7. Fire Emblem: Blazing Sword
The one that started it all. Fire Emblem: Awakening is coming to the United States. When I reported the news just after the 3DS Event at E3 2012, my hands were shaking and I was virtually frozen in place for a while with glee and anticipation. Alas, Awakening cannot make this list yet. But here’s the Fire Emblem first released on Gameboy Advance, a little while after Super Smash Brothers Melee piqued our interest in the lore.
Weapon triangles, epic battles, a bit of deception, “Hector Hard Mode”, and a cast of unique characters are what make this game great. While it’s not offered as a 3DS Ambassador title like the easier Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones, this is truly the definitive Fire Emblem on a handheld, outclassing the sequels and remakes that have come to handhelds after it (according to most of our staff).
Will Awakening reinvigorate American interest in the franchise? Only time will tell.
6. Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal Version(s)
The one that’s the same thing over and over again…we know. It’s proven amongst the Operation Rainfall Staff (at least, those who enjoy Pokemon games)—the franchise cannot do better than its second generation of games. Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal were as successful as they were because they built upon the success of the games that came before them. The story was a direct sequel, the one hundred or so new Pokemon were seamlessly mixed in with creatures we were already familiar with, players could eventually visit the previous region they knew, and even battle against their former self. Night and day, breeding, Shiny Pokemon, and other series staples were first introduced in these games as well.
Pokemon is what it is because kids can enjoy the franchise just as much as adults, whether one group does so more openly than the other or not. Even if the fundamental mechanics of the game haven’t really changed in some fifteen years, there’s no denying the power of simplicity—and nostalgia.
(And before anyone asks—I polled the staff to see whether or not we should include the original games, or Heartgold and Soulsilver on this list; the originals won almost unanimously.)
5. Metroid Fusion
The one that’s not Metroid: Other M. What needs to be said about Metroid Fusion? It’s everything you love about the Metroid games that came before it, but on the go, and a little more ambitious at times. I’m admittedly not the world’s biggest Metroid fan (but I somehow feel comfortable playing La-Mulana, Cave Story, and other games of its ilk…what the heck is wrong with me?). But when Metroid Fusion found its way to the 3DS because I was a little more willing to pay for the system at launch, I gave the game a chance.
It’s not hard to see why our staff loves this game. I advise both skeptics and fans of the Super Nintendo / NES games to give this one a chance. You won’t regret it, folks.
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