Topic: What Nintendo DS games should I be getting?

[Pugnate]

After years of deliberation I am finally just going to go ahead and buy it. Any recommendations on games? This is what I have decided on:

Mario Kart DS, Advance Wars: Dual Strike, Yoshi's Island DS, Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, Metroid Prime: Hunters, Kirby: Canvas Curse, Animal Crossing: Wild World, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, Sonic Rush,  New Super Mario Bros.,  Tetris DS.

I am not too sure about Elite Agents.

Also anything I need to know about Castlevania before playing one? Actually I am a bit apprehensive about a lot of those games because I've never played their predecessors so I don't want to miss out on anything.

Finally I want to try Nintendogs, but there are so many! If there is anything I missed including any GBA titles do let me know.

[PyroMenace]

Your list seems pretty solid. A lot of those games I need to buy myself. Now that I think about it, I really need to start playing my DS more period.

[K-man]

Grab a copy of Aria of Sorrow for GBA before you delve into Dawn of Sorrow.  DoS is a sequel of sorts to it.  Better yet, grab the combo pack that includes Aria and Harmony of Dissonance.  I wouldn't be apprehensive at all about any of the GBA/DS Castlevania offerings.  They're all great.

I'd personally play Hunters before I purchased it.  I bought it expecting it to be a good game, and it could have been.  The control scheme is just absolutely horrible though, and I never was able to get used to it.

All the Nintendogs are essentially the same.  The only difference in the versions is that certain dogs are unlocked from the beginning.  It was a nifty concept, and it was the first game I bought for DS, but I put it down after a month or so.  My dog may be dead.

You might want to grab Meteos.  It's a decent little puzzle game.  I've had tons of fun with Metroid Pinball.  Age of Empires DS is also a good one to grab if you're into turn-based strategy.

[Quemaqua]

Most of the GBA/DS Castlevanias are good, but you might avoid Circle of the Moon.  It wasn't bad, just not as good as the others.  Harmony of Dissonance is worth having, though, so you might take K-Man's advice on that if there's a combo pack with Aria.

[Pugnate]

Yea I am a huge TBS fan, but Age of Empires DS isn't real time? Interesting. Might have to grab it now.

BTW I am just a hardcore PC gamer and only recently have started experimenting with console games. This would be my first handheld since the original gameboy. I appreciate the info on Castlevania guys.

[NatchDan]

Contact, Trauma Center, Warioware is a must for its sheer addictiveness. If you get Hunters, try and find a thumb stylus.

[nickclone]

Don't get Mario Kart or Hunters if you're doing it for online play, the people online are so cheap that the whole experience is completely ruined. I won't get into the whole "snaking" and "balling" thing because it would send me into a rant.

I personally hated Animal Crossing, but some people like it.

Tetris DS sucks, once again if you're getting this for online play...don't.

Canvas Curse can wear off pretty quick, but I had fun playing it.

New Super Mario Bros is an ok game, its more like a half assed Mario 3. Once you start playing it you'll understand what I mean.

Contact sucks! Other than those that I mentioned, you should enjoy everything else.