Nintendo 3DS + Select Launch Game Reviews

On March 27th 2011, the Nintendo 3DS was released in North America. I happened to purchase one on launch day and finally after a few weeks, here is my review of the Nintendo 3DS and many of its launch games.

The 3DS, currently priced at $250, comes with the handheld console, a charger, and AR cards. Perhaps the best thing about the 3DS is the AR cards (Augmented Reality) in which the Question Mark card you get inside serves as a hub to many different games and applications. The more you play, the more you unlock. There’s  an archery game, a pool-type game where you have to hit bombs into certain locations — the AR card is placed on a solid surface and it becomes an interactive reality through your 3DS which needs to be seen to be believed. After some playing, you’ll unlock a shop where you can purchase more applications (with coins in which you unlock through having the 3DS in Sleep Mode). 

The 3DS features a Mii Creator, ability to listen to music with an included 2GB SD Card, Face Raiders game (take pictures of people and they turn into faces you can shoot). There’s other features as well but the biggest selling points for me are not available until May: Netflix and the Nintendo Shop, where you can download classic Nintendo games. As of now, the 3DS is not worth a purchase unless there’s a game you really want for it right now and can’t wait.

Well how are the retail games? Here’s the ones I played:

One of the first racing games to be released on 3DS, Asphalt 3D is not the most exciting racing game. With sub-par graphics (the 3D effect is not too good!) annoying challenges, and questionable car control, it’s not a game worth purchasing when Ridge Racer 3D is out there.

Ridge Racer 3D is a decent racing game with nice graphics and a lengthy career mode. It’s a little saddening that there’s no online play, but don’t let that stop you. Definitely a decent game to rent if not buy (especially if you really want a racing game). For those that have played other Ridge Racer games (especially the PSP versions) it may be difficult to buy this game as it’s quite similar — many of the courses are recycled but the added 3D effect may be of some interest even if the 3D is not used to the greatest.

Super Monkey Ball 3D is short and easy. The game has you controlling a monkey in a ball collecting bananas through little mazes. There’s other mini-games too, like a Mario Kart racing game for example, which offers a little bit of fun. However compared to previous Super Monkey Ball games (especially on the Gamecube) it’s very dumb-downed and just worth a rental even for those that have never experienced the games before because it won’t be long until you’re either bored with the game or finished completing it.

You will either enjoy Pilotwings Resort or find the game very boring. I was quite bored with it. You can choose from a few different flying devices such as an airplane or glider, where you get to travel through rings in the sky around an island. You can take pictures and do other challenges but it’s not really for everyone. If you like flight simulation games, this may be for you, but everyone else a quick rental.

Bust A Move Universe is a puzzle game that has you shooting orbs to make combos of three or more of the same color. It gets boring quickly and did not really hold my attention for very long. You might enjoy this game if you really want a puzzle game as this is one of the only puzzle games available for the 3DS right now. However I recommend renting it first.

Steel Diver is one of my favorite launch 3DS games. There’s 9 missions in the main campaign, where you can choose three different submarines, each with their own pros and cons. The 3D graphics are nice, and the controls (you have to use the stylus for this game) are unique. The originality of the game is nice, and the mini-games (a strategy game and a telescoping missile shooting game) are both decent as well. However since there’s only 9 missions the game won’t last you very long so just rent it.

There’s a lot to like about Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, particularly if you like Street Fighter. I never really enjoyed the Street Fighter series (I’m a Dead or Alive fan) so to me the game was not the best, but if you’re looking for a fighting game it certainly has a lot to offer including online play! There’s an extensive character roster, many different modes, and great graphics. If you’ve never really enjoyed Street Fighter, the 3DS version probably won’t change the way you feel, but it’s worth at least a rental.

You either like virtual pet simulator games or you don’t. Nintendogs + Cats may interest you if you really like animals and like the idea of virtually taking care of them. I don’t really have the patience to baby-sit an animal, but chances are you might, so try it out. The graphics are really nice but the game is so very similar to the previous version on Nintendo DS it may bore those that have played the previous title (which was especially the case for me).

I was really hoping to finally get into the “Warriors” series, but Samurai Warriors Chronicles slow and repetitive battles quickly turned me off. While the graphics are pretty decent, it’s just not a game that everyone will enjoy. It’s just too simple. Give it a rental and see if it’s something that may interest you, but I was unfortunately bored with it too soon.

Well that sums up the launch games I’ve played. The game I played the longest out of the bunch was Ridge Racer 3D, for a total of 4 hours (there’s an activity log that keeps track of how long you’ve played each game). I’m currently really looking forward to Dead or Alive Dimensions which comes out next month but will continue to post about other 3DS games along the way.