Last Thursday, Nintendo made an astonishing announcement regarding its latest portable device. Not even 6 months after its March 27 release date, the Nintendo 3DS will drop in price from $249.99 to $169.99 effective August 12. Early adopters have not been forgotten either. Anyone who uses their 3DS to connect to the Nintendo eShop before August 11 at 11:59pm EST will be automatically registered in the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program. The main highlight of membership is the opportunity to download 20 free games — 10 NES Virtual Console games (including Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong Jr., Balloon Fight, Ice Climber and The Legend of Zelda) and 10 Game Boy Advance Virtual Console games (including Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Metroid Fusion, WarioWare Inc: Mega Microgame$ and Mario vs. Donkey Kong).
In the past week, there has been much criticism about this move. Brilliant? Desperate? The only thing certain to me is that $80 is a lot of money, particularly to those people who are on the fence about purchasing the glasses-free 3D handheld. For me, the question has not been if, but rather when. Regardless of whether that day is next Friday or not, I am excited for the upcoming software for the Nintendo 3DS. So here are my Top Three Most Anticipated Nintendo 3DS Games
Kid Icarus: Uprising (estimated release date: Q4 2011)
The first Kid Icarus was released for the NES in 1987. Four years later, a sequel called Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters was released for the original Game Boy in 1991. Then, 20 years pass before we see Pit again in a new adventure of his own. Needless to say, this game is long overdue and the expectations for greatness are sky high.
Super Mario 3D Land (estimated release date: November 2011)
Come on. It’s Super Mario. Tried and true gameplay. Only now in 3D. I highly doubt they’ll mess this one up.
Mario Kart 7 (estimated release date: December 2011)
Another classic franchise, revamped once more for the next generation handheld console. This iteration will see the addition of sea and sky racing. Also, more customization options. Most likely, more of the same. Not that I’m complaining. I still play every other Mario Kart game I own. Forever fun.
Honourable Mention: Luigi’s Mansion 2 (estimated release date: TBA 2012)
Poor Luigi. It’s always Mario, Mario, Mario! But he’ll get his day in the sun, or should I say his night with his flashlight in this sequel to the 2002 GameCube game, Luigi’s Mansion. This title seemed to come out of left field, but I welcome it gladly. In fact, I hope over the course of the 3DS’ lifespan that Nintendo will dare to create more games with its other beloved characters. Super Princess Peach 3DS?! I’m just sayin’.
Agree? Disagree? What are your top three?
