by Caren Hannon

Created on: January 09, 2009   Last Updated: December 01, 2011

Being able to play anywhere is really the perk of mobile gaming. You can play while waiting for the bus, for a dentist appointment, for a commercial to be over, while someone else is using the consoles, when you're supposed to be asleep, etc

But what's a handheld without great games?

Here's a list of great games for the DS and PSP. Some GBA games might be mentioned since the DS can play them, but usually to compare to a related DS and/or PSP game for a cheaper alternative. No standalone GBA games will be mentioned, and neither will games from older handheld systems.

The list is ordered by genre, and at the end there is a possible list of great unreleased games. The games are not ordered otherwise as people's tastes differ. There is a subgenre called "Nostalgia". These games are good, but only become great if you have some personal interest towards them.

This list according to Early January 2009. Be mindful that this list is long so pace yourselves.

1) ROLE PLAYING GAMES

Sonic Chronicles: the Dark Brotherhod (DS) A worthy RPG for this franchise. They should have come up with this idea sooner. Beautiful graphics, decent voice overs, and fun gameplay (including a few puzzles) for any RPG gamer. Sonic fan or not. It may be an RPG, but a lot of the commands are fast paced.

Pokemon games for DS or GBA Almost all main Pokemon games (not spinoffs) are great RPG's with fun extra options and multiplayer battle support Heck I still play Pokemon Blue for Game Boy Color from time to time. Just grab the latest game and you're almost sure to have a hit (In other words: Pokemon Pearl or Pokemon Diamond). In this case, stick to DS games since they have wifi support which makes trading and battles easier, and they have the nifty Underground game.

Chrono Trigger (DS) This is a port, not a real remake, but then again Chrono Trigger doesn't need much. It's one of the best RPG's of all time and needs nothing added. If you don't mind 2D artwork, get it, get it, get it. And the load times are better than the PS1 remake.

Final Fantasy III DS A true remake with updated graphics (and other stuff) that makes this a brand new awesome RPG.

Final Fantasy IV DS Another great remake that needs no more praise. Do note that there is a FF4 remake for the GBA that uses 2D graphics, if you don't like the new 3D style. If you're tight on a budget and can't choose between 3 or 4, it really doesn't matter. However if voice acting is a decisive factor, then you need to know this: III has no voice acting;

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