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I just bought a 3DS, what are the must haves?

ohlawd said:
You said it. Etrian Odyssey IV destroys everything Nintendo has released so far.

Still an amazement Atlus even bothers to give us localized versions of their fantastic games when we don't give anything back to them. Atlus, please forgive us as we are not worthy ;_;
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I love the Etrian Odyssey franchise, but I really see it as a niche title... not everyone can enjoy it.

-High Difficulty
-Not very intuitive
-Anime characters
-Slow Grinding
-Map drawing

as I said... I love the genre, and I love the franchise, but it's not a title that I would blindly recommend to someone... it's a niche title and you have to know beforehand what you're getting, or you can get really frustrated with the game.
 
I would recommend getting a grip off ebay. There are some for both the original 3DS and the XL. I have the XL one and it makes the thing considerably more comfortable to hold.
 
Only games I can say that are must haves are

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Super Mario 3D Land, but only if you can get it for ~$25

I honestly don't agree with most posts in this thread and I have most of those games
 
zruben said:
try play-asia... they have 1, 3 and 4 at a very reasonable price...

however, I'm not sure how the 3DS handles the DS's region free...
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You can play any DS game on any 3DS regardless of region. I play all my Japanese DS games on my 3DS with no issues.
 
my top five games on the system so far are:

kid icarus
fire emblem
style savvy
super mario 3D land
ghost recon shadow wars

other personal favs include:

pilotwings
virtue's last reward
theatrhythm
metal gear solid 3D
shinobi
harvest moon 3D new beginning

i'm also 99% sure that animal crossing, etrian odyssey IV, soul hackers, and luigi's mansion are must-haves but i haven't played them through yet.
 
Fire Emblem: Awakening - A great strategy RPG even if the game is highly breakable by the end.

Etrian Odyssey IV - Dungeon crawling goodness. Very deep customization. Fast gameplay makes it feel not overly-grindy.

Super Mario 3D Land - One hell of a Mario game. Very inventive levels.
 
You can't go wrong with these games.

Tales of the Abyss
Soul Hackers
Devil Survivor Overclocked
SMT: IV (when it comes out)
 
Watashiwa said:
If you don't like other Fire Emblems you won't like this one. It is a good game but it's still very much part of the franchise.
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Codeblue said:
Try the demo. I'm not sure if enough has changed for someone who didn't like the formula, but I think Awakening is much better than the GBA games.
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There's a demo? Goddamnit. I've had this thing for like 72 hours now, and I've already come to the conclusion that the e-shop interface is TERRIBLE! I can't find shit on there. Thanks for the tip guys. I will say I love the way that game looks. I'll give it a fair shot.
 
I'm probably jumping in soon and have some questions, mainly about downloaded games.

Are they tied to the console or an account? What happens if my unit dies and I need to buy another, do I lose all the games I bought?

Ace Attorney is releasing this year and that's my cue to join the party.
 
Ignore all of these Revelations recommendations and play the PC version if possible.

Revelations was a 3DS must have at one point, not anymore with much better versions available.
 
Everyone seems to have the major titles covered. If you're a fan of old school pen and paper rpgs, I'd recommend Crimson Shroud. There's nothing else quite like it.
 
Goddamn there is not nearly enough Crimson Shroud in this thread.

Crimson Shroud.

Cheap, deep, well written, great music and can be New Game Plussed multiple times (which is totally worth doing).
 
Looks like the FE Awakening demo is no longer available. I did some googling and it looks like the latest firmware update broke it, so it's not in the store anymore.
 
My must-play recommendations:
Super Mario 3D Land
Mario Kart 7
Kid Icarus Uprising
Luigi's Mansion 2
Fire Emblem Awakening
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
Resident Evil Revelations
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Ocarina of Time 3D

Also check out:
Kingdom Hearts 3D
Tales of the Abyss 3D
Etrian Odyssey 4
New Super Mario Bros 2
Project X Zone
Rhythm Thief
Paper Mario Sticker Star
Virtue's Last Reward
Code of Princess

Titles to keep an eye on in the future:
Shin Megami Tensei 4
Mario & Luigi Dream Team
Legend of Zelda: Link Between Worlds
Pokemon X & Y
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate
 
zruben said:
I love the Etrian Odyssey franchise, but I really see it as a niche title... not everyone can enjoy it.

-High Difficulty
-Not very intuitive
-Anime characters
-Slow Grinding
-Map drawing

as I said... I love the genre, and I love the franchise, but it's not a title that I would blindly recommend to someone... it's a niche title and you have to know beforehand what you're getting, or you can get really frustrated with the game.
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shiet man you're making it sound so complicated lol.

It isn't and shame on you people for passing on this gem. All these giant lists with a bunch of games that ain't even all that and this isn't on it? Yeah mmk man.
 
Didn't we literally just have this thread a few days ago? Anyways.

Must haves:

Super Mario 3D Land
Fire Emblem Awakening
Ocarina of Time 3D (if you haven't played it in a long time, or ever)
Mario Kart 7 (if you really like kart racers)

I feel like putting down New Leaf down as a must have, but eh.... I love it, but Animal Crossing definitely a series not for everybody,.
 
Bitmap Frogs said:
I'm probably jumping in soon and have some questions, mainly about downloaded games.

Are they tied to the console or an account? What happens if my unit dies and I need to buy another, do I lose all the games I bought?

Ace Attorney is releasing this year and that's my cue to join the party.
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Tied to console. Send it to Nintendo, hope for the best.

But everybody and their mom expects an account system to roll out with Miiverse. So wait a little if that actually happens.
 
Oersted said:
Tied to console. Send it to Nintendo, hope for the best.

But everybody and their mom expects an account system to roll out with Miiverse. So wait a little if that actually happens.
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Allright, thanks.

That's so backwards... well, no digital purchases from me, sorry indies =(

I'm still deciding between fire emblem, kid icarus or monster hunter to go with my purchase.
 
The only thing I'll add to this thread is that if you're not playing (or interested in) Animal Crossing: New Leaf, you don't deserve to own a 3DS.

Of course, I may also be exaggerating... No, but seriously. It is that good.
 
I had never played Animal Crossing before and I'm currently obsessed with New Leaf. This is the most fun I've had with a "life simulator" kind of game since the first The Sims game, the writing / localization is SUPERB. I'm in love with this game.
 
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Mario Kart 7
Virtue's Last Reward

are must haves.

Luigi's Mansion 2 was really good but I have a hard time being as enthusiastic about that game as I am the other ones.

There are other titles that are worth checking out but aren't as amazing like Tales of the Abyss and Rhythm Thief.

And, you must buy Project X Zone.
 
Bitmap Frogs said:
Allright, thanks.

That's so backwards... well, no digital purchases from me, sorry indies =(

I'm still deciding between fire emblem, kid icarus or monster hunter to go with my purchase.
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My "pleasure"^^.

Allright this only based on my experiences.

Fire Emblem: Bloody awesome. Perfect playable, one of these easy to pick up, hard to master games.

Monster Hunter: Didn´t like it. MH belongs on the big screen. One of those few titles which really need the circle pad pro. Btw, are you an European or American Gaffer?

Kid Icarus: Perfect use of 3D. Tons of content. Great humor. But well, there are those controls. Some people love it, others hate it.
 
Oersted said:
My "pleasure"^^.

Allright this only based on my experiences.

Fire Emblem: Bloody awesome. Perfect playable, one of these easy to pick up, hard to master games.

Monster Hunter: Didn´t like it. MH belongs on the big screen. One of those few titles which really need the circle pad pro. Btw, are you an European or American Gaffer?

Kid Icarus: Perfect use of 3D. Tons of content. Great humor. But well, there are those controls. Some people love it, others hate it.
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Europe.
 
BOTEC said:
Looks like the FE Awakening demo is no longer available. I did some googling and it looks like the latest firmware update broke it, so it's not in the store anymore.
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Luckily I was able to try it before the update, and I liked it. Unfortunately that means I'll buy it someday, and probably never play it.

EktorPR said:
The only thing I'll add to this thread is that if you're not playing (or interested in) Animal Crossing: New Leaf, you don't deserve to own a 3DS.

Of course, I may also be exaggerating... No, but seriously. It is that good.
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Thanks, but I got bored with The Sims before the year 2000 had ended.
 
Lots of threads on this already, but I'll just say DO NOT neglect the amazing DS library or the eShop. Tons of (cheap) fun to be had.
 
Well, might as well ask this here...

Just got 3D Land from Gamefly and I just played through World 1. It's okay, but I'm not seeing where all the accolades come from. Does it get better?
 
Some off-beat recommendations:

Streetpass Mii plaza and actually use Streetpass. Though the thing to remember about Streetpass is it is a surprise when you get a hit, not an expectation (that was it isn't crushing if you spend months without a hit).

I like using 3DS Sound as a podcast player (but dislike how it incorrectly reports playtime stats for some reason).

If you didn't have a DSi some of the DSiWare is well worth looking at like Snapdots (which is a derivative of cult GBA gmae Guru Logic Champ).

Also remember to hold select when booting DS mode software so it runs in 1:1 mode rather than blurry upscaling.

Kid Icarus might be hard to control if you are left handed.
 
Alright I just picked up Etrian Odyssey IV on the thread's recommendation, don't let me down GAF.

Also a teensy bit sad it didn't come with a manual; my daughter's love flipping through RPG manuals (Ni No Kuni CE was the pinnacle of this, natch).
 
I'm a firm believer that Super Mario 3D Land, Kid Icarus Uprising, and Fire Emblem Awakening are must plays for basically every person who plays video games.
 
BriareosGAF said:
Alright I just picked up Etrian Odyssey IV on the thread's recommendation, don't let me down GAF.

Also a teensy bit sad it didn't come with a manual; my daughter's love flipping through RPG manuals (Ni No Kuni CE was the pinnacle of this, natch).
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The manual's digital. When you highlight the gamecard on the 3DS' menu you'll see a button on the left for it. Atlus didn't care to pay the cost to make a print version, so no dead tree format.
 
Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance
Resident Evil Revalation(you can now get this on current gen consoles, so nvm)
Fire Emblem: Awakening
 
I have only played:

Kid Icarus
Fire Emblem
Mario 3DLand
Mario Kart 7
DKCR3D
Animal Crossing

But they are all absolutely wonderful.
I legitimately would not care if Nintendo were to drop out of the console race, just because their portable offerings are always so good <3
 
Bobby Steel said:
Came here to say this. Grab it, it should be cheap, especially used.
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I've heard enough recommendations here on GAF to consider picking it up. But they need to put it on eShop.

Same with Street Fighter IV. Why that's not on eShop yet is beyond me. No way I'd carry a fighting game cart around. It's perfect for always being available on the 3DS at all times.
 
Denpa Men is also a great little title for fans of JRPGs and dungeon crawlers. Very endearing aesthetics and lots of content for a $5 game.

IDEA: Sell the Kid Icarus multiplayer separately on the eShop for $10, with the ability to transfer any items earned over to the singleplayer game once you buy it.
 
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