5 New Nintendo DS Games You Can Play Right Now

If you thought the DS era was ancient history, it's time to think again. The Nintendo DS still has an active homebrew scene, and in 2025 it’s getting fresh new titles made specifically for its hardware. Thanks to passionate developers and flashcart compatibility, these games run natively on your DS Lite, DSi, or emulator setup.

Here are five hidden gems you can start playing today—whether you're plugging them into your cartridge slot or loading them on your handheld emulator.

1. Temple Topple (NDS)

Genre: Platformer / Puzzle

Temple Topple is a clever, level-based platformer with ancient-feeling temple aesthetics. You use switches, moving platforms, and timing to navigate tricky layouts. It’s light on story, but heavy on fun puzzle-solving.

Why it hits: Each level is a self-contained brain-teaser you can breeze through between errands—guaranteed burst gameplay gold for DS users.

2. BioDie (NDS)

Genre: Top-Down Shooter / Survival Horror

Part twin-stick shooter, part zombie horror, BioDie drops you into an infected facility with limited resources and big teethy foes. It's gritty, tight, and surprisingly tense for an indie DS game.

Why it hits: Deadly enemies, flat-out panic, and bite-sized adrenaline sessions—perfect handheld horror in your pocket.

3. Love Crafters

Genre: Virtual Pet / Monster Care

Take care of quirky creatures in Love Crafters. Feed them, pet them, dress them up, and watch them grow over time. It’s wholesome, a little odd, and surprisingly relaxing.

Why it hits: Great for when you want something chill—no stress, just companionship and monster vibes.

4. Breaking Bad DS

Genre: Simulation / Management

Ever wanted to run a meth empire from your DS? This tongue-in-cheek sim puts you in Walter White’s shoes. Manage production, balance risk, and build your empire—all in top-down DS style.

Why it hits: The premise is so wild for DS that it’s impossible to ignore—and actually pretty engaging.

5. Picopict

Genre: Puzzle / Music
 

Originally featured on the DSiWare service, Picopict is a touchscreen puzzle game where aligning blocks reveals NES-style pixel art and unlocks chiptune tracks. It's got creative flair and addictive combo gameplay.

Why it hits: Perfect DS tech use—dual screens, touch controls, unlockable music—all wrapped in nostalgic presentation.

Final Thoughts: The DS Is Still Worth Your Time

The DS might be from 2004, but its game library is still alive—thanks to people who love this quirky, dual-screen handheld as much as we do. These five titles aren’t just novelty hacks—they’re full experiences, made with care and absolutely playable on flashcarts, emulators, or original hardware.

If you're still carrying a DS Lite around or running a MelonDS/DeSmuME setup, don’t sleep on these—especially if you're into handheld gaming that’s easy to pick up and hard to ignore.

Match Your Passion With Style

At No Time to Win, we know that those early DS gaming feels—waiting for your downloads, playing on the go—are real. We create apparel that quietly nods to that nostalgia without getting cheesy or overbearing.

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