Nintendo 3DS (XL)

[replayme]

I bought a DS along with an R4 chip about 5 years ago. Spent £50 total. Played my DS for not more than about 10-15 hours total.

My DS is my least played system overall.

I ruined my DS, couldn't get enough. One of the great swansongs for 2D gaming, in addition to all the other good stuff. I think I spend more than 15 hours on Mario Kart online mode alone, probably the best iteration since the SNES (and yes, I snake: it's a skill.)
And I still need to get a copy of Solatorobo.

There's a nice compiled list right here on this very forum of some of the good stuff:

~ Shmups ~
Ketsui: Death Label
Space Invaders Extreme 2
Nanostray
Nanostray 2
Geometry Wars : Galaxies


~ Action ~
Contra 4
Mega Man Zero Collection
MegaMan ZX
MegaMan ZX Advent
Legend of Kage 2
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Aliens Infestation
Super Princess Peach
Monster Tale
Ninja Gaiden
Kirby Canvas Curse
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Superstar Ultra
Dragon Quest: Rocket Slime Adventures
Solatorobo: Red the Hunter
Retro Game Challenge
Sonic Colors
Sonic Rush
Sonic Rush Adventure
Metal Slug 7
Dragon's Lair
Impossible Mission
Yoshi's Island 2
Soul Bubbles
Metroid Prime Pinball
Thor: God of Thunder
Batman: The Brave and the Bold

~ Puzzle/Action ~
Trauma Center: Under the Knife
Trauma Center 2 / Kyuukyuu Kyuumei Caduceus2
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure
Meteos
Mr Driller: Drill Spirits
Doki Doki Majo Shinpan (JP text)
Picross DS
Picross 3D
Tetris DS
Bangaio Spirits
N+



~ Rhythm Action ~
Ontamarama
Rhythm Tengoku Gold
Quendan
Quendan 2
Elite Beat Agents
Rhythm Heaven DS
KORG DS-10 PLUS

~ Fighting Games ~
Jump Ultimate Stars
Bleach
Dragon Ball Z: Bukuu Ressen

~ Racing ~
Mario Kart DS
Ridge Racer DS
Trackmania Turbo
Ferrari Challenge
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing

~ Survival Horror ~
Nanashi no Gemu (JP only w/text)

~ Text Adventures ~
999: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors
Gyakuten Saiban (Ace Attorney)
Gyakuten Saiban 2 (Ace Attorney 2)
Gyakuten Saiban 3 (Ace Attorney 3)
Gyakuten Saiban 4 (Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice)
Gyakuten Kenji (Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth)
Gyakuten Kenji 2 (JP Text)
Jake Hunter: Detective Story
Theresia
Hotel Dusk

~ RPG ~
Soma Bringer (JP only, but an English patch is available)
Dragon Quest V-VI
Final Fantasy Tactics A2
Radiant Historia
Knights in the Nightmare
Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume
Chrono Trigger
The World Ends With You
Infinite Space
Rondo of Swords
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor
Rune Factory 2
Rune Factory 3

~ Action RPG ~
Okamiden
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Zelda: Spirit Tracks

~ Strategy ~
Advance Wars: Dual Strike
Harvest Moon DS Cute
Lost Magic
Anno: Create a New World
Zombie Daisuke (JP text)

~ Classic Dungeon Crawlers ~
Etrian Odyssey
Etrian Odyssey 2
Etrian Odyssey 3
The Dark Spire
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey

~ Roguelikes ~
Shiren the Wanderer DS 1,2,4,5 (only 1 is in English; 2 has a translation patch; 4 & 5 have English wikis)
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Series
Izuna
Izuna 2
Disgaea (Item Dungeon Mode)


DSi Ware:

Shantae: Risky's Revenge (Action)
X-Scape
Mighty Flip Champs
Art Style Pictobits
Metal Torrent (shmup)
Pinball Pulse: The Ancients Beckon
Mr. Driller Drill 'Till You Drop
Aura Aura Climber

Homebrew:

POWDER (Roguelike)
Angband (Roguelike)
FAAngband (Roguelike)
Oangband (Roguelike)
NetHack DS (Roguelike)

Wow... That's some list.

Can the 3DS play foreign/import DS games? And what about the DS? Is that region locked too?

[soprano1]

replayme, here's another list of good games for DS:
http://vsrecommendedgames.wikia.com/wiki/Nintendo_DS

[ZellSF]

After a slightly slow start, the 3DS is shaping up to be what the DS was for the last generation, i.e. the best overall platform of its generation-- at least for those who thought the PS2 was the best platform of its generation.

No. I thought the PS2 was the best platform of its generation (so did mostly everyone), doesn't mean I share your opinion about anything else.

Well, strictly speaking, it does follow that you share my beliefs about at least some other things. For example, you evidently share my belief that the PS2 was a gaming platform, and one of a past generation.

In any case my thought is that if you're mainly into big-budget, highly rated, action/fps/racing games, then you'll probably think that the original XBox was king.

The PS2 actually had plenty of those. The DS doesn't, so there's an example of why someone would think PS2 was the best platform of its generation and the DS wasn't.

Weird, I'm resisting going off topic with the PSP/Vita vs DS/3DS stuff, but I think it needs to be said the DS library isn't as varied or good as the PS2 library.

Can the 3DS play foreign/import DS games? And what about the DS? Is that region locked too?

regular DS games are region free regardless of what you play them on.
DSi enhanced DS games are region locked when played on a DSi or 3DS.

[brentsg]

I don't understand the merit in comparing the DS to the PS2. They are different things, no?

You can play one of them on an airplane.

[professor ganson]

The PS2 actually had plenty of those. The DS doesn't, so there's an example of why someone would think PS2 was the best platform of its generation and the DS wasn't.

Weird, I'm resisting going off topic with the PSP/Vita vs DS/3DS stuff, but I think it needs to be said the DS library isn't as varied or good as the PS2 library.

Fair enough, on both points. Regarding the latter point, I think the last gen just didn't compare favorably to the one before it. I think the DS came the closest, but it didn't have enough first-rate titles. Just a lot of good ones, and I agree not as many good ones as the PS2.

[CMoon]

Wondering if I should stick to gunlance as it feels really awkward, but this video makes good use of the lance.

Gunlance is a great weapon class, but it`s also the slowest one with very limited movement options. It leaves you with no roll at all and a sidestep/evade that's only doable after an attack or a combo. You should probably leave it until later, after you`ve learnt the monsters' attack patterns and know exactly when to do an evade.

Some would disagree, but I think Greatsword is a good starting choice for beginners.

Thanks for the advice. I messed around with the weapon this morning and admittedly found it easier than the Gunlance. So far I've only using big, slow weapons, so Greatsword almost feels like a speed upgrade...and dodging, finally! I think GS also has an easier upgrade tree than GL...at least, at this early point.

I've never searched for a monster hunter thread...if there isn't one I suppose I should start it.

[Sparky]

I've never searched for a monster hunter thread...if there isn't one I suppose I should start it.

There is a Monster Hunter 3 thread available here but it would be nice to have an overall Monster Hunter thread like there is for other series. I recently started playing Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for the Nintendo 3DS. I am about 3 hours into it with with 2-star quests unlocked. The game feels very simple at this point. I hope I have not overlooked anything so far. I would like to see how others are playing and the progress they make in this game.

[Jonathan Ingram]

Yes, a general Monster Hunter thread is long overdue. I approve.

The game feels very simple at this point.

Simple as in easy?

The third-generation Monster Hunter games(Monster Hunter Tri(Wii), Monster Hunter Portable 3rd/HD(PSP/PS3) and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate(3DS/WiiU)) are much, much easier than what came before them, especially the first two games in the series. In MH1 you would do the annoying egg fetching quests ad nauseam just so you could buy the shittiest armor available and not die in one hit while hunting. There were no Pokke and Moga farms, no stat boosting food, no skill jewels to gem your equipment with and even Bulldromes were formidable foes. Life was certainly hard in that dark age.

[replayme]

Anyone excited by the Nintendo Direct today? Feel a little underwhelmed by all the Mario/Luigi whoring that is going on.

At this point I'd like to state that I am suffering from Nintendo franchise fatigue. Couldn't care less about any of the titles shown today. 3DS or otherwise... What Nintendo need to do is stop thrusting Mario etc down peoples throats. Or at least down mine. Because I certainly didn't buy a 3DS for this.

If the 3DS is essentially GC level tech, then why can't we get any of the more experimental titles that epitomised Nintendo during that era? Talk about zero risk. They might as well call themselves Activision. Because at least with Activision, you know what you're getting. Games that work, despite relying on the same age old formulae.

And no, I couldn't care less about what Nintendo defenders think. I couldn't care less about Nintendo titles at this point. If it's not Mario this, it's Mario that.

One word: boring.

Edit: on a side note, I just realised that my Wii titles outnumber my 360 titles. Wtf?!?!

Edit x 2: my Wii games also outnumber my PS3 titles. Something is not right here...

[Moniker]

Can't say I sympathize. Got my usual Nintendo Boner (TM) from this Nintendo Direct (R), with the possible exception of Hyrule Warriors. That looks like a bit of whoring, but I'll reserve judgment. The Kirby mini-smash bros looks especially good.. so long as there's decent online play (not holding my breath, tbh). Also DKC w/ some Ducktales gameplay looks pretty nifty. Only sad there was no Metroid news.

But I'm an admitted Nintendo apologist, so what do I know.

[trap15]

I am actually quite excited by the Initial D game, though I suppose it won't come to the west which leaves me a bit disappointed.

[SuperGrafx]

I'm getting a 3DS XL for Christmas.
Just want to know...how is the Super Mario Land eshop edition?

Any differences or is this just a straight up rom of the 1989 Gameboy original?

[Skykid]

But I'm an admitted Nintendo apologist, so what do I know.

I'm not, but I will defend what deserves to be defended, and that definitely doesn't include Hyrule Warriors - ugh - or the graphical style of Yoshi's New Island - yuck.

Not very inspiring Nintendo.

What else was announced?

[BrianC]

What else was announced?

A collection of NES game challenges for Wii U (which was just released today), Dr. Luigi Wii U, more info on the 3DS Kirby, Rosalina for Mario Kart 8 and Smash Bros., and a demo for Bravely Default. As far as I know, no new info on the 3DS Mario Golf or the US release of Flipnote.

I have SML 3DS VC. I like it quite a bit, but like all the other VC games, it's just straight up emulation with nothing extra. I also recommend holding select or start until the 3DS logo appears to play it in the correct aspect ratio (and a cool border that can be seen in 3D).

[Skykid]

^ Hrm. Uninspiring definitely.

I find it hard to damn a company who in the last 24 months delivered titles of the quality of Mario 3D Land / World and Zelda LBW - but there is definitely an argument that Nintendo are so brand reliant now that there's not a great deal to look forward to by owning one of their consoles outside of the safe bets.

During the Famicom and SFC years, they were not only the most powerful hosts, but would turn out games that were considered the gold standard for their own consoles. That's a beautiful setup: when new hits like Mario Kart and Pilotwings would lay out some kind of benchmark for all the guest developers joining the console's ranks.

These days it feels a little like Nintendo are home alone, and playing with the same old toys.

I can't remember who said it (antifritz?) but I'd be happy for the failure of the Wii U to be a wake-up call for the company, to see if they can reinvent themselves for the better. And I don't mean go all multimedia and start sticking Blu Ray shit in the box - I respect that they're a games company first and foremost - but they can at least invest in some super powerful hardware and blow everyone's balls off the way they did when we all first glimpsed Mario 64.

[BrianC]

I think the new Kirby and Mario Kart 8 look the most interesting out of the games shown. The new DKC looks fun too.

Hopefully, Nintendo is Home Alone like Kevin McAllaster was and still has some tricks up their sleeve.

Another thing about the GB emulation. It is missing 2p modes. However, GG emulation (which is especially good since it's done by M2) and NES emulation have 2p wireless support.

[Skykid]

Hopefully, Nintendo is Home Alone like Kevin McAllaster was and still has some tricks up their sleeve.

They'll always have their ability to make incredible games (touch wood) but I feel the consumer market for their IP's and hardware notions are dwindling, if the Wii U is anything to go by.

They can still make great Mario games, I won't turn my nose up - but I think some kind of plan of action is needed on the hardware front that doesn't try to recapture a now very splintered casual market; one now just as much entrenched in CoD as they are Just Dance.

[replayme]

I'm bored with the "Home Alone" mentality. I want Nintendo's consoles to have healthy third party support. And whilst I don't have the necessary confidence in them to ever be a major player in the traditional console market again (and on the basis of the tech of Wii / Wii U, nor do I want to), but I do want them to release a super high powered portable device as a successor to the 3DS. Man, that Vita has spoilt me so much.

Edit:
I can't think of any other company that is so uninspiring at this moment in time. Definitely not the same company that I fell in love with during the Snes era. I'd say that crown (deservedly) goes to Sony. Even if their IP's aren't (arguably) as consistent when it comes to quality - although Smash Btos can suck it - hard - in the face of GoW. But they get the tech right, and have ample third party support. And that's all that really matters in my opinion.

[Skykid]

I'm bored with the "Home Alone" mentality. I want Nintendo's consoles to have healthy third party support. And whilst I don't have the necessary confidence in them to ever be a major player in the traditional console market again (and on the basis of the tech of Wii / Wii U, nor do I want to), but I do want them to release a super high powered portable device as a successor to the 3DS. Man, that Vita has spoilt me so much.

Edit:
I can't think of any other company that is so uninspiring at this moment in time. Definitely not the same company that I fell in love with during the Snes era. I'd say that crown (deservedly) goes to Sony. Even if their IP's aren't (arguably) as consistent when it comes to quality - although Smash Btos can suck it - hard - in the face of GoW. But they get the tech right, and have ample third party support. And that's all that really matters in my opinion.

You do need to stop banging this drum though. Opinion is one thing, but impartiality is a better thing. Sony are far from infallible, they've ballsed up all sorts of stuff. Two decades of dual shocks with sub-par analog sticks, the horror that is the original PS3 model, Vita's lack of sales and software, and a slew of unmemorable and unappealing company mascots (Spyro, Bandicoot... Drake?!) to name a few. And none of those flagship titles really compare, in quality, to Nintendo's top-percentile of first-party work; a handful of titles that remain exemplary.

Credit where it's due, criticism where its due. Aimless corporate allegiance doesn't sit well with me, we should be finding reasons to give them all a good kicking.

[replayme]

The need to be "impartial" is just your opinion, and not a fact.

If it was about being "impartial", then we'd be talking about Cod and Fifa all day.

Edit: and Nintendo deserve a kicking more than most. They had it all and chose to throw it all away. Might as well support a bank at this rate, whose interests lie solely with itself.

Sony, for all their faults, have given us The Puppeteer, The Last of Us, Tearaway, Beyond... Not Mario this or Mario that.

Whatever happened to the Nintendo that gave us games like Eternal Darkness?

[trap15]

Nintendo didn't make Eternal Darkness.

I'm sorry, but you're coming off as ignorant and extremely dumb.

[Skykid]

The need to be "impartial" is just your opinion, and not a fact.

I just think impartiality and discussion of merits and flaws is better than reciting pro-Sony hymns and anti-Nintendo rhetoric at any given opportunity. It's a bit of a playground mentality.
I assure you, your feelings have been well and truly noted - now lets actually have this and other discussions without constantly finding ways to sling mud at one of Japan's longest running and most respected video game companies, especially while they're having relationship problems.

[replayme]

Nintendo didn't make Eternal Darkness.

I'm sorry, but you're coming off as ignorant and extremely dumb.

Which probably explains as to why Nintendo published the title, and why Wikipaedia lists Miyamoto and Iwata as the Producer(s).

Like it or not... Nintendo did give us Eternal Darkness.

Or do you want me to talk about Ridge Racer 64, Starfox (Snes), MGS (GC) or even Goldeneye? And what about Chibi Robo?

[replayme]

The need to be "impartial" is just your opinion, and not a fact.

I just think impartiality and discussion of merits and flaws is better than reciting pro-Sony hymns and anti-Nintendo rhetoric at any given opportunity. It's a bit of a playground mentality.
I assure you, your feelings have been well and truly noted - now lets actually have this and other discussions without constantly finding ways to sling mud at one of Japan's longest running and most respected video game companies, especially while they're having relationship problems.

How am I spouting anti-Nintendo rhetoric when all I want from a platform (holder) is for it to offer decent tech, and a varied library through healthy third party support? I think I deserve that much, especially as it is my "right" as a consumer who supports fair trade.

Pro Choice.

Given the meagre development resources required for 3DS, you would think that Nintendo would invest (in developing and / or publishing) more niche or left-field titles (like Bravely Default). Especially given their healthy bank balance.

By your summation, and if other companies followed Nintendo warped view on conducting business, then the likes of Activision and EA would have released their own proprietary consoles years ago. And I haven't even begun to talk about Rockstar with its GTA franchise, or Ubisoft with AC or Just Dance.

Edit: I see you changed your post to include company mascots. I don't care about the mascots, and even if I did, I'd argue that your view of Spyro etc not appealing (in comparison to Luigi and Kirby etc) is based on opinion. Sony (and MS) provide powerful tech and justify the value of their hardware by having ample third party support.

If you look at my original post which you referenced, I was criticising the lack of variety in Nintendo's lineup, and as a 3DS owner who is invested in the console, I am not happy on the over-reliance on stock Nintendo mascots. I also take issue with the fact that the Nintendo Direct didn't acknowledge any other games (from third parties) coming out. All that potential (given the large userbase) squandered...

I personally think that Nintendo are backing themselves into a corner, and this type of behaviour only acts to confirm my belief that their "problems" in the marketplace are of their own doing. They've made their bed, and continue to dig their own grave.

[professor ganson]

Aren't third-party exclusives supposed to be largely irrelevant with this coming gen? In that case third-party support matters mainly if you're going to have just one console. But if you're going to have just one, I think the lack of processing power is the strongest argument against Wii U. Library-wise the Wii-U has been better than I expected so far.

[Skykid]

How am I spouting anti-Nintendo rhetoric

By taking any possible opportunity to spout anti-Nintendo rhetoric?

Edit: I see you changed your post to include company mascots.

I didn't change my post, it was there from the start.

I don't care about the mascots, and even if I did, I'd argue that your view of Spyro etc not appealing (in comparison to Luigi and Kirby etc) is based on opinion.

A rather broadly shared opinion, considering Mario's more widely recognised than Mickey Mouse and Kirby is beloved enough to have remained popular for twenty-five years.

Who ever gave a fuck about Spyro?

Look, let's not talk about Nintendo anymore. We all know what you don't like about them, and repeating it fifty more times won't have any new meaning.

[ikaruga007]

Mario this or Mario that.

Well, where you see "Mario this" and "Mario that", I often see Nintendo packing more creativity and great little ideas into one title than I feel most other companies do in five. Entering a new level in Super Mario 3D World or a new dungeon in Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (easily the best Zelda game in a long, long time) feels like opening a christmas present and reminds me of why I love gaming. That you can't think of "any other company that is so uninspiring" seems unfathomable to me.

If you're owning multiple consoles, I can't see why it would matter if you don't consider the Wii U and 3DS powerhouses or that the Wii U doesn't have an abundance of third-party support? Just enjoy the numerous quality games on the systems, a few of which are among the absolute top games on any system that I'd recommend any gamer.

[replayme]

Mario this or Mario that.

Well, where you see "Mario this" and "Mario that", I often see Nintendo packing more creativity and great little ideas into one title than I feel most other companies do in five. Entering a new level in Super Mario 3D World or a new dungeon in Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (easily the best Zelda game in a long, long time) feels like opening a christmas present and reminds me of why I love gaming. That you can't think of "any other company that is so uninspiring" seems unfathomable to me.

If you're owning multiple consoles, I can't see why it would matter if you don't consider the Wii U and 3DS powerhouses or that the Wii U doesn't have an abundance of third-party support? Just enjoy the numerous quality games on the systems, a few of which are among the absolute top games on any system that I'd recommend any gamer.

It matters because I don't like wasting money on what I consider to be a long term investment.

Also, the House of Mario has other (under-represented) IPs and mascots in its arsenal. Given the relatively cheap development costs of 3DS development, is it really too much to expect another Starfox or F-Zero? And what about 1080 or Wave-Race?

I assume you've heard about the levels of market fatigue that have greeted recent Cod entries (as well as Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk)? A lot of people argue that the recent Mario underperformed because of Nintendo whoring out its chief mascot. As to why Nintendo would continue this practice is anyones guess.

[CMoon]

Awwww, I missed out on the little dispute. Oh well. Best reply though from above...

If you're owning multiple consoles, I can't see why it would matter if you don't consider the Wii U and 3DS powerhouses or that the Wii U doesn't have an abundance of third-party support? Just enjoy the numerous quality games on the systems, a few of which are among the absolute top games on any system that I'd recommend any gamer.

I can't think of a single console that doesn't have games worth playing on it, so Replayme does come off as opinionated when he talks about having Monster Hunter but never playing it, or only owning titles like 'the rub rabbits' on the DS while missing the 50 or so great titles (more than the PS3, and I like the PS3.) Not to say I wouldn't welcome some genuine criticism ('why is X a bad game'), or heaven forbid, discovering that gem of a title on a console you're frustrated with?

Personally I think the 3DS has been slow taking off and doesn't have that advantage of being able to DL every psx game ever made or whatever, but the DS backwards compatibility is nice (still so many I want to play) and there certainly are a few AAA titles. Not acknowledging that is folly.

I didn't buy the WiiU and sold my Wii, but that doesn't mean there weren't good games. Damn, really wish I'd played Mario Galaxy 2 before selling it.

[replayme]

This isn't a criticism against Nintendo, so please don't take it as such. I just don't understand the appeal of having two screens. I find the feature to be a gimmick that holds very little appeal for me. Maybe that is why I've only ever played a few DS games - not to mention that I always considered the DS to be quite underpowered (for what it offered) in the face of traditional console hardware. Plus, it wasn't until recently that I started devoting serious attention to handheld gaming.

Regarding Monster Hunter for my PSP: I bought it for around the £3 mark. That's less than the price of a pint. And I can think of worse (and less economically sound) methods of spending that money.