Top 5 3DS Games of 2011

The 3DS may have had a rocky start, but by the end of this year Nintendo’s newest handheld has hosted an array of quality games. The first year of a new game system is rarely this good: the 3DS had its share of ports, but Nintendo’s original titles from beloved franchises helped ensure 3DS owners have plenty to play.

Dynamic view in SSFIV3D not only looks great but offers a new challenge on fighting.

5. Super Street Fighter IV 3D
When the 3DS first launched, Nintendo held back on their first-party games to give third-party developers a chance to get a foot in the door. Most of the launch titles were pretty lackluster, but Super Street Fighter IV 3D stood out. Yes, it’s a port of an older game, but Capcom did everything they could to make SSFIV 3D an authentic 3DS game. The game looks great with and without 3D, a new dynamic camera perspective emphasizes 3D visuals, it features a StreetPass battle mode for unknowingly dueling passers-by, and the online mode is quick, convenient, and highly addictive. I’m not even a huge fan of fighting games in general, but SSFIV 3D makes this highly nuanced genre accessible even to me with helpful touch screen controls for quickly executing tricky combos. It may not have been an ideal launch title for the 3DS, but this fighting game is a fantastic fit on Nintendo’s newest handheld.

Cover is as crucial as raw power in Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars.

4. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars
Amidst awkward ports and so-so original games, Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars was a complete surprise. Not only is it a significant departure from Ghost Recon’s usual FPS gameplay, but it’s actually an excellent turn-based strategy game. Soldier classes such as sniper or medic make an easy transition to grid-based tactics, and with light RPG elements, Shadow Wars is a surprisingly well done and addictive strategy game, perfect for fans of games like Fire Emblem or Advance Wars. Even the small character roster does little to deter the enjoyment of moving troops into cover, wearing down enemy units, and finally clearing the map of enemy forces. The campaign is lengthy and includes multiple difficulty levels that can be changed at any time which allows each player to progress as his own speed. Though the game doesn’t take advantage of any new 3DS features–even the stereoscopic 3D is pretty unimpressive here–Shadow Wars was just the meaty game I needed to tide me over until Nintendo’s first-party games started launching.

Updated graphics in OoT3D are beautiful in 3D.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
It’s almost universally agreed that Ocarina of Time is one of the greatest games of all time–if not the absolute best game–but this is just a slightly enhanced port, why should it make it on this list? Well, those slight enhancements go a long way. Most important has to be the touch screen controls. In a game packed with items and equipment, having a couple of extra item slots is incredibly helpful, especially since the iron boots are now a proper item, reducing the tediousness of the Water Temple. The gyroscopic controls are more of a novelty than anything–and I’m still waiting to be impressed by motion controls on the 3DS–but it’s a nice inclusion nonetheless. The updated graphics and 3D effect are gorgeous and are a fantastic way to experience or re-experience the memorable environments of OoT, while the inclusion of the Master’s Quest adds even more replay value and essentially makes OoT 3D the definitive version of OoT. And last but most certainly not least, it is because this game is one of the greatest of all time that this portable, updated version is so welcome. Allowing a new generation of gamers to enjoy this masterpiece while not betraying the spirit of the original game is a wonderful way of celebrating 25 years of The Legend of Zelda.

Tanooki tails and suits are back in action in Super Mario 3D Land.

2. Super Mario 3D Land
It’s almost a given that a Mario platformer will be an excellent game, so to truly stand out they each have their own quirks and tricks, whether it’s gravity-defying stages or simultaneous four player multi-player. What sets Super Mario 3D Land apart is how well the 3D is integrated into the game. Though not always necessary from a gameplay standpoint, there are plenty of instances that emphasize the sleek stereoscopic 3D, whether it’s a spike flying toward the camera or more subtle displays of depth in otherwise side-scrolling areas. Initially easy, Super Mario 3D Land shows a wide range of challenges and clever stage designs by the time you reach the true end of the game, perfect for gradually building players up to tackle anything Bowser can toss at you. Though the game could stand to be a little longer, the bite-sized levels are prefect for portable play time, all while maintaining the charm and quality one expects from Mario.

Through the sky, on land, or under the sea; the racers never stop in Mario Kart 7.

1. Mario Kart 7
Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land were both vying for the number one spot, and though both are top notch games, I have to hand it to this racer. Despite the uninspired name, Mario Kart 7 is not only a great racing game but manages to put the 3DS’ capabilities to excellent use. Mario Kart has always straddled the line between an easily accessible, casual friendly game and a game that die-hard, competitive players can sink their teeth into, and this game is no different. Mario Kart 7 offers more strategic depth with flying and underwater portions as well as literal depth with smooth, natural stereoscopic 3D. New stages have a wide range of styles, all of which are a blast to play solo or in a Grand Prix–the new extended courses are a welcome alteration on the familiar racing formula, and bring with them a whole slew of challenges. The online system is possibly the best yet with quick access to random matches, friend matches, and communities which provide a convenient means of playing with specific rules. Mario Kart Fans couldn’t ask for more in a portable package.

That’s it for this year of Nintendo games. Here’s hoping that 2012 and the Wii U are even better!