Nintendo 3DS Game Impressions Round-Up

The Aussie Nintendo 3DS Tour turns some heads

by: AXIS of Reality

©2011 Alex Baldwin

As Nintendo begin their journey around Australia providing playable Nintendo 3DS units in key locations, I had the oppurtunity to go hands-on with some of the most significant first and third-party titles in both the launch line-up and months to come.

Many of these games are still in development and as such the final product could vary from my experience, but I have provided my own impressions from playing each game as a guide.

To try out the Nintendo 3DS and many of these games for yourself, see the list of Australian 3DS tour dates and locations at the end of the article.

#1 AR (Augmented reality) Games

To lead the charge in augmented reality on the 3DS, Nintendo have packaged a game with the 3DS known as ‘AR Games’ that use the 6 marked cards that come in the 3DS box.

By placing one on a table and pointing the 3DS cameras at it, in the screen you can witness the surface of your table bulging up in 3D before a dragon appears to burst out of it.

Moving the 3DS allows you to target weak points on it to the extent of even crouching down to shoot at it from the side or from the top-down.

It works great and is a real showcase of the 3DS’s unique features, if a little shallow.

Impression: Best for impressing friends, but short-lived.

#2 Asphalt 3D

While smartphone owners have enjoyed the Asphalt series for a few years now, the latest iteration on the 3DS appears to simply be a premium-priced 3D upgrade of the $5 iOS and Android game.

The car handling did not feel quite right, with no feeling of weight to the cars and unusual collision physics that simply saw my car bounce off barriers and other traffice on the road fly into the air when hit.

The 3D looked nice, but my time with the game made me long for a Need for Speed or Burnout 3DS game instead.

Impression: A servicable but forgettable racer.

#3 Face Raiders

Already included in the 3DS is the mini-game Face Raiders that uses augmented reality to allow you to shoot down the flying heads of your friends from the environment around you.

The game initiall prompts you to take a picture of the face you’d like to use, which is then pushed out into 3D and actually changes facial expression very convincingly. I can’t say I’ve ever had the experience of my own face flying towards me snarling before.

Once this is done, the view from the external cameras is displayed with flying faces and bombs circling around, requiring you to literally turn around with the 3DS to find targets and avoid shooting chucks out of your own surroundings.

Impression: Entertaining in short bursts.

#4 Kid Icarus: Uprising

Easily one of the most impressive upcoming games is this shooter from Nintendo, reviving an old character that most only know from the Smash Bros. series.

The portion I played involved flying around shooting down impressively detailed enemies while dodging their attacks.

Here the added depth to the image really paid off with opponents sharply detailed against the distant landscape and high production values.

Impression: This could be the first must-buy 3DS game.

#5 Nintendo + Cats

What can I say? The highest-selling pet simulator of all time is back and fluffier than ever. Literally.

The sickeningly adorable puppies now have convincing fur along with their new feline friends, as well as a few new tricks. Showing off some augmented reality novelties, I was able to see my puppy sitting in the palm of my hand by holding of the cards packaged with the 3DS and pointing the cameras at it.

While definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no denying that Nintendo know exactly what they’re doing and have managed to stuff a ton of content into the latest iteration of their “aaaaaaaw” simulator.

Impression: Perfect for Nintendogs fans, but won’t win many converts.

#6 Pilotwings: Resort

Again it appears flying games may offer some of the best use of 3D as swooping around Wahu Island (last seen in Wii Sports: Resort) is both beautiful and fun.

The missions appear to be fairly standard fair such as checkpoint races, but control using the ‘slide pad’ (analogue stick) was smooth although I couldn’t find any option in the menus for motion control which I would have thought to be a fairly obvious addition for this sort of game.

My only real reservations are for the size of the environment which seemed to be limited to the single island with the Nintendo reps unable to provide confirmation of any other areas.

Impression: Simple and enjoyable, but may not survive the long run.

#7 Resident Evil: Mercenaries

For fans of the Mercenaries mode in Resident Evil 5, Capcom have delivered an entire game around this survival concept.

The controls feel very similar to the modern console Resident Evil games and visually appear to be on par with or a notch above Resident Evil 4 on the Gamecube and PlayStation 2.

While definitely a lot of fun, I do have to wonder if this single mode of play can support an entire $70-80 game, especially with the full new story-based Resident Evil: Revelations also coming for the 3DS.

Impression: Console-quality gaming, but will there be enough of it?

#8 Steel Diver

The odd-one-out of the launch line-up, Nintendo’s side-scrolling submarine simulator may struggle to find an audience.

The 3D effects were minimal, and quite frankly I found it difficult to maintain interest in manual touch-screen control of speed and height sliders. This will definitely not be for everyone.

Impression: A bit of a chore to play.

#9 The legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D

Topping many most-wanted lists, this upgraded version of one of the highest-rated games of all time is looking mighty tasty. While I’m not particularly enamoured with Zelda games, I have to admit what I played impressed me.

The visuals looked great with very clearly defined 3D depth and easy control using the ‘slide pad’ (analogue stick). Motion control aiming of the slingshot was also fast and accurate.

Nintendo seem to be taking Zelda very seriously to make sure it’s worth shelling out the cash for a game you may have already completed, but I do hope an original new entry in the series will also be forthcoming.

Impression: A classic with more than just a new coat of paint.

“Nintendo Australian 3DS Tour Dates

Make sure you find time to head to one of the excellent display stands and give the units a hands-on, even let us know what you think of your experience with the new 3DS, as we’d love to hear from other gamers as to their thoughts.

Times and locations subject to change, so keep an eye on www.nintendo3ds.com.au for more details. [Ed; Seems they missed out poor old Tasmania - yet again, you know, that little Island at the foot of the Mainland]

New South Wales

18-20 Feb -  Parramatta Westfield
Fri 18th: 9am – 5.30pm
Sat 19th: 9am – 5pm
Sun 20th: 10am – 5pm

9-12 April – Sydney Family show
Sat 9th: 10am – 8pm
Sun 10th: 10am – 6pm
Mon 11th: 10am – 6pm
Tues 12th: 10am – 6pm

14-27th April – Royal Easter Show, Hall 2
Everyday: 9.30am – 9.30pm
Mon 25th (ANZAC Day): 11am – 9.30pm

11-12 May – Martin Place, Sydney
Wed 11th: 7am – 3pm
Thurs 12th: 7am – 3pm

Queensland

25-27 Feb – Chermside Westfield
Fri 25th: 9am – 5.30pm
Sat 26th: 9am – 5pm
Sun 27th: 10am – 5pm

4-6 March – Top Gear Live, Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Fri 4th: 6.30pm – 8pm
Sat 5th: 12.30pm – 8pm
Sun 6th: 9.30am – 5pm

6-7 May Queen Street Mall, Brisbane CBD
Fri 6th: 7am – 3pm
Sat 7th: 9.30am – 4.30pm

Victoria

4-6 March – Southland Westfield
Fri 4th: 9am – 5pm
Sat 5th: 9am – 5pm
Sun 6th: 10am – 5pm

11-14 March – Top Gear Live, Melbourne Showgrounds Motor Arena
Fri 11th: 2pm – 8pm
Sat 12th: 9am – 6pm
Sun 13th: 9am – 6pm
Mon 14th: 9am – 6pm

26-27 March – Fountain Gate Westfield
Sat 26th: 9am – 5pm
Sun 27h: 10am – 5pm

South Australia

18-20 March – Marion Westfield
Fri 18th: 9am – 5.30pm
Sat 19th: 9am – 5pm
Sun 20th: 11am – 5pm

1-2 April – Rundle Street Mall
Adelaide
Fri 1st: 7am – 3pm
Sat 2nd: 9am – 5pm

Western Australia

25-26 Feb – Carousel Westfield
Fri 25th: 9am – 9pm
Sat 26th: 9am – 5pm

13-14 May – Whitford City
Fri 13th: 9am – 5.30pm
Sat 14th: 9am – 5pm

Northern Territory

March 8th – Casuarina Shopping Centre
Tue 8th: 9am-5pm

©2011 Alex Baldwin

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Filed under: 3DS Reviews, Console gaming, Editorial, Events, Handhelds Tagged: | 3ds game reviews, AR Games, Asphalt 3D, Augmented reality, Face Raiders, games, Kid Icarus: Uprising, nintendo, Nintendo + Cats, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3ds australian tour dates, Nintendo 3DS reviews, pilotwings resort, Resident Evil: Mercenaries, Steel Diver, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Video game