If you loved the original, it’s totally worthwhile.

The game isn’t weighed down by copious story or in-depth upgrade systems, it’s just a boy, his grandma, and a heaping helping of baddies; it is pure platforming bliss. The deluxe version of the game is equal parts delicate retooling and new content, making it perfect for old and new fans alike.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is a beast of a game, featuring hundreds of hours of open-ended gameplay. If you were turned off by the lack of structure and real goals in previous Animal Crossing games, nothing here will change your mind.

While I can’t recommend it to everyone, if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t mind a punishing grind and some badly designed mechanics, there’s a lot to love under the surface.

I’m not sure how much I can recommend this HD remake for people who already got their Revelations fill on the 3DS, but if you haven’t played it before, Wii U is the way to go.

It may be too soon after LEGO City Undercover to truly appreciate LEGO Batman 2. Playing them nearly back-to-back accentuates the similarity of the core gameplay, and makes the many-reprised assets, actions and animations stick out. But if you have skipped the superior Wii U exclusive earlier, or you are hungry for more of the same, or you're looking for a co-op experience or if you simply need your LEGO games to be Batman-flavored, then LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is a solid option.

Granted, the difficulty curve is quite steep, but that shouldn’t stop you from having some fun with it. I just wish there was a little more variation in the music. Overall, the game was very enjoyable and is definitely at least worth checking out.

That narrative itself is scattered throughout journals and archives accessible through the main menu, and discovering just what went wrong on the Starship Damrey is half the fun. It's filled to the brim with twists and humor, but I really would have loved to see the game fleshed out a bit more.

Retro Studios’ foray into 2D platformers is great, but this isn’t the definitive version and, honestly, you might be better off tracking down the Wii version.

It’s a great game to pick up and play anytime you want a quick fix, though you can’t save between chapters, so some minimal dedication is required.

While the 3D graphics are done well for most of the game, I did have trouble focusing whenever the giant “goal!” announcement splashed across the screen in the foreground. The rest of the game utilized it well, with smooth celebration and slow-motion playback animations.

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move is a fresh take on a series that seemed routed in a certain style of design.

CollegeHumor’s first 3DS game was a big step for them, just not an impressive one. BearShark gives off a great first impression, but first impressions aren’t everything. After a while, the game’s brand new shine starts to fade, until it fades away to nothing.

Kung Fu Rabbit is a decent and often enjoyable experience. Though some aspects hold it back, it is still worth a look as a platformer.

There’s a lot of content here, and I can’t recommend Injustice highly enough for both fighting fans and DC enthusiasts.

Clash of Elementalists may look like an interesting title, but its high difficulty and learning curve make its relatively meager offerings even less appealing. This is not a game worth spending hours becoming proficient at.

Witch’s Cat is brutally difficult, and frankly too much for me to handle. While I cried my way through several of the levels, I came to find that the game is well designed, but severely lacking in explanation. With a hint system, or maybe even the ability to skip levels, Witch’s Cat may be more approachable, but without those, most people should steer clear.

Overall, however, I love this game. It provides a fun Spider-Man story and my favorite aspects of Spider-Man 2, but with better graphics and more things to do. Yeah, the combat could be better, but all things considered, that’s a minor complaint. If you have any love for Spider-Man, you owe it to yourself to check this game out.

However, like the first Rolling Western game, it demands a lot of your attention, and since the sequel is just that much bigger, one has to wonder whether The Last Ranger's relentless pace is just a little too much game to handle.

Overall, the game isn't a complete travesty, despite all of its issues. It controls well enough, and is generally fun to play in short spurts, but I can't really recommend it to anyone that's not a child, as it's just a bit too basic.

Super Little Acorns 3D Turbo is a fun 3DS eShop title. It's not quite the cream of the crop on the download platforms, but as a platformer, it is fantastic and worth checking out. It is a polished, amusing title from start to finish.

Steeped in heavy strategy and gameplay complexities, this game is definitely not a leisurely pick-up-and-play experience, but if you’re looking for a rewarding challenge, then welcome to Amami City.

In some respects, Pandora's Tower shares similarities with Shadow of the Colossus, and while it doesn't ascend to the high barometer of that game, it is worthy of the comparison.

It’s packed with content, and even in the later hours I was thrown into areas I had yet to discover. Whether you choose to explore, race, or compete with friends, there’s a home for you in Fairhaven.

In the end, we're presented with a game that looks fine, sounds lovely, reads excellently, and plays kind of blandly. It has around 100 missions and a decent pool of characters from the Naruto universe that fans of the show can catch up with, as long as they can handle some repetition along the way

Although the game starts out slow, the reward is in making it to the higher levels. Once all the tricks and gimmicks are explained, the floors can expand and play with the format’s limitations. The pros really outweigh the cons here, and anyone looking for puzzles with a fun twist would have fun with this game.

Toki Tori 2 demands a lot from players, more than the vast majority of modern games do. We have come to rely on games holding our hands and pointing out what to pay attention to as soon as we come across a puzzle, before we've had the chance to work it out. Allow Toki Tori 2 to remind you just how satisfying it can be to solve a clever puzzle entirely by yourself. This opportunity is all too rare today.

As everything Tri was and more, Ultimate in its portable form is a must-have, at least for Monster Hunter fans. Being able to bring the game’s immersive world with you where ever you go is a truly incredible experience.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is a game of tremendous depth, but also one of tremendous reward. Should you decide to give it a fair amount of time and put in a bit of work, you may find it one of the most exciting experiences available on Wii U.

Etrian Odyssey IV’s sense of adventure is ever present as you explore its wide variety of environments. The game’s lackluster story and occasional difficulty may scare some away, but between the amazing dungeons, challenging battles, and great music, this is an accessible and worthwhile chapter in the series.

With short stages and an underlying arcade nature, Wild Adventures: Ultimate Deer Hunt 3D works well as a downloadable title. Control issues aside, the game is well made and a good deal of fun. There isn't much to do unless you are a trophy collector, but if you want an arcade shooter, you could do worse.

It may have Christmas cheer but it won’t keep anyone playing throughout the year, or really any stretch of time at all.

HarmoKnight is a Game Freak product, through and through. While its nods to Pokémon are apparent in unlockable content and a Gengar-esque antagonist, the truth behind my assumption is actually buried a little deeper.

Though the gameplay is mostly unchanged, Spike Chunsoft has gone to great lengths to streamline what didn't work well in previous games and dramatically improve areas that were already good. Consequently, in spite of a low Pokémon count, Gates to Infinity provides the best PMD experience yet. If you're a Pokémon fan who has always been a little skeptical of the PMD series, it might be worth giving Gates to Infinity a shot.

Dark Moon’s multiplayer is an incredible local experience that should have you shouting with your friends in no time. Online play, however, loses a bit of that experience’s immediacy. The only way to convey anything is to select one of four preset phrases from the D-pad, which hinders communication.

A workable frame rate might have salvaged this uninteresting, watered-down 3DS version of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. Instead, the game's single redeeming quality is marred by technical and gameplay problems, leaving it a shallow, unworkable execution of a good idea.

On the whole, Undercover is the most polished LEGO game I’ve ever played. The humor, while often hokey, works alongside the gameplay in a manner that makes the game charming for its long campaign. LEGO City Undercover isn’t the game to save the Wii U from its recent dearth of games, but it is still a solid, fun romp for anyone who has an affinity for LEGO games.

Gorgeous visuals coupled with a stunning use of stereoscopic depth make for one of the most graphically stunning packages on the Nintendo 3DS. Luckily, it’s a lot of fun to play, too.

Kersploosh! has some opportunities for fun, but the game is over before its concept gets a chance to shine.

A sharp, witty script, videogame and pop culture references galore, and a nostalgia-inducing soundtrack make Retro City Rampage a worthwhile endeavour for anyone looking to take a vacation to the 8-bit days of yore. Just don’t expect to permanently relocate to Theftropolis after your brief weekend visit.

ATV Wild Ride 3D is a nice change of pace from the other racers available on the 3DS. It places an emphasis on player skill and knowledge, and provides a playing field balanced to encourage learning. Its rough edges occasionally create a wilder experience than intended, but in the face of these blemishes, the game still stands as a worthwhile experience.

Mirror of Fate is a confident interpretation of well-trod mechanics and themes, and the Castlevania name is stronger for it.

Though Career Mode is tedious and makes unlocking new elements a chore, the customization options and freedom you have when building coasters are worth the fuss. Coaster Creator 3D is a fun tool for any coaster fan or theme park enthusiast.

The bloody legacy of Fist of the North Star could have yielded a satisfying, violent melee action game, but intrusive and uninteresting cut scenes, neutered enemies, and repetitious combat make Ken's Rage 2 an exercise in tedium instead.

Runner2 is the type of sequel you dream happens. It takes the concepts and gameplay of the original and advances them in every way. Gaijin Games didn’t just make a great game—it made one of the best side-scrolling platformers in recent memory.

AirBattle Hockey 3D serves up a fantastic foundation, with a really cool art style, an appropriate yet unmemorable soundtrack, and some solid gameplay, but the lack of gameplay modes is a real bummer. If the game ever goes on sale or becomes a Club Nintendo reward, I would recommend picking it up. As the current package stands, it's going to have to stay in the penalty box.

Some players may enjoy 99Moves on its concept alone; everyone else should set their expectations realistically.

The Wii U version should be your last resort. I can't help but think it must have been rushed to meet the release date, when it would have benefited from some extra time in development.

While Wizard Defense does try something new, it can’t shake the incompatibility of its two gameplay types, so, like every other tower defense game I’ve had the “pleasure” of reviewing on DSiWare, I’d avoid this one.

Overall, it's a well-rounded experience that works well as an educational tool, and makes a point to appeal to a player’s mindset by constantly offering rewards for a job well done.

Heroes 2 is not the best DSiWare title available, but if you're hankering for some turn-based strategic battle planning action, it stacks up well enough, especially for those who can't yet play the new Fire Emblem.

Gardenscapes is not a game you would want to play for long periods of time, but only when you have a few minutes to spare. It is easier than most hidden object games, so you should never become overly frustrated.

Biorhythm is a well-executed application, but doesn’t offer anything more than the basics. Its retro look and music creates a unified theme that draws on the height of biorhythms’ popularity in the 1970s, and while it’s not the most complex application on DSiWare, it should suit supporters’ needs perfectly.

Ultimately, it will be easier for fans of Ron Gilbert's previous works to look past the niggling flaws and appreciate the game, but anyone should be able to enjoy writing and puzzles of this caliber. Lose yourself in the atmosphere, discover the sordid stories of each character, and the game's problems just fade away.

Ikachan left me wanting more, and not entirely in a good way. However, it is a curiosity worth discovering for ardent Cave Story fans who have a distaste for the PC platform. If you are set on playing it, the 3DS is the absolute best platform on which to experience it.

I was impressed with the sheer amount of variety in the game, but I can't help but wish it were utilized to a greater extent. Puddle looks and plays great, but the difficulty caused by its physics can hamper the experience.

The battle system is as mathematically complex as ever, the added relationship system can suck up countless hours, and the final handful of missions is absolute hell for anyone playing on Traditional Mode. Still, an olive branch is extended to newcomers, who can turn off the more imposing features while being met with helpful tutorials and impeccable production value.

While Unlimited's focus may have moved toward usability, it's still a great game. It doesn't bring wild and crazy innovation, but progress the series nonetheless. By streamlining its process, Unlimited gives players even better ways to lose themselves in a playground of their own creation.

Overall, this is a terrible game. The sim aspect is a chore, half the mini-games are awful (the other half are tolerable in their simplicity), and the rewards are so uneventful that you'll lose motivation to continue the second you have to play a mini-game you dislike. And it's not like your dinosaur ever grows or changes, so there's no feeling of progression. It's 100 percent chore boy B.S.

Overall, this game tries to do a lot, and is so close to being a success. With some more mini-games, a better written story, and refined use of the 3DS features, Riding Stables 3D could have been a true diamond in the rough on the 3DS eShop. Instead, it's not much more than a curiosity for anyone with a penchant for horses or silly plots.

3D Game Collection didn't do much to impress me, nor did I find myself wanting to play it more often. It did provide an interesting distraction for short bursts of time. The game's variety of content makes it hard to feel ripped off, but don't expect a steal.

Crystals Adventures isn't something I would recommend, unless players want to experience an almost-finished game. The game feels half-finished and is missing many things most RPG fans have come to expect. Just like the nameless bounty hunter the game uses as its protagonist, this game is forgettable and lackluster.

Unchained Blades does shine in its presentation. The anime-style art is unique, as each character was designed by a different manga/anime artist. And of course, there's the music from famed composer Nobuo Uematsu of the Final Fantasy series and The Last Story. It's just too bad that the rest of the game couldn't live up to designs and music put forth by these artists.

Ben 10: Omniverse has the elements of a great game. The problem lies in how it balances these aspects. The repetitive and numerous combat sequences left me bored and uninterested, while the puzzles leveraging the large cast of aliens were not that prevalent. Fans of the series may still find something due to the source material, but the common consumer should probably steer clear.

Despite some negative points, Mahjong 3D: Warriors of the Emperor is a great experience, recreating a classic game while adding an extensive amount of gameplay. Its price might seem a high for a mahjong game, but I think it is worth it if you are looking for a solid game to pass the time.

Still, Johnny Impossible is fun stealth game that is worth checking out if you're looking for a short side-scrolling experience on the eShop.

Tokyo Crash Mobs isn't a profound game, but it is fun as long as you can get past the occasionally frustrating controls.

The game may be more entertaining for the younger set, but you would never haul this game out at parties over, say, Nintendo Land or Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed. You'd bore your guests to tears. Avoid this one, guys, unless your kids are huge fans of the movie. Even then… maybe not.

Offering nothing for the fans while having gameplay that's fun to no one, Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth is impossible to recommend.

Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade is a mess. It makes a promise it can't keep, assaults your ears with annoying voice acting, and sucks all the fun out of owning a Wii U. It is the coal under the tree that is Wii U.

This game may satisfy younger kids who still visit or get excited about Chuck E. Cheese, but even without a tutorial level or any instructions, almost any child could blow through it on any difficulty with little to show.

That said, PIX3D is kind of relaxing, and lets you make your own pixel art via its creation tool. Just don't go in expecting a challenging experience.

Check it out if you want some straightforward water-platforming action, but if you were expecting layered, explorable worlds, Fluidity: Spin Cycle isn't that.

If you are a fan of match-three games, you will enjoy the puzzles but not much else.

The cheap, copycat, mentality of Cake Ninja 2 leaves it the most cynically designed game I've ever played. It is utterly bereft of fun, challenge, or creativity. The only reason one should play this game is if they're working on a cease and desist order on behalf of Halfbrick Studios. Even then, you certainly wouldn't enjoy the experience.

Minor issues aside, escapeVektor still packs a lot; in addition to the story and online leaderboards, the game features a variety of achievement-like badges, and every level has four high score medals.

Zombie Skape is low quality all the way to its end credits, which, mercifully, you can reach in less than 15 minutes.

Children might not mind the perplexing enemy design as long as the game is blindingly pastel enough, and they might have a higher tolerance for mindless gameplay, but I like my games to be more stimulating.

It's disappointing that while Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd you steal our garbage?! does its license justice, the mechanical side of things doesn't translate as well. The game refuses to make a name for itself, instead relying on nostalgia to cover its mistakes.

Maybe Spirit Hunters needs a Proton Pack and a ghost trap, but it sure isn't impressive in its current state.

Maybe Spirit Hunters needs a Proton Pack and a ghost trap, but it sure isn't impressive in its current state.

Overall, Bloons TD 4 is a lot of fun. The lag doesn't hinder my affection for the game. It's a game to play when you need to unwind after a long day and pop some mutha' lovin' bloons.

If you want to "get funky" please select a different farm. Funky Barn starts off decent, but a little bit of playing will make you realize that it is a boring game that offers nothing of substance. Unless you are a fan of low quality farming games, I would have to say this is one Wii U title worth skipping

Thankfully, despite having systems upon systems upon systems, the game really isn't as complex as the string of tutorials at the beginning would have you believe. I was overwhelmed at first but, after some practice and going over the in-game tips, the battles become second nature.

To put it in the simplest of terms, there are cheaper alternatives available that are more accessible and offer more entertainment than what is available in Smart Girl's Playhouse Mini.

With no way for Skylanders veterans to dive into the Wii U version without buying the Starter Kit, the best bet may be to stick with whatever system you've been using and wait until the next year's version to consider jumping to Wii U. Skylanders Giants is excellent, and the Wii U version is a fine port, but until the near-field communication technology on the GamePad is used in the game, this version is unfortunately hampered.

In the end, Tank! Tank! Tank! feels like a game that should have been stripped of its single-player and sold on the eShop as a multiplayer-only experience. The only true redeeming quality of the solo experience is the presentation, which is the same in multiplayer. It isn't the worst of the Wii U launch titles, but it certainly is nowhere near the best.

Aero Porter is certainly fun, but loses its way in trying to keep the player on the edge of his seat.

This is a game for a very specific set of people, and I am not included that set. Nonetheless, I had a good time with the game once more people got involved. If you have a group of friends that like to bust a groove, Just Dance 4 may be the party game for you. If you're more interested in leveling up a black mage than a dancer, then avoidance is your smoothest move.

As a complete package, WWE 13 may be the best wrestling game on the market in years. Although the storyline mode caters to a bygone era, there are still plenty of modern wrestlers to choose from, and match types aimed at current WWE fans. Though the Wii version lacks the downloadable content and online play of its HD counterparts, it still feels like a solid update.

Tekken Tag 2 was a great game before it hit Wii U, and on the system, it's a little bit better, even if the improvements are largely on the periphery. The game might not be ideal for newcomers, but it is likely the best Tekken game available, so if you've ever been curious about the series, Tekken Tag 2 is a good place to start.

Crashmo's difficulty and more abstracted play style may turn off some Pushmo veterans who crave more structure in their block puzzles. However, with refined gameplay and a wealth of content, the new game in the young series is still one of the best games on the 3DS eShop.

I like 3D MahJongg because of the fast paced "Rivers" rule mode. Aside from that, I feel like the game doesn't provide much more to entice players. Collecting backgrounds and different layouts by playing through the adventure mode has no worthwhile appeal. 3D MahJongg will become a great game to waste my time on when I have a minute or two to spare, but nothing more.

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013 is a solid game.

Despite these problems, Darksiders II is an excellent, lovingly crafted game I wholeheartedly recommend, especially if you liked the first. From a production value perspective, it's at the top of its class, and my problems with the game are largely personal preference quibbles. Just like the first, Darksiders II is the Zelda game we never got.

At its core, Assassin's Creed III is a very big game with an amazing setting, great exploration, solid gameplay, and a wonderful story. However, it constantly pokes holes in this experience with poor pacing and a myriad of minor issues. Despite this, I still recommend this game to every person who has an interest in the series or its revolutionary setting. It is a good game, but it could be so much better.

Trine 2 is best when digested and enjoyed slowly, but even if you choose to blast through the game, you will surely have fun with its multiplayer, visuals, and puzzle design. This early eShop title is certainly worth any adventurous player's purchase.

As it stands, Chasing Aurora is the weakest of the launch Wii U eShop games, and is only worth checking out if you value style over substance.