The ten best DS games of 2008 (so far)

So, we're well into the second half of the year and as has now become a regular occurrence – well, we've previously done a Ten best DS games of 2007 (so far) – it's more than time to take a look back at the first six months and pluck out the ten best experiences to be had on DS.

And no, they've not all involved ponies, parrots or pets. How cynical you are.

For clarity, the titles eligible for selection must have been released between January and June 2008, either in Europe or North America. In addition, this isn't simply a reiteration of our buyer's guide – our appreciation for a game changes over time, naturally, and this has therefore been taken into account in the selection below.

Oh, we ought to point out that you should forget the notion of hardcore/casual distinction – take it from us that a good game is universally enjoyable. And rest assured the games below are more than good.

But if you think they're not, do say so in our comments section. The ten best DS games of 2008 (so far)

10. Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift Developer: Square Enix Publisher: Square Enix Yes, it has a preposterously convoluted plot. It is a Final Fantasy title, after all. But hopefully that won't frighten newcomers away because ultimately Grimoire of the Rift is likely to come to be regarded as the perfect beginner's strategy role-playing adventure. It may not hold the attention of those already au fait with the subgenre, true, but that doesn't mean there isn't room in the gaming landscape for introductory efforts such as these. And if it brings yet more players into the fold, that can only be a good thing, right?
9. Ferrari Challenge: Trofeo Pirelli Developer: Firebrand Games Publisher: System 3 Just as it's unusual to find a beat-'em-up worthy of play on DS (see Bleach above), it's not common to come to Nintendo's handheld looking for a racing experience. But Ferrari Challenge is no ordinary DS racing experience. The graphics are some of the best, most solid examples seen for a driving title on the system to date and in that sense they're a perfect accompaniment to the impressive depth and thrilling on-track action offered by the core of the game.
8. Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures Developer: TT Fusion Publisher: LucasArts The DS may be the least powerful console of the current generation, but if you speak to Jonathan Smith of Traveller's Tales (of which TT Fusion is a division) he'll tell you it's the platform he thinks the Lego Indiana Jones experience feels most at home on. We wouldn't disagree, because what it might lose in aesthetic polish when compared with versions running on more technically advanced hardware, Lego Indiana Jones DS makes up for it with additional charm and a formula that works beautifully on this format.
7. Bleach: The Blade of Fate Developer: Treasure Publisher: Sega Nothing to do with cleaning toilets, the Treasure-developed beat-'em-up may have taken an absurd length of time getting to Europe but it proved worth the wait. From the gorgeous 2D visuals to the excellent structure to the wonderfully responsive combat system, this is a masterful effort. It's not just one of precious few fighting games to deserve your attention on DS – it's one of the best fighting games on any handheld system.
6. Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword Developer: Team Ninja Publisher: Ubisoft Let's be honest enough to start by saying that Ninja Gaiden on DS doesn't get everything right. You'll find control issues and the game's overall elements certainly don't sit as well as those of more obvious blockbuster gaming experiences. But once you work around the issues – and only those devoid of the thinnest shred of determination won't – there is something noble about the way this game innovates within the tight parameters of the action genre. But let's not lose sight of the fact that it's also a hugely enjoyable affair, the kind you're unlikely to have encountered on DS yet.
5. Advance Wars: Dark Conflict Developer: Intelligent Systems Publisher: Nintendo You can't take war out of man. We revel in conflict, as if our existence can only be truly justified through pointless conflict after pointless conflict. By comparison, engaging in the turn-based strategic excellence of the Advance Wars series seems shockingly sophisticated. The revised visual style may not be to everyone's taste, but there's no denying the exceptionally well constructed and entirely captivating Dark Conflict keeps the franchise on course for world domination.
4. Soul Bubbles Developer: Mekensleep Publisher: Eidos "Don't let this one float away," concluded our review of Soul Bubbles but we've been around long enough to know that it's likely many a DS gamer did let Mekensleep's deliciously crafted puzzler rise above their thoughts when they next went game buying. And that's an almost criminal offence because the refreshingly distinct gaming experience on offer here is likely to better the gameplay delivered by the mostly predictable affairs that undoubtedly make up much of the DS sales charts. But then no one ever said life is fair.
3. The World Ends With You Developer: Square Enix Publisher: Square Enix See, Square Enix isn't just repackaging its Final Fantasy heritage into ways of getting you to play (and buy, naturally) the same experiences over and over again. Okay, it's doing a lot of that, but it's also coming up with RPGs based around fashion and rhythm-action. Thought that would get your attention. Well, transfer it, if you will, onto this multifaceted, innovative adventure because it certainly warrants exploration by those unafraid to venture outside of the typical RPG parameters.
2. Professor Layton and the Curious Village Developer: Level 5 Publisher: Nintendo We may go to bed with a book on advanced quantum physics but that doesn't mean we don't get challenged by games every once in a while. And while some of Professor Layton's many puzzles did throw us, it was actually the game's delightfully left-field approach to the genre that rocked our preconceptions. Forget about writing a diary, losing weight or looking for silly mini creatures – if you really want an experience that typifies the DS, you've found it.
1. Bangai-O Spirits Developer: Treasure Publisher: D3Publisher Proof that a higher power exist can surely be found in the fact that this classic hardcore puzzle/shooter/so much more hybrid has found a new home on DS. That and the fact that it's secured a release in the both North America and Europe – not just Japan. Why the fuss? Trust us, we haven't even started making one. And we won't, either. Let's just say it's been exquisitely converted into an experience no Nintendo handheld-owning person should be without. Bangai-O Spirits really is Treasure's treasure. Want more? Check out our latest and greatest DS top 10 charts.