It's not uncommon that, with new hardware around the corner, console manufacturers keep some content trickling onto the soon-to-be last-gen hardware. Often they rely upon third-party multi-platform titles, as we saw with PS3 and Xbox 360 after the arrival of their successors, though in Nintendo's case it has to do a lot of the work itself. Though reports mean we believe we have a firm idea of what NX is, we still await its unveiling; regardless of its form, Nintendo is keen to make it clear that the 3DS is far from finished, pitching its 2017 line-up in the recent Direct broadcasts. Talk is of the company wanting the portable to stay relevant as far as 2018, but let's just take it one year at a time.
The fate for Wii U is altogether more grim. Already supported relatively little in 2016 - beyond a handful of quality releases - it's still looking largely off the radar for 2017. The only title due next year on the home console that's truly quickening the pulse is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and that is coming to the NX as well. It's reminiscent of the dual release of Twilight Princess; many gamers grabbed it for Wii at its launch while it went almost forgotten on the struggling GameCube; sadly the Wii U's hardware sales are flattering for the GameCube.
In any case, Nintendo set its stall out early in the most recent Direct - especially in the North American version - in emphasizing right from the off that 2017 releases would be discussed. It was a logical move, too - aside from an Animal Crossing mini-Direct on the way in early November, it's possible this was a near-final hurrah (in the short term, at least) for 3DS in terms of these major broadcasts. NX looms for a March release, and Nintendo should - based on rumours and simple logic - be revealing the system within the next 4-8 weeks, to give it time to build anticipation and get its messaging established for the next generation. Throw in the need to promote its upcoming efforts on Mobile, and there may be little room - outside of an additional Pokémon Direct, perhaps - to promote the 3DS heavily through these online streams.
Overall, then, Nintendo put plenty into the 1st September presentations. It worked, too - there was a decent amount of positivity in the live chat here on Nintendo Life, and a majority had favourable views on the streams in our recent polls. There was a blend of immediate goodies with titles and DLC released on the day, a few recaps of old details, and quite a few surprises.
The key reveals, outside of the obvious example that we'll come to soon, were Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS and Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World, which are tweaked ports of two terrific Wii U titles. There are oddities in both - Super Mario Maker will lack online level uploads on 3DS, though it will be possible to do scaled-back searches of levels created on the Wii U original. Local sharing is the focus, while there'll be plenty of levels to play off the cartridge along with 'tutorials' while creating stages; with those features in mind, this will surely lack much appeal for many with the original. Yet the point is that plenty of 3DS owners don't have a Wii U, so they may be rather tempted.
We'd suggest that audience of non-Wii U owners that own a portable are the key demographic for the tweaked Yoshi's Woolly World, too. Poochy's role is expanded to offer more help in-game, and there'll be a gorgeous amiibo for the character. For those with a Wii U, though, it's a tough sell - the game is a stunner on the home console, and the limitations of the 3DS hardware mean it won't have the same wow factor. Again, though, we suspect eager Wii U owners are far from being the target audience.
The standout reveal left for the end was Pikmin for Nintendo 3DS, a title yet to be given a final name. Is this the next 'main' entry in the series, or is Pikmin 4 something else entirely? It's not clear yet, with Nintendo being deliberately vague, and it's an interesting spin on the series. It's a 2D action title - you still use your Pikmin to solve puzzles and attack enemies, but it will clearly be far more linear and fast-paced than the three previous home console entries. Pikmin 3 isn't actually among the biggest-selling Wii U games - not the top 10, in any case - and its first two entries were (Wii remakes aside) on the GameCube. This 3DS game may be an attempt to make a moderately popular and charming series a bigger hit, exposing it to a larger audience. An audience that, by the time this rolls around in 2017, may be keen for a new 3DS title to play.
So, what is the role of 3DS in 2017? It'll be an important supporting cast member for the NX, as Nintendo aims to keep a sizeable 3DS userbase interested and engaged into next year. The upcoming updates and amiibo support for Animal Crossing: New Leaf also show that Nintendo is looking at options to make evergreen titles new again. Even with the assumption that NX is a long-term replacement for the 3DS (in some form), Nintendo will know full well that not all gamers jump to new hardware right away, and the current-gen portable has been enough of a success that it's worth supporting even beyond its prime.
The Wii U, unfortunately, seems to be pretty much finished, outside of a few releases like Paper Mario: Color Splash and Breath of the Wild. Barring a surprising and unlikely U-turn Nintendo isn't going to put too much effort into keeping it going, beyond supporting and promoting some Nindie download efforts - which is still welcome, to be fair. Nintendo's own estimate that it'll ship just 800,000 Wii U units this financial year, despite its modest userbase of just over 13 million, is damning.
Strategically, the approach to 3DS is interesting, however. In bringing across a couple of top-notch Wii U games - even with noticeable downscales to get them working on the ageing portable - Nintendo is filling out the 3DS library to certainly strengthen its library and legacy. Many reading this likely own Super Mario Maker and Yoshi's Woolly World on Wii U already, but for the many that don't they're intriguing and exciting releases for the portable. Throw in Ever Oasis and the inevitable upcoming announcements - we hope for localisations of third-party titles such as Monster Hunter Stories and Lady Layton - and 2017 could be a very solid year indeed. In fact, for fans of the portable that ignored the Wii U in this generation, it could almost feel like business as usual.
The absence of a 3DS price drop, so far, may mean that Nintendo is happy with relatively modest hardware sales (though it had excellent July sales in the US, for example) but continuing momentum in software, which Pokémon Sun and Moon will help with late this year and even into 2017. Should Nintendo and its slate of releases for the portable succeed in holding reasonable momentum it'll be a solid achievement, especially considering the creaking capabilities of the system. In this age of HD gaming, 4K TVs and modern smartphones, at times the 3DS can look extremely modest on a technical level. Yet it doesn't necessarily matter; it has a sizeable userbase, and the games can still be a joy to play.
3DS will very likely play second fiddle to NX in 2017, of course, but it's not finished yet.
Comments (132)
Well written. The 3DS still has some time left, so it's nice to see Nintendo not stop supporting it as soon as the NX comes out (again, assuming it is a hybrid). 2017 looks like it may well be a nice farewell year for the console (I expect the last big first party games for the system to be towards the end of 2017, with third-parties following suit around 6 months later).
Honestly, I hope the 3DS is at least available on the market for a few more years (I mean, I still find DS Lite models at my local game shops, so I guess I shouldn't be too worried). There are a lot, and I mean a LOT of games I want to keep playing for years to come, and I dunno if we can expect any back-compatibility down the line.
Sick of hearing about the 3DS at this point, the lineup's been mediocre for the last 3 years. I have no problem letting it die out. NX or bust.
@Bolt_Strike lol k
Can't wait for Ever Oasis date release.
My 3DS game list already more than 24 titles (That means i need another 3DS card case to hold all my 3DS cartridges).
I think year 2016 is better year for Nintendo.
Year 2016 = Year of Fire Monkey. Need more creativity and strong approaches.
Year 2017 = Year of Fire Rooster. Well, a little bit though year. Need more extra efforts and good timings. Nintendo should be more aggresive against Sony and Microsoft. I can predict 2017 will be year of Nintendo.
Well, i'm not good predicting (i'm not even a fortune teller).
@JubilifeRival There's really not much to like about the 3DS' 2014-2016 lineup if you don't like JRPGs, JRPGs are to the 3DS what FPS games are to Microsoft and Sony. Other than that it's mainly mediocre spinoffs and now Wii U ports, there's been a real lack of big, original games on the system since. The 3DS' biggest hits are well behind it, it blew through most of the big IPs in 2-3 years.
Nintendo should - based on rumours and simple logic - be revealing the system within the next 4-8 weeks
You don't think they'll unveil it this month?
@Bolt_Strike Have to agree about the 3DS. A successor is long overdue.
I love the 3DS and will continue to play it as long as I'm able. There are so many great games I haven't bought yet that it's hard to keep up with all of them. Too bad I missed out on all the DS games. It's hard to find them now. My local shop use to have so many but apparently someone went in and bought them up.
I don't like it. Too many ports.
honestly the 3DS still looks great if you take in account it's low resolution. I personally am a gameplay over graphics kind of person and we've been saying the 3DS has bad graphics for years now and it's still generating incredible experiences, I'm so happy with it I can happily say it's my favorite console EVER so far.
I am all for a system lasting as long as possible. The notion of "it's old now, give us the new thing!" boggles my mind. I paid for the system, I want it go for as many years as is reasonable.
My impressions about 3DS line up from 2013 until 2016 :
2013 : Interesting, very well done.
2014 : Even better than 2013. . But some minor titles are MEH for me
2015 : Completely MEH.
2016 : Shockingly great job
The role of the 3DS is to keep developers making games for it so that when it turns out NX is simply a sort of 3DS tv out box, 3DS Player if you will, then people will buy NX for those games until the newer NX games start to release.
That came out wrong. I'm not saying NX will only play 3DS games, its not just a tv out player, but by playing 3DS games on the tv it will give people a reason to buy 1. And 3DS gives devs a reason to keep maki g games playable on the NX. NX is a 4DS with tv out I suppose.
Imagine if NX is larger 3DS + Wii U...
Can working both as 3DS when portable and as Wii U when being console. Just still my prediction...
@Bolt_Strike Except the JRPGs that do come out on the 3DS (the good ones) are all deep and extensive 30+ hour experiences that are really enjoyable (opinion), unlike most 10 hour story FPS games that have a bunch of whiny kids online and are rehashed like crazy. They may come out as often as FPS games on S & M platforms, but the quality for most all of them is always really up there.
But yeah, besides JRPGs... there hasn't been much to look forward to besides maybe some Kirby, Smash, AC, and ZTD (which is awesome btw).
"The fate for Wii U is altogether more grim"
More like the fate of the Wii U has been decided - its life support was turned off two days ago and it's dead .
It's clear that the 3DS will be Nintendo's main source of income now after this Direct. What's also clear is that they don't want any more people buying a Wii U. @rjejr , you brought up a good point yesterday (Or was it the day before? Can't remember). They probably have around 800,000 units left and don't want to increase its popularity because they've probably ceased their production to make way for the NX. It's sad to see it go though.
I'm not sure that Nintendo thinks the NX is that important because of the 3DS' popularity. And Super Mario Maker 3DS is useless because it has less features than the Wii U version. If it had more course elements or something, we would want to buy it!
P.S. SOMEONE forgot about Yooka-Laylee!
Plenty of ports and spinoff titles. But there's nothing really exciting about much of what was revealed during the Direct. Quality control has slipped to sub-Nintendo levels. and with Wii U they have absolutely nothing.
I can only hope that this will return when the NX finally gets here
When mentioning what's left to come for Wii U, how can you possibly leave out Yooka Laylee in Q1 2017. I know it's third party and multiplatform, but it's a big, much anticipated title is it not?
Still no real reason for me to buy a new 3ds then... Pity they didn't use the extra power for the Wii U ports, or a 3d pikmin. I'll buy one just as soon as there's a game I want that I can't play on the original. Still waiting for it.
@Folkloner I'm more excited for Yooka Laylee than almost the entire 3DS lineup combined.
If I had a new system coming out, but also a pretty successful current system, I might want to give something to the owners of the pretty successful current system, but also save some oomph for the new system. Gotta have some reason to upgrade in terms of software capabilities as well as raw power and better graphics. If the hybrid portable rumour is accurate, preparing the ground by releasing home console ports to the current portable might be a way to get people used to the idea. As always, just my speculation.
I love my 3ds (barring some rather annoying features like a lack of an account system, hardware locked software purchases, and region locking) but with that said I can definitely see 2017 being a send off year. I don't think that the 3ds has the staying power of the ds, so I feel 7 straight years of support is unlikely. 1st party support will probably end next year with 3rd parties trickling out niche rpgs and other titles into 2018. If 2017 is the last year if the 3ds then I wouldn't mind all that much. I still have a massive backlog of 3ds titles to get to and more than 37 3ds titles that I still want to buy.
Interesting article. Wasn't there previously a hint at more Mario kart 8 DLC. I think there could still be one last direct for Wii U to give it a good send off.
The 3DS is an amazing plateform. Games are legions and playing on it is a joy.
I REALLY hope, we see a worthy successor sonner rather than latter.
My perfect NX is a modern 3DS with TV out some nice features for local play and streaming.
ever oasis is the last of those anime games for the 3ds
Yup. As I posted on an earlier article, the 3DS is looking to have a fairly solid 2017 lineup despite the NX.
I have plenty of already released games that I haven't gotten to yet, so there's plenty for me to play!
Port over Ace Attorney Investigations 2 and The Great Ace Attorney.... Pretty please?
@gb_nes_gamer A tweet pre-E3. I have doubts it's happening at all or if it is then it'll be joint Wii U and NX.
One thing that is clear is that the portable part of the NX probably won't be released until next Christmas based on that Direct.
@Phil_Kavadias Given that most of these kinds of Directs were presented by the local hosts (apart from bigger segments), it didn't feel too weird. E3, on the other hand...
I know the reason the Wii U is getting little to no support is because of its low sales, but I am really not much of a handheld gamer nowadays and almost exclusively play Nintendo games on my Wii U so this direct despite being in all honesty quite good, it didn't really excite me because I am looking forward to the next best thing and that is a handheld that can also be utilised as a console. Not really interested in pure handheld systems anymore. If the rumors are true about the NX then I am pretty much sold.
The way I see it, Nintendo seems hell bent on taking away reasons to own a Wii U. Nearly every noteworthy first party game on the Wii U already has an equivalent on the 3DS be it a port or created from scratch. If you're a casual Nintendo fan, or a gamer who wants to get into Nintendo games, the 3DS is a much better system than the Wii U.
I'm sure the 3DS will still be going strong into 2018 still a lot of big name games to head westward, that likely won't happen in 2017
This direct made me sad because it was the final nail in the coffin of the Wii U. Outside of the last round of Nindie eShop titles there is very little left for the console. It is sad to see something with so much potential go out with such a whimper.
It will be interesting to see what the final trickle of Virtual Console games will bring, but there is little past Zelda that I am expecting 'til the NX gets here.
Only reason Mario Maker and Yoshi's Wooly World don't excite me is because I already own them on Wii U- the definitive versions which I think we can all agree on.
Pikmin though, that's a super original title that gives me flashbacks of the Kid Icarus/Luigi's Mansion days when 3DS was getting truly original 1st party games. I hope we get a 3D entry on NX, but I'll definitely be buying this when it drops.
@Lewieboy124 I made that 800k comment a few times over the past few days, and several more before that. Ever since they said 800k for 12 months was their prediction I assumed that was all they had left. When they then said they sold 220,000 in only April, May and June, I realized they could easily sell more than 800k, just have a price cut for the holidays and promote the new Select games for Christmas and Zelda (maybe) coming out in March.
So maybe they arne't done making them yet, I haven't heard anything about production stopping, but maybe they have 300,000 in stock and have a contract to make 100,000 each month for the next 3 months, which they don't want to increase as they'll want that manufacturing capacity for the NES Mini and NX.
Sorry so long, I haven't been able to find a short way of saying "a combined 800,00 worth of stock plus whatever is left to be made in their manufacturing contract". But I just can't imagine they are making too many more, even if they are still making some.
If nothing else it makes me happy that I upgraded to a New XL. There are some really good games coming out this year and next that I feel more than satisfied that I took the plunge.
@Grumblevolcano yeah that would be a good idea. Final Wii U reveal followed by details of the NX. Maybe there isn't quite enough content for just a Wii U only direct.
We'll see what gets announced in the coming months.
Since Nintendo plan to support the 3DS even late in the life cycle, 3rd parties could do the same and take advantage of that established user base. What game I'd want in particular, I'll keep that a secret untold.... three.... wink wink, nudge nudge...
@Bolt_Strike "Sick of hearing about the 3DS at this point. The lineup's been mediocre for the last 3 years. I have no problem letting it die out. NX or bust."
I'm not planning on purchasing an NX, so I'm glad that the 3DS will still be supported for awhile. It's my favorite system to date, with such an excellent library (especially when coupled with the DS library). I'll be playing mine for a long time!
The 3ds lineup is awesome if your into RPG and JRPG games. it does have a solid output beyond that, and I can say that its been extremely wonderful to play. I just hope keeps supporting all the way to 2020.
May the 3DS continue! Heck, I still have many games I must buy!
@Bolt_Strike The whole current gen is filled with mediocre games, and the 3DS library is the least mediocre of them all. That's my opinion, but you could take it as a fact because, well, it's true. Look at the Vita lineup and then comment again.
You can't search for WiiU levels on the 3DS. You can play the 100 Mario Challange and Recommended Courses.
Tough times for nintendo. It seems they are putting all their efforts into the nx concept watered down wii u ports are not the key to succes but an effort to keep the 3ds alive and interesting.
The nx is, Imho, nintendos last chance to stay in the console market. If that one fails they are bound to become a third party.
You forgot to mention the Dragon Quest VII remake and Shin Megami Tensei Apocalypse. Those are going to be the underdog highlights of this year for the 3DS.
@Andrzej777 I agree with NX being the last chance for Nintendo in terms of staying in the console market. It had better be good!
@rjejr That is very plausible. They probably considered at one point pushing the Wii U for Christmas but realised the NES Mini would be easy to market and make a profit from in comparison. Same with the 3DS. It's a much easier system to sell than the Wii U, that's for sure. I never thought about manufacturing contracts, but now that I think about it that way it makes sense if they have a contract like you described (100,000 each month for the next 3 months).
And hey, no worries. I enjoy reading your comments no matter how long they are.
I was really hoping to see some Virtual Boy ports or remakes come to the 3DS. I thought we were going to hear some info this in the 3DS Nintendo Direct especially seeing how Nintendo acknowledged the Virtual Boy on its Twitter feed not so long ago
Im thinking a 2ds with the GBC Zelda games and pikmin next year will be perfect for me.
I'm calling it now- NX will use the same style cartridges as the 3DS, and NX will be backwards compatible with 3DS games.
Makes sense because it provides a large library of A+ games right off the bat at launch.
I think it explains the porting of certain Wii U games to 3DS, as a temporary software plug until NX bulks up its own library.
@Lucina C/Ping this because you obviously didn't read it.
"There's really not much to like about the 3DS' 2014-2016 lineup if you don't like JRPGs, JRPGs are to the 3DS what FPS games are to Microsoft and Sony. Other than that it's mainly mediocre spinoffs and now Wii U ports, there's been a real lack of big, original games on the system since. The 3DS' biggest hits are well behind it, it blew through most of the big IPs in 2-3 years."
@SWATlozar Oh definitely, this entire generation has been one big cesspool of mediocrity. But 3DS isn't excused for being the least bad.
That Pikmin games looks really cool. Why is there another fun looking multiplayer game (the Mario sports game) only for 3DS though? I'm almost 30, and almost no one I know owns a 3DS, besides myself. If it was Wii U, I can still invite them over to play a console game anytime easily.
The 2017 role of the Wii U.
@Bolt_Strike And my response to that is.....
Its probably useful for Ninty to practice putting console games on the handheld given the potential hybrid nature of the NX.
@wazlon Last chance eh? Gather you haven't seen how much money Nintendo has in the bank. They can have Wii U levels of failure over and over again. They are one of the richest companies in the world!
3ds is rather long in the tooth now but I am looking forward to the pikmin game, ever oasis as well as the sports game. I'll be double dipping on the DQ games to show support.
Really wanted to like the 3ds but I couldn't get over the horrible quality of the screen. Picked one up to test before I bought one for my birthday and just put my money to some new Wii U games instead. Really disappointed.
So 5-6 years later people are expecting the 3DS to have some big major original releases. You guys are crazy!
The 3DS software lineup is to keep the machine steady and ticking over till and through first year of NX handheld.
Nintendo are doing a good job with the 3DS. It makes money and still can attract new owners.
Wii U was dead long time ago.
@Andrzej777 but the NX is a handheld which supports TV out. All this talk of last chance in the console market is stupid. Nintendo wont be releasing a home console for a couple of years at least.
I'm still waiting for more vc titles and Golden Sun 4.
Slow news day huh.
@Lucina Prove me wrong then. Because out of the last three years I've only seen a handful of titles that don't fit that description (Smash, Kirby Planet Robobot, IIRC Triple Deluxe was 2014). Whereas in 2011-2013 we got games like Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, there was a lot more variety and bigger titles then. We haven't seen games like that on the 3DS since.
Interesting that nobody really mentions the 3D itself when talking about the 3DS in comment sections here. Personally, I'll really miss the feature if they drop it after 3DS but I seem to be the minority.
@MemoDuh what do you mean by anime games?
@Bolt_Strike inazuma 11, code name steam, puzzle and dragon, story of seasons, hatzuni miku and majoras mask all came out in 2015. I didn't list any rpg's.
If by ticking you mean limping, sure, but at this rate it's going to be dragging itself across the finish line with all bones broken. Not a glorious way to finish.
@Bolt_Strike And I shall easily prove you wrong.
2014: Super Smash Bros 3DS, Kirby's Triple Deluxe, Yoshi's New Island, Mario Golf World Tour, Theatrerhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call, Fantasy Life, Tomodachi Life, Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy.
2015: Majora's Mask 3D, Hatsune Miku Project Diva DX, Triforce Heroes, Puzzle and Dragons Super Mario Bros Editions, Codename S.T.E.A.M, Pokemon Super Myster Dungeon.
2016: Rhythm Heaven Megamix, Zero Time Dilemma, Phoenix Wright: Spirit of Justice, Mega Man Legacy Collection, Hyrule Warriors Legends, Kirby Planet Robobot.
Keep in mind, I exempted any RPG or JRPG to show you that there is still a great amount diversity and quality on the 3DS that isn't an RPG or JRPG. And if I had added the list of RPG's and JRPG's to the list, it would have created an even bigger library of high quality games for all three years.
So, as you can clearly see, the lineup for the 3DS for the past three years has been anything but mediocre. And once more, I excluded RPG's and JRPG's just to prove yet another point.
I rest my case.
@Bolt_Strike Mario golf world tour, professor Layton and the azran legacy, professor Layton vs Phoenix wright, ace attorney trilogy, and theater rhythm curtain call came out 2014. No rpg's or anything you listed above
@Bolt_Strike zero escape, heaven mega mix, mega man legacy, story of seasons fairy tale, Kirby planet robot, and Hyrule Warriors legends have come out in 2016. Once again no rpg's listed. I also never listed high profile indies like shovel knight or critically panned games like federation force.
@Lucina awwww you skipped the Layton games and the story of seasons games. 😿
@kobashi100 or it's a home console you can use as a portable. Like a hybrid. Why does it have to be one or the other with you guys. While we are at it when did rumors become fact?
@HappyMaskedGuy well yea but it wouldnt really be a viable business decision
@Lucina A lot of those games are mediocre. The big IPs are pretty much absent from that list and we didn't have any games like the ones I listed.
@faint My apologizes. I did say Azran Legacy and the crossover game with Phoenix Wright. I thought the previous Layton game out before 2014, so I didn't include it. As for Stories of Season, I've never played or heard much about said games, so I honestly couldn't say whether they're good or not. I suspect they're, but I've never personally played them.
@Bolt_Strike By YOUR standards, but not by mine, and certainly but many other 3DS owners. There's plenty of big IP's there already, you're just cherry picking what you consider to be big IP's. And once again, there were many RPG's and JRPG's that were big IP's that I never mentioned, just to show that there clearly is diversity still. Many of the games I've listed are FAR from mediocre and are very fun games to play.
But my apologizes. Clearly, your standards are equivilant of a rich snob, and all these "lesser" games didn't warrent your attention because their predigree wasn't up to snuff to your lofty standards.
Up to this point, even with the rumor of Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 3 being true, I can honestly say that the Wii U had a good run, in my opinion. Sure, it's not my favorite Nintendo system, but it definitely had more titles that I was excited for than barely anything that the PS4 and XB1 had, and unless if I was some sick anime/manga/JRPG fanboy, I am more than happy to stick with my (New) 3DS without putting a single penny on any Vita games let alone the system...but anyways, back to the Wii U; I can say right now that the Wii U is pretty much out the door, but I ain't giving it up just yet since I still gotta get me Paper Mario: Color Splash, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, and the Hyrule Warriors DLC packs (and if true, Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 3). I'm getting Breath of the Wild on the NX.
Bottom Line: I can accept the Wii U's farewell, but I still enjoyed it to the brim regardless and I have a few more stuff to get for it
@Anti-Matter Wow...I definitely agree with your sights on each of those years, except that I thought all titles that I played (about...11 games?) in 2014 were all awesome while 2015 left me a very bad taste in my mouth, with Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX and The Legend of Dark Witch 2 being my two saving graces that year (as well as the release of Standard New 3DS, despite being bundled with HHD). 2016 definitely seems to be recovering from what happened last year.
@Phil_Kavadias Eh, I still think Iwata is in the Directs...just in spirit.
@Bolt_Strike The only one of those games that can be considered "mediocre" is Yoshi's New Island.
Just because it isn't an A-tier Nintendo franchise does not mean it's mediocre.
@Lucina the story of seasons games are made by the original harvest moon developers. They are very good.
@faint Oh really? I had no idea. Perhaps I should give them shot. Thanks for letting me know and for backing me up with the amount of good games the 3DS has gotten since 2014, excluding RPG's.
@Bolt_Strike what do you consider mediocre? Do you have a medicritic score in mind? If so I can compare it to the vita 😜
I don't think the NX will be backwards compatible with the 3DS. This seems like the efforts to keep the 3DS alive and satisfy customers before the curtain falls on the "DS and Wii" era. I mean, if you COULD play 3DS games on the NX I dont see why Nintendo would even bother marketing another style of New 3DS system if they want people to buy their new shiny thing in 6 months.
Granted, backwards compatibility is a neat selling point, but if anything I'd rather have a high resolution port of a game like Kid Icarus Uprising to play on the system rather than the horribly dated look of most 3DS titles
@Frosty_09 What 3DS games do you currently own, if any?
I love my 3DS it's my favourite handheld of all time and I've still got my original blue launch one. I'm glad Nintendo will be supporting it onto 2017 because I won't be getting the NX (whatever it is) right away. I need money for a trip to Italy!
@Frosty_09 My top recommendations would be: A Link Between Worlds, Fire Emblem: Awakening or Fates, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Super Mario 3D Land, Pokemon X/Y, Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright, Majoras Mask 3D, OOT 3D and Bravely Default. That's just a few off the top of my head that you might wanna check out if you haven't played them yet.
@Frosty_09 I would recommend Bravely Second, Shin Megami Tensei IV, Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, Kirby's Triple Deluxe and Kirby Planet Robobot, Smash Bros, Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon, Mario and Luigi Dream Team and Paper Jam, Super Mario 3D Land, Hyrule Warriors Legends, Animal Crossing New Leaf, Codename S.T.E.A.M, Monster Hunter Generations, and Rhythm Heaven MegaMix.
@At_Lazuli No I suppose it wouldn't. Quality of Life products it is then! XD
@Bolt_Strike
I have some 'Mediocre' 3DS games during 2013 until 2016, and it doesn't mean Mediocre are not good games. Sure, JRPG selling more on 3DS but it doesn't means the best genre that players have to play. Even Tomodachi Life is one of Quirky game that can make me speechless and ROFL for some events. Also, Style Savvy Fashion Forward, after 1 week i played my impression about Girlie game like that is quite impressive. And they are not JRPG.
@Frosty_09
These are my 3DS game collections so far. Hopefully at least one of them is appeal to you :
1. LEGO CITY UNDERCOVER The Chase Begins.
2. The Sims 3 Pets.
3. Super Mario 3D Land.
4. Cooking Mama 4.
5. Nintendogs + Cats : Toy Poodle and New Friends.
6. Kingdom Hearts 3D : Dream Drop Distance
7. Mario Kart 7
8. Paper Mario Sticker Star
9. Harvest Moon 3D : A New Beginning
10. Mario Party Island Tour
11. Animal Crossing New Leaf (My BEST 3DS game so far)
12. New Super Mario Bros. 2
13. Disney Magical World
14. Mario Golf World Tour
15. Tomodachi Life
16. Cooking Mama 5: Bon Appetit !
17. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon : Gates to Infinity
18. Fantasy Life (Really good RPG game from LEVEL-5)
19. Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer
20. Mario Tennis Open Tour
21. Style Savvy Fashion Forward (My first 100% Girlie games)
22. Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon
Well, that's my game list so far. If you interested with Pokemon games, i recommend Pokemon Alpha Sapphire or Omega Ruby, Pokemon Sun or Moon for next installment. Happy hunting for 3DS games that you like.
Port Blues
Don't care about 3DS (don't like handhelds) or Wii U (dead since its birth). Just announce de NX already and then I might be interested in you again, Nintendo...
The 3DS is awesome. I think it is time for a list down 3DS memory lane.
Pokemon Black and White 2 was first even though it was a DS game.
I got Execitebike for free
Kidicarus 3d
LOZ Ocarina of Time
Ambassador Program games
Gameboy VCs
Mario Kart 7
Legend of Zelda 4 swords for free
KidIcarus Uprising
Gameboy Color VCs
Mario and Luigi Dream Team
Etrian Odyssey 4
Shin Megami 4
Pokemon x
Pokemon Bank
Link Between Worlds
Etrain Odyssey Millennium Girl
Bravery Default
Sega Classics
Donkey Country Returns for free
NES VCs that were overpriced because you already own them
Grinsia don't get it
Shin Megami Soul Hacker
Super Smash Bros
Fantasy Life =Great game
Persona Q
Fire Emblem Awakening = So good
Etiran Mystery Dungeon
Puzzle and Dragon =Not bad
All the Shantaes
Legend of the Legacy
Stella Glow
Fire Emblem Conquest
Majoras Mask
7th Dragon
Bravery Second
Pokemon Omega Saphire
SNES VCs overpriced because you own them all ready
Xenoblade Chronicles = The best game ever
Final Fantasy Explorers = don't get it
This is all the memorable games I have played on this great System so far that I can remember. I still have the Sun of a Pokemon, Dragon Quests, and Pikmin 2D. This is one amazing systems. I just can't wait for the NX , but in the meantime I have this Portable pleasure.
The 3ds has done its dash. What would be good though is if the NX was backwards-compatible with 3ds cartridges. I'm not buying a 3ds now for the few good games I'm interested in.
I love my 3ds and games, but this Direct felt a little underwhelming. At least 3rd party devs never gave up on the 3ds.
Oh well, Style Savvy is more then enough to keep me happy for the rest of the year.
Nintendo's message from this Direct is clear: "The Wii U is dead, so we are going to focus on 3DS until the NX comes out."
@Bolt_Strike I think JRPG's have the best stories most the time... IMO
And kirby planet robot is crap. Tripple delux was good but planet robot was waaay too easy, like they made it for little kids.(like 5 year olds)
@SWATlozar the vita gets some good games here and there
@Manjushri the 4th dimension is time....lol
@Code-X
Not yet. Wii U is not dead right now, but almost ended up.
We still got some last Wii U games during October 2016 until March 2017. Well, it will be a sad farewell for Wii U that will celebrate its 4th birthday on November 2016.
Nintendo should have written off all those game pads, bundled a Wii Remote Plus and a copy of Wii Sports Club and sold it as a rebranded Wii HD. People would have upgraded.
@RadioHedgeFund
Better like this. Before Wii U ended up, release very rare color Baby Blue 32 GB with no game inside , bonus Blue Wiimote Plus but with half price as Normal bundle ( US$200). It will be a farewell bundle before Wii U discontinued.
I'm getting Picross 3D 2 and a new Pokémon so I'm happy. Anything else is an added bonus
Yeah, the upcoming lineup for 3DS is actually pretty good, and overall it's turned into a really compelling system. It's probably due for another price drop soon though, I'd suggest.
And, as I've said before, if Nintendo could really sort out that Virtual Console and get Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, DS, NES, SNES, and even Virtual Boy titles, as well as some non-Nintendo systems like Master System, Game Gear, Genesis, PC-Engine, etc., on there, basically as many retro titles from as many retro consoles as possible (and certainly all of Nintendo's handheld and home consoles until the SNES/DS at least), the 3DS really could turn into one of the most all-round satisfying Nintendo consoles ever.
Personally I think it signals backwards compatibility with 3DS for NX. I certainly can be wrong, but if NX is what it seems the people that would buy these games would have typically moved on to the new system. You notice none of these really push 3D or the second screen as a feature.
With Super Mario Maker thrown in the mix, the 3DS, what with its combined DS and 3DS libraries, kind of already has achieved the distinction of being the most complete handheld Nintendo has ever created. Sure, the GBA Virtual Console might not become actually portable within this generation, but that is finally looking like less of an issue, also thanks to the portable debuts of Pikmin (Smash Bros for 3DS notwithstanding) and Yoshi's Woolly World.

Make no mistake, though - the GBA Virtual Console pic will still pop up in my comment for the next "What are your predictions for the November/December/January/February Nintendo Direct?" article, but I'm really glad that Super Mario Maker will be in my 3DS's screens (unless a Direct hits by November naturally) instead of that sad mock-up boxart.
In fact, let's just see the two together one last time.
@River3636 I find it interesting that your list of "3DS" games starts with a DS game and ends with a "New 3DS" game. Certainly shows the gamut of games.
Just think, if NX were to play DS and 3DS cartridges on the TV you could play them all again and have one seriously long NX games list.
Not saying NX will play those games, just a thought that popped into my head after the ND. If NX can play 3DS games on a TV screen that's incentive to buy NX at launch rather than wait a year or 2 for its game line-up yo fill in. The Wii U would have sold better with a 3DS Player.
Nintendo never bothered to properly support the Wii U, and I have zero faith in them supporting the NX if it struggles at all.
Sorry @Bolt_Strike, you got a lot of hate in this thread, but I can feel your sympathies. The reuse of games (minus pikman) feels like 3DS titles are getting mundane in 2017. @Anti-Matter I appreciate your perspective too. It was odd to me that in the direct they keep talking about 2017 games but in the end they only listed 3, I feel like they want to show a sales case for the 3DS one more year, until the NX has built some momentum and takes over both Wii U and 3DS, just my thoughts.
@rjejr- Just think, if NX were to play DS and 3DS cartridges on the TV you could play them all again and have one seriously long NX games list.
I have been thinking that for a few months now, but it just speculation and it sounds wonderful. I wouldn't think DS, but certainly 3DS. I know NX is a portable that I would rarely use as a home console. I believe the NX will have cartridges and that is why this speculation has merit. I have purchased three 3DSs in its lifecycle. I think the 3DS is the best handheld system ever. The Vita has more power, but power has got nothing to do with it. We will look back on this system like we did with the SNES.
Everyone has their tastes. @Bolt_Strike doesn't care for the 3DS line-up as much as I don't care for the PS4 line-up. It doesn't mean we should just gang up on him for having a different opinion.
@RadioHedgeFund they'd have upgraded, discovered a significant number of desirable first party games didn't work properly if at all because they didn't have the required gamepad (NintendoLand, 3D World, Captain Toad, Pokken, WindWaker HD, Mario Maker, Bayonetta, Splatoon etc), asked for a refund and be left with a sour taste toward Nintendo and it's future products.
Instead they should have designed a sleeker, more desirable model that looked less like a puffy Wii, dropped the price and advertised the damn thing.
@Lzeon Eh, I'm not too bothered by it as long as they're not disrespectful about it. Like you said, everyone has their opinion and if a lot of people like them, a lot of people like them and that's that.
Thanks for stepping in though.
@plug313
The 3DS always looked great to me. Sure, not all games are going to look stunning, but that's more on the developer than anything. Besides, with that size screen there's way less noticeable difference for lower resolutions. MH4U is one of the best looking games on the 3DS imo, along with many others.
Agreed, gameplay trumps graphics any day.
@Manjushri Maybe the NX is a space time cross dimensional game system that makes time mysteriously disappear! oh wait.... thats all game systems
I love the longevity & uniqueness of the 3DS - even after all these years it never fails to impressive me. (I even love it's flaws) I'm really happy that it's being carried on to 2017, I hope to get as much used out of my New 3DS XL as I did with my 3DS before it! ^_^
How do you kown that the 3DS will play second fiddle to NX,your asuming that it's going to be a hybrid Tablet.Sorry I don't believe that for one second
@Mario_Fart Same here, and that never ceases to surprise me because the 3D was always more than a gimmick for me.
I always play with the 3D slider at max. Sometimes I even wish the effect was a bit more pronounced.
If (more like WHEN) Nintendo announces its next console and it's 2D only, I'll be really disappointed. Thankfully I have quite the backlog on my 3DS.
@MarcelRguez yea supposed to be Sep 15 for the nx reveal.
@belsunce Nintendo already stated nx got pushed back so the vr chip can be put inside.wont be 3d without a headset like Sonys.this was stated months ago love how people can't and wont read
@Slim1999 We know for a fact that the screen on the handheld portion won't have glassless 3D tech like the 3DS? If so, no I didn't come across that official statement, and it has nothing to do with my ability or willingness to read.
@Mario_Fart I feel the same. 3D is one of my favourite things about the 3DS. It's the one thing I really want the NX to have. I'll be really dissapointed if it doesn't.
@HappyMaskedGuy I guess so but if they're not making enough money from consoles they might not bother with them anymore.
Nintendo will stay in the console game. I find it strange how so many people act as if the Wii wasn't a massive success. Whether we as gamers consider it a success is irrelevant- the Wii sold big, and made millions. The Wii U was a misstep for sure. But Nintendo just brush themselves off, learn some lessons and try again.
@kobashi100
Well, Imho, a handheld that can be attached to a tv and deliver hd gaming, thats pretty much both. A portable home console if you wish. I guess they realized, fully supporting two consoles at the same time with quality software was not possible especially bad in a situation when third parties jump ship. Winning the console wars impossible, as these have become hardware wars first and foremost. Japan is a handheld market first as numbers would suggest, the west is more home console oriented.
This hybrid could be a game changer for nintendo. They could put all their strenghs into one system and yet reach both audiences. Keeping in mind the 3ds has been selling quite well, this new console could be very interesting saleswise which could bring back a lot of third parties and give cod or assassins creed to the people 😄
Well played DS. The greatest handheld series of all time.
@PanzerNomad @belsunce I've got a sneaking suspicion I'll be upgrading to a New 3DS before I even think about NX. I can't let that 3D effect go, dammit! Plus, the library is big enough to keep me going for years.
@Slim1999 Where was Nintendo's announcement about VR? Pretty sure that never happened.
@rjejr I think mobile games will also channel people to the NX
@rockodoodle Depends on the game. Miitomo is channeling people to the PS4 and Xbox 1 S. AC and FE should be good though.
@rjejr I think Miitomo was just a test run. With Pokemon and Mario, I think what you will see is that there will be superior versions- or more compelling reasons to make you play the console versions. Like with Mario Run- Mario Maker is on the 3ds. Pokemon- there's new 3ds games coming out in Dec. also. With Mario Run 2- come out with a much cooler game on the NX.
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