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[BraXzy]

Welcome! This thread is a compilation of recommended games that are must haves for the 3DS. Anyone is free to post their opinions on a game that they own to help people looking for their next purchase.

This thread is for those who are looking for the next game to buy or the next game to avoid. Those who are deciding on when to buy a 3DS because for some reason they don't own one yet! Please leave reviews of games you own!

For those who never owned an original DS, find some of the missed goodness waiting for you here in GAF's own Mega Thread

If you have a game you want to recommend or advise against, please INCLUDE YOUR OPINIONS/REASONS AS TO WHY!

e-Shop Only Titles

Colors 3D | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Collecting Smiles
Developer: Collecting Smiles
Genre: Drawing
Price: $6.99/€6.00/£5.40

Colors! is a fun and simple painting application for Nintendo 3DS, Android, iOS, and PlayStation Vita.

Crimson Shroud | Click here for OT |
Publisher: LEVEL-5
Developer: LEVEL-5
Genre: RPG
Price: $7.99/€7.99/£7.19

A tribute to the table-top RPG, crucial decisions hinge on the roll of a die. Players roll dice in real time and chain skills together to earn bonus dice of greater and greater face value. Use your dice strategically though, or your foes may yet get the best of you! Follow the tale of a young "Chaser" named Giauque, as he and his team find themselves drawn into the mystery of the Original Gift, the Crimson Shroud. A bold new adventure awaits!

Gunman Clive | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Hörberg Productions
Developer: Hörberg Productions
Genre: Action / Platformer / Shooter
Price: $1.99/€1.99/£1.99

Jump and shoot your way across diverse and challenging levels and fight massive bosses. Gunman Clive is an old-school sidescrolling platform game set in the old west with full 3D graphics and a unique artstyle. Bring out your inner cowboy and get ready for some real gunslinger action.

Mighty Switch Force | Click here for OT |
Publisher: WayForward
Developer: WayForward
Genre: Action / Platformer
Price: $6.99/€6/£5.40

WayForward’s first download title for 3DS has players controlling Officer Patricia Wagon, cybernetic cop send forth by the Galactic Penal Squad to put the Hooligan Sisters back behind bars. By activating her Siren Helmet, Patricia can shift the machine matrix of Planet Land, altering the world around her.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Adventure
Price: $29.99/€19.99/£19.99

Dual Destinies continues the style of gameplay from previous installments, in which the player must utilize evidence and find contradictions in witness statements to prove their client innocent. Like previous installments, gameplay is split up between Investigations, in which players find evidence and question witnesses, and Trials, where they must use the evidence to expose contradictions. The game now features full 3D graphics and character models, allowing more dynamic camera angles during gameplay.

Pushmo | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Genre: Puzzle
Price: $6.99/€6/£5.40

Pushmo is a unique part-puzzle, part-platform game that will tax your brain and creativity!

Steamworld Dig| Click here for OT |
Publisher: Image & Form
Developer: Image & Form
Genre: Platformer / Action-Adventure
Price: $8.99/€8.99/£7.99

SteamWorld Dig is a hardcore platform mining adventure game for Nintendo 3DS. Take the role as Rusty, a lone mining steambot, as he arrives to an old mining town in great need. Dig your way through the old earth, gaining riches while uncovering the ancient threat that lurks below...

VVVVVV | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nicalis, Inc.
Developer: Terry Cavanagh
Genre: Platformer
Price: $7.99/€8.00/£7.20

There's something terribly wrong in an alternate dimension! Help Captain Viridian flip to find five crew members, 20 hard-to-reach Trinkets and save a dimension on the brink of destruction. It's a space opera in the most unique scale with a style that only VVVVVV can bring to you. Instead of jumping, control the direction of gravity by inverting your gravity and allowing Captain Viridian to flip between the floors and ceilings of the environments.

Retail games

Animal Crossing: New Leaf | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo EAD / Monolith Soft
Genre: Simulation
Price: $34.99/€37.00/£29.99

Welcome to Animal Crossing where, as mayor of your own town, you make the decisions that shape your town and your life. Experience a living, breathing world where new friends and new discoveries await every day, morning, noon, and night. Express yourself by customizing your character, your house, and your town as you create your own ideal world.

New Art Academy | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Project Sora
Genre: Drawing
Price: €19.99/£12.99

Hone your artistic skills with the next installment of the popular Art Academy franchise. New Art Academy offers brand new step by step lessons that help artists of all levels learn to paint and draw. New Art Academy guides you through drawing and painting techniques, different visual principles and various artistic materials. Save your masterpieces and build your own portfolio that can be shared with friends via SpotPass and WiFi.

Bravely Default | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Silicon Studio / Square Enix
Genre: RPG
Price: €44.99/£34.99

Bravely Default: Where the Fairy Flies is now available exclusively on Nintendo 3DS. Embark on a journey in the world of Luxendarc, the welfare of which relies on four elemental crystals. According to tradition, crystals are looked after by chosen priestesses, the vestals, who all bear the name Oblige. As of late, terrible events have befallen the land and the power of the crystals seems to be waning. Follow the quest of Agnès Oblige, the Vestal of Wind, and her companions, as they race to restore balance in Luxendarc by awakening the crystals.

Note: This is not yet released in the US: release date: 7th February 2014.

Donkey Kong: Country Returns 3D | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Monster Games (Port) / Retro Studios (Original game)
Genre: Adventure / Platformer
Price: $32.99/€34.99/£27.99

The swingin' king of the jungle is back to go ape in a new dimension in Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D for Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL!

Donkey Kong and his simian sidekick Diddy Kong both return for more action-packed hi-jinks in this enhanced version of the classic Wii platforming game, giving you another chance to jump, race and roll across Donkey Kong Island in your quest to rescue the banana hoard from the troublesome Tiki Tak Tribe.

Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Atlus
Genre: RPG
Price: $29.99/€39.99/£29.99

Gaming’s best tribute to retro RPGs enters a new dimension packed with improvements and content: an enhanced graphics engine boasting polygonal enemies and new 3-D special effects; upgradable, customizable skyships that let players travel and battle amid the clouds. Take advantage of the new StreetPass feature to trade guild cards and characters. An exceedingly atmospheric and fully orchestrated musical score from Yuzo Koshiro, in addition to expanded, more immersive 3-D dungeons with analog camera control rounds up the features of this addition to the Etrian Odyssey franchise.

Fire Emblem: Awakening | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Genre: Strategy RPG
Price: $38.99/€39.99/£31.99

Fire Emblem: Awakening is a turn-based strategy game that sees you lead an army of soldiers into a series of epic battles. As your adventure progresses, you'll need to develop and nurture relationships between your characters (including your created hero), as well as using their unique abilities on the battlefield to achieve victory.

Kid Icarus: Uprising | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Project Sora
Genre: Action / Adventure
Price: $44.99/€42.99/£34.99

Medusa has been resurrected and is gathering the underworld forces of darkness to fulfill her ambition. You play as an angel named Pit who is bestowed the power of flight from Palutena, the Goddess of Light. Repel the Medusa's underworld army with your choice of an array of weapons like: Blades, Claws, Bow, Cannon, Mace, Staff and others that you will discover along your journey. Multiplayer mode allows for competitive gameplay locally or over a wireless Internet connection. Its time for Medusa to meet the power of light and only you can guide Pit to victory!The game comes packed with a black stand for use with your 3DS console.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: HAL Laboratory, Inc.
Genre: Platformer
Price: $34.99/€32.99/£25.99

Join Kirby in the all new 2D platformer Kirby: Triple Deluxe and rescue the kidnapped King Dedede on a mysterious huge plant which has grown in Dream Land, shifting Kirby’s own house in the air.

Triple Deluxe doesn't try to reinvent the Kirby wheel. It doesn't do anything particularly flashy or provide anything new to single itself out from the crowd. But it's just a good old classic Kirby game, and I personally think it's fantastic.

 

[BraXzy]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Grezzo
Genre: Action-Adventure / RPG
Price: $39.99/€39.99/£32.99

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is a must-have single player Action-Adventure game for the Nintendo 3DS. A reimagining of the original Nintendo 64 classic, the game features the full original game graphically overhauled in the glasses-free 3D made possible by the Nintendo 3DS. Along with this, the game includes all-new new challenges unique to this release, including a master quest, a new Boss Challenge mode that allows for flexibility in how you face bosses and in-game video segments.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Action-Adventure / RPG
Price: $34.99/€39.99/£34.99

Two worlds collide in an all-new adventure set in the world of Super NES classic The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. In this newly spun tale, Link transforms into a living painting to cross into a dark, parallel dimension mirroring Hyrule. Conquer the puzzles, traps, and hidden rooms of deadly dungeons to save both worlds from certain doom!

Luigi's Mansion 2 | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Next Level Games
Genre: Action / Adventure
Price: $30.99/€39.99/£31.99

Help Luigi overcome ghastly ghosts, mind-melting puzzles, and his own clumsiness in an all-new spooky adventure. Armed with his trusty Poltergust 5000—a ghost-catching vacuum cleaner—and all the courage of a wet napkin, the green-hatted hero needs your help to battle through five massive mansions full of hidden passages and bone-chilling challenges. Whether you’re charging up the new strobe light to stun a slime-tossing Gobber ghost, revealing illusions with the new Dark Light Device, or reeling in multiple poltergeists with timely button presses, you’ll need to use all of your paranormal survival skills.

Mario Kart 7 | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo EAD / Retro Studios
Genre: Racing
Price: $39.99/€39.99/£32.99

The newest installment of the fan-favorite Mario Kart™ franchise brings Mushroom Kingdom racing fun into glorious 3D. For the first time, drivers explore new competitive kart possibilities, such as soaring through the skies or plunging to the depths of the sea. New courses, strategic new abilities and customizable karts bring the racing excitement to new heights.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Action / Adventure
Price: $31.99/€37.99/£33.99

Players take on the role of a hunter and are sent to explore a settlement within the Monster Hunter universe, completing quests on their journey to seek and slay monsters whilst improving their skills and earning equipment upgrades. With many challenging monsters and over 200 quests the latest edition to the series is set to be the most expansive offering to date.

Pokemon X & Y | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Game Freak
Genre: Adventure / RPG
Price: $39.99/€42.99/£32.99

Travel an all-new land with all new Pokemon such as Chespin the Grass Type, Fennekin the Fire type or Froakie the Water type! But you’ll also be greeted by some familiar faces too like Pikachu to capture and train, as you once again set out to become the best Pokemon trainer around. Now in stunning 3D, Pokémon battles will look better than ever before as the camera takes on a more dynamic view to capture the new attacks and animations. There is also the new Fairy type!

Resident Evil: Revelations | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Survival-Horror
Price: $25.99/€19.99/£19.99

Resident Evil: Revelations is a Mature rated Survival-Horror game exclusively for play on Nintendo's 3DS handheld game system. Revelations is the first complete Resident Evil game released for 3DS. It contains an all-new story set within the overall franchise chronology, familiar and new characters, a new kind of enemy and virus, a multiplayer option, and 3DS specific gameplay functionality. Additional features include: the new Raid Mode, in-game area scanning abilities, a Circle Pad Pro control scheme, an optional first-person shooter view, and outstanding 3DS visuals.

Shin Megami Tensei IV | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Atlus
Genre: RPG
Price: $44.99

Every year in the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado, all children who have turned 18 that year make a pilgrimage to Mikado Castle to take part what is known as the "Gauntlet Rite," a traditional ceremony to determine a person's worthiness to join the elite ranks of the Samurai, noble warriors and protectors of the realm. You and your friend Issachar are from a simple village, and today is the day that your life may change forever...

Note: This is not yet released in Europe

Style Savvy: Trendsetter | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Simulation
Price: $18.99/€19.99/£14.99

Manage your own boutique and help customers find the perfect outfit by keeping up with fashion trends, stocking new clothes for your store, and customizing your shop to reflect your personality. With thousands of styles to choose from, it's up to you to build a fashion dynasty like no other!

Super Mario 3D Land | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Genre: Platformer
Price: $39.99/€39.99/£30.99

Mario and his Mushroom Kingdom friends return in this latest installment of the popular adventure series. Super Mario 3D Land promises to deliver a fun-filled adventure that all-ages can enjoy. Expect all the fun you've come to love from Mario in this brand new addition to the franchise. Perfect to enjoy for a few minutes or a few hours, get ready to escape from everyday hectic life and fill in your "me" time with Mario!

Super Mario 3D Land is a new adventure for Nintendo 3DS, the latest Nintendo handheld system. You can use the 3D slider on the side of your Nintendo 3DS console to adjust the 3D to a level that's comfortable for your eyes - or turn it off completely. The console includes an array of parental controls for your complete peace of mind in case you want to share the fun with a child.

Super Smash Bros. for 3DS | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Fighting
Price: $39.99/€34.99/£29.99

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS is the first portable entry in the renowned series in which game worlds collide. Up to four players battle each other locally or online using some of Nintendo's most well-known and iconic characters across beautifully designed stages inspired by classic portable Nintendo games. It's a genuine, massive Super Smash Bros. experience that's available to play on the go, anytime, anywhere. Battle it out as Nintendo's greatest heroes and villains, at home or anywhere, on the Nintendo 3DS system!

Super Street Fighter IV | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Fighting
Price: $14.99/€7.99/£8.99

The console experience is now in the palm of your hand with rich new features that utilize the capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS to its fullest. Packed with 35 playable characters, bonus stages and cinematic Ultra combos, Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition expands the action by allowing you to fight your friends around the world using Wi-Fi.

Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: indieszero
Genre: Music / Rhythm
Price: $29.99/€19.99/£27.99

THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY reconnects players with characters and soundtracks from the games that they remember and cherish in a rich, melodic, and colorful rhythm-RPG adventure, with over 70 tracks selected from the FINAL FANTASY series, a bright and unique visual adaptation of iconic characters and villains, and a variety of rhythm gameplay modes that promise hours of replay.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Sofia
Genre: Action / Strategy
Price: $9.99/€14.99/£11.99

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars is a turn based tactical RPG for the Nintendo which uses the 3D capabilities of the 3DS to create detailed environments and effects. Unlike the recent few Ghost Recon games, Shadow Wars uses an isometric perspective. However, it keeps a familiar sense of team management. It has been developed by Ubisoft Sofia under the creative direction of Julian Gollop, a British designer of strategy games. His most popular work to date is the X-COM series of games.

Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward | Click here for OT |
Publisher: Aksys Games
Developer: ChunSoft
Genre: Adventure / Puzzle
Price: $19.99/€29.99/£19.99

Everybody dies… …can you escape the inescapable?

Kidnapped and taken to a mysterious warehouse, Sigma awakens in an elevator with a girl named Phi. He soon discovers that there are seven others playing a sick game of life or death with guidance from a mysterious rabbit named Zero III. Their mission: survive and escape the warehouse. But with secrets, betrayal and intrigue everywhere, who will survive this warehouse of hell?

WARNING: Possible save bug! Info here: http://goo.gl/G2ttB7

If you are looking for a specific genre, search the OT. If you are looking for opinions on a game, search for the game in the thread!

If you think a game is missing, or shouldn't be included, and there is a general agreement, I will update the OT as necessary!

 

[Linkhero1]

Fantastic OP. Question about Zero Escape. Have they fixed the bug in the physical copies of the game? I've been meaning to get it but have steered clear due to the save bug.

 

[Santiako]

You are missing Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate and Ghost Recon Shadow Wars, both excellent retail titles, and the Picross e line from the e-Shop.

Other than that, excellent thread.

 

[BraXzy]

You are missing Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate and Ghost Recon Shadow Wars, both excellent retail titles, and the Picross e line from the e-Shop.

Other than that, excellent thread.

I was thinking of adding Monster Hunter because it is generally loved by people so yeah I'll get that one in! I've heard mixed reviews about Ghost Recon so I'll leave that for now.

As for the Virtues Last Reward bug, I didn't know of it, but apparently it is fixed in the digital version?

http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/08/virtues_last_reward_glitch_resolved_in_eshop_version_maybe

 

[dreamfall]

Goodness, this OT is so beautiful.

I'd add Dead Or Alive Dimensions to the list. It has a really good old school DOA feel to it, and there's a story mode to provide a shortened introduction to newcomers and old players alike. Also, with the slider off, the online component feels very fast and fluid. I wonder if the costumes will be offered again for if they'll put them on the E-Shop? It's a great portable DOA fighter. (Let me add to this in a bit!)

And some Pokemon love? (AH, already there, missed the lovely tab!)

Shout out to Style Saavy being ridiculously rad!

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

Get Pushmo. Don't buy Witch & Hero. The rest is up to you my son. Go the distance.

 

[Santiako]

I was thinking of adding Monster Hunter because it is generally loved by people so yeah I'll get that one in! I've heard mixed reviews about Ghost Recon so I'll leave that for now.

As for the Virtues Last Reward bug, I didn't know of it, but apparently it is fixed in the digital version?

http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/08/virtues_last_reward_glitch_resolved_in_eshop_version_maybe

Ghost Recon absolutely needs to be there, everyone that's played it will agree. It's a fantastic game by the creator of XCOM, and there's nowhere else you can play it.

 

[Dandy Crocodile]

Fantastic OT!!
VLR's save bug is not fixed on the physical cart. Best way to avoid corrupting your file is just never to save in a puzzle room.
The digital version of VLR "fixed" the problem by disabling the ability to save in the most problematic room.

 

[Horseticuffs]

Awesome OT. Nice design.

I definitely need to pay more attention to my XL. I'm giving DKCR an honest go when I'm not home and it's pretty good. Trying to get in the mood for TF.

I get the impression I shouldn't jump on LBTW until after Xmas just in case. That game definitely looks badass. I also intend to pick up my first Pokemon and Bravely Default in the first part of the year.

3DS XL/ Wii U are a fuckin' powerhouse of great games.

Fire Emblem is a miracle directly from the gods. If you're a fan of Strategy RPG's like FF Tactics, or Disgea, or X-Com and the like, this game is certainly for you. Deep story, EXTREMELY likable characters that you get super attached to, and loads and loads of content to digest.

You don't need to be concerned if you haven't played the other 94 FE games, this is the perfect start point. It's even got a casual setting where dead characters can wise from their gwaves. You'll probably need that!

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

Ghost Recon absolutely needs to be there, everyone that's played it will agree. It's a fantastic game by the creator of XCOM, and there's nowhere else you can play it.

If I loved Fire Emblem: Awakening will I like it? Typically not a huge Strategy fan.

 

[charlequin]

I would like to pop in here before we get too far into the thread.

Keeping with the standards we try to hold up for long-term recommendation threads in general, I'd like to request a few things:

• For anyone who wants to post a game they'd like to recommend to others in this thread, please provide a writeup of the game. That doesn't need to be anything too complicated -- essentially, around two paragraphs, explaining both what kind of game it is, how the gameplay works, how long/difficult it is, and what special or unique hooks it might have, along with what it does particularly well and why someone might want to play it.
• Similarly, please identify clearly where a game is available (retail, eShop, or both) and, if possible, include a link to the |OT| for the thread so people can easily read more about it.
• The list of games in the OP is a great start, but I'd like to see the eShop descriptions replaced with writeups like I've described so people can feel like they have enough information to make fully-informed purchasing decisions.

Thanks guys, and here's to a long and fruitful recommendations thread!

 

[TangoAlphaLima]

I haven't played Star Fox 64 3D yet, but I owned the original. Is it not worthy of inclusion?

 

[redhood56]

Fantastic OP. Question about Zero Escape. Have they fixed the bug in the physical copies of the game? I've been meaning to get it but have steered clear due to the save bug.

No they haven't fixed it in the physical version, but it is very easy to avoid. Just don't save during the puzzle rooms, you are missing out!
EDIT: Beaten

 

[Colonel Mustard]

List needs more SMT: IV, Monster Hunter Ultimate, Chain Blaster, Crazy Construction, Jett Rocket 2, Phoenix Wright, EO: Millennium Girl, Rage of the Gladiator, AiRace: Speed, Boulder-Dash XL for original software. Bolded are eShop releases.

Sega 3D stuff is definitely worth a mention as well.

Edit: Will do short write ups when I get home from work.

 

[Linkhero1]

By puzzle room, do you mean rooms you're locked in and the only way to proceed is by solving the puzzle in that room? In 999, every room felt like a puzzle room

 

[Derrick01]

I just started playing Luigi's Mansion today. Makes me wish the 3DS had 2 analog sticks as the standard, using the motion thing to move the vacuum up and down is a chore.

 

[Salsa]

great work on the OP mayne

getting right to it:

Ace Attorney 5: Dual Destinies(+):

Finished it yesterday and it fits right in as my second favorite in the series (after 3)

It's a bit more streamlined than previous games in the series (less exploration/free movement) so it feels like a more on-rails experience but honestly the narrative is so engaging that you barely notice. Some great additions to the cast and the last case really ties the whole thing together nicely. The production values are top-notch and its great to see the series get the treatment/budget it deserves.

Im yet to play the DLC but im looking forward to it. Just finishing up other stuff while taking a breather from the game.

absolutely recommended but it's a tough sell for those who havent played previous entries in the series. Worth pointing out that it's $30 on the eShop as well.



also currently playing and loving A Link Between Worlds and I just bought Mario Kart 7 today (lttp) so i'd be up for some races.

 

[daydream]

Excellent job with the OT!

The eShop is a little underrepresented, though. I would, just off the top of my head, add Ace Attorney 5, Crimson Shroud, Fallblox/Crashmo, Mighty Switch Force 1/2, Code of Princess, escapeVektor, Hydroventure Spin Cycle, Mutant Mudds, The Denpa Men 1/2, Attack of the Friday Monsters, HarmoKnight, Sakura Samurai, Dillon's Rolling Western 1/2 and Mario and DK: Minis on the Move.

Worth discussing, at the very least.

Edit: Just saw charlequin's post. I'll try and write something up as soon as I find the time.

 

[Princess Viola]

Wait Monolith Soft developed AC:NL? Seriously?

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

Wait Monolith Soft developed AC:NL? Seriously?

Parts of. Parts of. i.e. Textures, that kind of thing. They also did work on the latest Zelda.

 

[okayfrog]

I want a traditional, lengthy JRPG to play. To my knowledge, the only RPG's out for the 3DS that meet those criteria are SMTIV, Soul Hackers, Devil Survivor, Etrian Odyssey IV, and Etrian Odyssey: Untold Millennium Girl. Which one would I pick up out of those? I'm kinda leaning toward SMTIV, but EO4 also sounds good.

 

[BraXzy]

Wait Monolith Soft developed AC:NL? Seriously?

I forgot to include Nintendo EAD, I've amended it. Monolith helped with development. And yeah, I wasn't sure which eShop titles to add so I will work on that.

 

[Rickenslacker]

I just started playing Luigi's Mansion today. Makes me wish the 3DS had 2 analog sticks as the standard, using the motion thing to move the vacuum up and down is a chore.

Holding X looks up, holding B looks down. It works for every gadget.

 

[chadi]

Excellent list. Here's a few more that I think should be on there:

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate - having played MH's previous installments, I can say that this game is the definitive version combining both elements from Portable 3rd (fixed hitboxes), Tri (underwater) and Unite (G Rank). The game is soloable but the game really shines when you play with friends.

Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask - not my favorite Layton title (Unwound Future ftfw) but it's one of the few games that has fantastic use of 3D. The animated cutscenes and enviroments looked gorgeous. Great if you enjoy puzzles.

Shin Megami Tensei IV - Story was very engaging as expected from an SMT game. Battle system is solid and fun once you get the hang of it. Just don't lose hope when you die a lot trying to figure out demons' weaknessses. Lol. Voice acting was great IMO. Overworld graphics looked top notch. Drawback is that the DLC's were a bit expensive but they're just optional.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies - A really strong Ace Attorney entry IMO. And the transition from 2D sprites to 3D models couldn't have been better. The characters were very likeable as well including the antagonists. I agree that it's easier now though compared to previous AA games but the game's strongpoint is really its storytelling and it certainly did not disappoint. Loved the music too!

Mighty Switch Force - a fun platformer with some puzzle elements. looks excellent with 3d enabled. it also got an update which added a few more extra levels. it somehow made up for the complaints that it was too short. It's got a really catchy OST to boot.

Mutant Mudds - another solid platformer with really tight controls. you WILL die a lot but you get a strong sense of satisfaction beating each level. it also received a free update which added more levels making it even more worth it.

 

[BinaryPork2737]

I definitely think Shin Megami Tensei 4 should be included. It's honestly one of my favorite games of 2013.

SMT 4 is a JRPG where you play as a newly recruited samurai, whose journey begins when he is tasked to delve into a cavernous dungeon called Naraku to stop demons from entering the Kingdom of Mikado. The situation worsens and in no time at all, you're now tasked with basically saving your kingdom as well as another mysterious land, all while using demons as your minions and tools; unlike Pokemon, demons in SMT 4 are not your friends. You're also forced to moral choices during your journey, with each moral choice tallying up to determine which of the three morality based endings you achieve, including Law, Chaos, and Neutral.

The combat is based on a system called the Press Turn system. Basically, hit an enemy's weak point and you get an extra turn to attack again, use an attack the enemy is resistant to and you lose turns. The enemies you encounter also play by these rules. It's challenging but fair for the most part once you learn how the battle system works (though it does get far easier on normal difficulty by the end of the game). Demons are your tools to use in battle and you can recruit them during battle, later being able to combine demons to create even more powerful demons. The music is absolutely brilliant, to the point where I would say it's my gaming OST of the year. Example of the OST.The world may not seem interesting to explore at first but, small spolier,

Spoiler

the transition between simple menu based travel of Mikado and the more complex overworld travelling of the mysterious land is stunning, with the post apocalyptic setting being very atmospheric and detailed

. I played on normal difficulty and did as much stuff as I could, and I clocked in at around 114 hours,but that's just me and I take a long time to beat games . How Long to Beat has the average time to beat the main story at 41 hours, the average time to beat the main story and extras at 63 hours, and the completionist time averaging around 94 hours.

If anyone hasn't played this, owns a 3DS, and likes JRPGs, I highly recommend SMT 4.
It's available both at retail locations and the eShop, but I'd go with retail, especially if you can still find the LE. Here's the OT for the game.

 

[chadi]

I want a traditional, lengthy JRPG to play. To my knowledge, the only RPG's out for the 3DS that meet those criteria are SMTIV, Soul Hackers, Devil Survivor, Etrian Odyssey IV, and Etrian Odyssey: Untold Millennium Girl. Which one would I pick up out of those? I'm kinda leaning toward SMTIV, but EO4 also sounds good.

Tales of the Abyss comes to mind. It's just a port though.

 

[Baron von Loathsome]

absolutely recommended but it's a tough sell for those who havent played previous entries in the series.

Why not? Is it heavy on references to past games?

 

[xKilltheMx]

Posting to suggest Project X Zone.
No explanation. Just get it.



WHY ARE YOU STILL READING THIS GO BUY THE GAME DAMN YOU

 

[Draconian]

Fantastic thread for a fantastic system. Two games missing that come to mind are Professor Layton and Bravely Default (just came out in EU, but not out in NA). Anyway, wonderful thread OP! I look forward to making recommendations and visiting this thread a lot.

 

[okayfrog]

Tales of the Abyss comes to mind. It's just a port though.

I played about 30 hours of Symphonia and I don't think I was the biggest fan of it. Can't see myself enjoying Abyss too much.

 

[BinaryPork2737]

I want a traditional, lengthy JRPG to play. To my knowledge, the only RPG's out for the 3DS that meet those criteria are SMTIV, Soul Hackers, Devil Survivor, Etrian Odyssey IV, and Etrian Odyssey: Untold Millennium Girl. Which one would I pick up out of those? I'm kinda leaning toward SMTIV, but EO4 also sounds good.

I'd say go with SMT 4 first and then EO 4. Both are fantastic games though so either way would work out well.

 

[Guamu]

Missing recommendations for the e-shop:
chrashmo, picross, attack of the friday monsters, mighty switch force 1/2

 

[Grizzo]

I haven't played Star Fox 64 3D yet, but I owned the original. Is it not worthy of inclusion?

It all comes to down to whether you love StarFox or not. I know it sounds like such an obvious thing to say, but that's true ! The new graphics are really well-done and the 3D effect is nice. Multiplayer is good fun too. Overall, I'd say that if you loved the original, you'll like this one. Try getting it use though. It's not really worth its full price.

As for me, I was wondering if I should get Mario Tennis Open or not ? I loved the Game Boy Color and Gamecube games, and I know it's missing the RPG elements of the former, and the review I've read make it seem like the game feels incomplete at times, but playing Mario Tennis is always good fun so... I don't know.

 

[Salsa]

Why not? Is it heavy on references to past games?

it's pretty much a direct continuation of the story. I guess you can get some enjoyment out of it being your first game in the series but it's really not how it's meant to be played, very clearly.

 

[Fidelis Hodie]

So many wonderful games on that list.

 

[omg_mjd]

I want a traditional, lengthy JRPG to play. To my knowledge, the only RPG's out for the 3DS that meet those criteria are SMTIV, Soul Hackers, Devil Survivor, Etrian Odyssey IV, and Etrian Odyssey: Untold Millennium Girl. Which one would I pick up out of those? I'm kinda leaning toward SMTIV, but EO4 also sounds good.

The Etrian Odyssey games have demos on the eShop so try those out. Personally I enjoy the manual mapping aspect of those games but it's not for everyone.

Right now I'm playing both SMT IV and Soul Hackers. Both are really great JRPGs with deep mechanics. Soul Hackers is a port of a Saturn game but it holds up well while SMT IV is an original game tailored for the 3DS with good use of 3D and a more modern presentation.

I'd advise playing SMT IV first then Soul Hackers when you're done. I hear SMT IV has a decent length (with some good post-game DLC).

 

[Draconian]

I want a traditional, lengthy JRPG to play. To my knowledge, the only RPG's out for the 3DS that meet those criteria are SMTIV, Soul Hackers, Devil Survivor, Etrian Odyssey IV, and Etrian Odyssey: Untold Millennium Girl. Which one would I pick up out of those? I'm kinda leaning toward SMTIV, but EO4 also sounds good.

If you live in EU Bravely Default looks like a good option too, or if you're in NA, it should be on your radar for next year.

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

Resident Evil: Revelations | Click here for OT |

e-shop/Retail

A very competent Resident Evil game, but also very flawed. Is kinda refreshing that the development team went back to some of the roots of the saga, sadly, this only went halfway.

There are two very distinctive parts in the game: One that happens on the ship and the other one that shows a good variety of enviroments.

Ship parts are the shinning part of the game. There's some reminiscent of the old RE style, with some exploration and puzzles. The ambientation is quite good and at least it adds some tension, but still the game is very off to just scratch the horror REmake managed to give to the player.

But as I said, the ship parts only goes halfway to bring back the old RE that fans love it. Exploration is rather superficial and the puzzles are still very simple, instead of giving you a big area to explore freely and little by little discover its secrets, each chapter just give you a rather small area which just a few off the path rooms to explore.

Way worse are the sections that dosn't happen on the ship, these feature linear levels with very poorly designed combat rooms. It dosn't help that the combat from RE4/5 was basically dumbed down with the only addition of being able to move while aiming, something that is extremely wonky on the normal 3DS without the pad attachment.

Although I can say that bosses are some of the best of the series, really fun to fight and some of them features very interesting attack patterns. Raid mode is the other great surprise of the game. A fun mode that is greatly improved by going co-op.

Graphically speaking is a very pleasant game, with very well done models and lightning and some very detailed enviroments. Also music is quite good.

In short, RE:R is a good game, but definetly very flawed too. I hope Capcom gives us another protable entry beacuse RE:R was a good step in the right direction.


Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D | Click Here for OT |

e-shop/Retail

What was once one of the most shameless cashgrabs of the 3DS release, becomes a good choice for the price it was on the offer some time ago. As the title indicates this is nothing more than RE4 and RE5 mercenaries mode mixed with new characters and an ability system that gives more personalization to the original mode.

Gameplay is mostly ripped from the RE5 Mercs mode with a few changes here and there with a horde mode in some missions throwed there for "variety" reasons, probably. AS you can see, is a product mostly dedicated to hardcore fans of RE and those who loved Mercenaries mode in RE4/5.

Still is a pretty fun arcade game that in no doubt lacks content, but in it's new price tag could be a good choice. Graphically, although a game released with the 3DS it holds quite well, and still probably is one of the best looking games on the system even with the few jarring technical issues.

There's nothing much to say about the game. You liked Mercenaries? You should check it out, is basically that mode on steroids. If that's not enough for you, avoid it.

 

[BraXzy]

I've added Mighty Switch Force, Bravely Default and Shin Megami Tensei to the OT so far. I'll keep updating it when I can.

 

[Moon Patrol Pilot]

Oh dang! Amazingness overload!! I just bought the 3DS Zelda bundle on Black Friday, and am waiting for my Christmas vacation to tear into it. A majority of these titles are going to be on my purchase list. Man, I've been missing out!

 

[Princess Viola]

Does Resident Evil the Mercenaieres 3D still have that "can't delete the save file" thing on the eShop version?

 

[gato_busta]

Does Resident Evil the Mercenaieres 3D still have that "can't delete the save file" thing on the eShop version?

eShop version lets you delete the save file.

 

[X05]

Great topic, my 3DS is coming this week (with ALBW) so this will come in handy

great work on the OP mayne

getting right to it:

Ace Attorney 5: Dual Destinies(+):

Finished it yesterday and it fits right in as my second favorite in the series (after 3)

It's a bit more streamlined than previous games in the series (less exploration/free movement) so it feels like a more on-rails experience but honestly the narrative is so engaging that you barely notice. Some great additions to the cast and the last case really ties the whole thing together nicely. The production values are top-notch and its great to see the series get the treatment/budget it deserves.

Im yet to play the DLC but im looking forward to it. Just finishing up other stuff while taking a breather from the game.

absolutely recommended but it's a tough sell for those who havent played previous entries in the series. Worth pointing out that it's $30 on the eShop as well.

also currently playing and loving A Link Between Worlds and I just bought Mario Kart 7 today (lttp) so i'd be up for some races.

I'm really looking forward to this one, although I only played AA1 and 2 on a friend's DS (AA3, AJ and AAI should be arriving next week in preparation, lol)

 

[RM8]

Great job! Some of my recommendations games would be:

- Shinobi (still one of my top 3DS games)
- Dead or Alive: Dimensions (Smooth gameplay, nice visuals, overall a pretty good game)
- Cave Story 3D (I personally found the 3D visuals pretty cool, and that soundtrack can't be beat! Plus what's cooler than owning Cave Story on a cart?)
- Ridge Racer 3D (arguably the last good Ridge Racer thanks a lot, Namco)
- Frogger 3D (this is not for everyone, but it's an strictly arcade-style game with plenty of content and challenge, I personally loved it)
- Ghost Recon Shadow Wars (superb strategy game, don't let the Ghost Recon name fool you!)
- Paper Mario: Sticker Star (maybe the most divisive PM game yet, but it's a fantastic adventure-puzzle game with flawless music and the best 3D effect I've seen on the system)
- New Super Mario Bros. 2 (2D Mario is never bad, and Coin Rush mode is great)
- Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy (gameplay is very focused and satisfying, unlike the console version this is not CoD on planes )
- SMT Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers (super old-school RPG with great atmosphere and battle system)
- Kokuga (Come on! This is a shmup from the people behind Ikaruga! Superb game and a strong candidate for my 3DS GOTY)
- Urban Trial Freestyle (More than competent take on the Trials gameplay)
- 3D Super Hang-On (Super fun, super fast old school arcade racer that looks great in 3D)
- 3D Sonic The Hedgehog (IMO the best version of the best Sonic game - and yes, I own it on Android too)
- 3D Kirby's Adventure (Basically the same as above, still my favorite Kirby game and this is the best version since it was made from scratch and not emulated - so no slowdown or color issues, looks awesome in 3D)

 

[BraXzy]

Oh dang! Amazingness overload!! I just bought the 3DS Zelda bundle on Black Friday, and am waiting for my Christmas vacation to tear into it. A majority of these titles are going to be on my purchase list. Man, I've been missing out!

I've not even had chance to play half of the ones in the list. Too many good games to get through and not enough time to play them all

 

[leroidys]

Man I went to 4 shops today trying to find Kid Icarus and came up empty handed. Why is this game so hard to get a hold of?

 

[linko9]

Picross e, e2, e3
It's Picross. Not much else to say, because frankly if you haven't played Picross DS, there's no reason to play these yet. Much more content in the DS game. But the reason I bring it up is that I myself, a big fan of crossing pics, was not even aware that e2 and e3 were out in NA until some kind souls on GAF pointed it out. So if you like Picross, you should be aware that these exist. I will also say that the Mega Picross game mode introduced in e3 is excellent; a much needed shake-up, and one that I hope returns in future installments. You get hints about multiple lines at a time. Multiple lines I say! Made me fall in love with Picross all over again.

Cave Story +
I played the game back around when the translation for the original PC freeware game came out, played CS+ on steam, and played the 3DS version. As far as I'm concerned, the 3DS version is definitive. The 1-to-1 pixel mapping and the 3D effect just looks simply astounding in this game. It's never looked better, and I don't think I'll ever replay the game any other way. If you're not familiar with the original, it's a Metroid-style game with real good music and sprite-work, and plays like a dream.

 

[Horseticuffs]

Resident Evil: Revelations | Click here for OT |

e-shop/Retail

A very competent Resident Evil game, but also very flawed. Is kinda refreshing that the development team went back to some of the roots of the saga, sadly, this only went halfway.

There are two very distinctive parts in the game: One that happens on the ship and the other one that shows a good variety of enviroments.

Ship parts are the shinning part of the game. There's some reminiscent of the old RE style, with some exploration and puzzles. The ambientation is quite good and at least it adds some tension, but still the game is very off to just scratch the horror REmake managed to give to the player.

But as I said, the ship parts only goes halfway to bring back the old RE that fans love it. Exploration is rather superficial and the puzzles are still very simple, instead of giving you a big area to explore freely and little by little discover its secrets, each chapter just give you a rather small area which just a few off the path rooms to explore.

Way worse are the sections that dosn't happen on the ship, these feature linear levels with very poorly designed combat rooms. It dosn't help that the combat from RE4/5 was basically dumbed down with the only addition of being able to move while aiming, something that is extremely wonky on the normal 3DS without the pad attachment.

Although I can say that bosses are some of the best of the series, really fun to fight and some of them features very interesting attack patterns. Raid mode is the other great surprise of the game. A fun mode that is greatly improved by going co-op.

Graphically speaking is a very pleasant game, with very well done models and lightning and some very detailed enviroments. Also music is quite good.

In short, RE:R is a good game, but definetly very flawed too. I hope Capcom gives us another protable entry beacuse RE:R was a good step in the right direction.


Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D | Click Here for OT |

e-shop/Retail

What was once one of the most shameless cashgrabs of the 3DS release, becomes a good choice for the price it was on the offer some time ago. As the title indicates this is nothing more than RE4 and RE5 mercenaries mode mixed with new characters and an ability system that gives more personalization to the original mode.

Gameplay is mostly ripped from the RE5 Mercs mode with a few changes here and there with a horde mode in some missions throwed there for "variety" reasons, probably. AS you can see, is a product mostly dedicated to hardcore fans of RE and those who loved Mercenaries mode in RE4/5.

Still is a pretty fun arcade game that in no doubt lacks content, but in it's new price tag could be a good choice. Graphically, although a game released with the 3DS it holds quite well, and still probably is one of the best looking games on the system even with the few jarring technical issues.

There's nothing much to say about the game. You liked Mercenaries? You should check it out, is basically that mode on steroids. If that's not enough for you, avoid it.

I'm working on RE:R currently and I've got a complex history with the RE franchise. Here's the thing; I'm not a stupid man. I'm not the smartest man, either, but I'm no dullard. I just don't like a whole lot of puzzles in my games and I hate, HATE the old-style RE gameplay of "Go find two different gems to be the eyes of this statue so you can unlock the bathroom door. The gems are in 3 different buildings. That's right, 3 buildings for 2 gems because one of them is split in half!"

I know some people love that stuff but all I can think is "WHO WOULD EVER DESIGN A BUILDING THIS WAY?!".

RE:R is very much a mixture of the old school and RE4. The puzzles aren't too bad, I can deal with 'em. The action is that same great action I loved in 4 and (Go ahead and shame me) 5.

The only thing I really dislike so far, and I'm a good way into the game, is

Spoiler

the extensive swimming sections. Water levels are the absolute fucking worst in every game they appear in so I don't know who at Capcpom thought it would be an awesome idea to have a bunch of swimming levels where you can't attack and are yet BEING attacked!

Other than that, it's a good game and the Raid mode is absolute tops. I've put about 10 hours into it so far. It's mostly just action, action, action with some MMO tropes baked in. You've got random loot drops, leveling, random elite mobs, it's just loads of fun. Only downside is, as I unlock later levels of Raid mode the mission orders seem to be changing from the simply "Kill all monsters" type missions to a bunch of "Do some stupid actual mission bullshit like in the campaign". I'm hoping that the 2 I've experienced so far are all and the rest are balls-to-the-wall arcade action because Raid mode is VERY good at that.

Totally worth the $20 on the eShop or retail.

 

[Currygan]

I own every game posted in the OP, so, you should buy them

(besides SMT, but I have Soul Hackers, which is great)