“However wait! We’ve Dragon Quest XI at house!” However not this model of Dragon Quest XI.
Again when Dragon Quest XI was launched in Japan in 2017, there have been two very totally different variations of the sport — the PS4 launch (which is the one we ultimately all bought), and the 3DS model. And whereas features of the 3DS model such because the 2D Mode ultimately came to visit to the West due to the Definitive Version on Change, there’s a lot extra that we’re lacking out on as a result of we by no means bought the 3DS model of the sport.
So we may be a bit nostalgic for that low-poly look on the 3DS (Dragon Quest video games look so charming on this type), however cutscene path and pacing are very totally different. Additionally, dungeons are designed completely in a different way and rather more compact on 3DS in comparison with consoles. Cities, the overworld, and principally every thing is smaller and sweeter. It feels even cosier than the Change model if that is even attainable.
The stunning Jon has gushed about this model earlier than, and we’ll proceed to gush over it too, even when it is vanishingly unlikely we’ll ever see this launch in English.
![Time Travelers (3DS)](https://images.nintendolife.com/3d267b026e070/time-travelers-artwork.900x250.jpg)
Writer: Stage-5 / Developer: Stage-5
Ahh, Stage-5. A developer that’s now synonymous with “video games that do not launch within the West”. And 3DS “with no style” recreation Time Vacationers is one such journey.
Taking a look at it, it is arduous to imagine this can be a 3DS recreation from 2012 — its cinematics are gorgeous to take a look at, and the 3D character fashions are extremely detailed. Enjoying it, it feels such as you’re interacting and collaborating in a TV present, watching the occasions unfold and making split-second selections to assist decide which path you are taking, or typically, whether or not a personality lives or dies.
Fortunately, because the identify implies, there’s time journey! The primary character is Mikoto Shindo, and she or he’s a teen who can journey by time. She’s making an attempt to assemble different time vacationers to stop a second catastrophe from going down — one thing related, and worse, to the “Misplaced Gap” occasion that wiped central Tokyo off the map. It is an engrossing premise and a heck of a looker besides, and we need to get hooked on this one. However, over 10 years later, we’re nonetheless ready to see this one make a comeback.
![Touch Detective Rising 3: Does Funghi Dream of Bananas? (3DS)](https://images.nintendolife.com/5c04c3ff2d08f/touch-detective-rising-3-does-funghi-dream-of-bananas-artwork.900x250.jpg)
Writer: Success Company / Developer: BeeWorks
We bought the primary two Contact Detective video games within the West on the DS, however the 3DS entry, Contact Detective Rising 3: Does Funghi Dream of Bananas?, continues to be caught throughout the pond.
Rina Ozawa, or Mackenzie as she’s identified right here, returns together with her mushroom pet with the intention to resolve mysteries and beat “the world’s best detective” Shiro Tachi. The third recreation is fairly just like the primary two entries — you click on round, current proof, and make your means by the story by 5 separate ‘episodes’. You and your Funghi buddy might want to current proof to folks with the intention to progress. The massive new addition right here is the Rewards System, which helps you to unlock hidden extras by finishing targets. Its cutesy artwork type and amusing sense of humour makes it one of many lighter thriller video games on the 3DS
This one’s a little simpler to pay money for when you can learn Japanese — the sport is a part of a Change compilation with the primary two known as Contact Detective: Rina and the Funghi Case Recordsdata — so absolutely there’s an opportunity, right here that we’ll see it within the West quickly.
![Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3 (3DS)](https://images.nintendolife.com/20ef07e960511/dragon-quest-monsters-joker-3-artwork.900x250.jpg)
Writer: Sq. Enix / Developer: TOSE
That is one other one which’s a bit bizarre to us provided that each earlier Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker video games bought worldwide releases. However maybe that is due to hindsight — Dragon Quest is extra fashionable than ever within the West these days, which implies we’re all of the sadder that Joker 3 is lacking from our libraries.
It is in all probability as a result of this gem launched on the 3DS in 2016, the yr earlier than the Change launched, and Dragon Quest XI was solely a few years away for the West. However Joker 3 brings some much-needed additions to the Monsters subseries. Now you can experience on any monster you acquire all through the sport. Every monster specialises in certainly one of three transportation modes — land, air, or sea — and you’ll rapidly journey the world over on no matter your chosen steed. There are additionally extra monsters than ever earlier than in Joker 3, many from Dragon Quest X (one other title we’re determined to see, which additionally may’ve made this listing, however that offline Change model is our greatest hope at this level).
The Joker sequence may be over now, however a pleasant little compilation for the Change could be slightly pretty, we predict. Particularly with how pretty and charming Treasures is.
![Yo-kai Sangokushi (3DS)](https://images.nintendolife.com/845a9f5e33981/yo-kai-sangokushi-artwork.900x250.jpg)
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Koei Tecmo
No matter Pokémon can do, Yo-kai Watch can do — maybe higher. Form of. Yo-kai Sangokushi is not fairly a easy Nobunaga’s Ambition crossover recreation, slightly it serves as a celebration of Romance of the Three Kingdoms‘ thirtieth anniversary. However Nobunaga does play an element.
On this technique RPG, you may decide between three Yo-kai — Jibanyan, Komasan, and Usapyon — to command a whole military of Yo-kai creatures. Story and cutscenes additionally play out in a different way relying in your chosen cuddly commander. It isn’t only a easy technique crossover recreation, although. Sangokushi is a love letter to each Romance and Yo-kai, with sequence followers reportedly engaged on the sport to create one thing new. Plus, fuelled by Stage-5 CEO Akihiro Hino’s ardour for each Romance and Nobunaga’s Ambition, the crew created a singular and enjoyable turn-based technique recreation that bursts with persona.
Frankly, we’re lacking means too many Yo-kai video games right here within the West, however alas. We wished to focus on this one particularly for its uncommon premise. Maybe Stage-5 will begin feeling beneficiant once more…
![Theatrhythm Dragon Quest (3DS)](https://images.nintendolife.com/21ab5845d2bf6/theatrhythm-dragon-quest-artwork.900x250.jpg)
Writer: Sq. Enix
We love rhythm video games right here at Nintendo Life. We particularly love rhythm video games that take online game soundtracks and have fun a sequence’ music through the years. Remaining Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts have each accomplished it, and we’re getting a brand new Theatrhythm recreation right here very quickly — however the place on earth is Theatrhythm Dragon Quest?
Taking the very same gameplay as the 2 Remaining Fantasy Theatrhythm video games on 3DS, Theatrhythm Dragon Quest delivers 65 iconic songs from throughout the Dragon Quest sequence which you can play in three totally different modes — Problem, Music-Play, and On line casino. So it undoubtedly offers the components slightly little bit of a Dragon Quest twist. Battle, Discipline, and Occasion music levels all return, as do Monster Octopus’ adorably squishy character designs.
There isn’t any Dragon Quest DLC coming to Remaining Bar Line, which is out February 2023 — not less than on the time of writing. So can we please not less than get that? Or a port of this one?
![Puzzle & Dragons X (3DS)](https://images.nintendolife.com/69716522fb037/puzzle-and-dragons-x-artwork.900x250.jpg)
Writer: GungHo On-line Leisure
GungHo’s Puzzle & Dragons sequence has been going since 2012, and whereas most of the video games have been cell unique, we’ve seen a number of on Nintendo consoles. The Change boasts Puzzle & Dragons GOLD, and we did get Puzzle & Dragons Z + Tremendous Mario Bros. Version on the 3DS. Nevertheless, the final 3DS recreation, Puzzle & Dragons X, is lacking in motion within the West.
The sport blends turn-based RPG parts with block-matching puzzle mechanics seamlessly, to create a satisfying and addictive journey the place you discover dungeons and degree up your monsters. Famitsu reviewers lavished reward on the sport again in 2016.
Surprisingly sufficient, the sport additionally has an accompanying anime sequence, which was streamed on Funimation with an English dub again in 2016. Nevertheless, licensing points between Funimation and GungHo meant the dub was halted, and it took one other six months for the present to return in North America — subtitles-only — on Crunchyroll. We may speculate, however principally, we’re simply bitterly disillusioned we will not play this one in English.
![Etrian Mystery Dungeon 2 (3DS)](https://images.nintendolife.com/8cf13f4169a7f/etrian-mystery-dungeon-2-artwork.900x250.jpg)
Writer: Atlus / Developer: Atlus
The primary Etrian Thriller Dungeon is a lot enjoyable, and mixing up Etrian Odyssey with the Thriller Dungeon sequence is a no brainer. And but, regardless of (once more) getting the primary recreation within the sequence, Etrian Thriller Dungeon 2 solely skipped the West.
Taking what the primary recreation did and increasing on it, Etrian Thriller Dungeon 2 expands the primary recreation’s dungeon crawling and sophistication system for an much more addictive journey. 5 new lessons had been added to this sequel, and characters are actually in a position to equip a number of lessons. Those that managed to play this sequel did report AI points, nevertheless it feels unusual that we by no means bought the final Etrian entry on 3DS within the West.
Sadly, that is one other one we will in all probability blame on the discharge date — the sport launched in August 2017, when the Change was virtually six months previous. And the sequel’s gross sales had been beneath expectations in Japan. However hey, you may stream Yuzo Koshiro’s stellar soundtrack, not less than. That is one thing!
![Puyo Puyo Chronicle (3DS)](https://images.nintendolife.com/1db2ab67e3dc2/puyo-puyo-chronicle-artwork.900x250.jpg)
Writer: SEGA / Developer: SEGA
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is certainly one of our staple favourites on Change at Nintendo Life. However, when you ever thought the Puyo Puyo sequence was lacking one thing, then Puyo Puyo Chronicle is the sport for you — when you can learn Japanese, that’s.
One more recreation on this listing that mixes RPG parts with puzzle mechanics, Puyo Puyo Chronicle has a complete story mode that is laid out like a standard RPG mode. You full missions, combat monsters in Puyo-style battles, and use MP to unleash expertise in these fights. It is truthfully lovable to regulate our little character throughout an overworld and discover cities. And that is the primary Puyo Puyo recreation to make use of full 3D character fashions. Should you’re not within the RPG aspect of issues, all the conventional Puyo Puyo parts are in any other case right here, so there’s one thing for everybody.
![Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 3: Final Stage (3DS)](https://images.nintendolife.com/efc9408fbadf8/sega-3d-fukkoku-archives-3-final-stage-artwork.900x250.jpg)
Writer: SEGA / Developer: M2
Sega is without doubt one of the higher corporations for re-releasing its again catalogue and sharing its previous with the world. Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 3: Remaining Stage is one other of the corporate’s compilations, lovingly put collectively for the 3DS. And whereas a number of titles are (or had been, relying on once you’re studying this) out there individually on the 3DS eShop, this assortment has a handful of video games which might be solely on that cartridge.
Besides, you realize, it is not out there in English. We had been hopeful of a world launch again after we managed to snag a duplicate of the sport in 2017. Remaining Stage which lets you play 11 classics utilizing the 3DS’s 3D function and provides native co-op to video games like Columns and Alien Storm. The previous is a extremely neat contact that has some good outcomes with video games like Thunder Power III, and we’re all the time comfortable for extra native co-op.
In fact, there are a lot of different methods to play many of those video games, however for us, the novelty of utilizing the 3D slider won’t ever get previous. And we miss it, particularly in instances like this.
We have begged for Change Japan-only video games earlier than — and a kind of video games did in actual fact get an English launch in 2022! — so we’re praying, hoping, that this listing has the identical impact. As a result of that one was undoubtedly all the way down to us. We all know, some ports of those to Change would take slightly extra work than a easy localisation had been they to one way or the other migrate to Change, however allow us to dream.
Within the meantime, we’ll be saving up our pennies and importing, taking a look at instances on the cabinets longingly. We do not need our 3DS consoles or our libraries to go lacking…
Tell us which of those you wish to play, or when you’ve performed any of them, within the feedback. And be happy to share every other 3DS gems you would like had seen a world launch.