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It’s no secret Nintendo 3DS has an amazing library of games, but the console wouldn’t be as great as it is without the eShop’s support. Nintendo’s digital platform not only provides gamers with smaller titles of all genres, it also gives life to many Japanese games that don’t have enough of a budget for a retail release. Let’s take a look at another side of 3DS and see what we thought were the best eShop releases of 2014.
BEST 3DS ESHOP GAME
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Last year’s Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies was certainly one of the stronger installments of the franchise, and American and European gamers should be really thankful it was released outside Japan at all. At some point the fifth game’s localization was not in Capcom’s plans, so the existence of the eShop pretty much saved it from never appearing in English-speaking countries. As a result of the not so shabby sales of Dual Destinies, we got ourselves a localization of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy, an updated version of the first three games. If you somehow missed the original trilogy, this is the perfect opportunity to experience Phoenix Wright for the first time. Ace Attorney Trilogy is one of the meatiest additions to the eShop and should not be missed by newcomers or fans of the series.
- Read the Nintendojo review.
BEST 3DS ESHOP GAME RUNNERS-UP
Azure Striker Gunvolt
While Beck from Mighty No. 9 is apparently taking his sweet time, a new challenger has appeared. Developed by Inti Creates, the crafty ex-Capcom veterans responsible for the Mega Man Zero and Mega Man ZX series, Azure Striker Gunvolt is a new run-and-gun platformer continuing the greatness of the unfortunately buried alive Mega Man franchise. Fast, flashy, and stylish, Gunvolt brings the heat back! While Mighy No. 9 is a spiritual successor to the original NES Mega Man, Gunvolt is more similar to the already-mentioned Mega Man Zero or perhaps even Mega Man X series. But do not worry– if you like Mega Man in any form, or action games in general, Azure Striker Gunvolt has got you covered.
- Read the Nintendojo review.
Weapon Shop De Omasse
Like Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy, the Guild series, a compilation of interesting little titles from famed Japanese game designers, would never see the light of day outside Japan without the help of Nintendo’s digital platform. Luckily for us, all the games from both Guild 01 and Guild 02 were released on the US and EU eShops, with Weapon Shop De Omasse taking the longest time to come out. Some may even say they saved the best for last. Have you ever wondered how a day in the life of a JRPG’s weaponsmith goes? Weapon Shop De Omasse provides all the answers to that, while also giving us a very fun and charming game. Even if you’re not interested in the premise, Weapon Shop De Omasse has enough charm to win you over.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Inazuma Eleven
Japanese and European players have been enjoying Inazuma Eleven for a long time now, but North America saw release of the first game only in 2014. An enhanced port of the DS original finally has been made available through the North American eShop as a digital exclusive. While this soccer RPG series has spawned many sequels over the years, the basic gameplay continues to stay mostly the same. So, if you’re okay with the possibility of other Inazuma Eleven not coming to the US, you can experience the 3DS port of the original game as a fun standalone adventure.
Mighty Gunvolt
As if releasing a surprise game like Azure Striker Gunvolt wasn’t enough, Inti Creates also made a crossover run-and-gun platformer, Mighty Gunvolt. The game pays homage to the original Mega Man series, so the core mechanics are on the simpler side. Regardless of that, it’s a fun little distraction that lets you play not only as Gunvolt, but also as Beck from Mighty No. 9 and, oddly enough, Ekoro from Gal*Gun!
WHAT’S YOUR TAKE?
Do you agree with our choices? Vote for which game you think should be number one, or choose “Other” and tell us in the comments below!
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