Topic: Virtual Console Recommendations: 3DS eShop Launch Spectacular

[NWR_insanolord]

We cover every game from the first week of the 3DS Virtual Console.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/recommendations/26768

The 3DS eShop launched this week, and with it the first round of handheld Virtual Console titles. What we got ranged from high profile Nintendo franchise titles to obscure and forgotten games. We here at Nintendo World Report have played all of them, and are here to offer you our opinions of which ones are worth your time and money in this bumper launch edition of recommendations. 

Super Mario Land kicks off the week, with J.P. finding the game a little on the short side, but ending with high difficulty. The unique formula for a Mario title makes it something that fans must see for comparison's sake at least. He also takes a look at Radar Mission for us, finding it to be a surprisingly good title that he missed the first time around.

Zach Miller finds that Alleyway is not worth his time, instead suggesting that you wait for a better version of Breakout/Arkanoid. 

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX adds a splash of color to the otherwise monochrome view. While it's a little more costly than the other titles, Andrew thinks the value is there due to the fun, charm, and game length.

Finally, Nick goes to the trials of basic tennis against a CPU player. He is happy with the controls overall, but there is some learning curve before you'll be consistently volleying with your opponent.

[ShyGuy]

No, I'm the real thread! Shoot him!

[TalesOfFan]

Once I read Ardipithecus ramidus, I knew the review was by Zack.

[Lady Mushroom]

I think Link's Awakening is the best Zelda ever!


I do wish the GBC/Super Gameboy colorizations of black and white Gameboy games were available on 3DS. They worked really well in Super Mario Land. That is how I remember the game on my old GBC and I would love to replay it that way.

[leahsdad]

I think Link's Awakening is the best Zelda ever!

Hyperbole aside, I'm just an hour in but this is super-fun.  I'd never played this before, I was half-afraid it would be like the first Zelda, but it's much closer to Link to the Past in terms of gameplay.  Good candidate for a RFN retrospective, maybe?

[Mop it up]

Although I do agree with the recommendation for Super Mario Land, I don't agree with the writeup. With the exception of the shooting stages, the game doesn't feel unique to me at all, it just feels like a watered-down version of Super Mario Brothers which is already a simple game. It hasn't aged well and isn't worth playing today, other than by Mario fans who are curious about all Mario games. Even still... it's hard to recommend a poor game to anyone.

[NWR_insanolord]

I had a good time with it, and that's without any nostalgia. The game just feels a little bit off the whole way through. I stand by what I said, if you're a Mario fan, you really should play it. It's one of the worst mainline Mario games (though I'd put Super Mario World in that discussion, so you can take that as you will), but it's not bad, and it's certainly worth $4 if you enjoy the series.

[Traveller]

Super Mario Land is a good game, feels a bit janky, but you do get used to its quirks. In fact I finally beat the game the other day for the first time!
 
 

[GoldenPhoenix]

I agree, I am loving Link's Awakening, still not as much as Link to the Past but it still is a great game. It has a ton of charm, and oozes personality. When it comes to a "spin-off" Zelda game it is far and away the best one out there.

[Homeskillet!]

I didn't feel the need to get Super Mario Land, though it's a good game.  I played the hell out of it when the original Game Boy first came out.  (Yes, I'm that old)

[Seacor]

Where did you find Tennis?  It's not on the eShop.

[Mop it up]

Tennis was released in Europe, not North America.

[Seacor]

Tennis was released in Europe, not North America.

Thank you!

[UltimatePartyBear]

I think Link's Awakening is the best Zelda ever!

Hyperbole aside, I'm just an hour in but this is super-fun.  I'd never played this before, I was half-afraid it would be like the first Zelda, but it's much closer to Link to the Past in terms of gameplay.  Good candidate for a RFN retrospective, maybe?

It's not hyberbole if it's true.    I know there are at least a few others here, including me, that call it their favorite Zelda.

[KnowsNothing]

I think Link's Awakening is the best Zelda ever!

Hyperbole aside, I'm just an hour in but this is super-fun.  I'd never played this before, I was half-afraid it would be like the first Zelda, but it's much closer to Link to the Past in terms of gameplay.  Good candidate for a RFN retrospective, maybe?

It's not hyberbole if it's true.    I know there are at least a few others here, including me, that call it their favorite Zelda.

I'm one of them, although I separate the series into 2D and 3D categories.  Link's Awakening is my favorite 2D game, followed by Link's Awakening and Oracle of Ages.  Wind Waker is my favorite 3D Zelda, followed by Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.  LA might gain the edge as the best Zelda ever, but separating the franchise into two sections allows me to never have to choose...it's too hard to pick the best one.

[UncleBob]

I think Link's Awakening is the best Zelda ever!

Hyperbole aside, I'm just an hour in but this is super-fun.  I'd never played this before, I was half-afraid it would be like the first Zelda, but it's much closer to Link to the Past in terms of gameplay.  Good candidate for a RFN retrospective, maybe?

It's not hyberbole if it's true.    I know there are at least a few others here, including me, that call it their favorite Zelda best damn game ever.

ftfy.