wraggster
March 6th, 2011, 18:55
Nintendo recently held a special event in Japan called Nintendo World. As you'd expect, the star of the show was the 3DS, and we were treated to a whole host of new information on many of the countless games heading to Nintendo's brand new 3D handheld..
Here are our ten choices for the games you should already be saving your precious Star Coins for...
RESIDENT EVIL: REVELATIONS
http://cdn.medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_242919_thumb300.jpg (javascript:screens_popup(242919);)
It's still a while away yet, but already Resident Evil: Revelations is looking the business. It's a completely original 3DS-exclusive game set on a spooky cruise ship, among other locations. From what we've seen of it so far, it seems that our favourite elements of all the Resident Evils will be combined, mixing the old-school zombie shocks and suspense from the first three Resi games with the new control system from Resi 4 and 5.
Add to this the incredible graphics and the inevitability that you'll have loads of manky, gory monsters jumping out of the screen at you as you play, and you've got a game Resi fans would sell their soul for. We'll buy that at a high price.
RESIDENT EVIL: THE MERCENARIES
Take the frantic Mercenaries mini-games from Resident Evil 4 and 5, slap their stages and characters into one package, add some more stages and characters to keep things interesting, make it all 3D and, hey presto, you've got Mercenaries on the 3DS.
While we clearly can't wait for Resident Evil: Revelations, it's fair to say that Mercenaries will probably be better suited to the handheld because it's designed to provide quick bursts of gameplay, and so will be perfect to get stuck into for ten minutes on the train.
Players can play the game co-operatively, and then upload their highest score to an online leaderboard. If it's frantic action you're looking for, this could be the one for you.
METAL GEAR SOLID 3: SNAKE EATER 3D
http://cdn.medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_233165_thumb300.jpg (javascript:screens_popup(233165);)
Hideo Kojima is still keeping sneakily tight-lipped on this 3DS remake of the fantastic PS2 gem Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. He still refuses to show any more of the game just yet, but he did tease Nintendo World visitors with some new information.
According to Kojima-san, the game will use the 3DS's StreetPass feature, as well as its gyroscope and other motion-sensing abilities. Given how clever the series has been with the use of hardware in the past (who could forget Psycho Mantis's memory card mind trick from the first game?) we've got every faith that Kojima-san will deliver a cracker here.
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: OCARINA OF TIME 3D
This remake of the Nintendo 64 classic is looking better every time we see it. Producer Eiji Aonuma has promised that Ocarina 3D will not only look better, but will also improve some of the niggles from the original version of the game.
This means the famously annoying Water Temple will now be much less fiddly (instead of having to pause and go to an inventory screen to change Link's boots every minute or so, you can now just tap them on the touch screen), aiming will be more accurate (you can use the 3DS's motion sensing abilities to aim your catapult by tilting the system) and Navi will, thankfully, be less annoying too (if she wants your attention she has to wait until you tap her on the touch screen now). This is going to be a welcome blast from the past.
SUPER STREET FIGHTER IV: 3D EDITION
http://cdn.medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_244577_thumb300.jpg (javascript:screens_popup(244577);)
We're amazed Capcom has managed to get such a great-looking port of Super Street Fighter IV on a handheld in the first place, let alone all the new features that have been crammed in there too.
For starters, you're now able to change to an alternative camera angle if you fancy, which lets you see the action from over your character's shoulder (with the 3D adding more depth). Then there's the ability to perform certain special moves by tapping icons on the touch screen.
Finally, the Figurine Mode lets you use the 3DS's StreetPass function to have scraps with people you walk past (assuming you both have a SSFIV game save) and build a figure collection in the process. All that aside, the fact that this is Super Street Fighter IV on a handheld is enough to have us excited.
NINTENDOGS + CATS
The original Nintendogs was the game that kicked off the DS's popularity in the first place, so Nintendo clearly reckons its sequel will do the same for the 3DS. Obviously, the main addition is cats this time, but there are a few extra features that could be neat.
One is the ability to take an AR (Augmented Reality) card (the small cards that come with the 3DS), put it on your table, point the 3DS at it and watch as your Nintendog (or Nintencat) appears on your real-life table and starts running around. We can't think of anything else that will get little sisters the world over this excited, other than JLS kicking down their bedroom door and having a gig there and then.
KID ICARUS: UPRISING
When we saw the Kid Icarus trailer back at E3 it opened with Pit smarmily saying: "sorry to keep you waiting!". Turns out he wasn't joking, because Kid Icarus: Uprising won't be a 3DS launch game as we'd hoped. If it ends up playing as good as it appears though we're happy to wait, because it looks like it's going to be a blast.
It's part Sin and Punishment style shooter, part on-foot adventure game, and the 3DS's thumb slider will make controlling Pit a breeze as he soars through each stage. It's been 20 years since Pit has had a starring role in a game, so it's safe to say he's ready to explode back onto the scene in a big way.
PAPER MARIO
http://cdn.medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_244641_thumb300.jpg (javascript:screens_popup(244641);)
While there's no sign yet of a Super Mario Galaxy or New Super Mario Bros game heading to the 3DS, that doesn't mean everyone's favourite chubby funster isn't still making the jump to 3D.
Paper Mario has the potential to be one of the most stylish games on the 3DS, and could be one of the best titles to make use of 3D graphics. The theme this time around is stickers: as Mario collects various stickers you can stick them onto the environment to help him proceed.
Can't get over a big gap? Use a sticker of a bridge. Want some help in one of the game's turn-based battles? Use a boot sticker to get extra attack power. This could be an interesting one.
PILOTWINGS RESORT
Another sequel that we've been waiting a long time for - fourteen years to be exact - Pilotwings Resort sees you taking to the skies in a light plane, rocket belt or hang glider as you explore Wuhu Island (from Wii Fit and Wii Sports Resort) in a whole new way.
The 3D effect makes a huge difference, giving a great sense of scale and making it easier to judge distances. Since the 3DS also has a Mii Channel much like the Wii's, you can also use your Mii as the pilot. Finally, a chance to use our Mii of Tom Cruise from Top Gun!
DEAD OR ALIVE: DIMENSIONS
All the excitement may be surrounding Super Street Fighter IV just now, but don't forget there's another fantastic fighting series making its Nintendo debut.
http://cdn.medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_245124_thumb300.jpg (javascript:screens_popup(245124);)
After its success with Metroid: Other M, Team Ninja is returning to what it knows and delivering another fighting game complete with elaborate combos, interactive scenery and jiggly lady bits. Dead Or Alive: Dimensions promises a vast roster of characters (including some faces that return from older DOA games) and a story mode that helps tie them all together.
Here are our ten choices for the games you should already be saving your precious Star Coins for...
RESIDENT EVIL: REVELATIONS
http://cdn.medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_242919_thumb300.jpg (javascript:screens_popup(242919);)
It's still a while away yet, but already Resident Evil: Revelations is looking the business. It's a completely original 3DS-exclusive game set on a spooky cruise ship, among other locations. From what we've seen of it so far, it seems that our favourite elements of all the Resident Evils will be combined, mixing the old-school zombie shocks and suspense from the first three Resi games with the new control system from Resi 4 and 5.
Add to this the incredible graphics and the inevitability that you'll have loads of manky, gory monsters jumping out of the screen at you as you play, and you've got a game Resi fans would sell their soul for. We'll buy that at a high price.
RESIDENT EVIL: THE MERCENARIES
Take the frantic Mercenaries mini-games from Resident Evil 4 and 5, slap their stages and characters into one package, add some more stages and characters to keep things interesting, make it all 3D and, hey presto, you've got Mercenaries on the 3DS.
While we clearly can't wait for Resident Evil: Revelations, it's fair to say that Mercenaries will probably be better suited to the handheld because it's designed to provide quick bursts of gameplay, and so will be perfect to get stuck into for ten minutes on the train.
Players can play the game co-operatively, and then upload their highest score to an online leaderboard. If it's frantic action you're looking for, this could be the one for you.
METAL GEAR SOLID 3: SNAKE EATER 3D
http://cdn.medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_233165_thumb300.jpg (javascript:screens_popup(233165);)
Hideo Kojima is still keeping sneakily tight-lipped on this 3DS remake of the fantastic PS2 gem Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. He still refuses to show any more of the game just yet, but he did tease Nintendo World visitors with some new information.
According to Kojima-san, the game will use the 3DS's StreetPass feature, as well as its gyroscope and other motion-sensing abilities. Given how clever the series has been with the use of hardware in the past (who could forget Psycho Mantis's memory card mind trick from the first game?) we've got every faith that Kojima-san will deliver a cracker here.
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: OCARINA OF TIME 3D
This remake of the Nintendo 64 classic is looking better every time we see it. Producer Eiji Aonuma has promised that Ocarina 3D will not only look better, but will also improve some of the niggles from the original version of the game.
This means the famously annoying Water Temple will now be much less fiddly (instead of having to pause and go to an inventory screen to change Link's boots every minute or so, you can now just tap them on the touch screen), aiming will be more accurate (you can use the 3DS's motion sensing abilities to aim your catapult by tilting the system) and Navi will, thankfully, be less annoying too (if she wants your attention she has to wait until you tap her on the touch screen now). This is going to be a welcome blast from the past.
SUPER STREET FIGHTER IV: 3D EDITION
http://cdn.medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_244577_thumb300.jpg (javascript:screens_popup(244577);)
We're amazed Capcom has managed to get such a great-looking port of Super Street Fighter IV on a handheld in the first place, let alone all the new features that have been crammed in there too.
For starters, you're now able to change to an alternative camera angle if you fancy, which lets you see the action from over your character's shoulder (with the 3D adding more depth). Then there's the ability to perform certain special moves by tapping icons on the touch screen.
Finally, the Figurine Mode lets you use the 3DS's StreetPass function to have scraps with people you walk past (assuming you both have a SSFIV game save) and build a figure collection in the process. All that aside, the fact that this is Super Street Fighter IV on a handheld is enough to have us excited.
NINTENDOGS + CATS
The original Nintendogs was the game that kicked off the DS's popularity in the first place, so Nintendo clearly reckons its sequel will do the same for the 3DS. Obviously, the main addition is cats this time, but there are a few extra features that could be neat.
One is the ability to take an AR (Augmented Reality) card (the small cards that come with the 3DS), put it on your table, point the 3DS at it and watch as your Nintendog (or Nintencat) appears on your real-life table and starts running around. We can't think of anything else that will get little sisters the world over this excited, other than JLS kicking down their bedroom door and having a gig there and then.
KID ICARUS: UPRISING
When we saw the Kid Icarus trailer back at E3 it opened with Pit smarmily saying: "sorry to keep you waiting!". Turns out he wasn't joking, because Kid Icarus: Uprising won't be a 3DS launch game as we'd hoped. If it ends up playing as good as it appears though we're happy to wait, because it looks like it's going to be a blast.
It's part Sin and Punishment style shooter, part on-foot adventure game, and the 3DS's thumb slider will make controlling Pit a breeze as he soars through each stage. It's been 20 years since Pit has had a starring role in a game, so it's safe to say he's ready to explode back onto the scene in a big way.
PAPER MARIO
http://cdn.medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_244641_thumb300.jpg (javascript:screens_popup(244641);)
While there's no sign yet of a Super Mario Galaxy or New Super Mario Bros game heading to the 3DS, that doesn't mean everyone's favourite chubby funster isn't still making the jump to 3D.
Paper Mario has the potential to be one of the most stylish games on the 3DS, and could be one of the best titles to make use of 3D graphics. The theme this time around is stickers: as Mario collects various stickers you can stick them onto the environment to help him proceed.
Can't get over a big gap? Use a sticker of a bridge. Want some help in one of the game's turn-based battles? Use a boot sticker to get extra attack power. This could be an interesting one.
PILOTWINGS RESORT
Another sequel that we've been waiting a long time for - fourteen years to be exact - Pilotwings Resort sees you taking to the skies in a light plane, rocket belt or hang glider as you explore Wuhu Island (from Wii Fit and Wii Sports Resort) in a whole new way.
The 3D effect makes a huge difference, giving a great sense of scale and making it easier to judge distances. Since the 3DS also has a Mii Channel much like the Wii's, you can also use your Mii as the pilot. Finally, a chance to use our Mii of Tom Cruise from Top Gun!
DEAD OR ALIVE: DIMENSIONS
All the excitement may be surrounding Super Street Fighter IV just now, but don't forget there's another fantastic fighting series making its Nintendo debut.
http://cdn.medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_245124_thumb300.jpg (javascript:screens_popup(245124);)
After its success with Metroid: Other M, Team Ninja is returning to what it knows and delivering another fighting game complete with elaborate combos, interactive scenery and jiggly lady bits. Dead Or Alive: Dimensions promises a vast roster of characters (including some faces that return from older DOA games) and a story mode that helps tie them all together.