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After analyzing the best year in terms of software for the SNES, N64, GBA, Gamecube, DS and the Wii, it is now time to move on to a system that still has some life left in it: The 3DS.

The system is the successor to the highly successful dual-screen portable, the DS. While the 3DS had a rocky start, with Nintendo having to drop its price within a few months, it managed to recover quickly and has enjoyed continued success over the years. As of today the platform has sold over 71 million units and is currently sitting at the 11th spot when compared to all other systems.

Unlike its predecessor, the 3DS was geared towards a more hardcore gamer audience. Nintendo released one major title after another on the portable. And while the Wii U was suffering in the third party department, the 3DS received quite the support. Capcom released two Resident Evil titles and several installments in the Monster Hunter franchise, Square-Enix gave us a Kingdom Hearts title, Final Fantasy rhythm games and a new IP in the form of the Bravely games, Sega re-released its older titles with a 3D-makeover and the eShop was striving with titles like Shovel Knight, Cave Story and StemWorld Dig. The library was so full of quality titles, that a lot of gamers and critics stated that this was the best software lineup of any system.

And the 3DS continues to see big titles coming its way. On their recent Nintendo Direct, the company revealed a port of Luigis Mansion, a new WarioWare title, a new Dillon game and a remake of Mario & Luigi: Bowsers Inside Story; extending the shelf life of the portable to 2019.

But which year has been the best so far? Lets find out!

Best year: 2013

Image Source: http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/04/nintendo_uk_2013_is_the_year_of_the_3ds

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While I had my difficulties picking the best year for the other systems, choosing the definitive 365 days for the 3DS was a lot easier. Yes, the portable had exceptional releases spread all over its lifetime, but 2013 stood out from the pack. It was a phenomenal year for the system. The variety of genres on offer was astounding, with something to play for everyone. Furthermore Nintendo managed to space out the releases, giving us one or two key titles a month, instead of dumping everything into the Christmas season. In this post, I want to explore each of the 4 quarters of 2013 and highlight the key releases for the 3DS.

Q1: Awakening monsters and an old mansion

Nintendo had a strong start in 2013. In February they brought Fire Emblem: Awakening to the west. The latest installment in the turn-based strategy-franchise managed to surpass its predecessors in both critical acclaim and sales. It could be argued, that this title truly awakened the series (pun intended) and turned it into a household name. If you were looking for a more traditional RPG, Etrian Odyssey IV had you covered. Also released in February, this first-person dungeon crawler was as hardcore as it could get. Don't let the cute monster design and cover art fool you, this title will test your skills.

Fire Emblem: Awakening

Image Source: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fire-Emblem-Awakening-Nintendo-3DS/dp/B00B7JT57W

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Etrian Odyssey IV

Image Source: https://nicoblog.org/3ds-rom/etrian-odyssey-iv-legends-of-the-titan/

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Marching into March, we got both Luigis Mansion: Dark Moon and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate. The former is a sequel to the Gamecube launch title, Luigis Mansion. Released more than 10 years after its predecessor the game offered multiple mansions to explore and even added in a multiplayer mode for up to 4 players. The title retained the fun ghost-sucking gameplay and the witty humor. This is definitely one of the best action-adventures available for the system. With Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Capcom brought the monster-slaying series to the 3DS. An enhanced port of Monster Hunter Tri, the title was the start of a fruitful relationship between Nintendo and Capcom, that made the series (almost) exclusive to the handheld.

The eshop also enjoyed quality releases in Q1. Special mention go to Gunman Clive, a 2D run n' gun platformer developed by one person, and to HarmoKnight, a rhythmic 2D jump n' run from the creators of Pokemon.

Luigis Mansion: Dark Moon

Image Source: http://gameological.com/2013/03/review-luigis-mansion-dark-moon/index.html

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HarmoKnight

Image Source: https://www.destructoid.com/review-harmoknight-249139.phtml

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Q2: A port and a town

After its success on the Wii, Donkey Kong returned once again in Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. A port of the home console title from 2010, the game added an easy mode and nine new levels. In June another franchise made its debut on the 3DS. Animal Crossing: New Leaf had players living the life as a mayor. Countless hours were spent on decorating houses, characters, attending ceremonies and discovering what the game world had to offer. Even three years after its initial release, the game received new content, in the form of Amiibo support. While Animal Crossing was relaxed and casual, Project X Zone by Bandai Namco was as hardcore as it could get. The tactical RPG featured over 90 playable characters from various Bandai Namco, Capcom and Sega franchises like Street Fighter, Tekken, Tales of, Resident Evil and even Space Channel.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Image Source: http://www.siliconera.com/2013/04/13/why-youre-the-mayor-in-animal-crossing-new-leaf/

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Project X Zone

Image Source: https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/ryu-vs-space-channel-5-project-x-zone-for-nintendo-3ds-gets-an-unlikely-us-release/

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Q3: Dreaming of a new world

While summers are usually pretty dry when it comes to game releases, 2013 was an exception to that rule. After Etrian Odyssey IV, Atlus gave us another RPG in the form of Shin Megami Tensei IV. The game checks all the boxes for JRPG-lovers: tun-based battle system, Japanese setting, wacky characters and tons of demons. If you were a fan of more light-hearted RPGs, then Nintendo had you covered. Releasing Mario & Luigi: Dream Team in August, they gave us another entry in the long-running series. The title had you battling enemies turn-based style and entering the dream world via Luigi's dreams to solve puzzles in a 2D environment . The game is full of the series trademark humor and doesn't take itself too seriously. August also saw the release of the highly acclaimed eshop title SteamWorld Dig. A metroidvania game that has you digging for secrets in the underground mines.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

Image Source: https://zupertompa.deviantart.com/art/Mario-and-Luigi-Dream-Team-wallpaper-385827946

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Steamworld Dig

Image Source: http://imageform.se/game/steamworld-dig/

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Q4: Legendary pokeballs and objections

Nintendo closed out the year with some heavy hitters. Pokemon X & Y revolutionized the franchise on its October release, by bringing it into the 3rd dimension. It also brought character customization and the mega evolutions into the fray. Fans were pleased with the changes as the title is one of the best selling in the franchises history. October also saw the debut of Phoenix Wright on the 3DS. Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies brought back the clue searching and client-defending gameplay that fans of the series were craving for.

But the biggest was yet to come. In November, Nintendo returned Link to his roots, with The Legend of Zelda: A Link between Worlds. A sequel to the SNES classic, A Link to the Past, the game tickled our nostalgic feelings while still introducing some revolutionary features. The game was more open than recent entries, with players being able to rent or buy any major item early on in the quest. Links wall-shifting ability added even more depth to the title. The protagonist could now enter walls and use them to reach new areas or travel to the parallel world called Lorule. The game is considered to be one of the highlights of the series and some even think that it laid the foundation for Breath of the Wild.

Pokemon X & Y

Image Source: PIMPNITE (Youtube)

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The Legend of Zelda: A Link between Worlds

Image Source: http://realgamernewz.com/19972/the-legend-of-zelda-a-link-between-worlds-gameplay-trailer-hd

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As you can see, 2013 was a banner year for the 3DS. Nintendo and their 3rd party partners managed to release one quality title after another. There was something to play for everyone, from hardcore rpgs like Shin Megami Tensei to platformers like Donkey Kong to action-adventures like Luigis Mansion and Zelda. Here is hoping to a great 2018!

I hope you have enjoyed this post! Looking forward to reading your comments!

In the next (and final) installment of this series, I will take a look at the ill-fated Wii U.

Until then, have a rockin' good time!

Yours

I Am K

PS: Here are the links to the previous parts:

SNES & N64: https://steemit.com/gaming/@iamk/best-year-nintendo-systems-pt-1-snes-and-n64
GBA & Gamecube: https://steemit.com/gaming/@iamk/best-year-nintendo-systems-pt-2-gameboy-advance-and-gamecube
DS: https://steemit.com/gaming/@iamk/best-year-nintendo-systems-part-3-nintendo-ds
Wii: https://steemit.com/gaming/@iamk/best-year-nintendo-systems-part-4-wii

Image Source for first image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_3DS