I'd like to give you a run-down of the games I have on my DS card.
First, however, regarding your list: I'd rather get EO 1 than 2 if I were you, more broken, more charming, more challenging. Also, please definitely get Mazes of Fate for the GBA, not the DS. Chrono Trigger DS is the very best port of a SNES game I have ever seen - it is just fantastic in every way, and I daresay even more fun than the "original". It's this good mostly because they didn't try to improve anything- they kept it all the same, with some subtle things added here and there. Final Fantasy 4 is also good- but it follows a different philosophy. Instead of just taking what is there it tries to improve it a lot- fancy 3D graphics, much improved writing, and so on. Perhaps not for everybody. For you, Shagnak you old dungeon crawler, however, Final Fantasy 3 on the DS might be more appealing- you get to select your classes, which is to me always a plus.
Here we go!
Games that aren't RPG or Platformer
Advance Wars: Ruined Earth (or some other subtitle)
This is a vastly simplified tactical game where you move tanks, infantry and artillery about to defeat the enemy. Luckily, all the story can be skipped. Not too bad.
Age of Empires
I have this, but never played it. Somehow, the idea of turn-based AoE is odd to me. Perhaps worth a try?
Anno 1701
Here's a very German game you might like! It's like the older Anno games, only lacking the very charming music and suffering from the small screen.
Apollo Justice
The fourth Phoenix Wright game... they should have stopped at 3.
100 Books Collection
Well, it passes time!
Civilization
Haven't played it much, but so far it looks almost exactly like Civ 1 or 2, so this might be a winner.
New York Times Crossword Puzzles
Well- if you like crossword puzzles, that is.
Fire Emblem Shadow Something
A very simplistic tactical game, similar to Advance Wars, with a terrible amount of story- it can, however be skipped, and the game is quite nice and challenging.
Hotel Dusk
A simple, but somewhat quite pretty Japanese adventure that seems fairly western and reminds me of a mix of Myst and Prisoner of Ice, I don't know why.
Korg Synthesizer
Not a game, but it's really fun to make your own melodies with this complicated little software. Makes me wish I was a sound engineer and actually knew what all these plugs and buttons do.
Mario Kart
Fairly weak entry in my opinion... then again, they're all the same. I guess Mario Kart was more of a one-trick pony that was great on the SNES/N64 and becomes less enjoyable the more you play new ones.
Panzer Tactics
Hex-based Panzer General-like strategy (tactics) game. Dry, but you might like it for that!
Retro Game Challenge
I recommend this, it makes you play Galaga and some ancient RPG and other games and complete challenges to escape some evil genius or something.
Trauma Center
No.
Worms
Seems like an ungodly hybrid of Warmageddon and W2- I'm not sure if Worms is fun on a small screen or alone.
RPG
Animal Crossing
No.
Chrono Trigger
Highly recommended, it is most definitely one of the best RPGs from Japan with fine music- but of course it's still Japanese so you may end up disliking it. Still, it's a really good port from the SNES.
Dark Spire
Doh, my favorite game on the DS so far.
Dragon Quest 4 & 5
Higher Game recommended those- I am not sure if he was being ironic. At any rate, I read that DQ games are really long and each of them should take 100 hours or so, also one of the two apparently spans generations in-game, which could be interesting. Later DQ games let you select your class, so maybe there's something in those two for you.
Etrian O. 1&2
Wizardry-clones with graphics and a sometimes broken (ie easy to abuse/misuse) character system. The only distraction are the loli, but you really only see them in the equip and character creation screens. Very good games aside of that. If you don't like to grind at least a little, why'd one want to play Wizardry anyway?
Final Fantasy 3 & 4
I'd get 4 over 3; it's such a "finished" product. 3 allows far more party-customization, though- 4 has none. It's still the better game; a childhood favorite.
Mazes of Fate
Get the GBA version, this one's just bad.
Orcs and Elves
What'd happen if the creators of Doom made an RPG? This. It's... turn-based Doom 2 with swords and magic. It's pretty damn cool. But it will only last you for maybe six, seven hours.
Rune Factory 2
This is a game like Harvest Moon... except it has so many damn things in it that I haven't wanted to get into it. So pass.
The World Ends With You
Terrible, the art style is offensive to my eyes. It's a pretty dumb game. But I think I'd like it if I was 13! It tries to be hip really hard.
Platformers
Castlevania: Something of Something
These games are all the same, and all terrible. The only one worth playing is Symphony of the Night on the PSX, after that they're all the EXACT SAME GAME. Sure, the levels are different, there's some changes in the system, but- and all that anime-crap, too. Give them a pass.
Contra 4
A manly arcade game! This'd be great to show your kids how manly you are, since this game is controller-breakingly difficult. A great game.
Kirby Superstar Ultra Deluxe
Another faithful remake of a great SNES game, just with nicer graphics and a few extras. Very fun, especially for the little ones!
Mario 64
Well... it's Mario 64. I can't say I like playing it on the DS, but- it's Mario 64.
Megaman ZXA
I have /no/ idea what this game is about, just don't get it.
The New Super Mario Bros
Ugggh, no. Who wants New Mario Bros when they can have the old ones?
Wario Disguise Something
Terrible. What have they done to Wario?
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Anyway, in short, I'd recommend Advance Wars, Etrian O. 1 and 2 for you, Orcs & Elves, that hex-based Panzer game and the Korg synthesizer. And of course Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 4. And that Fire Emblem game if you never played one before, you might dig it- or not. I know I don't.
