Topic: 3DS Recommendations Thread

Will I be able to delete the save file from the previous owner, if I buy a used copy of Tomadachi Life (3DS)?

(I looked up NTSC north america version, and it's $100, $150. Oof!!! My niece wants the game, and now that eshop is dead, there's no way to buy it for regular retail price.)

@WoomyNNYes Yes, you can delete save files. I think the way to do so is in the town hall - I'm sure the digital manual will explain it in more detail. That's crazy it's so expensive in NA!

Thanks, @Dogorilla!

@WoomyNNYes @Dogorilla
Tomodachi Life USA is cheaper here in Indonesia, from 300K IDR to 800K IDR (US$20 - US$52).

I recommend Red Dragon for 3DS.

A fully functional Virtual Boy Emulator that plays the entire library in glorious stereoscopic glasses-free 3D!!!

Hello folks! It's Fizza here. As you may be aware based on my complete disappearance from the forums (for the most part anyways XD), I've been knee-deep in exam season for the past long while. As a result, I've been wondering what I might do once everything is said-and-done around summer time and I think I have something in mind: finally biting the bullet and picking up a used 3DS!

....yes I know the timing technically couldn't be any worse but shhhhhh XD

I've had a massive fondness for the 3DS myself. From the moment I first got one at Christmas 2014, I'd play every game I had on it for hundreds of hours each: Pokemon, Mario Kart, Smash Bros, etc.. Unfortunately, my original one finally gave up the ghost about 5 years back and I've been pining to get that kind of experience back ever since. However, with the added time I'll have from finishing up school (for now at least), now seems like the perfect time to pick one up (and hopefully on the cheap-ish :3).

So, I put forward to you lovely people in the forums: what are some good 3DS games to grab? Before beginning, I've got a few ones I definitely want to pick up no matter what:

• Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
• Kirby Planet Robobot
• Shin Megami Tensei IV
• Fire Emblem Awakening
• Metroid: Samus Returns

If you're curious as to whether I've already played the game you'd suggest, it'd most likely be in the Game Collection section of my profile if you want to verify. Thanks a lot in advance, apologies for the text bloat and I'll catch you guys in a bit!

@Fizza Is SMT IV available in physical in EU? I'm pretty sure it's one of those that I picked up before the eShop closed for that reason.

Based on your profile and the stuff I've heard you mention in the forums Virtues Last Reward might be worth a look. Also the other Mario & Luigi games and maybe the Professor Layton series

Brace yourself, @Fizza. XD Used 3DS's have been quite expensive since the pandemic, and prices have not come down. Its been ridiculous, I think. Disregard, if you know already.

@WoomyNNYes Oh trust me, I'm well aware of the price hike that's been happening for the past while (doubly so as I'm looking for a New 3DS XL specifically XD). It'll definitely be annoying but if these summer exams go well, I think I'll have built up enough goodwill with the family to make it a collaborative purchase

@Fizza A very good list so far. I second Fire Emblem Awakening. It's hard to go wrong with any of the 3DS FE titles, though there are reasons the Fates entries are so divisive. I do highly recommend Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia. It's a bit of an odd duck compared to most Fire Emblems, but in a good way. Great plot, some fun alternative mechanics (such as dungeon crawling and mini skirmishes), some neat characters, and an amazing use of the 3D effect! Some of the maps are eh, but keep in mind this is a full remake of the original Fire Emblem Gaiden.

Assuming your rated games list is accurate, I also recommend both Ocarina of Time 3D and Majora's Mask 3D. Same with Super Mario 3D Land. All these titles make excellent use of the 3D effect!

@Tyranexx Yeah I've had my eye on Echoes for a very long time too for a number of reasons (chief among them being its brilliant localisation and fantastic music) so I'll definitely add that one to the short list. OoT/MM 3D are also good shouts, though I'd want to play through the originals beforehand so that I can have a proper sense of comparison between the two versions, and 3D Land is definitely one I'm interested in as well, though admittedly not to the same degree as the other ones (which feels odd given how much I enjoyed 3D World but eh: it is what it is I guess XD).

@Fizza Both FE: Echoes and Awakening are tied for my favorite Fire Emblem titles (Disclaimer: I have yet to play both Switch entries (Own but haven't played yet) as well as both Tellius games (Very expensive secondhand), but have played all other releases).

Confession regarding OoT/MM: I've only played the 3DS entries. XD I would like to get to the originals eventually, but I'm not sure how easy those will be to get through after the QoL improvements in the 3DS pair. The studio who worked on both of these ports, Grezzo, also created the charming Ever Oasis, a decent game that I think has great franchise potential should it ever be revisited and polished a bit. There WAS a demo for this one that convinced me, but sadly this is no longer available post-eShop.

As for Super Mario 3D Land, if you've played 3D World on the Switch or Wii U...I'll admit the latter is a stronger game. But SM3DL is still well worth a playthrough, especially to see how the 3D effect is incorporated into the gameplay. I fully realize you may not care for the 3D or even buy a 3D-capable unit, but many Nintendo titles that use the effect use it well IMO. I'm probably in the minority who actually loves the effect...though admittedly not at full blast lol.

If you're into platformers and don't have another way to play this, I'd also like to give a shout-out to Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D.

There are several JRPGs I can recommend too, though I don't know if they're your cup of tea. Some like Dragon Quest VII/VIII are pretty expensive now even secondhand too.

@Tyranexx Just found this forum, been playing a bunch of 3DS games lately. Finally got around to trying my first DKC game, Tropical Freeze and thought it was good. I've been wating to pick up DKC returns but have been tossed up between the 3 versions. I love the 3D gimmick and I know they have a few more levels than the original and no motion controls. But I hear the Wii one was better, at least graphically right? And then switch has one coming out soon. Any thoughts on which you'd recommend? Do I wait?

@obijuankanoobie I admittedly haven't played Donkey Kong Country Returns on the Wii; the 3DS was my first go with the game. While the Wii visuals are likely better due to the various resolution hacks out there for SD games, that IMO is the only benefit compared to the 3DS version. As you noted, the newer versions both have additional levels. The 3DS version uses the beautiful stereoscopic 3D and is a great way to play the game, though it ultimately isn't necessary. The main perks with the Switch version (as of this writing) are the HD makeover and hybrid play.

So...I'd definitely say the Switch version for those who love better visuals and are not fans of the 3D effect. Since you don't seem bothered by the 3DS family's 3D and resolution, I suppose it's down to whether you prefer docked or remote play, and past that, image resolution and screen size.

what are some lesser known first party titles for the 3ds that are worth playing?

Miitopia
Tomodachi Life
Paper Mario Sticker Star

@Anti-Matter thanks for the recommendations. i already own miitopia, plan to get tomadachi life, and am so so on sticker star. however thank you for trying to help

Rusty's Real Deal Baseball, Dillon's Rolling Western... no wait, you can't get those anymore😭, and Dillon's had some good gameplay, but a frustrating progress system.

In all seriousness, Metroid Samus Return is a great metroidvania, Mario & Luigi Dream Team is a incredible game if you haven't played it. The 3ds Laytons are good, but those are 3rd party games, and Azran Legacy is... expensive.

I've heard good things about Miitopia, my friend love Tomadachi Life, and Sticker Star is...certainly a game. It's not my favorite by far, but I don't, like, hate hate it weirdly enough.

@snichelsticks Code Name STEAM comes to mind, but I haven't actually played it yet even though I own it. It got pretty good reviews though and seems like a good Fire Emblem alternative from the same developers. Sushi Striker is also worth a look if you like action puzzle games; it's on Switch too but it just feels more like a 3DS game, if you know what I mean. And this might be a controversial one but I think Chibi-Robo Zip Lash is slightly better than its reputation suggests and worth the rock-bottom prices you can get it for now.