It’s been a year of ups and downs for Nintendo. On one hand, the 3DS has remained strong through every season. On the other, well… the Wii U.
Even though sales of Nintendo’s home console may be poor, the software on all fronts has been outstanding. You could even argue that Nintendo had the best year of the big three. While that’s debatable, there’s no arguing that it’s been a good year to be a fan of Nintendo’s products.
Here are the reasons why 2013 has left Nintendo fans rejoicing.
Why 2013 Has Been a Good Year for Nintendo Fans
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The Cheaper, Smaller 2DS
Nintendo fans who wanted to introduce their kids to the wonder of Pokemon X & Y were likely thankful for the release of the 2DS, a smaller, more lightweight handheld console that is also less easily destructible than the bulkier 3DS. Retailing at a more affordable price point of $99, the 2DS made for a great present for kids who wanted to play arguably the greatest Pokemon game yet.
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The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Featuring the Hyrule of the classic SNES Zelda game A Link to the Past, the 3DS' The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds actually marks something of a welcome departure for the series, immediately thrusting the player into the action rather than requiring them to complete a lengthy introduction. It suits the handheld perfectly, allowing for quick bursts of puzzle-solving aswell as lengthy sessions of dungeon exploring. 2013 was a great year for 3DS owners, and A Link Between Worlds was among the cream of the crop in terms of what the console had to offer.
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Animal Crossing: New Leaf
The Animal Crossing series has always been better suited to handhelds, and its much-anticipated debut on the 3DS didn't disappoint. Being cast as the Mayor of your town and being given the ability to do all the things that Mayors do, such as commissioning the building of new landmarks and forming relationships with your adorable townsfolk, made it the best AC yet, and one of the 3DS' biggest hits of the year.
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Pokemon: X & Y
The release of a new Pokemon game is always a big event, but the pocket monsters' first outing on the 3DS marked a big visual step-up for the series and the return of a plethora of familiar faces from the first generation, so excitement was at a fever pitch. Pokemon X & Y was a huge system seller for the 3DS and helped bring the 2DS into many homes, too, and was one of the many highlights of what was a great year for the handheld console.
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Super Mario 3D World
Simply put, Super Mario 3D World is one of the best Mario games ever, and that's saying a lot. While its sales unfortunately did not reflect this (it ranked 14th in the UK charts, one place behind the PS4's mediocre platformer Knack), those who own a Wii U were fortunate enough to experience the best title from the Italian plumber since Super Mario Galaxy.
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Wii U Price Drops
The Wii U has had a rough start in life, and it's looking increasingly more unlikely that Nintendo will be able to turn the fortunes of the struggling console around. However, it's got a few great games lined up for 2014, including Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros. U and Bayonetta 2, and its lack of success has meant that it has been subject to quite a few ludicrously affordable deals via Amazon and the like. Those who have picked one up on the cheap this year have a lot to look forward to.
