Ys I

Nintendo DS · RPG

Ys I

Deep cut

SystemNintendo DS
GenreRPG
DeveloperNihon Falcom
PublisherNihon Falcom
Players1 player
CommitmentEpic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
SeriesYs
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 3

Ys I is a role-playing game released for the Nintendo DS, developed by Nihon Falcom. This DS release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1987.

It is part of the Ys series; on the DS you can also try Ys Strategy. The series also appears on other systems with Ys I (Master System) and Ys IV: Mask of the Sun (SNES).

This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.

Pick it if…

  • you want to get lost in a long quest
  • you have time for an epic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
  • you've played the DS hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you want instant action rather than menus, story and grinding
  • you are looking for something to play with friends
  • you only have a few minutes at a time

What playing Ys I is like

Role-playing games trade reflexes for strategy and story. You build a party, level up, manage equipment and travel across a large world, usually through menu-based battles.

Tip for newcomers: Retro RPGs can require some level grinding and rarely tell you exactly where to go next. Talk to every townsperson, save often and use a guide if you get stuck: there is no shame in it.

Ys I walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Ys I.

If you like Ys I, the Matrix also picks…

Ys II box art
Ys II NES · 1990 · RPG Deep cut

Playing DS games today

Many DS games rely on the touchscreen and stylus, so they play best on original hardware, a 3DS, or an emulator with mouse or touch input such as Rec0m88. The library is enormous, which makes a recommendation engine especially handy.

Ys I FAQ

Who made Ys I?

It was developed by Nihon Falcom.

Is Ys I multiplayer?

No. Ys I is a single-player game.

How long does Ys I take to play?

As a role-playing game, Ys I typically falls into the "Epic journey" category: 20+ hours of adventure. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Ys I on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you