Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell : Chaos Theory

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory for Nintendo DS brings Ubisoft's stealth-action series to Nintendo's dual-screen handheld. Developed by Gameloft and published by Ubisoft, this portable version reached North America in June 2005, with a European release following at the end of the month. Players again step into the role of Sam Fisher, Third Echelon's covert operative, as an investigation into information warfare and international tension sends him into hostile territory.

The campaign is built around careful infiltration rather than direct confrontation. Fisher moves through guarded installations from a third-person view, using darkness, cover, timing and observation to stay out of sight. A familiar light meter helps communicate how exposed he is, while an over-the-shoulder aiming view supports encounters when stealth breaks down. Objectives ask players to penetrate secured areas, work around patrols and security systems, and press onward through missions shaped for a compact handheld adventure.

Nintendo DS hardware gives Chaos Theory its own control approach. The Touch Screen is used to move the camera, select equipment from the inventory, switch between vision modes and take on interactive tasks. Hacking computers and picking locks become stylus-driven activities, making the lower screen part of the spy toolkit instead of simply a menu. Fisher also retains close-quarters techniques and a selection of weapons, letting players decide when to avoid trouble, incapacitate a guard or force a way through.

This DS edition adapts the larger Chaos Theory storyline and mission arc for portable play rather than duplicating every part of the console game. Its presentation leans on text dialogue and short in-engine scenes, while its levels and controls are tailored to the system's buttons and touch input. The game also includes a DS-exclusive SWAT turn, one of the character moves added for this version, and its visual design presents Fisher's missions in 3D on the handheld.

Multiplayer expands the Nintendo DS game beyond the solo campaign through local wireless play, with every participant using a copy of the Game Card. Cooperative missions pair two players, who can choose assault or hacker specializations and combine their abilities to clear objectives. Competitive Spy-versus-Mercenary matches instead divide players between infiltrators trying to hack terminals for data and defenders protecting them. Supporting up to four players in Versus mode, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory gives the DS an unusually full stealth package with single-player, cooperative and competitive options.