Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword is one of those DS games that actually makes the stylus feel awesome instead of gimmicky. You slash enemies by swiping across the screen like a real ninja—sounds simple, but the timing matters, and pulling off combos feels surprisingly satisfying. The first time you deflect arrows by tapping them mid-air, you’ll feel like an absolute badass.

It’s got that classic Ninja Gaiden speed—enemies hit hard, and you’ve gotta stay mobile. The game flips the DS sideways like a book, which takes a second to get used to, but it works. Boss fights are brutal in the best way, especially when you figure out their patterns and counter with a perfectly timed swipe. Just don’t be surprised if you accidentally stab the screen a little too hard during tense moments.

If you’re into action games that actually make the DS hardware shine, this one’s still a standout.