User blog:Salnax/Ohga Shrugs: Game Boy 3DS Game of the Year

''Note: This is another in-universe experiment thing. Pretend for a moment that the following games were all nominated by a major on December 26, 2012, and that people got to vote until 2013 Easter Standard Time.''

Nintendo's latest iteration of the Game Boy series turned a lot of heads back at E3 2011. A gaming machine with two screens? And one with 3D effects? How could this possibly work?

Well, the Game Boy 3DS has come, and it is a great little machine. The following nominees for the best Game Boy 3DS game of the year are not only great handheld games; they're great games, period.

AND THE NOMINEES ARE

Kid Icarus: Uprising
Pit has been MIA for years, but he returned for the launch of the Game Boy 3DS. Forgoing the platforming of earlier entries in the series, Kid Icarus is now a shooter, both in the air and on the ground. Although we could miss the ability to jump, the game's frantic action, stellar presentation, and hoards of content do much to ease the pain.

Mario Kart 3D
The seventh game in the Mario Kart series, 3D is in many ways the ultimate iteration of the series so far. Sure, it sacrifices the bikes and some of the items of earlier installments, but in its place we get kart customization, gliding and underwater racing, and, most importantly, the greatest online play in handheld history. With 32 courses to race with nearly infinite kart and rules possibilities, you'll be certain to be racing this track for a long time.

Resident Evil: Revelations
The third contender to come out at launch, Resident Evil: Revelations is a surprising game. Bringing the full console experience of recent Resident Evil games to the consoles, yet retaining the horror elements of old, this game contains everything we've come to love about the series. Add the most impressive visuals in handheld history and a great mission mode, and you have yet another meaty Game Boy 3DS experience.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
Remember Guitar Hero? Well, picture that, but with Final Fantasy music, as an RPG. Wait, come back! Theatrhythm, despite the awful name, contains an all-star soundtrack, has a surprising diversity of play modes, and makes great use of DLC to customize your experience. Whereas the graphics of Resident Evil show off the power of the Game Boy 3DS in one fashion, the sheer volume and quality of music in Theatrhythm does its own part in showing off the power of new technology.

Kingdom Hearts 3D
Kingdom Hearts fans have been dying to hear about a third main installment in the series. Diversions on the Nitro helped ease the pain, but only whetted their appetites. Well, their appetites must be greater than ever now, because Kingdom Hearts 3D is a great game that teases at future installments. Although it contains less worlds than some prior entries in the series, with only seven main ones, the addition of Riku as a main playable character and the new Flowmotion mechanics help the series feel new again ten years later.

New Super Mario Bros. 2
New Super Mario Bros. 2 is pretty much what you'd expect. It's 2D Mario, with an emphasis on coins. But do not underestimate it! Story aside, this is still among the best experiences gaming has to offer. With perfect gameplay, artistically crafted levels, and a pleasant presentation, NSMB2 does not disappoint. Plus, the new coin-based mechanics and modes only add to the adventure. Bet you can't just collect a few!

Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward
Visual Novels have always been rare on the Game Boy, typically being the affair of the Neo Geo portables. After playing Zero Escape, many have said this was because the Game Boy was waiting for the best. The game's story is arguably one for the best ever to grace a handheld game, and the voice acting and presentation are impeccable. Those of you who view games as art will NOT want to miss this!

Harvest Moon: A New Beginning
Harvest Moon games have been around for a while, so what makes this one so special. Well, it's the little things. Like the ability to customize your character and town. The great selection of people to befriend and marry. The cute presentation made better by the 3D. It just all... fits together.

Adventure Time
Who said licensed games can't be good? Adventure Time follows the tale of Jake the Dog and Finn the human as they fight against the nefarious Ice King. The game in question is a gooey love letter to Zelda 2, and is an amazing look at where that genre could have gone. With solid gameplay, a sense of nostalgia, and mountains of charm, this is one adventure you'll not want to miss.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Paper Mario has always been about changing the RPG-norm, and rarely has the norm been changed more than in Sticker Star. Sticker Star replaces all the traditional RPG elements with single-use stickers, turning the game into a mixture of turn-based strategy, a collectathon, and an adventure game. You've never played anything like it, and that's a darn shame.

Results

 * Kid Icarus: Uprising - 23%
 * Mario Kart 3D - 26%
 * Resident Evil: Revelations - 9%
 * Theatrhythm Final Fantasy - 5%
 * Kingdom Hearts 3D - 5%
 * New Super Mario Bros. 2 - 17%
 * Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward - 3%
 * Harvest Moon: A New Beginning - 1%
 * Adventure Time - 1%
 * Paper Mario: Sticker Star - 10%

Conclusion
It was a close race, but ultimately it came down to which Nintendo launch title reigned supreme. And at the end of the day, althoguh Pit put up an admirable fight, the winner was the reigning champion of racing, Mario Kart!

Next Year
It's early to say what game will be the best next year, but here are a few possible nominees!


 * Castlevania: Mirror of Fate
 * Etrian Odyssey IV
 * Mario Party 3D
 * Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
 * Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 3

Remember, the Game Boy 3DS's life is just beginning! We have some fun times ahead of us!