With the launch of the Nintendo Switch, FAST RMX debuts as a launch title, which is sort of a 'definitive' version of FAST Racing NEO with some fantastic tweaks.
Futuristic racers were all the rage back when I was growing up in the 90s. Games like Wipeout, F-Zero, and Forsaken were popular titles, with fast machines in futuristic locales. The genre has even had a bit of a return with the Fast Racing series on the Wii U and soon to be Switch as well. LifeSpeed was an interesting title because it was built with the New 3DS in mind, and is exclusive to this version of the console. Does the risk pay off with a quality title?
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is a fantastic addition to the 3DS, and easily one of the best games on the system. Everything is well crafted and highly polished, and there is enough new content and variations that even if you played the PS2 version to death, you will still find lots of surprises and nuances. With high presentation values, a charming story, tons of depth, and traditional but fun JRPG battle system, Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is a must own for 3DS RPG lovers, and an easy early contender for game of the year.
Usually when I review a game, I have a good idea of the style before going into it. FACTOTUM was the first release from TACS Games on the Wii U, and it was a pretty unique and solid game, so I was excited to see what they would bring to the table with Radiantflux: Fractal. After playing the game extensively, I’m still not quite sure what it is, but I think I kind of like it.
Mario die-hards that only have a 3DS will find some enjoyment in playing the new mode, and the limited selection of online courses, but without the ability to share your created courses with the world, it seems like a waste of time.
Mario Party: Star Rush isn’t the Mario Party game we all were hoping for and a return to form for the series, but I think it’s a step in the right direction after the questionable Mario Party 10 on the Wii U. The party isn’t as hype as it needs to be, but some will be able to find a good bit of enjoyment in this title.
Excellent writing, impressive visuals, and great presentation save the game from the somewhat lackluster battle system and make it a solid game that will provide fun for fans of Mario games and the Paper Mario series.
Metroid Prime: Federation Force is not a good game at all. When you find yourself just wanting to complete levels to see if the game ever changes and gets better, that’s a sign that something is very wrong. The core gameplay is simplistic, boring, and not the level of quality one would expect from a Metroid game. Other M may have been the most fan-derided Metroid game until now, but Federation Force will easily take the crown from here on out.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised with Reptilian Rebellion. It’s a simple, cheap, nostalgia-feeling arcade game that can be very addicting. A little more variety in the visuals and audio would have helped, but as it stands, if you are looking for a cheap and fun game, Reptilian Rebellion will give you a good bang for your buck if you enjoy high-score driven games.
Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens could, and should, have been a very fun addition to the Wii U library, but technical issues impact what fun can be had. This obviously is a lazy port to the Wii U, and it shows from the moment you boot up the game.
B3 Game Expo For Bees has a lot of potential, but the shortness of the game is just unacceptable. Considering the game is $9.99 on the eShop, if you are curious, I’d wait for a price drop. The presentation, graphics, controls, and atmosphere are well done, but the fact that the game is over before it really starts makes this a hard game to recommend.
Clever level design, nice visuals, and the added mech-suit really make Planet Robobot stand out as a Kirby title, and is one of his most enjoyable entries to date. If you enjoy classic Kirby games and are looking for a game with some real value, Kirby: Planet Robobot should be on your radar.
Xeodrifter is yet another solid Renegade Kid title that 3DS owners should pick up. It takes the classic Metroid formula, advances it some, but keeps it 8-bit at the same time.
Paranautical Activity isn’t a bad game, it is just is very flawed. Sadists and FPS fans looking for something quirky and somewhat enjoyable might get a little amusement out of the game, but it’s hard to recommend it with these glaring issues for most gamers.
Personally though, I loved this compilation of games as it brought me back to my childhood. With beautifully done 3D effects, a solid selection of games, and a myriad of options for those games, SEGA 3D Classics Collection is a very solid purchase for fans of the classic SEGA arcade era. Now I’m just ready for SEGA 3D Classics Collection Volume 2!
Overall, Infinity Runner isn't a bad game, and it can certainly be an enjoyable experience especially if you are a fan of the genre. Those who aren't too big on the genre may be able to find some enjoyment in the title as well, as the sci-fi setting keeps things interesting. The gameplay does get repetitive and hinders the game a bit, but it's a solid, if not unsatisfying, infinite running game.
Steel Rivals was a game that could have been a decent little fighter similar to Soul Calibur, but it is an obviously very rushed and incomplete fighting game that should be avoided by even the most hardcore fighting fans.
Hyrule Warriors Legends does something a lot of games can’t do: take a console version and improve upon it. Loss of graphical fidelity aside, Legends breathes new life into Hyrule Warriors and offers up a fantastic and deep handheld experience that will have you up at the wee hours of the night saying “just one more battle” until the sun comes up.
Honestly, Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for the 3DS is not a terrible game, but it's not good either. It's just kind of….there. Nothing about the game is really satisfying, nothing about the game stands out, and poor and lazy design choices make it feel much more like a cash-grab than a full fledged experience. Hopefully the Wii U version has some more polish and features, because the 3DS version falls very flat and doesn't even earn a bronze medal.
That aside however, if you are a fan of either genre, there is some enjoyment to be had here. It’s not an epic RPG adventure, but more something lighthearted akin to the Fantasy Life on the 3DS. If you are looking for a decent JRPG with farming elements that blends together quite well, then Return to Popolocrois: A Story of Seasons is a solid pick up. If you are hoping for a heavy emphasis on one side or another, you may want to wait for a price drop.