Which 3DS games should I take to Germany with me?

[Zarkov]

Hello there!

I recently bought a 3DS, as it's time I finally give in and buy a new console. And I figured what better time than before my painfully long flight to Germany!

The only problem is I am relatively poor at the moment, having spent all of my funds on said trip to Germany. I have, however, decided that a 3DS XL and Fire Emblem: Awakening was in the budget for entertainment on the plane trip. So, my question to you guys, what are the best bang for my buck 3DS games? And since it plays DS games, let's count those too.

As a side note, I'm very excited to be playing a DS again. I had one as a kid and loved every moment. I'd just like to get some recommendations on newer games to play, since I'm pretty jaded by IGN and other popular news outlets. It's unfortunate that the Escapist doesn't have console catagories, because I would look there if I could.

EDIT: There's actually DS game I can't remember the name of that I'd like to get... it was about a kid that was able to control monsters and use magic, but you'd have to draw on the touch screen to pull off the magic. Does anyone know its name?

 

[madwarper]

Just a thought... But, why not simply leave the DS at home and enjoy Germany?

Anyway, I'd recommend the Etrain Odyssey series, EO2, 3, 4 and Untold (remake of EO1).

 

[Zarkov]

Just a thought... But, why not simply leave the DS at home and enjoy Germany?

Anyway, I'd recommend the Etrain Odyssey series, EO2, 3, 4 and Untold (remake of EO1).

Well, it's not really a vacation. I am taking two classes and am specifically there to become fluent in the language (I've been learning German for quite awhile now), and I will surely be enjoying a lot of Germany. The only reason I'm taking the 3DS in the first place is to make the boring long ass flight from the US into a semi enjoyable one.

Thanks for the advice and recommendation though!

EDIT: I can see where it might have seemed like I didn't want to go Germany! I meant the painfully long flight, not trip!

Haha.

 

[rocketdive2001]

If i was on such a long flight, i'll love to start on Dragon Quest VI for the DS - i beat the Japanese version in my teens and longed to replay it again but never found time. It's a REALLY challenging and grinding game but worth your time ... don't forget to street-pass while you're there too!

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

If you like Pokemon...

Now then, with that out of the way, I'd recommend Golden Sun: Dark Dawn if you're looking for an RPG to whittle down the hours with. Or pick up Chrono Trigger for the DS if you haven't played that gem. I don't have any other 3DS games besides Pokemon Y so I can't really recommend anything from the new library I'm afraid.

 

[Slycne]

Bravely Default. Here's my review from earlier this year - http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/editorials/reviews/10987-Bravely-Default-Review-Damn-Fine-RPG

If you're already buying Fire Emblem: Awakening, a game I'm also a big fan of, then Bravely Default is likely right up your alley.

 

[Hero of Lime]

You made a good choice with Fire Emblem. If you end up playing it as much as I did the first time I played the game it will probably last you the entire trip.

Some others I would recommend, Pokemon X, you never know what kind of trainers live in the German region, might as well battle them.

Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is my favorite game on the 3DS along with Fire Emblem and Pokemon. It had a lot to do which will surely keep you occupied for the trip.

Mario Kart 7 would be a fun travel companion if you like Mario Kart. Just two of these games would probably last you for the entire trip easily.

 

[Uriel_Hayabusa]

If you enjoy challenging action-games then you might want to give Shinobi a try.

If you're okay with digital then Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Dual Destinies is a good, lengthy adventure. It may be the fifth game in a series but it stands well enough on its own.

 

[Vrach]

The only problem is I am relatively poor at the moment, having spent all of my funds on said trip to Germany. I have, however, decided that a 3DS XL and Fire Emblem: Awakening was in the budget for entertainment on the plane trip. So, my question to you guys, what are the best bang for my buck 3DS games? And since it plays DS games, let's count those too.

Well, Mario Kart 7 is definitely the most fun game I've played on a 3DS. Especially if you can get an internet connection to play online (useless for the flight, but if you wanna play it at all there, it's great). Super Mario 3D land is also a bundle of fun with plenty to do

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

I'd go a different route and recommend purchasing some oldie, but goodie titles from the eShop. They are all awesome titles while still being short and not very demanding, perfect for short bursts of fun and entertainment.

The games I recommend (and I also have/enjoy):

-Shantae: a simple, yet challenging, Platformer about a belly dancing half genie who can use magic and transform into animals. It is very open-ended (with some obvious walls until you obtain upgrades) and there are secrets to be found throughout.

-Donkey Kong: a throwback to an old school Gameboy classic, this Platfomer stars Mario as Jumpman as he attempts to save his girlfriend Pauline from the big ape Donkey Kong (i.e. Cranky Kong). You'll go through challenging obstacle stages with your jumping and acrobatic abilities to find the key and get through the door to save Pauline.

-Mighty Switch Force: a more modern and unique take on the Platformer/Puzzle genre, join the cyborg police office Patricia as she jumps, shoots, and manipulates platforms in order to find all of the escaped convicts and complete the stage in a timely manner. Both deceptively simple and increasingly challenging, you'll want to keep playing until you've figured out the best and fastest way to complete each stage.

-Megaman Xtreme 2: a newly added Megaman title, this portable entry in the X franchise allows you to play as both X and Zero. You can upgrade both reploids during the game and completing the game with each character will unlock challenging and harder difficulties.

Hope this helps and have fun in Germany.

 

[Rozalia1]

Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward (which I played on the Vita) is also on the 3DS so go with that. Its a visual novel with puzzle gameplay so it may well not be your cup of tea.

 

[Zarkov]

If you like Pokemon...

Now then, with that out of the way, I'd recommend Golden Sun: Dark Dawn if you're looking for an RPG to whittle down the hours with. Or pick up Chrono Trigger for the DS if you haven't played that gem. I don't have any other 3DS games besides Pokemon Y so I can't really recommend anything from the new library I'm afraid.

Haha. I'm actually holding off with pokemon in respect of my brother, a huge pokemon fan, so he can transfer his pokemon from earlier games and play the game through. I like pokemon, but I can only really play every other one because I get tired of them too quickly. I know, crazy.

I actually looked around for Chrono Trigger for the DS. None of my local game stores had a copy!

 

[Zarkov]

Bravely Default. Here's my review from earlier this year - http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/editorials/reviews/10987-Bravely-Default-Review-Damn-Fine-RPG

If you're already buying Fire Emblem: Awakening, a game I'm also a big fan of, then Bravely Default is likely right up your alley.

I've actually been rather hesitant with picking up Bravely Default. I'll definitely take a look at your review.

I didn't play too many JRPGs as a kid like Final Fantasy, so it's an entire genre I have little experience with. Do you think a newcomer would enjoy Bravely Default? I'm really loving Fire Emblem, but this may be because I love strategy. I do quite enjoy the RPG side of it as well.

 

[Lilani]

Hello there!

I recently bought a 3DS, as it's time I finally give in and buy a new console. And I figured what better time than before my painfully long flight to Germany!

The only problem is I am relatively poor at the moment, having spent all of my funds on said trip to Germany. I have, however, decided that a 3DS XL and Fire Emblem: Awakening was in the budget for entertainment on the plane trip. So, my question to you guys, what are the best bang for my buck 3DS games? And since it plays DS games, let's count those too.

As a side note, I'm very excited to be playing a DS again. I had one as a kid and loved every moment. I'd just like to get some recommendations on newer games to play, since I'm pretty jaded by IGN and other popular news outlets. It's unfortunate that the Escapist doesn't have console catagories, because I would look there if I could.

Bravely Default has kept me entertained for way too long. There's just so many ways to play, so many classes to unlock, so many nooks and crannies and characters to find.

And to answer your later question, yes I think a newcomer would enjoy Bravely Default. The main problems I personally had with JRPGs were random encounters and an unchanable difficulty level. However, in Bravely Default you can start on medium which would be your normal difficulty experience, or if you just want to breeze through and experience the world and story without worrying as much about combat switch to easy. Or if you want a challenge there's hard. And this difficulty can be changed any time in game, so if you're on medium and come across a boss that's just really you mad, you can switch to easy and switch back after the boss.

And you can adjust how much your random encounters happen, making them very frequent or turning them off completely if you prefer. I would turn off random encounters if I just wanted to run through the area to get somewhere, or if I was running low on health and didn't want to face anymore monsters. Toward the end of the game I would just grind right outside a town for a few levels, then go through dungeons with monsters turned off. You always want to leave the dungeon and go heal up whenever you get to the deepest level anyway, because after fighting your way through an entire dungeon you are NOT going to want to take on the boss with your health and MP low. So if you fight your way through the dungeon, you can just turn off random encounters, exit, then make your way back through the dungeon and take on the boss with full health.

So basically, Bravely Default (for me, anyway) removed the biggest annoyances from the JRPG model, which are the inability to play and explore the world on your own terms. Plus, the way the battle system is structured, it turns defending into an actually useful thing to do (basically every time you defend which is called Defaulting in the game, you store up a turn or "Brave" point so the next time you attack you can attack twice with impunity. So even if you defend, you don't completely waste the turn).

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I actually looked around for Chrono Trigger for the DS. None of my local game stores had a copy!

That's quite disappointing...

Let me just look over my DS collection quickly and see if there is anything else. Most of mine are older titles though.

Hmmm...

Dark Dawn is actually the only other RPG in my DS library. The rest are all Pokemon and Mario titles. Now the DS Mario games are great but I wouldn't play nothing but Mario on a 7 hour flight or the like. Have you ever played the Golden Sun series? I quite enjoy them. The other game I have is a flight combat game called Freedom Wings. Its old however and pretty simplified in terms of story but the gameplay is fun enough.

[sub]Still, no Chrono Trigger for DS in stores... Shame on them![/sub]

 

[TitanAtlas]

Going to be honest. I have almost all of 3DS games. The tops:

-Mario Kart for those who races love;
-Luigi Dark Moon wich i love more then the above.

-Fire Emblem Awakening for slick strategy;
-Bravely Default for those who want to do the right thing!!

-Monster Hunter 3 for the brave and bold;
-Legend of Zelda with more power then anyone could behold;.

-Professor Layton for the gentleman inside;
-Ace Attourney.... screw it both characters are fine...

-Pokemon for the kid within;
-Animal Crossing, and a fresh start has mayor begin...

THose are my favourite, be wise and choose. Anyway have fun, and try not to find your doom (some games are pretty slick!!)

 

[Zarkov]

Going to be honest. I have almost all of 3DS games. The tops:

-Mario Kart for those who races love;
-Luigi Dark Moon wich i love more then the above.

-Fire Emblem Awakening for slick strategy;
-Bravely Default for those who want to do the right thing!!

-Monster Hunter 3 for the brave and bold;
-Legend of Zelda with more power then anyone could behold;.

-Professor Layton for the gentleman inside;
-Ace Attourney.... screw it both characters are fine...

-Pokemon for the kid within;
-Animal Crossing, and a fresh start has mayor begin...

THose are my favourite, be wise and choose. Anyway have fun, and try not to find your doom (some games are pretty slick!!)

This poem is great.

Also, I just tried the demo for Monster Hunter and even though it's really quirky (like not having a tutorial) I actually really enjoyed it. I loved that I was tracking down monsters or something. Whatever it was, anyway.

 

[Zarkov]

I actually looked around for Chrono Trigger for the DS. None of my local game stores had a copy!

That's quite disappointing...

Let me just look over my DS collection quickly and see if there is anything else. Most of mine are older titles though.

Hmmm...

Dark Dawn is actually the only other RPG in my DS library. The rest are all Pokemon and Mario titles. Now the DS Mario games are great but I wouldn't play nothing but Mario on a 7 hour flight or the like. Have you ever played the Golden Sun series? I quite enjoy them. The other game I have is a flight combat game called Freedom Wings. Its old however and pretty simplified in terms of story but the gameplay is fun enough.

[sub]Still, no Chrono Trigger for DS in stores... Shame on them![/sub]

I think I have tried Golden Sun quite awhile back, or at least the GBA titles. I think I also watched a let's play of the GBA game and I remember it looking really entertaining.

I just looked up Dark Dawn, and it's actually kinda weird seeing the series rendered in 3D. A good weird! It'll be something I look for next time I go out.

 

[Zarkov]

Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward (which I played on the Vita) is also on the 3DS so go with that. Its a visual novel with puzzle gameplay so it may well not be your cup of tea.

I've never really been in to visual novels, so it's likely not my cup of tea. I very well might try it out when I come back from Germany though! At the very least, it looks interesting.

 

[FancyNick]

My top picks for a long journey would be Monster Hunter 3 ultimate or Shin megami tensei 4. Shin megami tensei 4 is a jrpg with very good story telling and a cool moral choice system. It's turn based which turns some people off but I've been in love with it for the last couple months. Monster hunter is an action game where you hunt big creatures and make their remains into armor and weapons. It has a slow start up but a ton of content. It's more fun if you have someone to play with but it's a great game regardless.