Tons of fantastic DS games were released in 2009, and now that we’re entering into 2010 it seems only fitting to honor 10 of the best released last year. Compling such a list is a difficult task, especially considering how many fantastic games were released in 2009, but the final choices mark the best of the best of 2009.

There are quite a few others games though, that do deserve to be acknowledged as runners-up. Games that were good, but not quite good enough to make the top 10. For exampe, there was The Legendary Starfy, Dragon Quest V, Pokemon Platinum, Phantasy Star Zero, Rhythm Heaven and Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure. Many great games were released, but only 10 can be considered the best.

And now, on to Gamertell’s 10 best DS games released in 2009…

What do you get when you combine the action and puzzles of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles and Zelda, with the collection elements of Pokemon and the socializing from Harvest Moon or Persona 4? Avalon Code. And that isn’t even mentioning all of the mini-game aspects.

Matrix Software, Marvelous Entertainment and XSEED have really stumbled onto something special with Avalon Code. The game uses some familiar game devices, but feels like something fresh and new. The story is unusual, the way you progress through the game is inspired. It’s a joy to play. Even though some of the NPCs are stereotypical characters, the fact that you can “fix” the heroes and heroines revitalizes them as well.

There’s an influx of DS RPGs coming. It started this month with Blue Dragon Plus and Dragon Quest V, and is going to continue throughout the next few months. The next game in the surge is the March 10, 2009 release Avalon Code, from Matrix Software, Marvelous Entertainment and XSEED Games.

Avalon Code is an action RPG requiring players to smack important items with a book so when the world ends, those items can be saved/restored. Sounds unusual, and possibly a bit difficult to picture, right? Don’t worry – you don’t have to imagine what it’s like any longer. A free, brief demo is now available on the Nintendo Channel.

So you’ve got a Wii and a DS, you could be enjoying a preview of the Avalon Code goodness right now. In case you don’t have access to the Avalon Code demo, Gamertell’s here to tell you all about it…