Gaming Nintendo 3DS: Recommendation + Upcoming Games Thread

[Deleted_171835]

Yes, I know we already have the Essentials topic but this is different. This is a list of the best 3DS games available so far organized by genre that are a must for any collection.

• Platformers
• Fighting
• Puzzle
• RPG
• Racing/Sports
• Rhythm
• Simulation
• Strategy
• Action/Adventure
• FPS/Horror
• Misc.

Ctrl+F to go to the desired section.

Essential DS Games (3DS plays DS titles too so here's a link to some of the best ones).

Platformers:

Super Mario 3D Land
Publisher: Nintendo
A new 3D Mario game for the 3DS with an emphasis on 3DDDD! Really good game.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (also on eShop)
Publisher: Nintendo
DKCR in 3DDDDD. And with the shake moved mapped to a button instead of the annoying waggle on the Wii. Well worth a purchase.

Gunman Clive (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Horberg Productions
For those who enjoy Mega Man, Contra or any 2D action platformers, this is an awesome investment for $2.

SteamWorld Dig (eShop exclusive)
Developer: Image & Form

New Super Mario Bros. 2 (also on eShop)
Publisher: Nintendo
Another entry in the popular New Super Mario Bros. series. With great level-design and a coin-rush mode, it’s a good purchase.

Rayman Origins (also on eShop)
Publisher: Ubisoft
Rayman is back with stellar platforming, a charming art-style and great music. That said, the 3DS port suffers from loss of detail thanks to being translated to a lower resolution as well as a lower frame-rate (30FPS vs. 60). The game is best enjoyed on a big screen so only get this if you’re unable to get any of the other versions (PS3/360/Wii/PC/Vita).

Mighty Switch Force (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: WayForward Technologies
A satisfying mix between action and platformer. Ranks as one of the best eShop games!

Mutant Mudds (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Renegade Kid
Reminiscent of old platformers from yesteryear, this is a great game on the eShop. Be sure to get this!

Fractured Soul (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Engame Studios
Portabliss.

Fighting:

Dead Or Alive: Dimensions
Publisher: Tecmo Koei
With stunning graphics, the DoA gameplay that you've come to expect and even a Metroid cameo, this is the 3DS fighting game to get!

Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition
Publisher: Capcom

A full-featured SSF4 port on the 3DS with online functionality, combo shortcuts and good 3D. Hadouken!

Tekken 3D - Prime Edition
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Good graphics, online multiplayer and a smooth 60 frames per second…in 3D!

Code of Princess
Publisher: Atlus

Puzzle:

Fluidity: Spin Cycle (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Nintendo
Superior sequel to one of the best games on WiiWare. Be warned that the gyro controls take some getting used to and there's no 3D.

Picross-e
Publisher: Nintendo
Classic Picross with almost no extra modes. You can’t go wrong here...just remember what you're getting in to.

CRUSH3D
Publisher: SEGA
A puzzle-platformer where you solve various puzzles switching from 2D to the third dimension!

Tetris: Axis
Publisher: Nintendo
Classic Tetris with a whole lot of extra modes. You can’t go wrong here!

Art of Balance TOUCH! (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Shin'en Multimedia
Expansion of the WiiWare game. Features beautiful graphics, good music, addictive gameplay, and hours of content for your money.

Scribblenauts Unlimited (also on eShop)
Publisher: Warner Bros.
Only in Scribblenauts can n you make a time traveller and God fight against a giant Cthulhu.

escapeVektor (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Nnooo
For those who have fucking obscene expectations for game length (ie; A dollar an hour) or ignorantly believe every eShop game is overpriced (because somehow a $40 game on cart should cost less then $20 on download), this is definitely the game for you. A lengthy campaign with online leaderboards, achievements and tons of bonus levels.

Ikachan (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Nicalis
Be warned the campaign is EXTREMELY short, even with price taken into account.

RPG:

Pokemon X/Y (also on eShop)
Publisher: Nintendo

Shin Megami Tensei IV (also on eShop)
Publisher: Atlus

SMT: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers (also on eShop)
Publisher: Atlus
European release date: 2027.

Mario and Luigi: Dream Team
Publisher: Nintendo

Tales of the Abyss
Publisher: Namco Bandai
A port of the PS2 original that still holds up well. If you haven’t played it before, you should check it out!

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (also on eShop)
Publisher: Capcom
Remake of Monster Hunter Tri for the Wii with all new monsters and weapons!

Project X Zone (also on eShop)
Publisher: Namco Bandai Games

Etrian Odyssey IV (also on eShop)
Publisher: Atlus

SMT: Devil Survivor Overclocked
Publisher: Atlus
A deep enthralling adventure. If you’re an SMT fan or just want a good SRPG, be sure to consider purchasing this.

Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance
Publisher: Square Enix
Another entry in the Kingdom Hearts series. Unlike the DS spin-offs, this game is actually a continuation of the main story so KH fans should get this.

Heroes of Ruin
Publisher: Square Enix
The first in a genre (Dungeon Crawler/RPG) that’s sparce on the 3DS. Features online multiplayer with voice-chat!

The Denpa Men: They Came By Wave (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Genius Sonority

Unchained Blades Exiv (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Xseed Games

Paper Mario: Sticker Star (also on eShop)
Publisher: Nintendo
Mario can summon a giant goat to chew enemies. Need I say more?

Crimson Shroud (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Level-5

Visual Novels/Adventure:

Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward
Publisher: Atlus

Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies
Publisher: Capcom

Racing/Sports:

Ridge Racer 3D
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Riiiiiiiiiiiiidge Racer! Despite little improvement over the PSP versions, this is still a solid racing game and worth buying if you can find it for cheap.

Mario Kart 7 (also on eShop)
Publisher: Nintendo
Considered by many to be the best entry in the Mario Kart series. There's a competent online multiplayer with support for patches! Must-buy.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 3D (also on eShop)
Publisher: Konami
The ultimate portable football experience.

Mario Tennis Open (also on eShop)
Publisher: Nintendo
Considered to be a good tennis game with great online.

Rhythm:

Rhythm Thief: The Emperor's Treasure
Publisher: Sega
A hidden gem in the 3DS’s library. Heralded as a fun and addictive rhythm game!

Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy
Publisher: Square Enix

With various songs from the Final Fantasy series and addictive gameplay, fans of the Final Fantasy series or simply rhythm games in general will adore this!

Bit.Trip Saga (also on eShop)
Publisher: Gaijin Games
A compilation of the great Bit.Trip games on the Wii upgraded with 3D! Six games for the price of one, a very worthwhile purchase but be wary of framerate issues and audio/visual lag. Now available on the eShop for less then original MSRP.

Harmoknight (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Nintendo
A rhythm platformer in the vein of Bit Trip Runner but with attacking elements. Definitely worth purchasing.

Simulation:

Animal Crossing: New Leaf (also on eShop)
Publisher: Nintendo

Zen Pinball 3D/Marvel Pinball 3D (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Zen Studios
You might have played Zen Pinball on other platforms but you certainly haven’t tried it in 3D! Definitely worth getting.

Steel Diver
Publisher: Nintendo
Due to the length of the game, it’s best if you only get this if you can find it for cheap. It’s still a pretty decent game, though.

Harvest Moon 3D - A New Beginning
Publisher: Natsume

Nano Assault (EX) (EX enhanced version available on eShop)
Publisher: Shin'en Multimedia
Great game with gorgeous visuals all running at 60 frames per second with (Circle Pad Pro Support and better visuals in EX)

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy
Publisher: Namco Bandai
A great remake of Ace Combat 2. Fly like an ace while engaging in combat with other enemies. A good buy.

Liberation Maiden (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Level-5

Starfox 64 3D (also on eShop)
Publisher: Nintendo
The classic N64 Star Fox remade with stunning visuals in 3D! Quite short and lacks online so be sure to only get this at a low price.

Strategy:

Fire Emblem: Awakening (also on eShop)
Publisher: Nintendo
2013's Kid Icarus. A stellar game that ranks as one of the very best 3DS games or handheld games in general for that matter. It certainly didn't achieve a 92/100 on Metacritic for no reason!

Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars (also on eShop)
Publisher: Ubisoft
A strategy game led by celebrated designer, Julian Gollop. Immersive 3D and more makes for a stellar strategy game that’s a must-buy!

Dillon's Rolling Western (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Nintendo
A highly unique tower defense/action hybrid with colorful graphics, but note the game is brutally difficult and repetitive (as is the nature of tower defense games).

NightSky
Publisher: Nicalis

Action/Adventure:

Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D
Publisher: Konami
SNAAAKE EATER! The best MGS game brought over to the 3DS in stunning 3D. A solid purchase!

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (also on eShop)
Publisher: Nintendo
The timeless classic, Ocarina of Time remade for the 3DS with an improved frame-rate, better visuals and a fixed Water Temple!

Resident Evil Revelations (also on eShop)
Publisher: Capcom
Considered to be the best Resident Evil game since RE4. Amazing visuals, great gameplay and a fun online mode will make this game a revelation! Must-buy. A steal on the eShop for $20.

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D (also on eShop)
Publisher: Capcom
Quite short on content so only get if you can find it cheap. Worth noting that this is available for purchase on the eShop for $20.

Castlevania Lords of Shadow: Mirror of Fate (also on eShop)
Publisher: Konami
Rather short on content so it's best if you only get this at a low price. Be sure to keep an open mind as unlike other Castlevanias, the gameplay in this one is more God of War-reminiscent.

Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon (also on eShop)
Publisher: Nintendo
Boo! A charming Luigi adventure that every 3DS owner should check out.

Kid Icarus: Uprising
Publisher: Nintendo
Another entry in the long-dormant Kid Icarus series. A truly stellar game with great graphics and a fun surprisingly active online mode. Must-buy!

Cave Story+ (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Nicalis
Definitive version of what is often considered the best freeware/indie game ever made (It only took 17 fucking ports)

Attack of the Friday Monsters (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Level-5

Samurai Warriors Chronicles
Publisher: Tecmo Koei
With the Dynasty Warriors gameplay you've come to expect, decent graphics and new touch-screen features. Dynasty Warriors fans should get this.

Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Nintendo

Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask (also on eShop)
Publisher: Level-5
LAYYYYYTON!

Shinobi
Publisher: Sega

Adventure Time: Hey Ice King Why'd You Steal Our Garbage
Publisher: Wayforward
Adventure Time fans should get this. The game is truly mathematical!

FPS/Horror:

The Starship Damrey (eShop exclusive)
Publisher: Level 5
Official thread with more info over at Neogaf.

Spoiler: Misc.

Price: $6.99/€6.00/£5.40

Feel free to post suggestions for other 3DS games.

 

[Terenigma]

I like the way you put pics with each game, that really does sell some of the games more than just having the name of it. I also agree with everything you've put, Goodjob.

 

[Deleted_171835]

Upcoming Games:

Feel free to post any other upcoming games that I may have missed.

Retail:

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy (1)(2)
Shin Megami Tensei IV (1)
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate (1)
Sonic: Lost Worlds (1)(2)
SMT: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers (1)
SMT: Devil Survivor 2: Break Record
Zelda: A Link To The Past 2 (1)(2)
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (1)(2)
Animal Crossing: New Leaf (1)
Mario Golf: World Tour (1)(2)
Mario Party 3DS
Yoshi's Island (1)
Pokemon X/Y (1)(2)
Project X Zone (1)
Fantasy Life (1)
Rune Factory 4 (1)
Monster Hunter 4 (1)(2)
Professor Layton and the Azran Legacies (1)
Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies (digital only) (1)
One Piece Unlimited World Red (1) [Port of PSP game, One Piece: Romance Dawn coming as well)
Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON’T KNOW! (Wayforward)
Regular Show: Mordecai and Rigby In 8-Bit Land (Wayforward)
Dragon Quest VII (1)
Youkai Watch (1)
Super Smash Bros 3DS/Zelda 3DS
Gyrozetter: Wings of the Albatross
Digimon World: Redigitize Decode
Etrian Odyssey: Millennium Girl (full remake of original DS game included)
The Little Battlers W Super Custom
Goodbye Umihara Kawase
Kaio: King Of Pirates
X Tetra (RPG, developer of Unchained Blades, 3DS + Vita) (1)(2)
Touch Detective Rising 3: Does Funghi Dream of Bananas? (1)
New Game Center CX/Retro Game Challenge game coming for 3DS from G.Rev
Gaist Crusher
Disney Infinity
Fast & Furious: Showdown
Skylanders Swap Force
PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures (1)(2)

eShop:

Legend of Zelda Oracle of Seasons AND Oracle of Ages (Nintendo)
Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale (Level-5, part of the retail Guild-02 pack in Japan)
Bugs vs. Tanks by Keiji Inafune (Level-5, part of the retail Guild-02 pack in Japan) (1)(2)
The Starship Damrey (Level-5, part of the retail Guild-02 pack in Japan)
Shovel Knight (Yacht Club Games)
Aban Hawkins and the 1001 Spikes (Nicalis)
AiRace Speed (Qubic Games)
CastleStorm (Zen Studios)
Cult County (Renegade Kid)
Dillon's Rolling Western: The Last Ranger (Nintendo)
Gero Blaster (Nicalis)
Go! Go! Kokopolo 3D - Space Recipe for Disaster (Tanukii Studios)
Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai (Shin'en Multimedia)
Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move (Nintendo)
Mario vs. DK: Mini-Mini Carnival (Nintendo)
Mighty Switch Force 2 (WayForward Technologies)
Mutant Mudds 2 (Renegade Kid)
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (WayForward Technologies)
Steamworld and Dig (Image and Form)
Swords and Soldiers 3D (Circle Entertainment)
The Denpa Men 2: The Came by Wave (Genius Sonority)
The Starship Damrey (Level-5)
Treasurenauts (Renegade Kid)
Turtle Tale (Saturnine Games)
Vampire Crystals (Shanblue Interactive)
Yatagarasu (Nicalis)
Zombie Panic in Wonderland (Akanoi Studios)

 

[MegaAce™]

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy reminds me of Final Fantasy: Four Warriors of Light..

 

[Black-Ice]

You got everything.
I cant think of any game not there.
So many recommendations, so little money D:

 

[The Milkman]

eh, I don't think the name is quite right, and we have another thread just like this that could use a bump. Still its a good resource I suppose.

Also, the first screenshot you have for Terrys Wonderland is for DQHeros 3 (or 4 something like that)

[Color:#FFFFFF]Changed our avatar have we Souly?[/color]

 

[Skelletonike]

Little Battlers eXperience: Explosive Boost
Genre: RPG
Publisher: Level-5
Release: JP - 07.05.2012

OMFG! Danball Senki is coming to the 3DS? *-*
Danball Senki games seem pretty awesome, I love the anime and the robots really look like Medabots, just smaller, so it's really awesome.

 

[Shiro09]

This is a good thread. Good job.

 

[machomuu]

Don't forget Inazuma Eleven Go 1 and 2. Though, I'm still hoping that Inazuma Eleven 3 will be brought over.

 

[BrightNeko]

but tales of the abyss is a bad game

 

[kirbymaster101]

OMG ITS AMAZING! Especiaclly when you learn how to fof-cancel and 10x exp(new game +)
Great stry and character development and plenty of sidequests and unlockables for the 100% fans.

 

[Deleted_171835]

but tales of the abyss is a bad game

To you, maybe. But it's a good game (not perfect) for practically everyone else.

 

[machomuu]

but tales of the abyss is a bad game

Subjectivity at it's finest.

 

[BrightNeko]

but tales of the abyss is a bad game

Subjectivity at it's finest.

You betcha, I loath that game.

 

[raulpica]

Off-topic posts removed, and warn given for derailment.

Keep this thread clean, guys. I don't want to see ANY other off-topic posts, 'kay?

Thanks.

 

[prowler]

overclocked is eu too.

gif stealer

 

[Janthran]

Why would we need all 3 of those fighter games?
Also sorry for derailment earlier.

 

[TripleSMoon]

Why would we need all 3 of those fighter games?
Also sorry for derailment earlier.

I think it's less of a suggestion to get all 3, and more of a suggestion to "get any of these, 'cause they're all good!"

 

[emigre]

This thread has just made me order a 3DS. My ignorance had clouded the fact there's a number of quality games on the 3DS.

I thank you soulx.

 

[Janthran]

This thread has just made me order a 3DS. My ignorance had clouded the fact there's a number of quality games on the 3DS.

I thank you soulx.

Of all the posts that I never thought I would see from Emigre..

Seriously, though. People don't understand that there are good 3DS games..