Topic: Top 10 3DS Games: Two Years and Counting

[NWR_Neal]

From March 27, 2011 to March 27, 2013, great 3DS games came out. We whittled the list down to 10.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/34058

The 3DS turned 2 years old last month, and in that time, a number of awesome games came out for it - far more than the 10 on this list that will be slowly revealed over the next two weeks. What started with Pilotwings Resort, Steel Diver, and Nintendogs + Cats has surged into a hit machine with Fire Emblem Awakening, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, and HarmoKnight.

First revealed during E3 2010, the system debuted in North America on March 27, 2011. Between that date and March 27, 2013, 184 retail games were released, alongside 80 digital-only titles and 86 Virtual Console games. In total, 8.1 million units of the system have been sold, both in 3DS and 3DS XL form.

The future looks bright for Nintendo's newest handheld, and until we do this list again in a year or two, here's what we think are the system's best games, in order from 10 all the way down the 1.

[Shaymin]

10. Pushmo

Let me see if I can precall the rest of the top 10: Luigi's Mansion, Theatrhythm, Kid Icarus Uprising, Mario 3D Land, Fire Emblem, Crashmo, VVVVVV, Mutant Mudds/Mighty Switch Force (but not both) and Ocarina 3D. Sadly, my dark horse pick of Virtue's Last Reward will be an honorable mention at best.

[Retro Deckades]

10. Pushmo

Let me see if I can precall the rest of the top 10: Luigi's Mansion, Theatrhythm, Kid Icarus Uprising, Mario 3D Land, Fire Emblem, Crashmo, VVVVVV, Mutant Mudds/Mighty Switch Force (but not both) and Ocarina 3D. Sadly, my dark horse pick of Virtue's Last Reward will be an honorable mention at best.

I think you probably nailed it, Shaymin. The only one I could see getting left out is Ocarina of Time, but what would take its place? Maybe RE: Revelations?

[Pixelated Pixies]

Pushmo was such an awesome little game. Not as good as it's successor perhaps, but well worth playing in it's own right.

[Killer_Man_Jaro]

10. Pushmo

Let me see if I can precall the rest of the top 10: Luigi's Mansion, Theatrhythm, Kid Icarus Uprising, Mario 3D Land, Fire Emblem, Crashmo, VVVVVV, Mutant Mudds/Mighty Switch Force (but not both) and Ocarina 3D. Sadly, my dark horse pick of Virtue's Last Reward will be an honorable mention at best.

We do not comment on rumours or speculation.

[Pixelated Pixies]

For me personally, Kid Icarus: Uprising has no place in any top ten other than 'Top ten Kid Icarus games'. Although, some may disagree.
 
As for what would take my top slots? It might look something like this.
 
1. Super Mario 3D Land
2. Fallblox
3. Hydroventure: Spin Cycle
4. Mutant Mudds
5. Mario Kart 7
 
(I haven't finished Fire Emblem yet and don't know where it might sit).

[Evan_B]

10: Crimson Shroud
9: Resident Evil: Revelations
8: Crashmo
7: Paper Mario: Sticker Star
6: Mutant Mudds
5: Pushmo
4: Mario Kart 7
3: Fire Emblem: Awakening
2: Kid Icarus: Uprising
1: Etrian Odyssey IV

Super Mario 3D Land does not deserve to be on the top ten list, as it is a piece of trash.

[ejamer]

It's getting tough to make a top 10 list for 3DS - there are (finally) enough games worth playing that it always feels like something good gets left off the list.  But if Monster Hunter and Resident Evil Revelations aren't included then I'd have a tough time taking that list seriously.

[NWR_Neal]

I'm enjoying the speculation of what our list is. In some cases, you nail it; in others, you're pretty close; and in others, you're wrong. Enjoy the rest of it, gang!

[pokepal148]

10: Crimson Shroud
9: Resident Evil: Revelations
8: Crashmo
7: Paper Mario: Sticker Star
6: Mutant Mudds
5: Pushmo
4: Super Mario 3D Land
3: Fire Emblem: Awakening
2: Kid Icarus: Uprising
1: Etrian Odyssey IV

Mario 3D Kart does not deserve to be on the top ten list, as it is a piece of trash.

I think you got your mario games mixed up there, I fixed it for you

[Pixelated Pixies]

Wow, you guys are harsh.
 
I thought 3D Land was awesome and I thought that Kart 7 was...well, it was a Mario Kart game, but quite a good one in my books.

[pokepal148]

mario kart 7 was completely killed off for me by the lack of a single player versus mode

[Shaymin]

Well, we all lost - nobody picked Layton.

[Retro Deckades]

Well, we all lost - nobody picked Layton.

I'm still counting myself in, because perhaps Layton was the wildcard that replaced Ocarina of Time 3D.


However, I expect that theory to be destroyed by tomorrow.


Also, totally on board with the lack of enthusiasm for Mario Kart 7. I'm currently trying to work my way through the single player races, and I never find myself actually wanting to play it.


Super Mario 3D Land, on the other hand, was enjoyable as all hell.

[Pixelated Pixies]

I've been playing Mario Kart 7 online with a bunch of friends and family. It's a lot of fun. The single player campaign is always boring in Mario Kart, that's nothing new for Kart 7.

[NWR_insanolord]

Super Mario 3D Land is not just the best game on 3DS, it's the best game that has been released on any platform since the launch of the 3DS.

[Oblivion]

Super Mario 3D Land is not just the best game on 3DS, it's the best game that has been released on any platform since the launch of the 3DS.

HAHAHAHA! Dude, you're a riot.

[NWR_insanolord]

You're banned.


Actually, I personally believe it's the best game ever made, so to phrase it the way I did took remarkable restraint.

[Oblivion]

Wow. I thought that it was a crappy game. I hated everything about it. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

[Pixelated Pixies]

I can only speak for myself, but 3D Land is my favourite game of the last few years. Having not played every game out there I can't say definitively whether or not it's the best, but for me personally it has been the game that has given me the most enjoyment since the launch of the 3DS. 3D Land was superb and not quite like any Mario game I've ever played.

Just thinking about it makes me want to replay it.

[azeke]

I liked what i played of NSMB2 (until i lost it).

Interestingly 2 seems to have the most satisfyingly snappy controls of all NSMB games. Console NSMBs are kinda on the floaty side, but 2 feels like has the most satisfying jump.

I also liked verticality in a lot of levels.

One of these days i will rebuy it and finish it.

[pokepal148]

I've been playing Mario 3D Kart online with a bunch of friends and family. It's a lot of fun. The single player campaign is always boring in Mario Kart, that's nothing new for Kart 7.

but they didn't even bother... no vs mode, no mission mode(how hard is it to steal ideas from the wii games tournyment mode) no vs mode(so much for pick-up-and-play or replay value) and a horribly unbalanced grand prix(at 150cc at least which is also the only way to unlock characters),
the fact remains that this game is not a portable game, even if it is on a portable system... that is why it sucks

[pokepal148]

I liked what i played of NSMB2 (until i lost it).

Interestingly 2 seems to have the most satisfyingly snappy controls of all NSMB games. Console NSMBs are kinda on the floaty side, but 2 feels like has the most satisfying jump.

I also liked verticality in a lot of levels.

One of these days i will rebuy it and finish it.

whats this, new super mario bros:golden shower made the list

[Leo13]

NSMB 2 was a little low on the list I thought. I actually enjoyed it more than NSMB U, however of greater concern is that I haven't seen Theatrhythm yet. I'm really hoping you don't leave it off the list as I think it's got to be one of the top ten 3DS games!

[Pixelated Pixies]

I found NSMB 2 mildly entertaining, but it was unbelievably forgettable.

[LittleIrves]

People complain about too much Mario, but when the range and quality of experience is as great as what's found in 3D Land (I'm with J.P. on this one...   fantastic game, under-appreciated) and NSMB2 (my most-played 3DS game: Coin Rush + StreetPassin' had me getting 1,000,000 coins and still going), then I'm okay with Mr. Video having his face on as many games as they want.

[Retro Deckades]

Well, now I'm definitely O-U-T out!


I wonder if other surprises await, or if they're getting them out of the way early?


What's tomorrow's selection? Dress to Play: Cute Witches?

[Art_de_Cat]

Mario kart 7 is a lot of fun to play, especially on world wides.  Mario kart games have never been about the single player.  Though I wish the kart pieces looked more fitting together......

[pokepal148]

Mario 3D Kart is a lot of fun to play, especially on world wides.  Mario kart games have never been about the single player.  Though I wish the kart pieces looked more fitting together......

again, it is not a portable game at all, even if it's on a portable system...

[Pixelated Pixies]

Mario 3D Kart is a lot of fun to play, especially on world wides.  Mario kart games have never been about the single player.  Though I wish the kart pieces looked more fitting together......

again, it is not a portable game at all, even if it's on a portable system...

I disagree that it's not a portable game. I've brought that game to several family events, found a WIFI connection, and have given it to my younger cousins to keep them occupied. Hell, I have even got a few local multiplayer games in the cinema while waiting for a movie to start. It's such a great 'pick up and play' game.

[pokepal148]

Mario 3D Kart is a lot of fun to play, especially on world wides.  Mario kart games have never been about the single player.  Though I wish the kart pieces looked more fitting together......

again, it is not a portable game at all, even if it's on a portable system...

I disagree that it's not a portable game. I've brought that game to several family events, found a WIFI connection, and have given it to my younger cousins to keep them occupied. Hell, I have even got a few local multiplayer games in the cinema while waiting for a movie to start. It's such a great 'pick up and play' game.

yes but lets ignore multiplayer because frankly, that is not what portable gaming is usually about, whats left?

[Pixelated Pixies]

yes but lets ignore multiplayer because frankly, that is not what portable gaming is usually about, whats left?

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or dumb.

[TJ Spyke]

Mario 3D Kart is a lot of fun to play, especially on world wides.  Mario kart games have never been about the single player.  Though I wish the kart pieces looked more fitting together......

again, it is not a portable game at all, even if it's on a portable system...

I disagree that it's not a portable game. I've brought that game to several family events, found a WIFI connection, and have given it to my younger cousins to keep them occupied. Hell, I have even got a few local multiplayer games in the cinema while waiting for a movie to start. It's such a great 'pick up and play' game.

yes but lets ignore multiplayer because frankly, that is not what portable gaming is usually about, whats left?

You have obviously never played Mario Kart DS, even the single player is very good in it and is one of the best DS games.

[Pixelated Pixies]

yes but lets ignore multiplayer because frankly, that is not what portable gaming is usually about, whats left?

You have obviously never played Mario Kart DS, even the single player is very good in it and is one of the best DS games.

Or Monster Hunter.

[pokepal148]

Mario 3D Kart is a lot of fun to play, especially on world wides.  Mario kart games have never been about the single player.  Though I wish the kart pieces looked more fitting together......

again, it is not a portable game at all, even if it's on a portable system...

I disagree that it's not a portable game. I've brought that game to several family events, found a WIFI connection, and have given it to my younger cousins to keep them occupied. Hell, I have even got a few local multiplayer games in the cinema while waiting for a movie to start. It's such a great 'pick up and play' game.

yes but lets ignore multiplayer because frankly, that is not what portable gaming is usually about, whats left?

You have obviously never played Mario Kart DS, even the single player is very good in it and is one of the best DS games.

I have played the DS game but maybe you should realize we are talking about Mario_Kart_7... and what single player is there to speak of?

EDIT: Take that crimm and your internet censorship

[TJ Spyke]

You were starting to talk about portable games in general? I haven't gotten Mario Kart 7 yet, but Mario Kart DS had great single player. The Mission Mode was really fun, and Nintendo even added bots for stuff like Battle Mode (so you could play the mode even without other people).

Also, if you want Mario Kart 7 to show up under that name instead of Mario 3D Kart, turn off the Filter (which blurs out curse words).

[pokepal148]

You were starting to talk about portable games in general? I haven't gotten Mario 3D Kart yet, but Mario Kart DS had great single player. The Mission Mode was really fun, and Nintendo even added bots for stuff like Battle Mode (so you could play the mode even without other people).

Also, if you want Mario 3D Kart to show up under that name instead of Mario 3D Kart, turn off the Filter (which blurs out curse words).

and 7 gives you none of that, just an unbalanced GP, time trials, and the forementioned battle mode with barely any stages

[Evan_B]

HELL YEAH. Resident Evil: Revelations. Great game. Better than Super Mario 3D Land, too. I hope that means we won't be seeing 3D Land on the list!

[Pixelated Pixies]

HELL YEAH. Resident Evil: Revelations. Great game. Better than Super Mario 3D Land, too. I hope that means we won't be seeing 3D Land on the list!

What the hell is wrong with you? Are you dead inside?

[Oblivion]

3D Land sucks.

[pokepal148]

My taste in gaming sucks.

fixed

[Mop it up]

I haven't played ten 3DS games yet so I'll just say my favourite so far is Luigi's Mansion 2. It's a bit disappointing as a sequel to Luigi's Mansion since it didn't really expand on the concepts and has much less exploration, but it's still a solid game in its own right, and I've also been addicted to the multiplayer for some reason.

As for this list, I just hope that Super Mario 3D Land is on it. It has some problems, but it's certainly a better game than NSMB2. I don't have enough experience with the other stuff on the list, but I don't feel like NSMB2 will be on my top ten list after I play more than ten games.

I also predict Mario Kart VII will show up somewhere, though I wouldn't exactly be surprised if it doesn't.

[pokepal148]

Mario K@rt 7?
i'm sorry i had to, it is way to much fun to sidestep crimms hatred of the games name...

[TJ Spyke]

It's not hatred, it was put in when we didn't know the name of the game. So when the game did come out, some people hated the name so much that Crimm decided to have fun and make it so that anyone that has the profanity filter on (which you obviously do) will see the name as "Mario 3D Kart" whenever someone writes the correct name. If you have the filter turned off, you just see the correct name.

[Evan_B]

HELL YEAH. Resident Evil: Revelations. Great game. Better than Super Mario 3D Land, too. I hope that means we won't be seeing 3D Land on the list!

What the hell is wrong with you? Are you dead inside?

Honestly, there's a number of reasons I think 3D Land is trash, and I'm going to stand by them. The control scheme is atrocious, the levels further promote this ridiculous idea of 3D Linear Platforming, which is just broken by nature. The difficulty curve is nonexistent and the choice of adding Shadow Mario to the endgame of the Secret Levels was a bland and boring choice. The visuals are even less charming than New Super Mario Bros., the Tanooki suit is overused and cheaply so, there's a run button, the physics feel stiff, and the music sucks.

I get that it's all my opinion, but I honestly don't see how people could enjoy such a short, uninspired, and obviously rushed game. It's like, everything wrong with modern Mario in one game.

[Retro Deckades]

Honestly, there's a number of reasons I think 3D Land is trash, and I'm going to stand by them. The control scheme is atrocious, the levels further promote this ridiculous idea of 3D Linear Platforming, which is just broken by nature. The difficulty curve is nonexistent and the choice of adding Shadow Mario to the endgame of the Secret Levels was a bland and boring choice. The visuals are even less charming than New Super Mario Bros., the Tanooki suit is overused and cheaply so, there's a run button, the physics feel stiff, and the music sucks.

I get that it's all my opinion, but I honestly don't see how people could enjoy such a short, uninspired, and obviously rushed game. It's like, everything wrong with modern Mario in one game.

Interesting reasons. What is it about the controls that you don't like? I know you mention disliking the choice of implementing a "run" button, but to me it seems like a smarter design choice that would better fit the more limited movement of the circle pad. Other than that, I don't remember it controlling much different than other 3D Mario platformers.


I'm not sure that I understand how 3D linear platforming is broken by nature. I'd say it works quite well in the Galaxy games. Both games require you to make it from point A to point B while avoiding or overcoming obstacles. Comparatively, I agree that it doesn't reach the level of imagination found in some other 3D Mario games, and sure, the music could have been better, but I wouldn't call it uninspired, as the levels still exhibit a lot of creativity. The Shadow Mario mechanic was tacked on and one of the less enjoyable aspects of the game, but as far as it being short, it took me about 16 hours to 100% my save file.


I found Super Mario 3D Land to be enjoyable to the very end, and while not extremely hard, the challenge did ramp up as I progressed through the game. Everyone's experience is different, though. You may not think it's great and its presentation may not knock your socks off, but I don't honestly see how people can deny that its a good game. To refer to Super Mario 3D Land as "trash" gives me the impression that that person only plays "AAA" titles and that Super Mario 3D Land would therefore merely be "AA".

[Art_de_Cat]

Super Mario 3D land was nice but.........  I did not like the forced perspective in stages.  Why have a camera to look around when you really cant look around?  Some of the 3d tricks were cool, but they didn't occur often enough.  And the final final stage in secret world was the most dissapointing level of the entire game.  Not how i would want the game to end on a sour note.

 NSMB2 was cool and I liked the coin rush mode to challenge other players on their coin counts, but setting the limit to 30,000 when some stages you can get way more was disappointing.

[pokepal148]

Super Mario 3D land was nice but.........  I did not like the forced perspective in stages.  Why have a camera to look around when you really cant look around?  Some of the 3d tricks were cool, but they didn't occur often enough.  And the final final stage in secret world was the most dissapointing level of the entire game.  Not how i would want the game to end on a sour note.

 NSMB2 was cool and I liked the coin rush mode to challenge other players on their coin counts, but setting the limit to 30,000 when some stages you can get way more was disappointing.

if the special stages weren't just rehashes of the regular ones with shadow mario it would be my number 1, some stages are done in ineresting ways but still...

[Pixelated Pixies]

This might be controversial for proponents of Super Mario World and Super Mario 64, but I think Super Mario 3D Land is probably my 4th favourite Mario game behind SMB3 (1), Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2) and Super Mario Galaxy (3).
 
Having a fixed perspective allowed EAD Tokyo to construct levels which retain the sense of purpose and focus of the original Super Mario Bros series while also introducing the level of depth that was first demonstrated with Super Mario 64 and later refined by Super Mario Galaxy.
 
Super Mario 3D Land approached the history of Mario with a playful knowingness, while also managing to feel fresh. Without the semi-fixed camera angle 3D Land would not have been capable of playing with the tropes of the series in the way that it did. Simple things, like the fact that the 'tile bridge' in 2-2 actually briefly breaks out of the game world and loops back around (01 min 10 sec), gave me little jolts of joy.
 

For me Super Mario 3D Land was Nintendo at it's best; referencing what came before while also giving it a completely different context. 3D Land was an absolute delight.

[NWR_insanolord]

That's not all that controversial compared to me calling Mario 3D Land the greatest game of all time earlier in the thread.

[Pixelated Pixies]

That's not all that controversial compared to me calling Mario 3D Land the greatest game of all time earlier in the thread.

My statement could be considered controversial. Your statement is just silly.  :

[Fjurbanski]

Not liking 3D Land is one thing. Calling it trash is absolutely absurd. In order for a game to be trash it has to, you know, actually be bad... really bad. Fundamentally, 3D Land is a good platformer. If you don't like the art style, that's your opinion. If you don't like the music, opinion. Too easy? Opinion. Control scheme "atrocious"? It's run and jump, X and A... it's not like they made the run button B and the jump button the right d-pad button. 3D linear platforming broken by nature? That doesn't even make sense. And if the tanooki suit is too cheap for you.. well you know you don't have to use it.


The game is not trash.

[Evan_B]

Nah, it's trash. Dismiss my opinions as opinions all you'd like, when a game reeks of unfinished polish, such as its art style and reused assets, it's a bit jarring. Why would I ever feel good about buying a game that feels this lazy?

3D platforming isn't broken when it doesn't rely on fixed camera angles so that you can accurately analyze and approach your obstacles. Also, 3D platforming isn't broken when it encourages the use of all three dimensions, and isn't... you know, LINEAR. Unfortunately, Super Mario Galaxy, Galaxy 2, and 3D Land have all essentially do just that. You may call it "purpose and focus" or a "level of depth" but all of that can be accomplished without fixed camera angles!

Mario continues to disappoint me as a character whose games had soul and creativity which has been stripped away for level gimmicks and bland consistency. I've gone from loving exploration and experimentation to hating the specific approach more recent games have forced me to take. I don't want to see another Tanooki suit when I boot up another level- how many times have I been forced to sit through its inclusion? It's not charming, it's annoying. I can at least accept Mario staples that set the stage for how the game will be played, but I don't need it shoving poorly-thought-out level gimmicks and the like down my throat. This is why I am happy to say that I enjoy and recommend games like Sticker Star over 3D Land- at least the exploration and creativity is high in the former and doesn't feel like the same-old, same-old.

Okay, I'll stop pestering everyone now. I don't believe I've called any of your opinions absurd, and I certainly haven't said any of you are "dead inside" because of how you feel about the game- I don't think 3D Land is worthy of praise and I will state the reasons why. Is that wrong?

[Fjurbanski]

I'm certainly not bashing your opinion. You don't like the art style or the music? Fine. You think it lacks polish and originality? Fine. What I take issue with are your factually incorrect statements that you fill with hyperbole and pass off as opinions when they're really not.


"Linear 3D platforming is broken." Factually incorrect. It works perfectly well. What you should say is, "I don't like linear 3D platforming."


"The control scheme is atrocious." Again, factually incorrect and hyperbolical. You run and jump just like in any other mario game by holding X and pressing A. If it's not atrocious in the other games, it's not in this one. Again if you had just said that you didn't like the controls then you probably wouldn't have as many people jumping down your throat.


So, when you use words like "trash", "broken", and "atrocious" to describe a game that, at it's worst, is no worse than average or unoriginal, what kind of response do you expect?

[Pixelated Pixies]

Okay, I'll stop pestering everyone now. I don't believe I've called any of your opinions absurd, and I certainly haven't said any of you are "dead inside" because of how you feel about the game- I don't think 3D Land is worthy of praise and I will state the reasons why. Is that wrong?

Just for the record, I did not say you were dead inside...I only asked if you were dead inside. To which I now know the answer.  : : :
 
Joking aside though, you're more than welcome to your opinions man. I can't say I totally understand where you're coming from, but of course it's not wrong of you to express those opinions. Personally, I found the control scheme to be comfortable and precise, I thought the art style was vibrant and charming (although that is of course very subjective), and I think the concept of having a semi-fixed floating camera allowed EAD to frame the action and play with perspective in a way that they could not have done otherwise. For me it was a triumph. It's for that reason that I was genuinely interested to hear how someone could have such a negative experience with 3D Land.
 
You've now explained why you believe 3D Land is trash, but for my part I'm no closer to comprehending the issues you cite. I actually played a few levels of 3D Land yesterday just to jog my memory, and I am literally incapable of appreciating how anyone could think that game is trash. Your experience with the game is so at odds with my own that we are essentially talking about different games, lol. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

[Evan_B]

Let me just say this about the fixed camera concept- framing the action is all well-and-good, but the thing that truly aggravates me is the idea of having a fixed frame that moves independently from the player when the camera is no longer framing a scene. This means jumps are often leaps of faith because the camera refuses to move with you because its focused on the last "clever" framing opportunity it wanted to focus on. And of course, the only way to create a safety net for yourself is by wearing a Tanooki suit. That's not good design- again- in my opinion. It punishes creativity and experimentation, doesn't establish a proper sense of flow. and forces you along a rather boring path.

I'm also just going to say, the Circle Pad is unresponsive on the whole, the run button is really not necessary since you have to run through every damn level because of those stupid time limits (yeah, yeah, I know... the most 3D 2D Mario ever so it has to have time limits!), and the concept of jumping in 3D space is hindered by the unforgiving difference between a running jump and a non-running jump. The inability to truly set a direction with ease means most of the powerups cannot be aimed, which means they're essentially useless. But at least you have that wonderful AoE Tanooki Suit.

NOW I'm done. Opinions, man. They suck.

[pokepal148]

i love how nobody is even talking about theaeterhythm

[Halbred]

I know. I put all this effort into writing about Revelations and Theatrhythm and I just get a bunch of bitching about Super Mario 3D land.

[AwesomeUnicorn]

Well, Theatrhythm is probably my top played 3DS game.  I have all the DLC, and it was worth every last cent.  I was very glad to see it on the list, personally!

[ejamer]

I know. I put all this effort into writing about Revelations and Theatrhythm and I just get a bunch of bitching about Super Mario 3D land.

For what it's worth, I enjoyed the RE:Revelations write up a great deal and was delighted to see that game included. (Just because it's my favorite 3DS game so far doesn't mean that it would make someone else's list.)


Didn't comment because (a) you pretty much nailed it, and (b) the only nitpick I would have is calling the game "essentially flawless".  It had minor flaws - including some awkward water sequences and annoying sections played as secondary characters - but still managed to be the best Resident Evil game since 4 by a comfortable margin.


It astounds me that many 3DS owners haven't even tried the game yet. It's a $20 digital download now, and was priced between $10-15 at many retailers over the holidays. For one of the best looking games on the system, which offers reams of single-player content and solid online co-op via Raid Mode, that's an absolute steal of a deal!

[Pixelated Pixies]

I know. I put all this effort into writing about Revelations and Theatrhythm and I just get a bunch of bitching about Super Mario 3D land.

There's that word again. Discussion is not 'bitching' people.

[Stogi]

It's in the forum tag-line.

[oohhboy]

When Ejamer said RE:R had dropped to $20, I had to check it out in the local e-shop in NZ. The price did drop, but it's priced at $58.99US. I proceeded to blow chunks.

Being better than RE:5 isn't hard considering it boils down to a bunch of badly designed kill rooms with no atmosphere, bad inventory system and a brain dead partner, not forgetting zombies with AKs. Better than 4? not even close. RE:R has plenty of flaws, however, none of them are cripppling, although you are left questioning the designers decisions.

[ejamer]

When Ejamer said RE:R had dropped to $20, I had to check it out in the local e-shop in NZ. The price did drop, but it's priced at $58.99US. I proceeded to blow chunks.


..[size=78%].[/size]

Wow, that's ridiculous. Do people in NZ get paid in solid gold bars instead of dollars?  Is that a "normal" price for retail games in the eShop?


When the game was new, I paid $40 for a retail copy and felt like it was still a good value for me (especially since there wasn't much else on 3DS that had me excited at that point in time).  But paying $60 would feel like a lot of scratch - I haven't paid that much for a video game since the N64 days...

[oohhboy]

Gold bars would be sweet, but alas, no, we get plastic money. Did a check, Fire Emblem in the e-shop goes for $89.95NZ which translates to $76.63US. In EB it is actually slightly more expensive than that @ $93NZ. Hence I don't buy local, or shop in the e-shop. I would buy a crazy number of games if I had access to American prices or if th 3DS was region free like the DS. I get my games mostly from the UK with the odd second hand purchase here.

[Pixelated Pixies]

Mutant Mudds was exceptional. It might not have been particularly revolutionary, but it perfectly executed on what it aimed to do. Hell, it would probably make my top 10 based purely on the music alone.

[pokepal148]

i am kind of against eshop games being in the same top ten list as the retail games...
i feel like there is enough stuff on both ends for us to have a list for each.

[Pixelated Pixies]

i am kind of against eshop games being in the same top ten list as the retail games...
i feel like there is enough stuff on both ends for us to have a list for each.

Why would you be against it? You could have two separate lists, but this feature is 'Top 10 3DS Games'.

[pokepal148]

i am kind of against eshop games being in the same top ten list as the retail games...
i feel like there is enough stuff on both ends for us to have a list for each.

Why would you be against it? You could have two separate lists, but this feature is 'Top 10 3DS Games'.

Exactly the reasons I gave, we have enough games between the two to have 2 lists or a top 25 combined... the number of 3DS games worth playing is far greater then 10 and some games(Kid Icarus Uprising i suspect fits the case) likely won't get any service...

[Pixelated Pixies]

Exactly the reasons I gave, we have enough games between the two to have 2 lists or a top 25 combined... the number of 3DS games worth playing is far greater then 10 and some games(Kid Icarus Uprising i suspect fits the case) likely won't get any service...

I agree that we have enough good retail and eshop games to create two lists, but I don't see how you go from that to being against the idea of assessing the overall top ten. I think an overall top ten is especially interesting in the case of the 3DS because the quality of the best digital games actually compares rather favourably with the best that retail has had to offer.

[NWR_Neal]

*ahem* http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/32698

[Pixelated Pixies]

*ahem* http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/32698

*offers Neal a throat lozenge*
 
I'm very glad to see Fire Emblem on the list. I'm still making my way through the main story chapters (I'm about 25 hours in) and I'm really digging it so far. In fact, I'm already thinking about how I might approach certain maps during my replays on higher difficulties. It's just that good.

[Killer_Man_Jaro]

And at #3, we have...

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/34144

[Mop it up]

I tried the demo of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, and I would be all over that game if it had some remixed music in it. But since it's all just ripped straight from games, it feels cheap; things like the NES tunes especially needed a bump. I may still get it when it gets dirt cheap, but it's disappointing there isn't better music in it.

It astounds me that many 3DS owners haven't even tried the game yet. It's a $20 digital download now, and was priced between $10-15 at many retailers over the holidays.

Myself, I'm waiting for the Wii U version. I'm only interested in the online portion of it, and they're expanding it in that version.

[UltraClayton]

Luigi's Mansion continues to amaze me every time I pick it up. That game has a level of polish and creativity that I rarely see in a game these days.

[Pixelated Pixies]

Luigi's Mansion brought a smile to my face throughout. It was just so damn charming. I did think, however, that after the third Mansion the mechanics were losing steam (clearly the designers agreed, because the last two mansions are significantly shorter than the preceding three). Had the game been any longer I think it would have reflected badly on the game, but as it is I think Luigi's Mansion is a great title; for me perhaps it isn't 'top 3 good', but it would definitely be in my top 10.
 
*If Crashmo doesn't come in at number 2 or 1, you people are all crazy.

[pokepal148]

crashmo better not come in because pushmo is already on the list...

[Pixelated Pixies]

crashmo better not come in because pushmo is already on the list...

I love Pushmo as much as the next guy, but it's sequel is superior in just about every way. Crashmo is without a doubt one of the best games on the 3DS. To not have it on the list simply because it's precursor is, would in my eyes be absurd.

[pokepal148]

crashmo better not come in because pushmo is already on the list...

I love Pushmo as much as the next guy, but it's sequel is superior in just about every way. Crashmo is without a doubt one of the best games on the 3DS. To not have it on the list simply because it's precursor is, would in my eyes be absurd.

I'm not arguing with that i'm saying i would rather not have the sequel to a game already on the list on the list as well...

honestly would it be that hard to go for a top 25

[Pixelated Pixies]

I'm not arguing with that i'm saying i would rather not have the sequel to a game already on the list on the list as well...

Our minds must work very differently, lol.
 
If Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are considered to be amongst the top 10 Wii games, then surely they should both be represented on a top 10 list, no? You don't leave something off the list simply because another game in that series already occupies a spot.
 
All of which is theoretical, because we don't yet know if the folks putting this list together have the good taste to recognise one of the best puzzle games ever made when they see it. 

[beta4attack]

Whaaaa...? No KH3D? 

[pokepal148]

its called mention them together, in one spot, as a tie

[Pixelated Pixies]

its called mention them together, in one spot, as a tie

Even if they're not a tie? Even if one game is better than the other? That don't make a lick of sense.

[Pixelated Pixies]

Uprising?...
 
You people are off your rocker.

[Phil]

My ten would be like this (no one cares, but I like lists lol):


In no order:


Kid Icarus: Uprising
New Super Mario Bros. 2
Super Mario 3D Land
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Mario Kart 7
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
Resident Evil: Revelations
Pushmo

[azeke]

Uprising?...
 
You people are off your rocker.

I know, right?..


It should be number 1.

[Pixelated Pixies]

Uprising?...
 
You people are off your rocker.

I know, right?..


It should be number 100.

FIXED.
 
You made a typo and left some zeros off that. Don't worry, PixPix has you covered.

[beta4attack]

I don't understand all that hate for Uprising, it's one of the best 3DS games so far, imho. I don't know why you guys hate it so much.

[pokepal148]

people are still bent up over the controls. put 3d land at number one and watch the thread burn

[Pixelated Pixies]

I don't understand all that hate for Uprising, it's one of the best 3DS games so far, imho. I don't know why you guys hate it so much.

I'm mostly joking because I know some people adore that game. Uprising was in my opinion a good game undermined by some serious problems. The controls issues were perhaps the most egregious, but they weren't the only problems I had with the game.

[oohhboy]

The controls are just one half of the issue, the second is the forced use of a single weapon for two almost diametrically opposing types of gameplay with very little over lap. The air portions is just a straight up shooter, pick a weapon that fires fast, far and hard. Ground combat varied from melee to long range, meaning if you took a melee weapon you would be boned for the air stage while only half-boned on the ground where you slaughtered anything that got close.

It was a blindingly bad design decision that would have been solved if you could have switched to a second weapon. I wouldn't call it hate, it was a massive disappointment with a large helping on WTFness of game design. If I had ten games to list, it wouldn't be on the list or last.

There is a great game in there, but this is how you go about racking up medical bills for mangled hands.

[pokepal148]

Super Mario 3D Land does not deserve to be on the top ten list, as it is a piece of trash.

Super Mario 3D land was nice but.........  I did not like the forced perspective in stages.  Why have a camera to look around when you really cant look around?  Some of the 3d tricks were cool, but they didn't occur often enough.  And the final final stage in secret world was the most dissapointing level of the entire game.  Not how i would want the game to end on a sour note.

HELL YEAH. Resident Evil: Revelations. Great game. Better than Super Mario 3D Land, too. I hope that means we won't be seeing 3D Land on the list!

What the hell is wrong with you? Are you dead inside?

Honestly, there's a number of reasons I think 3D Land is trash, and I'm going to stand by them. The control scheme is atrocious, the levels further promote this ridiculous idea of 3D Linear Platforming, which is just broken by nature. The difficulty curve is nonexistent and the choice of adding Shadow Mario to the endgame of the Secret Levels was a bland and boring choice. The visuals are even less charming than New Super Mario Bros., the Tanooki suit is overused and cheaply so, there's a run button, the physics feel stiff, and the music sucks.

I get that it's all my opinion, but I honestly don't see how people could enjoy such a short, uninspired, and obviously rushed game. It's like, everything wrong with modern Mario in one game.

Nah, it's trash. Dismiss my opinions as opinions all you'd like, when a game reeks of unfinished polish, such as its art style and reused assets, it's a bit jarring. Why would I ever feel good about buying a game that feels this lazy?

3D platforming isn't broken when it doesn't rely on fixed camera angles so that you can accurately analyze and approach your obstacles. Also, 3D platforming isn't broken when it encourages the use of all three dimensions, and isn't... you know, LINEAR. Unfortunately, Super Mario Galaxy, Galaxy 2, and 3D Land have all essentially do just that. You may call it "purpose and focus" or a "level of depth" but all of that can be accomplished without fixed camera angles!

Mario continues to disappoint me as a character whose games had soul and creativity which has been stripped away for level gimmicks and bland consistency. I've gone from loving exploration and experimentation to hating the specific approach more recent games have forced me to take. I don't want to see another Tanooki suit when I boot up another level- how many times have I been forced to sit through its inclusion? It's not charming, it's annoying. I can at least accept Mario staples that set the stage for how the game will be played, but I don't need it shoving poorly-thought-out level gimmicks and the like down my throat. This is why I am happy to say that I enjoy and recommend games like Sticker Star over 3D Land- at least the exploration and creativity is high in the former and doesn't feel like the same-old, same-old.

Okay, I'll stop pestering everyone now. I don't believe I've called any of your opinions absurd, and I certainly haven't said any of you are "dead inside" because of how you feel about the  game- I don't think 3D Land is worthy of praise and I will state the reasons why. Is that wrong?

Let me just say this about the fixed camera concept- framing the action is all well-and-good, but the thing that truly aggravates me is the idea of having a fixed frame that moves independently from the player when the camera is no longer framing a scene. This means jumps are often leaps of faith because the camera refuses to move with you because its focused on the last "clever" framing opportunity it wanted to focus on. And of course, the only way to create a safety net for yourself is by wearing a Tanooki suit. That's not good design- again- in my opinion. It punishes creativity and experimentation, doesn't establish a proper sense of flow. and forces you along a rather boring path.

I'm also just going to say, the Circle Pad is unresponsive on the whole, the run button is really not necessary since you have to run through every damn level because of those stupid time limits (yeah, yeah, I know... the most 3D 2D Mario ever so it has to have time limits!), and the concept of jumping in 3D space is hindered by the unforgiving difference between a running jump and a non-running jump. The inability to truly set a direction with ease means most of the powerups cannot be aimed, which means they're essentially useless. But at least you have that wonderful AoE Tanooki Suit.

NOW I'm done. Opinions, man. They suck.

oh.. there go the dams

[Evan_B]

Yeah, I'm raging pretty hard right now.

[Leo13]

First of all,
Thanks for giving Theatrhythm some love it's in my #3, but I haven't played all the games in this top ten (for example I haven't played Luigi's Mansion yet and I just barely got Kid Icarus so I don't yet know what I'll think of that one) so it's possible that if I had played them all I'd also have Theatrhythm in the same spot.


This thought brings out my curiousity. I think you should do a poll to see how many of your readers have played all of the games in your 3DS top 10. Or even better, what if your poll said "How many of the games in our top ten have you played?" with the options from 0-10. I'm very interested in seeing the results from a poll like this.

[Pixelated Pixies]

This thought brings out my curiousity. I think you should do a poll to see how many of your readers have played all of the games in your 3DS top 10. Or even better, what if your poll said "How many of the games in our top ten have you played?" with the options from 0-10. I'm very interested in seeing the results from a poll like this.

In my case I've played 7/10. The ones I have not played being Miracle Mask, Theatrhythm and RE: Revelations. That's not necessarily a reflection on the quality of those three games. I'm burnt out on Layton, I don't really have a longstanding relationship with Final Fantasy, and I've never really enjoyed the Resident Evil series. In other words, those thee games just aren't my cup of tea.

[Oblivion]

This was an awful list.

[King Bowser Koopa]

Awfully good, yes!

I'd have put Kid Icarus in 1 and 3D land just below Luigi at 3, but I can see the merits and reasoning.
And Mutant Mudds would be kicked off entirely. These staff votes forfeit the right for us to complain about the end results when we each put our favourites into the hat. That's just how voting goes...

[NWR_insanolord]

Anyone who wouldn't include Mutant Mudds shouldn't be allowed to vote.

[Pixelated Pixies]

Anyone who wouldn't include Mutant Mudds shouldn't be allowed to live.

Fixed.

[pokepal148]

i haven't played the full game so

[NWR_insanolord]

You should fix that immediately.

[ejamer]

I know there are some people who love Mutant Mudds here... but that demo was so incredibly boring. I do love the soundtrack (what I've heard at least) but the gameplay just didn't draw me in at all.

[NWR_insanolord]

You, sir, are objectively wrong.

[Rubber Band AI]

Great set of games right there.

[ejamer]

You, sir, are objectively wrong.

And not for the first time.

[pokepal148]

the demo didn't really interest me and neither does the massive difference of price between the 3DS and IOS...

[Pixelated Pixies]

the demo didn't really interest me and neither does the massive difference of price between the 3DS and IOS...

I haven't played the IOS version, but I have to imagine the massive difference of price point is comprobable to the massive difference in the quality of the controls of both games.

[pokepal148]

sure it is...

[Mop it up]

Just out of curiosity, if this were just a retail-only list, what would the staff's number 9 and 10 be?

[Pixelated Pixies]

In my case, I would have difficulty putting together a top 10 list for retail games alone. It would include 3D Land, Luigi's Mansion, Fire Emblem, Mario 3D Kart and Street Fighter, but beyond those there aren't any 3DS retail games that I feel passionate about.
 
Eshop has been critical to my enjoyment of the 3DS. Does anyone else feel that way, or am I the only one?

[Killer_Man_Jaro]

Our first batch of Honourable Mentions is now live on the site: http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/34169

If one of your favourite 3DS games missed out on our Top 10, there's a chance we gave it a shout-out here. More HMs on the way later.

[Pixelated Pixies]

"Crashmo likely will continue to go down  as inferior to Pushmo, and I'd mainly peg that at the increased  challenge. Pushmo's puzzles have a degree of attrition to them, but  Crashmo's are pure brain-teasing challenges that can rarely be solved on accident."
 
In my opinion, Crashmo is a fantastic puzzle game precisely because you can't brute force your way through it. With Crashmo you actually have to sit and consider your actions if you're to realise the intent of the designer. Crashmo requires a higher level of understanding of the mechanics than Pushmo did, and for some people that will probably be a turn off; but I've said it once and I'll say it again, Crashmo is the most fun I've had with a puzzle game in years...probably even decades.

[Killer_Man_Jaro]

Here is our second batch of Honourable Mentions. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/34181

Hopefully, you have enjoyed this look at what we feel are the best 3DS games of the past two years.

[Pixelated Pixies]

I would just like to say that I thought this feature was a lot of fun. Lists of this kind can sometimes feel a little pointless, but having proponents of certain games explain why they believe them to be worthwhile was actually interesting. It's impossible to produce a top 10 list that satisfies everyone, but what it does allow us to do is take stock of all the excellent games that have already came out for the system. The 3DS is very close to becoming a great system. In my opinion it's always had the potential to be great, but it's only in this last year that I think it's truely realised that potential.

[Leo13]

Ok so after 2 sets of Honorable Mentions, I'm surprised I haven't seen my favorite 3DS puzzle game, Crush 3D.
I didn't expect to see it in the top 10, but now I'm starting to wonder if I'm the only one that found it thought provoking, intriguing and enjoyable.
Did anyone else enjoy Crush 3D?