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I can’t speak for everyone here at Gamers Wanted, but personally, I am very excited about the Nintendo DS and what it has the ability to do to the way we perceive portable gaming. The bevy of features available on the system opens a world of possibilities we never even considered possible before the advent of the DS. The November launch is still a while away, and with information on the new system coming out in mere trickles, I thought a feature to tantalize your taste buds about some of the possibilities we could see for the DS in the future would help sooth the wait.

Since the initial announcement of the Nintendo DS, people have been fantasizing about what you could do with 2 screens, voice recognition, WiFi wireless multiplayer, and a touch screen. E3 brought with it an abundance of announced DS software, most of which look very compelling. Inspired by some of the port/enhancement ideas already announced, I have compiled this list of surefire AAA titles that I believe would be very much at home, and kick very much ass on the Nintendo DS.

Without further adieu, may I present (in no particular order) the:

Title: Goldeneye 007

Why it would rock: Goldeneye was without a shadow of a doubt the definitive first-person shooter for Nintendo 64. It hit the system like a bolt of lightning and became one of the systems best selling titles right up until N64s retirement, and is still hailed as one of (if not the) best shooters to ever grace a console.

The second screen could serve as a touch screen sensitive weapon selection menu for quick access to your arsenal, or even as an objective checklist that would always be available. Given the nature of Goldeneye, the idea of implementing the voice recognition hardware of the system seems pretty far fetched. Rumors are abound of a port of the classic shooter to the DS with EAs announcement that Rogue Agent is on its way to the handheld. Could we actually see this classic head to Nintendo's innovative handheld? I sure hope so.

Title: Legend of Zelda series

Why it would rock: A Legend of Zelda game is already in the works for the DS, but in the form of the popular multiplayer based Four Swords series. The title I propose is either an enhancement of, or akin to Ocarina of Time. There isn't a gamer worth his salt that would argue the brilliance of Links first N64 outing, and the idea of taking that magic everywhere you go just blows my mind.

Even more so favorable than an OoT enhancement though, I must admit, would be a brand new adventure exclusive to the DS platform, but perhaps using the same engine as OoT, or a modified version of. I mean, yes, Ocarina of Time is brilliant, and I still play my N64 version when I get the taste for it, but we already have this game on N64, and twice on Gamecube. Let's not get carried away. The second screen could serve as an always available menu, eliminating the need to pause to change your weapons or equipment. The idea of touch screen used for targeting is also an interesting one, but Metroid Prime: Hunters shall prove in due time whether or not that works well or not.

Title: Super Smash Bros.

Why it would rock: Let's not kid ourselves here... I want it, you want it, you know you do. 4 player multiplayer Smash Bros. over WiFi with friends in whatever part of the country? Like you need anymore reason to love this title. I've been begging for a portable Smash Bros. game since GBA was released, and now there's no excuse why I can't have one. Smash Bros. would make a must own title for DS owners everywhere.

The original on N64 was raw fun packed into a cartridge, and Melee for Gamecube rocked just as hard. Personally, if they made a DS iteration of Smash Bros. I'd like to see it as a brand new game built specifically for the handheld. More characters, more areas to fight in, more. At least more than the N64 version. If it had as many things to do/unlock as the Gamecube version, including a host of unlockable characters, count me sold. What purpose could you find for the second screen? Who cares? Just give me portable Smash Bros. and give it to me now!

Title: Pikmin

Why it would rock: Pikmin has been a hit on Gamecube since it came out at the systems launch a few years back. A blend of colorful and amusing characters and strategic gameplay made Pikmin an instant favorite for many. Pikmin could make an excellent DS title with its time based missions.

The touch screen could be used to command the pikmins movement, while the voice recognition could perhaps be used to give specific commands to the creatures. The second screen could be used for something like keeping track of your Pikmin, your time left, etc. The only possible snag with this idea is that the DS might have a problem rendering so many Pikmin on-screen at once. Of course, since the title would surely have to be brand new for the DS, the gameplay could be geared towards the need for only smaller numbers of Pikmin instead of the Gamecubes rather large armies of them.

Title: Super Monkey Ball series

Why it would rock: This quirky puzzle game has seen tremendous success on Gamecube, GBA, and even N-gage. This Sega-owned franchise has tons of portable potential, with its quick levels and pick up and play mechanics. As was seen in Super Monkey Ball Jr. for Gameboy Advance, the title can indeed be scaled down to portable size with favorable results.

The second screen could serve as a second prespective on the action. The default screen would present the traditional 3rd person view to see ahead of your monkey, while the second screen could be an overhead view to give you a better angle on what challenges are coming up. It could also help out some people with bad depth perception. Maybe even going a bit further, you would control the tilting of the board with your stylus on the touch screen instead of using the D-pad! Hmm, there's an idea!

Title: Mario Party series

Why it would rock: Let's face it: the Mario Party series is one of the best multiplayer affairs on any system. Countless mini games and a quirky board game style make Mario Party a fan favorite for all ages. Again, just like Smash Bros., one of the best features this title would have under its belt on the DS is 4 player multiplayer with friends all over the country via WiFi.

The touch screen, the voice command and pretty much anything else the system can do would be easily implemented into this title given the right mini-games were created to provide gamers a chance to make use of them. The stylus could be used to chizzle out pictures, the voice command could be used to make your character jump or move to avoid obsticles in a mini game, there's really no limit to what's possible for a Mario Party title on the DS.

Title: Banjo-Kazooie

Why it would rock: Banjo-Kazooie was one of the most enjoyable platform titles on N64. Yes, Rare is now owned by the Xbox gurus at Microsoft, but they're still pushing out Gameboy titles like clock work, and there's no reason to expect anything less from their DS support. If a Banjo-Kazooie game ever saw the light of day on the DS, I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up a port of the original N64 platformer, not to say this is a bad thing.

While it would surely make a stellar title, and a welcome addition to the DS lineup, I can't for the life of me find any useful ideas for the second screen, save cheaping out and going with the (seemingly) oft-used map. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, I've tried to stay away from implementing that as an idea for the second screen, since a lot of the E3 DS titles shown used that very idea. Being the innovative beasts that Rare are, if we don't see Banjo-Kazooie on DS, we'll see something equally enjoyable. 

Title: Star Fox series

Why it would rock: One of Nintendo’s trademark titles, Star Fox has always provided quality gaming. Levels are never overly long in Star Fox games, which lends itself well to portable play-and-go mechanics. A DS version would also mark the first ever portable Star Fox title.

One screen could show off the standard 3rd person perspective in 3d akin to the N64 title, while the second screen could use an over-the-top (or) side scrolling view in 2d, similar to arcade shooter titles like Gradius, or Gamecube’s own Ikaruga. This would not only serve as a way to create use for both screens, but also create 2 completely different styles to play the game in, making it almost two different games in one. 

Title: Dead or Alive series

Why it would rock: Yes, this does seem like a bit of an odd choice considering the above list, but Dead or Alive is arguably one of the best fighting games on any system, and one that isn't exclusively tied to any one platform. Tomonobu Itagaki (head of Team Ninja) has already expressed interest in using DS as a possible outlet for an installment of the DOA series.

The idea of a two screen fighting game is both intruiging and puzzling at the same time. I mean, what do you use the second screen for? You don't have an inventory, you don't have a map...you have two people pummeling each other silly until one of them falls over. It would be interesting to see what Team Ninja could come up with, though.

Title: Resident Evil

Why it would rock: Sure, Nintendo’s exclusivity deal for the Resident Evil series is over by Resident Evil 4, but an end to exlusive rights doesn't mark the end of Nintendo products for the series. Unlike the forgettable outing the series had on Gameboy Color in the way of Resident Evil Gaiden, a DS title would actually hold some promise. A Resident Evil title for the DS would be fantastic, given that they do away with the typewriter save feature, since it wouldn’t be very convenient for portable gameplay.

The second screen could serve as your inventory, always open and ready to use, speeding up some of the gameplay. Imagine playing Resident Evil and being able to change your weapons without having to pause the action. Of course, to be built for portable gaming, it would have to be a completely new chapter in the popular series, which makes it slightly less of a realistic idea than a dream, since I don't see Capcom putting that much effort into a portable version.

There you have it: 10 dream titles for the DS. Are they realistic possibilities? I think they are. Will any of them see the light of day? Who’s to say. All I know is that these games would make DS the must own portable in my books. Maybe you had your own idea for a DS Dream Team? Maybe you agreed with my ideas, or thought they were complete jibberish? Why not take your thoughts to our forums and let your voice be heard!