25 Rarest (And Most Expensive) Nintendo DS Games
When it comes to rare and valuable games, Nintendo consoles have as many as any other system – and the Nintendo DS is no exception. The rarest and most expensive Nintendo DS games have maintained their value over the years. And in many cases, a lot of DS titles have increased in price since their respective debuts.
This collection of valuable Nintendo DS games only includes titles that were publically available for purchase – meaning no unreleased “demo-only” or “not for resale” promotional copies. These handheld favorites are still available at online retailers and used game stores today, and DS owners may still have copies of these beloved entries in their collections.
(Please note: Prices and information below are accurate as of March 21, 2023. This article has been and will continue to be updated to reflect current rates, but prices can fluctuate. Additionally, the information provided is based on average listings on eBay that have actually sold. Prices for other retailers and conditions may differ from those shown below.)
The 25 Rarest (And Most Expensive) Nintendo DS Games:
1. Solatorobo: Red The Hunter | $199
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $199
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $375
- Genre: Action RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Set out on an adventure amid floating islands and witness a world brought to life by renowned designers and animators. Battle robot enemies, build your strength, and undertake quests as you journey through the Shepherd Republic and meet fascinating characters. Take control of Red as he's drawn into an epic tale and becomes responsible for the fate of the world.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Solatorobo is pretty niche, even by JRPG standards. There weren't too many copies floating around when the game launched, so a complete-in-box game is worth quite a bit today. Even a loose cartridge can fetch a pretty penny out on the market.
2. Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier [Soundtrack Bundle] | $188
![Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier [Soundtrack Bundle]](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Super-Robot-Taisen-OG-Saga-Endless-Frontier.png "25 Rarest (And Most Expensive) Nintendo DS Games 3")
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $188
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $270
- Genre: RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier is a unique sci-fi/fantasy RPG that takes players across a variety of worlds, ranging from an apocalyptic wasteland covered with the hulks of downed spaceships to a fantastical place of fairy tales and dark magic. Join Haken Browning: gunslinger, professional bounty hunter, and amateur ladies' man, along with his motley crew of robots, were-beasts, secret agents, and busty princesses as they delve deep into the mysteries of how their worlds came to be and face a threat that imperils the multiverse.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Developer and publisher Atlus is known for printing limited quantities of games in the west, and Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier is no exception. The addition of the soundtrack makes this hidden gem worth even more, and that goes extra for complete-in-box copies.
3. Shepherd's Crossing 2 | $184
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $184
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $348
- Genre: Simulation / RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Shepherd's Crossing 2 DS is a full-featured and in-depth farming simulation and strategy game. At its heart, the game is about the player living in a small town and communicating with the other villagers while raising livestock, harvesting crops, and building a farm. Aside from laying out fields and deciding where to herd the animals, players must also pay attention to the placement of their resources, arranging their life as they see fit. As a special feature unique to the DS, interaction with others is a major part of the game. One can even court, date and marry. It's just one goal in a game filled with things to do and people to meet.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Like the Harvest Moon series, Shepherd's Crossing is a farming simulation game franchise with a cult following – except it's more niche and there are even fewer copies out in the wild.
4. Pokémon SoulSilver [With Pokéwalker] | $161
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $161
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $318
- Genre: RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Return to the beloved Johto region first introduced in the Pokémon Gold and Silver Version games for the portable Game Boy system. Several new enhancements for the series, such as updated graphics and touch screen features, enrich these timeless adventures, and the new Pokéwalker accessory allows players to take their favorite Pokémon with them wherever they go”
Why It’s So Valuable: Even without the Pokéwalker, HeartGold and SoulSilver are some of the DS' more valuable titles. With the Pokéwalker accessory, however, they are even more valuable.
5. Pokémon HeartGold [With Pokéwalker] | $140
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $140
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $296
- Genre: RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Return to the beloved Johto region first introduced in the Pokémon Gold and Silver Version games for the portable Game Boy system. Several new enhancements for the series, such as updated graphics and touch screen features, enrich these timeless adventures, and the new Pokéwalker accessory allows players to take their favorite Pokémon with them wherever they go”
Why It’s So Valuable: In general, Pokémon games maintain their value pretty well – and that goes double when it comes to HeartGold and SoulSilver on the DS. And those who hung onto the Pokéwalker bundles could turn quite the profit.
6. Dragon Quest V: Hand Of The Heavenly Bride | $138
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $138
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $196
- Genre: RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “This entry in the Zenithia Trilogy follows a journey that transcends three generations. Travel alongside your father on his quest to see the world, grow to set forth on a journey of your own and face life-altering decisions as you continue your family’s legacy.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Again, Dragon Quest games usually maintain (and raise) their value pretty well.
7. Pokémon Black Version 2 | $131
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $131
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $158
- Genre: RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “In the Pokemon Black Version 2 game, players can explore new areas, discover gyms with new leaders and see how everything has changed in the last two years.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Pokémon games might not be the most “rare” titles out there, but their ability to hold (and even increase) their value over the years makes them worthy of a spot on this list.
8. Magician's Quest: Mysterious Times | $130
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $130
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $192
- Genre: Simulation / RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Set in a magic school, the game entails mastering a series of spells and incantations in order to achieve a Magician Licence and become Master Wizard. To this end, the player enrolls in the Magic Academy where alongside over 150 fully interactive pupils, they must learn and implement key spells and use them wisely.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Magician's Quest is like the Animal Crossing series, but far more obscure. And considering the rabid fanbase for the Animal Crossing franchise, it should come as no surprise that this title is as sought after today as it is.
9. Pokémon White Version 2 | $128
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $128
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $169
- Genre: RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “In the Pokemon White Version 2 game, players can explore new areas, discover gyms with new leaders and see how everything has changed in the last two years.”
Why It’s So Valuable: The Pokémon franchise continues to be so popular that various games from the series on older consoles like the DS are still raising in value years later.
10. Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City | $126
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $126
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $192
- Genre: RPG / Dungeon Crawler
- eBay: See Pricing
Description “Aspiring explorers are responsible for charting their travels utilizing the intuitive touchscreen map editor, meaning that careless cartography could easily spell doom for a fatigued party trying to escape danger. Powerful challenges demand cunning and strategy: players will assemble and fully customize their party of adventurers from a variety of highly specialized classes and sub-classes. For the patient and prepared, fame and fortune await.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Etrian Odyssey III is a relatively late DS release that didn't quite make it to every region.
11. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of The Sky | $114
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $114
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $164
- Genre: Roguelike
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky is the newest installment in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon video game series. The game expands on the fun found in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness. Players be a Pokémon and team up with a partner Pokémon. Together the two set out on an adventure of exploration and discovery, ultimately saving the world from destruction.”
Why It’s So Valuable: As previously stated, Pokémon games tend to maintain their value; the same can be said for the spin-off games.
12. Dokapon Journey | $107
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $107
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $182
- Genre: Party
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “The Kingdom of Dokapon is in peril! Desperate to do away with the monster invasion that has overrun his land, the King has offered his crown and the hand of his daughter, Princess Penny, to whoever can restore peace once again. Heroes from distant lands rise to the call, but with multiple adventurers offering to assist in the struggle, each eagerly eyeing the prizes that await the champion of Dokapon, they must now fight amongst themselves to save the kingdom and claim their reward.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Dokapon Journey wasn't released in all regions, so there are significantly fewer copies floating around than your standard Atlus-published game.
13. Mega Man Star Force 3: Red Joker | $106
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $106
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $200
- Genre: Action RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Mega Man Star Force 3 is a unique blend of an action and role-playing game (RPG), combining the high-intensity combat that is the hallmark of Mega Man games with Star Force’s strategic battle system. By defeating enemies and boss characters, players earn battle cards that enhance and evolve Mega Man’s abilities and attacks.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Capcom developed and published a ton of Mega Man games for Nintendo handhelds over the years, but they didn't print a ton of copies for spin-off titles like Star Force.
14. Pokémon Black Version | $87
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $87
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $103
- Genre: RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version feature new Pokémon that players can catch, train and battle as they progress through the game, and some Pokémon can only be caught in one version of the game.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Pokémon Black and White Versions don't fetch quite as much as their successors, but they still rank among the most expensive games on the Nintendo DS.
15. Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow | $86
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $86
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $275
- Genre: RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Awakened Shadow is designed to take full advantage of the Nintendo DS capabilities allowing players to engage in impressive boss battles with up to two friends and earn and trade items via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in multiplayer mode. Players will be able to attack enemies faster than ever before with upgraded weapons and powerful Shadows, which can be switched for tactical advantages. Players will roam a 3D open-world environment across several unique “cube” worlds as they take on formidable Otherworld bosses, complete multiple challenges, and recruit over a dozen characters in their own custom adventure.”
Why It’s So Valuable: JRPGs don't generally see a ton of copies printed in the West, and that goes double for games from more obscure franchises like this.
16. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective | $84
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $84
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $116
- Genre: Adventure / Puzzle
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Ghost Trick is a story of mystery and intrigue that blends fun logic puzzles with the world of the supernatural, making for an entirely new and unique experience in the handheld gaming space. Part adventure game, part puzzle game, Ghost Trick‘s gameplay will challenge player's brains while its distinct art elements and character designs will deliver the fun.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is one of those games that didn't quite get the love it maybe deserved back when it initially released. However, positive word of mouth from nostalgic gamers and influencers are reviving classic DS games like this.
17. Little Red Riding Hood's Zombie BBQ | $83
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $83
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $220
- Genre: Action / Shooter
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Use the great arsenal of weapons at your disposal to do away with the savage hordes of zombies. Shoot, blast, massacre, bombard, and burn your enemies to the bone with a simple touch of your stylus on the console screen. Can you save fairy tale land, or will you let its creatures live unhappily ever after?”
Why It’s So Valuable: Little Red Riding Hood's Zombie BBQ only saw a physical release in North America. It was only released as a DSiWare title in Europe and not at all in other regions.
18. Mega Man Star Force: Dragon | $81
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $81
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $158
- Genre: Action RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Mega Man Star Force introduces a new lead character, a boy named Subaru Hoshikawa, whose astronaut father has disappeared after a mysterious incident at the satellite station. Fond memories of spending time with his father have inspired Subaru's interests in the stars and what lies beyond. One day, Subaru heads to the observation deck and puts on a pair of ‘visualizer' glasses that had belonged to his father. These allow the wearer to see all the electric connections that exist between spaces. When he puts on these special goggles, a specific wave is triggered, summoning the presence of a mysterious alien life form named Warlock who had escaped from the planet FM.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Mega Man Star Force was released in three different versions, Dragon being exclusive to GameStop and EB Games in North America.
19. Pokémon Platinum Version | $80
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $80
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $144
- Genre: RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “As the story unfolds, players encounter the mysterious new Distortion World, an area unlike any seen in a Pokémon video game before. The Battle Frontier area (first introduced in Pokémon Emerald) has been added to Sinnoh, containing five new Battle Facilities for Trainers to challenge, each with its own special rules.”
Why It’s So Valuable: As the definitive version of the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl generation, Platinum still ranks highly among the most expensive games on the Nintendo DS. It also helps that this is the only one of the three titles that didn't receive a remake on the Nintendo Switch.
20. Flower, Sun, and Rain | $80
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $80
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $157
- Genre: Adventure / Puzzle
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Flower, Sun, and Rain is an intriguing mystery adventure very much in the vein of Groundhog Day. You play a detective charged with locating and defusing a bomb by solving thought-provoking puzzles with a wealth of bizarre outcomes. Solving the mystery of what is happening to him and his surroundings is necessary before he eventually goes insane.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Flower, Sun, and Rain was an incredibly niche game when it originally launched on the PlayStation 2 in Japan only. This adventure, puzzle game didn't exactly explode in popularity when it got another shot on the DS.
21. Chrono Trigger | $76
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $76
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $104
- Genre: RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “When a newly developed teleportation device malfunctions at the Millennial Fair, young Crono must travel through time to rescue his unfortunate companion from an intricate web of past and present perils. The swashbuckling adventure that ensues soon unveils an evil force set to destroy the world, triggering Crono's race against time to change the course of history and bring about a brighter future.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Chrono Trigger is one of the greatest RPGs ever made, and the DS provides as good a place as any to experience this classic. Like many other beloved RPGs, however, this game fetches a hefty asking price either loose or complete-in-box.
22. Pokémon White Version | $75
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $75
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $89
- Genre: RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version feature new Pokémon that players can catch, train and battle as they progress through the game, and some Pokémon can only be caught in one version of the game.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Like other Pokémon games, White Version continues to rise in value even years after its release. Maybe that will change if (or when, rather) Nintendo and The Pokémon Company remakes this generation, but maybe not.
23. Pokémon Conquest | $73
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $73
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $109
- Genre: Tactical RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “In Pokemon Conquest, players take on the role of a young Warlord who is linked with a Pokemon. Together, they must set out to recruit Warrior allies to strengthen their growing kingdom. Along their journey, players will encounter a variety of Pokemon, as well as Warriors and Warlords inspired by the Japanese feudal era.”
Why It’s So Valuable: If there's such a thing as an “underrated Pokémon game,” then Pokémon Conquest definitely deserves a spot on that list. This seemingly bizarre crossover title is easily one of the most difficult games in the Pokémon franchise, and one that more gamers should experience.
24. Mega Man Star Force 3: Black Ace | $70
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $70
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $149
- Genre: Action RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Mega Man Star Force 3 is a unique blend of an action and role-playing game (RPG), combining the high-intensity combat that is the hallmark of Mega Man games with Star Force’s strategic battle system. By defeating enemies and boss characters, players earn battle cards that enhance and evolve Mega Man’s abilities and attacks.”
Why It’s So Valuable: Basically copy and paste this section from Red Joker. This title just sells for slightly less, on average.
25. Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon | $70
- Average Price Sold (Loose/Game Only): $70
- Average Price Sold (Complete-In-Box): $96
- Genre: Tactical RPG
- eBay: See Pricing
Description: “Fire Emblem returns to its roots with a total overhaul of an NES classic never before released in America. New features include touch-screen controls, multiple save options, and easy-to-follow tutorial chapters that shed new light on Marth's story.”
Why It’s So Valuable: The Fire Emblem franchise didn't really become widely popular in the West until Awakening, and even today it is still relatively more niche than other Nintendo franchises. Back in the day, however, games like this shipped few copies outside of Japan and are quite rare and expensive today as a result.