How to Play Nintendo DS 2-D Platformer Games

Known for their interactive, side-scrolling action, 2-D platformer games allow you to jump, run and fly from place to place while dodging obstacles, battling enemies and solving puzzles. If you want to play one on your Nintendo DS, find a title with the character, type of action and storyline that will keep you entertained for hours.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Buy a Nintendo DS 2-D platformer title that you'll want to play because you're familiar with the video game character (like those in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis or Yoshi's Island) or comic book or movie characters (like those in Spiderman: Battle for New York or Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots). You can also choose one according to content, since some games like the Castlevania series may be more suitable for adults than children.
2. Practice with the game's controls to make your way through levels and improve your times or scores. In addition to using the "d-pad," buttons, shoulder buttons and touch screen, some titles like Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, require you to reach specific items to help your character gain the ability to jump higher or push heavy objects, for example. For others, like Super Princess Peach, you'll need to use specific touch screen icons to utilize your character's special powers.
3. Experiment with your timing to jump to new areas or clear obstacles and analyze areas and bosses if you're having trouble getting to the next area or level. With any 2-D platformer from New Super Mario Bros to Sonic Rush to Kirby: Canvas Curse, if you can't seem to reach something, there's typically another way to get to it or a "power" you need to access it.
4. Discover how the game's "save" feature works if you'll only be able to play in short sessions. It'll be discouraging to have to waste all of the progress you've made on a level just because you can't save until you defeat a boss or reach a specific point in the game.
5. Read reviews of a specific 2-D platformer you plan to purchase, discover hints and strategies for dealing with troublesome levels and even communicate with other gamers playing the same title on websites with sections dedicated to Nintendo DS games.