Top Ten Nintendo 3DS Retail Games of the System's Second Year

On March 27, the Nintendo 3DS celebrated its second anniversary in the North American market. We've had lots of great times with Nintendo's stereoscopic wonder, and the great times seem to be coming much more often now. Remember that launch? Yeesh. Things have really turned around with the combination of a well-timed price cut and an influx of stellar software. Like we did last year, we're naming the ten best Nintendo 3DS retail releases of the last year. Will your favorites be included or left out? Regardless of the outcome, we're sure we've got some 'splaining to do!

10) Paper Mario: Sticker Star

We start off the countdown with a game that disappointed longtime Paper Mario fans. The exclusion of partners was killer, and so was the lack of new characters. Heck, even the puzzle solutions were uncharacteristically obtuse for a Mario RPG. So what went right with this game then? Well, the experiment of using stickers for battle, collecting new ones, and keeping enough coins to purchase others was one that worked in our opinion. The music is also the best we've heard yet in a Paper Mario game. And even with all of the issues (and there ARE issues) with the game, Paper Mario: Sticker Star was still an enjoyable experience.

9) Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning

Welcome to Echo Valley, population: dwindling. With a tale no doubt inspired by the real world, the denizens left in the desolate town lost nearly all they had to their names thanks to a rotten economy. Thanks to your loving parents (or maybe not so much since they're making you do lots of back-breaking labor in running a farm) have left you a farm to build and grow. Along the way you'll find materials and building blueprints to slowly build a thriving new community-- better than ever before! Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning is the best Harvest Moon entry in a long while, and playing is indeed believing. Who knew life on the farm could be so much fun?

8) Style Savvy: Trendsetters

This was decidedly a game that we did not expect to love so freaking much. It's Style Savvy: Trendsetters, a game about storming the fashion world, slowly building your fashion empire from humble beginnings. Yes, you start as an apprentice for a local fashion celebrity, and soon you gain control of your own shop. As you satisfy the needs of your customers, you gain new clothing brands, styles, and areas that you can visit in town. Then there are all the fashion contests you can try to dominate. With thousands of clothing items and loads of content, Style Savvy: Trendsetters isn't for everyone obviously, but for those that give the game a chance, they will find that is really rewarding and entertaining.

7) Theatrhythm Final Fantasy

A Final Fantasy rhythm game where Square Enix can charge you for DLC tracks? And since the music is so phenomenal you WILL want to buy and download new tracks! Why didn't they think of this game sooner!? Theatrhythm Final Fantasy originally released on the Nintendo 3DS before a smaller, less complete version went on iOS devices. It has you tapping, sliding, and touching the bottom screen in time with the musical prompts. Level up your armada of Final Fantasy all-stars and let them gain new helpful abilities. A rhythm game like no other, Theatrhythm is one of SuperPhillip Central's favorite rhythm games period.

6) Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

Despite the inane plots and elements of Kingdom Hearts (sure, Nomura, I totally understand why the game is called Dream Drop Distance), you will find an abundance of exciting action with Kingdom Hearts 3D, the prelude to hopefully and finally a Kingdom Hearts III. The game features a new combat system called Flowmotion, which has Sora and Riku slinging around poles, bouncing off walls, and spinning around foes to help assist with defeating the Dream Eater menace. It makes for combat that is some of the most exciting the series has yet seen. With multiple difficulties, awesome Disney cameos, sensational Yoko Shimomura-composed music, and the aforementioned amazing action, Kingdom Hearts 3D is an essential purchase for any RPG fan and Nintendo 3DS owner.

5) Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask

Professor Layton has a love and hate relationship with the two of us at SuperPhillip Central. We love the quirky charm and characters, the stories, the presentation, and all those puzzles, but at the same token we hate it when we overlook such a simple solution to a seemingly difficult puzzle. (We also hate those sliding block puzzles.) That "aha" moment is something we don't get too often in games nowadays, and Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask is chock full of them. The game looked into Professor Hershel Layton's past this time, and it made for a story that was intriguing and touching too. If you're a lover of Layton like SuperPhillip Central, then you no doubt already have this game. And if you don't, what are you waiting for?

4) Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

The behemoth-sized encounters that make the Monster Hunter experience so cherished in Japan has finally released in North America with Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate. The added benefits of centering the camera on your intended target and accessible touch screen controls make for one of the better portable Monster Hunters on the market. The game is also available on Nintendo's Wii U. If you own both copies of the game, you can transfer your monster hunting character to and from both versions of the game. Really cool, but Sony did it first! (Har-har.) Whether you're a fan of taking the game on the road with you or if you prefer to play at home, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate has the types of colossal confrontations that will have you clamoring for more, playing until all hours of the night.

3) Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon

The Year of Luigi starts out right with Mario's cowardly but cute twin brother once again entering the ghost-busting business in an effort to rid the ghosts from multiple mansions and restore the pieces of the Dark Moon. This 3DS sequel to Luigi's Mansion offers a new mission-based structure, incredibly well thought out boss battles, clever puzzle design, multiple cleverly hidden secrets, and gorgeous visuals. Next Level Games really has really improved under Nintendo's guidance, and this is coming from the studio that developed and designed Captain America: Super Soldier! Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is a humorous and charming game that was well worth the wait for patient Nintendo 3DS owners.

2) Fire Emblem: Awakening

Although rampant shipping issues marred this otherwise impressive debut for Fire Emblem on the 3DS in North America, we managed to track down a copy of the game and enjoy it. The game featured both the classic mode, where perished characters are gone for good, ones that you have built an emotional investment and attachment to, and a beginner-friendly casual mode, where downed characters return after the battle. The presentation values are grand with animated cutscenes, an orchestrated soundtrack, and a story that spans three unique acts. Fire Emblem: Awakening is a stellar entry in the strategic RPG series.

1) New Super Mario Bros. 2

Soulless. Tired. Rehash. These are some of the words that critics describe New Super Mario Bros. 2 as. However, we at SuperPhillip Central think of the game differently. We see levels that consistently bring something new to the table. We see secrets that are expertly hidden. Most importantly, however, we see a bright future for the Mario franchise. The game was made by a new, less experienced team that went through a crash course of 2D Mario level design. The end result is our favorite game from the past year on the 3DS. Hey, you can't fault us-- we're platform game whores!

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That's our list of the top ten Nintendo 3DS retail games of the system's second year, but we're curious as to which games would make your list of top retail games. Do you agree or disagree with our order? What games would you remove? Which would you add? We left out Mario Tennis Open and Etrian Odyssey IV, for starters. Let us know your thoughts below in the comments section. As for this year, it's already looking fantastic with Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Pokemon X/Y already announced. It's a good time to be a Nintendo 3DS owner.

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.

Review Round-Up - March 2013

Chase McCain stars in the best Wii U game yet.

Another month of 2013 has been cast to the wayside as we look ahead to a new one. However, before we say goodbye to March 2013 totally here at SPC, let's go over what games were reviewed this past month. We first had our ups and down with Coaster Creator 3D, which won itself the 8.0 prize. Then we followed it up with one of the first reviews period for The Amazing Spider-Man: Ultimate Edition, a game that web-swinged itself to a 7.5. Then we took to the road, water, and sky with our review of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, a game that deserved its 8.25 score. Next we celebrated our 400th review with Metroid Prime, a game heralded by the gaming community for a reason. We gave it a 9.75, the highest score this month. Sackboy and friends raced to a 7.5 with our review of LittleBigPlanet Karting, and finally, the best reason to own a Wii U, LEGO City Undercover, was given an impressive 9.25. It was a great month of reviews. Let's hope April is just as good to SPC as March was!

Coaster Creator 3D (3DSWare) - 8.0
The Amazing Spider-Man: Ultimate Edition (Wii U) - 7.5
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (Multi) - 8.25
Metroid Prime (Wii) - 9.75
LittleBigPlanet Karting (PS3) - 7.5
LEGO City Undercover (Wii U) - 9.25

Samus Aran has got the goods with the

masterful Metroid Prime by Retro Studios.

Central City Census - April 2013

It may be April Fools, but there is no fooling around when it comes to SuperPhillip Central's Central City Census. Let's take a look at the results from March before we go ahead with April's poll.

Which announced PlayStation 4 game has you most interested?

I am a bit surprised at the results since there seems to be so much anticipation and hype for the PlayStation 4. Regardless, the "None of them interested me." camp is the one with nearly half the total vote. While I was surprised at that, there's really no surprise that Killzone: Shadow Fall is listed as the top game those who voted anticipate most. Then Knack followed close behind as did Infamous: Second Son. I have to admit that outside of maybe Killzone and Infamous, nothing really excited me about the PS4. Sure, the social features are nice, but without games to compel a person, they're just extra features. Regardless, thanks to everyone who voted this past month. Now, onto April's question.

Although the digital space is growing and virtual purchases and games are rising in popularity, retail is still a significant part of the consumer and video game industry equation. With physical copies of games, you're able to resell or trade them back in if you're through with them and have no intention of keeping them. April's Central City Census asks how often you trade in your games.

SPC's Favorite VGMs - Dark Brotherhood Edition

Video game music is something that has transcended just being "background music" or "ambient noise." No, it's gotten progressively greater with songs using real instruments, orchestras, and choirs. Don't get us wrong, we love the old chiptune music as well, and the limitations did not hamper terrific compositions. Today's edition of SPC's Favorite VGMs is a special one. We'll be taking a glimpse at a game with a grand soundtrack. It's one of our personal favorites from the Nintendo DS: Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. We have five (count 'em-- five) tracks that will get your toes a-tappin'.

v346. Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (DS) - Central City

Ah... Central City. That name sounds familiar to SuperPhillip at least. Anyhow, this catchy remix of Sonic 3D Blast's (the Genesis version) Diamond Dust Zone gets the body brewing happiness all over. The instrumentation is quite good for the Nintendo DS, a system barely more powerful than a Game Boy Advance.

v347. Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (DS) - Nocturne

Man, the memories of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 are just flooding back to us. If you are looking for an especially tense and intense tune, then Nocturne (unofficial name) is the track you are definitely, most certainly looking for.

v348. Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (DS) - Battle Music 3

Now, these track names are purely unofficial. No legitimate titles were ever given to them. When you have a sensational battle theme such as this one, you don't really need to pleasantries of having a name attached, do you? Maybe you do, so we're going to call this track "Epic Awesomeness."

v349. Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (DS) - Boss Battle

Oh, we have another battle theme to share with you, but this time it's for some of the big bad boss encounters Sonic and his team of brigands enter into. This track also comes from Sonic 3D Blast, but this time it's the PC/Saturn version of Panic Puppet Zone.

v350. Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (DS) - Ix - Final Battle

Battles in Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood took quite a while to complete. That is one of the sore spots of this game. The music, on the other hand, never fails to amuse and impress. This final boss theme has Sonic and the gang tackling the cybernetic creature Ix. It feels like we're in the midst of a radical rave!

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We hope you enjoyed this look at the music of Sonic Chronicles. The majestic quality of the soundtrack is one that resonates as a top-tier score, especially for a Sonic game. Next week we'll be back with even more terrific tune-age. Until then, why not check out our VGM Database for every past song spotlighted? Oh, and while we're on the subject... April Fools! Seriously, the music you just heard is god awful. We could hardly type what we did with a straight face.

SPC's Favorite VGMs will be back to normal next week with the real VGM volumes 346-350! Did we get your proverbial goat with this one? We think we got ourselves with this one, now that we think about it...