We already published the list of best DS games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best DS strategy games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the DS definitely has a great library of strategy games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the DS and strategy games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. Luminous Arc 2
- Release Data: Imageepoch/Marvelous Entertainment, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
In this game, the combat feel compact and streamlined, there is no complication whatsoever.
The soundtrack in this game is composed by Yasunori Mitsuda, a quality guaranteed when combined with excellent voice acting.
Luminous Arc 2 is an example of golden age RPG game with its anime-style graphic, beautiful characters and interesting gameplay.
#24. Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour
- Release Data: Konami, 2005
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Card Battle
The monster summoning animation looks gorgeous, thanks to the dual screen.
The adventure mode is pretty challenging as you fight against a wide type of deck and need you to tinker your deck every battle.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour hands down is the best handheld Yu-Gi-Oh experience, perfect for the original series fans to relish some old memory.
#23. Atelier Annie: Alchemists of Sera Island
- Release Data: Gust, 2009
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » General
The quirky dialogues between characters will accompany you along with the story.
And there are seven different endings to the game, which add replayability.
Basically, Atelier Annie: Alchemists of Sera Island is a pleasant surprise in the sea of monotone JRPG games, with its charming lazy girl as the main character.
#22. Drone Tactics
- Release Data: Success, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » General
The graphic is quite impressive as you can watches as your insectoid mech battle it out in the battleground.
To summarize, Drone Tactics is the dumbed down version of Advanced Wars.
The cartoonish theme of insect battle with the light and fun tactical mechanic approach, making this game perfect for casual or kids gamer.
#21. Front Mission
- Release Data: Square Enix, 2007
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
The mission is challenging as you need to cater your mech to the missions ahead, a mech with bad loadout meaning you lose the battle.
Front Mission is an alternative if you like strategy games and robot fighting, and awesome customizable robots with diverse weapon choices is a big yes for a mech RPG strategy game.
#20. Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume
- Release Data: Tri-Ace/Square Enix, 2009
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
In this game, there is no correct way to take on a mission, you can do anything your brain can think off.
Overall, Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume is a real strategy game with levels that are difficult but always doable, and definitely a worthy addition to your DS library.
#19. Robocalypse
- Release Data: Vogster/Tecmo, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
The game design is perfectly designed for DS, maximizing the use of the touch screen.
And the art style is catchy enough to drive your attention to the graphics right from the start.
Robocalypse for sure is a fun game that provides the player with humorous plot and storyline with a straightforward mechanic and game strategy.
#18. Age of Empires: Mythologies
- Release Data: Griptonite Games/THQ, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » General
Following the success of its predecessor, Age of Empires: Mythologies allows players to select from one of the three mythical cultures with their army of mythical creatures.
Overall, Age of Empires: Mythologies offers a unique take on the legendary Age of Empire game, with interesting choice of civilizations, addictive gameplay, and an epic single player mode.
#17. Knights in the Nightmare
- Release Data: Sting, 2009
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
The game looks like a turn based strategy game but it is actually a real-time strategy game, and you control the movement with your stylus.
Overall, Knights in the Nightmare has a deep storyline, eye pleasing graphics and a right mixture of novel game blended with strategy RPG.
#16. Lock’s Quest
- Release Data: 5TH Cell/THQ, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » Defense
Utilize Lock tower, trap, weapon or other defences crafting skill to put an end to this menacing enemy.
Overall, Lock’s Quest is a great tower defense strategy game, and the replayability is there with a different strategy and builds to try to maximize your defense.
#15. Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
- Release Data: Square Enix, 2007
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » Tactics
The gameplay is slow, but it might be an advantage as real time strategy games require precision, and slowed gameplay helps.
Like other FF games, the graphics and music quality are top notch.
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings is a solid game and arguably one of the best RTS game on DS offering a fresh take to play Final Fantasy.
#14. Age of Empires: The Age of Kings
- Release Data: Backbone Entertainment/Majesco, 2006
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » General
The campaign is lengthy and there are tons of replayability value as you try every civilization and playstyle available.
All in all, Age of Empires: The Age of Kings is a brilliant strategy game, although a bit different from the PC version, the DS version still prove to be a solid choice for a DS strategy game.
#13. Worms: Open Warfare 2
- Release Data: Team 17/THQ, 2007
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Artillery
Take some time to learn the ropes of all weapons and watch as you blow your opponents in the face.
And with the humorous antiques and jabbers thrown between worms also make this game feels lighthearted.
Worms: Open Warfare 2 is what Worms game should’ve been all along, addictive and perfectly paced gameplay with tons of customization options.
#12. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2
- Release Data: Atlus, 2012
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
One of the game strongest points is the relatable story and struggle of the protagonist.
And the branching storyline ensures you got different experience every time you replay the game.
Overall, with more content, more demons and more skils, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 is an excellent game if you like the predecessor.
#11. Plants vs. Zombies
- Release Data: TOSE/PopCap, 2011
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » Defense
The premise is simple, it’s your plant protecting your backyard from the zombie horde, and if you think the premise is not interesting, I don’t know what is.
All in all, Plants vs. Zombies is an addictive game with a huge amount of replayability, and the handheld version means you can get some of this game anytime anywhere.
#10. Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
- Release Data: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2009
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon doesn’t offer a revolutionary experience, but it is a highly polished and well-balanced example of strategy gaming.
The series fans may be disappointed at the lack of new features, but this is still one of the strongest turn-based strategy experiences on the DS.
#9. Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
- Release Data: Square Enix, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift offers a surprising amount of depth, as highlighted by its impressive number of quests and skills, real-time area auctions, clan management, and unlockables.
All in all, those enamored with Tactics Advance will likely enjoy it.
#8. Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution
- Release Data: Firaxis Games/2K Games, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » General
Played against human or AI opponents, Civilization Revolution is a great game that will let you plumb different strategic depths each time you play.
It’s incredibly easy to get engrossed in the rhythm of expansion and evolution, and to find yourself happily losing hours and hours at a time.
#7. Ninjatown
- Release Data: Venan Entertainment/SouthPeak Games, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » Defense
Ninjatown is a great game, providing solid, fun gameplay that left you feeling challenged enough to keep playing.
With each battle lasting about ten minutes, this is a perfect title to play in short bursts and makes for an ideal portable title.
#6. Pokemon Conquest
- Release Data: Koei/The Pokemon Company, 2012
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
Pokémon fans should not hesitate to give Conquest a try because it offers a new and different way to enjoy the Pokémon universe.
The same goes for strategy fans, or those looking to get into the genre.
All in all, it easily stands as one of the greatest, most fully realized Pokémon spinoffs in existence.
#5. Dawn of Discovery
- Release Data: Keen Games/Ubisoft, 2009
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
Dawn of Discovery for the Nintendo DS is without a doubt a high-quality game, one strategy fans should certainly lend some of their valuable attention.
The Story Mode alone is worth a play through, and the Continuous Play mode offers one of the more rewarding DS strategy experiences.
#4. Disgaea DS
- Release Data: Nippon Ichi Software/NIS Europe, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
There is very little to recommend this game to one who has already drawn full pleasure from Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness. It’s the same game, plus four bonus characters.
Newcomers and those who’ve only scratched the surface of the original Disgaea are advised to check this one out.
#3. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor
- Release Data: Atlus, 2009
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor is a thoroughly enjoyable role-playing game with a ton of atmosphere and style.
If you’re looking for a riveting portable adventure, then look no further: Devil Survivor will take over your life and leave you begging for more.
#2. Advance Wars: Days of Ruin
- Release Data: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
It may have undergone a slight facelift, but this is the same old Advance Wars you know and love.
Fans of the series will find Days of Ruin to be the perfect sequel, but those who don’t enjoy the slow pace and steep difficulty curve won’t find anything new to tempt them.
#1. Advance Wars: Dual Strike
- Release Data: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2005
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
In short, Dual Strike somehow succeeds at making a well-worn formula as fresh and exciting as ever.
Those who haven’t yet played an Advance Wars game shouldn’t hesitate to start with this one, while the series’ dedicated fans will find that there’s lots of great, new stuff here to play around with.
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See also: Best GameCube Games & Best Wii Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which DS strategy game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
