, 09/15/09
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time - dev. AlphaDream, pub. Nintendo, 11/28/05
Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team DS - dev. Capcom Production Studio 2, pub. Capcom, 11/01/05
Mega Man Star Force Dragon - dev. Capcom Production Studio 2, pub. Capcom, 08/07/07
Mega Man Star Force Leo - dev. Capcom Production Studio 2, pub. Capcom, 08/07/07
Mega Man Star Force Pegasus - dev. Capcom Production Studio 2, pub. Capcom, 08/07/07
Mega Man Star Force 2: Zerker X Saurian - dev. Capcom Production Studio 2, pub. Capcom, 06/24/08
Mega Man Star Force 2: Zerker X Ninja - dev. Capcom Production Studio 2, pub. Capcom, 06/24/08
Mega Man Star Force 3: Red Joker - dev. Capcom Production Studio 2, pub. Capcom, 06/30/09
My World, My Way - dev. Global A Entertainment, pub. Atlus, 02/??/09
Phantasy Star 0[b] - dev. SEGA, pub. SEGA, 11/10/10
[b]Pokemon Ranger - dev. HAL Laboratory, pub. Nintendo, 10/30/06
Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia dev. Creatures, pub. Nintendo, 11/10/08
Ragnarok DS dev. Gravity Corporation, pub. XSeed Games, 2/16/10
Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon - dev. Neverland, pub. Natsume, 08/14/07
Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon - dev. Neverland, pub. Natsume, 11/18/08
Steal Princess - dev. Marvelous, pub. Atlus, 05/19/09
Summon Night: Twin Age - dev. Banpresto, pub. Atlus, 06/03/08
World Ends With You, The - dev. Square Enix & Jupiter, pub. Square Enix, 04/22/08

Tactical RPGs - Total: 17 - Amazon Listmania! (http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/R2A12OO4OQV1TL/ref=cm_pdp_lm_title_1)
Bleach: The 3rd Phantom - dev.Tom Create, pub. SEGA, 09/15/09
Disgaea DS - dev. Nippon Ichi Software, pub. NIS America, 09/23/08
Drone Tactics - dev. Success, pub. Atlus, 05/13/08
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift - dev. Square Enix Production Team 9, pub. Square Enix, 06/24/08
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon - dev. Intelligent Systems, pub. Nintendo, 02/16/09
Front Mission - dev. Square Enix Production Team 6, pub. Square Enix, 10/23/07
Hero's Saga Laevatein Tactics - dev. GungHo Online Entertainment, pub. Aksys Games, 10/15/09
Hoshigami Remix: Ruining Blue Earth - dev. Arc System Works, pub. Aksys Games, 06/26/07
Knights in the Nightmare - dev. Sting, pub. Atlus, 06/02/09
Luminous Arc - dev. Image Epoch, pub. Atlus, 08/14/07
Luminous Arc 2 - dev. Image Epoch, pub. Atlus, 11/18/08
Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes dev. Capybara Games, pub. Ubisoft, 12/01/09
Rondo of Swords - dev. Success, pub. Atlus, 04/15/08
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor - dev. Atlus, Pub. Atlus, 06/23/09
Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier - dev. Banpresto, Monolith Soft, pub. Atlus, 04/28/09
Spectral Force Genesis - dev. Idea Factory, pub. Ignition Entertainment, 11/16/09
Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume - dev. Tri-Ace, pub. Square Enix, 03/17/09

Simulation RPGs - Total: 12 - Amazon Listmania! (http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/R205MHUSEGFTVN/ref=cm_lm_pthnk_view?ie=UTF8&lm_bb=)
Animal Crossing: Wild World - dev. ???, pub. Nintendo, ??/??/??
Harvest Moon DS - dev. Marvelous Interactive, pub. Natsume, 09/12/06
Harvest Moon DS Cute - dev. Marvelous Interactive, pub. Natsume, 03/25/08
Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness - dev. Marvelous Interactive, pub. Natsume, 08/26/08
Harvest Moon: Sunshine Island - dev. Marvelous Interactive, pub. Natsume, 11/10/09
Infinite Space - dev. PlatinumGames, pub. SEGA, 3/16/10
John Deere: Harvest in the Heartland Review - dev. Black Lantern Studios, pub. Destineer, 11/20/07
Lost In Blue - dev. Konami, pub. Konami, 09/27/05
Lost In Blue 2 - dev. Konami, pub. Konami, 03/20/07
Lost In Blue 3 - dev. Konami, pub. Konami, 03/18/08
Magician's Quest: Mysterious Times dev. Konami, pub. Konami, 05/05/09
River King Mystic Valley - dev. Marvelous Interactive, pub. Natsume, 04/22/08

Non-RPG RPG Spin-offs - Total: 4
Dragon Quest Heros: Rocket Slime - dev. TOSE, pub. Square Enix, 09/19/06 :eek 2: (text.htm)
Final Fantasy: Chocobo Tales - dev. H.A.N.D. pub. Square Enix, 04/03/07
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings - dev. Think & Feel, pub. Square Enix, 11/20/07
Heroes of Mana - dev. Brownie Brown, pub. Square Enix, 08/14/07

Mystery Dungeon - Total: 8 - Amazon Listmania! (http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/R2K18FDWI4QYBJ/ref=cm_lm_pthnk_view?ie=UTF8&lm_bb=)
Izuna: The Unemployed Ninja - dev. Ninja Studio, pub. Atlus, 02/20/07
Izuna 2 : The Unemployed Ninja Returns - dev. Ninja Studio, pub. Atlus, 07/22/08
Mystery Dungeon Shiren the Wanderer - dev. Chunsoft, pub. SEGA, 03/03/08
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Blue Rescue Team - dev. Chunsoft, pub. Nintendo, 09/18/06
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness - dev. Chunsoft, pub. Nintendo, 04/20/08
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time - dev. Chunsoft, pub. Nintendo, 04/20/08
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorer's of Sky - dev. Chunsoft, pub. Nintendo, 10/15/09
Tao's Adventure: Curse of the Demon Seal - dev. Konami, pub. Konami, 04/21/06

Uncategorized RPGs - Total: 9
Dokapon Journey - dev. Sting, pub. Atlus, 04/14/09
Monster Lab - dev. Backbone Entertainment, pub. Eidos Interactive, 11/04/08
Spectrobes - dev. Jupiter, pub. Disney Interactive Studios, 03/13/07
Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals - dev. Jupiter, pub. Disney Interactive Studios, 10/07/08
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords - dev. 1st Playable Productions, pub. D3 Publisher, 03/20/07
Puzzle Chronicles - dev. Infinite Interactive, pub. Konami, 04/21/10
Puzzle Quest: Galactrix - dev. 1st Playable Productions, pub. D3 Publisher, 02/24/09
Mage Knight: Destiny's Soldier - dev. Big Blue Bubble, pub. Namco Bandai, 09/26/06
Monster Racers - dev. UFO Interactive, pub. KOEI, 05/11/10


~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Upcoming Releases

Puzzle Quest 2 - 06/22/10 (http://www.puzzle-quest.com/)
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies - 07/11/10 (http://ds.ign.com/objects/849/849436.html)
Dawn of Heroes - August 2010 (http://www.wickedstudios.com/dawnofheroes/")
GoldenSun DS - TBA 2010 (http://kotaku.com/5275803/golden-sun-ds-coming-in-2010)
Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie - TBA
Princess and Knight - Vaporware? (http://www.blueside.co.kr/ENG/)




***************** SPECIAL EDITIONS *****************

System Bundles
Animal Crossing: Wild World - Blue DS Original Bundle
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass - Gold DS Light Bundle
Pokemon: Mystery Dungeon - Black DS Lite Bundle [w/ Carrying Case & DVD Cartoon (Game Not Included)]

Deluxe Packaging w/ Extra Content
Dark Spire [w/ Cardboard Box & Soundtrack CD]
Knights in the Nightmare [w/ Cardboard Box & Soundtrack CD]
Legacy of Ys: Books I & II [w/ Cardboard Box & Soundtrack CD]
Luminous Arc II [w/ Cardboard Box & Soundtrack CD]
Pokémon: Diamond [w/ Oversized Cardboard Box & DS Pouch]
Pokémon: Heart Gold [Oversized Cardboard Box w/ PokéWalker]
Pokémon: Pearl [w/ Oversized Cardboard Box & DS Pouch]
Pokémon: Soul Silver [Oversized Cardboard Box w/ PokéWalker]
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey [w/ Cardboard Box & Soundtrack CD]
Super Robot Taisen: OG Saga Endless Frontier [w/ Cardboard Box & Soundtrack CD]

Regular Packaging w/ Extra Content
Chrono Trigger [w/ poster as indicated by front cover sticker]

Preorder Bonuses
Harvest Moon: DS - Dog Plush
Harvest Moon: DS Cute - Black Cat Plush
Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness - Chicken Plush
Harvest Moon: Rune Factory 2 - Squirrel Plush
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass - Gold Feather Stylus
Luminous Arc II - Art Book
Pokemon: Platinum - Giratina Origin Forme figurine
Sonic: Chronicles of the Dark Brotherhood - Stylus 3-Pack & DS Skin

Dual-Sided Covers
Izuna 2: Return of the Unemployed Ninja [Includes a 3rd cover printed on "rice paper"]

Stylus
Disgaea (http://www.wizzywig.com/xcart/catalog/Dragon-Quest-DS-Stylus-Set-p-47609.html']Dragon Quest[/URL] - Smile Slime Two pack [w/ Slime face at one end, in blue & orange] - IMPORT
[url="http://www.rosenqueen.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=249) - Prinny Touch Pen
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass - Gold Feather
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass - Assorted Item pens in orange or green
Pokemon - Character Pens by Pelican (http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-Pokemon-Character-Stylus-N7349/dp/B0019FJBAK/ref=sr_1_44?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1235694497&sr=8-44) - Pikachu, Chimchar, Turtwig, Piplup [standing on a pokeball]
Sonic: Chronicles of the Dark Brotherhood - Red/Knuckles, Blue/Sonic, Black/Shade

[carlcarlson]

FF Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates is the only one I see right now. I would also take off Zelda, but that's a whole other thread.

[poloplayr]

Daria, check your PMs :)

[namzep]

Lost Magic (loosely an RPG)

[Daria]

Daria, check your PMs :)

Japanese games? 5 PMs?


Why do you hate me? :/


And crap I knew I forgot Lost Magic. I always think of that when when I see Tao's Adventure. Similar covers or something.

[Daria]

FF Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates is the only one I see right now. I would also take off Zelda, but that's a whole other thread.

We'll break off into a questionable/borderline category later. But I'm defiantly in the Zelda for RPG camp.

[PapaStu]

I'll go through all my games tonight and post any if I see missing.

Off the top of my head you're missing

Away: Shuffle Dungeon
Spectrobes / Spectrobes Collectors Edition
Pokemon Ranger

[lendelin]

Daria, very nice, great list! I think we should have more genre lists like this. They are indeed very useful.

While the online rarity database is a fantastic tool (!) that requires a lot of work with updates, lists like this can contain more detailed information, are not as restricted, and give a great overview of games. Ideal for a collector's website.

I'm a notorious anti-handheld gamer, don't have a DS...but looking at the list with these games makes me sad and a bit angry. Why is traditional 2D gaming with such great games relegated to handhelds? (not to mention the Castlevanias for the DS and PSP) Maybe I have to jump and buy a DS anyway.

If Nintendo releases the equivalent of the Gamecube Player (got it for the Zeldas, Castlevanias and Metroids) I'd buy it in a minute.

I know you regard Zelda as a RPG with good reasoning but since it is not commonly regarded as such and there are good reasons for it as well, I think the Zelda games would be ideal to put them in a future borderline category...but this is up to you. :) It would just make for less surprises looking at the list because most gamers don't associate a RPG with Zelda.

...and do yourself a favor and restrict yourself for the time being to US releases. Japanese releases would open floodgates! Lots of work, in particular to get detailed information about them when the list necessarily will branch out and gets more detailed.

[Daria]

...and do yourself a favor and restrict yourself for the time being to US releases. Japanese releases would open floodgates! Lots of work, in particular to get detailed information about them when the list necessarily will branch out and gets more detailed.

Don't worry I couldn't care less about Japanese games. :P

[PapaStu]

Stuff i've got that 'I' think should be on your list.

Digimon World DS (if you put Pokemon in, this should be there)
Digimon World Dawn (if you put Pokemon in, this should be there)
Digimon World Dusk (if you put Pokemon in, this should be there)
Drone Tactics (if you put in FF Tactics A2, this should be there)
Dungeon Warrior: Warriors Of Ancient Arts
Front Mission (if you put in FF Tactics A2, this should be there)
InuYasha: Secret Of The Divine Jewel
Mage Knight: Destiny's Soldier
Pokemon Ranger
River King Mystic Valley (if you put Harvest Moon in, this should be there)
Spectrobes
Spectrobes Collectors Edition


Less sure on what your definition of these are, but a case can be made for them

Lost In Blue
Lost In Blue 2
Lost In Blue 3
Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team DS
Mega Man Star Force Dragon
Mega Man Star Force Leo
Mega Man Star Force Pegasus
Mega Man Star Force 2: Zerker X Saurian
Mega Man Star Force 2: Zerker X Ninja

[koster]

Dungeon Explorer: Warriors Of Ancient Arts
Fixed. :)

[slip81]

doesn't Sonic Rush Adventure have RPG elements in it?

Also I'm with you Daria, Zelda should be on the list. It's a realt time RPG, I'm still not sure why people have such a problem calling Zelda an RPG.

[bcks007]

I would say NO experience points, thats why, I myself wouldn't call it a rpg.

[Nate Nanjo]

I would say NO experience points, thats why, I myself wouldn't call it a rpg.

Yea, I consider it more of an adventure or action adventure game.

[Press_Start]

There's so much I have to buy! :puppydogeyes:

Nice list, Daria. Don't forget about the Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, Dawn of Sorrow, and Blade of Ecclasia.

BTW, if you want an Adventure AND RPG? Try Final Fantasy Adventure on the Gameboy. :D

[slip81]

I would say NO experience points, thats why, I myself wouldn't call it a rpg.

do xp alone make an rpg though? after all, Link can level up by acquiring more hearts and upgrade his weapons and armor.

[PapaStu]

Fixed. :)


Erm yeah.... I typed that list up kinda late, it won't help my case that I was holding the game in my hand as I typed it up too.


I don't personally see the Castlevania's as RPG's (yes they do have EXP) they to me are Action/Adventure ala Brave Fencer Musashi and Dragon Valor. But all in all this list is going to be a bit subjective no matter who makes it.

[Lady Jaye]

DQ Heroes: Rocket Slime shouldn't be on the list. It's really part action-adventure, part RTS (via the tank fights). I don't see any RPG elements in it, despite it being derivated from Dragon Quest.

[Trebuken]

I was having enough trouble complete a PS2 RPG collection...this is a horrible thread :)

Thanks.

Nothing to add I'm afraid, everything I have is on the list...

[lendelin]

Daria, I love the genre categorization as 1. a useful tool to clarify which games should be on the list, 2. for laters as an additional list to an alphabetical one. Great.

..and the non-rpg spin-off category is very smart from a RPGamers view. (Sometimes I have the view of an an accountant) I might add such a category to the PS2 list. (Dirge of Cerberus)

I looked at pics of Dragon Quest IV today...wonderful! (Damn you developers to put such games just on handheld systems)

...and I'm just amazed about the number of RPGs for the DS!

[Daria]

There... categorized and PapaStu's suggestion added. There are a few games that I can't tell how the battle system works from the gameplay videos on YouTube so some anecdotal accounts would be appreciated.

Simulation RPGs have their own category so if you're if-y about calling a game without a battle system an RPG then you can mentally delete the who group.

The Mega man Star games look fucking weird. Like real time tactical.

[Kid Fenris]

You can add Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume (http://na.square-enix.com/vpcp/) to the upcoming list. It's a tactical RPG, and it ships on March 17, 2009.

[PapaStu]

There... categorized and PapaStu's suggestion added. There are a few games that I can't tell how the battle system works from the gameplay videos on YouTube so some anecdotal accounts would be appreciated.

Simulation RPGs have their own category so if you're if-y about calling a game without a battle system an RPG then you can mentally delete the who group.

The Mega man Star games look fucking weird. Like real time tactical.

The Starforce games play just like the BattleNet games do. You run about on a level, get drawn into random battles and then you fight in real time on a fixed battlefield. You run with a 'deck' of attacks ect and you can use them (well some, there are rules about how to use them I won't get into here) against the enemies on the other side of the field. While waiting for those card attacks you can do standard attacks with your Buster to whittle down their health, while dodging their attacks. Sometimes when they die they drop cards that you can add to your main deck. Thats the basics of the game.

starting to get a bit stale now that its basically at Battle Net 7. But I digress.

[Daria]

The Starforce games play just like the BattleNet games do. You run about on a level, get drawn into random battles and then you fight in real time on a fixed battlefield. You run with a 'deck' of attacks ect and you can use them (well some, there are rules about how to use them I won't get into here) against the enemies on the other side of the field. While waiting for those card attacks you can do standard attacks with your Buster to whittle down their health, while dodging their attacks. Sometimes when they die they drop cards that you can add to your main deck. Thats the basics of the game.

starting to get a bit stale now that its basically at Battle Net 7. But I digress.

Are the Battlenetwork games real time? From the video it looked like the action paused, you queued you attacks then watched everything play out.

[neist]

A note on Orcs and Elves. The game isn't quite real-time, though it would depend on what your definition of what an action RPG is.

Combat works very similar to a mysterious dungeon game. You take an action, then everyone else takes an action. Repeat over and over. If you watch video of the game it appears to be in real time just because people are playing it fast.

I'm not sure if you want to make that sort of distinction or not, but I thought I'd mention it. :)

Also, would you like to include any upcoming titles? I could probably make a fairly decent list of those, if you wanted.

[namzep]

Heroes of Mana is sort of borderline but is usually listed as being an RPG.

[Daria]

A note on Orcs and Elves. The game isn't quite real-time, though it would depend on what your definition of what an action RPG is.

Combat works very similar to a mysterious dungeon game. You take an action, then everyone else takes an action. Repeat over and over. If you watch video of the game it appears to be in real time just because people are playing it fast.


Thanks, yeah the videos made it look Elder Scroll-ish which it...isn't.

Moving to turn-based.

Heroes of Mana moved to Non-RPG RPG Spin-off since it's an RTS.

[PapaStu]

Are the Battlenetwork games real time? From the video it looked like the action paused, you queued you attacks then watched everything play out.

Save for the one moment where you call up the screen to select chips, yes. Calling up the chip screen freezes game play while you make the decision to either pick chips, or wait and get to see an additional 5 after another charge session (which is like 5-8 seconds, whole point of the battle is to beat them as fast as possible to get the better/rarer versions of the chips.

[Daria]

Save for the one moment where you call up the screen to select chips, yes. Calling up the chip screen freezes game play while you make the decision to either pick chips, or wait and get to see an additional 5 after another charge session (which is like 5-8 seconds, whole point of the battle is to beat them as fast as possible to get the better/rarer versions of the chips.

Are chips your attacks? Or are they specials?

[PapaStu]

Are chips your attacks? Or are they specials?

Both. They are attack/health/defensive moves depending on what chips you've got. You can attack w/o ever using a chip, but as you get farther and farther into the game that little buster takes longer and longer to polish off a baddie alone and the whole point of the game is to use the darn things.

[Press_Start]

I don't personally see the Castlevania's as RPG's (yes they do have EXP) they to me are Action/Adventure ala Brave Fencer Musashi and Dragon Valor. But all in all this list is going to be a bit subjective no matter who makes it.

Come on, no love for Drac?

You do play as a party. Evidently shown in Portrait of Ruin as your team is a so-called "vampire killer" and a sorceress able to pull off combination attacks. Dawn of Sorrow has this (to an extent) in Julius Mode.

The World Ends With You - Surprised no one has vouched for TWEWY as many on here has praised the game as a great hit (even had its own thread when it was released).

[carlcarlson]

The World Ends With You - Surprised no one has vouched for TWEWY as many on here has praised the game as a great hit (even had its own thread when it was released).

It's already on the list.

[PapaStu]

Come on, no love for Drac?

You do play as a party. Evidently shown in Portrait of Ruin as your team is a so-called "vampire killer" and a sorceress able to pull off combination attacks. Dawn of Sorrow has this (to an extent) in Julius Mode.

The World Ends With You - Surprised no one has vouched for TWEWY as many on here has praised the game as a great hit (even had its own thread when it was released).


Oh I love me the DS Castlevanias. I'm just not really sure if one would claim them as RPG's is all.

Oh and clarifying a point on Mega Man, everything is real time, you push the buttons to attack, you move about the grid on your own to attack and dodge enemies, its not automatic in the slightest. It only freezes action when you call up the chips for selection.

[Daria]

Oh and clarifying a point on Mega Man, everything is real time, you push the buttons to attack, you move about the grid on your own to attack and dodge enemies, its not automatic in the slightest. It only freezes action when you call up the chips for selection.

I'll move them all to action.

Press_Start: What kind of Battle System does TWEWY use?

[Press_Start]

It's already on the list.

Oh yeah! Now I see it under...."not categorized?" :?

Daria: I believe TWEWY has a system similar to Xenogears combat system. Wish I could go more into specifics but its finals week over here and I should be cramming for upcoming finals and projects. I'm sure many on here can shine some light on the subject.

[Daria]

Oh yeah! Now I see it under...."not categorized?" :?

I've never played it. I don't know what kind of battle system it uses and couldn't deduce enough information from videos.

[PapaStu]

Don't know why I didn't think of these earlier, but Izuna and Izuna 2 should probably be in there somewhere.

[Daria]

Don't know why I didn't think of these earlier, but Izuna and Izuna 2 should probably be in there somewhere.

They are. :P

[Overbite]

The Izuna games would fit better under the mysterious dungeon category and not action rpg because they're not action rpgs, more of a dungeon crawl like nethack or dwarf fortress.

[Daria]

The Izuna games would fit better under the mysterious dungeon category and not action rpg because they're not action rpgs, more of a dungeon crawl like nethack or dwarf fortress.

That was my initial impression of the game, but then doubted myself based on videos. (I only own like 10 DS RPGs at the moment). Thanks!

[Skelix]

From my experience on Orcs & Elves its very "Eye of Beholder"-ish.

I know this is just lists of RPG's. But being a RPG master, any chance you could asterick like must have RPG's?

Time is limited, RPG's are never ending :)

[lendelin]

Great job! Developers, publishers, release dates, nicely done!!

Did you enjoy looking up all the data? :) The nicest thing: you learn a lot doing it, in particular how difficult developers are structured with all the subsidiaries, seperations, mergers, parent companies, it's a capitalistic mess....and you get a nice overview of the developers, publsihers, and the game series.

I think most people don't realize that you invested some serious time doing it. Probably around 5 hours with typing and cutting and pasting it into the post from files. Thanks! This list makes me want a DS. (btw, Suikoden Tierkreis got an excellent, enthusiastic preview from IGN)

[Daria]

Great job! Developers, publishers, release dates, nicely done!!

Did you enjoy looking up all the data? :) The nicest thing: you learn a lot doing it, in particular how difficult developers are structured with all the subsidiaries, seperations, mergers, parent companies, it's a capitalistic mess....and you get a nice overview of the developers, publsihers, and the game series.

I think most people don't realize that you invested some serious time doing it. Probably around 5 hours with typing and cutting and pasting it into the post from files. Thanks! This list makes me want a DS. (btw, Suikoden Tierkreis got an excellent, enthusiastic preview from IGN)

I already had a good idea that Big Developers such as Square Enix, and Nintendo were made out of smaller divisions of developers, and that they also contracted out to independent companies such as Brownie Brown and Camelot. So any time I saw either company blanket listed as developer I knew further digging was required.

But yeah I love research. It's fun in a totally geeked-out nerdy way.

It's also fun piecing together a developers history. Such as Climax Entertainment, they made Shining in the Darkness, Co-developed Shining Force with Camelot, began planning Shining Rouge, transformed that project into LandStalker when they fell out with Camelot. Later the team disbanded and reformed as Matrix Software who developed Alundra, and are now making Final Fantasy handheld remakes for Square. Weird.

Or that Jupiter Software, who developed TWEWY also made all those Spectrobe games for Disney.

[neist]

I already had a good idea that Big Developers such as Square Enix, and Nintendo were made out of smaller divisions of developers, and that they also contracted out to independent companies such as Brownie Brown and Camelot. So any time I saw either company blanket listed as developer I knew further digging was required.

But yeah I love research. It's fun in a totally geeked-out nerdy way.

It's also fun piecing together a developers history. Such as Climax Entertainment, they made Shining in the Darkness, Co-developed Shining Force with Camelot, began planning Shining Rouge, transformed that project into LandStalker when they fell out with Camelot. Later the team disbanded and reformed as Matrix Software who developed Alundra, and are now making Final Fantasy handheld remakes for Square. Weird.

Or that Jupiter Software, who developed TWEWY also made all those Spectrobe games for Disney.

This is slightly off topic, but I can completely understand why you enjoy the research. I've spent quite a few hours now compiling a multi-directional shooter master list, and learning about a genre or subset of games in its entirety is very satisfying. Maybe that list will even be finished some day. LOL

Such work is appreciated though, so this is my token "I appreciate what you're doing" post. It's hard work, and if someone doesn't compile the information, it may be lost. So good work! :)

[TonyTheTiger]

Oh I love me the DS Castlevanias. I'm just not really sure if one would claim them as RPG's is all.

Agreed. They're Metroid clones with experience points. Genre categories are notoriously vague so it's always a losing battle to try to draw those solid lines but I do believe that there should be at least some quantifiable difference between them. Sometimes new genres or subgenres pop up out of thin air. Prior to Street Fighter II games like Karate Champ were categorized as action games.

I think a helpful exercise is to imagine the least ambiguous title in a genre and then ask "How much does the game in question differ from this one?" So if you don't know whether a game qualifies as a platformer, compare it to Super Mario Bros. I have no problem with people calling Zelda an RPG, for instance. But if it is an RPG then so is Metroid. They essentially have the exact same gameplay/growth style. The only difference is the camera angle. And I don't think that camera angle is significant enough to place them in separate genres. And of course if experience points are enough to put Castlevania in the RPG category then Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is also an RPG despite effectively being a modern Streets of Rage.

[chicnstu]

Since Harvest Moon is on the Simulation list, what about Animal Crossing: Wild World?

[lendelin]

Since you included Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, here is a new entry for the 'not yet released' category. The link is to IGN, just copy and paste:

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix - Q1 2009 (http://ds.ign.com/objects/899/899343.html)

[lendelin]

Daria, to use for every second title a grey font is a great idea and smart because it's easier on the eyes and optical navigation is better; however, if someone doesn't use the default black background (white) or tries to print the lists (try printable version in thread tools), then the titles in grey are hardly readible. Maybe you can use a much darker grey.

Now, if you change it back and use white, then the titles in white are not readible at all. In this case I just copied and pasted from my WordPerfect file the titles anew in there (didn't know better-maybe you can figure out the default color setting).

Just to let you know before you change the other titles to a grey font.

[Gabriel]

I know I've said in the past that the games like Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin are not RPGs. But, having now played it to completion, I certainly don't see how anyone could say it wasn't a action RPG. So, I firmly believe it should be in the list of Action RPGs.

There is also no doubt that Puzzle Quest belongs in the turn based RPG category. It's combat resolution is, roughly speaking, Bejeweled, but it's definitely an RPG in every measure.

Unless Mage Knight includes the Dungeon expansion heroes, there's not much rationale for calling it an RPG any more than any boardgame.

[lendelin]

Today I got the new GameInformer, and there was a review of Cradle of Rome.

Seems to be in the same category as Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, that means it falls into the puzzle/RPG hybrid category which probably end up as borderline.

Here are two links to IGN: GameData (http://ds.ign.com/objects/142/14264895.html) HandsOn (http://ds.ign.com/articles/921/921257p1.html)

[Daria]

Added Elebits as an uncategorized RPG, Dragon Ball Origins as an Action RPG, and Blue Dragon was added to the upcoming games list.

[badinsults]

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings is not what I would consider to be a traditional RPG. It is more of a real time strategy game.

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Here's a complete list of upcoming games via www.rpgamer.com


My World, My Way 02.03.2009
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon 2.16.2009
Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride 02.17.2009
Puzzle Quest: Galactrix No Release
Blue Dragon Plus 02.24.2009
Legacy of Ys: Books I & II 02.24.2009
Avalon Code 03.10.2009
The Dark Spire 03.10.2009
Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled 03.17.2009
Suikoden Tierkreis 03.17.2009
Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume 03.17.2009
Pokemon Platinum 03.22.2009
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time 03.24.2009
Little Magician's Magic Adventure 05.05.2009
Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days 08.31.2009
Infinite Space TBA
Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie TBA
Princess and Knight TBA

Some of which have been already listed but others not

[Daria]

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings is not what I would consider to be a traditional RPG. It is more of a real time strategy game.

Would you say it's an action RPG, or a non-RPG spinoff like Heroes of Mana (another RTS)?

[Daria]

Retro Game Challenge has a built in Dragon Warrior clone. Have no idea how complete a game it is though. Something to keep an eye on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V1rFNFqebA

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

points to his previouis post

[Gameguy]

Fossil League: Dino Tournament Championship is an RPG. Only reason I know is because I managed to find a copy cheap, it's like Pokemon.

[Daria]

points to his previouis post

I see it, thank you. :P

Just haven't dug through it yet.

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Lunar dragon Song isnt on the list

[Wolfrider31]

What about the Naruto RPGs?

[Daria]

Added New Releases:

My World, My Way - ARPG
Retro Video Game Challenge - Traditional RPG (for it's inclusion of Guadia Quest)
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon - SRPG

And a ton of ATLUS upcoming releases.

[Daria]

I added a new "feature". Next to each genre category you'll find a link called "Amazon Listmania!" clicking on of these will take you to a corresponding list on Amazon with current prices. I find they generally have good deals on newer games, and would find this sort of instant information useful for myself.

Added:
Narotu: Path of the Ninja
Narotu: Path of the Ninja 2
Fossil League

Thanks Gameguy & Wolfrider!

[Daria]

points to his previouis post

New releases updated... late... but updated and reorganized by date. Thanks! :P

[Nirvana]

This is definitely a great reference for me, considering I am getting a DS soon.

[Daria]

Glad you like it. (:

Added some Special Edition Information. Could use some help with the preorder & Stylus sections.

Ys, Blue Dragon, and Galactix all came out today.

[Daria]

I was at Gamestop tonight, looking at box covers when I discovered that Code Lyko looks like a really craptastic RPG, but an RPG never the less. It's been added to the list.

[Daria]

Avalon Code and the Dark Spire were released yesterday. And holy crap... Avalon code was made by Matrix Software, the company responsible for Alundra. And Dark Spire just looks fucking amazing. Has this sin city/graphic novel aesthetic going on.

[PapaStu]

Dark Spire was pushed back to 4/14.

The only stuff thats getting released this week is Avalon Code and Docomodake Boing!.

[Daria]

God dammit. Fixing that now. Thanks.

[lendelin]

Great Amazon listmania lists and great categories of the OP! Compliments!

[shopkins]

Daria, this is a great list. I just got a DS and am trying to track down all the good RPGs for it, so I'm sure it will be very helpful to me.

[Daria]

Holy crap John Deere made a Harvest Moon clone.

[Daria]

Added:
Suikoden: Tierkreis
Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume
Pokemon Platinum
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time
Magician's Quest: Mysterious Times (Formally "Little Magician's Magic Adventure")

Pushed back the dates for:
Black Sigil (April 14th)
Dark Spire (April 14th)

Announced:
Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

[rainking187]

Does anyone have any pictures of the Pokemon Diamond and Pearl boxsets? I started looking around the internet for them after seeing them listed here, but I can't really find pics of them.

[Daria]

I don't have Pearl, but I snapped a few shots of Diamond. Hope it helps.

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/378/photo44w.jpg
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/3803/photo45.jpg

[PapaStu]

Magician's Quest: Mysterous Times doesn't come out till May 5th.

[Daria]

There, now Dark Spire's out.

[Daria]

Updated with a huge backlog of releases.

Dokapon Journey - Uncatagorized (I don't know if I want to make a new catagory for one game, Board Game RPG)
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor - Tactical RPG (Although this is a hybrid, your units play out their battles in a first person turn based mode ala Dragon Quest)
Steal Princess - Action RPG
Super Robot Wars - Tactical RPG
Knights in the Knightmare - Tactical RPG
Black Sigil - Turn Based
Mega Man Star Force 3: Red Joker - Action RPG

[Daria]

Added upcoming games:

GoldenSun DS
Witch's Tale
Glory of Heracles
Mario & Luigi Bowser's Inside Story
Atelier Annie
Ragnarok Online DS
Nostalgia
Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road
Sands of Destruction

Updated release dates, and changed the color of the catagory to blue so you can find the section easily.

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story - September 14 2009
Nostalgia - September 15 2009
Bleach 3rd Phantom - September 15 2009
Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days - September 29 2009
Hero's Saga Laevatein Tactics - September 29 2009
Witch's Tale - October 6 2009
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorer's of Sky - October 15 2009
Atelier Annie - October 2009
The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road - Fall 2009

All have been released

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Upcoming releases

Nintendo DS
Ragnarok DS 02.16.2010
Dawn of Heroes 03.02.2010
Pokémon Heart Gold / Soul Silver 03.14.2010
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey 03.23.2010
Foto Showdown Q1.2010
Puzzle Quest 2 Q2.2010
Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie TBA
Princess and Knight TBA
Golden Sun DS TBA TBA
WiZmans World TBA
Digimon Story: Lost Evolution TBA

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Releases since last post by me


Harvest Moon: Sunshine Island 11.10.2009
Phantasy Star Zero 11.10.2009
Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans 11.10.2009
Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain 11.25.2009
Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes 12.01.2009
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks 12.07.2009
Sands of Destruction 01.12.2010
Glory of Heracles 01.18.2010

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Mid quarter update

Upcoming Games
Dawn of Heroes 03.23.2010
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey 03.23.2010
Puzzle Quest 2 Q2.2010
Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie TBA
Princess and Knight TBA
Golden Sun DS TBA
WiZmans World TBA
Digimon Story: Lost Evolution TBA

Released Games
Puzzle Chronicles 02.02.2010
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief 02.09.2010
Ragnarok DS 02.16.2010
Foto Showdown 03.09.2010
Pokémon Heart Gold / Soul Silver 03.14.2010
Infinite Space 03.16.2010

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Oh Daria I've been updating for as long as I can but I cant edit the first page only you can

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

SMT Strange Journey and Dawn of Heroes are out

Daria will you edit Post #1?

[boozie]

Are there any multiplayer (Co-op progression) rpgs out on the DS that are any good?

[kupomogli]

I'm sure Papa Stu or GAC will edit the first post if you send them an updated list?


Are there any multiplayer (Co-op progression) rpgs out on the DS that are any good?

Are there any cooperative DS RPGs at all anyways? I know there are multiplayer ones, but I'm not sure if any are coop.

Maybe Children of Mana as I think it's coop, but I've heard it wasn't any good. Looks good(atleast graphically,) but I've honestly never tried it. Sword of Mana on the GBA wasn't as fun as the game it remade or any of the other ones but it wasn't as bad game. As long as Children as Mana is atleast as good as that then I'd say it's atleast a little above average.

[ScourDX]

Here is a game that slip under the radar

Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain 11/23/09

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

I got that listed in my January post

[boozie]

So can all parties involved "save" thier multiplayer children of mana game and pick it up later? (together)

[boozie]

I was wondering if someone could help explain on the multiplayer works for games like Final Fantasy CC Echoes of Time where co-op is allowed. The 2 main things I don't completely understand are how the saving works and what all is saved when the game is saved (if I'm playing with a couple friends and I'm hosting and we save it and come back and play later will we be able to continue with everything we had before we saved).

Is the game feasible to play from start to finish in sessions with friends only?

[Daria]

Okay. List edit.


Coming SOON!

Edit: Thanks to Chainsaw Charlie for keeping up with the releases.

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Blue Dragon Awakened Shadow and Monster racers are out

[Daria]

Update Complete.

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

DQ 9 and PQ 2 are out

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar
Dawn of Heroes
Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light
Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals

Have been released

[Shingetter]

The links in the first post don't work anymore (for me anyway) now that the server moved, just an fyi.

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Rune Factory 3
Golden Sun: Dark Dawn

[Swamperon]

Pokemon Black and White have been confirmed for a March 6th release in NA.

And Radiant Historia has been announced for a NA release.

[Junkyrdsalesman]

This list is in dire need of resurrection, so I'm going to dig up this grave in hopes of an updated list. Here are a few things to be added...

SMT: Devil Survivor 2
Radiant Historia (Came with outerbox and soundtrack)
Pokemon Black and White 2 have been announced as well, pretty sure that will be for NA but not positive
Kingdom hearts Re:coded
Rune Factory 3
Lufia Curse of the Sinstrals

[Daria]

Wow, it's over a year out of date.

Yeeeaaah... should probably update this.