Why Etrian Odyssey III and Dragon Quest IX Are Still Essential DS JRPGs
If you are looking to round out your handheld collection, Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City and Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies stand out as two of the most addictive Nintendo DS JRPGs to play in 2026. While the DS library is vast, these two titles define the system's strength in the genre.
- Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City: Developed by Atlus, released April 1, 2010.
- Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies: Developed by Level 5 and Square Enix, released July 15, 2009.
- Platform: Both titles are available on Nintendo DS.
- Genre: Both are categorized as JRPGs, with Etrian Odyssey III focusing on dungeon crawling.
Mastering Dungeons in Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City
Etrian Odyssey III is a masterclass in how to use the Nintendo DS hardware. It is an old-school dungeon crawler that feels at home on the system specifically because of the stylus-based mapping system. You will want to keep your stylus handy at all times to accurately track your surroundings as you navigate.
The game is notoriously ruthless, requiring a fair amount of grinding to ensure your guild is strong enough to survive. Beyond the core exploration, the title introduces weapon forging, allowing you to add powerful effects to your gear. If you decide to set sail, remember to keep your provisions stocked, as management is key to your survival in the seven seas.
The Scale of Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
While many portable JRPGs are designed to be short experiences, Dragon Quest IX bucks that trend completely. It is a massive, deep adventure that can easily consume 50 hours just to reach the credits. For those who enjoy true completionist runs, the playtime can stretch into the hundreds.
The game is a quintessential old-school experience. While it is lighter on story and the graphics show their age compared to other DS titles, the value proposition is hard to beat. It also famously featured early multiplayer functionality that helped inspire the StreetPass and SpotPass features seen on later Nintendo hardware.
Both games offer distinct experiences: Etrian Odyssey III provides a tactical, stylus-driven challenge, while Dragon Quest IX offers an expansive world perfect for long-term investment. For more recommendations on expanding your collection, check out our guides for other genre standouts.