The 10 best DS puzzle games (2008)

Nothing encourages those tired old brain cells to tick over like a good puzzle title and Nintendo's DS has been blessed with more than its fair share of those over the past few years. In fact, the machine is arguably oversubscribed in this particular genre, so to avoid the horrifying spectacle of standing in front of the DS section of your local game emporium with a befuddled expression painted across your face, we've put together a Top 10 of our favourite puzzlers. Why not consult it before making your next impulse purchase – onlookers will admire the confidence of your decision making.

The 10 best DS puzzle games

10. Zoo Keeper Developer: Buddiez Publisher: Ignition Entertainment Released: 2005 One of the first DS titles to appear, Zoo Keeper is a distinctly 'no-frills' affair. Essentially a Bejeweled clone where the coloured gems are subtly replaced by coloured animals, this game would have been quickly forgotten about were it not for the DS's touchscreen controls. As an advert for what stylus-driven control could offer, this was a simple yet brilliant demonstration. Intuitive and almost effortless to play, Zoo Keeper proves that when it comes to a decent puzzle experience, visual trappings are almost inconsequential and control is everything.
9. Actionloop Developer: Mitchell Corporation Publisher: Nintendo Released: 2006 You may already be familiar with Actionloop (Magnetica in the US) thanks to the fact that it has been shamelessly copied many times since its initial inception in 1998 – Zuma is the most notable clone. This DS version is programmed by the creator of the original – Mitchell Corporation – and unsurprisingly retains all the magic that made the coin-op version such a hoot. Actionloop is another solid vindication of the DS's touchscreen and proves once and for all that it can be utilized to make even established game concepts more enjoyable. Flinging balls using the stylus is a real joy and imbues the game with a refreshingly tactile feel – the bundled rumble pack only adds to this impression.
8. Planet Puzzle League Developer: Intelligent Systems Publisher: Nintendo Released: 2007 If you've already consulted our review then you might be wondering why we've include Planet Puzzle League in this top 10. When we assessed it back in June, we were critical of the fact that it didn't exactly bring much in the way of innovation to the table, and while we stand by that opinion there's no denying that the online multiplayer facet is exemplary. True, there are better puzzle games on the DS – almost every other title in this list is superior – but if you intend to indulge in head-to-head action then this (along with Tetris DS) comes highly recommended.
7. Picross DS Developer: Jupiter Publisher: Nintendo Released: 2007 Some puzzle titles look so uninspiring that it's hard to really appreciate their appeal until you actually sit down and play, and Picross definitely falls into this category. As the name suggests, this is essentially a crossword but with pictures, with the aim being to create a complete image by marking the correct boxes. What initially seems like a very slow and laborious task quickly evolves into a pastime that almost borders on the obsessive; the feeling of finally completing a particularly tricky puzzle is immensely gratifying. This is so far detached from the breakneck pace of Meteos and Tetris that it almost seems foolish to class all these titles in the same genre, but if you're after a more intellectually arresting puzzle experience then look no further.
6. Meteos  Developer: Q Entertainment Publisher: Bandai Released: 2005 Produced by legendary ex-Sega staffer Tetsuya Mizuguchi (famous for creating Sega Rally and Rez), Meteos was an early indication of the kind of unique experience that could be produced using the DS's touchscreen interface. At first glance it appears to be your common 'falling block' puzzle title, but the twist here is that you can fling blocks upwards using the stylus, with the overall aim being to group blocks according to their colour. At this point the blocks promptly unleash their latent explosive potential and jettison themselves skywards. If you can form enough of these volatile combinations you can successfully boost an entire formation of blocks off the top of the screen. At times it's somewhat intimidating and relies too much on luck, but it nevertheless remains a thoroughly addictive proposition. Just be sure to avoid the sickly-sweet Disney-branded sequel, though.
5. Slitherlink Developer: Hudson Publisher: Hudson Released: 2006 (Japan) Like Picross, Slitherlink is a puzzle title that doesn't show its hand until you've invested a bit of time in it. The core concept is simple, as our original review explains: "You're presented with a grid of dots, some of which contain the numbers zero, one, two or three. All you need to do is draw a single loop through some of those dots in such a manner that each of the numbers is fenced in on as many sides as their numerical value demands." Out of this deceptively basic framework emerges one of the most compulsive games to ever see the light of day on the DS. We're starting to sound like a stuck record here, but Slitherlink is yet another title that simply wouldn't be as convincing were it on any other piece of hardware; the touchscreen interface is simply perfect.
4. Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords Developer: Engine Software Publisher: D3Publisher Released: 2007 Some combinations just don't work – take running with scissors, for example. However, when genius Australian game creator Steve Fawkner hit upon the idea of fusing the traditional RPG with puzzle-style gameplay, he struck gold. Puzzle Quest neatly avoids the usual pitfall of such titles – repetitiveness – by dressing the action in layers and layers of RPG depth. You can boost your stats, use items and cast spells. There's also an entire world to explore, with captivating sub-quests and detailed interaction with other characters. Granted, the AI is suspiciously good at times and unless you're willing to put the effort in to boost your hero's abilities then you're unlikely to progress that far – but for those of you that are willing to go the distance, purchasing this game essentially guarantees that you won't have a free moment for the next few months. If not longer.
3. Tetris DS Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Released: 2006 Tetris and Nintendo go hand in hand – the original monochrome Game Boy wouldn't have been anywhere near as successful if it hadn't been bundled with everyone's favourite Russian puzzler – so when Nintendo announced that it was updating the title for the DS, fans were understandably excited. Forming lines from falling blocks is just as devilishly compelling as always, but here Nintendo has liberally slapped on layers of additional detail; levels carry a Nintendo theme (with titles such as Super Mario Bros, Metroid and Zelda all making an appearance) and extra play modes help add some variety. However, it's the online multiplayer portion of the game that's likely to grab the lion's share of your time, and such gloriously liberated wi-fi action should finally banish the hellish memories of attempting to organize a link-up game of the original Game Boy Tetris with your mates.
2. Soul Bubbles Developer: Mekensleep Publisher: Eidos Released: 2008 It's a sad fact that some truly engaging games don't find the audience they deserve. Soul Bubbles is a unique game literally bursting (no pun intended) with charm and playability, but it flopped at retail. Your aim is to guide a bubble through each level, avoiding the various traps and pitfalls. It's possible to cut your bubble into smaller ones and even fill it with water to douse fires that impede your progress, and all this results in a game that has a surprisingly amount of depth – even if it can be finished in less than ten hours. Similarities to Sony's sublime PSP title LocoRoco are partially justified, but Soul Bubbles is really unlike anything else out there and couldn't be produced on any other machine than the DS. Hopefully its inclusion here will help it shift a few more copies.
1. N+ Developer: Silverbirch Studios Publisher: Atari Released: 2008 Okay, so this isn't a puzzle game in the strictest sense as it has more in common with action platform titles, such as Tecmo's classic Ninja Gaiden. However, each level in N+ is basically a complex puzzle that has to be taken apart bit by bit in order to succeed. Jumps have to be timed with faultless accuracy and wall-slides often call for pixel-perfect precision. The placement of ramps and enemies is deliberately taxing, forcing the player to 'feel' their way through each level using a combination of gut instinct and good old 'trial and error'. The more methodical puzzle fans out there might wish to note that N+ requires lightening-fast reflexes – more so than most titles of this ilk – but you can be assured that this gem will make your grey matter work overtime as well as exercising your thumbs.