I am not ashamed of the fact that I loved my Gamecube…but I am ashamed of the fact that I found it extremely difficult to beat the launch title, Luigi’s Mansion. Although some claim that it took those 2 hours or such, it took me about 3 and a half months to see the final credits. I won’t throw away my ‘hard-core’ gamer credentials however, instead I will just have to redeem my street cred’ with the sequel.
Maybe this time around we won’t have to visit thirty thousand identical bathrooms to find inconveniently placed keys like the previous entry. However, it is confirmed that multiple mansion are confirmed to appear. This will add to the variety of environments; so far we have seen an Egyptian mansion, an icy tundra retreat as well as a modern mansion. Hopefully by the creativity that was present in each boss fight will remain intact—who knows, maybe Luigi will even grow some balls by the end of Luigi’s Mansion 2?
TOP 5 UPCOMING 3DS GAMES
Although many gamers and even Nintendo fans have criticized the poor launch line up for the Nintendo 3DS in 2011, it seems like the company has finally gotten its feet back on the ground. For the rest of 2012 and early 2013, there seems to be an influx of big name games and brands making their way to the multi-dimensional handheld. Might this late kick-start help conquer its biggest opponent—the PS Vita?
Here are five upcoming games to appear on the 3DS that might have you turning up your 3D slider to full power!
5. Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon
Bravely Default is the type of game that gives localization teams reoccurring nightmares. Square Enix has created an interesting property in the form of this title. Although this may just be a straight up Japanese RPG, there are so many beautiful elements at work in what we’ve seen so far. The game has a feel that ranges from Final Fantasy to Ico or Shadow of the Colossus—which we can definitely label “A good thing”.
The graphics appear to be stunning; mixing organic hand drawn scenery with the Anime style gives the game a surreal look. Additionally, this title may also give gamers (or just perverts) a reason to use the AR reading function of the 3DS. Once scanning the AR code, you are able to manipulate a virtual 3D anime woman to the background of your living room. Is this as creepy as it seems? Only time would tell, but seeing it being done gave us short glimpses to the legendary “Milo” Kinect demo.
4. Bravely Default: Flying Fairy
3. Animal Crossing 3DS
We all live secret lives. Some people are drug dealers, others are vigilantes that fight drug dealers… my secret life is a virtual one—in the Animal Crossing Universe. I am quite content to keep that life secret as well, seeing as how ashamed I am of how much I love the Animal Crossing series. From the original to DS’ Wild World and the uninspired Wii version entitled “City Folk”… I have put far too much time into growing money trees and making Tom Nook even richer.
In the new version, you’ll be able to take on the position of Mayor of your small town. Whether this will become an interesting distraction or a game corrupting gimmick is yet to be known. In fact, Nintendo has been quite secretive about this release, not even mentioning it at this year’s E3 conference. Let’s hope this means that Nintendo has some large bombshells to convince even non-believers that Animal Crossing is one of the best gaming experiences in the world.
3. Fire Emblem: Awakening
1. Paper Mario Sticker Star
Paper Mario is anything but just ‘another’ spin off of a massively popular franchise: Paper Mario is a fantastic RPG series in its own right. The new installment in the franchise promises to return the series to RPG roots in sharp contrast to the 2007 release of Super Paper Mario. Paper Mario 3D will also introduce another element that Nintendo has introduced as a ‘sticker system’, although this may sound stupid on paper (no pun intended), it will add an extra facet to the already beautifully complex and deep battle system.
With the birth of the modern shooter, it seems that game developers are aiming for serious, more gritty thrillers. Paper Mario has never been (and hopefully never will be) such a game, instead it achieves a rare hallmark, as being a genuinely funny video game. With colourful graphics, and stylized 3D centric game play, Paper Mario 3D will be the reason that many procrastinating gamers dash to best buy to buy a 3DS. It is obvious that the team here at Gaming Den cannot wait for this gem!
So far, not a lot of details have emerged surrounding Fire Emblem Awakening on the 3DS (even though it's already selling insanely well in Japan!). Nevertheless we know what to expect from a Fire Emblem game and no one can deny that Nintendo has absolutely mastered the art of the real time strategy game.
From the deep story to a methodical combat system that the series of is so well known for, we can only warm up our 3DS`s and wait impatiently for its North American and European release. At least it will find its way here sometime in 2013! That`s a start...I guess.
