When the Nintendo 3DS was unveiled at E3 2010, third party developers talked excitedly about their plans for the system and its glasses-free 3D capabilities. Nintendo, of course, has its own plans for the system, and they include some familiar names and faces.
Some of the announced Nintendo 3DS games are 3D remakes of old classics; others are new installments of established franchises. Given the fine pedigree of these games' predecessors, these particular titles will entertain you with cool new ideas while managing to remain comfortingly familiar.
Pilotwings Resort
Image © Nintendo
Pilotwings Resort is a laid-back flight simulator that adopts certain gameplay and aesthetic elements from Nintendo's Wii Sports Resort. Players can command a light airplane, as well as a rocket pack.
The first Pilotwings hit the Super Nintendo in 1991, and its sequel, Pilotwings 64, landed on the N64 in 1996. Pilotwings games generally involve the player "learning" to fly with light planes, rocketbelts, parachutes and hang gliders. Scoring and advancement is based on how skillfully the player soars.
The first Pilotwings hit the Super Nintendo in 1991, and its sequel, Pilotwings 64, landed on the N64 in 1996. Pilotwings games generally involve the player "learning" to fly with light planes, rocketbelts, parachutes and hang gliders. Scoring and advancement is based on how skillfully the player soars.
Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater The Naked Sample
Image © Konami
Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater The Naked Sample has a title that puts a death grip on tongues more effectively than Snake ever could, but it's worthy of its grand baptism. There's more fighting, more stealth, and more 'gators and more Snake slithering through the jungle.
Snake was born in 1987 and first appeared in Konami's Metal Gear for the Japanese MSX2 computer, but he gained a widespread fandom with a Metal Gear adaptation for the 8-bit NES home console. He became a top-tier game character after game director Hideo Kojima resurrected him for 1998's Playstation smash hit, Metal Gear Solid. Snake has since starred in several sequels.
Snake was born in 1987 and first appeared in Konami's Metal Gear for the Japanese MSX2 computer, but he gained a widespread fandom with a Metal Gear adaptation for the 8-bit NES home console. He became a top-tier game character after game director Hideo Kojima resurrected him for 1998's Playstation smash hit, Metal Gear Solid. Snake has since starred in several sequels.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
Image © Nintendo
Link's classic adventure game returns, but with sharper graphics, 3D effects, and a streamlined menu. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D may look handsome, but you'll change your mind when Ganon's ugly pig face pops out at you.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was first released for the N64 console in 1998. Being Link's first leap into 3D, players had to learn to explore Hyrule and solve puzzles in a whole new dimension. Ocarina of Time is arguably the most popular installment of the Legend of Zelda series: it remains one of the highest-ranked games of all time on both Metacritic and Gamerankings.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was first released for the N64 console in 1998. Being Link's first leap into 3D, players had to learn to explore Hyrule and solve puzzles in a whole new dimension. Ocarina of Time is arguably the most popular installment of the Legend of Zelda series: it remains one of the highest-ranked games of all time on both Metacritic and Gamerankings.
Star Fox 64 3D
Image © Nintendo
Space dogfighting returns with Star Fox 64 3D (or is that space foxfighting?), a 3D remake of an N64 classic. Fox and his crew shoot down enemies, dodge spinning space junk, and explore the far corners of the Lylat system in the war against the evil emperor Andross.
Star Fox first flew into the SNES in 1993. Its sequel, Star Fox 64 for the Nintendo 64, fine-tuned the original game's controls and offered 360 degree boss fights. Fox and his gang of mercenary pilots often descend from the vaccum of space and take breaks on the ground. They've appeared in the Super Smash Bros. games, and even had their own Zelda-style adventure in Star Fox Adventure for the GameCube.
Star Fox first flew into the SNES in 1993. Its sequel, Star Fox 64 for the Nintendo 64, fine-tuned the original game's controls and offered 360 degree boss fights. Fox and his gang of mercenary pilots often descend from the vaccum of space and take breaks on the ground. They've appeared in the Super Smash Bros. games, and even had their own Zelda-style adventure in Star Fox Adventure for the GameCube.
Animal Crossing 3DS
Image © Nintendo
Animal Crossing is back for the Nintendo 3DS, so break out your best tea set and prepare to be a good neighbor. Visit friends, do some landscaping, pull up the wrong person's flowers and make enemies.
The first Animal Crossing "life simulator" hit the North American GameCube in 2002 (it debuted in Japan on the N64 in 2001). It's since seen releases on the Nintendo DS, and on the Wii.
The first Animal Crossing "life simulator" hit the North American GameCube in 2002 (it debuted in Japan on the N64 in 2001). It's since seen releases on the Nintendo DS, and on the Wii.
Resident Evil Revelations
Image © Capcom
We already know that the Nintendo 3DS is capable of drawing us into worlds of color and fun, but how does it handle bowel-shuddering horror? Quite well, actually. Resident Evil Revelations brings survival horror to the 3DS in terrifying 3D. It's the closest you can get to a zombie without having your brains actually snacked on, and you don't want that.
Capcom's Resident Evil series debuted on the Playstation in 1996. Though many survival horror series have since sprung up like so many zombies, the Resident Evil games remain an example of how to do fear right on a game console.
Capcom's Resident Evil series debuted on the Playstation in 1996. Though many survival horror series have since sprung up like so many zombies, the Resident Evil games remain an example of how to do fear right on a game console.
Nintendogs + Cats
Image © Nintendo
Nintendogs + Cats is a detailed pet simulator for the Nintendo 3DS and a successor to Nintendogs. But now things aren't as easy as simply picking your favorite from the litter and taking him home: cats will be moving in with you as well.
Nintendogs, released in 2005, is one of the most successful Nintendo DS games of all time. Pet simulators weren't in short supply before Nintendogs rolled over into the market, but they've since remained some of the most popular and plentiful video games on the market.
Nintendogs, released in 2005, is one of the most successful Nintendo DS games of all time. Pet simulators weren't in short supply before Nintendogs rolled over into the market, but they've since remained some of the most popular and plentiful video games on the market.
Kid Icarus Uprising
Image © Nintendo
Kid Icarus Uprising was chosen as an initial demonstration the Nintendo 3DS's abilities at E3 2010. The angelic hero Pit can soar (for a limited amount of time), dive, and shoot down enemies straight out of myth with his magic bow. The 3DS's capabilities really make the 3D graphics pop.
Kid Icarus first saw life as an adventure game on the NES in 1987, then a sequel on the Game Boy in 1991. Pit's adventures were tough, but far from forgotten: fans have been clamoring for a new Kid Icarus game for as long as the series has lain dormant.
Kid Icarus first saw life as an adventure game on the NES in 1987, then a sequel on the Game Boy in 1991. Pit's adventures were tough, but far from forgotten: fans have been clamoring for a new Kid Icarus game for as long as the series has lain dormant.
Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracles
Image © Level-5
Professor Hershel Layton found himself a comfortable niche on the Nintendo DS, so a leap to the Nintendo 3DS is only natural. Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracles features another mysterious story, more sidekick antics with Luke Triton, mind-warping puzzles, and of course the Layton mobile.
The Professor Layton series of puzzle games debuted on the Nintendo DS with 2007's Professor Layton and the Curious Village. Players fell in love with the games' mix of problem solving and masterful storytelling, and numerous sequels have hit the shelves since. Unfortunately, not all of them have been released in North America (yet).
The Professor Layton series of puzzle games debuted on the Nintendo DS with 2007's Professor Layton and the Curious Village. Players fell in love with the games' mix of problem solving and masterful storytelling, and numerous sequels have hit the shelves since. Unfortunately, not all of them have been released in North America (yet).
Paper Mario 3DS
Image © Nintendo
Mario becomes a paper-thin 2D figure for his Nintendo 3DS action role-playing game, Paper Mario 3DS. There's irony in this somewhere, isn't there? Either way, Mario gets to stomp enemies, rack up experience points, make cool friends, and even tote around a Chain Chomp as an attack dog. Good stuff regardless of what dimension it takes place in.
Paper Mario first drifted onto the N64 in 2000. Its unique paper-thin character models and fast-paced battle system were interesting new ideas in the well-worn role-playing genre. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door was released on the GameCube in 2004, and 2007's Super Paper Mario played like a more traditional Mario game.
Paper Mario first drifted onto the N64 in 2000. Its unique paper-thin character models and fast-paced battle system were interesting new ideas in the well-worn role-playing genre. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door was released on the GameCube in 2004, and 2007's Super Paper Mario played like a more traditional Mario game.
