Nano Assault

 3DS
Nano Assault Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 18 Ratings

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  • Summary: In Nano Assault, players blast their way through 32 twisted cell stages and dark worlds with rugged landscapes that adjust in difficulty based on the player's skill level. Prepare to battle and defeat extreme nemeses including the Black Nucleus, Hyper Blobs and Spore Plants using powerfulIn Nano Assault, players blast their way through 32 twisted cell stages and dark worlds with rugged landscapes that adjust in difficulty based on the player's skill level. Prepare to battle and defeat extreme nemeses including the Black Nucleus, Hyper Blobs and Spore Plants using powerful beams, energetic bombs and other unlockable assault weapons. To ensure successful missions, players can clone and respawn themselves to continue the journey anytime. Special features include Missions Mode, an unlockable arcade style cell stage where players must beat the clock by destroying the most enemies, and Hall of Fame, a bragging rights leaderboard where players can publish and compare high level scores with friends. Additionally, players will be able to use the StreetPass feature to trade unlocked content.… Expand
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Nano Assault - Official Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Game Chronicles
    Jan 30, 2012
    87
    So if you love a fun and challenging shooter with a clever mix of styles and a killer assortment of boss battles then Nano Assault is definitely worth checking out. While 32 levels might sound like a lot, they are surprisingly short and fast, and competent gamers can blast their way through the Story Mode in 3-4 hours, but with the endless appeal of Arcade and Boss Rush modes there is enough addictive old-school arcade goodness to keep coming back for more microscopic carnage time and time again.
  2. NintendoWorldReport
    Jan 3, 2012
    85
    Nano Assault has enough issues, whether it's the roughness of the on-rails sections or the face button directional shooting, that it might turn off some players, but if you want some fast-paced and focused shooter action that looks damn fine and can get addictive, Shin'en's latest is well worth your time.
  3. Nintendo Life
    Mar 13, 2012
    80
    It's both punishingly difficult and endlessly satisfying, and it does an excellent job of keeping the action varied and the tensions high.
  4. Nintendo Gamer
    Mar 6, 2012
    75
    Addictively fun yet lamentably short. [March 2012, p.96]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Nintendo Power
    Nov 8, 2011
    70
    Fortunately, Nano Assault adjusts the difficulty level depending upon how you play, which can help alleviate the frustration. [Nov 2011, p.79]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. GameShark
    Jan 27, 2012
    67
    Nano Assault is shallow, pretty, kind of fun but repetitive. It's the kind of game that I tend to play intensely for a couple of days and then put away, never to touch it again.
  7. GamesRadar+
    Dec 12, 2011
    60
    While the game is surprisingly delightful, after a breezy three hours it will also feel surprisingly concluded.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Chillybilly
    Dec 8, 2011
    10
    Absolutely fantastic game. The visuals are amazing, seriously, the videos posted throughout the internet do this game no favors, you need toAbsolutely fantastic game. The visuals are amazing, seriously, the videos posted throughout the internet do this game no favors, you need to see this game running in person to really see just how amazing it looks.

    Other than the beautiful visuals, the soundtrack is exactly what you'd want from a futuristic SHMUP, thumping beats and slick synths, hopefully Shin'en will release an OST for Nano Assault someday.

    For the price of admission you absolutely cannot go wrong with Nano Assault, it may not sport a super long SP campaign, the arcade mode and leader boards will keep you busy for hours.    … Expand
  2. MigueelDnd
    Jan 2, 2012
    10
    Just what the 3DS needed, a real shooter. This game has wonderful graphics, pushing the 3DS hardware(typical of Shin'en), great controls, andJust what the 3DS needed, a real shooter. This game has wonderful graphics, pushing the 3DS hardware(typical of Shin'en), great controls, and several playing modes. You can blow through the story somewhat quickly, but the real game lies in the Arcade Mode. The music is not so varied, but, to be honest, it's really good so it doesn't matter at all. There is almost no story, but that shouldn't be a surprise knowing that this kind of games rarely dedicates to it. If you like arcade shooters, then you will definitely like this one. If you don't, this could be a good chance to get to know the genre! The best part is that this game was released on a budget price, so you don't have to pay full price for it!… Expand
  4. jqm78
    Jan 22, 2012
    10
    Great Game for the 3DS.... Great Game OVERALL! Graphics are amazing and could be mistaken for an Xbox 360 or PS3 game.. Playing the game in 3DGreat Game for the 3DS.... Great Game OVERALL! Graphics are amazing and could be mistaken for an Xbox 360 or PS3 game.. Playing the game in 3D is a joy, but there will be alot of "ghosting", which can be easily ignored.. It's also budget priced, with a current msrp of 19.99, this game is a great deal that will provide hours of entertainment. Difficulty is high when you start playing, but once you get the hang of it and earn power ups and extra lives, it becomes almost easy. Moving your ship in order to avoid projectiles is the key to this game, once you get the feel for it, you'll be able to move and shoot your enemies with ease. Personally, while I firmly believe this is a great game for the price, if you have a Gamefly account, you might want to rent it first, as it can be finished fairly easily, once you get a handle on the games learning curve. I'd say it's definitely in the top 5 3DS games available, and would be a great addition to new 3DS owners, as it really shows of the systems power.… Expand
  5. Redz0ne
    Apr 16, 2012
    9
    I initially passed this game by when it first came out as it didn't look all that engaging. when the price-drop happened and it was on saleI initially passed this game by when it first came out as it didn't look all that engaging. when the price-drop happened and it was on sale for $20 i picked it up and BOY were my initial impressions so very, very wrong.

    this game is quite simply one of the most technically beautiful games for the 3ds early launch and the gameplay is quite good. it could have benifitted from a circle-pad-pro option since the shooting in the 8 directions felt a little odd at first... but i got used to it.

    there is a decent amount of content and it's quite polished EXCEPT FOR THAT ONE BOSS BATTLE where i had to turn the 3d off (as it was seriously and severely buggy to the point of unplayability in 3d.)

    if you're a fan of shmups, you'll more than likely love this game but if you're just looking for something to fill the void between releases, it's worth getting as it's an addicting and engaging game that doesn't force you to read or watch movies to understand the plot... the plot is quite simple... you're a nanite ship and you have to destroy bacteria and virii and other biological things. that's it. simply gorgeous, good gameplay, Priced just right for the cheapskate in the family and a downright STEAL for shmup fans.    … Expand
  6. mslurr
    Dec 28, 2011
    9
    Let's get this out right now: this game is hard. It will frustrate you at times. Getting that out of the way, this game is glorious. TheLet's get this out right now: this game is hard. It will frustrate you at times. Getting that out of the way, this game is glorious. The soundtrack is amazing and fitting, the visuals are beautiful, and the gameplay is downright fun. It's a must-have for any SHMUP fan with a 3DS, as well as Xevious on the eShop.… Expand
  7. Meroleek
    Sep 22, 2016
    7
    Habia escuchado buenos comentarios respecto a este juego y como lo vi en descuento en la Eshop decidi comprarlo y que gran sorpresa me lleveHabia escuchado buenos comentarios respecto a este juego y como lo vi en descuento en la Eshop decidi comprarlo y que gran sorpresa me lleve al encontrarme un juego entretenido, bien hecho y con un maravilloso 3D. sin duda uno de sus mayores efectos es que su dificultas no es muy alta y es corto en su modo historia, pero tiene diferentes tipos de juegos en los cuales puedes dedicarle muchas mas horas.… Expand
  8. CorazonAzul
    May 30, 2014
    5
    Starfox and Mario Galaxy's shoot'em-up lovechild pampers Nintendo in the 3DS' opening year, dropping previous 2D formats in favor of 3DStarfox and Mario Galaxy's shoot'em-up lovechild pampers Nintendo in the 3DS' opening year, dropping previous 2D formats in favor of 3D worlds. Unfortunately also ushering in variable hitboxes and shooting angles, and leaving out barrel rolls and proven conduits by which to assert yourself- this dicey 3DS bid often runs on your grit alone.… Expand

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best 3DS Game of 2011
38
#38 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2011
46
#46 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2011