Topic: Nintendo World Report's Top 20 3DS Games (So Far)

[NWR_Neal]

From the launch days of 2011 to the end of 2014, we bring you our Top 20 3DS games...at least for now.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/39672/nintendo-world-reports-top-20-3ds-games-so-far

Historically, we here at Nintendo World Report have crafted a new list of top 3DS games every single year of the system’s life. Instead of restarting all the time, we’re doing things a little differently. We’ve come up with our Top 20 3DS Games as of the end of January 2015. It’s a battle-hardened list that features the opinions of a dozen staffers.

What we’re going to do every few months, though, is revisit the list and change it around as needed. That means, likely in late March or April, we’re going to come back to this list and bicker over where to place Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, Majora’s Mask 3D, and Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. In addition, if our opinions have changed on absent games or high-ranked games, we can also adjust accordingly.

For example, as more of our staff plays Persona Q and Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, maybe those games would move up the list. Similarly, maybe as more games come out on the system, our opinion of early 3DS games might dip.

So, enjoy the list and let us know what you think.

[ejamer]

Out of curiosity, how were the rankings calculated?

[Phil]

So far it looks like it's based on review score and when there's more than one review, the median is applied.

[NWR_Neal]

Each staffer sent in a list of their Top 20 games and then the #1 game was given 20 points, #2 19 points, etc etc until the 20th game got 1 point.

Review scores had nothing to do with it.

[Phil]

Each staffer sent in a list of their Top 20 games and then the #1 game was given 20 points, #2 19 points, etc etc until the 20th game got 1 point.

Review scores had nothing to do with it.

Funny coincidence so far then.  :

[fred13]

@Neal just curious were there any ties in your points system and if so how did you break the tie

[ejamer]

Wouldn't NSMB2 put a hole in the review score theory?  I didn't exactly light up the charts with an average score of 8/10...

Each staffer sent in a list of their Top 20 games and then the #1 game was given 20 points, #2 19 points, etc etc until the 20th game got 1 point.

Review scores had nothing to do with it.

Thanks for the clarifying. 

Always fun to see these lists compiled, although using votes this way sometimes leads to "safe" picks where most commonly played games get more votes even if they aren't the ones people are most passionate about. But now that I've said that, it will be interesting to see how wrong I'm proven (a common occurrence).

Glad to see Persona Q mentioned, because it's a game I'm really excited about even though I haven't actually picked up yet.  Just looks right up my alley - apparently must also fit that description for at least one staff member?

[ShyGuy]

As a New 3DS owner, I will be watching this feature with interest.

[nickmitch]

Do you mean that you are a new owner of a 3DS, as in one who had not, until recently, purchased and then owned a Nintendo 3DS?

[NWR_Neal]

@Neal just curious were there any ties in your points system and if so how did you break the tie

Ties, which off-hand only came up like once or twice, were determined by the highest amount of higher ranks. So, if two games tied, then the one with the most first-place votes would win the tiebreaker. If neither had a first-place vote, then it would fall to the highest amount of second-place votes, etc. etc.

Fortunately, it never got worse than that. Or else I'd probably flip a coin.

[Khushrenada]

Do you mean that you are a new owner of a 3DS, as in one who had not, until recently, purchased and then owned a Nintendo 3DS?

Yes. Don't you read these forums?

I do. So that I can keep track of everybody's lives.


For times like this, of course.


And no other reason.....

[fred13]

So I own the original Theatrhythm, but everyone talks up Curtain Call like crazy. Is it enough better to justify paying the the game again? Or should I just continue to enjoy the original (I'm considering skipping curtain call, and then buying Theatrhythm Dragon Quest)

[ejamer]

I'm in the same boat about Curtain Call - although perfectly happy with the base game, I enjoy it so much that upgrading to an improved sequel seems tempting.  Is it worthwhile?


The Dragon Quest version is also tempting if it comes west...

[Phil]

So I own the original Theatrhythm, but everyone talks up Curtain Call like crazy. Is it enough better to justify paying the the game again? Or should I just continue to enjoy the original (I'm considering skipping curtain call, and then buying Theatrhythm Dragon Quest)

Curtain Call has A LOT more content in the form of around 200 songs, more Final Fantasy characters, online battles, a new Quest mode which makes getting crystals to unlock new characters more enjoyable, and more. I own both and Curtain Call is a definite step-up and worth purchasing.

[Mop it up]

As a New 3DS owner, I will be watching this feature with interest.

Luigi's Mansion 2, that's all you need to know.

So I own the original Theatrhythm, but everyone talks up Curtain Call like crazy. Is it enough better to justify paying the the game again?

I'm in the same boat about Curtain Call - although perfectly happy with the base game, I enjoy it so much that upgrading to an improved sequel seems tempting.  Is it worthwhile?

For both of you, it depends on whether or not you bought the DLC for the original Theatrhythm. Curtain Call contains all the DLC available for the original game, and so if you bought it all or most of it, there will be a lot less new in Curtain Call. I would also say, that the new music it adds is mostly from spin-offs and such, and most of it isn't good, though I s'pose YMMV on that one. The best thing is that the game adds button controls which are much more precise than the touch control. It still feels like a souped-up iPhone game though so I say, only buy it if you find it on sale/cheap like I did.

Curtain Call makes the original Theatrhythm seem like it was a scam. /Ian Sane

[Ian Sane]

I own 4 3DS games and so far three of them have shown up in the bottom ten.  So in the eyes of NWR I guess I have good but not great taste.

[ShyGuy]

Do you mean that you are a new owner of a 3DS, as in one who had not, until recently, purchased and then owned a Nintendo 3DS?

As a New-New 3DS owner, (who did not previously own a 3DS but did own a DS until it went missing in Jonny's ski boot) I look forward to Nickmitch.

This is almost as bad as Xbox One vs the first Xbox...

[Wah]

10.Gunman Clive/ 2
9. Pokémon X
8. Super Mario 3d land
7. Mario kart 7
6. Majora's Mask
5. Kid Icarus: Uprising
4. Animal crossing Newleaf
3. Fire Emblem: awaking
2. Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
1. Smash Bros
What else! oh so hard to decide!

[Wah]

10.Gunman Clive/ 2
9. Pokémon X
8. Super Mario 3d land
7. Mario kart 7
6. Majora's Mask
5. Kid Icarus: Uprising
4. Animal crossing Newleaf
3. Fire Emblem: awaking
2. Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
1. Smash Bros
What else! oh so hard to decide!

In America!

[nickmitch]

Do you mean that you are a new owner of a 3DS, as in one who had not, until recently, purchased and then owned a Nintendo 3DS?

As a New-New 3DS owner, (who did not previously own a 3DS but did own a DS until it went missing in Jonny's ski boot) I look forward to Nickmitch.

This is almost as bad as Xbox One vs the first Xbox...

I'm sorry, do you mean that you are a first time owner of a "new Nintendo 3DS"?
Or the owner of a "Brand New" (as in not used or refurbished) "new Nintendo 3DS?
Or one who has not previously owned hardware from the 3DS family that was not used or refurbished?
Or has Nintendo released a new console in the "new Nintendo 3DS" lineup?

[ShyGuy]

Do you mean that you are a new owner of a 3DS, as in one who had not, until recently, purchased and then owned a Nintendo 3DS?

As a New-New 3DS owner, (who did not previously own a 3DS but did own a DS until it went missing in Jonny's ski boot) I look forward to Nickmitch.

This is almost as bad as Xbox One vs the first Xbox...

I'm sorry, do you mean that you are a first time owner of a "new Nintendo 3DS"?
Or the owner of a "Brand New" (as in not used or refurbished) "new Nintendo 3DS?
Or one who has not previously owned hardware from the 3DS family that was not used or refurbished?
Or has Nintendo released a new console in the "new Nintendo 3DS" lineup?

SCREW THIS IM GETTING A VITA

[Evan_B]

With eShop titles, this list has every right to be 20 entries. However, having New Super Mario Bros. 2 in the top 20 of the system is a good indicator of how barren the 3DS library is in comparison with its predecessor.

I might as well post my own list.

20. The Keep
19. Resident Evil: Revelations
18. Kirby: Triple Deluxe
17. Rune Factory 4
!6. HarmoKnight
!5. Pokemon X and Y
14. The Starship Damrey
13. Fire Emblem: Awakening
12. Pushmo
11. Kid Icarus: Uprising
10. Mario Kart 7
9. Mighty Switch Force! 2
8. Crashmo
7. Shantae and the Pirate's Curse
6. Shin Megami Tensei IV
5. Crimson Shroud
4. Etrian Odyssey IV
3. Mutant Mudds
2. Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

[NWR_insanolord]

With eShop titles, this list has every right to be 20 entries. However, having New Super Mario Bros. 2 in the top 20 of the system is a good indicator of how barren the 3DS library is in comparison with its predecessor.

I really disagree, I'd say the 3DS library beats the hell out of the DS, in about half the time.

[Evan_B]

The DS was fascinated with touch based gaming during the first half of its life, but ultimately it became a muh more varied and interesting platform. The 3DS still has a lot of mediocre Nintendo titles and some of the worst entries in their respective series (3D Land, Sticker Star, NSMB2, etc) as well as less 3rd Party support.

[NWR_insanolord]

Oh right, you're the crazy person who hates 3D Land.