Play SimCity DS (J)(WRG) Online

SimCity DS came out for the Nintendo DS in 2007, published by Electronic Arts. It was part of that wave of complex simulation games trying to find a home on the handheld, a time when developers were still figuring out how to translate deep PC experiences to a dual screen, touch controlled device.

You control the entire city as its mayor, zoning residential, commercial, and industrial areas with the stylus. Your main objective is to balance your budget while managing the needs of your growing population, which involves building power plants, laying down water pipes, and providing police and fire coverage. Two signature mechanics are using the bottom screen's detailed map for precise construction and the top screen for a wider strategic view; you also deal with random disasters like fires and UFO attacks that can wipe out entire city blocks. The pacing is deliberate, sometimes slow, as you wait for tax revenue to accumulate before your next big project. It feels like conducting a stubborn, chaotic orchestra where the instruments are traffic jams and power grids.