The selection of classic games available through Nintendo Switch Online has expanded significantly over the years, but one system that still hasn't made its debut is the Nintendo DS. As the successor to the Game Boy Advance in the handheld market, the DS cultivated a great library with some particularly standout options. Unfortunately, a lot of the best DS games have never made it to any more modern platforms.

Porting DS games can come with inherent challenges, considering the unique dual-screen array and the involvement of features like touch controls or even mic input. All the same, there are plenty that could come to Switch without much trouble, as the number of titles that actually rely on the touchscreen input is fairly small. The best DS candidates for Nintendo Switch Online are games that don't have great replacements on modern platforms and would make the transition to the platform well, offering experiences that can't be found anywhere else.

10 Rhythm Heaven Delivers Memorable Mayhem

The offbeat rhythm game Rhythm Heaven is one game that might seem like it would be challenging to bring over to Switch, as the DS title made use of stylus flicks for some of its frantic gameplay. The 3DS greatest hits title Rhythm Heaven Megamix already set a standard for replacing flicks with simple button presses, however, so a Switch Online version of Rhythm Heaven could do the same thing without too much trouble.

Despite a passionate following and a unique place in the rhythm market, no Rhythm Heaven game has yet made an appearance on the Switch, leaving a gaping hole for the DS entry to fill. Rhythm Heaven Fever would also be a great fit for the platform, but anything would be more than welcome at this point.

9 Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 Reach Franchise Heights

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 are some of the most beloved titles in the Pokémon franchise, but they can be difficult to play today. DS copies have shot up to painful prices in the aftermarket, and the titles haven't yet received remakes like the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pearl updates for earlier DS entries. All the DS games seem like obvious candidates for eventual updates, but sticking them on Switch Online would be a lot better than nothing.

The original Pokémon Black and White releases stood out thanks to strong stories, fast-paced battles, and an interesting world, giving the series the kind of electricity it's been struggling to recapture in recent years. Black 2 and White 2 are direct sequels that add more Pokémon into the mix, making them potentially even more appealing entries. Either option would ultimately be great on the Switch, and getting both would be the dream.

8 Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Deserves To Return

The Castlevania series comprises some of the greatest games of all time, but it's unfortunately been largely dormant in recent years aside from crossovers with other games. Many of the classic titles have been re-released, however, including the three that debuted on the Game Boy Advance. The DS entries haven't been as lucky, which is a huge shame considering their high bar of quality.

As the first of the DS games, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow would make a great addition to Nintendo Switch Online. It's also one of the more manageable Castlevania games in terms of difficulty, making for a great entry point to the series. The gameplay follows the exploration-focused Metroidvania style rather than the original linear approach, and considering how popular this model has become, there's no better time to return to a definitive game in the genre.

7 The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Is Best On DS

Four Swords recently made its way to Nintendo Switch Online through the original The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords as part of the Game Boy Advance library. It's most well-known as one of the few multiplayer-focused Zelda experiences, which have cropped up only occasionally over the years. The DSiWare version Four Swords Anniversary Edition, however, would still be a meaningful addition of its own.

Anniversary Addition adds a single-player mode to the cooperative adventure, which makes it a lot easier to pick up and play the game. The four Links of multiplayer are cut down to two, which can be paired, separated, and swapped between at leisure. It may not be the most significant single-player Zelda experience, but considering the closure of the DSi Shop, it would be nice to have any way to play it today.

6 Animal Crossing: Wild World Has Unique Charms

Animal Crossing isn't suffering the same lack of representation on Nintendo Switch as some other franchises, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the biggest sales success the series has ever seen. That doesn't necessarily make it the definitive Animal Crossing game, however, and there's good reason why the DS entry Animal Crossing: Wild World would be a meaningful addition to the Switch Online library.

While New Horizons has more options than ever for management features like terraforming and a plethora of quality-of-life tweaks, it also leaves behind some unique aspects of the atmosphere and writing in older Animal Crossing games. Wild World's music and mood are hard to beat, and the social simulation might be the best that the series has ever offered, with diverse villager personalities that feel like they've been flattened in the years since.

5 Dragon Quest 9 Is An Expansive RPG

The Dragon Quest series is flourishing on the Nintendo Switch, with Dragon Quest 11 S garnering rave reviews and upcoming "HD-2D" remakes of Dragon Quest 1, 2, and 3. Things aren't as golden for the intervening titles, however, and one notable missing entry is Dragon Quest 9. This DS title follows a character of an angelic race on a journey across the mortal realm, making for an interesting twist on the franchise formula.

Despite being released for a handheld platform, Dragon Quest 9 is a major RPG through-and-through, even paving the way for StreetPass features with its record-setting passive data transfer options. Grabbing an original copy can be pricey today, and unlike the 3DS ports of Dragon Quest 7 and 8, it hasn't yet reappeared on any other platforms.

4 Super Mario 64 DS Adds Some Features

Like Four Swords, Super Mario 64 is already covered in its basic capacity on the Nintendo Switch, in this case through the limited-time Super Mario 3D All-Stars package of several Mario hits. Once again, the limitation comes through the fact that this version simply isn't the be-all and end-all of the Super Mario 64 experience.

Super Mario 64 DS has often been criticized for the struggle of D-pad controls, but it adds a lot to the original game with new stars to collect, characters to play as, and more. Getting to experience that with a proper analog stick on Joy-Cons or a Switch Pro controller would be excellent. Adding Super Mario 64 DS to Switch Online would also be a good way to make Super Mario 64 playable for those without 3D All-Stars while maintaining some form of the exclusivity that Nintendo seems to have prioritized with that release.

3 Professor Layton And The Curious Village Is Iconic

The Professor Layton series of puzzling games is set to return to the Nintendo Switch with Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, and adding Professor Layton and the Curious Village to Nintendo Switch Online would be the perfect way to complement the new release. As the DS title that started it all, Professor Layton and the Curious Village dives into the strange world of St. Mystere to tell a twisty tale of disappearances and conundrums.

Professor Layton and the Curious Village still serves as the best introduction to the series today, setting up the key characters and elements that still define the games in a memorable and efficient way. Few puzzle games come close to offering the rich atmosphere and fantastic variety of challenges that the Professor Layton series does, and the original classic definitely deserves to come back on Nintendo Switch Online.

2 Chrono Trigger Is At Its Best On DS

Chrono Trigger is often considered one of the greatest RPGs of all time, but it doesn't always get the treatment that this status deserves. Various ports of the games have had their share of problems, and although the modern PC version has been significantly improved since its launch, it's still far from perfect.

The DS version, on the other hand, remains a fantastic way to play Chrono Trigger. Efficient load times, a strong translation, and a helping of optional additional content make it a contender for the best version of the game, and DS copies remain especially desirable. Any version of Chrono Trigger on Switch would be nice to get, but adding the DS version to Nintendo Switch Online would be an especially good approach.

1 Mario Kart DS Is Kart Racing Perfection

The best-selling Nintendo Switch game of all time is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, so adding another great entry in the series to the platform would make for a surefire hit. Mario Kart DS still stands out as the best handheld Mario Kart game, with tight mechanics, great courses, and well-balanced items that make it a sheer joy to play.

What would really make Mario Kart DS a worthwhile addition to Nintendo Switch Online is its unique Mission Mode, which offers a more compelling single-player experience than anything Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has to offer. Getting a top score on all the unique challenges can be tough, but mastering each objective is incredibly rewarding. Not every Mario Kart game has aged wonderfully, but Mario Kart DS could easily earn a rightful spot on the Nintendo Switch.