Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games - Part Four

While it'd be like shooting fish in a barrel to select Nintendo Wii U games that were overlooked (anything but New Super Mario Bros. U and Nintendo Land, we guess), we decided to once again spotlight our favorite platform of the year so far, the Nintendo 3DS, for Part Four of our Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games series. These five games didn't sell to potential, didn't get much buzz, or they simply fell through the proverbial cracks. Regardless of their reason for not doing well in the market, we would like to highlight these games. Perhaps we'll get you interested enough to try a couple out!

For past Nintendo 3DS games that we felt were overlooked, check out these three links!

Nintendo 3DS - Part One

Nintendo 3DS - Part Two 
Nintendo 3DS - Part Three

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate

A followup to the Castlevania reboot, Lords of Shadow, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate attempted to bring back the Metroid-vania style gameplay to the series. The jury's still out on whether it succeeded or not. What we do know is that the game features some excellent combat, really impressive visuals and some vicious enemies to take down. While it isn't in the league of older Castlevania games like Symphony of the Night, Aria of Sorrow or Super Castlevania IV, Mirror of Fate should scratch the itch of those looking for a more traditional Castlevania title.

Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D

Pretty much doomed to failure when the announcement of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection with a price that matched the 3DS game, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D was initially shown off in prototype form with glorious graphics. The final product doesn't have the impressive visuals of that prototype, but Snake Eater 3D is still a looker. The end game is something that is worth playing for those without a Vita or an HD console and access to the HD collection. Snake Eater 3D contains some interesting additions, such as an over-the-shoulder third-person view, crouch-walking, Yoshi dolls replacing the hidden Kerotan frogs of the original game, as well as the ability to create your own camouflage. The game is imperfect, with sudden framerate drops, but those willing to put up with them will find a worthy addition to their 3DS library.

Project X Zone

An unprecedented crossover game, containing characters from three of Japan's big-time publishers, Namco Bandai, Capcom and SEGA, Project X Zone is a game that many believed would never reach the West. The stars must have all aligned or at least hell must have frozen over, as the game reached our side of the world. The primary focus of the game is a strategy RPG, with battles taking place in real time, similar to a very simple fighting game. Characters from series such as Street Fighter, Resident Evil, Gods Eater, Valkyria Chronicles, Mega Man X, Sakura Wars, Tekken and many more make up the roster of both allies and enemies. You can look forward to Phil's review of Project X Zone sometime in the near future, as it is quite a lengthy game!

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers

Goodness gracious, what lengthy titles some of these games have! Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers is an upgraded port of the original Soul Hackers game, which released in 1997 on the SEGA Saturn. With this 3DS port, it is the first time the game has been available in the West. With it, comes the series's usual occult-based story, a more relaxed difficulty to invite beginners to play, faster loading times, thirty new demons, voice acting for every scene and much more. A severely niche series in the West, Soul Hackers did not light sales charts on fire, and most stores did not carry the game. One would have to shop online or head to GameStop to pick up the game. That said, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Sum-- you get the idea-- is a game that is deep, complex and ultimately really fun.

Style Savvy: Trendsetters

Up until now, we've focused on titles more befitting of a hardcore player. This final addition to the Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games list is a game that we didn't think we'd enjoy. However, we gave Style Savvy: Trendsetters a try, and we absolutely adored it. Starting as an assistant at a fashion shop, and then making your way as the owner, being able to satisfy clients' clothing preferences, keep up with stock, as well as enter fashion contest made for a game that has a lot of content to it. No, it's not epic like the other games listed here today, but it's really worth looking into if you love customization and having a lot of options open to you. Unfortunately, the 3DS is currently not as appealing to the casual gamer as much as the Nintendo DS was, making the sales for this casual-oriented title less than desirable in the West. But don't get us wrong-- you can play through Style Savvy: Trendsetters and enjoy it even if you're hardcore gamers like us.

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We have concluded another installment of Most Overlooked Games. Perhaps next time we will return to looking at one of the HD consoles. Until then, keep up to date with SuperPhillip Central by visiting us on a daily basis. Thanks for your continued readership!

Amazing April: Seven Games to Look Out for This Month

April has arrived, and spring is in full bloom. This month has seven games that SuperPhillip Central has its collective eye on, and ones that we recommend you look into. From DC Comics brawlers to a game inspired by Monster Hunter, these titles seem to be the best that April has to offer. Note: 1) These release dates posted are for North American use, and 2) These release dates are what was planned at the time of this article. Games can always be delayed.

Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge (PS3, 360)

Release Date: 4/2

Releasing today is a game that was thought to be a Wii U exclusive. However, Nintendo only distributed the game rather than assisting in the development like they did with LEGO City Undercover. Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge is essentially Team Ninja's "redo of" or "another shot at" the original Ninja Gaiden 3. This time around extremities can be cut off, more weapons, new downloadable characters like Ayane, and a new Chapter Challenge mode to increase the replay value of the game. It's great that more people get to play this improved version of Ninja Gaiden 3, and they can do it starting today.

Injustice: Gods Among Us (Multi)

Release Date: 4/16

Take your favorite DC Comics superheroes and villains and put them into a 2D fighter with 3D graphics, and you get Injustice: Gods Among Us, a game coming to Wii U, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 in the middle of the month. Each fighter has their own unique traits to help them out in battle, arenas are multi-tiered, and the story mode will feature multiple chapters and characters the player assumes the roles of. No doubt comic book fans are looking forward to making some interesting match-ups, and even those with little knowledge of the DC universe will find something to enjoy with Injustice: Gods Among Us.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner - 

Soul Hackers (3DS)

Release Date: 4/16

Handhelds this generation have not really had the influx of RPGs that their predecessors had. The situation is better in Japan, but the localized RPGs from there that come to the West are few and far in-between. This month the Nintendo 3DS gets the incredibly wordy Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner - Soul Hackers, a first-person dungeon crawler RPG set in a world that is a mixture of cyberpunk and something out of an Edgar Allen Poe poem. There's no word on when this game is coming to our European pals, but North American gamers can add a new RPG to their collection on April 16.

LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins (3DS)

Release Date: 4/21

The prequel to the Wii U's phenomenal LEGO City Undercover, the 3DS game, LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins looks into protagonist Chase McCain's entry into the LEGO City police force. Contrary to what was believed when the game was originally announced, The Chase Begins will in fact be open-world, with obvious graphical downgrades when compared to its Wii U big brother. We at SuperPhillip Central very much enjoyed the original LEGO City, so we have our eyes on The Chase Begins when it releases April 21.

Dead Island: Riptide (Multi)

Release Date: 4/23

Zombies seem to never get tiring to some people. We've seen multiple Resident Evil games and now The Walking Dead on AMC is as popular as ever. It only makes sense to make more games with the undead brethren that people just cannot seem to get enough of. With a story that picks up where the original Dead Island left off, action RPG mayhem combined with the survival horror genre, and an island infested with zombies, Dead Island: Riptide will place players not in a tropical paradise, but in a tropical hell, two words that most don't put together. These attributes make for a game that intrigues SuperPhillip Central staff, and will no doubt intrigue consumers when it releases late this month.

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen (PS3, 360)

Release Date: 4/23

If you didn't get enough of Capcom's Dragon's Dogma that released last year, then prepare your swords, bows, and other weapons for Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen, a retail release expansion of the original game. This action RPG title features an open world setting with gameplay similar to what you'd expect a cross between Monster Hunter and Dark Souls would be. The game has a slew of Capcom development all-stars on board, including folks who worked on games like Resident Evil 4, the original Devil May Cry trilogy, and Breath of Fire. If you missed playing the original, I can think of no better way to get introduced to the world of Dragon's Dogma than with Dark Arisen.

Soul Sacrifice (PSV)

Release Date: 4/30

I mentioned Monster Hunter in my Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen blurb. Well, here is a game that is without question inspired by Capcom's hot-selling series. The man who co-created Mega Man, Keiji Inafune, is also the brains behind this upcoming PlayStation Vita exclusive, Soul Sacrifice. The game already released in Japan to increased weekly Vita sales. Here's hoping the West gives the system a similar treatment. The four player co-op, massive amount of... well... massive monsters, and wide variety of attacks make for a game that might just be a killer app for the handheld that is struggling to find footing in the marketplace. Soul Sacrifice releases at the end of this month.

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Also worth note this month is the release of Pandora's Tower, which we mistakenly put in last month's offering of titles to look out for. You can see the blurb written for the game here. Are there any games that you are looking forward to this month that we left out? Let us know in the comments section.