FreeGameTips staff and staff choose their favorite titles from the stereoscopic console. 10 years of the last Nintendo laptop.
June 16, 2010; Los Angeles E3, Nokia Theater. Reggie Fils-Aimé, then president of Nintendo of America, takes the stage and says good morning to those present in a crowded pavilion. It was not only the day when we would know everything about the next iteration of The Legend of Zelda saga on the occasion of the 25th anniversary, Skyward Sword, but the future of the portable consoles of the Kyoto company.
Behind the shadow of Nintendo DS, the most successful platform in the history of the company, with more than 154 million units shipped, was the most difficult challenge yet: to publish a console capable of responding to that legacy. If Game Boy kept the nomenclature with Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS was going to have the double screen in its name again, but it was not worth being more and better, it was necessary to offer something new, something different. A new way of understanding pocket entertainment.
The first five models of the Nintendo 3DS family.
From motion control to dual screen, Nintendo 3DS was introduced to the world by Satoru Iwata that day with a premise: a superior screen capable of delivering 3D content without the need for glasses. It is important to understand the context of the moment. We came from the biggest box office cinematic phenomenon in the history of science fiction, Avatar. James Cameron’s film changed the rules of the game when it came to advancing the high-end of televisions, which almost by decree had to include glasses, as in the cinema. And Nintendo opted for a cutting-edge technology, unique, only understandable in an empirical way; It did not matter all the videos we saw: you had to feel it in your hands.
Nintendo 3DS was put on sale on February 26, 2011 in Japan (March 25 in the West), a few days after the Fukushima nuclear accident and at an increasingly long time for Nintendo on a financial level, as the effect of the combo Wii + Nintendo DS, which had made them close their best financial years, needed successors to match. We all know the story that followed, as well as the current situation of the firm led by Shuntaro Furukawa.
The role of 3DS is not trivial in those pages of the history of the great N. From the Street Pass as the next step in passive communication, through Augmented Reality, a sliding stick or the integration of a second stick in the New iterations Nintendo 3DS. In total, six models within a very different and experimental family in terms of form factor, a particularly long-standing success in Japan capable of distributing 75.94 million units worldwide and selling more than 385 million video games.
This is what we are going to talk about today, the most important thing for a console: its video games. The writing of FreeGameTips and its collaborators have defended a list based on votes, memories and, of course, personal tastes governed by subjectivity. The result is as follows.
Happy 10th anniversary, Nintendo 3DS.
15. Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
- FreeGameTips Reviews
We stick with the Apocalypse version, but the original is worth it. Atlus is known as Persona, but we cannot leave out Shin Megami Tensei, because without this series we could not understand the modern JRPG genre in the same way. Both Shin Megami Tensei IV and Apocalypse offered a very unique and idiosyncratic world, with a hat-off setting and an immaculate adventure rhythm. We loved its really agile combat system, full of surprises. You always wanted to have the last one before taking a break.
Apocalypse improved upon the original in support characters, the navigation system, the smirk system… and incorporated some unexpected script changes, not to mention the Divine Powers faction. It is a pity that it arrived only in English and with very limited commercial aspirations in our country, but — apart from its last chapter — the result is superb; it flows like silk. If we had to highlight it for just one thing, it would undoubtedly be the sum of its design with the demon fusion system.
14. Shantae And The Pirate’s Curse
Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse
The Shantae saga needs no introduction. WayForward is an expert in the development of metroidvania-style videogames, adapted in structure to portable platforms, and Shantae And The Pirate’s Curse was a joy for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U players; later also on PC and Nintendo Switch. His planning was different from other iterations of the series, mainly because of that Zelda touch based on looking for specific objects that would allow us to continue moving forward. For the most lost, it is the third game in the saga, with a very balanced setting in its backtracking without forgetting that here we want to overcome platforms, kill enemies and enjoy an audiovisual fantastic journey (plaque for its soundtrack)
Also, this half-genius installment seemed to be created for speedrunners. It’s a shame it was so short; left wanting more. Despite its brevity, from FreeGameTips we have chosen this title as one of our favorites, so it goes without saying that it is fully recommended, whatever the platform.
13. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
- FreeGameTips Reviews
Following the success of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, the West would receive in 2015 the first completely exclusive installment for Nintendo 3DS, the definitive version of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. The result spoke for itself: surely the best portable installment of the series. Overflowing with content, with more monsters than ever, and improved graphics over previous iterations. More agility in the movements, more importance to details such as guiding the player during the first hours without having so many errand orders, and a very intelligent, vertical, aggressive stage design.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate was the prelude to what almost five years later would be World, a celebration for the series with compatibility with the second stick of New Nintendo 3DS, improved 3D effect and an online mode that was fully defended, despite infrastructure. Capcom slammed the table both here and with Generations, where all four generations of monsters have congregated thus far. No matter the delivery we choose, 3DS is synonymous with Monster Hunter.
12. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate
- FreeGameTips Reviews
After the restart of the saga with Lords of Shadow, the Spanish studio MercurySteam, received the yes from Nintendo to continue the tragedy of the Belmont in 3DS with Mirror of Fate, a metroidvania with large doses of action and an advantage of stereoscopic technology that continues to surprise. That return to 2D was celebrated by many and criticized by others; It is a very polarizing video game among fans of the Castlevania series.
There is no doubt about the beauty of many of its settings, the outstanding soundtrack by Óscar Araujo and the lighting. A very particular title, different from the GBA and Nintendo DS deliveries; a migration exercise from what was seen in Lord of Shadow to a 2.5D universe. There were things that could be improved, such as its duration, loading times and some cinematic scenes, which together with the framerate made it clear that the ambition of the Madrid team was incessant. The result, not in vain, is reflected in this list. If you like the saga and you have Nintendo 3DS, Mirror of Fate is a must.
11. Mario Kart 7
Mario Kart 7
- FreeGameTips Reviews
After Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii, then the most successful installments of the series, those that introduced the online, settled the drift and established the rule of nitro and retro cups, Mario Kart 7 arrived in December 2011, the great launch of the console’s debut year alongside Super Mario 3D Land.
Hidekki Konno’s team knew that it was necessary to work a lot and very hard to improve the playability of an almost unbeatable title in terms of control precision, MK DS, so it was time to experiment. Apart from a 3D effect that favored the immersion and sensation of speed, this set of 32 circuits introduced the aquatic phases and the hang glider, two elements that are here to stay. The support of Retro Studios left us with new tracks to remember and a selection of impeccable retro tracks (notably, tracks recovered from Wii, DS and N64); Not to mention the single-lap tracks divided into sectors.
It’s a shame that missions mode was lost, that there was incomprehensibly no versus mode in solo mode, and that it lagged one step behind the previous portable iteration. In any case, a brilliant and mandatory title in any 3DS collection worth its salt.
10. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
- FreeGameTips Reviews
It is to read this name and listen to its soundtrack, to think of the day when all PlayStation 2 players received this Dragon Quest VIII: The Journey of the Cursed King, from Level-5, in the final stretch of the console’s life. The fathers of works like Dark Cloud came through the big door to the Yuji Horii saga, one of the most important JPRG licenses of all time. And how did it turn out? Special for us, in Europe, because it was the first to reach us. From there, the list of fans grew without interruption.
Having a remake for Nintendo 3DS ten years later was a dream come true. We received it at the beginning of 2017 with certain additions and improvements; it was not just a portable adaptation. Agility, freshness, use of the touch screen, new controllable characters, possibility to remove random battles, exploration improvements, fast mode for such battles … Dragon Quest VIII designed for current times, where these slow grinding tasks are done somewhat heavy. The context was understood and adapted to the hardware we are in. Little we could blame him; maybe some graphic problem. Excellent, of that there is no doubt.
9. Resident Evil Revelations
Resident Evil Revelations
- FreeGameTips Reviews
Capcom started very strong with Nintendo 3DS. Since its launch, with that version of Super Street Fighter IV that recreated with enough accuracy what at that time was a real success on domestic platforms, the Osaka firm identified a lot of potential in this laptop. From Capcom we had two true gems in the Ace Attorney saga, we had the most important installments of the contemporary Monster Hunter era… and we had Resident Evil.
Not in any way, actually. First, Resident Evil Mercenaries 3D, which was an appetizer for what came next: Resident Evil Revelations. It is inevitable to speak of this name without remembering the Nintendo 3DS Circle Pad Pro, a peripheral that was sold separately with the addition of secondary triggers and a second stick, elementary for controlling the camera. Later they would take advantage of deliveries of Monster Hunter, but the product arrived thinking about Revelations back in 2012. As for the title, it was an interesting mix between classic survival horror and action, with an impressive technical section for the console and a replayability guaranteed. The genre was not even matched by this technology, stereoscopic 3D. It was blamed too simple puzzles, a moderate challenge and some chapters a bit less worked, but Revelations established itself as a spin-off series with its own sequel and reissue on absolutely all platforms.
8. Fire Emblem: Awakening
Fire Emblem: Awakening
- FreeGameTips Reviews
The installment that ended up consolidating the series in the West. It was necessary to simplify some things, but … what a game. For many it is the best installment of the series; It arrived in the most powerful year of the console, 2013, and was immediately established as an extraordinary title within the Intelligent Systems saga for serving both as a gateway for neophytes and a true joy for those who had come years ago warning of the potential of this license.
Depth, duration, narrative, support system as the main novelty, more than technically notable … We are not going to get into spoilers, but those who have completed it will know how well he was able to maintain the tension until the end; all supported by phenomenal CGI scenes. The possibility of choosing a classic mode – permanent deaths – and a more casual one democratized the enjoyment of the story even giving up part of the grace of these SRPGs along the way. There was more Fire Emblem on console, like the trident from Fates and Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia. But Awakening, surely, was the most shocking for Nintendo 3DS users. We would not frown upon a return in the form of a reissue for Nintendo Switch …
7. Kid Icarus Uprising
Kid Icarus Uprising
- FreeGameTips Reviews
Nintendo’s forgotten angel. After being unaware of him since 1991, Nintendo surprised locals and strangers with the return of a character totally reconverted and adapted to three dimensions. Pit became the patron of an unleashed Masahiro Sakurai. An excellent video game that took full advantage of the Nintendo 3DS. So much so that, given its complex control scheme, with phases on rails in which we had to use the stylus to choose the direction of the shots, a support was included for the left hand to rest. It was surely not the ideal platform to publish a lofty title, full of humor and technical power that, even now, surprises.
Kir Icarus Uprising was a celebration, a constant surprise with its bosses, its puzzles in scenarios full of forks, hundreds of weapons capable of merging and an adaptive difficulty capable of reaching devilishly difficult heights. Immense in content (capable of offering hundreds of hours if we wanted to achieve it all), we are surely ahead of its time who, perhaps, one day will have a second chance on a domestic platform.
6. Super Mario 3D Land
Super Mario 3D Land
- FreeGameTips Reviews
When Nintendo introduced Super Mario 3D Land, two wishes were fulfilled. The first, to be able to enjoy a Super Mario in three dimensions on a portable console. The second, combining the classic two-dimensional structure (timer, phases finished with flags, linearity in favor of the design of the stage itself…) with a third dimension. That added depth, turned the absence of camera control into a virtue, and resulted in an experiment from which the excellent Super Mario 3D World would follow.
3D Land did not fall short, however, with a pleasant surprise at the end, the return of Tanooki from Super Mario 3 or a compendium of levels where some written rules were broken, since on many occasions the classic atmosphere patterns were broken. Each level was a box of surprises. Despite its difficulty, as friendly as the New Super Mario Bros. line, the path of what would be the saga later on was traced. In addition, almost ten years later it continues to be enjoyed as the first day, an example of how to take advantage of the functions of 3D (both the outward effect and the depth effect, configurable with the crosshead) and dignify an entire technology.
5. Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
- FreeGameTips Reviews
For many still today the best of the series, Animal Crossing: New Leaf took all the lessons previously learned with Animal Crossing: Wild World (NDS) and took them one step further. From the technical power of the console, capable of offering much better modeled graphics and a richer color palette, to great strides forward in playable matter. Halfway between the village philosophy of the original Nintendo 64 / GameCube and on Wii, with City Folk, in New Leaf we became mayor of the town hall.
That implied many things, beyond the title, since the doors were opened to customization with new buildings; or the extensions in the number of public services of our village. The feeling of progress, in short, was total. Tortimer Island was another great advance in terms of content by allowing us to have tropical territory at our fingertips every day. We were able to swim, we glimpsed a much improved museum, and decorated our homes like never before, surrounded by handwritten pavements. It was a great joy Animal Crossing: New Leaf, an installment whose online component and design methodology laid the foundations for what we now see in one of the greatest phenomena in the most recent history of Nintendo: Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
4. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
- FreeGameTips Reviews
Picking up the baton for The Legend of Zelda: A Link to The Past is not only difficult, it is daring. A clash of generations, past and future connected in a cartridge that put the finishing touch to an unforgettable year 2013. After Ocarina of Time and before the Majora’s remake, Nintendo pulled a title with a remake flavor out of its hat, but it was actually a new video game in that same framework. In its day we got to wonder if it is the best Zelda 2D. Those are big words, but history has left A Link Between Worlds in that debate, which is hardly an understatement.
Because absolutely nothing failed and it integrated wonderfully into the dual-screen portable format. Complex, fast-paced dungeons with great design and bossy bosses that are up to the task. Typical of this title is the use of paint to move along the walls and thus take advantage of the depth, to give an inclination to the third dimension. Hilarious. Despite not being the shortest in the saga, as the fifteen hours is guaranteed, it flew by. It’s hard to find the time to stop a game in this little portable jewel, which left us to our own devices when choosing which dungeon to go to next. Ideas that, as you can guess, were raised to maximum power years later.
3. Luigi’s Mansion 2
Luigi’s Mansion 2
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Next Level Games raised Luigi to the level he had been waiting for for so long. After his time on the GameCube, Luigi’s Mansion found in Nintendo 3DS the perfect platform to evolve that idea of a haunted mansion mixed with ghostbusters. This time, the Canadian team – now owned by Nintendo – took advantage of their ideas and talent to adapt the gameplay to a portable environment (shorter levels, more limited environments) and give more weight to experimentation with the scenario; more variety of areas and situations. At times, this installment came to seem like a point and click given the high volume of interactions with the stage.
Secrets, collectibles, bosses, guaranteed replayability, multiplayer mode… Luigi’s Mansion 2 arrived in the best year in the history of the console, 2013, and it defended itself with total guarantee against the other great titans that arrived that year. If it is so high on the list it is not only because of the memory that it has earned in our memory, but because in the middle of 2021 it remains one of the best possible interpretations of the concept of the saga on a portable console. It is, in a sense, a difficult title to forget.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D
- FreeGameTips Reviews
We had to wait in early 2014 for the much-desired return of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask; the most unique, dark and complex title in the series. Termina broke into Nintendo 3DS again with Grezzo as the studio in charge, like Ocarina, but with even more polished graphics, a later polished 3D effect thanks to the New Nintendo 3DS range, a compendium of secondary missions that perfectly describe the game. lore concept …
Majora’s Mask is a divisive title, but increasingly loved; an adult experience; that covered never before seen subjects in Nintendo. Brave in his proposal and forceful in his execution. One of those whose departure raises questions that transcend the game itself. His return to Nintendo 3DS allowed him to reconnect with the fans, that those who in his day did not find their virtue in Nintendo 64 now see the light of the moon incandescent form. Unique.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
- FreeGameTips Reviews
A myth. What is considered one of the most influential video games in history returned five years later to the new Nintendo laptop, an objectively improved version – regardless of preferences – in its control, taking advantage of the touch screen so as not to interrupt the game in the games. inventory management, improved modeling, three-dimensional effect, translation into Spanish … For the rest, a respectful return to the past that the Grezzo studio understood both in the playable and in the audiovisual thanks to a color palette and lighting that added more vividness to everything that was displayed on the screen.
The ocarina sounded again, this time on a portable console, but with the same spirit: to convince a whole generation that this adventure is inescapable and unforgettable. The myth that led to different paths for the series, the hero’s journey at its best. The best video game, according to FreeGameTips’s criteria, from the Nintendo 3DS catalog.
