Best FPS on Nintendo DS: Metroid Prime Hunters

When you think of the best first-person shooters on the original Nintendo DS, games like GoldenEye 007 or Call of Duty might come to mind. But the truth is, the best FPS on Nintendo DS is one many of you probably owned without realizing it: Metroid Prime Hunters. Released in March 2006, this stylus-driven shooter became a landmark title for the handheld and proved the DS could deliver console-quality competitive gameplay.

Metroid Prime Hunters: A Unique FPS Departure

Unlike traditional Metroid games, Hunters was a first-person shooter where Samus competed against six other bounty hunters. Set between Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2, the story sent hunters through the Olympus Cluster chasing a mysterious signal. This single-player campaign served as a tutorial for the real draw: multiplayer combat. The controls relied heavily on the touchscreen for aiming and weapon swaps—unconventional at the time, but intuitive for dedicated players willing to master the stylus-based mechanics.

Revolutionary Multiplayer Design

The multiplayer component is where Metroid Prime Hunters Nintendo DS multiplayer truly excelled. The game shipped with 26 maps and seven game modes, including Deathmatch, Capture the Flag variants, and unique modes like Prime Hunter (a Juggernaut-style experience). Each bounty hunter had distinct weapons and alternate forms—Samus with her morph ball, Trace with Trellion—keeping matches fresh and rewarding mastery of different playstyles. This depth made the best handheld FPS of its generation.

Early Competitive Scene and Legacy

Few realize that Metroid Prime Hunters had an actual esports presence in 2006. Nintendo of Europe partnered with HMV to host "The Hunt is On" tournaments across the UK, with winners earning trips to meet developers. This competitive infrastructure was revolutionary for handheld gaming. Though Nintendo shut down DS online servers in 2014, a dedicated community still plays via emulator using mouse, keyboard, or controller support. The game feels like a portable Quake—fast-paced, skillful, and endlessly replayable.

While the single-player campaign received mixed reviews for repetitiveness, Hunters proved handhelds could deliver serious FPS experiences. To see the full breakdown of its multiplayer mechanics, strategy tips, and why it remains the best DS shooter, check out the complete video on our channel.