Populous DS
Nintendo DS · 2008
About this game
Populous DS is a modern portable version of the classic strategy game .
Much like the other, older titles in the series, players assume the role of a god and battle against a demon in a game of strategic management of worshipers and land.
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The gods of Earth, Wind, Water, Fire, and Harvest are available for players to choose to play through the game's various challenges and environments.
Each god, of course, has their associated demon to topple.
As with previous titles in the franchise, players manipulate the land, order around worshipers, and send divine intervention against the opposing demon.
A stage is completed when an Armageddon strikes the land causing the gods to fight one another while their worshipers fight below on the ground.
This DS version of the game features touch-screen controls for all aspects of the game, thus simplifying some elements such as raising or lowering landscape.
Players simply double-tap houses to eject worshipers to send them off on errands.
Both Miracles and Orders can be activated using menu items on the touch-screen, and while holding the L button down, players may also use the stylus to manually move the landscape around.
When Miracles are activated, a pre-rendered animation plays on the top screen of the DS.
The top screen also shows the "actual" landscape with detailed images of the worshipers, deities, buildings, and so forth, while the bottom screen features basic colored geometry.
The game features a Challenge mode, wherein levels are listed in order with gradually increasing challenge.
This mode also houses the lengthy and detailed tutorial for the game, and is where gods are unlocked for regular gameplay later on.
There are also various bonuses unlocked by earning medals from mini-games, and an Extra menu with extremely challenging stages.
There is also a Free Play mode where players may customize many of the game rules including victory conditions, landscape range, allowed miracles, and god selection.
Another mode called War
About Nintendo DS
The dual-screen, touch-enabled Nintendo DS (2004) became the best-selling handheld of all time, helped by its huge and genre-diverse library. Cartridge-based DS games have held up well physically over 20 years, and complete-in-box copies of the system's biggest sellers (Nintendogs, Pokémon, Mario Kart) remain very accessible for new collectors starting out.
Gamevaro tracks Populous DS for Nintendo DS with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Populous DS to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This NDS release dates back to 2008.
Price history
Market values by condition
PAL
NTSC-U
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €2.85 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | PAL | €11.77 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | PAL | €4.29 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | PAL | €21.16 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €17.45 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | NTSC-U | €9.84 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | PAL | €23.28 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €11.40 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | PAL | €2.69 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €4.56 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €19.20 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | PAL | €7.56 |
| 2026-07-10 | Box Only | PAL | €4.29 |
| 2026-07-10 | Complete in Box | PAL | €11.76 |
| 2026-07-10 | Complete in Box | PAL | €40.10 |
| 2026-07-10 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €11.39 |
| 2026-07-10 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €19.20 |
| 2026-07-10 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-J | €11.40 |
| 2026-07-10 | Item only | PAL | €7.56 |
| 2026-07-10 | New (sealed) | PAL | €21.15 |
| 2026-07-10 | New (sealed) | PAL | €35.46 |
| 2026-07-10 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €4.56 |
| 2026-07-10 | Item only | PAL | €15.27 |
| 2026-07-10 | Graded New | PAL | €23.27 |
| 2026-07-10 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €2.85 |
| 2026-07-10 | Item only | NTSC-U | €9.84 |
| 2026-07-10 | Sealed / New | NTSC-J | €23.68 |
| 2026-07-10 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €17.45 |
| 2026-07-10 | Manual Only | PAL | €2.68 |
| 2026-07-09 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €23.68 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Populous DS has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning enough copies circulate to establish a reliable market price.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Populous DS worth?
Populous DS for Nintendo DS is currently worth €15.27 loose, €11.77 complete in box, and €21.16 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Populous DS rare?
Populous DS has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning it trades hands regularly and isn't considered particularly rare.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Populous DS?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. For Populous DS, loose is €15.27 and CIB is €11.77 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.
Is Populous DS worth more in PAL or NTSC?
The PAL version of Populous DS is currently worth €15.27 loose, versus €12.36 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.
Ratings & Reviews
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