These days, especially considering the plight of Nintendo's new Switch console, it's easy to look at the 3DS, the company's super successful handheld, as dead.
To be fair, though, such a pattern has happened before: when the DS was announced, the Game Boy before it, Nintendo had said, was not going to be abandoned — the DS was simply going to become a third pillar, not a replacement. We all know how that turned out.
But the 3DS isn't dead yet, or at least it's seemingly not dead, thanks to newly announced titles still bound for the handheld. The titles were revealed during a Nintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday, April 12, alongside Splatoon 2 and Arms information for the Switch, headlining the whole show.
Apart from a brand-new 2D Pikmin game and three new Kirby games in celebration of the puffy titular character's 25th anniversary, here's everything else you can expect to play on the 3DS throughout the year:
Ever Oasis
Releasing on June 23, Ever Oasis is an action RPG, the newest from Koichi Ishii, who created the popular Mana series, also known as Seiken Densetsu, in its home country of Japan. Ever Oasis is developed by Grezzo, the team responsible for remastered 3DS versions of two acclaimed Zelda titles: Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.
Monster Hunter Stories
Capcom will release Monster Hunter Stories stateside this fall. It's a turn-based Monster Hunter RPG spinoff launched in Japan last year, featuring a slightly different art style than your run-of-the-mill Monster Hunter title.
Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters
A "definitive" version of Yo-Kai Watch 2, called Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters, is due for the 3DS this fall, boosting an expanded multiplayer mode. This game follows two Yo-Kai Watch titles released last year, called Fleshy Souls and Bony Spirits.
Culdcept Revolt
Culdcept Revolt stands as a totem to celebrate the original release of Culdcept for the Sega Saturn 20 years ago. It's "bigger and better than ever," according to the developers, with over 400 unique cards and new game boards. It hits the 3DS on Aug. 29, with a collector's edition available.
RPG Maker FES
Releasing on June 27, RPG Maker FES lets players create their very own games using in-game tools, much like Super Mario Maker in terms of the game creation concept, of course. The levels can be uploaded for other players to play. The game will be available in both standard and special editions.
Bye-Bye BoxBoy!
Available now, Bye-Bye BoxBoy! Is the final installment in the puzzle platformer series developed by HAL Laboratory, the same clever folks that created Kirby. It features compatibility with the Amiibo of a number of Kirby characters, and it will offer a monochromatic filter for players with save data from previous BoxBoy entries.
Miitopia
Nintendo's Mii's aren't going away. Following Tomodachi Life for the 3DS and Miitomo for iOS and Android is Miitopia, a Mii-based RPG where players can build a team, customize characters, and battle. It will be released later this year.
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows Of Valentia
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia will be released on May 19, but everyone knows that already. So Nintendo simply revealed that the game will offer players a season pass that includes new maps, dungeons, more meaty character backstories, and a heck lot more. Items included in the season pass will also be available for purchase separately, and some will even be free.
Hey, Pikmin!
Finally, an official name! Hey, Pikmin!, a 2D platformer version of the typically 3D original, will be released on July 28, and a new Pikmin amiibo will be released on the same day.
Kirby Games To Celebrate The Series's 25th Anniversary
The adorable little ball of fuzz is getting the spotlight this year as part of its 25th anniversary. The first game is Team Kirby Clash Deluxe, a minigame culled directly from last year's Kirby: Planet Robobot. It's available right now on the 3DS eShop as a free download.
Later on in the summer follows Kirby's Blowout Blast, also from Planet Robobot, and also an eShop exclusive. It's not clear, however, whether Blowout Blast will also be a free download.
Finally, there's a "multiplayer action game" coming to the 3DS this holiday season, but beyond that, Nintendo didn't share much. It's somehow related to Kirby, so there's that.
Thoughts about these upcoming 3DS games? Feel free to sound off in the comments section below!
