Greetings once again, fellow Bombers. I haven't owned a handheld console since the Game Boy Advance (original issuing), but seeing my friends entertain themselves endlessly with the DS and a lifestyle that involves a fair amount of travel has been steadily pushing me toward picking one up. So here's the question: which five DS games (not ten, not three) would you recommend to a fan of old-school handheld RPGs (Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, etc.)?

Greetings once again, fellow Bombers. I haven't owned a handheld console since the Game Boy Advance (original issuing), but seeing my friends entertain themselves endlessly with the DS and a lifestyle that involves a fair amount of travel has been steadily pushing me toward picking one up. So here's the question: which five DS games (not ten, not three) would you recommend to a fan of old-school handheld RPGs (Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, etc.)?

If you want more of the same, I believe both Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics have had sequels on the DS. I need to catch up on my DS RPG's also, but here's some games I've heard good things about.

• Advance Wars
  
• Chrono Trigger
• The World Ends With You
• Disgaea DS
  
• Final Fantasy 3/4
  

Since you want to "old school" RPGS.

Chrono Trigger
Dragon Quest 5
Pokemon Pearl or Diamond
Final Fantasy 4
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon

Of course the system offer more than just RPGs.  I would look into the following games.
Advance Wars: Dual Strike
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrows
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin
Bangai-O Spirits
Contra 4

Chrono Trigger
New Super Mario Bros (Cause it's just awesome)
Final Fantasy IV
Advance Wars
The World Ends With You

For RPG's, go with the TWEWY, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy IV, Pokemon Pearl/Diamond/Platinum, and Advance Wars: Dual Strike. Also, I would suggest Professor Layton and GTA: CW as other suggestions.

If you're up for some unconventional rpg gameplay, get The World Ends With You. That game has one of the weirdest controls yet most addictive gameplay I've seen in a while.

POKEMANS

THE ONLY GAME ANYONE EVER NEEDS FOR THEIR WHOLE LIFE

Advance Wars and Pokemon Platinum are both awesome, if you are looking for a more traditional JRPG then I guess Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV. Mario + Luigi partners in time is supposed to be an RPG as well, no idea what it's like though.

If you are getting a DS you would be a fool not to get Chinatown wars. That game is badass.

• Advance Wars is fantastic and will last you a really long time.
• Pokemon Platinum is worth picking up, that series is fantastic still
• Hotel Dusk is one of my personal favorites, though not really in that category you like. It's more of a lightly interactive novel than a game, but the story and art are fantastic
• I've heard The World Ends With You is really great, haven't tried it myself though
• Final Fantasy III or IV are both great remakes, though you can tell their gameplay is quite dated
  

"Advance Wars and Pokemon Platinum are both awesome, if you are looking for a more traditional JRPG then I guess Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV. Mario + Luigi partners in time is supposed to be an RPG as well, no idea what it's like though.If you are getting a DS you would be a fool not to get Chinatown wars. That game is badass."

I would purchase a Nintendo DS because it seems like you have console games covered. There are games on that platform that are nothing like anything else.

Tons of a great suggestions, and I would love to buy them all. Someone mentioned New Super Mario Bros., and that will be an absolute must. Although I'm tempted to not buy GTA simple because Sweep recommended it, I suppose I'll have to give it a shot. =P

Thanks all!

No love for Suikoden Tiekreis?

It's been said here before, but Advance Wars seems to be right up your alley, and it really encompasses true pick-up-and-play gameplay, very suited for train rides and such.