Launch lineups are pretty important. They are the weapons console systems wield to club consumers into submission. They are limelight dancers. They are reasons for being. And alas, for the Nintendo 3DS, the launch day titles are weak beyond belief, and all that hype over the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, Starfox 64 3D, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Metal Gear Solid something or other, and a new Animal Crossing game were just that, hype. Sure, they’ll be released eventually, but so will every other great game being created. What matters currently is what is available at the time of purchase, and brace yourself, dear Grinding Down readers, it’s not looking good.
First, let me say that I’m 90% sure I’m going to pick up a Nintendo 3DS. I have a Christmas bonus burning a hole in my sock drawer, and I think that the updated hardware is gonna be great. There’s built-in minigames, a camera, a music thingy, a Street Pass function, Mii maker, and plenty more. I’ve been wanting to upgrade to a DSi for some time, but this is a much better jump. As a glasses-wearer, I’m also downright curious to see this 3D in action and love the fact that it can be turned off completely. Most likely…it will. As for the games I want to play on it come Day One, well…
Here’s the three from Nintendo itself, and yes, you’ll notice none of the titles contain the name Mario:
- Pilotwings Resort – Set on the same tropical Wuhu Island from Wii Sports Resort, players go on an aerial adventure by using airplanes, hang gliders, and rocket belts.
- Steel Diver – This is…a submarine game. Players will control the sub’s speed, depth, and pitch, as well as fire torpedoes at enemies.
- Nintendogs + Cats – Pet sim. Now with bonus kitty action!
The rest of the launch titles for the Nintendo 3DS are third-party titles. See ’em here:
- Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition from Capcom
- The Sims 3 from EA
- Madden NFL Football from EA Sports
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D from Konami Digital
- LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars from LucasArts
- Ridge Racer 3D from Namco Bandai Games
- Super Monkey Ball 3D from SEGA
- Bust-A-Move Universe from Square-Enix
- Samurai Warriors: Chronicles from Tecmo Koei America
- Asphalt 3D from Ubisoft
- Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D from Ubisoft
- Rayman 3D from Ubisoft
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars from Ubisoft
A lot of remakes and ported games. A lot of titles with 3D tacked on the end. Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D sounds like perfect shovelware, and I can already see a hundred copies floating in those Best Buy “hey, whatever, man” bins they got from time to time. Yeah, it’s all a bit underwhelming. Go ahead and sit there for a bit, I won’t mind. I wonder who at Nintendo dropped the (Super Monkey) ball (3D) on this one? Tsk tsk. I mean, all we, as gamers interested in gaming, needed was one strong title, whether it be a new Mario sidescroller or maybe a different take on Metroid or Kirby or, y’know, one of those mascots Nintendo has in its vaults. But no, we’re reduced to slim picking.
So, which game am I gonna get to make my Nintendo 3DS even more enjoyable?
YOU WANT BREAD? NO GAME FOR YOU! NEXT!
I’ll just wait it out until the newest Animal Crossing drops.
Grinding Down 
I want to get the 3DS, but I’m holding off until some of the bigger titles get released later on. I’m a bit disappointed in the games offered at launch, none of the really big titles are making an appearance like you said.