Summary
Considering it was a system released in the years between theimmensely popular Wiiand the mega-successful Switch, theNintendo 3DScan often feel like the black sheep of Nintendo’s systems. However, that isn’t to imply this handheld is lacking in quality, as it actually boasts a pretty extensive library of incredible games spanning across a range of genres, and while some may no longer be all that relevant, there’s a small pool of 3DS titles which continue to be brought up even to this day.
There are numerous reasons that can contribute to a game having a long lifespan, whether that be through innovative gameplay mechanics, a timeless visual style, or even just a captivating story which has stood the test of time. In fact, some of these games have even become more beloved over time because of shifts in gaming culture as a whole, with players looking back more fondly on games that might have otherwise been underappreciated at the time.
The idea of a handheld fighting game, let alone one as complex asStreet Fighter, may sound like a pretty bad idea on the surface, but Capcom managed to pull it off extremely well with the 3DS version ofStreet Fighter 4thanks to a few new mechanics. While the fights themselves will take place on the top screen, the bottom screen of the system will present a few options that players can click on to execute a special attack orpre-made combo.
This way, players won’t be forced to execute precise movements on the system’s joystick, and because of this, the game actually acts as one of the best in the series when it comes to onboarding newcomers. Being able to focus more on the neutral game and general movement without needing to think about pulling off commands as much makes the 3DS port ofStreet Fighter 4a fighting game that many players come back to thanks to its accessibility.
When it was first announced that a spin-offResident Evilgame was coming to the 3DS, fans were skeptical about whether Capcom could truly pull off an engaging and scary horror entry in the series, considering it would be on the small screen. However, thanks to the creepy ship setting, paired with theunnerving Ooze monstersand lack of lighting in certain areas, the game can easily get under the skin, especially when playing in 3D mode.
At a time when theResident Evilseries was beginning to lean heavily into the action genre, much to the dismay of a lot of fans,Revelationsbrought the franchise back to its survival horror roots. While there have been some re-releases of the game since its release, the original 3D version stands out for its 3D compatibility, which works wonders for the immersion, alongside the simple fact that it’s a high-quality horror game that can be played front to back on a handheld system.
Very rarely do Game Freak decide to shake up the core loop of beatingGym leadersand collecting Badges in theirPokemongames, but withSun and Moon, it felt as though they were finally attempting to try something a little different. The Gyms have been replaced with island trials which provide a nice breath of fresh air from the traditional single-battle formula, and the introduction of Alola Pokemon forms adds a lot of diversity to the roster, with even some of the classics receiving a makeover.
Aside from the experimental gameplay, what has also allowedPokemon Sun and Moonto age gracefully is the setting. With mostPokemongames being based in dense cities and towns, being able to explore a lush tropical island which is full of vibrant blue skies and breathtaking landscapes has made Alola a great destination to revisit.
While Capcom had gradually been refining the core gameplay loop ofMonster Hunterwith each new entry, it feels like the series took a huge leap into its modern era with the release ofMonster Hunter 4. Not only were the monsters themselves much more varied in their designs, while also offering just the right level of challenge, but the focus on verticality playing a bigger role in fights also adds just enough strategy to make the hunts that much more engaging and satisfying to complete.
Additionally, the developers decided to ditch a lot of the segments that can sometimes make it harder to return to the classic games, such as the dreaded underwater sections, for example. Being able to climb around the environment also allows the game to feel very smooth and responsive to play, even by today’s standards, making for the best handheldMonster Huntergame to this day.
Tomodachi Lifeis a game that allows players to insert their own custom-made Miis onto an island where they can all hang out, socialize, and on rare occasions, even fall in love. While the game plays quite similarly toAnimal Crossing, even sharing the real-time day and night cycle, what makesTomodachi Lifestand out is the weird and unpredictable vibe that surrounds the games' visuals and gameplay.
While there is a romance system, for example, it goes incredibly in-depth, to the point where players can eventually be called to engage in a babysitting mingame to help out two of their fellow Miis later down the line. Because of the random nature of the gameplay, and the fact that anyone and anything can happen due to the staggering level of freedom granted to the player, it makes for a game that really doesn’t play quite like anything else Nintendo has put out since.
While theFire Emblemfranchise of games has been running since the 90s,Awakeningis without a doubt the most important entry in the series. Due to dwindling sales, Intelligent Systems were told that, ifAwakeningdidn’t succeed,Fire Emblemas a whole would cease to exist. As a result, the developers decided to focus primarily on the game’s accessibility, granting the option to disablepermadeathand making the map layouts a lot more forgiving, as a way to encourage more players to jump into the series.
Thankfully, the game would go on to sell extremely well, but even with newerFire Emblemgames being released since,Awakeningis still the best entrypoint in the series, and also just an incredible game in general. While the tactical strategy gameplay is easy to get the hang of, players can choose to get a bit more experimental if they choose to, thanks to the class variation and pair-up system, making every playthrough feel fresh and different from the last.
On the surface,A Link Between Worldsmight seem like just another 2DZeldatitle, which does make sense considering it’s regarded as a direct sequel to the third entry in the series. What makes the game stand out from its predecessors, though, is the uniqueness of the gameplay, and more specifically, the ability to merge onto walls. While seeing Link turn into a living wall painting is already quite a sight, implementing this gimmick also opens up some pretty creative gameplay avenues when it comes to puzzle solving and dungeon crawling.
Speaking ofdungeons, because they can be completed in any order, it allows the game to feel a lot more modern and accessible, while still retaining that familiar gameplay formula of the classics. Simply put,ALink Between Worldsstill stands as one of Nintendo’s best attempts at ushering the retro style of theZeldafranchise into the modern era, resulting in an incredible 3DS game.
The main reasonKid Icarus: Uprisinghas managed to enjoy such a plentiful amount of praise since its release, outside of its intriguing story and memorable cast of characters, is the gameplay variety. One moment, players will be tasked with shooting a few monsters out of the sky while Pit soars above the clouds, while the next, they’ll be beating up enemies on the ground where the intensity levels will determine the strength and durability of Pit’s foes, ensuring the game always feels challenging.
Being able to create a fully-fledged action adventure game for a handheld is far from an easy task, and it usually results in at least one or two areas lacking in quality, but this simply isn’t the case withKid Icarus: Uprising. Thanks to the surprisingly in-depth and responsive gameplay, paired with the bright and vibrant aesthetic and compelling story, it’s never a bad time to relive Pit’s epic journeybased on tales of Ancient Greek mythology.
