Gamer-At-Arms – A New Leaf

I’m a contrary thing, as my recent purchase of a 3DS XL has once again proven. I know I once said that I felt I never needed to get one, but my opinions have since changed. I’d recently finished a long course at University, and I was eager to get something to reward myself with. A cheeky wee 3DS seemed like the perfect option. I also fancied a Wii U, but since it was my intention to move soon I probably wasn’t going to have it out the box for very long.

Long story short, I love my 3DS. I’ve only got a relatively small number of games on it – was somewhat tempted in by the So Many Games promotion – but I love them all. I picked up Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Fire Emblem: Awakening and Luigi’s Mansion 2 to begin with, followed by Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and Mario Kart 7 as well as a variety of other eShop games. I always have something to play on it, even if I am constantly itching for new games to fill up the SD card with.

Strangely, Animal Crossing is currently my favourite of these. At a time where I find myself feeling bloated from marathon sessions of the excessive violence of such games as Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Hotline Miami, the comparatively glacial pace is refreshing to say the least. I take time out of my day to dig up fossils, browse the shops, water the plants and recreate cool real world designs in the Able Sisters shop. Zan-datsu can wait.

I’m a huge fan of the StreetPass games too, and the new ones in particular. StreetPass Squad is my favourite, which is a great blend of nostalgic shoot-em-up reminiscent of Super R-Type and the StreetPass method of acquiring hits when you’re out and about. Each hit you get makes a specific power-up for your ship available in one of Streetpass Squad’s many levels, and the type of power-up correlates to the colour of the Mii you got. Combined with the five other StreetPass games on offer, I find myself going outside much more regularly than I would like to.

I’m also not afraid to admit that I love playing games in 3D. On such a small screen and with the generally quite vibrant details characters and worlds in the games I play, I get a real feeling of tangibility from the added depth of perception. It’s not the case in every game, nor is it something I enjoy all the time (late night sessions can be a strain on the eyes) but it’s definitely something I do enjoy.

If, like me, you love video games, being out and about and seeing things with your eyes, I don’t think there has ever been a better time to get yourself a wee 3DS.