My Top 3DS Games of 2020

I enjoy gaming--and not the kind of enjoyment that's just, "Yeah, I like to game every now and then. I'm okay at it." No, I'm talking about the kind of enjoyment that gets passionate about gaming and loves to do it on a regular basis, even if I'm not always the best at it. (My sisters and some of my friends can attest to that fact.)

In fact, I enjoy it so much that I like to post about it whenever I get the opportunity, because it basically means I can fanboy about some of my favorite games. You may recall that last year, I went over my top 3DS games of 2019. My 2DS XL--which I love just as much now as I did back then--has this nifty little app that tracks what games you play, how long you play them in total, what your average play session time for each of them is, how frequently you play them, when you started them, and when you last played them. Being the nerd I am, this appeals to me a lot. I love being able to see all these details in one place, and I wish more systems did this type of thing.

As I mentioned last year, the app also allows me to look back on a day, week, month, or year to see what games I played then and ranks them according to playtime. That really makes this kind of thing super easy (barely an inconvenience) to do. Thus, I present to you . . . my top ten games of 2020 based on playtime! #6 will surprise you!

#10: Mario Kart 7 (3:37)

Everyone knows the Mario Kart series, but not everyone knows Mario Kart 7. I feel like it ended up being quite underrated, when this is probably one of the best racing games I've ever played. It added some really cool elements that I had never even thought of before: underwater segments on some tracks, gliding through the air in others, and--wait for it--vehicle customization! One element I forget about most of the time and then remember now and again is the ability to race in a first-person perspective. These things helped make this game stand out to me more than Mario Kart DS or Mario Kart Wii did.

One thing that I feel like people don't talk about much when it comes to this series is its music. Like, it's got some really cool soundtracks under its belt, and MK7 is no exception to that. I'm currently listening to it while I type out this game's segment of the post, and I'm just remembering how much of a bop it is. It does a lot to add to each track's individuality and unique vibe. Imagine playing these games with just some bland music in the background. I feel like they honestly wouldn't be as iconic as they are.

Why this game? I mean, when is Mario Kart not a good time? There definitely isn't any loud voices involved as you get hit by a blue or red shell, or take a corner badly, or lose the title of first place at the last second . . . right? But seriously, it's always a blast to play. I feel like at least part of the time I spent playing it last year was with Preston, which is pretty hilarious. And aside from some online multiplayer connection issues and a pretty trash battle system, Mario Kart 7 is gold.

#9: Animal Crossing: New Leaf (4:39)

If someone were to ask what one of the cutest game franchises out there was, I think Animal Crossing would be my instantaneous response. Just look at the picture I used and tell me that ain't cute as heck. If you do, you're lying to yourself. Animal Crossing is adorable, and I think my favorite entry is still New Leaf. There's just something about it that . . . resonated with me in a way that none of the other games have. I remember one time standing in line for a movie at the theater, and the girl ahead of me was playing it on her 3DS. I'm pretty sure I already knew that I wanted the game, but watching her play sealed the deal for me.

New Leaf just has so much going for it, honestly. The animation style is a definite plus, even if it doesn't look as graphically good as New Horizons. They changed how your character looks, which was needed. Being the mayor of the town was unexpected, but it put a nice twist on the tried-and-true selling points of the series. Having a main street with most shops there instead was a simple, albeit brilliant, idea. The music is probably some of the best in the series. The option to travel to a vacation island to play games by yourself or with friends was a really fun addition. Everything about this game is nothing short of perfection, in my books.

Why this game? Well, besides everything I've already listed, it's one of those games that gets me the most relaxed. I can't help but feel calm and at peace when I play. The atmosphere is just what I need some days. One of my biggest regrets of 2020 is that I didn't play it more often than I did. Like, the playtime is only enough for four to six sessions, which is not a lot at all. I need to play it more often this year!

#8: SteamWorld Dig (5:25)

SteamWorld is a gem of an indie series, and yes, that is a mining pun because that's what SteamWorld Dig is about. You play as Rusty, a steam-powered bot who's received a mine from his deceased uncle's will. The town above it, Tumbleton, seems nice enough, but something about the mine itself seems off. Monsters are waking up, and a presence is stirring in its depths. Rusty must investigate and find out what his uncle was searching for by digging tunnels and solving puzzles. But he may not like what he finds, and it may end up costing him more than the mine was worth . . .

I had started this game a while back and thought I'd gotten stuck, so I restarted it. I finally finished on my summer vacation with my family, and when I got into it, I couldn't get enough. I played through the rest of the game very quickly--though to be fair, it's not a long game to begin with. Two of the things I appreciate most are the music and the world. The OST is very distinctive and has a neat Western feel to it. Even though there are very few tracks in the game, I never got tired of them as I dug through the layers upon layers of earth. As for the world, it seems to have a lot of unspoken lore. There's a bit of a post-apocalyptic vibe to it, and you find empty robot shells among the dirt. And considering some of the enemies are humanoid, such as the one in the picture above . . . makes you wonder.

Why this game? It's a nice blend of being challenging and being rewarding. Having to figure out how to best dig so that you can have tunnels that are actually traversable while staving off enemies was fun. The part I probably enjoyed most was the final boss fight. It made the story even more interesting, and I can't wait until I finally play SteamWorld Dig 2, which is a direct sequel. At the end of the day, this was a game I didn't know I needed until I played it.

#7: Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 3DS (6:31)

Much like Mario Kart is one of the best racing franchises, Super Smash Bros. is the same when it comes to fighting series. The fourth entry, released for both the 3DS and Wii U, is my favorite that I've played so far--though I'm not sure if that's even fair, considering that I'm counting two separate editions as one and that I've only played Brawl before and not Ultimate. But I digress.

I think one of the biggest selling points of this game was that you could play Smash on the go. Obviously, now that we have Ultimate on the Switch and that the 3DS is no longer in production, that particular selling point is a bit moot. But at the time of its release, it would've been a huge factor. The new stages and characters, along with the old ones, make this title a solid release. Plus they put in a whack-ton of extra modes and stuff, so there's no shortage of things do. My main complaint is that, while the DLC is really cool, it's super expensive if you buy all of it, meaning you'll end up paying more for it than you did the actual game.

Why this game? Sometimes you're just in the mood for a more competitive game, and this would be a great choice to scratch that itch. What's also great about it is that it's fun whether you're flying solo or want to play something with friends. Fighting against Preston is a blast, because while we're both pretty good at the game, I tend to win more than him. (And that's rare when it comes to these types of games and I'm competing against him.) But I don't go into online mode expecting to win, because the people on there are super pro. Maybe one day I'll be just like them!

#6: Tomodachi Life (6:56)

Ah, Tomodachi Life. Such a fun, but goofy game. Like, this has got to be one of the weirdest games Nintendo has ever developed, right? And yet it works somehow, and it works really well. I don't know how crazy life simulation games get, as I don't play many; what I do know is that this one is crazy, and that's partially due to the fact that you're creating everyone that you want to live on your island. Would you like it if your favorite celebrity lived next door? Bam, done. What about that historical figure you really admire? Boom, not a problem. Heck, you want to add your real life crush in hopes that you two will end up dating in the game? Bang, not a problem!

Honestly, I don't play this one as much as I should. It's just so funny, even when some of the same stuff occurs often. My island--which I believe is called Paradise Island--is a weird mix of me and my sisters, Preston and Megan, Undertale characters, and other random people, like Santa and Jack Sparrow. (I really need to make some anime characters one of these days.) So many odd and random things have happened too, from me getting married to Princess Hilda from A Link Between Worlds, to Preston singing a song that I wrote about how bad he is at using the sheep weapon in the Worms games, to friends going out to the local café to talk about literally anything. It's great, not gonna lie.

Why this game? This is another game that's just fun and chill, although in a different way from New Leaf. Being able to make whoever you want so that they interact in the most amusing ways is honestly the best. Sure, this may not be a game that you play in long stretches at a time, but that doesn't negate the entertainment it provides. I remember when I first saw trailers for it, it looked so weird that I didn't even want to touch it. Watching DanTDM play it on his channel made me actually appreciate, and I don't regret purchasing it as one of my first games for my 2DS XL. (Also, was this a surprise to you? If not, then my clickbait worked--which was the whole point of my joke.)

#5: Kirby: Planet Robobot (12:10)

If you know me, you know that I adore the Kirby games. Like, to the point where I can't choose between The Legend of Zelda and Kirby as my favorite Nintendo franchise. I think my three favorite titles are Return to Dream Land, Triple Deluxe, and--you guessed it--Planet Robobot. What's there not to love about the cute pink puffball himself piloting mechs as he fights against an evil company who desires to terraform Planet Popstar into a mechanical nightmare? Doesn't get better than that!

One of the best aspects of the series is its level of difficulty, which tends to pretty low for the most part. The whole point is to have fun while offering a minimum amount of challenge, something that PR is no exception to. I really don't mind it, especially since it's not a boring level of easiness. Besides, the True Arena more than makes up for it, tending to be possibly one of the most difficult game modes Nintendo has ever created. I'm still stuck on PR's, to be honest. Another great aspect is the music. Kirby OSTs are so darn iconic; I can't get enough of them. They're a great mix of being peppy and upbeat to being intense and epic.

Why this game? I mean . . . I think I already gave a number of reasons without meaning to. I think most of what I would've played this year would be doing the Meta Knightmare mode, which is where you go through the entire game as Meta Knight, the masked swordsman who resembles Kirby. Considering that it heralds back to Kirby Super Star Ultra, my first ever Kirby game, you can bet it hits me right in the nostalgia. I've also been attempting to do the True Area, a great challenge that I've come so close to beating a few times. Fighting harder versions of bosses with tougher old moves and some new ones isn't as easy as it sounds--and it doesn't sound easy to begin with. The final boss (have I mentioned it's one of the best in the franchise?) is especially hard, because I'm not too good at figuring out the new moves. Perhaps 2021 will be the year where I win!

#4: SteamWorld Heist (13:33)

You can definitely tell that I got into the SteamWorld games this year. Heist takes place quite some time after Dig, because the world has exploded, leaving steambots to live on the vast frontier of space. Now the Red Queen and her Royalist army of dieselbots rule the galaxy, breaking the backs of the steambots they look down upon as the laborers search for relics from the old world. Captain Piper and her crew of smugglers are looking out for the common folk as they take down undead steambots that threaten moisture farms and the like, but soon she becomes entangled in something bigger than herself. She'll eventually go toe-to-toe with the queen herself as a familiar threat rises in the void of deep space . . .

As much as I loved Dig, I love Heist more. It's a turn-based strategy in which you board a ship with a goal that tends to evolve along the way. You might be looking to free some prisoners, steal some loot, or just cause mayhem among the enemy. Each ship you invade allows to pick a certain number of crewmates to complete the mission. I tend to stick to my favorites, and it's worked well for me so far. So while the game is pretty different from its predecessor, it's not entirely different. It still maintains a certain vibe that Dig had, and it still is an excellent blend of challenging and rewarding. Also, the OST is fire once again, creating the perfect mood for wherever you are. (The boss battle theme is one of my favorites.)

Why this game? I've never played anything quite like Heist, and it's been an absolute blast. I went through a season where I played it frequently, blazing through the first two regions. Last time I ended off, I was not too far into the third and final region, so I'd been hoping to finish it in 2020. Sadly, I didn't get much time to play it during my Christmas break, so it'll have to be a game I finish this year. I also just love the SteamWorld lore and worldbuilding and characters--it's nothing short of incredible.

#3: Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney (22:45)

An Ace Attorney title showing up on the list was something everyone probably expected, and I don't blame 'em. It is, after all, one of the greatest video game series in existence. What's this particular game all about? Well, it's the first trial for Apollo Justice, and he must defend Phoenix Wright in court, who has been disbarred for seven years--so there's a lot of pressure on Apollo. As the case unfolds, his mentor, Kristoph Gavin, turns on him, and he must carry on by himself. He winds up meeting Trucy, a magician who claims to be Phoenix's daughter. The two take on wild cases, but as they do, the mystery thickens ever more. What's the real connection between Nick and Trucy? Is the rockstar prosecutor, Klavier Gavin, hiding in any secrets? As a matter of fact, what about Kristoph? Everything will come together in a final showdown where nothing is as it seems . . .

Yes, I know this is technically a DS game and I'm writing a post about 3DS games. But I did play it on my 2DS, so that counts for something. Much like the very first Ace Attorney game, Apollo Justice took a little bit longer for me to get into, mostly because I had just played the graphically cleaner Ace Attorney Trilogy released for the 3DS. But when I got fully hooked, I played the heck out of it. While there was something a bit better about the previous three AA games, that by no means makes this entry bad. It was very good, and the last case was the best in how everything was tied together and concluded.

Why this game? I'm just a sucker for this series. If Capcom released them on the Switch, or localized a few games that haven't been yet, I would absolutely love that. Everything from the art style to the engaging plots to the unique characters to the fantastic soundtracks is perfection. Apollo Justice did not disappoint, and I look forward to playing the HD version that came out for the 3DS after the trilogy did. If you go through your life never experiencing these games, you'll be seriously missing out. Just saying.

#2: Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth (24:06)

Whoa, a second Ace Attorney title and DS game? No one expected that! The game starts off with Miles Edgeworth returning to the Prosecutors' Office building after traveling abroad, only to discover a deceased detective in his personal office. In hunting down the killer, he also uncovers that there's a smuggling ring tied to the murder. The game then backtracks to when he's coming home and and what happens along the way. He works alongside familiar faces, such as the loyal Detective Gumshoe and the whip-cracking Franziska von Karma. There are also newcomers like Kay Faraday, who claims to be the great thief known as the Yatagarsu, and Shi-Long Lang, an Interpol agent with aggressive methods. Together, they work to uncover what the smuggling ring is planning, but they may not like where the truth leads them . . .

Though Investigations changed up the formula quite a bit, I was hooked on it quite easily. It goes for a point-and-click style of game, which makes the investigation periods feel quite different from the rest of the series'. Then instead of court trials, you have arguments and rebuttals with witnesses wherever you are. On top of that, the plot is connected a bit differently than the other games have done, which adds to the different feel. And even though the sprite art during investigations might look older to some because of the more pixeled style, I found that it added to the game rather than detracting from it.

Why this game? It's a nice change of pace overall from the rest of the franchise, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The plot intrigued me the whole time, the music is fire, and it's about hecking Miles Edgeworth! He just so happens to be one of my favorite AA characters, so having a game all about him? Sign me up! Capcom clearly knew what the fans wanted, but it never was a cashgrab. It's a legitimately great game, and I have every intention of replaying it someday.

#1: Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (44:11)

Behold, my top game of 2020, which also happens to be the very first game I bought for my 2DS. (I actually got it before I even had the system, so that I was then "forced" to get one.) The story goes something like this: Mario and Luigi need a vacation. They're always saving the kingdom and its princess, but never get the chance to kick back. Well, their opportunity comes when Peach and the bros are invited to Pi'illo Island for a holiday. Upon their arrival, they meet up with Prince Dreambert, who pleads for them to help him wake up the rest of the Pi'illo folk. Cursed by the Bat King Antasma, they have been turned to stone. But when Bowser and Antasma team up to kidnap Peach and steal an artifact of power, it'll be multiple kingdoms that need saving--possibly the entire world. Are the heroes up to the task, or will their dream vacation become the worst nightmare?

The Mario & Luigi series is probably my favorite spinoff series in the extensive Mario franchise. They have a lot of great humor that's balanced out by the fact that these games tend to get a bit darker than the average Mario title. Battles are interesting and present a healthy challenge as you try to figure out enemy moves and how to counter them. Mario can also enter Luigi's dreams to access the Dream World, where Luigi can assist him crazy ways that fit perfectly with the location. The world is amazing, and I enjoyed visiting each locale, much like the other M&L titles I've played. This one also went for a new art style, and though I wasn't sure what to make of it when I saw trailers, I absolutely love it now.

Why this game? Obviously because it's Mario & Luigi, but also because it was a joy to play. I'd started it way back when I got my 2DS, and I didn't get far before dropping it for a couple of years. When I restarted it, it was truly love at first sight--but a second time. I really don't have any complaints about Dream Team; I think I'd even classify it as being as good as Bowser's Inside Story. Also, the music never ceases to amaze me because Yoko Shimomura composed it, and she has no right to be as talented as she is. To conclude: it's a vibrant, colorful game with a world that I'd love to live in and a plot that held me captive from start to finish. Finishing it on the night of the 31st was one of the best ways to end the year.

So now what? Do I have any gaming goals for 2021, specifically when it comes to my 2DS XL in this case? I do have some, yes, and they are:

• Definitely play more New Leaf, and play some more Tomodachi Life as well
• Finish the Ace Attorney series
• Complete Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
• Beat The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past so that I can start playing A Link Between Worlds
• Restart Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia and hopefully finish it
• Finish SteamWorld Heist and beat Dig 2
• Finally beat True Arena in Kirby: Planet Robobot so that I can start playing Kirby's Epic Yarn
• Finish Yoshi's New Island
• Get around to completing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

I know, that's a lot to accomplish, possibly even too much. Guess we'll see where I'm at with these when 2022 rolls around!

I apologize if this ended up being a long, boring post, but I hope you liked it (especially since it took several hours to write)! Have you played any of these ten games? Do you know what some of your most-played games of 2020 were?