There are a lot of things to like about the 3DS. It’s got a motion sensor, it’s got a camera, and of course, itmakes magic. The ability to take pictures, watch movies, and play games — all in 3D — is a pretty big deal, and is sure to spark the attention of gamers and non-gamers alike.
As exciting as that is, it’s the 3DS’s initial game line-up that really blew my mind. During the E3 Nintendo press briefing, I had to do a double-take when I saw what first- and third-party developers had planned for the system. Actually, I’m still sort of in shock about it. This kind of third-party support hasn’t happened on a Nintendo console in a long time, maybe ever.
The news was flying so fast and furious last week that you may have missed some of announcements about what’s coming to the 3DS. If you want a recap, or just an excuse tofreak out over the newsall over again, hit the jump for our list of most anticipated 3DS games.
Nintendogs + Cats
A lot of people take pride in hating onNintendogs. That’s weird to me. Do you like dogs? Like, real-life dogs? Well, then you’ll probably likeNintendogs, because it’s pretty much the same thing. Teach a dog tricks, rub it down, and take it for a walk. What’s not great about that? The game even makes picking up dog crap fun. Touch it with the stylus, and it’s gone. If only all of life’s shit could be so easily disposed of.
I don’t think that there is a game that better shows the power of the touch screen.Nintendogswas the game that first showed me that physically communicating with the characters on the other side of the video game world could be fun. Now with the 3DS, maybe Nintendo will show us what it’s like to physically interact with a game character’s who have learned to cross over. 3D puppies in my face sounds awesome.
Nintendo 64 Ports (PilotWings, Star Fox,Ocarina of Time, etc.)
I’m rarely excited about anything that has to do with the N64. The console definitely has a handful of great games, but for the most part, it still stands as a disappointment to me. Part of that comes from the way most N64 games look. Nine times out of ten, they reach for a level of visual splendor that they can’t quite achieve.
The 3DS could fix that. Not only does the console support better visuals, but the types of low-polygon characters that were commonplace on the N64 look really crisp and vibrant in 3D. Plus,Star FoxandOcarina of Timeare two really incredible games that not every modern gamer has had a chance to play. They’re both over ten years old now, so today’s 12-year-olds may have never even heard of them before. It’s pretty exciting to get the chance to re-experience these games alongside a whole new crowd.
Nintendo’s second-tier titles (Mario Kart,Animal Crossing,Paper Mario)
Thus far, I’ve loved everyMario Kart,Animal Crossing, andPaper Mariogame that has been released. Nintendo just won’t let them suck. A lot of them aren’t much for innovation (I’m looking at you,Animal Crossing), but they’re always well made and true to their original concept.
Call of Dutyfans don’t need a lot to be happy with the next game in the series; new guns, maps, modes and a fresh coat of paint is all they want.Animal Crossingfans are no different. Give us some new fish to catch, holidays to celebrate, stuff to collect, and we’re happy. That’s what I’m betting we’ll get fromAnimal Crossing,Mario Kart, andPaper Marioon the 3DS — predictable, reliable, old-faithful fun.
TheNinja Gaidenseries got sort of a false start on the DS.Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Swordwas a well-crafted game, but it didn’t quite work out. Pre-existingNinja Gaidenfans thought the game was too different (and too bloodless), and non-fans didn’t think it was different enough to take notice of. Plus, the modernNinja Gaidengames heavily rely on graphics as a selling point. Sadly, the DS just wasn’t capable of creating visuals that could do the series justice.
From what I’ve seen, the 3DS could remedy all that. Nintendo’s new machine can definitely push out impressive visuals, and with the analog nub, it could supply some traditionalNinja Gaidengameplay as well. I just hope they don’t shy away from an ‘M’ rating because the game is on a Nintendo console. There are a lot of 18+ gamers that would love to get someNinja Gaidengore in 3D.
We only got a 3D tech demo of somethingKingdom Hearts-related running on the 3DS, but that’s enough to get fans excited. It makes sense for Square Enix to start with aKingdom Heartsgame on the 3DS first, and wait for the console’s install base to grow for a year or two before launching aFinal FantasyorDragon Questgame on the console.
I’m expecting a newKingdom Heartsgame on the 3DS not long after launch, and I’m expecting it to have quite a few of Disney’s 3D movie representatives in-game.Tron,Alice in Wonderland, and the upcomingPirates of the Caribbean 4are all sure bets. We’re also sure to see some characters fromFinal Fantasy XIII, and maybe even someone fromDragon Quest IX.
That’s something thatKingdom Heartslovers can get excited for, and certainly enough to pique the interest of non-fans as well.
Assassin’s Creedis also the exact type of game that rarely makes its way onto a Nintendo console. Western publishers have thus far put most of their AAA-budget material on the 360/PS3, leaving the Wii and DS with artsy games and on-rails knock-offs. IfAssassin’s Creed3DS is any indication, that trend may be coming to an end. The fact thatAssassin’s Creedis coming to the 3DS is exciting in itself, but if its release also signals a newfound support from Western publishers for Nintendo consoles, that’s even more reason to celebrate.
Kojima is good at keeping things mysterious, and he’s even better at taking forever to finish a game, so it may be a long time before we actually see what he’s really got in store for the 3DS. My guess is that it will either be a remake ofMetal Gear 1and2, a new prequel starring Big Boss, or something involving Raiden. Of course, that’s just guesswork, though which guess is right barely matters. Hell, even if it’s just a port ofMetal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, I’ll be happy. Sneaking in 3D is going to rule.
Super Street Fighter 4
Here’s another game we don’t know much about, but the screens alone have been enough to freak me out. It’sSuper Street Fighter IV, one of the best fighting games ever made, on a portable console (that hasbuttons and a D-pad). That’s pretty incredible.
That’s likely enough for most, but for me, there’s a little more to it. As much as I loveSSFIV, I’m still a little put off by the game’s graphics. They just don’t look “drawn” enough for me, unless I keep the ink shader on all characters, always. From initial screenshots, that’s howSuper Street Fighter IV 3Dlooks all the time; a more painterly take on the game we already know and love. Combine that with the near-360/PS3-quality graphics, and you have what may be the ultimate iteration of the ultimate modern fighting game.
Let’s just hope the game has online play and a few new characters. Personally, I’m rooting for Birdie.
Capcom sort of dropped the ball withResident Evil 5. It’s a great game, but afterResident Evil 4, it just felt a bit redundant. So far, I’ve got plenty of reason to hope that they’ll be making up for that withResident Evil Revelations. As Jim Sterling would say, the game is like “God pissing jelly beans into my mouth,” except swap “God” with “Capcom,” and “jelly beans” for “Jill Valentine.”
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Nintendo fans have been waiting for this game for years, even decades. A newKid Icarusfrom a developer who’s yet to make a bad game? It’s almost too good to be true. The creator ofKirbyandSmash Bros.takes on the character that he pulled from the bottom of Nintendo’s trash pile withSmash Bros. Brawland brings him to the forefront yet again. The results could be astounding.
From what we can see of the gameplay, depth-of-field firefights, huge bosses, and fantastic flight sequences are all major parts of the package. While the game is obviously filled with post-NES action, plenty of enemies and other accouterments from the previousKid Icarusgames show up as well. Done right,Kid Icarus: Uprisingcould do forKid IcaruswhatOcarina of Timedid forZelda: take the essence of a classic NES series and fuse it with modern technology and game design, creating something legendary in the process.
Honorable mention:Bloodrayne: The Shroud, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona, Contra, Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle, Martha Stewart(hopefully prison-related),Sonic 3DS, Dead or Alive 3D, de Blob 2, Marvel Super Hero Squad Infinity Gauntlet, Tom Clancy
