Updated on November 9, 2026, by Mark Sammut: Pokemon was on a hot run during the Nintendo DS era, and I think this is a great time to revisit and celebrate these titles. Except for the ones that were never good, most of these games have aged well and are very easy to play nowadays.

The best Pokemon DS games also happen to be among the best Pokemon games of all time, which in turn means they are among the best games ever. However, the Nintendo DS has way more to offer than just Black & White, Diamond & Pearl, and HeartGold & SoulSilver, as it marked the era when the franchise decided to really dive deep into spin-offs and experiments. Not all of them worked out, but they combine to create the console with the most eclectic selection of Pokemon games.

Whether you are looking for a nostalgic trip or are interested in trying out some DS Pokemon games you originally skipped, this article will cover each and every release during this period. Let's start with the bottom of the barrel and slow climb our way to the cream of the Pokemon crop.

Pokemon Dash is one of the more unremarkable releases for the Nintendo DS, at least in concept. It's essentially a Pokemon-themed racing game, with players being able to race against their favorite Generation 3 creatures such as Torchic, Treecko, and Mudkip.

The graphics and sprites for the game are charming; however, it's weighed down by its repetitive gameplay and the fact that players can only play as Pikachu.

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