The ten best DS games of 2007 (so far)

It's already been a busy year when it comes to DS releases. We've reviewed around 50 games, but with the promise of at least 80 still to come before 2007 is complete, we thought the mid-summer break might provide an appropriate breathing space to consider which games we believe to be the best, so far.

Of course, we could have constructed such a list using purely mechanical means, such as ranking the games in descending score order. Instead, we've taken the time to ponder their staying power over the months since their release. That's why you might find some games listed higher than their review score might otherwise suggest. But, feel free to query our selection, as well as point out any games you think we've missed – and your reasons why – in our comments section. Top 10 DS games of 2007 (so far)

Magical Starsign Developer: Brownie Brown Publisher: Nintendo Six young magic students on a planet-hopping quest to find their teacher, who's disappeared in mysterious circumstance, might seem a bit Final Fantasy-lite in comparison with some of the epic plot-based role-playing games available on DS. Magical Starsign maximises its charms, however, with a stylus-based movement system, as well as a neat celestial alignment-based element spell mechanic that brings something new to RPGs.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo A world of clockwork mini-Marios for you to direct, Lemmings-style, to direct through dozens of stages of bewildering complexity: what could be more fun? Well, as with all puzzle games, there's also a certain amount of frustration to be encountered as you work out how to use props such as jump pads and movable walls, while also avoiding the enemies and making your way to the exit. At least, you only have to get one mini-Mario home to open up the next stage, but you'll want to do better than that if you're trying to collect the coins, cards and medals that are available.
Picross DS Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Designed especially for the Touch! Generation, Picross DS is the sort of game that appeals to a certain sort of gamer. But its mixture of sudoku and Minesweeper (aka fill in the grid to create a shape) does seem to work for an interesting cross section of both hardcore and casual gamers. And with 300 examples, plus extra downloads, there's plenty of thinking available. Still, it remains a bit of a barebones experience compared to the delicate humour of Dr Kawashima's Brain Training.
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin Developer: Konami Publisher: Konami Sticking strictly to its 2D action, exploration and platforming heritage, the second Castlevania game on DS breaks from tradition with the addition of two playable characters: Jonathan, who uses physical weapons; and the magical Charlotte. You can toggle between them, as well as combine them to launch the Dual Crush – useful for taking out the bosses who live in the portraits that give the game its name. Wi-fi support for co-op and buying new items is also supplied to provide vampire-slayers with a razor sharp experience.
Hotel Dusk: Room 215 Developer: CING Publisher: Nintendo One of the most interesting DS games released so far, Hotel Dusk: Room 215 combines a whodunnit plot with the sort of interactive adventure story we used to play on PC. There are also plenty of puzzles where you have to use the DS's features – blowing, tapping and even opening and closing the case – to solve the mysterious crimes that have taken place. Slow-paced and text-heavy, nevertheless the artistically impressive Hotel Dusk will draw you in.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Developer: Amaze Publisher: Disney As the films get more wayward, only Amaze's sterling work on the DS Pirates of the Caribbean games keeps our hopes up when it's time for another slice of Captain Jack. At World's End carries on from the joys of Dead Man's Chest, providing another excellent example of how enjoyable licensed games can be. It's not particularly clever, but big graphics and a simple control system – plus the addition of a stylus-based sword mode for boss battles – brings the action to life. You can also take the gambling game, Liar's Dice, multiplayer via wi-fi.
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords Developer: Engine/Infinite Interactive Publisher: D3Publisher One of the sleeper hits of the year so far, Puzzle Quest may play like a bizarre combination of Bejeweled and a hack-'n'-slash RPG, but doesn't it play well? The trick is the combat being based around arranging coloured gems into lines, which depending on their length and colour, will enable you to launch different attacks on the other player. Other neat touches include the way you can customise your character attributes, as well as the use of castles to research magic and spells, hold captured enemies and train mounts. Our only issue with it would be the somewhat overly lucky AI, but this remains a game well worth tracking down.
More Brain Training from Dr Kawashima Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Once again, the professor is up to his usual tricks. Three daily tests are all he requires to provide us with a pseudo-science performance chart of just how stupi clever he thinks we are. New tasks this time include working out the change resulting from certain purchases (the Prof doesn't use a debit card, it seems), while there's a music-based memory recital for variety and a 16-way multiplayer/party mode, too. A comprehensive touchscreen Sudoku game is also included. Well worth £20 of anyone's cash, even if you don't get the 1p change.
Lunar Knights Developer: Kojima Productions Publisher: Konami Considering this one was of the first games from Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima's new studio, we're surprised Konami didn't make more fuss about Lunar Knights. Sure, it's a bit of a thrownback to the days where hardcore Nintendo fanboys would draw their own maps as they explored the worlds of the Mushroom Kingdom, but nevertheless, this is a grown-up DS game, full of quality design and interesting concepts – take the main day-night cycle, which underpins the attack prowess of the two protagonists. And that's not to mention the wacky in-level 3D on-rails shooter mini-game. Stealthy, it ain't. But great, it certainly is.
Pokémon Diamond (& Pearl) Developer: Game Freak Publisher: Nintendo No surprises when it comes to the number one DS game of the year so far, both in terms of sales and quality, as well as value for money and overall public interest. Pokémon Diamond & Pearl is the game you imagine Nintendo always wanted its creature capture, training and swapping series to eventually evolve into, with use of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection as the key feature. You'll find plenty of other players willing to fight and trade online, as well as the opportunity to join clans and enter tournaments. And aside from that, with over 100 new species of Pokémon to categorise, it could end up being the only game you need for the rest of the year. Want more? Check out our latest and greatest DS top 10 charts.