Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games - Part Three

Welcome to our third installment of the Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games. As always with the Most Overlooked, these are games that were overlooked by the masses, and perhaps even a lot of gamers out there. Perhaps this list will interest you in titles you hadn't heard and/or read much about, or give you a fresh perspective on a title you were unsure of. On this edition we have an Atlus-published hack 'n slash game, the rare online loot RPG, and a game full of word puzzles.

Code of Princess

If you enjoy old-school hack and slash games like I do, then Code of Princess is probably already in your library of Nintendo 3DS software. If not, then perhaps you should still give the game a glance. There are approximately 50 unique characters to play as (though only four for the story mode), and various RPG elements, including gaining experience, upgrading stats, and acquiring new equipment. The Nintendo Network allows four players to play cooperatively or competitively online for some multiplayer mayhem. Perhaps it's the fate of most Atlus-published games to live a life of being niche, but Code of Princess is a title that is worth an action fan's while.

Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning

A story that should sound familiar, the village of Harvest Moon 3D, Echo Valley, was once a prosperous community until the economy went down the tubes. Now, your main character is tasked with rebuilding the infrastructure of the village. Are you up to the task? Well, not many people were. The Harvest Moon series was always a niche series, and the first game in the series made solely for the 3DS continues that tradition. From creating new buildings to simply watching over your haul of crops, Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning revamps the classic formula into a modern gaming world.

Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!

The original Freakyforms was a digital-only title, exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS eShop. I found it particularly fun, albeit not for everyone (as this review suggests). The retail version of the game, Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! added into the mix dungeons where Formees could do battle with one another, and players could find new Formee actions, in addition to everything the original game had. The title was released in both retail and digital forms for a suggested retail price of only $19.99. Much better than the MSRP for other smaller-scale games that have arrived on the Nintendo 3DS. It's just a shame more people missed out on this whimsical and charming game.

Heroes of Ruin

As seen on SuperPhillip Central, straight from the mouth of this next game's developer, Heroes of Ruin's sales "did not have enough commercial impact." While the game is most certainly flawed, particularly post-game, Heroes of Ruin offered something that remains rare for handheld systems, an online multiplayer loot-based action-RPG. For those that take the plunge, they will find a game that definitely had a lot of passion put into it, and something worthy to play. Plus, who hasn't dreamed of slicing up bipedal sharks as a caped lion? Not I!

Crosswords Plus

Stick with me here. The idea of crosswords might not be the most exciting thing in the world, but the handwriting recognition and slick menus make for an accessible game for anyone. Throw in word searches, anagrams, and words of the day, and you have a game with easily over 1,000 puzzles. The main reason I believe the game did not do as well as its predecessor (being on a system with less casual appeal notwithstanding) is the $29.99 asking price. That is just way too much for this type of game. Perhaps it would have done much better at a lower price point and as a digital download only.

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There are another five games that many have missed out on. If you have somehow missed a previous installment of the Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games, then feel free to take a glimpse at the following two articles:

Nintendo 3DS - Part One
Nintendo 3DS - Part Two 

Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance (3DS) E3 Trailer

Like a kid opening a Christmas present before the actual holiday morning, Square Enix has released a trailer for the newest installment in the Kingdom Hearts series, Dream Drop Distance, prior to E3. I've pretty much surrendered on understanding the plot of these games, so I can only judge the fast paced gameplay by its lonesome.

Rank Up! - Modern Sonic the Hedgehog

On Monday we took a peek at Classic Sonic in his natural 2D form. Now we get a little bit more complicated as we scope out Sonic the Hedgehog's 3D escapades. Here are the games we'll be ranking up:

Sonic Adventure (DC)
Sonic Adventure 2 (DC)
Sonic Heroes (PS2, GCN, XBX)
Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) (PS3, 360)
Sonic and the Secret Rings (Wii)
Sonic and the Black Knight (Wii)
Sonic Unleashed (PS3, 360, Wii, PS2)
Sonic Colors (Wii)
Sonic Generations (PS3, 360)


Sonic the Hedgehog has had a decent amount of success sticking with 2D gameplay. 3D gameplay? Not so much. Many people proclaim that the best days of Sonic the Hedgehog are behind him. If Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations are any indication, these people are dead wrong.

9) Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) (PS3, 360)


One of the worst games I have had the displeasure of playing, 2006's Sonic the Hedgehog reboot was a festering pile of feces featuring broken gameplay, glitch-filled levels, annoying and unwieldy mach speed sections, and the introduction of the obnoxious Silver the Hedgehog. After about the fiftieth time falling through the floor of one of the game's zones, I had to call it quits. True story, but I actually know someone who got all 1,000 achievement points in this game. Now that's dedication and torture all at the same time. The only decent quality about this game is the sensational score that accompanies the awful game.

8) Sonic and the Black Knight (Wii)


Sonic and a sword, what could possibly go wrong? In this Storybook Series game for Wii, players wielded a talking sword as they hacked and slashed their way through castles, keeps, and caverns. Several of Sonic's friends served as characters in the King Arthur-themed story. While the game is not terrible per se, it is quite uninspired. There are much better Wii games to play besides Sonic and the Black Knight. Much better.

7) Sonic and the Secret Rings (Wii)


The first of two Storybook Series Sonic games, Sonic and the Secret Rings tells an Arabian tale where the blue blur meets up with a genie. Any game where you have to purchase and equip skills for the game to actually play better is fundamentally flawed. Add in the inability to properly backtrack, and you have a recipe for disaster. Tilting the Wii remote to dash left and right was pretty intuitive at the time, but it comes off as merely a gimmick. I'd prefer traditional controls any day of the week. And don't even get me started on the sappy story and awful dub.

6) Sonic Adventure (DC)


Sonic's first foray into 3D was with Sonic Adventure. Who doesn't remember their first time cruising along Emerald Coast, hopping inside a tornado in Windy Valley, and leaping into a blistery volcano in Red Mountain? The game featured hubs like Station Square which tied all of the zones together. There were six characters to choose from: Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, E-102, and Big the Cat. Each character had their own set objective in each zone. For Amy she had to escape a pursuing robot. For Sonic all he had to accomplish was reaching the goal. Half of the characters you were forced to play as were pretty lackluster. However, Sonic's levels were the true highlight of the title.

5) Sonic Heroes (PS2, GCN, XBX)


Sonic Heroes was a game where four teams of three: Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, Shadow, Rouge, and Omega, Amy, Cream, and Big, and Vector, Charmy, and Espio traversed through multiple themed zones. The game had numerous paths to explore, bosses to beat down, and Chaos Emeralds to collect. Some might find playing through the same zones with different characters with only minimal changes to the level design boring after a while, and I tend to agree. Regardless, I find the colorful zones of Sonic Heroes to be enjoyable to play for the most part.

4) Sonic Unleashed (PS3, 360, Wii, PS2)


Sonic Unleashed was a game divided up between two parts: day stages and night stages. During the day it was normal Sonic rushing through levels at supersonic speeds. During the night Sonic transformed into a Werehog where slow, methodical platforming and climbing were the calls for action. The sluggish pace of these night sections and the time it took to complete them seemed merely like padding for the game. They were tedious to slog through, and they were frustrating especially when the camera did not cooperate with the player. The day sections, however, were a blast. Sure, there was some trial and error to be found, but for the most part, these levels were a step in the right direction for Modern Sonic.

3) Sonic Adventure 2 (DC)


Six characters to play as, two stories to dive in to, and one rockin' theme song in Live and Learn made up the majority of players' time in Sonic Adventure 2. Whether players were speeding through zones as Sonic or Shadow, destroying robots from the comfort of a machine with Tails or Eggman, or treasure hunting as Knuckles or Rouge, the gameplay variety in this game was immense. I really enjoyed the time I spent with Sonic Adventure 2, and while not the perfect game (far from it), it was challenging, entertaining, and rewarding all at the same time. Some levels were better than others, but you take the good with the bad. And who doesn't love the collectible aspect of the Chao Garden? I loved raising Chao, putting them to compete in races, and winning enough emblems to unlock the 3D recreation of the Green Hill Zone.

2) Sonic Generations (PS3, 360)


Mixing the worlds of Classic Sonic with Modern Sonic, Sonic Generations is essentially a love letter to fans both jaded and those who have stuck with Sonic through thick and thin. Classic Sonic gameplay consisted of strict 2D levels with an occasional 2 1/2D camera angle. Modern Sonic was all about 3D levels with the occasional 2D section thrown in for good measure. While Classic Sonic can spin dash, Modern Sonic can wall jump, slide, homing attack, light dash, and drift. There were nine zones in total with two acts apiece: three Genesis era, three Dreamcast era, and three Modern era. My only gripe with the game is that it forces the player to complete a certain amount of challenges like beating a level with only one ring or racing against someone in order to advance the story.

1) Sonic Colors (Wii)


Sonic Colors greatly surprised and impressed me simultaneously. The game was mostly 2D with a sprinkle of 3D sections. The introduction of alien creatures known as wisps brought new gameplay styles to the azure hedgehog's world. Some allowed him to drill underground, some granted him the ability to scale walls and ceilings, while others acted like a rocket, sending Sonic high up into the air. The game immediately thrust players into the action with no exposition whatsoever, a nod to early days. Each zone from Tropical Resort to Asteroid Coaster was filled with secrets to discover, red rings to collect, and bosses to battle. Zones were made up of six acts each. I believe that Sonic Colors is the closest Sonic Team has gotten to the Genesis days when Sonic was at his best.

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Well, that's my order. What about you? How would you rank Sonic the Hedgehog's adventures in 3D? Let the SuperPhillip Central community know in the comments section.

Nintendo 3DS: Launch Titles to Avoid

Yesterday I listed five launch titles for the Nintendo 3DS that I deemed worthy of a purchase for those seeking out new games for your gorgeous new handheld. With that in mind, let's take a small sample of five games to avoid like the plague. Now this isn't the type of plague where your penis falls off or something gross like that as this is all metaphorical. Anywho, where was I? Ah, yes. Five Nintendo 3DS launch titles to avoid. Let's get to it.

Steel Diver


When you read that Shigeru Miyamoto is taking a hand in a game, you expect a lot. Unfortunately, whatever cool gameplay elements Steel Diver, a new Nintendo IP, has are quickly washed away and submerged in a short campaign. Using the touch screen to control one of three subs through one of seven missions, avoiding mines, destroying enemy battleships from below, and fighting off giant sea creatures is intuitive enough, but by the time it's all over, you'll be wanting a lot more. The augmented reality of moving the 3DS around to search for battleships to sink is cool, but I cannot help but wish Steel Diver was a budget title. This game is simply not enough bang for your buck, and there's so many better more meatier games in the 3DS' launch lineup to pursue and engage.


Bust-A-Move Universe


Priced at a budget price and for good reason, there's little in the way of content and freshness. Where's the multiplayer? Where's the new modes? How long can one player enjoy the single-player mode before wanting more? The answers are in order of the questions: nowhere in sight, there aren't any, and not very long at all. Sure, the addictive nature of this puzzler is present, but it's obvious that Square-Enix just needed a game to push out for launch. This was obviously the best they could come up with. The lack of proper 3D only further hurts this title's cause.


Super Monkey Ball 3D


Aiai and the gang are back, and SEGA is determined to kill this franchise even further. The difficulty is nonexistent until the final world, the game can be completed within an hour as most levels feature a heavy helping of side-rails to prevent your little monkey from falling off the course, and the two accompanying mini-games (one a Mario Kart ripoff and the other a Smash Bros. ripoff) just aren't that much fun. The Monkey Ball series has seen a fierce decline ever since Banana Blitz, and Super Monkey Ball 3D will have you going bananas in a bad way at how poorly and incompetently SEGA has tarnished this once-fun franchise.


Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D


Dinosaurs and 3D-- what possibly could go wrong? In another attempt to steal money from unsuspecting launch buyers, Ubisoft has created this mess of a fighting game. The concept of this buggy game is simple-- add one part Punch-Out! and throw in a heaping helping of prehistoric pals to duke it out against one another. The main problem here is that there is so little content. There's but four classes of dinosaur types to fight, and once all of those are completed, you take on the game's final boss. All this is over within a matter of a few hours. Save your money and buy Jurassic Park if you need your dinosaur fix.


Asphalt 3D


Take a fast-paced racer, throw in some adequate controls via the comfortable circle pad, and then add in online play, and jumble all that with some messy collision detection, numerous glitches, a botched drifting mechanic, and you have Asphalt 3D, another lazy 3DS title from Ubisoft. There is no reason at all to give this game a second glance when you have the far superior Ridge Racer 3D on the same platform for the same price. Do yourself a favor and if you have the need for speed, get Ridge Racer 3D instead.

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Hopefully this list you readers will take to heart as these launch titles just aren't up to snuff. They're either rushed for launch or just have something that is too difficult to overlook. Hope you 3DS owners are enjoying your new handheld!

Top Five Most Wanted 3DS Games

The 3DS release is pretty close. Just early next year doesn't make it seem so long to me. Regardless, Nintendo and third parties have already unleashed a load of software for the little handheld that could possibly sell out all over the world. The following list is my top five picks for 3DS games that most interest me. Let's check some of them out.

5) Star Fox 64 3D

Take to the skies all over again with Fox McCloud and crew as he wages war on the evil Andross. Andross won't have his way with him! Choose your path wisely through the Lylat System as different planets and sectors hold different challenges. Each planet or sector is its own level full of various obstacles, bosses, and baddies. But now the fun's in 3D to make your flight all the more enjoyable.


4) Kid Icarus: Uprising

For the first time in almost twenty years, Pit, better known from his appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl (even supporting the same model), is back to star in his own video game. This 3DS exclusive puts you in the sandals of young Pit, on a goal to once again take down the evil Medusa and her dark forces. Fly or do battle on the ground in this multi-focused title. It's rumored that this might make launch. Cross your fingers.


3) Mario Kart 3DS

Little is known or seen of this title except for a brief teaser trailer showing off Mario and Luigi racing through rolling hills, forests, approaching Peach's castle, and through pipe-infested valleys. We know the visuals are pretty good, but there's little else to go on save for promised online play which is always a nice treat. Will it show off Nintendo's new online strategy? Once again, we'll have to wait for Nintendo for those answers.


2) Animal Crossing 3DS

Animal Crossing is back and looks better than ever. It already looks vastly different than past installments due to 1) your character is now longer and leaner, and 2) you're supposedly now the mayor of your villager. Goodbye, Tortimer! I'll miss the old tortoise. With beautiful visuals, online play for up to four players, and the good old fashioned charm the series always possesses, Animal Crossing 3DS looks like a title to watch out for.


1) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

My favorite video game of all time is now being remade with 3D as the focus. The visuals have been greatly improved, and Link looks better than ever. All we know is the game is a remake of the 1997 Nintendo 64 classic, and not much else is known. Will there be a new dungeon or two thrown in to make this title even more enticing to consumers, or will it be a straight port save for 3D? Your guess is as good as mine as we await more information from Nintendo.


Runners-up include Mega Man Legends 3, Resident Evil: Revelations, Pilotwings Resort, Nintendogs + Cats, Paper Mario 3D, and Super Street Fighter 4 3D. What are your most anticipated 3DS games, if any?