Nintendo DSiWare



DSiware started with the DSi, continued with the DSiXL, and now lives on with the 3DS. These are (often small file-sized) games to be played and stored digitally. Some are meant for quick-fire play, but others have more depth. Longevity varies per title, obviously.

Note: If you're having trouble getting your music creations off of certain apps below, check this handy guide.

DSiWare is downloadable and transferable with the 3DS. However, you won't be able to keep any of your save data (due to Nintendo's legal bullshit). That said, all you have to do is download a free application off of the DSiWare Shop (the 3DS already has the means to do so without said app). Have both plugged in (or you'll get a fuckton of warning messages ("Don't let your battery die! Please plug in!" or something)), set up a full or custom transfer (the full is much more convenient), and a bunch of Pikmin will transfer all your data, some faster than others. If you get an error message, whatever was in the middle of being transferred will have to re-transfer, but everything else should already be sent over (in rare cases it won't be), and you won't need to start all the way over.

That said, let's enjoy some bite-sized games with full-size fun!

=Buying Guide=

New to DSiWare? Only have 10 or 20 bucks? Just plain not sure what to check out? Don't worry. We got this.

The first recommendations are usually the more expensive titles, such as Shantae, the Mighty games (Flip Champs and Milky Way), and other $8+ titles. These are great games, and very much worth checking out. If you don't mind only getting one or two games, stick with those for a while.

If you want to stretch your buck with a bigger variety, consider some options that are cheaper and/or have more longevity to them.

The cheapest and most reliable option is the G.G./Go Series of games. They are not "full featured" games. They're more like modern day "Game and Watch" titles. That said, they're nearly all pretty entertaining and great for quick burst vidya sessions and high score seekers (a few suck, but only a very small few like 2 or 3). Generally, each goes for 200 points, making them low on price, high on fun!

Want something a little more Retro? Try some of the ACTUAL Game and Watch games. Although they aren't colorful and lack music, you've still got some old-school cool. Again, not every one of them is a winner, but a vast majority are.

Perhaps you prefer a bit of creativity? Creative Applications might be your thing. Inchworm Animation and the Rytmik music-making series provide really good options for your expression. Inchworm is all about making animations/cartoons and even drawings, while Rytmik is about making music loops and even full songs. They cost more than $2, but at the same time, if you've got a good imagination, then they'll pretty much have a permanent place in your menu.

=THE GAMES!=