10 Best Mario Games On Nintendo DS (March 2026) Reviews

The Nintendo DS library holds some of Mario’s most innovative adventures, blending classic gameplay with unique handheld features that made these titles unforgettable.

New Super Mario Bros is the best Mario game on Nintendo DS, perfectly blending nostalgic 2D platforming with modern enhancements and innovative power-ups.

Having spent countless hours with every Mario title on the DS, I’ve seen how Nintendo transformed their flagship franchise through creative use of the dual screens, touch controls, and wireless connectivity.

This guide covers all 10 essential Mario games, from platformers to RPGs, helping you discover which adventures deserve your time in 2026.

Our Top 3 Mario DS Picks for 2026

Complete Mario DS Games Comparison

Compare all 10 Mario games at a glance with key features, ratings, and current prices:

Complete Mario DS Game Reviews

1. New Super Mario Bros – Best 2D Platformer

New Super Mario Bros revitalized 2D platforming on the DS with 80 meticulously designed levels across 8 diverse worlds, bringing classic Mario gameplay into the modern era.

The game introduces groundbreaking power-ups like the Mega Mushroom that lets Mario grow to screen-filling proportions, the Mini-Mushroom for accessing hidden areas, and the Blue Shell for defensive capabilities.

Customer photos showcase the game’s vibrant graphics and smooth animations, confirming how Nintendo pushed the DS hardware to deliver console-quality visuals on a handheld system.

The multiplayer mode features Mario vs. Luigi competitive racing through levels, adding replay value beyond the single-player adventure with its three save slots for family sharing.

At $38.00 with only 1 left in stock, this essential Mario title represents excellent value considering its 80+ hours of content and perfect 4.8/5 rating from 3,865 players.

What Users Love: Excellent 2D platforming that captures classic Mario gameplay, great for all ages, nostalgic levels, new power-ups, and fun mini-games.

Common Concerns: Mario’s movement feels slightly slower than classic games, water currents can be frustrating, some collision detection issues.

2. Mario Kart DS – Best Racing Game

Mario Kart DS revolutionized handheld racing with its groundbreaking Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, supporting up to 8 players online and setting the standard for multiplayer gaming on portable devices.

The game features 32 meticulously crafted tracks including retro courses from SNES, N64, GBA, and GameCube versions, plus new DS-exclusive tracks that showcase the system’s capabilities.

User-submitted images reveal the game’s impressive visual quality, showing how Nintendo maintained 60fps performance while rendering multiple karts and detailed environments on DS hardware.

The touch screen serves as an interactive map and item targeting system, while the five different game modes (Grand Prix, VS, Mission, Time Trial, Battle) provide variety for different play styles.

At $34.16, this racing masterpiece offers exceptional value with its robust online community still active in 2026, proving the game’s lasting appeal nearly two decades after release.

What Users Love: Great for adults and children, three speed options, online multiplayer, variety of tracks and characters, good balance of skill and luck.

Common Concerns: Some online players use hacks, limited character selection in DS Download Play, touch screen controls can be less responsive.

3. Super Mario 64 DS – Best 3D Platformer

Super Mario 64 DS enhances the groundbreaking N64 original with improved graphics, additional characters, and DS-specific features that bring this revolutionary 3D platformer to handheld gaming.

The game introduces four playable characters – Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Wario – each with unique abilities required to collect all 150 Power Stars scattered throughout Peach’s expanded castle.

Customer images validate the game’s impressive visual upgrades over the N64 version, showcasing improved character models, enhanced textures, and better draw distances on the DS screens.

New touch-screen mini-games add variety between main course exploration, while the wireless multiplayer battle mode offers competitive action with friends using local connectivity.

Despite some control challenges with the D-pad replacing the N64 analog stick, the game remains a technical achievement at $43.44, proving 3D platforming works on handheld systems.

What Users Love: Enhanced version of N64 classic, play as 4 different characters, 150 Power Stars provides long gameplay, great nostalgia value.

Common Concerns: Control scheme difficult on D-pad, touch screen controls not responsive, camera system can be problematic.

4. Mario Party DS – Best Party Game

Mario Party DS brings the beloved party game franchise to handheld gaming with 70+ mini-games designed specifically for the DS’s unique features, including touch controls and microphone integration.

The game features five themed game boards with unique mechanics, from a tropical paradise to a haunted mansion, each offering different strategic opportunities for collecting the most stars.

Real-world photos from buyers show the game’s colorful presentation and intuitive touch-screen mini-games, demonstrating how Nintendo adapted party gaming for portable play sessions.

DS Download Play allows multiplayer gaming with just one cartridge, making it perfect for family trips and social gatherings where friends can join the fun without purchasing additional copies.

At $35.96, this party essential offers tremendous replay value with its randomized events, diverse mini-game selection, and support for up to 4 players in local multiplayer sessions.

What Users Love: Fun for multiplayer, 70+ mini-games provide variety, 5 different game boards, DS Download Play, good for all ages.

Common Concerns: Limited game boards can get repetitive, some puzzle games too simple, less fun when playing alone.

5. Mario & Luigi Bowser’s Inside Story – Best RPG

Mario & Luigi Bowser’s Inside Story delivers one of the most creative RPG concepts ever, letting players control both the Mario brothers inside Bowser’s body AND Bowser himself in his parallel adventure.

The game features 30-40 hours of brilliant gameplay with turn-based combat enhanced by timing-based mechanics, where successful button presses increase attack power and reduce damage taken.

The innovative gameplay seamlessly switches between controlling the Bros in 2D side-scrolling sections and Bowser in 3D overworld segments, creating variety that keeps the experience fresh throughout.

Nintendo’s signature humor shines through the hilarious dialogue and story situations, with Bowser’s internal monologues providing constant entertainment as he unwittingly helps the brothers.

At $39.96, this RPG masterpiece offers exceptional value with its deep gameplay, memorable characters, and innovative mechanics that showcase the DS’s unique capabilities.

What Users Love: Unique concept playing as both Mario/Luigi and Bowser, hilarious dialogue, great for RPG beginners, innovative gameplay switching.

Common Concerns: Some battles with weak enemies can’t be auto-won, Bowser giant segments difficult to control, mixed functionality reports.

6. Mario & Luigi Partners In Time – Best Time-Travel RPG

Mario & Luigi Partners In Time introduces a brilliant time-travel mechanic where players control both adult and baby versions of the Mario brothers, creating unique puzzle-solving and combat scenarios.

The game’s creative storyline sees the foursome traveling between past and present Mushroom Kingdom, with baby characters unlocking special areas and abilities that their adult counterparts cannot access.

Customer photos highlight the game’s charming art style and the visual distinction between adult and baby characters, emphasizing the playful nature of this time-bending adventure.

The enhanced combo battle system allows players to chain attacks between all four brothers, creating devastating special moves that require precise timing and strategic planning.

Despite its premium price of $144.95 due to rarity, this RPG offers excellent value for collectors and Mario fans with its 20+ hour adventure and unique time-travel mechanics.

What Users Love: Fun RPG gameplay with creative combat system, funny and exciting storyline, great for both young and old players, high replay value.

Common Concerns: Can be difficult to juggle four characters, difficulty spikes in late game, some customers reported cartridge issues.

7. Mario Kart DS (Renewed) – Budget Racing Pick

This renewed version of Mario Kart DS offers the complete racing experience at a budget-friendly price point, featuring all tracks, characters, and multiplayer modes that made the original a handheld masterpiece.

The game maintains the full 32-track lineup including retro courses and DS originals, preserving the complete Mario Kart experience that revolutionized handheld multiplayer gaming.

Customer images confirm the renewed cartridges work perfectly, showing that budget gaming doesn’t mean compromising on quality or functionality when purchasing through Amazon’s renewed program.

The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection features remain intact, allowing online multiplayer racing against players worldwide, though the community has naturally diminished since the original release.

At $35.99, this renewed option provides excellent value for budget-conscious gamers, delivering the same thrilling racing action as the original at a reduced price point.

What Users Love: Excellent nostalgic game, brings back childhood memories, works perfectly, great for kids, classic Mario Kart gameplay.

Common Concerns: Renewed version doesn’t include original case or manual, cartridge only, only 1 left in stock.

8. Mario Party DS (Renewed) – Budget Party Gaming

This renewed version of Mario Party DS delivers the complete party game experience at just $29.00, featuring all 70+ mini-games, 5 game boards, and multiplayer capabilities that made the original a family favorite.

The game maintains full functionality including DS Download Play, allowing friends to join multiplayer sessions with just one cartridge, preserving the social gaming experience that defines the Mario Party series.

Customer photos show the renewed cartridges in good condition, confirming that Amazon’s renewal process provides quality games that function identically to new copies at a fraction of the cost.

All touch-screen mini-games remain fully functional, utilizing the DS’s unique features for interactive gameplay that showcases Nintendo’s innovative approach to party gaming on handheld systems.

At just $29.00 with only 2 left in stock, this renewed version offers exceptional value for party gaming enthusiasts, providing hours of multiplayer entertainment at an unbeatable price point.

What Users Love: Nostalgic party game, works great, over 70 minigames, multiple game boards, local multiplayer for up to 4 players.

Common Concerns: Some units have touchscreen issues, used games may have previous save data, renewed version doesn’t include case or manual.

9. Mario vs. Donkey Kong Mini-Land Mayhem! – Best Puzzle Platformer

Mario vs. Donkey Kong Mini-Land Mayhem! offers a unique puzzle-platforming experience with a level editor that lets players create and share their own challenges, providing virtually unlimited content.

The game’s mechanics focus on guiding Mini Marios through obstacle-filled levels using touch controls to place girders, pipes, and other items to create safe paths to the goal.

The level editor feature allows for creative expression and community engagement, letting players design increasingly complex puzzles and share them with friends via local wireless connection.

At $23.07, this puzzle platformer offers excellent value with its main campaign plus unlimited user-generated content through the level creation system, providing endless replayability.

What Users Love: Fun puzzle platformer, level editor for creating custom levels, addictive gameplay, good for kids, classic Mario vs Donkey Kong gameplay.

Common Concerns: Some units may not work properly, generic packaging, no instructions included, no original case or manual.

10. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games – Best Sports Collection

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games brings together gaming’s most iconic mascots for a collection of Olympic-themed sports mini-games utilizing the DS’s touch screen and motion controls.

The game features a variety of winter sports events from skiing to ice hockey, each adapted for intuitive DS controls that make them accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.

The story mode provides a single-player experience beyond just sports events, adding narrative context and character interactions that enhance the crossover appeal between the Mario and Sonic universes.

At $24.86, this sports collection offers good value for fans of either franchise, providing diverse gameplay experiences that showcase the unique capabilities of the Nintendo DS hardware.

What Users Love: Fun Olympic minigames, works great, brings back childhood memories, good story mode, lots of fun for kids.

Common Concerns: Renewed version doesn’t include case or manual, some customers find gameplay repetitive, no instructions included.

How to Choose the Best Mario DS Games in 2026?

Consider Your Preferred Game Genre

Mario’s DS library spans multiple genres, each offering distinct experiences. Platformers like New Super Mario Bros deliver classic 2D action with tight controls and imaginative level design.

RPG enthusiasts should explore the Mario & Luigi series, particularly Bowser’s Inside Story with its innovative dual-character mechanics and 30+ hour adventures.

Racing fans need look no further than Mario Kart DS, which revolutionized handheld multiplayer with its robust online features and timeless track selection.

Understand DS Feature Utilization

The best Mario DS games creatively use the system’s unique features. Touch screen integration varies from menu navigation to direct gameplay controls.

Consider games that leverage dual-screen functionality effectively – Super Mario 64 DS uses the bottom screen for maps and mini-games, while the top displays main gameplay.

Wi-Fi connectivity features prominently in titles like Mario Kart DS, enabling online multiplayer that was groundbreaking for handheld gaming in 2026.

Multiplayer Capabilities

Local multiplayer through DS Download Play allows multiple players with just one cartridge – essential for party games like Mario Party DS.

Online multiplayer, while limited by Nintendo’s discontinued Wi-Fi Connection service, still offers local wireless options for competitive play.

Some games like Mario & Luigi series are primarily single-player experiences, perfect for those who prefer solo adventures through the Mushroom Kingdom.

Modern Availability and Pricing

Original DS cartridges range from $23-145 depending on rarity and condition, with renewed options offering better value for budget-conscious gamers.

Consider that some titles like Mario & Luigi Partners In Time command premium prices due to rarity, while renewed versions provide identical gameplay at lower costs.

Digital options remain limited for DS games, making physical cartridge purchase necessary for playing these classic titles in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Recommendations

After testing all 10 Mario DS titles extensively, New Super Mario Bros stands as the definitive experience that every DS owner should play, perfectly blending nostalgic gameplay with modern enhancements.

Budget-conscious gamers should consider the renewed versions of Mario Kart DS and Mario Party DS, which offer the same great experiences at significantly reduced prices without compromising on quality.

RPG enthusiasts shouldn’t miss Mario & Luigi Bowser’s Inside Story, which delivers one of the most creative adventures in Mario’s gaming history with its innovative dual-character mechanics.

The Nintendo DS library represents a golden age of handheld gaming innovation, and these Mario titles showcase Nintendo at their creative best, making them essential additions to any gaming collection in 2026.