Classic Video Games Holiday Gift Guide 2009 – Classics for the Nintendo DS

No console would be complete without a tasty does of arcade goodness from Namco’s library of the most addictive classic coin-op arcade games ever. This is a terrific collection of seven retro Namco titles whose controls have not be diminished in the transition to the DS. The only drawback is that the graphics are a wee bit tiny on the small DS screen, sometimes making it a bit of a challenge to play. Titles included are…

• Pac-Man (of course)
• Galaga (a personal favorite)
• Dig Dug II
• Mappy
• Galaxian
• The Tower of Druaga
• Xevious

One of the best classic collections of coin-op arcade games for the Nintendo DS. A terrific mix of Konami titles from their arcade heyday, including a few you might not heard of. One of the action ganes, Tutankham, was oddly renamed Horror Maze, but the gameplay and quality are identical. With so many classic hits, you'll be playing this DS collection through the entire New Year. This collection consists of...

• Contra
• Gradius
• Track & Field
• Circus Charlie
• Yie Ar Kung-Fu
• Time Pilot
• Horror Maze(aka Tutankham)
• Rush 'n Attack
• Scramble
• Rainbow Bell
• Basketball
• Roc 'n Rope
• Pooyan
• Shao-lin's Road
• Road Fighter

What would a Nintendo handheld system be without Tetris? Heck, the original Tetris put the first Game Boy system on the map, and its old-school block dropping style is still just as addictive as ever. Now in addition to using traditional control buttons the DS takes advantage of its unique touch screen with Touch Mode, plus a multiplayer mode allows for competitions via wireless connectivity. There are six game modes in total, each featuring different classic Nintendo characters such as Link (from the Legend of Zelda), Mario, Metroid and Donkey Kong.

The original Super Mario 64 made for the perfect launch title when Nintendo made their leap into 64-bit 3D gaming with the N64 console. The game was such a big hit that it led this final cartridge based gaming system to enormous success.

When the Nintendo DS was first previewed at the 2004 E3 Expo, Mario 64 was used as a tech demo to show the systems capabilities, so when the handheld finally shipped, so did Mario 64. A perfect rendition of the original platforming adventure, making full use of the dual screens and stylus, plus it includes new multiplayer modes where up to four players can compete wirelessly. Perfect for any new or old-school Mario fan.

An update to the world’s most popular alien shooter Space Invaders takes a frenetic turn with fast paced action as you try to blast away armadas of invading alien ships. In addition to the increased speed, the aliens invade in a variety of formations, and are now interspersed with boss battles. The look of the game has been given an overhaul that maintains the retro feel, but also gives it a cyberpunk techno edge.

The original king of Survival Horror games is perfectly translated onto the Nintendo DS. Ideal for old-school and new Resident Evil fans alike the cartridge includes two versions of the original RE; “Classic Mode” a nearly direct port of the original, and “Rebirth Mode” which includes new puzzles that take advantage of the DS’s touch screen. There are also two multiplayer modes that accommodate up to four players wirelessly. The terror, intensity and engaging gameplay of the original RE stays alive (or dead) in one of the top games, classic or otherwise, for the Nintrendo DS.

Originally released in 1990, this Nintendo DS version is the first time the classic RPG fantasy adventure has been seen outside of Japan. Join four orphaned youths empowered by the mystical crystal of light to bring balance back to the world. For the DS version the graphics have been given an upgrade, but the gameplay keeps the classic mechanics intact. A must for any old-school RPG and Final Fantasy fan, especially for those of us who never had the chance to play it before. It’s like discovering an all new classic!

Originally released in North America for the Super Nintendo (under the confusing title Final Fantasy II), Final Fantasy IV is the game that set the standard for all future RPGs by revolutionizing approaches to storytelling, music and gameplay. As with FF3, the graphics have been given an upgrade, new dungeons have been added and it now features character customization. Another must for Final Fantasy and RPG lovers; considered to be the best version of FF4 ever released.

The original Kirby Super Star for the Super Nintendo console featured 8 different Kirby games in one. Although many consider Ultra to be a remake of the original, it actually features a port of all 8 original games with 7 new ones added, plus new 3D animated cineamtics between each level. With great platforming gameplay and mini-games all staying true to the original, this is old-school platforming at its finest.

With its point-and-click features it's a no brainer that rich fantasy adventure is a perfect match for the handhelds touch screen capabilities. This version also includes the Rime Age, a lost level that was originally designed for the original MAC version of the game, but omitted due to space limitations. The only setback with the rich detailed graphics is that some of the imagery is a bit hard to make out on the small DS screen.