Ketzal’s Corridors
If you’re looking for a hectic, fast-paced puzzler, you really can’t go wrong with Ketzal’s Corridors. The game features a unique on-rails style that forces players to think fast as they flip and turn different shapes to fit into walls. Ketzal’s Corridors includes nearly 100 different stages and is a true gem for puzzle fans who want something that’s about as frenetic as a high-energy action game. The fact that you can collect trinkets and even perform tricks during levels is a true testament to this title’s distinct take on the puzzle genre.
Dillon’s Rolling Western
It’s fitting that this is an article about underappreciated games, because when you think about it, the armadillo is an underappreciated critter. We don’t see these leathery little guys very often, but thankfully, Dillon’s Rolling Western isn’t afraid to star the shelled creature as its main protagonist. By day, you explore a western setting, collect goods, sell trinkets, and so on. By night, you engage in entertaining tower defense gameplay as the titular Dillon. Rolling Western launched following a couple of very successful eShop games, so it’s easy to see how this game could’ve slipped by unnoticed for a lot of people.
Pyramids
Remember that underrated NES puzzler Solomon’s Key? Well, an equally underrated eShop game decided to draw a ton of influence from that 8-bit title. Pyramids offers single screen levels that provide a decent challenge at first and quickly grow more complex. It isn’t long before you’re traversing ancient ruins by climbing blocks and avoiding falling rocks or aggressive bats. You have a gun at your disposal, but like any great explorer, you don’t have a lot of ammo, so you need to keep your wits about you. This puzzle platformer’s retro-flavored design and accessible gameplay make it a great title for all kinds of 3DS owners. It’s also the closest we’ll get to a modern Solomon’s Key.
Liberation Maiden
Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture are known for playing by their own rules, and Liberation Maiden is another example of that. The game is a 3D aerial shooter, and while it may be short, it packs quite a punch in terms of both entertainment and presentation. Liberation Maiden is just plain fun, and it’s quite lovely, too. You’re likely to blaze through this game in about two hours, but those two hours are filled with gameplay that’s remarkable, polished, and awesome.
Fractured Soul
Sci-fi themes, unique dual screen features, high challenge, and satisfying gameplay all combine to make Fractured Soul a wonderful gem on the 3DS eShop. The game takes a different approach to 2D platforming, relying on both the top and bottom screens on the 3DS. Different things are happening on both screens, and in order to progress you need to constantly keep track of everything that’s going on. It can be confusing at first, and it’s certainly hectic, but Fractured Soul provides what can only be considered one of the most compelling and satisfying platforming experiences on the 3DS.
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Plenty of video games don’t get the attention they deserve all too often. These days, it’s not very surprising to see a game get a lot of hype from its publishers and developers only to falter in terms of sales. As far as the digital market is concerned, underappreciated games are even more prominent. This is particularly true on the 3DS eShop, which is host to plenty of solid titles. The fact of the matter is that most individuals purchase physical 3DS games at retail, so quite a few digital releases fly under the radar — unless they’re titled Pushmo. Here are 10 eShop games you may not have played but should definitely check out.
Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive!
While this downloadable title on the 3DS may have a kiddie appeal to it, Freakforms: Your Creations, Alive! is really the type of game that can be enjoyed by anyone who’s looking to scratch that creative itch. You’re invited to put together some type of character and then unleash it into the game’s world. The cut-and-paste look, inviting mechanics, and solid editing options make for an experience that’s properly suited for fans of games like Scribblenauts who are looking for something that goes in a slightly different direction.
Colors! 3D
It goes without saying that Colors! 3D is more of an app than an actual game, but it’s still a substantially enjoyable app nonetheless. The game has a robust toolset geared toward folks who just want to have fun with the stylus and touchscreen combo on their 3DS systems. You can draw whatever you like, be it a wondrous work of art or a simple doodle. Colors! 3D is a download for 3DS owners who just want to spend some time creating fun drawings and seeing them come to life in true stereoscopic 3D.
SpeedX 3D
Originally available on mobile devices, SpeedX 3D was later released on the 3DS eShop. The game thrusts you into tunnels littered with obstacles. Getting around these obstacles can be tricky given just how fast-paced the game is, but that’s exactly what makes it stand out, and that’s why it’s more than just a cheap mobile-to-3DS cash-in. SpeedX 3D is exhilarating, vibrant, and challenging, and there really isn’t anything else quite like it on the eShop.
The Denpa Men: They Came By Wave
Having a bunch of grown-ass men dressed in silly outfits is certainly an unorthodox marketing trick, but that’s exactly what The Denpa Men: They Came By Wave did. While the game isn’t nearly as bizarre as that trailer was, it’s still a fun dungeon crawling romp that RPG enthusiasts are sure to get a kick out of. Like the other games on this list, The Denpa Men is a fledgling franchise, but thanks to its creature-capturing and RPG mechanics, it definitely has the potential to go far. At the very least, fans of the genre should give this title a look-see.
Bomb Monkey
After its successful action-platformer Mutant Mudds took the 3DS eShop by storm, developer Renegade Kid decided to switch things up. Bomb Monkey is a color-based block puzzler that draws influence from classics such as Tetris and Dr. Mario. Despite that influence, however, Bomb Monkey is a fully competent, engaging puzzle game that stands on its own. By dropping bombs on your arranged blocks, you can wipe out rows and columns to keep the game going for longer. It’s a simple time sink, but it can definitely hook players. Additionally, the competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes really provide some unique fun to what is generally a single-player genre.
