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While the DS isn’t the very first Nintendo handheld to feature two screens, it’s the most widely popular (Sorry Game & Watch). In it being the most popular, there were a ton of games that collectors held on to in hopes of them costing a fortune one day. Well, that time has come, and there are DS games that are worth thousands of dollars. There are even some highly-sought after games that aren’t really games at all! Let’s take a look at the ten rarest DS games that are worth their weight in gold.
10. Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation (2011) – $100
There was a period of time when Square Enix started to publish several of their popular Dragon Quest games as remakes on the 3DS. The other titles included Dragon Quest V and Dragon Quest IV, both of which we have sitting on our shelves. This edition of the sixth installment in the series was the very first time that it was brought to the US, however. When the games started to not sell as well due to the overwhelming popularity of the 3DS, a new set of Dragon Quest games was released for the new handheld. As a result, collectors held on to this game, resulting in a significant price hike.
9. Little Red Riding Hood’s Zombie BBQ (2007) – $150
By no means is Little Red Riding Hood’s Zombie BBQ a very good game, but one that collectors held on to anyway. It’s a rail shooter that utilizes the handheld’s two screens to make a long, vertical shooter. The only real information of note about the game is that publisher Destineer quietly shut down in 2011 alongside all of its subsidiaries. Even developer EnjoyUp seems to only have dabbled in DS and Wii games during its lifetime. Regardless, Little Red Riding Hood’s Zombie BBQ has become a hit amongst collectors as of sometime in 2016.
8. Pokemon Black and White Version 2 (2012) – $170
A lot of fans would argue that Pokemon Black and White are the greatest Pokemon games of all time. They take place within the Univa region and introduced Tepig, Oshawott, and Snivy as new starters. The second games takes place two years after the first and includes the same content and more. You are able to visit places like Flocessy Town, Lentimas Town, and even Hidden Grottoes. The starting location is also different from the first game. Black and White Version 2 also had an incredible story that cemented the idea that a Pokemon game can be more than just battling. As a result, they became collector’s items for both diehard fans and collectors alike.
7. Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver Complete (2010) – $250
When we talk about the complete version of Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver, we mean that they come with their Poke Walkers. These were small, Poke Ball-shaped devices that you could clip to your pants or bag. With it, you could count your steps and use them to train, evolve, and even catch other Pokemon while out and about. The games themselves can cost hundreds without the Poke Walker, but many fans will simply not even pick it up if it doesn’t come with the accessory.
6. Commando: Steel Disaster (2008) – $250
While Commando: Steel Disaster is a bit more of a hidden gem, it isn’t for Metal Slug fans. It’s a hardcore, 2D run-and-gun shooter that spent a lot of time in bargain bins at thrift stores back in the day. However, as a result, it became increasingly more difficult to find a complete copy of Commando: Steel Disaster. Around 2015, prices began to skyrocket with some collectors putting it in their collections for $500. The price lowered significantly around 2020 and has sat at about $250 since.
5. Solartorobo: Red The Hunter (2010) – $300
X-Seed developed the spiritual successor to Tail Concerto in Solatorobo: Red the Hunter. In it, you control Red who is armed with a mecha that has long arms. On release, it came packaged in an added cardboard box that came with the soundtrack. It features artwork and character designs by famed manga artist Nobuteru Yuki, which adds to its rarity. Pretty much instantly, it became highly sought after by fans of the artist. It came back to mind in 2021 when the prequel, Fuga: Melodies of Steel was released, prompting fans to complete their collections.
4. Powerbike (2010) – $330
Part of what makes Powerbike so rare is how not very well-known it is. It’s a motorcycle racing game akin to Road Rash. It has solid gameplay and pretty good graphics for the handheld’s capabilities. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop it from being a bargain bin find that, in time, created many incomplete copies. As a result, we now see the prices as high as $300 simply because they’re hard to come by.
3. Veggy World (2011) – $400
We would be lying if we knew why Veggy World is so high on this list. The game features a strawberry-shaped spaceship guy who shoots down vegetable enemies. It was pretty popular shovelware for families and frequently ended up in places like GameStop. Beyond that, there’s nothing very interesting about the game besides how difficult it is to find. When the collector boom of 2020 started, prices of Veggy World skyrocketed to where they sit now.
2. Shepherd’s Crossing 2 (2010) – $500
Fans of the Harvest Moon series are probably familiar with Shepherd’s Crossing 2. Like the former, you focus on farming and doing other property chores. There’s also an equal focus on social interactions and strengthening your bonds. While there are a lot of games like this now, there weren’t that many then, making this one hard to come by. Not so much like Harvest Moon, this game relies more on the anime approach. In a lot of ways, we wouldn’t consider this game nearly as family-friendly.
1. Jirachi & Pikachu-Colored Pichu Event Cartridge (2010) – $1000
This isn’t even a game, but a DS cartridge that held an event for Pokemon Black and White Version 2. The way it worked is that at the time, a Nintendo representative would give a store like GameStop a DS console and this cartridge. Then, the store would boot up the cartridge, follow the instructions, and be able to gift Jirachi and a Pikachu-colored Pichu to fans via Wi-Fi. These cartridges needed to have been given back to the company, but some stores neglected to do so, leaving some out in the wild for collectors to purchase.
