Best Nintendo DS Game of All Time? (Top Contenders by Genre)

No single "best" exists, but these are universally acclaimed masterpieces that define the library. Pick by your taste:

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass / Spirit Tracks – Touch-only control masterpiece. PH: sailing; ST: train. Both essential.
Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver – Widely considered the best Pokémon games ever. Johto + Kanto, Pokéwalker, following Pokémon, HGSS engine.
Mario Kart DS – Perfect portable kart racer. Online (via Wiimmfi) still active. Snaking physics.
New Super Mario Bros. – Revived 2D Mario. Tight physics, great level design, 1–4 player wireless.
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow / Portrait of Ruin / Order of Ecclesia – The "Igavania" trilogy peak. DoS: Magic Seal drawing; PoR: Dual chars; OoE: Glyph system.

Genre	Top Pick	Runner-Up
JRPG	Dragon Quest IX (Multiplayer, 1000+ hrs)	Chrono Trigger DS, FFIV, The World Ends With You
Strategy / Tactics	Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (Remake)	Advance Wars: Dual Strike, Final Fantasy Tactics A2
Puzzle	Professor Layton & the Curious Village	Picross 3D, Polarium, Art Style: Boxlife
Metroidvania	Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia	Metroid Prime Hunters (FPS), K.O. Stars
Rhythm	Elite Beat Agents / Ouendan 2	Rhythm Heaven, Taiko no Tatsujin DS
Visual Novel	999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors	Ghost Trick, Hotel Dusk, Lux-Pain
Platformer	Super Mario 64 DS (4 chars, 30 new stars)	Kirby Canvas Curse, Yoshi's Island DS
Sim / Life	Animal Crossing: Wild World	Harvest Moon DS/Cute, Rune Factory
Action / Shooter	Contra 4 (WayForward)	Geometry Wars: Galaxies, Nanostray 2

Your "best" is the one you finish. Start with Pokémon HGSS or Zelda PH if undecided.

Nintendo DS