This entire week, we have covered our most anticipated 2012 games for the 360, PS3, Wii, and PC. Now it's time for Tony Ponce and I to enter the hardcore, baby-making world of portables. With the Nintendo DS going out with a bang and the 3DS just starting to find its footing, 2012 is going to be an exciting year for Nintendo handhelds!
As much as we love our Nintendo DSes, we are really looking forward to what 3DS games will be releasing in the future. After a slow start in 2011, the 3DS is picking up some major steam going into the new year. Like the DS before it, once the system builds up some critical and commercial momentum, the classic games from first and third parties alike will start piling up. Exciting stuff!
But what specific DS and 3DS games in 2012 are we the most excited about?
Resident Evil Revelations (3DS)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release: February 7, 2012
I just recently replayed the undeniable classic Resident Evil 4 and fell in love with the game all over again. And as much as I liked (not loved) Resident Evil 5, after playing RE4, I have been craving a more classic Resident Evil experience. Resident Evil Revelations looks to satiate that need.
Set on a creepy boat floating on a creepy sea, the gorgeous, "is that really running on a handheld?" Revelations should be the return to form the classic series desperately needs. I can't wait for the game to scare the bejesus out of me ... all in 3D!
Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS)
Developer: Project Sora
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: March 23, 2012
I'm not going lie: out of all the games I am excited about in 2012, Kid Icarus: Uprising gives me the most reservations. I obviously love the character and am super stoked for the action-heavy gameplay, but I am very nervous about the controls. In my short time with the game, the controls were very uncomfortable, to say the least.
But when a game is delayed (Kid Icarus: Uprising was originally supposed to be released in 2011), sometimes it is for the best. I am cautiously optimistic for this promising, wildly different sequel. It could end up being a surprise hit!
Luigi's Mansion 2 (3DS)
Developer: Next Level Games
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: Q1 2012
The original Luigi's Mansion was such an odd little launch title for the GameCube back in 2001, but that was one of the reasons I fell in love with it. When Nintendo does "odd," the results are always, at the very least, memorable.
Now, more than 10 years later, the game is getting an official sequel on the 3DS! Once again starring Mario's tortured, often-forgotten sibling, Luigi's Mansion 2 looks better than the original and promises to feature multiple mansions, more stuff to do, and more ghosts to suck ... into the Poltergust 3000!
I played the game at E3 and absolutely fell in love with its crisp visuals and addictive gameplay. I can't wait to play more of Luigi's Mansion 2 when it comes out later this year!
Paper Mario (3DS)
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: 2012
This is it. Out of all games on all systems, this is the one I am most looking forward to in 2012. I have never been shy about my love for the Paper Mario series. I think it is one of the most charming videogame series of all time, and the original is one of my favorite RPGs ever.
Not much is known about Paper Mario for 3DS, but does it really matter? It's a brand new Paper Mario game! That's all I need to know. I am so freaking excited!
I am going to play the sh*t out of this game!
Honorable Mentions: Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition (DS)
Developer: Game Freak, Tecmo Koei
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Release: March 17, 2012 (JP)
I am what you call a "lapsed fan" of the Pokémon series, having only played through the first generation before hanging up my towel. I've also never played any entry in the Nobunaga's Ambition series, nor am I consumer of strategy RPGs. However, take these two properties that would never in a million years eat at the same table then make them eat at the same table, and my interest is piqued.
It's such a natural progression, really. For years, we've been exposed to our fair share of historical games that take extensive liberties with the events. Tecmo Koei itself has been pumping out a parade of Dynasty and Samurai Warriors sequels featuring outlandish skills and high-octane rock soundtracks. Sengoku-era warriors chillaxing with the likes of Mewtwo and Jigglypuff is the obvious next step.
Extreme Escape Adventure: Good People Die (3DS, PlayStation Vita)
Developer: Chunsoft
Publisher: TBA
Release: February 16, 2012 (JP)
When I first heard about 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, I expected a beefier successor to the escape-the-room Flash games I enjoyed in college. I was blindsided when I popped the cartridge in and discovered a text-heavy visual novel without any respite, not even within the aforementioned puzzle rooms. Not one for excessive narrative, I shouldn't have liked this game. Not only did 999 become my favorite title of 2010, a lot of other people became hooked as well. It performed beyond Aksys' expectations, completely selling out and forcing the company to produce a second run.
Good People Die is the sequel to 999; if it's even half as good as the original, I'll be a happy man. Already, the details have gotten me excited, the most interesting bit being the cooperation / betrayal mechanic. The participants are once again shackled with death watches, though they operate differently than in the last adventure. By choosing to help or turn on your partner, you collect points, and if you earn nine points, you can escape. However, points are awarded based on both parties' decisions, so should you choose to cooperate with someone who in turn betrays you, you lose points. If you hit zero, the watch will inject you with lethal poison.
Oh boy!
Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney (3DS)
Developer: Level-5, Capcom
Publisher: Level-5
Release: 2012 (JP)
It's the season of crossovers! The union of Pokémon and Nobunaga's Ambition is (hopefully) like a pairing of foods that you wouldn't think tastes good but does, like sugar cookies filled with potato chip crumbles. Following that logic, Professor Layton and Ace Attorney is like peanut butter and Nutella -- two great tastes that taste even better combined. You know this to be true.
How can Phoenix even legally practice law outside of the country? I say that because there is no way that town is just a Renaissance festival passing through California. Then again, Phoenix and Layton aren't supposed to exist in the same century, so I probably shouldn't try to introduce logic to this discussion, despite logic being the cornerstone of both franchises.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy (3DS)
Developer: indies zero
Publisher: Square Enix
Release: February 16, 2012 (JP)
I was writing these little blurbs when I suddenly realized that none of my top picks have a US release date. Sure, it might just be a matter of time before the respective companies make "the call," and the only title I'm almost certain won't be localized can be imported and played on any vanilla DS without any region-locking hassle. Still, I'm upset that publishers in this modern age continue to be slow to respond to fans who show genuine interest in their more alternative catalog.
But I digress. Where were we? Ah, Theatrhythm! The character art is deliciously adorable and the gameplay reminds me of Taiko Drum Master and Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan. I don't even think it's possible to dislike Final Fantasy music -- at least, I've never met anyone who does. Theatrhythm is most certainly a spin-off I can throw my full support behind.
Rodea the Sky Soldier (3DS, Wii)
Developer: Prope
Publisher: Kadokawa Shoten
Release: TBA
I doubt many of you even remember this guy. We haven't seen or heard anything solid of Rodea, from Yuji Naka's Prope studios, in almost a year. All we discovered recently was that development completed some months back and that it's up to publisher Kadokawa Shoten to decide the next move.
I want to play Rodea not only because I think it could be decent but also because I want to see a massive Prope game that isn't a shallow minigame package. Ivy the Kiwi? was fine, but let's aim a little higher, shall we? I definitely noticed shades of NiGHTS into Dreams... in the original trailer, so I pray I'm not setting my hopes up for a touch of that 90s SEGA magic in the final product.
Honorable Mentions: Flipper 2: Flush the Goldfish, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle, Mutant Mudds, Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword , Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, Resident Evil Revelations
Additional staff picks for the DS / 3DS:
Sean Daisy: Monster Hunter 4, Luigi's Mansion 2, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
Jonathan Holmes: Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition, Guild 01, Resident Evil Revelations
Andrew Kauz: Tales of the Abyss, Resident Evil Revelations, Kid Icarus: Uprising
Tara Long: Resident Evil Revelations
Jonathan Ross: Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle, Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney
Max Scoville: The Binding of Isaac
Josh Tolentino: Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2
Contest:
12:00 PM on 01.13.2012 | 
Also, Layton vs. Wright, Theatrhythm, and pretty much everything else on this list.
Except for Resident Evil, anyway.
Good lists all around! Had no idea some of these were even coming out.
I also like how the list magically adds the DS just because of Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition. The power of Pokemon!
From what I've seen, there's no new content except for "3D camera camo". I'm getting it, but I'm a MGS fanboy.
You'd be better off getting the HD collection for any number of systems - by the time Snake eater 3D comes out, the HD collection will probably be cheaper.
offtopic: Dead space dual pack reaaaaaally cheap on steam (am I allowed to mention this?)
...(Does that mean I'm good people?)
Neither of you mentioned Ni no Kuni, does that mean there's really no hope of the DS game coming west?
You can crouch walk in it.
OT, hope fire emblem, monster hunter and pokemon x nobunaga make it over here this year, among others.
Colors 3D
Code of Princess
Dillon's Rolling Western
Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime 2
Extreme Escape Adventure: Good People Die
Fantasy Life
Final Fantasy Theatrhythm
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Guild01
Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai
KAIO: King of Pirates
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance
Luigi's Mansion 2
Mutant Mudds
Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword
Paper Mario 3DS
Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle
Professor Layton vs Ace Attorney
Rayman Origins
Resident Evil: Revelations
Rhythm Thief & the Emperor’s Treasure
Time Travelers
Plus a bunch of other stuff too, Needless to say it's going to be a very good year for me. So many games I'm looking forward to that I won't have nearly as much money to buy them all this year
Pokemon + Nobunaga isn't the only DS game on here. There's also Flipper 2 (DSiWare) and Devil Survivor 2. Not a swarm, no, but there we go.
To be honest, I forgot about Metal Gear 3 coming out for the 3DS! I am totally going to pick that up. It's my favorite game in the series! So many good games! Exclamation points! :D
I am losing my mind with excitement about Fire Emblem 3DS. One of my favorite series ever. I am hoping it comes to North America! :)
I think that games looks incredible ... but I am not sure if it is officially coming to the west. If so, consider it added to my list. :)
From the looks of things, it isn't. I wanted some portable Ni no Kuni action myself.
@Ekas
It probably would have been on Dale's list had he responded to our discussion email. It looks cool, but I really can't make much of decision based on what I've seen or heard.
Pssssh! Didn't stop me from putting Japanese games on here!
Beyond the Labrinth
Bravely Default
Crush 3D
Picross e
Nazo Waku Yakata
Senran Kagura: Shoujo Tachi no Shinei
True some of these might turn out to be duds, and couple might never make it out of Japan (Project Mirai, Nazo Waku Yakata) but a majority of them look solid to me and seem like they have a decent chance of making it overseas.
Did you not read my honorable mentions?
That's not for dual controls, just for left handed people.
Also the games I'm looking forward to are Paper Mario, Tales of the Abyss, and That Phoenix Wright/Professor Layton crossover game.
Binding of Isaac is not confirmed for the 3DS - it's just speculation based on early talks to potentially bring the game over.
As a 3DS owner, this year is looking really good :) Glad I bought the thing!
Also, I forgot about Guild01. That's the most exciting shit ever.
Man so many good games for my portables, my most anticipated is Paper Mario, but it's a close call.
Stupid region lock.
Paper Mario & Animal Crossing for me. Kid Icarus will be 2013 :P