The First Ever DS Abbreviation Awards!
Tuesday / 01.29.08 / 09:22PM / Joe
One of the bizarre little sub-trends in DS games over the past three+ years is the practice of giving a game a subtitle that uses the initials "D. S." Sometimes it makes sense, as in 2005's Advance Wars: Dual Strike. You know, like, maybe you can attack twice. Most of them, however, are just plain terrible... nonsensical phrases that have nothing to do with the game. Somebody, somewhere, probably deep in marketing, decided that inventing a fruity "D. S." subtitle would magically increase sales.
So now, fourhman.com is proud to present
THE FIRST EVER DS ABBREVIATION AWARDS.
First the runner-ups, then the TOP FOUR FINISHERS!
Nominated But Not Too Awful
Ranging from smart-and-subtle to blatantly buffoonish, these games just weren't horrible enough to land a prize.
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (2005, Konami)
Dig Dug: Digging Strike (2005, Namco)
Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits (2004, Namco)
Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword (2008, Tecmo)
Tenchu: Dark Secret (2006, From Software)
 Third Place for Awful
Resident Evil: Deadly Silence (2006, Capcom)
The thing about this game is that it is a remake of the original PS1 Resident Evil that we all ignored until RE2 came out and was awesome. Although classic-era Resident Evil is nothing if not cheesy, "Deadly Silence" is beyond the pale.
 Second Place for Awful
Super Black Bass: Dynamic Shot (2007, Starfish)
OK, this is completely unfair because this game will likely never see a US release, so the "Dynamic Shot" thing could just be a generous translation. Still, hellish wicked box art, eh? Al Borland in a turtleneck about to get crushed by his avalanching boat trailer!?
Might as well mention Zettai Zetsumei Dangerous Jiisan DS: Dangerous Sensation (2006, Kids Station), another Japanese release with a potentially awful subtitle. Maybe even class-actionable.
 First Place for Awful
Fullmetal Alchemist: Dual Sympathy (2006, Bandai)
I don't think "Dual Sympathy" makes any sense, even by anime standards.
 GRAND PRIZE for Most Awful Use of D and S in Game Title!
Guilty Gear: Dust Strikers (2006, Majesco)
I'll admit that I don't know beans about the Guilty Gear franchise, but I am willing to bet that striking dust doesn't figure in to it at all. This is the ultimate abuse of initials.
Honorable Mention
Commando: Steel Disaster (unreleased, Lexicon) - For mixing up the proper order.
Trauma Center: Under the Knife (2005, Atlus) - For naming the lead character Dr. Derek Stiles.
Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (2007, Nintendo) - I suspect that the name "Dusk" was chosen as a DS soundalike. In Japan, the game was called "Wish Room." Same goes for Pokemon Dash (2005, Nintendo.)
Games That We Can't Believe DIDN'T Use A DS Subtitle
Any Sonic game - If anybody would love a sillyass DS subtitle, it's Sonic. And also: Spyro, Bomberman, Mega Man and Frogger.
Any Nicktoons brand game - SpongeBob: Deepsea SquarePants! Hey Arnold: Delicious Sandwich! Ren & Stimpy: Denied Snot-jokes! (post-John K.)
Did I miss any? Let's hope we never have to do this again. | 
